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20 JULY
(10:34 PM)
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0 New Notifications
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21 JULY
(4:01 PM)
—
(45) Unread Messages from FUTURE PHYSICISTS
(125) Unread Messages from Drama Queens (& Kings)
Mom: Will b home l8. Pls pick ur sist... ...
Hayama Kotarou: TAE-CHAN~! o(≧∇≦)o Are you free... ...
—
Clear Notifications?
—
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23 JULY
(2:24 PM)
—
Hot Barista-Boss: Don't forget your shift's on... ...
(98) Unread Messages from Drama Queens (& Kings)
Okagaki Fumiko: Sudden question but do you like anybo... ...
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Clear Notifications?
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25 JULY
(10:19 AM)
—
Hayama Kotarou sent an image.
Hayama Kotarou sent an image.
Hayama Kotarou sent an image.
Hayama Kotarou: Guess who's in Tokyo?! (◦`꒳´◦) ... ...
Dad: Coming to Fukuoka this summer? I... ...
(23) Unread Messages from Drama Queens (& Kings)
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Clear Notifications?
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—
27 JULY
(7:27 PM)
—
Hayama Kotarou: Let's go out when I'm ba... ...
(219) Unread Messages from Mortimer-sensei's Chest Hair
(8) Unread Messages from Drama PEASANTS
075 XXXX 4866: Hello. My name is May... ...
—
.
From: 075 XXXX 4866
To: Miyama Taeko
(Today, 7:27pm)
Hello. My name is Maya SUMINOE and I'm a college student looking for potential business partners and opportunities. Have you ever wanted to become a millionaire before you throw your Coming-of-Age party? Realise your dream by joining me and my associates at USO Marketing and—
[Message Deleted]
—
.
—
31 JULY
(1:57 AM)
—
0 New Notifications
—
...
Sigh.
...
"Chihiro, get off my leg."
Page-Turner
八月
.
Actually, you know what? Let's be blatant.
I really enjoy talking to you.
Don't think I want to stop that for a month.
075 XXXX 6985
P/S: This notebook's in your care for the next 30 days.
(^‿^)
.
"..."
"Chihiro? Are you, by any astronomically low chance, using the house phone?"
"..."
"Did I just waste my breath—"
"Yes—I mean, no. Here."
"..."
"Do you have to look so surprised?"
"I was going for 'suspicious', actually. Do you need the phone urgently, though?"
"I don't even need it back."
"If you've got some group project to settle, I can wait."
"I wasn't—Do you actually think of me as friendless?"
"Well, I know you'd sooner punch yourself in the throat than continue a conversation."
"That's not entirely accurate."
"That's a relief, then. Not that I'm worried, I mean, introversion's a trait, not a flaw—"
"Don't you have a call to make?"
"I can wait."
"For...?"
"..."
"..."
"What?"
"Who did you call?"
Sigh.
"No one."
"Okay. Who did you not call?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know...?"
"I don't."
"You couldn't have conjured a better lie?"
"Apparently not."
"..."
"You know that The Narrowed Eyes only works on Dad."
"..."
"...This pointless staring is a new form of mother-son awkwardness. I'm going back up to my room."
AUGUST'S RESOLUTIONS/TO-DO's:
1. The Great Vision: Clinch—no, DEFEND title for 'BEST PLAY' at the Kansai Drama Festival (14 AUG)!
1a. Get Hirazaki-kun to CHANGE the damn score for the Try Again Scene.
1b. Ask Maria-san if there's enough funds to get Jou and Kureo new winter coats—no problem if there isn't.
1c. Remember Me Scene's falling debris visuals!
1d. Keep Miss President from having another meltdown.
1e. IT'LL BE OVER BEFORE YOU KNOW IT. HANG IN THERE!
2. Earn at least ¥108,000 over the holidays.
2a. Meaning: work OT to compensate time spent at Drama.
2b. Learn to make gelato-roses look more like gelato-roses and less like gelato-cabbages.
2c. Build immunity towards HBB's lava-hot smile.
—c.i. And the way he prettily tousles his already pretty tousled hair whenever he crunches costs
—and his strategically peppered stubble
—on his razor jawline
—THOSE EYES!
(Remember that HBB's mixed-blood and is therefore cheating in being gorgeous.)
3. Commence the Storeroom Exodus (of dirt and spiders).
3a. Sort out titles to drop off at the second-hand bookstore.
—a.i. :'(
3b. Mend shattered heart (and corroded hands) after.
4. Summer Festival at Fushimi-Inari!
—4a. Get blue rose-printed yukata washed and pressed.
—4b. Break news to Naomi that I can't bring her this year.
5. Haul dignity and expectations back from casting them out for someone I don't even know.
5a. DON'T DO SUCH A BOLD, STUPID, EMBARRASSING THING AGAIN!
