Before you read: Ambiance has been added! Just click the links in between the paragraphs, and then listen along as you read. Some Ambiance links you will click will have multiple scenes within them, in which I will write out in bold for you to mute the specific channels and then unmute the other channels to continue your ambiance experience. Have Fun! And Let me know what you think of it!
Chapter 8 - It Looks Like it Will Rain Today...
I woke up the next morning, not forgetting that I needed to visit the nurse today. I made it a priority to wake up early so that I could see the nurse before I went to my first class today. It's safe to say that I don't like waking up earlier than I usually do, so I felt pretty grumpy getting out of bed today. I got over the grumpiness and got ready to make my way towards the Nurse's office.
I almost stopped in my tracks today, as I noticed that the sky wasn't its usual bright and blue self, for it was gray and cloudy. Will it actually rain today? I shrugged it off and continued on my way.
I made it to the Nurse's office and knocked on the door. I heard him call me in, and I crept the door open while peeking my head around.
Ambiance: Nurse Office
"Um, hey Nurse," I said with hesitation.
He turned to find out it was me, and smiled.
"Ah, Satoshi, a little late are we?" He said laughing afterwards.
"I'm sorry Nurse, I honestly forgot to swing by yesterday."
"It's alright Satoshi. We all forget sometimes, ha. Now then, let's go ahead and start, shall we?"
I nodded and sat on the bed. He asked me, "So, how are things going with you this past week?"
A lot has happened to me this past week, so I just started right from the get go. I told him how I went to the track and found out that one of the runners, Ryo Kuno, was in my class. I then began to tell him how I became friends with Ryo, along with Natsumi, Akemi, and that I met one of Akemi and Natsumi's friends, Kazumi.
He smiled and said, "Wow! Only your third week here, and you already sound like a popular student, ha! I'm very happy to hear that you are making friends here after only a short time. Ryo and Natsumi and very good runners on the track team, so I'm sure that you will be able to become a much better running with them. By the way, what did you think about Ryo 'arm'?"
He chuckled after asking that last question, I smiled and told him about how I freaked out when I saw him pulling his skin right off.
The Nurse laughed and said, "That's Ryo for you. He can be a troublemaker sometimes, but he's a good kid. Just don't let any of that rub off onto you Satoshi. Akemi is a very confident, yet stubborn girl. She doesn't let her disability bring her down in any way. Always trying to do things the hard way, and never giving up. She is definitely something, ha. Kazumi is different from Akemi and Natsumi, but she sounds like she is polite and calm around you, which is a good thing, considering she doesn't seem to be like that towards other males, including me."
I find it strange that he way Nurse described Kazumi is almost the same way Akemi described her. I kind of wonder how Kazumi became friends with such vibrant people like Akemi and Natsumi considering how quiet and nervous she can be.
The Nurse then asked me about my schoolwork, what with mid-terms coming up. I told him that I've been able to focus on my schoolwork a lot better than I used to, though I will still occasionally drift off, but that I'm tying my best to stay focused to get ready for my midterms this Friday.
"It's good to hear that you are focusing more on class Satoshi. Try to differ from drifting off as much as you can for this week. Midterms are just as big as the finals later in July."
I nodded, and he continued with his check-up. He asked me a few more questions, starting with, "Do you have any other interest in other activities beside track?"
"Well, I kind of always wanted to learn how to play an instrument, and I found out that Kazumi plays music yesterday, so I already know someone who's in the class."
"I see. From our conversation last time, it definitely seems like you're the music type, ha. If you're interested, Yamaku Academy has just recently begun to allow students, if they wish, to add a non basic class to their schedule. Basically, you would spend half of an average class in your basic, then the other half in your non basic. Non basic classes include: Art, Literal, Music, etc. All you have to do is make the schedule change after you return from Summer break later this year."
That is very good to know. Yamaku certainly has its positives compared to other Japanese schools. Most schools would say that I would be only given one activity, and nothing more, so this is a positive for sure.
"Thank you for letting me know, Nurse. I will definitely consider that," I said.
