• Chapter 6- A Helping Hand


    The sound of my alarm clock was the first thing I heard when I opened my eyes. Today is such a nice day too, the sun is shining brightly as always. It’s still a little early so I have a lot of time to linger in the bathroom, which I rarely do now a day’s cause of school. The water was just right when it hit my skin; not too cold, not too hot. Perfect for a nice hot day. I was standing in the shower when I remembered about Aya’s text message last night that kept me thinking for the rest of the night. I have no idea how she’ll react or what are the things that she wants to know. I’m not worried though, she’s a loyal friend that knows how to shut her mouth. But I’m kind of worried about the possible result if this gets out. Rumors like this will ruin my reputation for being an ordinary girl. I mean, going out with the new guy of our school will have everyone’s noses in our classroom and in my life. My private life will be worried but I’m mostly worried as to what they’ll think of me.
    As I get dressed for school, I tried to shrug the whole thing off. Breakfast was not on my list of things to do when I’m tensed or stressed. But I noticed that there is already a pile of newspaper that I hasn’t been touched for a while now. The headline last Friday startled me; a new body that’s been slaughtered by these said animals were found near our street. To be exact, it near the street where I bumped into Kazu. And then the headline for the weekend wasn’t interesting but then yesterday’s headline is what startled me again. There was another killing of the animal in our city and it’s near our school. Wait, me and Kazu we’re there, it’s a good thing we didn’t stay there for long. This is all getting creepy, I tried to ignore it because I’ve got other things to worry about so I just went straight to the door and walked towards school. There’s still half an hour before the school bell rings but as expected; some of the students took the day off because of exhaustion from yesterday. I wonder what time they got home. Looking around and searching for Aya was one of the things I did when I arrived. Guess she isn’t here yet. It’s still a big puzzle for me why she saw us, cause I thought she’s on that camp thing.
    When I arrived at our classroom, I didn’t see Aya in there either. Which is good, cause that’ll give me some more time to get ready for her questions.
    “Good Morning,” a voice from behind said
    I didn’t need to look to see who it was, “Hn,”
    “You know Fuka, you’re mood swings are starting to give me a whiplash. Yesterday you’re nice and now your all grumpy and moody.”
    “Hn,” was all I answered and walked towards my seat. I placed my bag in my table and buried my face in there. Wanting him to get the message and just go away. “Just go away,”
    “Fuka!” a familiar voice shouted
    “The devil’s here now, hide me please.” I muttered to myself
    Kazu looked at me, “The devil?” he looked at the door and saw Aya standing there with an excited look on her face. “Oh…good luck with the questions then,” he finally said before he walked off out the door.
    Aya came to sit at the chair next to me, “So?”
    “So what?”
    “Spill girl, don’t leave out even a small detail,”
    I sighed at defeat, “So, what do you want to know?”
    “Everything of course!” she exclaimed; not bothering if someone will hear about our little conversation.
    “Ok…” I looked at her, she was very easy to read, “We’re not going out and more importantly we’re not together. We just bumped into each other here at school and he asked me out for lunch. We talked a little and that’s it. Nothing more nothing less.”
    “Really? I think you’re missing me out on stuff, some really important stuff.”
    “Speak for yourself. But wait, I thought you’re going to that camp thing?”
    “Yeah, I know, I know. Something came up, my grandmother was in the hospital so I have to go there with my mother. Ai wasn’t so close with her so she was allowed to go to camp. Wait, don’t change the subject Fuka.”
    I laughed at her, “But isn’t my answer enough to tell you that there isn’t something going on between us?”
    She placed her hand at her chin in a gesture of deep thinking, “Hmm…I don’t know Fuka. The way I see it, it isn’t like that at all.”
    “Aya, are you suggesting that he likes me? Cause if you are, that’s totally ridiculous. Of all the guys, if there are any, that has to like me, it turns out to be the perfect new student at our class.”
    “There you are again Fuka,”
    “What?”
