The Unfinished Story - Chapter Eleven (Part 1)
The Unfinished StoryTitle: The Unfinished Story
Author: aemrith
Pairing: Yamada Ryosuke/OC, Arioka Daiki/OC, Nakajima Yuto/OC
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance, Friendship, Family
Warnings: May take long to update.
Summary: Louise had to go back to the place she never thought she'd have to see again; while Line finally gets a chance to set foot on her dream land. What is it that Japan has for them?
Chapter 11 - We hate trouble, but trouble doesn’t hate us.
Louise swore. Yuto just had his umbrella opened. It’s weird that the guy gets to have an umbrella ready, while a girl like her doesn’t. “It looks like the rain’s gonna die soon, but just to make sure.”
“Um.” She uttered. Limited words -that’s Louise’s preventive measure against swearing and cursing too much when she feels horrible.
Yuto started walking and Louise walked beside him. He stopped and looked at her. That moment, Louise thought she could see him… blushing?
“What’s up?” She asked.
Yuto looked up as if swallowing something. His gesture’s beginning to become weird, “Betsuni… iku…” Louise can tell that he’s trying to smile.
The two walked further, some of their school mates walking beside them; people are looking, and Louise can’t help but feel awkward. “It’s weird, but am I the only one who thinks that they’re all looking?” she couldn’t hold it, she had to ask.
Yuto stopped walking and she did too. Soon, he uttered, “Well…”
Louise then heard someone utter faintly, “Kawaii ne?” she slyly turned to look and it was some couple sharing an umbrella. Then it struck her. “Sharing an umbrella is bad?” she asked, not really sure what kind of tone she was intending to use.
“Ah… no.” Yuto started walking again, and Louise followed.
Still, her friend looked a little different. Oh right, things like this might not matter much in Canada -she and Yuma always do this before during Spring when she wasn’t driving yet. But then again, remember this Louise: you are not in Canada anymore. Simple things can get big. Hey, it might not be a big deal in Japan too, but who knows? A high school girl and a boy… under one umbrella… Yay-yay.
She smiled and it might look awkward and a little hard for her [since her buddy’s not really the average height-type], but Louise placed a hand over Yuto’s shoulder; like they’re drunken-buddies. She felt Yuto stiffen a little. Again, they stopped on their tracks.
“Is it okay to share an umbrella with you, Nakajima Yuto-san?” Louise asked formally. It was ironic; her actions were one of the most informal ones though.
Yuto laughed. He felt a little different, that’s true, but it can’t be denied that at certain times, Louise makes him feel like everything is normal. “Shut up. It’s not like it matters.”
This time, Louise laughed. “It doesn’t?” she made sure it sounds like a mock. They started walking again. Soon they turned on a certain street.
“Ma~”
To Yuto’s surprise, Louise wrapped a hand on his arm, like how couples do it. “Ne, Yuu-chan, share an umbrella with me. That way, we share something special! Uwaaaa~h! It’s like the cutest and sweetest Love-Love scene, like in the mangas! Kyaaa~!” Louise ended up faking a flail and Yuto can’t help but laugh.
“You hate those?” Soon, Yuto asked; taking a glance at her.
“I’m surprised you asked if I hate them.” Louise lets go and linked her hands behind her back.
“But you do?” he pressed.
“No offense, but they’re too… mushy.” Louise cursed when she saw a puddle they’re about to walk onto.
“Mushy?” Yuto absent-mindedly pulled Louise a little to side so she wouldn’t have to walk on the puddle, and it’ll be him instead; but hey, with his big steps, a puddle is nothing, ne?
A little unbalanced, Louise went where Yuto was pulling her, “What? It is mushy… cheesy…”
“You sound like you’d wanna spat the words.” They were done with the puddles; the rain really is dying soon, but there are still faint drops. “Demo, some thinks it’s sweet.” She could imagine that honest smile on his face. True, Yuto’s this really ideal, cool-ish guy, but he’s a softie; Louise can attest that.
