Chapter Five: What's Inside Counts
The early morning sun stings my eyes as Ritsu, Akio and myself make our way across the school grounds. I think we all look beat; Akio with dark bags under his eyes, my own newfound sensitivity to light and Ritsu nursing her right hand, which is already braced up. I guess all that’s recently happened has kind of exacerbated her CT. Should have taken that into consideration last night.
“Well, I’m officially over the festival before it’s even begun,” Akio groans “What’s eating you two?”
“I didn’t get much sleep after our study session.” I admit, squinting in my best effort to block the sun.
“My wrist still hurts from last night…” Ritsu laments, her right arm limply slung around my good arm.
“Oh-hoooo, really? Just what were you two ‘studying’ last night?” Apparently our innocent griping is enough to perk Akio up as he shoots us an accusatory look and strokes his chin. Ritsu raises an eyebrow to me and I just shrug. It’s entirely too early for his shenanigans and I will not rise to them.
“Biology, perhaps?” He winks. He’s not going to let this go, is he?
“Human…
anatomy~?” The lilt in his voice is getting higher. And he’s leaning closer.
“Handjooooooobs~~?” And there goes all pretence of subtlety.
“Ladies first.” I sigh tiredly and look to Ritsu.
“I’m already in OCS and I think smacking one douche a week is my limit.” She groans.
We pull ahead of Akio, who is entirely too happy with his asinine innuendo, giggling all the way into the building. We part ways with Ritsu and head to homeroom.
“Seriously though, handjob?” Akio asks a little too loud as we enter the classroom, earning the attention of several students. Time to turn the tables, jackass.
“
Akio,” I say, putting on the most dismissive performance I can. “For the last time, I’m not giving you money for sexual favours. I don’t
care if you blew your entire allowance on pocky and love pillows.”
There’re gasps, snickering and a hearty Wahahaha~ from the pink-haired interpreter. I turn to look to Akio who is blushing profusely.
“Well played, wide load.” He gives a defeated smile, shaking his head.
“Don’t test me, glass jaw! I’ll pass every time!” I grin, continuing to my desk. Seems like Suzu approved of my verbal smack down, offering the highest five she can muster and a smirk as I pass. Miki snickers, Misha is still guffawing and Shizune doesn’t seem to have a clue why she is. This morning is off to a good start.
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English class was spent finishing my latest piece, since I’ve got that subject on lock. The lunch bell rings and the classroom empties for the most part. I think I’m done. Akio sidles up to me to give his opinion.
“I don’t know, man…” He looks between me, the picture and Hanako, who has her face buried in a book. I pray that she can’t hear our hushed conversation. “She’s liable to die of fright if you just
talk to her.”
He has a point. I’ve tried speaking to Hanako before and, historically, it’s never gone well. We’re not ‘friends’ but she must know about what I do by now, I just hope that’s enough to not startle her. “One way to find out… {Showtime}.” I say, steeling myself for the worst case scenario. I walk over a Ritsu and Akio’s desks to Hanako and speak as softly as I can.
“Excuse me, Hanako?”
“Eep!” Amazing start. I kneel down in front of her desk, trying to make my bulky frame the least intimidating it can be and continue in my soft tone.
“You know about how I draw pictures for everyone in class, right?”
“…Y-y-yes?” Her eyes are darting around, a quick glance shows a couple interested parties who I shake my head at and, for the most part, they go back to their own thing.
“Well, and I hope you don’t mind me being presumptuous…” I carefully remove the page from my sketchbook and slide it onto her desk. “…I hope you like it.” A soft smile to reassure her.
She’s still in her seat, that’s a good start. Shaking a little but not her usual indicator for escape. She cautiously slides the picture toward her and lifts it up. Her eyes are like a machine as she studies it. I took my time with the ornate details of the black dress, accentuated by rich purple and greys. The crown and sceptre have an onyx sheen to them and the spell book has the best leather effect I can do. No sign of--
Her hand moves to the hair covering the right side of her face. She’s self-conscious. She must have finally saw the scars. Oh boy.
“I-I-I-Igottagosdosomething!” Aaaaand there she goes.
I stand as the violet-haired girl bolts from the room, bag and picture in tow.
“Shit.” I raise my palm to my face.
“You almost had her, Taro!” Miki offers with a half-smile.
“Not the worst confession I’ve seen. Could use some work though, big guy…” Suzu dreamily states.
“Must you
always frighten the women-folk, Taro?” Akio tries to cut some tension out of the room with a dumb joke, emphasised by his mouth being full of rice.
“Just trying to do a nice thing.” I lament quietly. Worst case scenario achieved. I need a some fresh air. I give a wave to the group as I leave the building.
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Hanako didn’t return to class. Sure, it may happen from time to time but when you’re the direct cause? Makes you feel pretty shitty. Classes end for the day. Akio is accompanying Suzu and Lezard to a lit. club meeting. Ritsu said she’d meet me here after getting word from Akio. So here I sit, head tilted back and eyes closed.
“Well done, you moron.” I breath into the empty room.
“Oh dear, I do hope that was not aimed at me.” A airy chuckle floats around the room. My head lunges forward. Placid face. Blonde hair. Frightened girl behind her. Lilly Satou.
“Uh, sorry. No, that was to
myself. I didn’t hear you come in…” I’m going to be killed by a blind ninja. Akio would find that either hilarious or badass.
“My apologies, it’s been quite some time since I could sneak up on someone.” She giggles to herself. Maybe I’m safe.
