I'll repay you

 We don’t talk much. Shun – kun disappears on his own between classes or there are people calling him. Today is an exception. He told me to come with him, probably because nobody called him for hours, so…

- I’m bored.

- …

- Hayate – kun, when are you going to decide to go and watch a movie with me?

- I haven’t thought about it yet.

- Haa… By the way, do you know what I noticed?

- What?

- Others don’t talk to you. Our classmates too.

He’s right. This is happening a long time now that I stopped noticing it. It was like something normal. Until now. He pointed that out.

- You don’t speak to them either.

I…

- You play drums, right? How many times per week you play?

- Every day. But the instructor is coming on Sundays.

- I’m sure you play for years. What kind of music do you prefer?

- I like all kinds, but I like rock and metal more.

- I expected something like that, cause of your piercings. You said you don’t wear them, but put them on one day. I am curious how you’ll look.

- Wearing piercings has nothing to do with the music someone likes. One day I met someone with piercings and he liked classical music.

- When did you meet him?

- Two years ago.

- So you were talking to people two years ago…

That must be revenge because I asked him how he passed the midterm exams. Shun – kun, remembering about two years ago is painful and nostalgic at the same time. Not that it’s your fault. I was the one who brought that up.

- But that’s the first time you actually said something about yourself… Anyway, you seemed like you wanted to ask something, but I started talking about the piercings and interrupted you.

- You didn’t say what music you like.

- Hmm, I guess I like songs and music with bass but not that kind. Right! I know! Let’s meet up to listen to each other’s favorite songs. Are you okay with that?

- Ah, sure…

- It’s Friday tomorrow. Let’s meet up after school.

Somehow I agreed with him to meet up at my place. I sent him the details on how to arrive here last night. Will he be fine? I wore the piercings too.

- When did you say your friend will come?

- He’ll be here shortly.

- Okay, I’ll prepare juices for you.

- Okay… Eh? NO, PLEASE DON’T!

- What’s gotten into you?

- Everything but juice!

I don’t want him trying to convince me to stop drinking juice right now.

DIN DON!

He’s here!

- Hide the juice!

- If you say so.

- Hey, Shun – kun!

- Good evening.

- Come in.

- Do you live alone?

- I live with my aunt.

- You can call me Mizuki – san!

When did she…?

- Okay, Mizuki – san!

Eh?

- He keeps calling me aunt. He should listen to me. I’ll leave you two now.

- We’ll be in my room.

- So that’s your clothing style.

- I’m impressed at yours too. You wore a shirt out of school.

- But it looks cool! Right?

- Well, sort of. That’s my room.

- I imagined it with more space.

- It’s fine as long as there are less than six people in here.

- Your piercings suit you.

- Really? Thanks. Did you bring the CD? Let’s listen what you like first.

- That’s nice, Hayate – kun. Can you message me its name?

- I’m doing it now, so I don’t forget it.

Then my aunt came in and left a serving tray on the floor. I felt…

- That’s juice, right?

- Yes…

- Why do you still drink this thing?

- Ha ha… I wonder…

- Why did you bring me one too?

… scared. Aunt, why did you do that?

- I’m sure he was kidding. All kids like juice!

- It was nice today. Thank you for having me.

- Don’t mention it. I enjoyed it too.

- Then let’s go somewhere on Sunday too.

- Yes, Hayate – kun doesn’t have anything to do on Sunday morning until early at afternoon!

- It’s decided then! We’ll arrange the hour and that kind of stuff tomorrow. Bye!

Did they just plan something for me without asking me?

Saturday came. Now that I have cleaned the garden, I have to maintain its good condition or it is going to return at its initial state. That’s what my aunt said and then she left the house to go shopping. I studied, played drums, had an afternoon snack and worked out a little. Then I remembered that I have to maintain the garden.

That’s weird. The plants whose withering flowers I cut off last week aren’t better at all. Should I cut the other flowers too? What aunt would do? I don’t know. I’ll do something else for now. I’ll throw away the leaves that have fallen and water every plant in here.

- Wahh! The ball! Mom, his ball!

- Hm?

- Come on, Nara, don’t cry!

- Can I help you?

- Good evening! She was playing and the ball fell in your garden. If you could find it…

- Sure, wait a moment! It must be in the bushes.

- We’re sorry…

- It’s fine! Oh, wow! That’s a basketball! I was expecting the ball to be smaller.

- Thank you! It’s her brother’s ball. He gave it to her to play.

- It’s very important to him. I can’t lose it.

- Nara, say thank you!

- Thank you!

- He he! Bye!

- Bye!

Better finish what I was doing and go back inside. Aunt will come back soon and she’ll laugh at me again.

It’s the best to lie down after a bath.

Vrrr! Vrrr!

That must be Shun – kun.

~ An acquaintance of mine is working at a cafe. If you’re okay with that, let’s go there.

~ Okay. What about at 4:00pm?