She wasn’t sure, but she didn’t really wanna say anything after that even though her head shouts ‘Sweet. Psssh. Too dreamy…’
The two made a familiar turn to a street Louise knows where it heads.
xXxXx
“Did you see that!?” Anger was all over Akihiko’s face.
“Absolutely.” Her friend, Ayaka, agreed.
The girls then started walking, gossiping as they go. “I can’t believe how… urgh!”
“Relax Aki-chan…”
“First Yamada-kun, now Nakajima-kun!? Who’s next!?” Akihiko stopped walking and glared at her companion. “She’s playing with them!”
Ayaka just stared back at her friend for a moment before tapping her shoulder for comfort, “Don’t get too worked up about it.” She kept patting. Ayaka knows well Akihiko has this thing for Nakajima Yuto since they started High School.
“I feel really bad for Mariya-chan… To be hurt because of a good-for-nothing foreigner.”
Ayaka kept quiet. Sure she agrees with Akihiko, but with her fuming like this right now, there really isn’t anything to add.
So while Akihiko kept pointing out things that a girl should and shouldn’t do, they finally arrive at the place where they’re supposed to meet Mariya. The girls said Mariya needed time to cool her mind off things and to distract her from being sad.
When they got to the convenience store, Akihiko stopped dead on her tracks, and Ayaka spoke what she thought, “Why is Yamada-kun, here?”
There, Yamada Ryosuke was standing right in front of Nishiuchi Mariya. There’s this different expression on their faces; those of which Akihiko nor Ayaka could really understand.
xXxXx
The two then stopped in front of their old middle school, they were about to pick up Raiya.
Waiting just outside, Yuto spotted his brother, looking up at his umbrella. “Oh, Rui-chan!”
“Wow, greet her, forget about Nii-chan.” Yuto retorted.
“Hey Rai…” Louise greeted back and they did a friendly high-five. “How’s school?”
“It was raining and I felt sleepy all day, haha!”
“I’m telling mom…” Yuto warned and the boy looked betrayed.
“Don’t worry. Oni-chan was sleeping through math too! Tell that to your mom in exchange” Louise convincingly showed a smug and Raiya was beaming.
“I’ll keep saying this: It’s unfair when you two team-up, you know that?” the three then started walking towards Nakajima-residence.
Halfway through the trip, Raiya still walking with his own umbrella, and the two teens sharing Yuto’s, the boy asked an interesting question. “So Ni-chan, is Rui-chan your girlfriend now?” Raiya asked this with pure innocence that for a moment Louise didn’t really think it was such an odd question...Until she actually had the time to digest it. Haha!
“HUH!? What’s that about!?” Yuto cracked, and Louise, a little taken by surprise, looked at Raiya with wide eyes.
“Yeah Raiya, what?” Louise followed.
The boy looked confused now. “Well, you share umbrellas with your special someone, right? A classmate of mine asked my other classmate to share an umbrella with her. She said so they could share something special.” The boy kept talking and the two teens were just… well, surprised.
As the boy kept talking about how some of his classmates are starting to become all giddy-giddy about romance, the three started walking again; Louise and Yuto pretending to listen, but they’re having their own conversation. “Isn’t he… I dunno… eleven?” Louise asked.
Yuto uttered, “Twelve soon…”
“…are we getting old?”
“I’m not sure…” Yuto shook his head in disbelief. They finally arrived home and Raiya was quick to take out his key and open the door; Yuto and Louise just behind him.
Upon opening the door, Yuto shot his head up quickly when he heard his brother’s greet, “Tadaima mama! Nii-chan brought his girlfriend today!”
“Ra-i-ya!” Yuto scowled as the boy ran up his room knowing his big brother’s after him. Louise was left near the entrance and she just took off her shoes.
“Konichiwa…” she greeted shyly; ‘What do you say when you’re visiting a house?!’ She mentally pounded her head to remember what phrase she should say. Like a spark, it hit her: “Ah.. ojama shimasu(?).” Not really sure if her phrase was right and if it was too odd that it sounded like a question, Louise peeked a little. She’s aware enough about the ethics of visiting someone else’s house, it still feels weird greeting and doing stuff like how she’s supposed to.