"Absolutely! Well, it looks like everything checks out on you for this week Satoshi. Is there anything else you would like to ask or tell me about?"
I kind of wanted to get some advice on something that still bugged me a little.
"Well, it's not so much a health question, but rather a personal one, if that's ok?"
"Lay it on me," the Nurse said.
"Well, you see, Akemi has been gone for the past two weeks on vacation, and when she returned, she presented me with a gift. I had no problem accepting it, but we only talked a little before she left. She even sent me a postcard from London while she was there, saying that she wished I was there... I know you're probably not the right person to talk about this to, but It's just been bugging me is all."
He smiled with a big grin and said, "Ha, so there is a girl huh? Ha, I'm just kidding, but it sounds like, regardless of only knowing very little about you, that she likes you enough to get you a gift. It seems that she likes something about you, and wants to become good friends with you."
It does make sense, I suppose, though, his explanation doesn't really seem to answer my question fully. Regardless, I thank him for the advice, to which he replied, "Anytime! Well, school is starting soon, so you should be heading on your way now."
"I will. Thank you again, and I promise I won't forget next Monday!"
"Ha, you're welcome. I'll see you next Monday!"
I waved goodbye, and began to head towards my class. I thought about Akemi on my way though. I must admit, there is something about her. With those blue eyes, her light brown hair, and that smile, how could anyone not like her?
Ambiance: Yamaku Classroom
I made it to class just before our session began, and Ryo was, yet again, asleep. I swear if I wasn't here, he would stay asleep all day.
"Wake up numbskull," I said while shaking him.
"Ahh, I-I'm awake... Oh, hey Satoshi," He said half dead.
"Do you ever sleep at night, or just through half the day?"
"Ha, of course I sleep at night, but why not get as much rest as possible? It's been proven that sleep is a key to being happy and being healthy, and I want both of those! So I'm going to get as much sleep as I can."
"...That's not the reason why you sleep is it?
"Nope, ha, I just like sleeping!"
I should've known something like that would come from Ryo, but I simply laughed along with him, and then our class session started. It was a review of what the class has learned so far this year, so since I joined this year later, this was a good time to catch up on what I missed. I tried my best to stay on task and memorize everything Ms. Hoshino has taught us. It was so boring, but I knew I had to concentrate.
After what felt like an eternity, class finally was dismissed for lunch. After a long stretch, I began to walk into the hall, looking for any sign of Akemi, Natsumi, or Kazumi. The hall was crowded, so it was difficult to find anyone I knew. That is until my eyes were covered.
I hear, "Guess who?"
"Let's see... Could it be the one who thinks I'm a perv, Akemi Kai?"
"Ha ha, we have a winner!"
I turn, and there was Akemi, bright and bubbly as usual, and with Natsumi right behind her.
"How are you two ladies doing today?"
Both smiled and said, "Just fine."
I guess if you hang around someone long enough, you start saying the same things as them as well. I was pretty hungry, and was looking forward to seeing what Natsumi had for us today.
"I don't know about you ladies, but I'm starving for more of Natsumi's food."
Natsumi laughed and said, "Ah, looks I have a valued customer. Don't worry, today's 'special' is just as good as yesterday's!"
"Well, then let's go get Kazumi shall we?"
Akemi quickly replied, "Oh, sorry Satoshi, I should've told you that Kazumi doesn't eat with us on Tuesday's and Thursday's. On those days, she eats with her other friend."
Curious I asked, "Oh... Really? Why doesn't she bring her friend along to eat with you two?"
Natsumi said, "To be honest, we have never even met with her friend, and we didn't want to put her on the spot and ask who she hung out with. Not really our business, you know?"
"That makes sense I guess. Maybe we can see if we can go see her friend on Thursday, I'm sure she wouldn't mind us, at the very least, asking."
Akemi said, "I guess it wouldn't hurt. Sure, I'm up for it! I'm always happy to meet new people!"
Natsumi didn't seem so positive about it, but said,"Well, alright. I just hope that we don't make her feel uncomfortable is all."