—
6 AUGUST
(7:47 PM)
—
[New Call]
0
7
5
X
X
X
X
6
9
8
—
[Call Cancelled]
—
"'Hiro? Come down. You got a call. Chihiro?!"
"Honey, are you sure it's for hi—"
"Mom, that joke's unoriginal, stale and, for the lack of a better word, lame. Thanks, Dad. Hello?"
"Mayuzumi Chihiro."
"Oh. Akashi."
"Seems like you have a good relationship with your parents."
"Right. What do you want?"
"You didn't pick up your cell. I'm calling to remind you of the extra practice you'll be having with the Uncrowned Trio the upcoming Tuesday."
"I know that. A text message would've also done the job, by the way."
"You'll receive one too, if you wish."
"No thanks."
"I'm also calling to ask about your recent performance. Kotarou tells me you're never around when he needs to pass."
"Perhaps he just couldn't see me?"
"Shirogane-sensei observes that you're always outside passing range."
"..."
"Reo and Eikichi shared the same sentiments as well. Have you been people-watching as you're instructed to?"
"...Yes."
"So it's not the result of a lack of familiarity with your team-mates."
"I suppose not."
"Then, Chihiro, there are only two explanations behind this problem, and both speak lowly of your competence and attitude. One: you are unable to keep up with your team-mates, which should be an impossibility if you have followed your specialised fitness training. Two: you have simply been exerting lackadaisical efforts during practices."
"..."
"Kotarou has also mentioned the inaccuracy of your passes. So far, we have been able to keep the ball in possession and within court only because of everyone else's skillful reaction to your throwing. Also, you are already panting by the first half of a game which, though an improvement from the first quarter, should not be happening to even a second-stringer, much less a starter."
"So you called to drive in how lousy I am."
"You ought to know that what I have conveyed to you is but a euphemistic account of what the others have said. Do reflect on it. I will not have you maintain your indifference towards Rakuzan's success and the preservation of our prestige."
"...Understood."
"I'll see you on Tuesday. Don't neglect your personal training. Good night."
...
"Chihiro! Be gentle with the phone!"
...
"Hey! Don't vent it out on your door either! It's innocent! We all are!"
...
"Honey, who was that on the line?"
"His basketball captain. A very polite, well-spoken boy, so I wonder what could've toasted our son like that."
"Well then, clearly he wasn't a very polite boy, was he?"
"Chihiro's eighteen, love. He can take some flak. After all, he grew up with you."
.
From: Hayama Kotarou
To: Miyama Taeko
(Today, 9:32am)
Just found out that practise ends at 1630~! o(≧∇≦o)
.
From: Miyama Taeko
To: Hayama Kotarou
(Today, 11:05pm)
Um, that's great? And it's 'practice', BTW.
(*･▽･*)
.
"Reo-nee! What does it mean when a girl corrects your grammar?"
"Oh, Ko-chan, I don't think it means anything."
"Should I thank her for it?"
"Do you really need me to tell you that?"
"Kotarou, just man the hell up and ask her out already."
"I'm trying to! See—I told her what time we're gonna end. It's called 'setting the stage'."
"That doesn't do whack!"
"Ko-chan, didn't you already ask her to go to the zoo with you when you're back from the Interhigh? What followed?"
"Oh, that! Uh, she just said 'we'll see' and, uh, that's all."
"So she rejected you."
"She didn't, okay?! I asked it a long time ago and it was unconfirmed and all, so we just never got to it."
"Then get to it right now."
"Stop thinking that she'll reject me, Ei-chan! I'll prove it to you right now! I'm gonna ask her out now!"
"Just do it!"
"Let us see, Ko-chan! No. Let me see!"
.
From: Hayama Kotarou
To: Miyama Taeko
(Today, 12:07pm)
Noted, sensei~ ¯\_( ◉ 3 ◉ )_/¯
Wanna catch Steelman 4 together later? We'll find one showing at 5 or something! We can have dinner after that, too! (٭°̧̧̧ω°̧̧̧٭)
.
"I did it!"
"Not bad, Ko-chan. It sounds natural enough!"
"Duh! Ah, Mayuzumi-san. What's up?"
"The break's been cut short. Captain's words."
"What?! Aw, man!"
Sigh. "This isn't good for my delicate joints."
"Is Akashi out to kill us or what?! You guys go first. I'll join after finishing this protein bar."
"Hurry! Sei-chan won't like it if—"
"Okay, I'm done."
"Wha—Ei-chan, wait up! Oh, by the way, Mayuzumi-san? Can you stay close to me in the practice match later? There's this dribble-pass trick I wanna try!"
"..."
"Um, cool! Okay, let's go!"
"Oi! OI! Mayuzumi-san! Get over here!"
...
"Damn it, where are you?!"
...
"That was the OPPOSITE of an amazing pass!"
...
"Fuck it. I'll do it myself."
.