Soon, Yuto’s mom emerged from the kitchen, probably, and she had this same warm smile as her two kids; Louise stared a little; she’s really pretty, imagine Yuto and Raiya merged… but more like with Raiya’s eyes(?) and she’s about her height. As if waves come meeting land, her memory of this woman’s face came upon her; right, she’s seen and been with her before. Louise bowed out of respect.
“Oh~! Okaeri Louise-chan!” her smile grew brighter and Louise thought it was contagious. “My, my, how you guys grow! Come on in!” Nakajima-san pulled Louise into her home, much like how her mom pulls her into a certain boutique. “It’s been so long, how are you?” she was directing Louise to the living room, and soon she offered her to sit.
Weird enough, the place looks oddly familiar. And yes, they have a couch - western style. Nakaijma-san gestured that she take a seat and Louise did so.
“Oh my… I didn’t really know what to think when Rai said Yuto brought his girlfriend. I was glad it was you though~!” Yuto’s mom had this really, really happy smile, and Louise can’t really put into words what she felt - all she knows is that her cheeks felt hot.
“AH~! It’s not really like that…” she laughed sheepishly thinking, ‘Yuu-chan! Get back here!’
xXxXx
Yamada sighed. “See Mariya-san… I think everything was some misunderstanding. And I’m sorry for not telling you right away.” Well, that went a little smoother than he expected. Maybe Louise was right about it being easy. Saying all his thoughts about their relationship, it made him feel better. Getting out the load inside was really something.
He looked at Mariya. The girl hasn’t really said anything; she’s just listening to him. Yamada didn’t mind; after all, that’s what he really wants her to do. As far as he’s concerned, he tried hard not to sound so numb or apathetic. Chinen kept telling him that he should be careful when talking to girls since they can get pretty sensitive over the simplest things. And besides, it’s not like he hasn’t prepared for this moment. Since yesterday, he’s been thinking of how he’ll face Mariya should Louise decline the offer of being his fake girlfriend and do the act. Well, Louise clearly declined, and he was left with no choice but to present the truth.
Watching Mariya sit there with him, speechless, Yamada thought that he has taken things too fast… or that he has acted too rashly. Has he been too straightforward? Inside his head, he was looking for things to say; but instead, all there is was questions. ‘So, can I conclude now that being honest is really bad? Was I too blunt? I picked my words right, right?’ And for no reason at all, Yamada felt like looking at his watch. Was he being impatient?
“Gomen ne Yamada-kun…” it felt like ages, but finally she spoke. Her voice was a little hush. Is she crying?
Yamada felt panic whoosh over him. He’s not really ready to comfort anybody; especially a girl. “Why are you apologizing?” that was what he was thinking.
Mariya cleared her throat; an attempt to regain her composure perhaps. “Well… if you really like someone else, you could’ve just told me.” Yamada quickly glanced at her, confusion in his eyes. He saw Mariya swiftly wipe her eyes ever so softly -a very finesse gesture, if I may add. “It’s not necessary to fabricate stories. I would understand.”
‘What!? She didn’t believe all that I’ve said!?’ Yamada felt his temper; his moody-side, talking over him, but he tried hard to keep himself calm. “Ummm… I don’t really know what you’re getting at…”
Mariya gathered up the strength to look at him in the eyes; he can tell she has been crying. “I know about that other girl. You like someone else that’s why you’re breaking up with me.” Her words were full of pain; hatred. Yamada didn’t know why, but he felt scared.
“…Other girl?” he uttered. ‘And breaking up with you? We’re not even a couple!’ He’s still a little baffled about Mariya not believing everything he said even though they were pure truths. And right now, is he hearing her saying that she believes in this supposed-to-be lie he planned [but trashed right away]?
Mariya stood up, he can tell she is angry, “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can forgive you.” She grabbed her bag and fixed her skirt before heading out the door. But before she completely leaves him, she looked back at the still confused Yamada, some deepness in her eyes, “I can’t forgive her either.” With that, Mariya was gone.
