Miki Psuedo Route [Updated 6/21/13]

[SuperfluousU]

This is my attempt at the all too elusive Miki route. Feedback is appreciated of course, and I would be interested in taking on some proofreaders for the subsequent chapters. I'm starting this off on the festival day, following some very different choices made in the normal course of events. I was going to go back to rewrite all of Act 1, but I kept getting stuck on how to reword the wonderful original works. So instead, if the need arises later on, I'll reference key events with flash-backs.

I plan on releasing a new chapter every two weeks, on Thursdays.

My Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/u/SuperfluousU

So without further ado:

Act 1 - Festival Day - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4
Act 2 - Prologue Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 -

[SuperfluousU]

For the first time this week, I'm not woken up by the incessant beeping of my alarm clock. It's Sunday, and I've got the whole day to myself. I look to my clock and notice it's just after 9:30. At least I was able to sleep in a little bit. I get up and stretch and make my way over to the window. There is already a good amount of activity outside, which considering it's the Yamaku festival today, doesn't seem too out of the ordinary. After spending the past couple of days helping Shizune and Misha building those stalls I'm glad that I can just relax today, and maybe get the homework we were assigned yesterday done. But first, breakfast.

I change into a plain t-shirt and jeans, and start to head down towards the common room to make myself breakfast, when the tell-tale clacking of locks being undone announces that I won't be having a nice quiet morning. I stop as the last of the locks clicks open, and the door opens.

“Good morning, Kenji.”

“Hisao, I'm glad it's you. I have a proposition for you.”

“I'm not lending you any money. You still haven't paid me back for the last loan.”

“No, it's not that,” he waves his hand dismissively. “With the festival going on today, I was planning on doing some reconnaissance up on the roof, and I was going to ask if you'd like to join in.”

That sounds exactly like the last thing I would want to do today.

“Sorry Kenji, I'll have to decline. I've got a lot of work to catch up on today. This week has been oddly busy, and I don't want to fall behind.”

“That's no good man, these things should be handled in pairs. I understand though. If you change your mind, you can find me on the roof. I'll be camouflaged though. So you may have to look around for me.”

“Noted, talk to you later, Kenji.”

“Later man.”

I wave as I start walking again to the common room, the locks of Kenji's door sealing him back within his room. There are people milling around, discussing their plans for today. I make myself a small bowl of noodles, and then start my way back to my room. No sooner than I round the corner back into the hallway to my room, than I hear that tell-tale...

“Wahahahahahaha~!”

Oh god, I just want to relax today. Hoping they didn't see me, I make a break down the hall, precariously balancing the food in my hands. I push through the emergency exit at the end of the hall, which luckily isn't alarmed and push the door to quickly. I make my way down the half flight of stairs and out into the fresh air of the day. As the door clicks behind me, I realize that to get back in, I'll have to go back around to the front. Well, at the very least I can enjoy my breakfast, then worry about getting back in without being seen.

I take a seat on a small retaining wall, and look out onto the school grounds. Enjoying the sun's warmth and my breakfast. I suppose it was probably a bit rude to dash off like that, but I don't want to get dragged into another project of those two. Of course, they might not even have been looking for me. Then again, I hardly see them dealing with anyone else, apart from berating the other class representatives. I still feel bad about that episode with Lilly. Lilly did seem to appreciate my siding with her, though I haven't talked to her since. Shizune needs to take it easy sometimes. Everything is a competition to her, though I don't know who she's competing with now. It's not like there are people vying for her position.

I finish my noodles and lean back on my hands, looking up towards the sky. It looks like it's going to be a nice day at least. Maybe I'll go look around the festival later on, but for now I should get to work. Before I can get up though, a pair of hands cover my eyes from behind.

“Guess who~!”

I let out a defeated sigh. “Good morning Misha.”

“You always know~,” she pulls her hands back and walks around in front of me, hopping down to the lower level.

“It's kind of hard not to, you know. You have a very distinctive voice. Also, you're the only one who ever does that.”