From: Miyama Taeko
To: Hayama Kotarou
(Today, 3:47pm)
Sorry, Hayama-kun, but I'm working today! Maybe next time! We'll see when the other physics peeps are free too! ✧*。ヾ(≧^≦)ﾉﾞ✧*。
.
"Mayuzumi-san, can you please notice when I'm cornered by the enemy team the next time? What's the use of a Phantom Sixth Man who isn't there to pass to when we're tagged by three players?"
"..."
"And I specifically told you to stay close to me! It's like you weren't even playing! What the hell!"
"Relax, Ko. He just couldn't keep up with you."
"No, Ko-chan's right. If he's going to be a regular he ought to be able to level with us."
"It's his fault that the enemy got away with 67 points!"
"Just calm down, guys. I'm not happy about this either."
"Ah, Akashi! Over here! Hey, are you sure about this Phantom Sixth Man thing?"
"Why would I not be?"
"Look, you said that Mayuzumi-san's gonna be a hit, but clearly, he has been nothing but a dud. Just do our school a favour and put him back in the Third-String where he belongs."
"Such words do no benefit for our team. I trust my judgements and decisions, Kotarou. Are you challenging me?"
"W-What? No! I'm just... UGH!"
"I believe that Chihiro has shown an improvement from before in today's session."
"That may be so, Sei-chan, but is it really enough? The Nationals are coming."
"For strategic purposes, I might sit Chihiro out for the Nationals. The Winter Tournament will be where he shines."
"Well, then. You heard the Capt, Mayuz—Where is he?"
"What the hell? Wasn't he here, like, literally just a moment ago?!"
"I think he might've left earlier."
"Are we even dismissed from practice yet?!"
.
From: Hayama Kotarou
To: Miyama Taeko
(Today, 4:56pm)
You always say that!
.
From: Miyama Taeko
To: Hayama Kotarou
(Today, 5:18pm)
I know! And I really am sorr—
[Draft Deleted]
—
.
...
"Dear young'un, fergive me fer intrudin', but do ya believe in the Great Lord?"
"What?"
"Now, I don' mean to be a Nosey Parker, but ever since we got on from the same stop, I saw tha' ya've been scowlin' and scowlin' through the whole ride. It's like ya've got so much hate and anger goin' on!"
"..."
"Ya got a handsom' face, boy—oh, my gran'son's a looker too, like ya—so don' waste it on a frown."
"I don't mean to be rude, lady, but that relates to God, how?"
"Well, ob'iously ya've got some issues goin' on. But if ya embrace the Lord, then ya'll know tha' he has a plan fer ya and is puttin' ya through all this sufferin'. And when ya know that, ya'll be happy b'cause ya know tha' everythin's fine—"
"Do you ac—"
"Ain't tha' right? Fergive and ferget!"
"...Yeah. Okay."
("Dear passengers, please remain in your seats until the bus has come to a full stop. Thank you.")
"Tha's my call. Glad I was able to slip in a few words to ya. This the namecar' of my church. Do come on down fer a visit!"
"..."
—
✧* 。HOPE HARVEST CHURCH 。*✧
Do not say, "Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work".
~Proverbs 24:29
+81 75-XXXX-6958
—
...
'+81 75-XXXX-6958'
...
'75-XXXX-6958'
'075-XXXX-6985'
...
'I really enjoy talking to you.'
'Don't think I want to stop that for a month.'
'075 XXXX 6985'
"..."
—
9 AUGUST
(5:29 PM)
—
[New Call]
—
"Hello?"
"..."
"Um, hello...?"
"..."
"Okay, wh—"
"Your voice is mellower than I expected."
Oh...
Oh.
"And yours is kinda how I thought it would be. Maybe a little snarkier."
"..."
"I thought you wouldn't call."
"Then why did you even give your number?"
"I don't know. Just trying my luck, I guess."
"Hn. Luck."
"Yeah."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Um, hey, can I call you back later? I'm in the middle of my job now, so it's kinda inconvenient. And unethical. My boss's looking over as I speak."
"Oh. Yeah, sure. Anytime."
"I'll call you later, okay?"
"Okay."
"Bye."
"Bye."
...
("Dear passengers, please remain in your seats until the bus has come to a full stop. Thank you.")
—
9 AUGUST
(10:21 PM)
—
(1) Missed call from 075 XXXX 6985
—
("Chihiro, my reminder to you about wiping the mirror after showering is becoming a mantra because I've been saying it so many times.")
—
9 AUGUST
(10:22 PM)
—
075 XXXX 6985 is calling...
—
Accept? / Decline?
—
"Hello."
"Hi."
"...You ended work pretty late."
"Yeah, well, it's F&B. And I got home and settled down and did some of my own stuffs before calling you, actually—Are you about to sleep? Did I call at a bad timing?"
"If I said 'yes', would you hang up?"
"Depends. I'll have to judge if it's really true, or you're just saying it to get me to hang up."
