CH-3 (AN OFFER YOU CAN'T REFUSE)

The summer breeze flew across the room, as it made her hair flutter. Sitting on the desk next to mine, 

there she was, 

staring outside the window, 

melancholically, 

without having a care about the world, 

ignoring the crowd that had already formed around her. 

Unfortunately, all I could hear were murmurs across the classroom, as no one had the gall to actually go and talk to her. I mean, how could they? It’s not everyday that you get to see a superstar as your classmate.

Pushing the crowd aside, I asked everyone to sit down, using my authority of the student council. I guess, as a representative of the council, my sense of duty and responsibility preceded over anything else. But it looks like no one was willing to listen to me, as they were ecstatic to see her in flesh.

Eventually, the teacher arrived in class, and, following which, the students decided to comply.

“Pspspspsps…..”

“Pspspspsps…..”

“Pspspspsps…..”

I could hear a bunch of people murmur from across the room. Seems like her presence had startled everyone else, maybe including me. Meanwhile, it looked like as if she was in her own little world.

I decided to avoid talking to her for now. I’m already in the midst of some work, and dealing with her would only add to that pressure.

“So, as you people already know, due to personal circumstances, Tachibana-san hadn’t been able to attend her classes. Thankfully, from here on out, she will be attending them. I request all of you to cooperate, and to not make her feel out of place. Actress or not, Tachibana is still a student of our academy. Therefore, I will not tolerate any special treatment directed towards her."

Then, spotting me amidst the group, the teacher started addressing me,

“And Nishimura-kun! It’s your responsibility to attend to Tachibana’s needs. See that she does not feel out of place over here. Help her out as much as possible.”

“Why me?”, I asked.

“Because I trust you, Nishimura-kun.”, said Akeno, with a slight grin on her face.

The whole class stared at me in disbelief. Meanwhile, I was out here, sweating buckets, thinking about the fate that awaited me. God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers, and here I was, juggling multiple battles at a time. I could already feel the boys glaring at me.

Surprisingly, the classes went smoothly. The teachers were lenient towards Akeno, and Akeno herself acted elegantly, like a proper lady, for once. As for her test scores, well, it’s better left unsaid. Looks like she needs to spend some time in the library, hitting the books.

During the recess, the crowd surrounded her, yet again. People started asking all sorts of questions, others demanded for selfies and autographs. Akeno, surprisingly, complied with all of them. She was fitting in perfectly with the rest of the students.

“Tachibana-san! I’m your huge fan! Please, sign this T-shirt for me!”

“Tachibana-san! Here, Let’s take a picture together.”

“Tachibana-san! Your performance in the last episode of “Forever was never ours” was so freaking cool! Especially, Mio-san in her last episode.”

I didn’t see any need for my presence, so I quietly made my escape on the rooftop to have my lunch.

“What’s this even about? Why is Akeno back in class?”, I asked Ayako-san, who was on the other side of the phone.

“Sorry, Reiji-kun, for not informing you earlier, but after finishing the shoot of “Forever was never ours”, she said she wanted to take a break from the world of acting, and wanted to focus on her studies.”

“And what’s this about me being her caretaker?”, I asked, annoyingly.

“Well, since she’s unfamiliar with the school environment, the teachers unanimously decide you to be her caretaker until she settles in. Akeno also went ahead with it, saying that she trusted you, since you were her childhood friend.

Sorry Reiji-kun, for the inconvenience that she caused. I’ll make sure to compensate you later for this, I promise.”

“You don't have to worry about that.

As a member of the council, it’s my responsibility to make sure that she feels welcome. I’m just going to be performing my duty, that’s all.”

“Thank you so much, Reiji-kun. I knew I could put my faith in you.”

“Likewise.”

*Beep*

Sigh......! Looks like my workload just increased.

Whatever! what’s the worst that could happen?

As I was making my return, I overheard a conversation by accident.

“So, Tachibana-san! Are you dating someone?”

“Why do you ask?”

“I mean, who isn’t going to be curious about an actress’s love life? Especially if it’s a classmate?”

“No comments.”

“You are really a tough nut to crack, Tachibana-san! Ok then, let's change the question. What’s your relationship with Nishimura?”

“Our relationship is none of your concern.”

“Overprotective, eh? Well then, let me give you a word of advice. You should stop hanging out with a loner like him, and start hanging out with us! He’s no fun. He just studies all day, and spends rest of the time in the student council office. Maybe weird rumors might start circulating about you, if you are not careful enough.”

“What I do with my time, is none of your business! And besides, Nishimura is really fun to talk to! You just need to know him well enough.”, saying that, she walked away.

Meanwhile, here I was, standing outside the door, eavesdropping on their conversation.

As I attempted to escape, I was promptly stopped in the hallway by Emi-senpai.

“So, Kouhai-kun, where do you think you are going?”

“Restroom.”, I shrugged, answering Emi-senpai’s question.

“Come with me for a sec!”

Saying that, she held my hand, and dragged me inside the nearby home economics room.

“Here, try this!”

With that, she handed me a bag full of cookies.

“Try tasting them.”

*MUNCH* *MUNCH*

“Ummmm……… They’re tasty!”

“Really?”

“Yep. Did you make them?”

“You can say that.”

Saying that, she started writing something on that diary of hers. Meanwhile, I could notice a bunch of bandages enwrapped around her fingertips. Looks like there was a bunch of trial and error that was involved in making of the cookies.

IDK why, but I got this mischievous urge for some reason.

“Emi-senpai, open your mouth for a sec.”

“Hmm? Mpffff….”

I decide to stuff her mouth with one of her own cookies.