She beams and crosses her arms. “Yeah~, you're right. So what are you up to out here Hicchan~?”

“I was enjoying my breakfast out here today. Since it's so nice,” I hold up my bowl for emphasis. I then spot Shizune coming around from the opposite side of the building. Divide and conquer, I suppose.

“I see~. Are you sure~ you weren't hiding from us?” she begins to pout.

“Now why would I do such a thing as that?”

Shizune begins signing a reply, as Misha has already started translating.

“That's very disappointing, Hicchan. You're a terrible liar, you know. Whahahahaha~!”

“Well I suppose I'm busted then. Really I was just going to eat breakfast. Though I was hoping to spend the day in peace and quiet. I do have school work to catch up on.”

“That's no fun, Hicchan. You don't want to go to the festival? After you helped build all those stalls? Yeah, Hicchan, it'll be fun~!”

I sigh. “I was thinking about going to the festival. Just later. I'm already behind, with transferring in here mid-year. I just don't want to get too far behind.”

A solemn look washes over Misha's face just for a moment before she goes back to translating.

“Unacceptable. You should come with us today. You can catch up on school work this week. Today is a day to enjoy and have fun. Staying cooped up in your room would be a slight to the spirit of the festival, and to your hard work over the past few days.”

I get up and grab my bowl, looking between the two of them. “Do I at least have some choice in the matter?”

“Of course, Hicchan. As long as your choice involves going with us to the festival! Whahahahaha~!”

I brush my messy hair back and put on a incredibly fake smile. “Can I at least have a few minutes to get cleaned up?”

Shizune smiles and nods.

“Of course. We couldn't be escorted around by a slob, now could we. He's not a slob, Shicchan~! He just has messy hair!”

I shake my head. “I'll meet you two out front in twenty minutes?”

“We'll see you then, Hicchan~!” Misha and Shizune wave as they make their way back around to the front of the building.

Those two can really be insufferable sometimes.

I make my way back into the dorm, and to my room. I guess I'll change into my uniform, as it's what they were wearing. I suppose for them it's official student council business. It only takes me a few minutes to get ready, but I decide to wait out the twenty minute deadline, just to make a point.

As I make my way back out, there is already an increased amount of traffic. The wall in front of the girls dorm with Rin's mural on it doesn't seem to be garnering much attention though. I notice Rin apparently asleep against the wall. She must have stayed up all night to finish it.

Before I can get too distracted though, Shizune and Misha spot me and make their way over.

“Are you ready, Hicchan~! There's all kinds of games, and food, and games, and food to try! Whahahahaha~!”

“Well, I did just finish breakfast, so let's walk around a bit first. We can get some food later on.”

“Okay!” she beams as the two of them flank me.

We make our way through the rows of stalls, and the crowds of people. We play a few games, but don't win anything. There are a few musical acts going on, the school's music club doing one. We take a few minutes to talk with Molly, mainly discussing what other acts they have planned for the day. This is really starting to feel more and more like a student council activity. It's almost like we're just checking up on everything.

“So Hicchan~. Are you having fun~?”

“I guess. This does seem kind of like work though. Like we have to be making these rounds.”

“Well~, you're not completely wrong about that. Shicchan wanted to check up on everything. To make sure it's all running smoothly. That doesn't mean it can't be fun though. You could try and win me another prize~!”

I chuckle slightly. “Just as I thought, another plot to get me to do student council work.”

Shizune, then stops and turns to me, signing furiously.

“Hichhan, not everything we do is to try and get you to join the student council. Maybe~ we just wanted to spend the day with you,” Misha looks away shyly and mumbles, a first for her. “While doing student council work.”

I smile and fold my arms in front of me. “Is that so, and here I thought I was the one being escorted around today. When in fact I'm escorting you two. Who knew you were both so enamored with me.”

Shizune turns away, a blush starting to form on her face, while Misha lets into boisterous laugh.