"Then, yes."
"..."
"..."
A laugh. "Okay. Guess you'll have to stay on the line."
"You're just forcing me to talk to you again. Only this time, it's verbal."
"Would you rather it personal, then?"
"Leaning towards 'no'."
"As I thought."
"..."
"Wow, so many silences."
"You should've understood that I'm not much of a talker by now."
"I do. That's why I didn't say 'awkward silences'. You don't talk, but you don't want to hang up either, right?"
"...So what do you work as? A waitress?"
"Hmm, more of a server. Of gelato. You know, high-class ice cream?"
"I know what gelato is. 'High-class ice cream' sounds a little off."
"Well, it is! You can find low-grade ice cream anywhere, but how often do you eat a gelato that's of substandard quality? And all gelato-es are expensive. It's high-class ice cream for the rich. And I'm not saying that to add some kind of prestige to my job."
"I don't eat gelato, but I see your point."
"You can come by my cafe sometime. I'll sneak you a big scoop."
"First meat buns, now ice cream?"
"High-class ice cream. I'll make it pretty."
"Not good enough. Not interested."
"You say that about, like, every other thing in the world."
"Incorrect."
"Right. Your light novels. Which reminds me: you owe me a list of recom—Chihiro, go away! Shoo! No, don't hump—Oh no."
"Should I ask...?"
"No, Naomi, go back to sleep! I'm sorry. My dog just came into my room and started doing obscene things to my slumbering sister. Um, the situation is less wrong than it sounds if you live in this household, I swear."
"Oh, right. Your dog's named Chihiro."
"Maybe I'll talk to you some other time. I've got to pat my sister back to sleep. She's grumpy."
"Yeah. Sure."
"What do I save your number as?"
"That's...really up to you."
"#34, then. With a hash-tag. Well, good night, #34."
"Same to you."
"I'm really glad you called."
"..."
"Um... Good night!"
...
Am I glad, too?
—
NEW CONTACT: #34
—
This contact does not have a profile picture.
[Add one?]
—
9 August, Tuesday
11:12pm
Her profile picture is her dog. In a top hat. Its shaggy grey fur all sprawled over over what I think is her lap.
Couldn't she have given it another name...?
.
From: 31
To: Mayuzumi Chihiro
(Today, 8:22am)
Figured you'd dread texting less than calls, so... Morning!
(Truth is, I'm gonna have a day full of drama (10 HOURS!), so texting works better for me too.)
(I meant my club, BTW.)
.
From: #34
To: Miyama Taeko
(Today, 9:19am)
Amazing. A club with longer hours than mine. Won't your president be put under suspicion for breaching some sort of human ethical right?
.
From: 31
To: Mayuzumi Chihiro
(Today, 10:02am)
She probably is. But like North Korea's president, nothing's been officially done against her.
.
From: #34
To: Miyama Taeko
(Today, 10:33am)
My captain has that kind of immunity too.
.
"Ko-chan! You passed to the opponent!"
"OH, SHIT!"
...
"Wait. WHAT?!"
"H-Huh?! Where's the ball?!"
"Nice save, Mayuzumi! Muscle... DUNK!"
.
From: 31
To: Mayuzumi Chihiro
(Today, 9:57pm)
You know the feeling you get, the satisfaction, when you're finally appreciated for all the crap you've done?
It's quite underwhelming.
How a single minute of praise can be potent enough as a reset button to erase months of being treated like a literal fleck of dirt. I don't know how people think that could possibly work.
.
From: #34
To: Miyama Taeko
(Today, 10:16pm)
Yeah.
.
From: 31
To: Mayuzumi Chihiro
(Today, 10:18pm)
You probably need some context.
Here's the short: been trying for half a year to get the background music changed for a particular scene, because it changes the mood ENTIRELY, but I've been called 'deaf' for my choice and my proposal's been chucked into mental bins. All because I'm not on the Sound Team and just a mere assistant general stage manager. Then finally, today, just FIVE days shy of the festival my president decides, screamingly, that she's 'just not feeling the scene'. So I played the song I wanted while the scene was re-enacted, and this combination miraculously cured my president of her facial muscle dystrophy because she started smiling again. I say 'miraculous' because like all miracle solutions, nobody ever thought it would've worked, and like them, everyone started to eulogise it. ESPECIALLY the Sound Team. I know I should be celebrating the meteoric rise of my worth in the club, but GOD, do I appear to be that starved for recognition? (This is just rhetorical. Don't answer it.)
.
From: 31
To: Mayuzumi Chihiro
(Today, 10:18pm)
So what's the story behind 'Yeah.'?
.
