*Authors Note*
Right, tested seemly fine, time to get the train rolling. The writing here probably feels a little fast . . . Forgive me, tomorrow morning will probably lead to edits . . . I need to sleep. Enjoy! Hopefully >.>
The town. Unlike a city, which may still be dormant at this hour, folks here are wide awake. From store owners opening their stores, to the lone van wandering out of sight on a delivery . . . The town's alive.
Not a hint of tiredness anywhere . . . Well, except in me.
I come to a stop on a street corner, holding myself up by a nearby lamp post. I haven't been on a jog since last year, I shouldn't've stopped. Arms behind my head, I cross the road with a brisk walk.
After circling a few blocks, interchanging my pace every few minutes, I come to a stop outside one of the few stores I know.
The owner's awake. Mrs. Moto, a bear of a woman, stands outside her store.
Her heavy arms setting up her vegetables and fruits for the day. She settles down a sizeable basket before turning around to grab another, only to soon spot me.
"If it isn't Kichirou!" She grins, "I thought you were still on holiday."
I bow, "I-I uh . . . came back early."
"Huh. Oh, hey, here." Mrs. Moto grabs an apple from a basket and throws it my way.
Just as the fruit leaves her hand, her eyes widen. "Kichirou! I'm sorry-"
I catch the apple, to my surprise.
Mrs. Moto wipes her forhead and chuckles with rosy cheeks. "Shoot, I forgot you only had one hand, but it seems your reflexes are sharp!"
I hold the apple up to the sky and smile in embarrassment. "I got lucky there."
"Well, enjoy that! and do come back!" Mrs. Moto grabs an empty basket and makes for her store's interior, hand held high in a salute.
I raise my stub in an effort to salute back. I manage to touch my hairline just as she disappears.
My jog, can wait . . . Apple in hand, I walk around, looking for a spot to sit. A free apple should be enjoyed, not eaten mid-run.
Another block or two later, I sit down on the pavement overlooking the nearby park. I bite into the apple, a smile filling my face. Sweet as usual.
Once the apple is nothing but a seeded core, I stand and toss it away. Licking at my fingers messily . . . Always a downside, I hate this feeling.
After pulling out my music player, the jog continues . . . The next half hour is spent with me running the roads of the town. A variety of tunes pushing me foward.
Dammit, I really shouldn't've stopped . . . At least I'm not sweating too heavily.
My jog ends on a sour note, I ruffle my hair in frustration . . . Really shouldn't've. After catching my breath, I walk to the side of town closest to the hill. Once there, I pull out my wallet. I've got a few things to pick up today, and I doubt being from Yamaku gives one permission to shoplift.
I approach the ATM and slip my card into the slot.
Day by day, my balance shrinks. In a couple of months, I might have to rely on the cafeteria for food . . . That thought in mind, I almost rip the money from the machine.
Wallet back in my pocket, I walk down the main road for a few minutes until the local Aura-mart appears. A chain in a town like this, progress sure left a present.
I enter the store, the ventilated room is a welcome feeling. Just hope I don't smell too bad. To my left, the teller sits with her head in her hands. I still don't know her name, but she knows mine, somehow.
Her face lights up through her glamorous nails. "Kichirou?"
I bow my head with a blush, why didn't I remember her name?
The girl, who I've only now, decided to nickname 'Kogal', due to her tan and fashion sense, sits up straight with a loose smile on her face. "You're early today . . . Hey, weren't you on holiday or something?"
I rub my neck, "I w-was, aren't you early too?" I chuckle nervously as I browse the magazines.
Kogal laughs, a tinge of despair to it. "Yeah, I am . . . I didn't even want to work today. Makoto usually gets the morning shift," A groan, "the early morning shift."
I give her a nod as I pick up a newspaper from the stand before returning to the front to grab a basket. I wander the aisles, grabbing anything that I know I can use.
Kogal wipes her fringe back as I arrive at the counter with a decently-filled basket. I pull out my wallet as the items are rung up.
"You know," Kogal puckers her lips. "girls do like guys who can cook."
I sigh with a blush, handing her the money. "Not on a student budget."
"It's the thought that counts." She giggles.
Sure, but I'm hardly romantic . . . or creative.
Once my items are bagged and ready, Kogal smiles briefly before collasping in a heap of blonde dye and nail polish.
"I'm not even supposed to be here today." Kogal mutters glumly.
I rub my neck, "Hang in there, see you later, maybe?"
Back in my room, I bite into a one-hand made sandwich while occasionally flipping through the newspaper I bought. The little I purchased now resides in the dormitorie's fridge. It's free game now unfortunately, though hopefully it'll be left alone . . . It's the thought that counts.
My eyes wander from the rather lavish headlines to the textbooks in front of me. I take an interest in a loose sheet of paper sticking out from one of them. Where did that come from?
