The Unfinished Story - Chapter Nineteen (Part 2)
Chapter Nineteen Part 2
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“Argh!!!!” Louise swore to herself as she dropped the fifth box. She’s been carrying one box at a time, back and forth, from their room to the gym for some time now.
“I thought I told you to leave the boxes to the guys?” Chinen, surprisingly, is there. It seems that he has nothing better to do, their class (ever so perfect, A students) are already done with their preparations. “Umi-chan…” he warned, sounding rather angry as Louise heads back to the room.
“Tell me again why you’re lurking around here?” She stopped and turned around to say this. “Aren’t you supposed to be with your class or something?” It’s past lunchtime. Actually, the real festival opening is tomorrow; the stalls and everything else has to be finished today. No classes, but it’s busy-busy for everyone - well, except Chinen. “Oi!” She yelled as Chinen carried the last box Louise just dropped.
“You can carry this?” He asked, rather amused and obviously not paying attention to Louise. “Wow…”
Getting to know Chinen wasn’t really hard, so Louise just rolled her eyes and went on her way. But as she turned around, she really wished she didn’t. Glitters, cut-outs and all other craft stuff sprawled on the floor. “Shoot. Gomenasai!” Louise was quick to duck and help the person gather her stuff, when she suddenly froze at the face of the person she’s looking at the moment.
Ayaka stared at her with wide eyes. “It’s fine.” She uttered rather silently as she quickly gathered what she could. Louise still kept helping her though. “It’s fine…” She repeated, but Louise just kept what she was doing until it pretty much looks clean.
Without saying anything, Louise just stood up and walked away like nothing happened.
As Ayaka stood up though, she knew Chinen was looking at her so she decided to just look back - what does the whole school think about them, her and Akihiko, it’s hard to know.
Chinen wasn’t sure why, but he felt like staring at Ayaka and watching her feel really uncomfortable was rather just a tiny comeback for what they did to Umika. But what Louise did just now tell him a different thing - a side perhaps only Louise has. As Ayaka walked past by Chinen, she was surprised when she heard him say, “She’s so different, it’s amazing, ne?”
Not looking at Chinen, Ayaka kept walking. But deep down, she knew he was right. That moment when Louise was helping her gather her stuff, there’s this really weird feeling in her stomach - as if she’s asking herself: what has she been doing all this time?
As Louise walks past by the staff room, the door was ajar. She frowned upon hearing someone screaming - it sounded like one of the gym teachers. You hear them just about every gym period; they all sound the same at some point. He sounded rather upset though.
She was about to walk away, since this isn’t any of her business, when she heard a more familiar voice coming from inside. “I’m really sorry.” It was Yamada. The tone of his voice says otherwise though.
“Don’t let us down captain. You know we all expect a lot from you.” Louise frowned upon hearing this. It sounds as if that gym teacher, probably the soccer team’s coach, was pleading to Yamada. Well, not really pleading but it sounds like he’s rather have Yamada do what he wants.
Again, in her attempt to leave she was halted, when Yamada sounded really, really… down? It was difficult to put to words. “Yes, sir….”
xXxXx
Line sat there, just looking blank. She didn’t get to catch Daiki - and nor does she know where he’s probably at right now. So she went back to their lunch table, with Inoo busy with reading something, and he looks rather disappointed seeing Line all by herself.
“Kei-chan…” Line finally talked after what seems like eternity.
Inoo, just sitting there ever so casually, legs crossed, lowered the book he was reading and gave line a questioning look along with a, “Hn?”
“Actually right now, I have so many things going on inside my head, it’s annoying.” Line replied, hugging her sweater close to her.
“One thought at a time. You only have one brain.” Was Inoo’s response and he continued, “You can’t expect yourself to handle everything all in one go…”
“Do you know that right now, I’m in the process of trying to figure out how to prepare myself in case I meet someone… erm… unexpected… when I go to Gunma?”
This caught Inoo pretty off-guard. The ever so talkative Line-chan seems to be making a come-back. “Well that sounds new. Tell me about it.” He grinned; what of this is making him interested?
“Eh…” Line thought twice - what has she been thinking blurting out her thoughts like this in the middle of being upset over Daiki? “It’s just… someone…”
“Pretty relevant so it seems.” Inoo was actually raising his eyebrows.