    She sighed, “You said that with Jin before and look at it right now, and he totally has a major crush on you,”
    Jin? Well, I knew that already and we’re still friends. I like Jin, he’s character is cute and also him but, there are limits. I can only see him as a friend. And besides I only date older guys, if there are any who wants to ask me out. “Ok, fine whatever you say but we’re just friends ok? Nothing more, nothing less.”
    “Ok Fuka, but I think I better go now to my sit, I can sense that he’s waiting for me to go now so he could talk to you. So toddles.” Then she waved goodbye.
    Five seconds of peace was all I experienced before Kazu sat at his chair with a smug look on his face, “What happened? I can feel the intensity of your conversation.”
    “Oh just shut up,” I muttered then looked at the window. There’s still 20 minutes left before class started so I’m still stuck with him. I better get used to it.
    He sighed, “I thought we’re friends now,”
    Oh how I wished he’d stop using that against me, it’s starting to annoy me. If this keeps up, every time I hear the word friend, it will automatically remind me of him; which is not a good idea. “If you’re a true friend will you leave me alone?”
    He sighed once again, “Didn’t like the questions too much or didn’t expect them?”
    Can’t he just keep quiet and leave me alone for a moment.
    Wait. What did he just say? I quickly snapped my head in his direction, “What did you just say?”
    He did that annoying smirk again, “Didn’t you like the question?”
    I stood up from my chair, “Wait, how did you know about that? First with my book and then this? ” Wait. He’s always doing that, always being right or being able to predict things.
    He started to walk away now, “Nothing, I didn’t say anything. My question isn’t specific you know,” then he smirked again.
    This is starting to get very suspicious now. He’s acting very weird. I don’t get this, what’s up with him? I tried to shrug it all off and leave it all at that. I just continued to stare at the window; hoping that time will pass by and quick and I can go home.
    Thankfully the day passed through smoothly and now, I can have some rest. But then, as I was about to exit the room, I saw Jun waving for me. I think he wants me to go to him, and so I did.
    “Yes? What do you want?” I answered impatiently
    “Hey, can you give this to Akasu,” he said as he gave me a red pen “I borrowed it but then he left early so I didn’t have the chance to gave it back to him, and while you’re at it can you tell him I said thanks.”
    “Uh…yea, sure.” I answered as I walked passed him and looked for Kazu. It’s kind of unusual for him to go home this early. He usually leaves his things at his chair, disappears into thin air and who knows where he is. But…it’s none of my business, it’s his life afterall. It’s his choice to be that mysterious.
    I really want to go home early, but I promised Jun that I’ll give Kazu’s pen back. I was on my way to go down the stairs when I looked up and saw the door to the rooftop. I don’t know why, but something tells me that I need to go in there or I will regret it. And so I did, I climbed up the stairs and slowly opened the door; trying to peek if there is someone there. I saw a dark figure in there and then I opened the door wider, so I can take a better look but then it screeched.
    Oh damn it.
    “Who’s there?” he said but he didn’t look around. So I was right about this place, Kazu is in here.
    I smiled and went up to him, “Hey, Kazu, Jun told me to give you your pen an-“
    He suddenly cut me off and said, “Just leave it there and go.”
    Huh? What’s with him, he’s suddenly very cold with me again. Maybe something’s wrong with him again.
    “K-Kazu, are you ok? Is there something wrong?”
    But he didn’t answer my question, “I said just go and leave it there!”
    “Ka- never mind, I get it. So I’m going now.” I said as I faced the door and walked down the stairs.
    I really don’t get him, one minute he’s all so good with me then, after that, he’s back to his cold normal self. He didn’t face me back there. I don’t even remember saying or doing something to upset him. Maybe, I should just stay out of him for good, maybe he realized that…I’m not good enough to be his friend, maybe he saw something in me then just decided that he didn’t want to be my friend. I don’t know which is it, but I really shouldn’t think about this now, this is all so depressing.
    It’s pointless to still linger about what just happened and I decided to go on with my life like even before he came. I mean, we’re not that close and we’re just starting to be friends so I think it’ll be easy enough.