“Whahahahahaha~! Hicchan, you're full of yourself.”

“Perhaps.”

I look around, waiting for the situation to calm down a bit. I then catch sight of a food stall.

“So, are you two hungry yet?”

“Ooh~, yeah Hicchan! I'm ready for some lunch!”

Shizune nods then starts making her way towards the food stalls. I grab her arm and shake my head. “My treat, and a surprise.”

Misha's face lights up as she signs this to Shizune. Who then pulls her arm away to reply.

“Very well, but nothing too strange. Aww~, I like strange things.”

I nod. “Nothing too strange, but then again, I don't have to get the same thing for everyone,” I say, winking to Misha.

“Whahahahahaha~! Don't take too long~, Hicchan. We'll find a place to sit by the front of the auxiliary building.”

“Okay, I'll be back as quickly as I can.”

I make my way through the food stalls, looking for something interesting to have for lunch. I then spot something that I haven't had in quite awhile, okonomiyaki. I order three okonomiyaki, a fairly plain one with mochi for Shizune, one with pork belly for myself, and one with squid, shrimp, and cheese for Misha. I make my way back to the auxiliary building, balancing the three plates of food precariously on my arms. As I approach the two, sitting on a bench along the main path, I'm nearly bowled over by group of children. I manage to keep everything upright, and then continue on towards the girls.

“Are you okay, Hicchan~?”

I nod. “Yeah, I'm fine. Almost dropped the food though.” I hand them their plates and then sit down beside them. “So? Did I do alright?”

Misha has already dug into her plate of food, before I can even finish asking, but she nods enthusiastically, so I'll take that as a good sign. Shizune smiles and nods, then begins eating her lunch as well. We're all quiet while we eat, which even with the din from the crowds gathering around us, is quite nice. There hasn't seemed to be enough of these moments since I've been here. Always being pulled one way or another. Hopefully what Shizune said earlier rings true. That this upcoming week will leave me with more free time. I don't think I'll be able to keep up at this level. Just walking around and playing some of the festival games is starting to wear me out.

We finish our meals and then throw our refuse away. Before we can even set off from the auxiliary building, though, another student comes running up to us.

“Misha! Thank goodness I found you. We have a problem.”

A look of consternation comes over Shizune's face as she takes control of the situation.

“What's the matter, Kami-san?”

“Our second shipment of ice-cream hasn't come yet, and we're completely out already.”

A flurry of short, sharp movements from Shizune indicates she is not pleased by what she is hearing.

“This is not good, Kami-san. Did you try calling the delivery company?”

“I did, but they said they weren't sure when their driver would get here.”

“Then we'll have to do something about that then. I think the school may have some in the kitchens for the mean time. Come on, let's go grab some cartons. Wait, all of us, Shicchan~?”

She nods, and then what could only be described as a sign language war breaks out between Shizune and Misha. It ends by Shizune giving a dismissive wave, and grabbing the other students hand and dragging him away.

“Hicchan, you go have fun. We'll take care of this.”

“Are you sure, Misha. I could help carry things.”

“No, 'we' think it's better if you just have fun. We did say that we weren't dragging you along for student council work.”

Misha's face doesn't have the same happiness to it that it usually does. Maybe there's something she's not telling me.

“If you're sure, then okay. But really, I wouldn't mind helping with this.”

“It's your day to have fun, Hicchan. This is for us to handle.”

With that she pats my shoulder, then turns to follow Shizune.

Part 2

[SuperfluousU]

So here I find myself, wandering through the festival, bored out of my mind. With Shizune and Misha off dealing with that food shortage problem, I've got no one to hang out with. Maybe I should have joined the student council, then they might have accepted my help, instead of telling me to 'go have fun', as Misha put it.

I saw Rin earlier, asleep by her mural. Knowing how much sleep she missed to finish it, I would feel bad to bother her. Lilly seems to be busy with her class' stall. So much so that when I buy a cup of coffee, I can't even get more than a friendly hello out of her before she's pulled away. I haven't seen Emi or Hanako anywhere, the latter probably hiding out with all these people around. The thought then enters my mind, someone did want to hang out with me today.