"I'm sure we won't, now let's eat!"
"So impatient Satoshi, hehe," Akemi said.
Ambiance: Yamaku Rooftop
We made our way to the roof, and sat in our spot. Natsumi's meal was just as delicious as yesterday. Her cooking skills are astonishing, I could swear I was eating a five star meal. After taking a few bites, I decided to ask Natsumi and Akemi about Kazumi.
"So, since we were on the subject of Kazumi, I'm curious about how you two met Kazumi."
Natsumi said, "Well, Akemi introduced me to Kazumi, so she knows more than I'll ever know, ha."
Akemi smiled then said, "I'll be happy to tell you. Lets see.... I believe it was around early March..."
Pause Ambiance: Yamaku Academy, and Click below
Ambiance: Flashback of Meeting Kazumi
"...It was after school, and it was raining for the most of the day. I really like the rain, so I decided to take the long route back to the dorm rooms. As I was enjoying the rainy day, I notice something in the distance. It was someone sitting on the bench. I thought it was someone just enjoying the rain like me, but as I walked closer, I notice that this person didn't have an umbrella, and was just sitting on the bench, getting soaked in the rain. I walked closer and notice that it was a student and she looked like she was very sad. At first, I just walked by, because she didn't seem like she wanted to be bothered, but something pulled me back from walking. It was like something was telling me not to keep going, and to help this person. I thought really hard about it, but my heart was telling me to help her, so I turned around and walked up to the bench, and put my umbrella over her head. She noticed that there was no more raindrops falling on her head, looked up at the umbrella, then looked at me. She seemed very lonely, so I introduced myself."
"Hello. I hope I didn't bother you, but you seemed like you needed an umbrella and thought that I would share mine with you."
"She looked at me with for awhile, but thanked me for sharing my umbrella. I introduced me, and she did the same. When I asked her where her friends were, she told me how she didn't have any friends, and that she was alone. I felt so bad for her, because she is very pretty, and yet, she felt so alone. I'm just glad that I stopped that day, because since that day, Kazumi and I have have become really good friends. Natsumi and Kazumi just became good friends not too long ago, and so now we are all friends!"
Unpause Ambiance:Yamaku Rooftop
It seems like Kazumi really is someone that Akemi and Natsumi care for, and would do anything for. After taking that all in I said, "She seems like she really appreciated you stopping that day. Now she's really good friends with you two."
Akemi said, "And you too, Satoshi!"
"Well, I've only met her once, and she seems kind of unsure about me right now, but maybe after a few weeks, we can become good friends."
We continued to talk about Kazumi, and in the process I found out that she plays the violin in Music class. I have always enjoyed listening to instruments, such as the violin. When the strings are played with the bow in just the right way, it creates a very soothing and wondrous sound. I wonder what instrument I would play if I decided to take a music class?
We chatted a little bit more about how our day was. Natsumi and Akemi were talking about how next week, there will be a local festival happening, and that they had all these ideas of what booth they wanted to do.
"Wait. There's a festival happening next week?" I asked.
Akemi replied, "Yes there is. Has your class not mentioned it?"
"I don't think so... Wait... Now that I think of it, I do remember hearing about the class getting together at some point for a project, but I didn't think it was to make a booth for a festival."
Natsumi laughed and said, "Well, if you're lucky, you won't have to come up with what booth to make, and who runs it, because me and Akemi are doing both since we, well I, was picked to be the class representative. Akemi helps just as much though, ha."
"That's right," Akemi said, "We both want our booth to stand out from the rest, so we are making sure that, come next week, we will have a plan set in stone, and will be ahead of the rest of the competition. Right Natsumi?"
Natsumi gives a thumbs up and said, "You know it!"
"Isn't a festival suppose to be about having fun though?"
"Of course," Natsumi said, "But that doesn't mean that we can't be the best at having fun, ha!"
Is it even possible to be the best at having fun? I shrugged it off and enjoyed the rest of my lunch with Natsumi and Akemi.
The bell rang, and we began to make our way back to our classrooms, when Natsumi reminded me and Akemi of something.