Really, at this very moment, that face of Daiki while he walks out is what’s painfully playing inside her head. But then again, what she’s talking about is a totally different thing - perhaps not even directly related to Daiki. Line was pretty quiet. It’s hard when you’re not sure what to think, how to manage thinking about it, and what to say or do exactly.
“Tell me Line-chan…” Inoo, here again, always to the rescue when she has nothing. “Have you ever fallen for a guy before?”
How can Inoo know exactly what to say and when to say it? Sometimes Line wonders how she’ll get that same darn talent. “That came as a surprise” was her stuttering answer.
Inoo chuckled. “…Just a hunch that you’re talking about someone… hmmm… special…” Of course, when Inoo says something like this, it means he knows something is up.
Frowning, Line looked up in the sky as if thinking really hard. “I’m not really sure if ‘fallen’ is the right word, but I’ll tell you a story.” She looked rather comfortable sharing it though.
Inoo placed his book on the table and looked at Line as she seems to try to figure out how to start her story.
“Back in Canada…” She was pouting, “There’s this guy who was a really good friend of mine.” She did kind of emphasized on the ‘was’ part. She chuckled, “He was pretty much the goofy, friendly, easy-to-get-close with type of person.” There was a pause, “I just got in to high school and we were in the same English class.” She looked at Inoo and seeing him nod, she continued. “See, I’m not really scared of people talking to me, so when he did, it was… erm… nice. You know, not knowing anybody at first, you feel so left out… it felt really good when he took the initiative to talk.”
The story went on about how every day in English class, the guy would randomly come up to her, ask her silly things, tease her about stupid stuff, bother her when she seems like she has nothing better to do - all of it sounded like a really good friendship. “…That sounds nice.” Inoo replied when he found a window of opportunity to just utter something. “As expected of our dear Line-chan; you’re not difficult to get along with you know…” he smiled and Line just grinned.
“Not to brag, but I have been told many times that I’m easy to befriend.”
“Add one more to the list of people who said that to you.” Inoo uttered, raising his hand as if he’s in lecture class. “So this guy, erm… you fell for him?” Since its Inoo, it’s not really surprising how he doesn’t care how straightforward his questions may appear.
There was a small hint of smile, but there’s also some hint of hesitation in Line’s face. After a few seconds, she just shrugged. Inoo frowned and Line just laughed at him.
“Well, you can at least give me an answer to work with here.” Inoo complained and Line laughed again.
“It’s safe to say I’ve almost fallen for him.” Line uttered rather casually and this raised Inoo’s eyebrows. “Actually, that’s already an overrated statement, but that’ll do.”
“Then what happened?” This is the first time Line talks about love in a way that she’s actually the one experiencing it. There’s no way Inoo would let this conversation pass without him knowing everything he wishes to know - there’s also this half-half feeling about having Daiki hear this though. What would he feel if he’s here? Oh heck, no one knows if Line would even talk like this if Daiki’s here.
“Things…” Line uttered, as Inoo watches her get ready to leave. Lunch time’s almost over, they both have classes it seems.
Frowning, “Like what?”
Line looked up as if thinking again, then she continued, “I’m not really sure.”
“EEEEH???” Inoo’s feeling a little frustrated now. Why would she start talking about this if she wouldn’t finish, huh!? “I wanna know!”
Line laughed, “Well, it’s…” pouting now, “It’s a bit sad.” Looking at how Inoo’s not really satisfied, she went on saying, “To be honest, I’m not really sure what happened.” She smiled as to convince Inoo she’s telling him the truth. “We grew apart over the years - you know, I got friends, he’s got his own group. Our lives weren’t revolving around that English class. Also, that class was our last class together.”
“So just because you don’t see each other anymore, you didn’t fall for him…?” Inoo sounded pretty confused.
“Hey, I’m not that shallow.”
“I’m confused.”
There comes Line’s laugh again, “He’s changed.”
“Oh…”
“Not that he became a bad guy or something, but he’s become different. I started avoiding him as well”
“Just like what you’re doing to Dai-chan now?”
“Hey!” Was Line’s reply, but she found it funny how she couldn’t think of anything else to add. “That’s different…”
“So that’s what you do when you fall for someone, ne Line-chan?” Inoo has this grin on his face, “You avoid them.”