The moment she left, Yamada only thought of one person. With Mariya’s last words, he felt worried, threatened. But what can Mariya do? She’s not the type to hurt anybody, right? Still, Yamada felt different.
xXxXx
“Thank you so much.” Louise smiled while taking her cup. She and Yuto’s mother has been chatting for some time now since she arrived, and this is her second helping of tea. She can smell nabe, and Louise felt like closing her eyes; it smells like heaven. Nabe gives her the same heavenly feeling as dark chocolate and ice cream.
“So has your mom been calling you? I bet she does all the time, ne? She must miss you so much.” Yuto’s mom started. Since they started talking, Louise has pretty much said nothing else but things about her mother; what she’s doing, what kind of work she’s in, what crazy hobbies she’s been up to… and the likes. Louise felt that this is the appropriate topic since Yuto’s mother is a good friend of her mom.
“Well, I tell her not to call too much since I don’t have many stories to tell every day.” Louise felt sheepish while saying this; is it really okay to speak so freely like this in front of an adult? Anyway, she’s just saying what’s true anyway. “Mom can get pretty dramatic too.” With her last line, she received a good laugh from Yuto’s mom.
“I can imagine Anne-chan.” She laughed more. “Your mom can get pretty childish, if she still is like how I remember her.”
Louise nodded ever so greatly, “That is so true!”
Yuto’s mom laughed more. It’s amazing how at-home Louise feels right now. It’s like she’s talking to one of her own aunts; if only she has one.
“Sometimes, she even whacks me on the head, I feel like she forgets I’m her daughter.”
More laugh, and soon Yuto emerged from the kitchen, “My mom does the same. It gets really unfair when you can’t hit ‘em back.”
Yuto’s mom whacked her son the moment Yuto sat beside Louise. “Are you saying you plan to hit me back!?” his mother faked a scolding gesture, “That’s not how we raised you…” she ended, shaking her head as if disappointed.
This made Louise laugh. “Look, even your mom bullies you. Haha!”
“I know! It’s so unfair!” Yuto pouted; something Louise find really so Yuto, and always so cute of him. It can’t be helped, a big-guy like him, to do some childish gestures, he pulls it off like it’s nothing.
Yuto’s mom soon excused herself, heading for the kitchen. “I’ll get you some hot pot.” She shouted half-way and Yuto rested his hand at the back of their couch, following by sight his mother.
“Mom, I want one too okay!?”
“Get one for yourself!”
“Uwaaah!” Yuto complained and Louise couldn’t finish her tea because she can’t stop laughing. “Oaaa-san!”
“Just kidding! Hai, hai! Oh. Rai! Nabe’s ready!”
“Hai!” There was Raiya’s response from his room that he and Yuto shares.
Yuto stood up, “Iku ka…” he offered and Louise looked up at him. Soon he was pulling her to their kitchen. Somehow, it feels really great to be offered to eat together at a family’s dining table.
Yuto looked gentleman enough when he pulled a chair for Louise, and she obliged. Raiya was all energetic when he took his seat, “Nabe, nabe! Rui-chan!”
“Eh?” Louise looked at the boy questioningly.
“Do you wanna see me defeat Onii-chan in tennis?”
“Oh? Sure!” Louise looked at Yuto. He was actually grabbing the bowls of nabe for them being handed to him by his mom.
Yuto approached the table and placed the bowl in front of Louise. “Hey, it was pure luck whenever you defeat me you know. Besides, it’s not like it’s the real thing! It’s just on wii!” Yuto countered, throwing a raspberry tongue at his little brother, which Raiya playfully get-back at.
“Then, I’m always lucky, ne? Mama has seen me beat you tons and tons of times!”
Louise laughed, “How sad Yuu-chan…” she teased. There’s nothing like making Yuto cry.
Yuto was back with a bowl for Raiya, but he stopped halfway saying, “No Nabe for you!”