Kenji.

Well, I suppose there's nothing for it. No one else is around, and it's better than going back to my room and reading, I suppose.

I make my way into the school building and up the stairs. As I reach the top, there's a hand scrawled note that reads “NO ACCESS”. I shrug it off and open the door onto the roof. I notice a pile of orange and yellow blankets off against one of the air-conditioning units, so I make my way over. Seeing no sign of Kenji around, I nudge the pile with my foot, only to have it grabbed and pulled out from under me. I'm able to catch myself, but I can't restrain my frustration.

“What the hell, Kenji!”

“Hisao? Is that you, man?”

The smell of alcohol starts to pervade the air as he pokes his head out from under the blankets.

“Well unless you invited more people up here this morning, but somehow I doubt that.”

“Sorry about that, you can never be too careful of an attack though.”

“Right, feminists,” I roll my eyes. A subtle gesture that's surely lost on him.

“Damn right! I heard the door opening and I figured they had discovered my secure remote location.”

“Secure?”

“Yeah, the note on the door. Didn't you see it man?”

“How is that security?”

“Well, sure, it's not going to stop any trained feminist assassins, but it will keep the lower ranked ones from messing with me. Feminists are sticklers for rules and signs.”

“Okay, so what did you want to do today? I had some other things to take care of earlier, otherwise I would have been here sooner.” I decide not to mention being escorted around by the student council.

“Right. I figured we'd just hang out on the roof and observe.”

“I see, from all the blankets, it looks more like you wanted to have a picnic. Got a basket under there? Maybe some tea sandwiches and lemonade?”

He of course, fails to pick up on the sarcasm dripping from my voice.

“Picnic? Hell no! We're not going to have some kind of doily trimmed affair. We're going to have a manly picnic! I've got whiskey and,” he looks around, “and well that's it, but it's all you need for a manly picnic. No napkins. No glasses. Just a real drink, for real men!”

“Where the hell did you get that anyways? It smells like you've gone through a fair amount already. Either that, or you spilled half of it on your blankets.”

I eye the half empty bottle, and wonder if he did really drink that much. Also, I'm really rethinking this whole hanging out with Kenji thing. Even if I don't drink a drop of that stuff, if someone finds us up here with that bottle, we'll both be in deep.

“Well I did knock it over once, but I didn't spill too much. Here man, have a go,” he says as he holds the bottle in an outstretched hand, not actually towards me, however.

“No, I don't think so. It'll be bad enough if someone comes up here while-”

I jerk my head around to the door as I hear it opening. Great, just as I was about to extract myself from this situation, someone else has to come up.

“Assassins! Hide under here Hisao!” he yelps as he dives back under his blankets.

As the figure exits out onto the roof, I can see it's Miki wearing her track outfit. The setting sun bathing her in a warm orange glow.

“Hey Miki. What's up?” I say, hoping to quickly steer any conversation away from the awkwardness that's sure to arise.

“Oh, hey Hisao. I was looking for Katayama actually,” she absentmindedly looks around the roof. “She was supposed to meet me out on the track for our run, but she never showed up. Sometimes she disappears up here.”

“Rika? I can't say that I've seen her actually. I only got up here a couple of minutes ago myself.”

A head pops out from under the blankets. “Agent Miura? What are you doing up here?”

Without missing a beat, Miki strides over and shoots off a brisk salute. “Agent Setou. Is there something you need help with?”

“At ease Miura. I'm surprised to see you here. Shouldn't you be gathering recon on that silver haired girl? Seriously, no eighteen year old has silver hair. She has to be at least forty.”

Miki giggles slightly before continuing. “Actually I'm up here looking for her right now. She evaded my planned torture slash interrogation ritual. You know how they can be sometimes.”

“Right, of course.”