—
OPERATION: HA-MI-YAMA
You, Fumi-chan
—
(Today, 6:07pm)
Fumi-chan:
Hayama-kun! I forgot
Fumi-chan:
Visited Tae-chan at her workplace yesterday. It's quite near her house
Fumi-chan:
Will give you the address but you've got to keep it a secret
Fumi-chan:
So you can 'coincidentally' drop by her cafe for a drink (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧
You:
YOU'RE THE BEST, FUMI-CHAN! ⊂((・▽・))⊃
You:
Oh yeah
You:
When you asked Tae-chan if she has anyone she likes
You:
She really said no, right?
You:
Like not even me?
Fumi-chan sent an image to OPERATION: HA-MI-YAMA
Fumi-chan:
Here's the proof and exact convo
Fumi-chan:
She did gush on about her boss when I saw her yesterday, though!
Fumi-chan:
And if he's who you're really up against, you can just give up already. ٩( *ε * )۶
—
.
From: #34
To: Miyama Taeko
(Today, 11:01pm)
How was the festival?
.
"Okay, I know you treat phones like they're radioactive and forbidden near your face—"
"They actually do emit radiation."
"—but you'll have to hear me out on this one. WE GOT 'BEST PLAY'! AGAIN!"
"Wow. Um, congratulations. You've contributed to Rakuzan's success and preserved our prestige."
"Don't worry, I don't expect you to talk much because I'm SO excited and jubilant right now I can do all the talking—am I on speakerphone?"
"No. You're on the hands-free set."
"Why? Are you reading a light novel while I'm talking?"
"As a matter of fact: yeah."
"Rude! Okay, then you better be listening. Anyway! We were so close to being passed over because Kitakura High's submission was like, Oscar or Nobel Prize standard. It was like an ocean of emotions and thoughts because everything about it was so deep and the acting and stage and props and everything were utterly mesmerising."
...
"Our piece was about a guy recalling his lover after literally erasing her from his memory. They didn't really fit, but they love each other and he's just hung up on the happy memories. I can hear your eyes rolling. It's not cliched just because it's romance, you know."
...
"Oh! And someone defecated on this school's props, but they still went on to claim the logistics prize! The smell affected the actors, clearly. Don't think one was supposed to say 'oh, how my heart soars!' while grimacing."
...
"Chihiro's a warm, furry blanket when he's asleep and not in the mood for love..."
...
"I can't think straight. I'm staring up at the ceiling fan and I can't remember how to count its blades."
"You're tired."
"You're not asleep yet?"
"I was listening."
"Oh."
"..."
"..."
Sigh. "I'm hanging up."
"Good idea."
"Good night."
"'Night. Thanks for listening."
—
15 AUGUST
(1:26 AM)
—
[Call Ended]
—
[Battery Level: Low. Please connect to a power source immediately.]
—
"Welcom—Oh! Hayama-kun! And Nebuya-san!"
"'Sup."
"Eh?! Tae-chan, you work here? What a coincidence!"
"Y-Yeah..."
"You don't have to look so embarrassed! Ah, this is Reo-nee, by the way!"
"Wonderful to meet you, Miyama Taeko-san. Mibuchi Reo."
"Same here, Mibuchi-san. Please, take a seat! Oh, maybe you'd like to order before that."
"Yay! I love ice cream!"
"Ko-chan, it's gelato. I'll have the strawberry shortcake pleas—"
"I'll have the cookies 'n' cream! And the chocolate one too!"
"Eh, I'll just bum off Kotarou's."
"Okay, noted. If you want coffee or other desserts, you'll have to order from the counter behind—there, where my boss is."
"THAT'S YOUR BOSS?!"
"Kotarou, must you be so freaking loud all the time?!"
"Oh, oh, oh my... Love. At. First. Sight."
"I know, right? Anyway, I'll serve the gelato shortly. Please, take a table!"
"Okay! We'll be over here!"
"What the hell, Ko! Can't you choose one that's not literally beside the gelato counter?! Miyama, we'll be seating over there."
"O-Okay. Anywhere you guys like!"
...
"Guys, that's not a barista, that's a male model. He's even more handsome than Higu-san!"
"Since when is Higuchi a benchmark for handsomeness?"
Sigh. "He's Adonis."
"Who the hell is that?"
"The barista..."
"Focus, Reo-nee! Okay, I know I'm cute and all, but I can't compete with him!"
"You're damn right about that. He's buffer than you."
"You're supposed to encourage me, Ei-chan! Eh? Reo-nee? Where're you going?"
"To order coffee. You guys don't want anything, do you? No? Okay."
"Reo, we've said nothing."
"UM, IT SEEMS THAT YOU GUYS ARE FORGETTING WHY YOU'RE HERE WITH ME?!"
...
"Sorry for the wait! Don't mention this, but I gave you more gelato than I should."
"WOW! Tae-chan, these are the prettiest ice cream cabbages I've seen! Almost as pretty as the one who made them!"
("Psst, Ko, they're supposed to be gelato roses.")
"Um... How'd you make them?!"
"Well, maybe I can show you the next time you order again."
"Sweet!"