~ It works for me. Then I’ll come to your house a bit earlier. We won’t lose any time that way.

~ I’ll wait.

That was fast!

- Hayate – kun!

She came back.

- How was your shopp…ing?

A BUNCH OF PLANTS!?

- Why? Why did you buy them?

- I liked them. I buy plants every month. It isn’t anything new.

She is grinning!

- N-No. There is something evil about them. And why are you looking at me like that?

- Ugh… I swear I won’t do it again.

- Hayate – kun!

- Shun – kun, good morning!

- It’s afternoon actually.

- It’s because I woke up a while ago.

- Hm? Does your garden look more like… a jungle?

- My aunt likes plants, so she bought a lot yesterday.

- I see. The place I talked to you about isn’t too far.

I don’t have much to ask, so here I go.

- Did you do your homework?

- You remind me of my mom.

- Sorry.

I didn’t intend to. He isn’t looking at me. He must not like these questions. I’ll avoid them next time.

- I did.

- What?

- My homework.

He answered.

- What about you?

- Yes.

- What’s your favorite subject?

- PE.

- Are you serious? I thought you would tell me a subject like math. That was a surprise. Come to think of it, you aren’t serious at PE. If it’s your favorite, then why?

I don’t really want to answer his question. I’m sure he has noticed that I don’t answer half of the questions he makes. I don’t know how to explain that to him either. It’s just that I don’t want to remember.

- We’re here. Do you like the place?

- Ah, yes.

- Let’s go in then.

He chose a table and we were taking a look at the menu…

- It’s Shun – kun! Welcome! Is he your friend?

- Hello! Yes!

- I’m Aguni Haruhi. Nice to meet you!

- I’m Nishio Hayate. Nice to meet you too.

- She’s a third year in our school.

- Really?

- Are you a first year, like Shun – kun?

- Yes.

- How Kei is doing?

- He is working too. I wish we both didn’t!

- Ha ha! That’s so like you!

- Are you ready to order?

- I want a glass of milk.

- Again, Shun – kun?

- This will be the second time drinking milk today. It’s normal.

- Okay, okay!

- Have you decided, Hayate – kun?

- Yes…

Actually, I haven’t! I’m thinking it right now, because my first choice would surely lead to my death! I’ll choose one randomly!

- I want sparkling water, please…

- I’ll bring them in a minute!

- Where we had left? Oh, right. Tell me a subject you don’t like.

- Science, because I can’t remember everything.

- I don’t like that too, because you need to dedicate a lot of time.

- Here are your drinks!

- Thank you!

- Thank you, Haruhi – san!

- Tell me if you need anything else!

Shun – kun’s phone started ringing a couple of minutes ago and it hasn’t stopped since then. He doesn’t seem to want to pick it up either.

- Who is it?

- I don’t know. The number is concealed. I never answer this kind of phone calls. Forget about it. Tell me what you did after I left your house on Friday.

- I slept.

- … That kind of hurt. Did I stay over too long?

- No, no! I didn’t have anything to do, that’s why.

- Can I come over again?

- … Sure.

- Can you help me at math next time? I’m stuck.

- I don’t know if I can help much. I’m not pretty good myself.

- You are good enough for me. Your midterm exams’ grade at math was higher than mine.

- How do you know that?

- Do you remember when I told you that I saw accidentally your grades?

- It doesn’t seem like you did it accidentally anymore. More like my grades were scanned.

- Ha ha! Do you not feel comfortable with that? I won’t do it again, if you don’t like it.

- No, it’s fine. I’ll help you, I guess…

- Great! Come over to my house next Friday.

He didn’t ask me if I can at all. He’s confident about the decisions he makes.

After that we left the cafe and I hurried back, because I had my drums lesson.

- Good morning, Haruhi – san.

- Hayate – kun, good morning!

- Thank you for yesterday. I’ll come again sometime.

- You can come any time you want! I think my answers are sounding like a professional's out of my workplace too.

I’m sure she studies a lot and works hard. How some people can do both? It’s a big responsibility.

- Do you come at school by foot?

- I rarely do. I come on my bike, like today.

- I see.

- I forgot! My friends are waiting for me! See you later. Come at the cafe again!

- Okay…

Shun – kun is coming at school earlier than me. Maybe he’s in the classroom.

He isn’t. Our other classmates aren’t here too. How early did I come?

- Haa, I’m tired.

I’ll take a nap. Every time I play drums, I give it my all. The sound is loud and takes over my mind.

- Good morning.

He came.

- What are you doing, sitting like that with a book on your face?

- I tried taking a nap, but I couldn’t.

- I’ll take one too.

He sat behind me with his arms and head on his desk and didn’t move or speak until the teacher came in.

We went to the vending machine after class. What we like about that place is that it is quiet. The light of the sun can’t reach it, because of the trees and the building. But still…

- It’s getting hot.

- Hmm… Were you going to a middle school in Yamanashi district?