"Hey, are we still doing the study group with Ryo after school?"
Me and Akemi looked dumbstruck. I completely forgot that we were supposed to go to do that.
I said, "Oh... oh yeah, I forgot about that, hehe."
Akemi nodded and said, "I also did. I think we were so busy talking to each other yesterday that it just slipped our minds, ha ha."
Natsumi chuckled and said, "It's okay, I forgot about it as well, but we're still doing it right?"
"As far as I know, yes. I'll ask Ryo when I get back into class, then I'll let you two know after class is over."
"Sounds good to me," Natsumi said.
We waved bye to each other and head back to our rooms. I sat in my desk next to Ryo and Started to talk with him.
This ambiance has multiple scenes, so look out for words in bold!
Ambiance: From Ease, To Panic
"Hey Ryo, we are still doing the study group after school right?"
Ryo looked at me with confusion, almost as if he didn't even know who I was.
"...Oh, did I say that was today?" Ryo said very confusingly.
I looked at him with disbelief on my face. He couldn't have seriously forgotten that the study group, that he planned, was today.
As annoyed as I was at the thought, I said,"Yes, Ryo, the study, that you wanted us to do, is today."
Ryo laughed and said, "Wow, it must've slipped my mind. Yeah, I'm still down for it. Where are we having it?"
"Well it's your study group. Shouldn't you decide?"
"Ah, making decisions is too much work. You decide Satoshi."
How does anyone pass school with an attitude like that, I'll never know.
"I just joined this school like 3 weeks ago Ryo! I Don't know where a good place to study would be..."
"Well, looks like we're up shit creek without a paddle then, huh Satoshi?"
I sighed out of frustration, and said, "Okay, how about we let Natsumi and Akemi decide then?"
"That's fine with me. Let the women do all the work. I like your style Satoshi, ha!"
I just simply shook my head and focused on our new lesson in class.
The bell rang, I got all of my books, and started heading out the door with Ryo to meet the girls. As I expect, Natsumi and Akemi were waiting for us outside the door.
After a few friendly hello's, Natsumi asked, "So what are we doing?"
"Well, Ryo was just too lazy to decide, so he gave me the option for you two ladies to decide for us."
"Hey! I'm not lazy, I just don't feel like making decisions that's all" Ryo said, sounding like he was offended somehow.
"That sounds like Ryo," Natsumi said, looking at him. "What do you think Akemi?"
Akemi thought about it, then said, "Oh! I know a nice place under a tree in the courtyard we can study at. I have a blanket in my room I can grab for us too!"
It sounded good to me, and Natsumi agreed, while Ryo was just gazing off in the distance, not even paying attention. I help Akemi down the stairs, and we all headed toward the girls dorm room building. Natsumi was talking to Ryo, and Me and Akemi were chatting. I always enjoy talking to Akemi, since she is always so Bubbly and happy. When we made it to the girl dorms, we stopped at the door.
"I'll stay here and chat with Ryo Akemi," Natsumi said.
"Okay! Satoshi, you want to come up with me?"
Mute Channel 1&2, Unmute Channel 3
The question took me off guard, because I've never been asked by a girl to come to her room. I didn't even know that boys were allowed in the girls dorm room.
"Uhh...Uh, sure, but are guys even allowed in the girls dorm building?"
She chuckled at the obvious nervous look on face, and said, "It's ok! As long as you're not around after dark, you're fine, but I don't think you'll be around for that long, he he."
I was still pretty nervous, but I didn't know why. It was just to go get a blanket, why do I get nervous so much?
Unmute Channel 4
I nodded and began to walk into the building with Akemi. The girls dorm room building is just like the boys, spot on, so it was easy for me to find out where the elevator was. Her room was on level 3. As I was going up the elevator, I was trying to play it cool on the outside, but on the inside, I was panicking and freaking out.
"We're here, Satoshi," Akemi said with a smile.
"Great," I said.
Great?!? I'm panicking and freaking out right now, yet I think this is great? Jeez...