"So, Miyama-san, how do you concentrate with such a lovely, God-crafted, beautiful boss around?"
As expected of Reo-nee! Good way to start the topic!
A laugh. "The first week was a blur. Every time he looked over I got my orders mixed up, and I couldn't talk to him without stuttering. You'll grow immune to him, though."
"So do you like him?!"
Nice job breaking the subtlety, Kotarou...
"Uh, no? Hayama-kun, he's thirty-six."
"THAT'S AWESOME! I-I mean, for Reo-nee..."
"Excellent..."
"Dudes. Pretty sure the age gap's legally inappropriate."
"My boss's quite strict though. He doesn't like it when customers stay without additional orders. Not chasing you guys out or anything, but just a heads-up, I guess."
"Yes m'am!"
"Well... Enjoy your gelato!"
—
(⌐■_■) KINGS OF KYOTO (⌐■_■)
You, Kotarou, Reo
—
(Today, 4:28pm)
Reo sent an image to (⌐■_■) KINGS OF KYOTO (⌐■_■)
Reo sent an image to (⌐■_■) KINGS OF KYOTO (⌐■_■)
Reo sent an image to (⌐■_■) KINGS OF KYOTO (⌐■_■)
Reo sent an image to (⌐■_■) KINGS OF KYOTO (⌐■_■)
Reo sent an image to (⌐■_■) KINGS OF KYOTO (⌐■_■)
You:
What the FUCK Reo when did you even take those?!
You:
And what makes you think we want them on our chat's media history?!
Reo:
Works of art are meant to be admired by the masses~
Reo:
Anyway, just making a copy here in case something happens to my phone. ◟(◔ั₀◔ั )◞ ༘
You:
Don't you have the cloud?
Reo:
Fine. A second copy.
Reo:
Anyway, Ko-chan, are you alright? You had one scoop too many! (๑´•д • `๑)
You:
He had 15. Excluding those with my help.
You:
His stomach's frozen.
You:
Probably his savings too. That was some blood-sucking ice cream.
—
—
RBC STARTERS
You, Akashi, Higuchi, and 3 others
—
(Today, 9:44pm)
075 XXXX 2507:
Um Akashi?
075 XXXX 2507:
Sorry but I can't come for training tomorrow.
075 XXXX 2507:
I think I got food poisoning.
Akashi:
That is unfortunate.
Akashi:
I did remind you to take caution in what you digest. What did you consume?
075 XXXX 3004:
It's probably best if he doesn't say, Akashi...
075 XXXX 2309:
Poor, miserable Ko-chan~ (๑´•д • `๑)
075 XXXX 2309:
Get well soon, okay?
075 XXXX 2309:
Reo-nee will drop by with some nourishing soup tomorrow~ （‐＾▽＾‐）
Akashi:
I'll allow you to rest then, Kotarou.
Akashi:
Recover by the next practice.
075 XXXX 2507:
(｡•́︿•̀｡)b
Akashi:
Anyway, Shouta has made an interesting proposition.
Akashi:
Shouta, if you will?
Higuchi:
Get well soon, Hayama-kun. Ginger's good for an upset stomach.
Higuchi:
Thanks, Akashi-san. It's not additional training, guys, so no need to get worked up.
Higuchi:
I noticed that this team isn't sticking so well together. I'm not saying that you guys should be best friends, but it'd be good if relations are on the neutral-to-positive side.
Higuchi:
So I'm suggesting an outing. The very first one of this current line-up. Everyone knows about the Obon festival at Fushimi next week, how about we attend it as a team?
075 XXXX 2309:
Marvellous idea, Higuchi-san~! (´▽`ʃƪ)
075 XXXX 2309:
I've been waiting for a chance to flaunt my new yukata! (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧
Akashi:
I don't see why we shouldn't. I had a pleasant time with my team at a summer festival in middle school.
Akashi:
No objections, I hope?
—
16 August, Thursday
10:50pm
Never really pegged Higuchi to be the sentimental type.
I've got about nine different excuses ready in my head now.
10:52pm
Can't use any of them. Akashi just messaged privately to tell, no, threaten me that he expects to see me there.
10:55pm
Is there a certain, absolute way to be left alone?
"So my friend and I were talking about first impressions today."
"What about it?"
"Not gonna ask you for what yours was of me, 'cos I don't particularly feel like taking verbal hits now, but I do want to know what my first impression of me was. That sounded grammatically incorrect, didn't it?"
"So you want me to tell you what you first wrote to me?"
"The notebook's with you, isn't it? You didn't throw it away, right?"
"It dangled precariously over the bin several times, but no. It's still with me. I'm holding it now."
"Great! Read my notes out to me."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah! Do it!"
"Okay. You asked for it. I've got better things to do than go through the whole book, so you'll just get the most cringe-worthy ones. 'Thanks, senpai.' With a smiley. 'Yes, fine, I'm a girl. Does that matter?'"