After finishing my sandwich, I reach out with my stub and pull the book towards me as I dust the crumbs from my face.
I flip through the pages, most of which are notes. I forgot how many of these I take . . . Not that they help. I'm like a printer, not the guy who works on said printer.
I reach the loose sheet and look it over. It just so happens to be my exam results for the test before the winter holiday. I had forgotten where this was . . . On purpose, probably. My expression lowers as I look at the scores, but only for a moment as I crumple it up and toss it into the bin under my desk.
I return to the newspaper with a sigh.
Articles now throughly read, possibly multiple times, I move away from my desk and lay down on my bed. I stare up at the ceiling for a few minutes, unsure of what to do for the rest of the day.
Maybe I should of stayed in Tokyo . . . I could barely afford it though. I lay on my side. This room is free, mostly.
I groan, I wish I would stop thinking about that-
My phone starts vibrating on the night table. Surprised, I sit up and reach for it.
A message? Oh, It's Takashi . . . Wonder what's going on now . . . Probably about his sister and her lover- Huh?
Confused, I pocket my phone and begin assembling my prosthetic. Looks like I have something to do today . . . Sure beats the orginal plan. Staring up at the ceiling.
I throw on my hoodie and grab my wallet, giving the room one last look before stepping out. After locking the door, I pull up my hood and adjust my prosthetic with a smile before heading out.
Awfully early . . . Takashi.
I walk the streets with my gaze turned upwards. Dark clouds hang thick above, sending a shiver through me.
Just a couple of hours ago it was slightly warmer, but it looks like tonight's going to be a freezer . . . Could be a premonition now that I think about it.
I arrive at the spot , a local tea house named the Shanghai. I've never been inside, but I have seen a few students in here before. Is it a popular spot or is it just convenient? It does look like it has a nice atmosphere about it though, a mark up indeed when it looks like this out here.
Hoping to find some warmth inside, I unzip my jacket as soon as I open the door. A simple chime ringing out as I do so.
I take a look around. Mostly wood . . . A lot of wood here, traditional. Lovely smells coming from the kitchen, a few patrons seated among tables that look like they fit much larger crowds. I step forward and stop at the sign near my feet.
Wait to be seated . . . Quite classy, really doesn't suit Takashi.
As if to chide me for that inner comment, a young man adorned in a well-used apron appears before me with a bow. "Welcome, just the one?"
"Uh, I'm actually meeting s-someone here." I blurt out, thrown by the politeness. "I think he's here already-"
I scan the room . . . There. Four or five tables back, settled into a booth with one hand trying to grip all his luggage and another clenched around a cold glass of what looks like a milkshake. Takashi Yamaguchi, currently operating at his usual pace.
"There he is."
The waiter smiles and grabs a menu, "Right this way."
By the waiters lead, we pass by several muted conversations and tea-induced smiles before reaching the booth. Takashi hasn't noticed our arrival, his eyes are on his phone so It's a little hard to read his expression.
He's such a token dye job . . . Man, Kogal's hair looks more authentic than his.
Noticing the shadows on the table top, Takashi looks up at us. Seeing me, Takashi smirks and lowers his phone.
"Took you long enough." He chuckles as I slide into the booth.
The waiter hands me the menu, I order a bottle of water and the waiter bows before walking off.
"So," I start, "You're traveling a little heavy there, Taka."
"Necessary supplies, bro." Takashi declares with a hearty pat to one of his bags.
"Let me guess, mostly manga and a condom or two?"
Pride fills his face. "That's right, I have here a sizeable upgrade to my collection and- Wait, how did you know I had-"
"Whoa wait, I guessed right on the condoms? Jesus."
Takashi laughs mockingly, "Yeah yeah, fucking clairvoyant over here."
"I'm not even going to pry further . . . How are you?" I ask with a smirk, taking off my hoodie and placing it next to me.
Takashi frowns as he sips from his milkshake, each draw from his drink seems to calm him. "Tired . . . But thankful to be back!"
"You know, it's been barely a day since I called you." I chuckle, "Did you decide to follow my lead?"
"No! W-Well, maybe." Takashi rubs his ear, "I needed to get out of there man, if I had stayed any longer, I would've probably had to witness my mother going ballistic about how my sister's lover tried to make her gay."
I laugh into the menu as Takashi's mood sours again.
"It's true, she would!" He shouts.
"I'm not doubting it."
Time passes and Takashi and I chat back and forth. When my drink arrives, I move to open the bottle, but the waiter quickly grabs it and opens it for me.
"S-Sorry, sir."
"N-No, it's all right, really-"
I sigh internally, Great.
Takashi grabs his menu and speak up. "Right. We're ready to order!"
No input needed from me since Taka, just ordered for both of us . . . I hope he's buying.
Sipping from my water, I look outside. The light in here is masking it somewhat, but I can tell, it is getting dark out there,
"Hey man, you feeling okay?" Takashi waves his straw at me, milkshake long since finished.
