Thanks for the reviews. I'm still having some problems with my negative, pessimistic writing, so bear with me. I've been reading through the LN's, so hopefully the next chapters will be more accurate to what 8man would be thinking (this chapter was already written when I posted the first chapter, so I didn't change a whole lot in it).
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Volunteering. They say it's a way to give back to the community. Give what back? What has the community ever done for me? In truth, it's just a ploy to get people to donate their time without being compensated. Some people say all the compensation they need is the knowledge that they've helped in some way.
I don't need something so self-satisfying.
Regardless of my opinion, though, the school made it mandatory that every student select a volunteering event. By the end of tomorrow's school day, we had to submit our choice. The very next day, we were all going somewhere to offer our 'gratitude' to the community. No doubt Hiratsuka-sensei's doing.
We could choose one of five events: cleaning, helping at a day care, a center for seniors, an animal shelter, or planting flowers. I, of course, chose the option most suited to my loner tastes.
Finding myself at the threshold of the service club, I open the door, beginning the end of my school day.
"Senpai..." Isshiki whined, "You're late again."
Ignoring her for a moment out of irritation, I sit down, pulling out a new book from my bag. "I was busy. Anyways, I still don't understand why you keep coming here if you don't intend to join." Don't you have more important things to be doing? Like being the student council president, for example.
"Do you have a problem with it?" she asked with a pout.
"No. That doesn't mean I understand, though."
"Senpai, have you decided on what group you want to go with?" she questioned, a bright expression now on her face. "I'm still trying to decide."
Don't change your mood so fast, woman. Not that it matters to you, but, "Yeah, I have."
After a few moments of silence, I looked up from my book. I should be used to these three staring at me by now, but it's still uncomfortable. "What?"
"Don't just leave it at that, Hikki. What group are you going with?"
Why do I need to tell them? On second thought, if I don't, they'll just keep bothering me about it. Well, at least Isshiki will. I've come to the conclusion that she can be unrelenting when she wants to know something. That would be even more annoying. "The group that's going to the river and planting flowers."
Hearing the three chuckle a bit, my frustration levels were on the rise, "What's so funny?"
Yukinoshita was the first to reply, "With your rotten personality, I didn't take you for the flower liking kind of person."
"Yeah, Hikki. It's kind of creepy."
Of course it is. Everything I do is creepy after all. Expecting something to come out of Isshiki's mouth, I turned to her. However, I was surprised when I saw a slight smile playing her lips.
"What are you grinning about?" I asked in irritation. She's starting to come up with some kind of scheme, isn't she? Isn't she?!
"Nothing."
Wait, that's it? No sly remarks? No poking fun at me? What the hell are you planning over there?
After a few more minutes of useless banter, Isshiki left the club room, saying she had something 'super' important to do.
From then on, there was a marked difference in the volume levels of the club room. I guess I was in luck considering how peaceful the rest of my club time was.
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After leaving the club room, I walked to my locker to change into my street shoes. Making my way out of the school building, I hear the telltale tapping of a certain kohai's footsteps.
"Senpai! Wait up."
Why are you out of breath? Your locker can't be that far away, right? You need to work on your cardio, Isshiki.
Without saying anything, I just looked at her. Anticipating nothing, preparing for anything.
"Guess what group I'm going with?"
Huh? You came all the way over here just to tell me that? Besides, I always knew what group you'd choose.
"Whatever group Hayama's in."
I won't lie to myself. I was a bit surprised when her smile seemed to droop a bit. "Well, you're not wrong, I guess."
Oi! What's with the sudden disappointed tone? If you didn't want an obvious answer, don't ask an obvious question.
"Anyway, you know senpai, I can see right through you," she said with a cheeky grin.
There it is again... When are you gonna stop changing moods at the drop of a hat?
"What are you talking about?"
"You're thinking that if you go with that group, you won't have to interact with people as much, right?"
"Well, I-"
"I won't let you," Isshiki said with her cheeky grin turning into a sly one. I was right! She is scheming something.
"Heh, looks like I can see right through you, too."
With a tilt of her head and a questioning look, all that came out was a simple, "Hmm?" Don't do that, it makes you look sort of cute.
"I predicted that you were scheming something, and it seems like I was right." I won't let you play your games this time. I've upgraded my Isshiki defense skill, after all.
Expecting to feel a mild sense of victory, I felt surprised once again. Instead of blurting out some innocent reply, she didn't say anything. She just stood there with another disappointed expression on her face.
"Anyway, I've got to get going. Komachi will be waiting." In truth, that's a bullshit lie. I just didn't want to be in this environment anymore. Sorry Isshiki.
"Fine," she muttered. In a rather upset tone, I might add. Isshiki, you need to choose one or the other. I don't want to be associated with someone whose so indecisive.
As I watched her walk away, I decided I didn't want any more trouble today. So, instead of opening a potential black hole by going to her, I started walking in the direction of my home.
Why, then, did I find myself standing in front of a woman's clothing store?
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Leaving the store, along with a small shopping bag (and some piercing stares), I start making my way home. For real this time.
Once there, I open the door and step in. "I'm home," I announce.
"Onii-chan, where have you been? Komachi's been sooo worried!"
I have a clear image of what she looks like right now. Her head tilted, wiping her eyes while pretending to cry. "Baka," I mumble.
Then it hit me. I was still holding the cutesy looking shopping bag. Tossing it behind the drawer next to me, I start hoping that Komachi doesn't see it. I don't have any desire to answer the questions that were sure to come.
"I stopped by a store on my way," I replied just as she came into view. Haaah, that was a close one.
"Woah! Did you buy me something?" she asked in excitement. Too bad I have to destroy your hopes.
"Nope."
"Boo... Onii-chan's a meanie," she whined. I was just glad she didn't ask me anything further.
"Whatever," I said, making my way to the kitchen.
"Ah, dinner will be ready in about an hour," she said, getting back to her cooking preparations.
"Sounds good. I'll be in my room until then."
"Okay, Onii-useles-chan." Was Yukinoshita rubbing off on her?
"That hurts," I say, starting to head up to my fortress. Not before grabbing Pandora's Box in a bag, of course.
Sitting cross legged on my bed, staring at the bag, I begin to question my mental health. I knew the reason I bought it, I just couldn't figure out why I bought it. Not for the life of me.
I let out a long sigh. The volunteering event was scheduled for this coming Saturday, April 15th. This weekend is going to be exhausting. That's for sure.
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So, there it is. I'd like to make this a pretty good length story. I feel bad for my other stories (which I haven't updated in a looong time), but I didn't have the motivation for a while. I'm hoping I can finish this story up, and maybe one or two of the others.
The next chapter will be one to three weeks away. The only reason these two were posted so close was because both were already written when I posted chapter 1.
Anyway, reviews are certainly appreciated, good or bad.
-MGN