“I’m telling you, they’re two completely different people. Different scenario… just. Don’t compare them!” She glared and soon, “As I was saying. Things became different.” She stood up, and Inoo did too. “Then rumours started fluttering: about me liking him, and that I’m really desperate about him, that I’m madly in love with him…”
“Woah… Rumours… Way to spice up a rather depreciating love story.” Inoo uttered, walking beside Line. He did drop the Daiki/other-guy comparison and just now, he was referring to Line’s recent pace.
Line shrugged, “He seemed to have bought it.”
“What an idiot.” Inoo sounded rather disgusted.
“Exactly what I thought.”
“What happened after that?” This is getting too interesting; Inoo didn’t care if he’ll run late for class. But at the back of his head, he knows who this guy is - really.
There was a pretty long pause then Line sighed, “He ended up being a jerk, saying he’s scared of me, and so and so…” Then she briefly stated details about the guy bringing the topic in Facebook, making himself look like a victim, and yes… the sticky notes. Inoo just had to hold his breath to prevent himself from swearing or worst, blurting out things he should not mention.
“That’s just mean.” Inoo’s looking really serious. “Just a guy feeding his ego, maybe?” was what he managed.
She chuckled at this, “Some of my friends thought so too.” Then she shrugged, “Who knows.” To Inoo’s surprise, she laughed suddenly, “And you know, as he goes on erm… bullying me - for lack of better word - online, some random guy claimed to be my boyfriend, who the heck knows what that person did to him, and soon, he stopped the ruckus and even apologized to me.”
“Hmm… his webcam got infiltrated, he was spammed with viruses; boy, he was scared to death, he couldn’t go online for days.” Surprising himself, Inoo uttered these and Line shot him a really weird look - as if he talked in alien language. With wide eyes, Inoo raised both his hands, “A-at least those are the things that would make me stop bugging someone.” He looked sideways to avert Line’s weird stare, and then he tried to look back at her, “You know…” he let is hang, “If you’re a detective, think like a criminal to solve the case…?” he ended up with a sheepish smile, hoping Line would stop paying attention to him and luckily, she did. “You’re not mad, are ya?” he asked, and Line was a little confused.
“At what?” With a frown, she looked at Inoo.
“That guy that suddenly appeared.” He talks about it as if he’s basing everything on Line’s story. “Your boyfriend, or so he says…”
“I was glad he saved me, but he’s fake.” This made Inoo wince a bit - he didn’t think a day would come that he’ll hear Line’s opinion about this Facebook thing; how it all came to place was just weird. “I still don’t know who it was, though.” Her shoulders were hunched a bit. “Tried looking for the name my friends told me, but there’s none.”
“It’s like he just came to save you, and then he disappears, ne?”
But it’s like Line to not press much on stuff sometimes. So she shrugged, and they both stopped walking. They are to part ways here since their classes are a building apart. “Well then, see ya!” Was Line’s wave and before she turned, Inoo felt like asking.
“Who was the guy? What’s his name?”
Line blinked twice, “Kenneth Dickson.”
Inoo grinned, “He’s in Canada. It’s best if you just leave him out of your mind. Focus on what’s here with you… in Japan.”
Then it’s as if it struck Line; all this talk, she didn’t get to tell Inoo what her main problem regarding Kenneth is. All the story was about were backgrounds stuff, you know, flashbacks. And soon, “That’s the problem Kei-chan.” She paused, “He’s not in Canada anymore.”
Inoo frowned.
“He’s here in Japan.” With that, Line didn’t even wait for Inoo to respond, she just turned her back on him and went on her way.
“Holy crap” Was Inoo’s statement to himself as he watches Line enter her room.
xXxXx
Well, it’s already way past dismissal time since they’ve been working on decorations for hours now. She hoped Yamada would still be around though since he didn’t even return and help after lunchtime. Maybe he was held by their coach for a really serious one-on-one talk.
Seriously, what she overheard just concerns her. It’s as if it’s something really important. And here she is, waiting in their classroom upon seeing that Yama-chan’s things are still here, and she’s working out how to ask him. Yes, she’s that… erm… unembarrassed. Oh well, since it’s Yama-chan, it’s pretty much like talking with Keito, or some silly directionless chats with Chii… or more like, a walk with Yuto. Yes, those four.