I look back and forth between the two, a perplexed expression on my face, to which Miki only responds with a shrug, and Kenji is as oblivious to as ever. “Wait, agents?”

“Yeah man, Miura here is one of my best counter intelligence agents.”

“That's right!” Miki beams.

“But SHE is a girl. Wouldn't she be one of them?”

“Miura, would you like to handle this one?”

Miki stands up straight and salutes again. “All feminists are women, but not all women are feminists, sir.”

“Top marks.”

I look between them again and shake my head. “Okay, this is getting too odd.”

Miki looks over to the setting sun then back to Kenji. “Speaking off odd, isn't it a little odd that you're stationed up here tonight Agent Setou?”

“Huh, why would you say that Miura?”

“Well, the sun is setting, so it will be night soon. It's also the festival day, and I'm certain there are going to be fireworks tonight. There will be lots of couples coming up here to watch them. Who knows how many will be feminist infiltrators.”

“My god, you're right agent. We have to get out of here,” he springs up, grabbing his blankets, the bottle of whiskey dropping out onto the roof and spilling the rest of its contents.

“You go Agent Setou, I'll make sure Nakai here gets back safely. I'm sure you don't want him knowing about your secret escape routes just yet. Him being new and all.”

“Right, good thinking Miura,” he leans in closer to her, as if to whisper to her. “Keep an eye on him, something's not right there. He refused whiskey.”

She nods quickly. “You can count on me.”

With that Kenji quickly moves towards the door, stumbling as he tries to wrap up his blankets before he trips over them.

Miki watches him go, then moves and holds her hand out to help me up.

“Thanks Miki, I was just trying to think of a way to get out of this 'manly picnic'.”

She giggles again as she helps me up. “No problem. He's pretty harmless, especially if you play along with him. The drinking is a problem though. He got me in so much trouble that one time we were caught with whiskey.”

“Wait, so this isn't unusual?”

“Nah, if anything, the fact that there was still half a bottle left is the unusual part. I think his parents send him the stuff.”

I shake my head at this. “Well, at least everything turned out well then, and now.”

“You say that,” she looks away, “but it was hell getting back onto the track team after that. I didn't even actually drink any of it.”

“Well we should probably get going then, before anyone catches us near this thing,” I kick the bottle away, towards the far end of the roof. The clanking being a lot louder than I thought it could have been.

“Yeah, good idea, because that was stealthy,” she smiles as she turns towards the door.

We make our way down and out of the building without saying a word. The setting sun giving way to twilight, a few stars starting to become visible.

“Well at least it will be a clear sky for the fireworks,” I say. Trying to break the silence between us.

“Yeah, it's always a big thing for this festival. It's probably a good thing we got down off the roof when we did. Otherwise there might be talk.”

“Talk?”

“Well, you're a boy, I'm girl. Alone on a deserted rooftop. I think you can figure it out,” she flashes a sly grin at me.

“Ah, right.”

I turn and look towards the last remaining bit daylight disappearing over the horizon, the silence returning to our walk across the school grounds.

Part 3

[SuperfluousU]

I start to think about this first week here at Yamaku. It has turned out pretty much exactly as I had assumed. I came into this school late in the year, and everyone else already has their lives settled, as it were. The few things I've looked into to occupy my time, like the literature club, are already full. Apart from the student council, I suppose. Though they ditched me as soon as they had something 'important' to take care of. I suppose I've made an acquaintance or two, but no friends. No one who I can hang out with at least.

“What's the matter, Hisao? You look down.”

I turn to face Miki who has a look of concern on her face.

“Oh, nothing. Just thinking about how well my time here has been, so far.”

“Really? It looked to me like you were contemplating how horrible it's been.”

“I'm that easy to read?”

“Yep.”

“Great,” I slip my hands into my pockets, looking down towards my feet.

“And no. I've just seen that look before. I had it for the first little bit here, too,” she says, accompanied by a light punch to the shoulder.

“I was just hoping I could have found my niche or something by now. It's been a week, and the most I could say is I know the names of a handful a people, a few of which I'm on a first name basis with.”