    The next day was quite unusual, he was early(that’s not the unusual part) for school but he didn’t even great me like yesterday. I know, it’s silly to expect something like that but I thought we’re friends. What a great timing, just as I was trying to embrace the fact that we’re friends, he just ditches me off without saying a word. He didn’t even look at me nor glance at me so I did the same. We ignored each other like nothing had happened, and I wasn’t worried about anyone noticing it cause no one knows about it, well maybe except for Aya but I don’t think she’ll make such a fuss about it.
    The next day was the same; we ignored each other like that first day but at least Rika and the others are back now from their rest day after the camp. We act like he doesn’t know me, and about myself, while I don’t know anything about him. It was like that for the rest of the week, no talking or even looking at each other. We only talk when it comes to school matters. But there are times when it made me think if he even remembers me or the things that we’ve shared and talked about. Or if he even knows that I still exist. But right now, I’m sure about one thing; I haven’t forgotten all about that. And unlike him, I’ve always noticed the times when he ignores me and when I don’t. we’re just classmates and it going to be like that for the rest of the semester.
    During lunch time Rika told me that he’s been hanging out with Isamu’s group. That’s good for him but I’ve got more important things to worry about. First is, wait, I’m finished with those projects so I guess there aren’t things that I should worry about. What’s wrong with me?
    “Hey Fuka,” Aja said in a worried tone, disrupting me from my thoughts.
    I looked at her immediately, trying to act like I’ve heard everything she said, “Yes? Don’t worry I was listening to your story,”
    “But Fuka, Aja wasn’t telling a story. It’s Rika,” Toshiue explained as she pointed towards Rika.
    Oh, so they caught me there.
    “Fuka, are you all right? You’ve been spacing out these past few days?”
    “Of course I’m fine,”
    They didn’t believe it, “You don’t look fine,” Naru told me
    “But of course she’s fine, just look at her. She’s just thinking about his brother, who’s coming for a…visit! Right Fuka?” Aya interrupted all of a sudden
    A What? Visit?
    There we’re all looking at me now, startled by the news. I know that I have to cover this up somehow but right now… “Uh…yea! She’s right. I’m busy with the…preparations.”
    Before anyone could say anything Rika burst out, “Oh really?! You’re brother’s coming? When? I want to see him, can I sleep over at your house while he’s there?”
    “No, you can’t cause he’s real busy with…school. He has some projects to do while he’s on for a visit. He’ll be in and out of the house.”
    Rika pouted like a little child, “That’s too bad. I really want to see you brother.”
    “Rika, you know the guy already has a girlfriend right?” Haru said all of a sudden
    “And so what?” Rika answered
    “Hey guys, enough of that already,” I said as we all laughed at the two arguing again.
    Just as all of us we’re laughing I whispered a “thanks” to Aya for backing me up back there. I guess she noticed about our actions.
    After class, Haru and the others are out to grab a bite to eat but I passed; I want to go straight home and rest even though we don’t have any much school work to do.
    And when I arrived home, I turned on the TV and sat at the comfy chair. I switched on to some cartoons (I know, it’s odd to watch this at my current age) to amuse me. And it did.
    After that was finished, I went to the bathroom to take a refreshing long bath. And as I was about to undress I noticed that there is something in my pocket.
    Huh? This is Kazu’s pen.
    Then, it all came back to me. The ignoring, the cold attitude and it made me depressed somehow.
    I tried not to dwell on it too much so that I wouldn’t get too depressed. I was soaking in the tub when I heard something. Like a doorbell sound. I ignored it and closed my eyes to relax myself; hoping that it’ll just go away. Then…the doorbell sound got faster and sounded impatient. And it was annoying me every second.
    Ok, that’s it. I’ve had it. I grabbed a towel from the rack, wrapped it around myself and walked out of the bathroom to give whoever this is a piece of my mind.
    As I grabbed the doorknob and swung the door open, I said, “What the…heck?” I stopped because I noticed that it was Kazu. What’s he doing here?
    “Um…” was all he said.