Come to think of it, aside from Kawashima Umika, Louise never really got the chance to befriend girls. After Akihiko and Ayaka’s suspension, there has been a relative increase in the amount of people - girls, especially - who slowly warmed up to her. But since Louise isn’t really the easy-to-get-along-with type, it’s not surprising she barely goes out of her comfort zone: that is, beside any of Yuto, Keito, Chii or Yama-chan.
Why suddenly bring this up? Because just now, one of the girls in her class asked her if she wanted to walk home with her since she always sees Louise taking the same route. Louise declined as politely as possible as she waits for Yamada inside their room. Yuto and Keito were held in the gym, by the way; their staying a little late today for the opening presentations tomorrow.
There were not much people inside the room. Yes; its dismissal time, but at times like this, usually, students don’t mind working on their booths over time. And as for this class, most of the people who decided to stay are most likely at the gym at the moment.
Actually, she’s staying late as well - she just needs to speak to Yamada for a moment. And here he comes, “Finally…” She uttered, the moment Yamada entered and went to his seat, fixing up his things.
He looked at her questioningly, “Were you waiting for me?” then a smile escaped from his lips, “You were, weren’t you?”
Louise rolled her eyes, “I meant to ask you something.” She was looking rather unsure how to say it. Yamada felt a little thug in his chest. Is this what he wishes this to be?
“…” He meant so say something back, but there were no words that came out of his mouth. Instead, he just stood there and looked at her - waiting.
“Erm… I’d like you to…” Louise let her words hang and Yamada was feeling his hands go cold. This is all too sudden for him, he couldn’t figure out what he should do. “Erm…”
The anxiety builds as he notices that they’re the only ones left in the room.
“I’d like you to tell me why your coach is mad at you.” As Louise blurts this, Yamada almost kneeled - he felt his knees growing really weak he wasn’t sure if it could stand on its own the moment Louise talked; but as he processed what she just said, Yamada managed a frown.
“…Mad at me?”
Louise, just being her usual, erm… frank self, looked up at as she tried to explain, “I overheard him yelling at you at the staff room. Completely accidental, but yeah…”
As if getting a better answer, Yamada just nodded and Louise frowned at him. “He was just upset because I didn’t do what I was told.” There was a slight hesitation in his voice, and Louise stared at him. He tries to brush her stare away but heck, he knows he can’t win. “It’s just that, Umi-chan…”
Louise was about to say something when someone tapped on their room’s backdoor - someone Louise isn’t really familiar with - maybe someone from the other classes. He didn’t really look like he mind interrupting, what looks to be some precious confession moments to others, as he just spoke what he came to say, “You guys are in charge of the stage, right?” he said indirectly, and Louise and Yamada both nodded. “Our class has a few extra lights and we’ve been told to give them to you guys. But I don’t have people who can bring them to the gym for you. You can get them at the stock room just down the hall.”
This guy, sounding like a boss in a really annoying way, ticked the heck out of Louise but she just nodded at him. Luckily, Yamada was there to reply, “Thanks. I’ll take care of it.”
The guy just nodded rather apathetically and left. “Well he sure sounded happy about sharing their stuff.” She said sarcastically after rolling her eyes.
Yamada just chuckled, “He’s not the sociable kind. That guy’s from Class E… erm… forgot his name though.” After that he just left his things and went for the door. “You coming?”
“Oh, you’re getting those extra lights now?” She asked. “We did buy a lot the other day though…” She uttered merely to herself thinking as to why they need extra ones.
“At times like these, it’s better to have plenty than few.” Yamada uttered and soon, Louise just followed him.
It’s rather late, actually. Oh well. A lot of other students, even the younger ones, stayed though. It is going be one big event tomorrow. As they’ve reached that stock room, Yamada turned the knob and Louise just waited outside. “Umi-chan, he did say it’s this stock room, right?”
Louise faintly heard Yamada shuffling some stuff and she stepped in the room a little, “Can’t find it?” She asked.
But to their surprise, Louise felt someone push her from behind, Yamada quickly catching her as she stumbles inside that little stock room, and it was all too late before they could move - the door was already shut, and their eyes were both wide when they heard that click.
They hurried to the door and as Yamada tried turning the knob, “Locked…” Louise uttered, seeing Yamada’s disappointed face. “They locked us in.”
xXxXx
Chapter Nineteen Part 3