"That's... not too bad."
"'If I find even a single dog-eared page, you owe me a meat bun. And a month of a fantasy shoujo life as my soulmate—the cool, aloof, brooding, yet also soft-hearted, tsundere senpai, who was being a loner on the roof to escape his overwhelming popularity. Be the biggest ass to me in public but—' I can't do it. I think I'm having an aneurysm."
"...I actually wrote that?!"
"It isn't even the worst. Hold on, I think I have your earlier notes. The ones wedged in my Clockwork Apple volumes—Ah."
"I'm starting to regret this."
"'Also—read my previous notes over again and realised how much of a cocky, pretentious tush I sounded. Gotta apologise for that too. Felt bad (ashamed) about it, so as atonement, I gave Clockwork Apple a chance.' Skipping some as it's too long. 'Apologising for the hoo-ha, and thanking you for showing me the light in this pit of literary prejudice, #31'."
"Um, next...?"
"'Can't quit with that rather delicious introduction of this mysterious 'Sasha'. I'm a sucker for cliffies.' Slanted smiley."
"..."
"'So this rooftop of Rakuzan High's North Building is now officially our pigeonhole? Cool. The 'cool' is dragged out."
"..."
"'Let's keep this correspondence up? It's getting exciting—Who are you? What do you look like? Are light—"
"Okay—Alright—OKAY, STOP! Oh my God, I've never felt more embarrassed in my life! It's even bordering on disgust! My God, I want to strangle myself."
"I believe the truly fatal one is the very first note you wrote. In my old copy of Clockwork. It's with you, right?"
"I'm not really suicidal, so I'll leave that wretched thing buried. Oh my God, I sounded so pretentiously annoying, and annoyingly pretentious, and you were even speaking them in monotone! Why did you even return my notes?"
"You were morally blackmailing me into responding."
"That couldn't have been why. And don't snicker! I bet you recoiled from your own past-words during that read-through too."
"If I recoiled, you would've been thrown back to the other end of Earth."
"Shut it!"
"Are you wishing you could re-introduce yourself all over again? Build a more... respectable image?"
"I regret everything, and I've learnt my lesson. When we meet, you'll see who's respectable."
"You're saying it like it's inevitable."
'"You're saying that it isn't?"
"...I didn't."
"Hayama-kun told me that the basketball starters are going to the summer festival together. Are you in that group?"
"..."
"You are, aren't you?"
"Are you going to ask for a meet-up?"
"Astounding. I've been talking to not one, but two basketball regulars. Just how many castes did I jump over for this social achievement?"
"Hn. I doubt you're in the dregs of the Rakuzan community."
"Neither am I Queen Bee. Anyway, let's leave us to fate. I'm going with my friends, so it'll be rude for me to leave them halfway. Maybe we'll bump into each other, if you don't stand your team up or ditch them halfway."
"That sounds fair."
"Then... See you when I see you, #34."
—
RBC STARTERS
You, Akashi, Higuchi, and 3 others
—
(Today, 7:35pm)
075 XXXX 2507:
Mayuzumi-san where are you!
—
"Wha—! Mayuzumi-san, you've been here all this while?!"
"You should've said something! Oh, my fragile heart..."
"Don't blame me for your lack of observance."
"..."
"Everyone is present. Good. I've just read the pamphlet for this festival. If we tour the stalls in a clockwise-direction starting from the taiyaki stall, we'll be able to make our way to the red torii and ascend to the inner shrine for prayers and a scenic view of the fireworks."
"Aw, Sei-chan, you heard my request!"
"How about we start at the grilled meat station?"
"Akashi, I know I said it just now, but your yukata looks really, really regal?! I feel like you can execute me anytime?! How much does it cost?"
"Mine tore my wallet to shreds! It's about ¥10—"
"No one asked about yours, Reo. What's with the fur, anyway? You look like dumb candy floss."
"Hmph. At least that's better and sweeter than a squatter at the gym! Sei-chan and I are the only ones in yukata's. Just where did the solidarity in this team go?"
"Who cares about all that! Hey hey, let's go already! I wanna catch goldfish!"
...
To the god who's supposedly resting at the top of this hill: prove your existence by getting me out of this night alive and sane.
...
"Fumi-chan you're so late!"
"Sorry, Gou-tan and everyone! Had trouble with my obi..."
"Then you should've met with Taeko beforehand. She's an expert in putting on yukata!"
"Well, my club did a period piece before, and yukata's were the substitutes for kimono's."
"Oh, speaking of yukata, Minagawa Keiko from the dance club walked past just now. You know the way the cafeteria lady cling-wraps the melonpan? That's how her boobs were like."
"That's a problem I kinda wanna have..."
"Anyway, girls, the pamphlet says that we should lap the festival starting from the taiyaki stall."
"Let's move in anti-clockwise! The right side looks more interesting."