“Nii-chan!” Raiya complained and tried to seize his bowl which Yuto, with his height, easily puts away.
“You might spill it, cut it out Yuu-chan!” Louise tried to stop the two.
Soon, Yuto’s mother was holding her own bowl and took her seat, just beside Raiya, opposite Louise. “Oh… You still call him that, ne?” she smiled, “It’s really nice to have you here again Louise-chan.” Then this one came a little like a whisper, “I can’t really call you Ruu-chan, Yuto will be furious!” he ended up laughing sneakily. Louise laughed too.
Yuto, now giving up and putting Raiya’s bowl on the table looked at his mother as if he’s just been betrayed, “okaa-san! What’s that about!?” Louise looked at him and sure enough, he looked embarrassed.
“Nothing… Oh, Yuto grab your bowl, it’s gonna get cold!” Louise thought Yuto’s mother was being really sweet to him, honestly. To tease her son like that, it just shows that they’re pretty close.
Hesitantly, Yuto grabbed his bowl and took the seat next to Louise. “Itadakimasu!” Raiya was the first to go and they all followed. The four started eating and Louise, after taking her first sip…
“Oh! Oishi!”
She got a sweet smile from the lady opposite to her, “I’m glad you liked it.”
“Mom’s nabe is the B-E-S-T!” Raiya spoke; some noodles dangling from his mouth, his mother wiped it right away, telling his boy to eat more properly. Raiya looked not a bit embarrassed and Louise thought it was really nice.
Yuto was pretty quiet, but Louise can sense that he’s just busy eating. For a while, being in scenery like this, Louise probably denies it, but she does miss her mom. Even though her mom isn’t really expert in cooking any Japanese stuff - she’s more on baking things, stuffing her with cakes and cookies - her mom made sure they eat together. She kept eating and soon, conversation was flowing. Yuto still gets some bullying from all three of them -Louise, Raiya and his mom - but you can tell that he is pretty used to it; actually, he looks as if he’s expecting it.
There was nothing but laughter and more laughter. With Nabe and the Nakajimas, Louise almost forgot the bad Monday… the awful weather… all that’s inside her head right now were smiles, oh and the sound of sipping bowls till its empty. “Ureshii!” Raiya soon exclaimed, and Louise couldn’t agree more.
xXxXx
‘Takaki Yuya…’ Line was hoping that Inoo didn’t really delete the pictures and was she glad that he didn’t. She took out her 10in laptop, which she always have with her, and plugged the memory card Inoo returned to her this afternoon. “I have something here…”
The girls were chatting while finishing their cakes, Line didn’t have any. She just asked for tea and that was pretty much great for her. When Line called their attention, Ruby was the first to look onto her laptop by instinct and the others waited. “Nani- AH!!!!”
Line smiled and the rest of the girls just crowded over the tiny monitor.
Mei was the first to comment, “Why do you have a picture with Takaki Yuya?” it was a question out of curiosity; no hidden meaning or anything.
“Well, we kind of got cornered by this really manipulating common friend of ours.” Line tried to keep it simple, but she was open to questions. When she saw questioning, confused look, and a pretty petrified Ruby, she decided to continue saying, “Our friend needed some pictures, I was pulled in as a model… and that’s the same for Takaki-san.” She made sure she makes it clear that the model thing didn’t really make her any happy.
“Wow! This is like a pot of gold Ruby!” Alex exclaimed, happily shaking her dumbfounded friend. Ruby was staring at the laptop and Line turned to the other pictures. They kept looking and commenting on some stuff until Line stopped on the last one which was where Yuya had his arm over her shoulders.
The girls went, “ooooohhhh…..” like a teasing crowd and Line waved a hand over her face. “Pfft.” Line uttered, she didn’t know why but she didn’t feel like explaining because she knows she doesn’t have to.
And like her thoughts are being read, “Line, you looked like you wanted to punch someone.” Emma spoke softly, with that British accent of hers that Line always found amusing.
“I do! Our friend was being too weird and demanding.” Line answered.