Unmute Channel 5
We began walking down what seemed to be the longest hallway of my life. We finally made it to her room, room 3-8. Okay Satoshi, just try to stay calm. Don't freak out. It's only a girl's... a girl's... room...
She opened the door, and walked in and out almost in seconds.
"Okay I got it!" Akemi said.
Mute Channel 5&3, and Unmute Channel 1
Wait... That was it? I didn't even get a good look of the room... Are you telling me, I literally freaked out over nothing? Why do I panic so goddamn much?!?
After feeling like an idiot, I began to walk back down the hall with Akemi. I feel kind of let down, really. After all the preparation of seeing a girl's room, I didn't even get a glimpse of it. I feel so stupid sometimes. We eventually got back down to Ryo and Natsumi, and of course, Ryo has to make a comment.
Mute Channel 4
"Well, you two were up there for a long time, huh?"
"Very funny Ryo," Akemi said.
Ryo laughed and said, "What? I didn't accuse you of anything yet. Sounds like someone is guilty, ha!"
I turned Red, and I think Akemi even did as well, knowing we didn't do anything though, I said, "We didn't Ryo, I didn't even see inside her room, so there."
Ryo was quick to reply, "Ah, so you wanted to see inside her room... I got you Satoshi, ha!"
My face froze in panic, and I wanted to say no, but it was true. Akemi's face began to brighten up red, but then laughed out of nowhere.
"Satoshi, did you want to see my room?" She asked.
"I-I...Well... *sigh* Fine... I was feeling nervous because I thought I was going to go inside your room, and I've never been in a girl's room before... So there, get your laughs out everyone."
As expected Ryo laughed, and even Natsumi laughed as well, but surprisingly, Akemi just smiled at me, and said, "It's okay Satoshi. If you want, after our study group is over, you can see my room if you want."
"Really? Well, if it's okay with you..."
"Hehe, I don't mind," Akemi said.
Ambiance - From Studying, to Being Drenched
And to think, I worried over something so stupid. We all began to walk towards the courtyard, chatting an joking as usual. Akemi pointed out the tree, that we would have the study group at. The ground was nice and flat, and the tree had plenty of shade under it, not that it mattered with all of these gray clouds covering the sky. Akemi laid the blanket on the freshly cut grass, and we all sat down on it. Ryo and Natsumi sat on one side, while I and Akemi sat on the other. We studied hard on math, as it would be the longest and most frustrating section of the midterm. Wouldn't you know it, about ten minutes into the study group, Ryo said, "Man, this blows... Let's take a break."
I said, "Ryo, we just started. Let's at least try to study for 30 minutes before we take a break."
"That's too long Satoshi, can we jus-"
"No Ryo. You wanted to do the study group, now let's study! You're not going to pass with being lazy like that."
"Hey! I said I'm not lazy, I just want to take a break is all."
Natsumi teased Ryo by saying, "Satoshi's right Ryo. You did want to do this study group. If you don't want to do it, you can always leave like a chicken!"
I laughed because I knew that got under Ryo's skin. Ryo quickly replied, "I'm no chicken! Okay, I'll study for 30 minutes, and then we'll take a break! You guys are a pain in the ass sometimes, ha!"
"Well, we could be lazy like you," I said.
"Hey!"
We all laughed after I said that. It's fun to mess around with Ryo. Of course, he knows I'm kidding, and that I would never mean it.
We went back to studying, and I think Ryo was looking at the book harder than we were. I guess calling him a chicken is the key to making him do anything, ha. However, about twenty minutes later, I felt something wet hit the top of my head, and then again, and again. I looked up to see that the gray clouds had finally given in, and rain began to fall on us.
Unmute Channel 4, Mute Channel 2
"Oh darn! I didn't even bring an umbrella," Akemi said.
"It's ok," I said, "If we hurry, we can make it back to the dorm rooms before it starts to pour really hard on us."
We agreed, packed the blanket, and began to make our way to the dorm rooms. Not thinking twice, Natsumi and Ryo ran ahead of us, but of course, Akemi really can't run, due to her cerebral palsy.