“You seem to be getting along well with Shizune, and by extension Misha. Hell, a few people thought you had signed up for the student council already.”

I chuckle a bit at that. “We were supposed to be hanging out today for the festival, but they ditched me to go deal with some food shortage or something.”

Miki looks skyward as we keep walking across the school grounds. “Well, Misha probably just didn't want you to have to deal with this on a day when you should be having fun. Shizune was probably furious though. She loves offloading work.”

“Actually I think it was Shizune that wanted me to go off and 'have fun'. Either that, or Misha didn't translate it exactly.”

“It was probably that. Sounds more like Misha anyways. We could go try and hunt them down if you want. They're probably done with that problem anyways.”

I look around and suddenly notice the lack of noise around us. We're now walking along the grounds outer wall, towards the track.

“Wait, where are we going anyways?”

“This way.”

“What's this way?”

“Well for one, the track. I did say that Rika didn't show up for her evening workout. I still need to do mine. Figured you at the very least could keep me company, as I doubt you'd be running in those shoes.”

I look down at my brown dress shoes, then back to her.

“I doubt I could be that much company for you if you're running.”

“Well, you could keep time for me. Since I wouldn't have to pace myself.”

“No watch,” I lift my wrists up and turn them back and forth to exaggerate my point.

“You know, you don't have to find an excuse if you don't want to stay.”

I look away from her and then shrug. “It's not that, I just don't have a watch, and me just counting under my breath wouldn't be that accurate.”

“Good, accuracy is an admirable trait. We can grab a stopwatch and probably a notepad from the equipment shed. That way you don't have to remember all the times.”

I nod in consent as we veer off a bit towards the equipment shed. The track lighting starting to come on as the sun finishes its descent beyond the horizon. As we make our way to the shed Miki turns and stops me.

“Hang back here, I'll grab what we need.”

“Alright, track members only?”

“Not quite, but let's use that.”

She makes her way off towards the shed. Slowly approaching the door, apparently listening for something. She then gingerly knocks, then makes her way in. A minute later she's back out with a clipboard and stopwatch in hand, with a water bottle tucked under her arm. She hands them to me, and we make our way back towards the track.

“Okay, I have to ask. Why so careful going in there? Is it a known feminist hideout or something?”

Miki smiles and looks away. “No, nothing like that. Actually, nothing like that at all. Let's just say, it's a good idea not to go barging in there. Ever.”

I smile as I notice a blush rising in her cheeks. “You know, normally people get flushed after they start exercising. Not before.”

This bout of perception is rewarded by a quick jab to the arm.

“Ow.” I mumble as I rub my arm where she made contact.

“That's what you get for making fun of me.”

“Noted. Don't make fun of Miki unless you want the nurse to ask uncomfortable questions next time you get a check-up.”

She laughs at this, turning back towards me. “Go sit up on the bleachers and time me. I'm going to run a mile first, then do some sprints. At first just time each lap, I'll let you know when I'm going to change to sprints.”

I nod and make my way up a few rows to get a better view of the track. As I take my seat, I notice how well appointed this place is. The field in the middle of the track is incredibly well maintained, with soccer goals set up at either end. There are only bleachers on the one side, but I suppose with such a small town below us, there probably aren't too many visitors. This does however give a great view of the forest out behind the school. To the north is the equipment shed, and to the south situated closer to the school appears to be a refreshment stand and first-aid building. As I turn my attention back to the track, Miki is making her way towards the starting line. I wave towards her to show her that she has my attention, and as she sets off, I start the watch. Watching Miki run is actually quite mesmerizing. She has a long, loping gate that seems to just chew up the distance. Her hair streaming freely behind her, shimmering under the track lighting.

After a couple of laps, I notice someone else coming towards the track. As she comes towards the bleachers, the lights illuminate her, and I notice it's Shizune. I also notice a distinct lack of Misha.