- No. Were you?

- Me neither. I was in other district.

- Is it far from this one?

- Come with me.

- Huh!? Are you going to show me the distance?

- Of course not!

- That’s good. You scared me.

- I’m never going back there again. Now, come with me.

- O-Okay.

The way Shun – kun said that made me understand that it wasn’t because of the distance. Something happened. Well, I’ll not give it much thought for now.

By the way, where are we going?

- We’re here.

- The school cafeteria!? Why?

- They put one air-condition there and one over there.

- Yes, but the place we were sitting was nice too.

- I know! Actually, you know what? Today they brought a new milk brand!

- WHAT??

I knew Shun – kun was acting strange!

- Hayate – kun, let’s try it!

- I-I think I’ll pass.

- Again? You had so many chances to drink milk and you preferred to drink juice and sparkling water.

Oh no. Shun – kun’s mad. Also, I thought the sparkling water was a good idea. He sometimes has a dark aura. Does he give it off only when the conversation is about milk?

- Wait for me. I’ll go buy one.

- Yes!

I’m saved. His desire for milk beat his dark aura.

When Shun – kun came back, he was as bright as the sun.

Back to the vending machine…

- Why did you buy two?

- I don’t know. They were next to each other.

He couldn’t resist.

- Okay, let’s try it!

He is enthusiastic about this. He took a sip and anoth…

- What is it? It’s milk, you know!

The dark aura is back! What milk did they give him? Is it outdated?

- There is sugar in it. I bought two too.

- Why do you look at me?

- I give it to you. You can do whatever you want with it. I’ll throw away this one.

What am I going to do with it?

After all our lessons ended…

- There aren’t many times you leave from school with me.

- Actually, I have never left from school with you.

- That’s true. Hm? Is that Haruhi – san?

- Yes. She looks troubled. Haruhi – san, is something wrong?

- Oh, Shun – kun and Hayate – kun. I came on my bike this morning, but it’s not here now.

- Where did you leave it?

- I left it inside the school, but close to the entrance. Right there. Hayate – kun knows that. We met this morning. Is it possible that someone stole it?

- I don’t know, but it’s a possibility. I’ll stay on the lookout. Maybe the one who stole it left it somewhere nearby.

- You’re right. I’m leaving now. Differently, I’ll be late for work. Shun – kun, if you find it, I’ll treat you the amount of milk for two days at the cafe.

- I’ll find it.

- Ha ha, I knew you would say that!

I knew he would say that too!

- Haruhi – san, before you leave, take this.

- It’s the new milk brand. Thank you!

- So, how do you plan to find it?

- That’s a good question.

- Don’t forget that four glasses of milk are at stake! Pffft!

I cant! I want to laugh! I think I can’t stand on my feet anymore!

- How can you use that against me? You’re heartless… Pffft!

- Ha ha, you say that, but you’re laughing.

I was studying all day yesterday, lost track of time and fell asleep on my desk at midnight.

What a coincidence. Shun – kun, Haruhi – san and me arrived at school together. My mind isn’t working. What should I say first?

- Haa…

- Haa…

- Haa…

Eh? What just happened?

- Why are you two copying me? I’m the most tired one here.

- What are you talking about? I’m the most tired and worried one here!

I am tired too…

- Hayate – kun, don’t tell me that you’re tired too.

- I’m not!

- He’s lying. Look at his face. So, why are you two tired?

I couldn’t hide it…

- I was studying and worrying about my bike at the same time. Also, I came by foot. It’s really tiresome to do that.

- I was studying too…

- Are you tired just because of that? You have no idea what I did all day and night yesterday.

- What did you do that is making you more tired than us?

- I was searching for your bike.

He really searched for it.

- I didn’t find it anywhere.

- Thanks for doing that, Shun – kun.

- I wish I had found it. That way I could drink milk for two days for free.

- I’m going to the classroom. I need some more sleep before the class begin.

- I agree. I’m going too. Bye, Haruhi – san.

Shun – kun was staring at me while following me to the classroom. After sitting in our seats, I decided to ask him.

I hope he isn’t sleeping yet.

- Do you want to say something?

- No.

- Then why were you staring at me?

- No reason.

I turned around to take a look at him.

- Don’t fall asleep now.

- I will not. My eyes are just closed.

I was watching our classmates coming one after another, when…

- Are you free after school?

- Yes.

Shun – kun asked that and I replied without thinking. Maybe that was what we wanted to ask all this time.

- Now that classes ended, follow me.

He’s more serious than when he was explaining the pros of milk to me. Before he said he knew that I was tired. I’m an open book. That’s okay to an extent. I still can’t read his mind though.

- Shun – kun, what did you want me for?

- Do you remember when I took your juice the second time?

- I can’t forget that.

Ah, he stopped walking.

- That time I said that I would repay you someday.

Does he remember that?

- That’s why I’ll repay you now!

Shun – kun turned around and opened the door in front of him.