“Takaki-san looks like he wants to laugh though…” Alex followed, pointing at Yuya’s kind of twitched lips. What can you expect from a Psychology major?
Ruby was still silent and Line soon bumped her elbow, “Hey, you’re not jealous are you?” it wasn’t her character, but Line tried to make it sound like she’s making fun of Ruby; probably to shake her up.
Greatly enough, Ruby shook her head quickly and Line was pretty relieved when she saw her friend smile. Actually, she was beaming, “I can’t believe you have pictures of Takaki Yuya!”
“So that’s what she’s been holding all this time!” Mei uttered, and the girls were all laughing.
Line was struck with an idea, “OH! Let’s see….” she opened her trusty PhotoShop and started dragging stuff. “Here….” She clicked enter and soon, Yuya was left alone, Line cut off from the picture. “Much better!”
Ruby looked at her, “Ah… that wasn’t necessary Line…” she looked pretty shy; she probably thinks it was pretty rude and offensive. She didn’t really doubted Line at all, cropping herself from the picture wasn’t really needed. “Really Line…”
Line looked at her with disbelief, “Of course it is! I can’t have you carrying a picture with my face you know, that’d be weird.” Line’s attempt of humour was working and the girls started teasing Ruby. They were laughing and then started with a topic about Ruby acutally confessing.
“OH! That’s impossible!” Ruby shook her head crazily, she felt like disappearing. “Really guys, we’re in Japan!”
“Exactly! Perfect place for girls to confess!” Alex pondered.
“Besides, you did say he started talking to you!” Mei added. Line looked at Ruby with surprised eyes.
“Takaki Yuya spoke to you? Sugoi! I’ve met the guy several times, I haven’t got the chance to actually exchange words with him! Kyaaa!” Line then started flailing, “Not to lead you on, but he might just like you!”
The girls all KYAAA-d and Line couldn’t help but feel a little different. It’s not really everyday she gets to go giddy-giddy and all flalily like this; perhaps once in a while it really does feel nice. Soon Emma spoke, “Alright then, we’ll be waiting for news Ruby!”
“What!? NO!” Ruby was blushing and Line felt a little sorry for her, but hey, they’re trying to help. On confessions, Line hasn’t really experience any like first hand, but she knows well enough that it can either turn out terribly bad, or extremely good. But she has this great feeling that if Ruby is to confess, it’s going to turn out okay. Hey, Line doesn’t know Yuya really well, but she can tell that there’s something Ruby can look forward to with that guy; he seems like a really good person anyway.
The girls finished their cakes and teas while coming up with several ideas on confession. It was really interesting what girls can come up to. Soon, the topic moved a little from Yuya-Ruby to something else.
“I can’t be that I’m the only one who actually is fond of someone here. Come on girls, there’s no place for lying here.” Ruby finally found the strength to fight off her blushing and try to bark back.
Emma was the first to speak saying, “Not me. I’ve got a guy that I like back in England, so yeah. Haha!” she felt really safe; Line thought it was a great excuse to keep the bullet from hitting her [should it be not true]
Alex was pretty bubbly when she said this, “Oh! I have a crush on my prof! and that’s it!” the girls retorted saying that that doesn’t count. “Why not? He’s like a four years older, come on!” Alex being the next real childish person to Daiki Line has met blew a raspberry and soon the attention was on Mei who said raised her hand.
“Leave me alone people, I have a boyfriend!”
“Lie!” Alex quickly shouted
“No! It’s true! He’s in China!” Mei stuck out her tongue and Line felt like laughing.
“That sounds like Emma’s story.” Ruby tried to reason.
“No it’s different! Ah! The point is, I have my boy safe and sound in China. Haha”
“You guys are all in denial…” Alex pointed out, saying stuff like how denial is a defense mechanism of the unconscious and the girls picked on her being a real Psych-nerd.
“I agree with Alex, you guys are fabricating stuff…” Line finally thought of blurting out her thoughts. It’s true, these girls are making up things just so they won’t be the object of amusement and teases.