I wave to her as she nears me. “Hey Shizune. Where's Misha?” Why did I say that out loud?

She waves and sits down beside me, and motions to the clipboard I'm holding.

“Oh, yeah sure, here,” I say as I hand it to her. I notice Miki finish another lap and click the stopwatch. I'll have to remember that time.

She writes something down and hands it back to me.

===
Hello.
We were wondering where you had gone off to. Misha and I were looking all over the festival grounds for you.
===

I write a reply, and the last time down in the corner and hand the clipboard back to Shizune.

===
Hi.
Well I just started wandering really. Ran into Miura looking for Katayama, and after failing to find her, she asked if I could keep time for her while she did her workout.
===
Did you at least have a good time at the festival? It's about to end, and there will be a fireworks display.
===
I suppose I did. I heard about the fireworks, also. Where is Misha by the way? I don't think I've ever seen you two apart.
===
She went back to her room already to sleep. She has a hard time staying up late. Do you want to go watch the fireworks? We could get a good view of them from the rooftop.
===

I take note of Miki crossing the finish line, then slowing to a walk. As she looks our way, she waves as she notices Shizune, who returns the wave in kind.

===
Thank you, but I'll have to decline. I did promise Miura that I would help her with this. You're welcome to hang out here if you want though.
===
I think I'll head off. This isn't very exciting to me, and I would rather find a good spot to watch the fireworks from. I'll see you in class tomorrow.
===

Part 4

[SuperfluousU]

With that Shizune stands and waves as she starts to walk off. I wave goodbye to her then turn my attention back to Miki. She's walking along the backstretch of the track with her arms behind her head. I make my way down with the water bottle and clipboard, meeting her as she approaches the bleachers.

She grabs the water bottle and looks off towards the direction that Shizune left. “I take it you'll be going along with her now?”

“What? Why would I do that?”

“Well, you came down here with all the stuff you were holding. That's usually a indication that someone is about to go do something else,” she says before taking a long drink of water.

“Well I'll have you know, I just wanted to bring your water to you. Also, maybe I thought you would have wanted to see your times.”

“Really?”

“That or I didn't want to have to walk back up there to get the clipboard if you asked for it.”

She smiles and hands the water bottle back to me. “Such a gentleman, with such foresight.” She grabs the clipboard from me and looks it over. “Oh-ho-ho!”

“Good times?”

“Well, since you're not following her, I'm going to guess not.”

“What are you going on about? Why would I be following her? What her are we talking about?”

“In order; This series of love notes, because she wanted you alone on the rooftop, and Shizune.” She looks to me and smiles, then raises an eyebrow. “Nothing? Not connecting the dots here?”

“To watch the fireworks? What's the big deal about that?”

Miki takes the clipboard and lightly bats me on top of the head with it. “I'll spell it out for you. Shizune, wanted you, alone, on the rooftop, to watch fireworks. Possibly hand holding would be involved. Maybe even some tonsil hockey. Who knows with her. The quiet ones are always the hardest to read.”

I start to blush with the suggestions, but shake my head. “No, I don't think that's right at all.”

“And why not?”

“Because she has done nothing but tried to compete with me and try and wrangle me into the student council from the day I arrived. In fact, it was probably just a ruse into starting to break down the festival stalls afterward. She would have had me trapped on the roof.”

“She certainly would have,” Miki smirks.

“Stop that,” I say as I take the clipboard back from her. “Are you going to do your sprints? Or are you going to make me go after her so you have fresh gossip about me?”

She sticks her tongue out at me and makes her way to a starting line. “Fine, I'll do my sprints. But just so you know, I'm right.”

“Is that so?”

“Yep, a woman's intuition.”

I roll my eyes and sit down at one of the team benches along side the track.

Miki finishes her workout and we start heading back towards the equipment shed to put back the stopwatch and clipboard.

“Can I ask you something Hisao?”

“Hmm? Of course,” I say looking towards her.

“What do you think of this school, so far? Be honest.”