.
From: 31
To: Mayuzumi Chihiro
(Today, 8:06pm)
Tip: if you want to slip away from your teammates, the dessert stall in the east is where you should do it. It's selling those trending souffle hotcakes like, well, hotcakes.
.
From: #34
To: Miyama Taeko
(Today, 8:11pm)
Thanks, but I won't need that crowd. I've got my own. Hayama just caught a school of goldfish to show off and Mibuchi's currently distributing them out to kids like he's a missionary in Africa.
.
From: 31
To: Mayuzumi Chihiro
(Today, 8:15pm)
That's actually really nice of Mibuchi-san!
If you're near the goldfish pond, then you must be in the west.
.
From: #34
To: Miyama Taeko
(Today, 8:19pm)
I don't think leaving things to fate entails keeping track of my location.
.
From: 31
To: Mayuzumi Chihiro
(Today, 8:23pm)
Please get over yourself. I just want to know which places to avoid.
.
From: #34
To: Miyama Taeko
(Today, 8:39pm)
That comeback is so cliched. How shabby.
.
From: 31
To: Mayuzumi Chihiro
(Today, 8:46pm)
Damn it, you're right.
How's the team-bonding going on, anyway?
.
From: #34
To: Miyama Taeko
(Today, 9:10pm)
It has achieved the exact opposite of its intended purpose.
.
From: 31
To: Mayuzumi Chihiro
(Today, 9:13pm)
That's sad to read. It's the third last day of the holidays. You should be doing something you like.
If only I could help, somehow. ('Cos I'm having quite the time here :P)
.
"Ah! Lil' boy, you're supposed to aim at the teddy bear, not—OH, FUCK!"
"EVERYBODY, WATCH OUT!"
.
From: #34
To: Miyama Taeko
(Today, 9:15pm)
Don't come to the north. The shooting stall just collapsed.
.
From: 31
To: Mayuzumi Chihiro
(Today, 9:15pm)
OH MY GOD the gunning game stall's roof just fell apart!
.
28 August, Saturday
9:15pm
The realisation sets in quickly.
There is this girl.
She's looking around, heels lifted and neck stretched. Nothing much about her stands out. Her hair is as dark as anybody else's and she is dressed in a modest yukata, no different from many others today. She really doesn't stand out, but somehow she is the first thing he sees when he gazes up from his phone. Not the mess of scattered toys and splintered wood, not the shell-shocked but otherwise unhurt boy on the ground or the gasping bummy middle-aged stall-keeper. Just her. Maybe it's because she's the only one glancing around when everybody else has their eyes fixed on the mess, boy and man.
There, just a shadow away, is this girl.
And she's now looking back at him.
He'd never seen her before, but he knows her. He just knows.
"Oh! Tae-chan!"
There's a streak of yellow which pushes him a step to his left. Then there's Hayama leaning in to her, exclaiming how pretty she looks and babbling on about how he saw the boy misfiring the gun at the stick that propped the stall's roof up. The bullet was just a cork, but it still broke the wood and tore the shack down.
She doesn't seem as concerned. Her eyes are darting between Hayama and him, then past his shoulder.
"Everyone!" Hayama blares, pointing at the girl. His cheeks are a bit flushed. "This is my classmate, Miyama Taeko. Say hi!"
She dips her head lightly. Perhaps he had seen her before. Somewhere along the corridors or at the school gate. Maybe a bus stop. He isn't sure. She has the kind of face you'd look at on the train if you were bored, then completely forget about the moment you stood up. Nothing remarkable.
"What're their names?" she whispers, eyes still on him, to Hayama.
He continues to return her gaze, and briefly wonders what kind of expression he's making.
Hayama obliges readily. "This is Akashi. You know him right? He's the council prez. And that's Higu-san."
His mouth dries and his throat feels knotted as he waits for his name. It doesn't come. She waits with him.
"Oh, right," Hayama finally remembers. "This is Mayuzumi-san."
Mayuzumi Chihiro nods quietly. His neck feels hard and rigid.
"Nice to meet you," Miyama Taeko says. "I think I saw you somewhere before."
Her smile is more heard than seen.
A/N: Immensely sorry about the long wait, but I hope a longer chapter made up for it!
As always, my appreciation goes out to the people who have read, followed and favourited my words, particularly to: shuzoshana, Sylvr Tyz, KioshiUshima, Liedes, JDominique37, all the shame, allmadinwonderland, akagami hime chan, princess thieves of heart, Indirianna, Ari Yukimoto, Prince, Akita, synpitou, beribboned, Indirianna, Lin, 100percentcocoa, alkorn, sxcond, lalala, beribboned, Guest, kalmaegi and Lady Hummingbird for leaving reviews! Along with the anons who asked me about Page-Turner on tumblr. You guys really made me happy with your support and opinions! :')
Until then, please let me know about your thoughts!