With what Line said, the girls leaned closer to look at her and it was Emma who spoke, “Line What about you? Do you have a guy that you like?”
For some weird timing, Line heard her phone ring. She held up a hand telling her girls to give her a sec, and she took out her phone and answered without looking at the one who was calling, “Moshi-moshi?”
The girls waited and soon Ruby spoke, “Line you’re no fun.”
“Ah! Dai-chan?” Line asked, and she kept nodding.
Ruby found a hole to ponder, “Domo Dai-chan!” she spoke, being a little meanie and taking Line’s phone from her. The other girls stopped Line from grabbing her phone back.
“Oi!” Line looked pretty shocked, but soon she relaxed and the girls were fawning over Ruby and her conversation on Line’s phone. Ruby puts it on loudspeaker and Line didn’t really know what to expect -there’s really nothing to expect right?
“So Dai-chan… Are you our Line-chan’s boyfriend?” Ruby sounded like she was teasing him, making fun of him but it was quiet on the other line.
Rolling her eyes, Line snatched the phone from Ruby telling the girls to hush it a little and she’ll introduce Daiki to her kind of strange bunch of girl-friend and to tell him to don’t mind their behaviour. “Gomen ne, Dai-chan, don’t mind them.”
“Yeah, don’t mind! Haha! Line-chan’s protecting her guy from us, ne?” Mei started.
“Oh shut up Mei-Mei!” Line retorted, and she could hear Daiki laughing from the other line. “And why are you laughing?”
Daiki stopped himself and cleared his throat, pretending to be serious, “Nandemonai…” he ended with a smile and listened as Line bicker with the other girls. He can’t help it but imagine how Line would look arguing with a bunch of girls since he hasn’t really seen one of Line’s girl- friends. Still, listening to her speaking randomly and all, it just makes him smile so much, he didn’t really know why.
xXxXx
“Well, I really hope I can get in touch with your mom soon.” Yuto’s mom smiled as Louise was putting on her shoes, Yuto doing the same beside her.
She looked up at the nice lady and nodded, “I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to talk to you.” Yuto was up and he nodded. “I can’t thank you enough for welcoming me to your house, ma’am.”
“Call me Yumiko, there’s no need for such formalities.” Yumiko smiled and Louise did the same too.
“Hai, Yumiko-san.”
“Oh… drop the san, makes me sound so old.” Yumiko laughed and Yuto looked at his mom with disbelief.
“You are old.” Her son inserted.
“Hmp!” Yumiko made it look like she’s ignoring what Yuto said and leaned closer to Louise, “Take care on your way home okay? Please do drop by often, I get bored with Yuto being a grumpy old oji-san you know…” she ended her statement whispering and winked at the girl. Louise just giggled.
“Oi, oi!” Yuto halted, trying to sound like he’s being backstabbed [haha, you are Yuu-chan!] “Mom, you’re terrible.”
“Hai, hai Yuu-chan iku-ka!” Louise offered and she bowed again, thanking Yumiko for the nth time. She heard Raiya shout her name, he’s leaning on the staircase rails, waving bye-bye. “See you tomorrow Rai-chan! Ja ne!”
With that Yuto and Louise were finally out of the Nakajima residence, Yuto saying he’ll just walk Louise home before he closes the door shut.
Outside, it was pretty cold. Fall, fall. Louise looked around and perhaps its just now that she paid attention to the decorations some of the houses have. “Ah… It is Halloween soon, ne?” she stated after doing a good stretch. Being in the Nakajima-house, she felt so at-home that right now, her body’s just ready for bed since she’s eaten a whole lot and talked a bunch.
Yuto shoved his keys inside his jacket and bumped Louise as they started walking. “Right, Halloween. Ghosts will start to appear so people like you should stop walking the streets by yourself.”
“You sound like a dad…” Louise rolled her eyes and pointed at a really neat decorative ghost hanging on a tree. It’s like a hanging lamp and the glow emanating from it looks really spooky. “That one’s sugoi. You wouldn’t notice it when it’s day, but it’s so cool at night.”