    Then it hit me when I noticed him trying to look the other way; I forgot (out of my irritated mood) that I was wearing nothing except a piece of towel. I flushed at this realization and quickly shut the door. Getting some proper clothes was one of my priorities but it would be rude to let him wait out there, so I went at the bathroom to grab a decent bathrobe to cover myself up for a while. At least this would be more decent than inviting him in with nothing but just a mere towel.
    I breathe deeply before opening the door, “Ok, nothing happened.” And then I finally opened the door, but to be honest, I’m quite surprised to see him still waiting for me out there.
    “Fuka,” he said as he looked at me with an awkward look on his face.
    I tried to act like nothing happened, “Yes? Wha-“
    His face turned serious as he cut me off, “Fuka, can we talk?”
    I don’t know if this was right but… “Sure, come in. Have a sit first,”
    When I saw him take his seat at the sofa, I hurried up the stairs to change into some decent clothes. I changed into some ordinary shorts and a black shirt that’s slightly bigger than me. I fixed my hair and hurried down to meet him now. But as I was changing, I can’t help but wonder why he’s here.
    And when I walked at the living room I didn’t sit with, “Sorry about that,” I apologized for the earlier series of events.
    “It’s fine,” he answered
    I waited for him to add up some more but he didn’t, and resulting to an awkward silence in the room. It’s fine? Is that what he’s just going to say? Is that it?
    I sighed, “I-I’ll go and fix something for you to eat,”
    I was about to walk into the kitchen when I felt a strong hand in my wrist, and I was surprised to see that it was his. He was wearing gloves again like the night that I bumped into him.
    “What? Is there something you need? Did I do something wrong?” I asked, trying to act all innocent.
    “Fuka. I-I’m sorry for this week, I, I don’t know how to explain it,”
    I sighed, how many times have I heard and read that lame excuse somewhere, “I’ve heard that before, but you don’t have to explain anything. Don’t worry.”
    He sighed; not letting go of my hand. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry for how I acted to you these past few days.”
    I smiled but not looking at him, “It’s ok, I don’t mind. I’m just your classmate, so you don’t need to explain anything. I mean, we just met a couple of weeks ago. So why are we getting so caught up with this? Really Kazu, it’s fine.”
    “Fuka…”
    “I-I think you should go now, it’s starting to get let. Why don’t we just talk about all these at school? Or better yet, act like nothing have happened, ok?”
    He sighed and he slowly let go of my hand, “Ok, I’ll see you at school.”
    And then, he left without saying a word after. I did my night routine and went straight to bed after all this. I want to get away from all this, from the world, and from…Kazu. I laughed at the thought of how silly our actions we’re even if we just met a few weeks ago.

    Then it’s time to go to school today. Oh how boring, doing the same routine over and over again. I remembered that I have some things to settle.
    Kazu.
    Somehow it made me excited, cause he’s going to apologize and I don’t like being the one who’s going to apologize. But when I reached our classroom, he’s not there. Kazu is nowhere to be found. He didn’t keep his end of the bargain, guess he got tired and didn’t want to talk to me anymore.
    The next two days have been the same, another no show. It made me wonder what’s really happening.
    “He’s not here Fuka,” Aya interrupted suddenly from behind me
    “Who are you talking about?” I asked her, trying to act all innocent
    “Akasu of course, who else would I be talking about?” she stated the obvious then sat at the chair beside me.
    I didn’t know how to respond so I just sighed at the thought.
    “Fuka,” then she sighed and pausing for a brief moment, “I don’t know what’s up with the two of you, but from what I can see both of you are acting the same.”
    I just looked at her in disbelieve.
    She expected my reaction so she continued, “Ignoring each other then, trying to sneak a glance of each other. I mean, it’s pathetic. Why can’t you just talk? And from what I can see there’s something you’re not telling me.” She said as she raised her eyebrow.
    “Aya…I’m not lying to you, but…” I trailed off, can’t find the right words to describe this current situation.
    “Here,” she said as she tossed a piece of paper in my desk then she left.
    I looked at the paper, then I noticed that it was like an address. Yes, an address. But…it can’t be his. No way.