What do I think of this school? That's a good question. There's so many things here that are par for the course for any high school, but so many other things that are not. Is there a way to answer that without being offensive?

“I...like the classes so far?”

“That's the most disingenuous answer I've ever heard.”

“Yeah. Sorry. I just can't think of a way to say what I'm thinking without being offensive.”

“Then say it anyways. I did say be honest. Honestly, I won't care, and if I do, worst case scenario is another bruise on your arm,” she smiles as she nudges me with her shoulder.

“Could you at least punch me on my other arm, so they're even?”

“I can't promise that, but I'll try.”

I take a deep breath as I try and figure out the best way to put this.

“It's...abnormally, normal. I guess. I mean, it seems like every other high school, really. But it's not. It feels like I'm walking on egg shells when I come across someone that I don't know. Like with Shizune, when she walked up to me. I just started talking to her, completely forgetting the fact that she can't hear me.”

“Yeah, that can be a problem.”

“How do you deal with all the, differences, I guess would be the polite way to put it?”

“Well I haven't been here for all that long either. Only just over a year, so I'm not as used to it as some people are, but I think that's what you have to remember. Most of the kids that go here have been dealing with whatever problem they have for most of their lives. So you're not likely to offend anyone with a slip up here or there. Just be friendly to everyone, and they'll be friendly to you. It's what I've noticed.”

“I suppose I have as well. I just worry that I'll say something stupid.”

“Hisao, you're a boy, you're guaranteed to say something stupid.”

“Gee thanks.”

“No problem. Like you said. We're abnormally normal, here. Normal being the key word there.”

As we approach the shed, I notice something hanging from the door knob.

“What's that on the door? A whistle?”

Miki's eyes widen and she starts pushing me away from the shed. “SoheyhowaboutIbringthatstuffbacktomorrow.”

“Hey!” I trip over my own feet as I'm pushed sideways, landing hard on my right side.

“Oh geez, sorry. You okay Hisao?”

I start to gasp for air, having the wind knocked out of me, my heart beginning to beat more erratic than usual. I close my eyes and concentrate on getting my breathing back to normal, a sharp pain starting to grow in my chest.

“Hisao?” Miki kneels down beside me. “You still with me?”

I open my mouth to reply to Miki, the only thing that I can manage though is a wheezing intake of air as I try and regain my breath.

Miki springs up and runs over to the shed banging on the door. “Kenta! I know this isn't a good time, but call the nursing staff, I need help. Now!”

I open my eyes to watch her as she starts to come back towards me. My vision starting to go black. I see Miki sliding on her knees back down next to me, a frightened but stern look on her face. A flash of green light illuminates her features, a dull boom echoing as I lose consciousness.



End Act 1

[Joonwoo]

Wow I'm already hooked on this! Please keep this up!

[aidz]

if I had to choose between a 2/10 or a 10/10 would bang

this story so far is a 10/10 would bang, congratulations

[Dr.Worm]

This story shows a lot of promise with just the first act. You've definitely got my subscription.

There are a few minor grammatical errors, but nothing to go completely mental over.

Best of luck with the Miki route. I hear they're cursed.

[DanjaDoom]

So many Miki's on the forum, it's hard to keep track of them all.

Anyway, I love this one, so do us a favor and actually complete it, kay?

[Mirage_GSM]

Best of luck with the Miki route. I hear they're cursed.

Heh, you're right. I don't think there's a finished one yet...
Well, best of luck to our current contestant as well!

[Guestimate]

[Steinherz]

http://www.triumphrat.net/attachments/s ... toring.jpg

^This. I like it so far.

[Umber]

You know, omitting the few minor grammar mistakes, it's not that bad. Good luck against the curse.

Awaiting next chapter.

[Fanuilos]

Oooo, nice! I especially liked the interaction between Kenji and Miki. Looking forward to the next chapter!

[Mirage_GSM]

You know what's worse than people posting only a picture instead of writing a post themselves?
People quoting that picture^^°