“Eh? Wait till you see when it’s actual Halloween night.”
Louise looked at him, “There’s more?”
Yuto stopped and he produced a flashlight from his other jacket pocket. They stopped at a block where the street lights were pretty dim, and since it’s fall, day-length’s pretty shortened and even though it’s only about seven thirty, it’s pretty dark already.
“Hey, let’s keep going!” Louise said a little irritated, she is pretty sleepy.
Suddenly, Yuto faced her, the flashlight lighting his face from below his chin. “Uwwwwaaa~” he said in a errie voice.
To Yuto’s surprise, Louise was just staring at him, not blinking. “Seriously Yuu-chan. You can do better than that.”
“What? You didn’t even flinch!”
She sighed and Louise turned her back as if pretending on going on ahead and leaving him. Then she stopped when she was a few steps away and Yuto started walking towards her.
“Alright, alright, let’s take you home- AAAAAAH!!!!!” Yuto squealed when Louise face him, her eye-lids turned over. [haha, how do you describe that? But hey, I can totally do that turn-over eye-lid thing, I swear. Haha! So yeah, it’s doable.]
With Yuto’s scream, Louise just started laughing. “Now, that’s how you scare people!” She felt someone pinching her arm and Louise tried to whack the hand away. “Ite Yuu-chan!” but Yuto just won’t let go.
“You are so dead!” With that Louise started running and Yuto was chasing after her. For a moment, it felt like they were elementary kids playing tag. Some people they pass by were looking at them, but hey, everybody gets to have their random moments.
Louise kept the distance; sure she was pretty fast. When she turned to a corner, they were few blocks away from the condominium, Louise leaned on the wall and peeked to see where Yuto was. When there was no one, she leaned back on the wall and absent-mindedly turned to her other side and she gaped, “GYAH!”
There stood Yuto, sticking his tongue out and he had his phone on his hand. Louise was looking at him with wide eyes and Yuto showed her what he’s got.
It was a perfect “SURPRISED SHOT” where Louise had her mouth wide open, eyes really wide and her nose was fuming. “I am gonna get you!” Louise warned as she tried to steal the phone away with the absolute intention of deleting her gruesome picture, but what is a five foot two girl, against a five foot eight guy? It’s hopeless.
Soon Yuto shoved his phone safe in his pocket and tapped Louise shoulder comfortingly. “Don’t worry, I’ll only use it for Halloween. To scare kids off.” He laughed silently and Louise elbowed his side. “Kidding!”
“Just wait till I get your awesome picture.” She pouted and Yuto just kept his smile. It gets really annoying when he smiles since it’s a tad bit too contagious for anyone’s liking, you know.
As Yuto bid good-bye, Louise pulled his hair just randomly and the guy couldn’t help but lower himself a little to reduce the pain in his scalp. “What was that for?”
“Nothing. Just so at one point, I became at least as tall as you.” With that she stuck her tongue out and grinned before waving, “Ja mata ashita ne!”
Yuto rubbed his head and smiled, “Oyasumi!”
Louise was on her way to the lobby when she looked back. “Take care on your way home, there’s ghosts roaming around. Woooo”
“Yeah, yeah.”
She smiled again, “Oyasumi Yuu-chan! Thanks!” with that she was gone to the lobby and Yuto made his way out of the condominium, bowing his head to attendants and guards as he exits.
xXxXx
He flipped his phone open, then closed it shut. It was probably the fifth time Yamada has done this since he could remember. The train wasn’t too packed today since it’s a Monday, and that it’s pretty late already. Checking his phone again, it’s about seven forty. ‘Mom’s gonna ask where I’ve been.’
Where has he been? Nowhere really, just walking around Yokohoma like usual; this time with extra worries up his shoulders. He’s been wondering about what Mariya has said. It’s pain enough that he went through all the effort to explain to her how he really feels, and now it’s even more pain that she didn’t believe him. Girls are just too complicated and hard to deal with.
( Part 2)