I'm almost poked in the eye. "Y-Yeah, fine. Why do you ask?"
"Looks like it's going to be cold tonight, right?" I comment.
"Really?" Takashi looks to the window raises his eyebrows, "Oh yeah it is. You know, this is why I wear double layers."
I listen to the importance of thicker clothing for a few minutes until Takashi pokes his straw at me again.
"Nervous?"
"H-Huh?" I stutter.
"About school, man." Takashi grins.
"O-Oh, I guess."
"Yeah, me too . . . I think my grades fell, I blame being back with my parents." Takashi pokes at the bottom of his empty glass, "Stressful."
I chuckle, "Yeah, shows on your face in wrinkles."
Takashi's hands stick to his face, "For real?"
"Only a little man." I reassure him with a wink.
Takashi scoffs and leans back in his chair. "Nice one."
Time passes some more, this time in silence. Soon though, Takashi finds another topic, one that resides in one of his bags.
Luckily, our food arrives at this moment . . . Though I think Taka could still explain the depths of ecchi while stuffing his face . . . The food's nice, I'm glad I came.
If only for that.
"Can I just say, once again, I'm glad you split it with me." I grin through cold lips.
"Dude, you would shut up about that?! You've said it like thirty times now!"
"Four times."
Sure enough, as soon as we left the Shanghai, the cold and the opportunity to tease Takashi about his spending habits, hit us. We're now climbing the hill up to Yamaku. Taka's leading, two bags in each hand and a satchel hanging from his neck.
I'm glad he gave me this other bag but-
"Hey, you sure you're okay to carry all that?"
"Yeah, man don't worry about it." I forgot how jarring it was to watch Taka walk . . . He says it's only mild, but that won't stop me from worrying about the way his walking style shifts awkwardly every so often.
"Doesn't it freak you out sometimes?" I ask.
A slight wobble, Taka looks back. "Not anymore, really . . . You start to ignore it."
Comforting.
Takashi laughs, "Does it freak you out that you only have one leg and a missing hand?"
I chuckle, "Fair point."
One last corner and our school sits before us. The weather and the nightime lighting makes the gates look sort of eerie.
"Man, is it good to be back!" Takashi exclaims, dropping one of his bags to touch the gate. "You know . . . It's the little things that count."
"Yeah yeah, let's just get back to our rooms." I open the gates for both of us, taking the lead on the concrete path inside.
Takashi takes a moment further to admire the iron work before catching up. We traverse the grounds. Taka nudges me with his elbow, "Hey, you're not the only person here, right?"
I'm tempted to say yes, to frighten him. But I end up shrugging. "Obviously not. It has been oddly quiet, but that doesn't mean they're not here. Some people stay here for the holidays, remember?"
"For Christmas and New Years? Little weird, don't you think?"
I nod, "Maybe a bit."
We arrive at the dorms. Taka taps his foot on the tree as I make for the door. I open it but once again, Takashi's admiring something.
I sigh, "Dude, really?"
The girl dormitory in his sights for only a moment before he turns to me. "You think-"
"Yes, I do think they're in there and no, they don't want to see you. Can we get inside now? It's freezing-"
"Not that dude! You think the thing about that guy is true . . .That wheelchair puller."
I can't help but laugh. "This again?"
"I gave it some thought while I was back home and . . . Dude, there might be some truth to it."
We enter our dorm. "In what way?"
"Well, I'm just saying, right now, this time of the year, no school, some people stay over . . . things could happen."
"This isn't a harem, Taka."
"Hey! It could be for that guy, whoever he is!" Takashi shouts, his voice echoeing through the halls, "Cripples like to get randy too!"
I groan, "Enough already."
We reach our respective rooms, Takashi's also on this floor. He's in room 012 . . . Awfully convinient, right?
As I unlock my door, Taka steps back in alarm. "Holy shit! What died in here?!"
Not buying his fake shock for one second, I snicker. "Your dignity?"
"Oh yeah? Very funny." Takashi moans. "Anyway, you doing anything tomorrow?"
"Not really."
"Great, then we're hanging! Settled?"
I toss my hoodie into my room while still in the doorway, "Yeah, sure. Good night, then?"
"Yeah man, good night."
Before closing my door, I call out. "Hey, Taka?"
I hear the sound of bags being dropped, "Yeah dude?"
"It's . . . It's good to see you, man."
A pause. "Yeah, you too."
The doors are shut. It only takes a couple of steps on the carpet for my body to begin groaning . . . I need to sleep.
I change out of my clothes, close my curtains and immediately fall into bed. I nearly forget to take off my prosthetic.
As the ceiling starts to lull me into sleep, I close my eyes and smile. Things are going to get weird again . . . But I'm glad. I missed it.
Sure beats- Ah, forget it . . . I shouldn't think about that. Sleep, Kichirou.