“Hanako would like to say something to you.” Maybe not.
I stand up and take a few tentative steps towards the pair, Hanako easing herself from Lilly’s back, looking at the floor. She still has the picture in hand, a little creased where she has a vice grip on it.
“Th-th-thank you, T-Taro…” Oh god, I somehow feel
worse. “I r-really like the picture. Lilly told me th-that you asked for her help…”
“Heh, yeah. I, uh, thought I’d best ask Lilly in case I scared you. Guess I ended up doing that anyway. I’m sorry, Hanako.” I offer, casting my gaze downwards.
“No-no-no! I’m s-s-sorry! You did a nice thing for me and I ran away…”
“Can’t blame you,” I laugh. “Me bending down on a knee and offering something to you must have looked like a confession. Akio‘s always saying I‘m scaring girls…”
Hanako’s face goes a deep crimson and Lilly is giggling to herself in the background.
“My-my, I imagine that some of your classmates thought that but it sounds to me that you did it with the purest intentions.”
“W-w-why did you…?” Hanako's gaze flits between me and the picture.
“Like Lilly said, I did it just to do a nice thing for you,” A reassuring smile forms across my lips. “Doing good is it’s own reward, right?”
“Quite the courteous gentleman, isn’t he Hanako? He sounds almost like a gallant knight.”
Huh, so that’s what Hanako’s smile looks like.
“So is there anything you liked in particular, Hanako? I’m always open to critique.”
“Um… I l-like all of it?” Don’t push your luck, Taro.
“Well, I’m delighted to hear that! What did you think, Lilly?”
Oh god damn it, Taro.
Thankfully, Lilly takes my stupid remark in stride and politely nods. “Hanako’s description was
very thorough. It would seem you put a lot of thought and care into it. Most impressive given the sparse details I gave you.”
I rub the back of my neck when Hanako gives an enthusiastic nod, a look of wonder across her face as she looks to the picture. It fills my heart with satisfaction to see that look.
“If I may impose on you, Taro?” Lilly asks, bringing me out of my reverie.
“Certainly, Lilly. What can I do for you?”
She seems to mull this over. She measures each word carefully before finally asking. “If I were to ask you to draw a similar piece for me,” Okay, this is not what I was expecting. “Would you be able to
describe it?”
Hanako looks as surprised as I am but no less interested in my answer than Lilly. I take a couple steps either side of Lilly, rubbing my face in idle thought. Hanako seems fascinated with my process and Lilly seems to follow my path, if a little off.
I step back, taking one last full look at Lilly before nodding. “Got it.”
“Then by all means.” Her smile seems playful.
The lady asked for a show, Taro. Let’s not disappoint.
“I would describe you as {Amazonian} for starters.”
“{Amazonian}?” Her eyes are closed, possibly trying to imagine what an Amazon looks like. I appreciate that her English is as good as, if not better than, mine.
“{Exactly}! An Amazon is traditionally a strong female, seen as a source of strength for others and incredibly capable in both mind and body. Of course, I might also integrate aspects of Greco-Roman deities, armour evocative of European heroes but most of all, I’d emphasise your compassion as well as your elegance. {What do you think}?”
Both Lilly and Hanako look to be working this out, perhaps even coming to completely different outcomes but, hopefully, they’ll imagine something akin to what I have in my head.
“It… It sounds like Lilly,” Innocent Hanako seems to get what I’m going for. “Strong and pretty and kind.” She gives an earnest smile that melts my heart and looks to Lilly expectantly. Lilly nods and opens her eyes, the cloudy blue is quite mesmerising.
“{You make me sound like some sort of
goddess, like I am to be perched on a pedestal}.” I guess she wants to be honest without discouraging Hanako’s thoughts.
“{Not at all, though I can see why my thought process might lead you to believe that. The way I see it, you look out for others, even in detriment to yourself. A selfless protector}.” I respond, giving my honest impression of her.
“Much like the quintessential Kamen Rider,” I continue in Japanese to make sure Hanako hears. “You protect people’s smiles.” I smirk, it seems Hanako agrees with that analogy.
Lilly takes another moment to consider my words then gives a small smile and a nod. “Interesting. That’s quite the vision you have, Taro. Most enlightening!” She giggles, no doubt at her own pun. “If you ever feel the inclination, we would be happy if you would join us for tea.”
Hanako nods cautiously. “Th-that would be… nice.”
“Thanks, I’ll let you know.” is all I can muster before the pair link arms and prepare to leave, only for Lilly to pause at the door and look back in my general direction. “One day, perhaps you might tell us what your vision of
yourself is.”
And with that, they’re gone.
“That’s something I’d like to know too!” I spin in shock, taking a tumble backwards onto my ass.
“What is it with pretty girls sneaking up on me today!?” I glare up at Ritsu shaking her head with a smirk. Looks like she came in the second door as they left. I get back to my feet and dust off my trousers.
“So you think they’re pretty, huh?” Ritsu beams, hands on her hips.
“I’m not going to fall for such an obvious trap.” I respond, narrowing my eyes at the diminutive terror in front of me.
“I’d say you’ve,
quite literally, fallen for me already,” She teases. “I doubt those two can say that!” Her laugh is infectious and I join her.
Heh, I guess you’re right.
I also went ahead and updated the first post with short character descriptions and the line-up of characters.
The ship teasing will continue and you'll just have to see where it goes 