Mute Channel 1, unmute Channel 3
"It's okay Satoshi, you go ahead and I'll catch up."
"I'm not leaving you behind to be alone in the rain Akemi. If you're getting wet, I'm getting wet too."
"But what if you catch a cold? I would fee-"
"It's fine Akemi. I've had worse happen to me, so I think I can handle a little cold, he."
"Hmm... Okay! Just don't blame me if you get sick, silly, ha!"
"Don't worry, I'll still blame you."
"Hey!"
I laughed at the way she reacted, and she began to laugh with me. I never really notice how cute Akemi's laugh is. It's like a little girls laugh, and it's really adorable.
I walked with Akemi as fast as he could walk, but no matter how quickly we moved, we were already starting to become drenched by the rain. My hair was slowly flattening and becoming a wet stringy mess, and my clothes were starting to stick to my skin. Needless to say, me and Akemi got really wet. I don't know why my mind didn't click the idea that, if my shirt is wet, then Akemi's shirt must be wet as well, because after looking at my shirt, I looked at Akemi, only to be the distracted by that fact that... Her... Her bra... was visible... I felt like such a perv, but I mean what guy doesn't focus on boobs that are obviously visible? I tried to stay focused in front of me as much as possible, even though it was hard to keep my eyes open from all the rain hitting my face.
We eventually made it to the girl's dorm building entrance, but there was no sign of Natsumi or Ryo anywhere.
I said, "Well, either they're already in their rooms, or we tortoise's just beat the hares."
What a corny joke... Akemi laughed, though, I'm sure it was just to make it seem like my joke was actually funny.
"I think the hares wandered off to the wrong direction Satoshi, he he."
She actually went along with it... She seriously went along with that corny joke... Atleast she has a sense of humor.
"Possibly, ha. Well, I'm sure you want to get out of those clothes, so I'll be on my way back to my roo-"
"Wait! Didn't you want to see my room?"
"Oh, well, yes I did. Your clothes are wet though, and well, wouldn't it be weird if I was in your room while you were... changing?"
"Well, I'm obviously not going to let you see me naked, you silly pervert, he he."
"Hey! I'm not a perv!"
"Oh yeah? Then why were you looking at my boobs a couple of minutes ago?"
My face was frozen and grew bright red. How did she notice me looking at "them?" I didn't mean to look at them, they just caught my eye, that's all.
"I... I..."
Akemi laughed and said, "You're cute when you blush Satoshi, he he. I'm just messing you, I know my boobs were obviously visible, no thanks to the rain.
I took a big sigh of relief from her being alright with it and said, "You really are care-free, aren't you Akemi?"
"He he, I tried to be. Let's go up to my room. I think Natsumi left one of her uniform shirts in my room that you can wear. I don't have any pants though, but I do have plenty of skirt you can wear."
"Thanks, but I think I'll just stick with a dry shirt."
"Aww, you're no fun Satoshi, he he."
Unmute Channel 5,6&7, mute Channel 4
When we walked into the building, if felt like I stepped foot into Antarctica how cold it was. I instantly felt goose bumps multiply on my arms, and I began to shiver. That shirt sounded real nice right about now.
We eventually made it to Akemi's room, and as she was opening the door, she said, "Just wait one second, and I'll let you in okay?"
Shivering from the cold, I said, "S-s-sure Ak-k-kemi. N-no pro-problem."
She shut the door, and I was there to sit in the cold hallway, feeling like I would become a human Popsicle.
Eventually, Akemi appeared around the corner of the door, and told me, "Hey Satoshi, I looked everywhere for the shirt, but I think she must've taken it back the other day, but if you want, she lives across the hall from me in 3-7 if you want to ask her for one."
Well that blows, but what should I do? Should I just deal with wet clothes in Akemi's room, or do I go ask Natsumi for a dry shirt? I mean, it would be nice to have a dry shirt, but then again, is it really worth it just to have only one piece of clothing that's dry, while the rest of me is wet? However, I would have a less chance of getting a cold then. What to do?
Original Pic:
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