*COUGH COUGH*

“What was that for?”

“Nothing. I just had the desire to feed you, that’s all.”

Nothing sweeter than taking revenge for draining my wallet dry yesterday.

But looks like it had the opposite effect.

“Well then, Kouhai-kun! Since you’ve decided to be so naughty, I’ll allow you to feed me once more. Here, ahhhhhh……”

Where have I seen this pattern again?

After devouring the cookies, I decide to drink a bottle of water. Meanwhile, she was sitting on her chair, writing her diary.

“Kouhai-kun”, said she, “under any circumstances, should you not make Akeno aware that you know about her secret. Got that?”

“You don’t have to tell me twice, president!”

___________________________________________________________________________

It was evening when we were walking home.

I used “we”, because well, you guessed it! Akeno was there with me, following me around.

“Sigh.....! Why are you following me now?”

“I am not! I’m just returning back to my house, which just happens to be in the same direction as yours.”

“You should’ve just booked a cab.”

“Well, walking is a good exercise. And, since I’m a sloth at home, my sis recommended me to walk at least 7000 steps daily.”

Sigh......! No point in arguing with her.

“Say, Rei-chan. Wanna make a detour?”, asked she, blocking my pathway.

___________________________________________________________________________

The destination we arrived to, was an abandoned children’s playground. The slides looked rusty AF, not to mention, the entire ground was covered in tall grasses, signifying the lack of usage. It was present near a hospital.

“Why did you bring me here?”

“Do you remember, Rei-chan? This is the place where we met each other for the first time.”

Come to think of it, as far as much memory stretches, she’s right!

“Yeah! You were there, trying to climb the slides from the bottom.”

“Hey! That was just a dare that my friend gave me to do! And don’t you go around running your mouth! You literally jumped off a swing and landed on your face.”

“Haha…..!”

“Hahaha…..!”

“Hahahahaha…..!”

We started laughing, reminiscing about our past, remembering our silly little antics that we used to do, back in the days.

“So why bring me here now?”

“Well, Rei-chan, this place holds a special place in my heart. “

“Why?”

“The reason, this place feels special, is because this is the place where we met for the first time,

and…….,

This is the place, where we made that promise”

Suddenly, I was hit with a bunch of memories from my past. Memories, that I’ve suppressed for long.

“Rei-chan!

Promise me that you will never leave me!

Promise me, that you’ll always stay by my side!

Promise me, that you would always support me.”

“Why, bring me here now, of all places?” I said, with my expression grim.

“This might probably the last time that we could visit it”

“What do you mean?”

“Unfortunately, it’s going to be rebuilt into an apartment complex.”

“…………I’m sorry!”

“Don’t be!”

We walked back to our apartments together, in silence.

___________________________________________________________________________

It has been a week since Akeno has arrived in the school. People have already taken a liking to her, although, the same can’t be said about me. I’ve been a subject of jealousy, and, at times, minor bullying as well. Although, TBH, I couldn’t care less, as long as I could keep my head down, and live in silence. Although, since that day, things have really been awkward between the two of us. Both of us avoided speaking to each other, unless absolutely necessary.

Although, that was about to change, sooner than I could have anticipated it.

After my classes had ended today, I went to my shoe locker, to change into my outdoor shoes. Unfortunately, to my surprise, my shoe locker was stuffed with garbage, and had some nasty scribbles from a sharpie.

“Sigh! A bunch of immature angry folks, I guess?”, I thought, as I focused on clearing it up.

“He’s just a fucking looser.”

“For real. I mean, it’s not fair that he has been chosen as her caretaker.”

“LMAO! I mean, have you seen him? Always with that gloomy expression! And the fucking glasses. He thinks he’s fucking smart, isn’t he?"

"He gives me serious creepy vibes. Someday or the other, I might just punch him in the face and break his glasses.”

“Dude thinks he’s holier than us just because he works in the council. LMAO, I’ll show him what real power looks like, one day.”

I could overhear their conversations. Looks like they’ve reached their threshold limit of jealousy. This is exactly what I wanted to avoid.

Sigh......! And there goes my peaceful high school life! 

Welp! Can’t cry over spilt milk now, can we?

“ALL OF YOU…………, SHUT UP!”

A familiar voice crept into my ears, as I turned around. To my horror, I saw Akeno, butting her head with the class bullys.

“STOP JUDGING PEOPLE BY YOUR STANDARDS, YOU MORONS!”

Shit! She’s entered into her outburst mode now. I got to stop her before it’s too late.

But I was, too late.

“It was a decision jointly made by the teachers, and me! Stop berating him with your own selfishness. And who are you calling a freak, you morons? IF ANYTHING, IT’S YOU GUYS WHO ARE THE REAL FREAKS, PREYING ON THE WEAK!”

“Stop it, Akeno!”

“HOW MUCH DO YOU GUYS EVEN KNOW ABOUT REI-CHAN ANYWAY? I haven’t been to this school for a long time, but I can tell that it’s him who silently manages the responsibilities of the entire class, without any complains. He’s the one who arrives first in class regularly, managing the cleaning duties that YOU GUYS deliberately ignore.”

“Enough, Akeno! Stop it!”

“He’s the one who’s juggling between council responsibilities, managing the class, as well as consistently ranking first in class. He’s the one who makes sure every event goes smoothly, without ever expecting a thanks in return. He’s the one who shoulders all the responsibilities when any mishap takes place. He’s the one who communicates with the teachers, so that YOU GUYS don’t lag behind in your studies.

From the looks of it, if there is anything that I can understand, is the fact that he didn’t choose to be a loner.

It’s YOU PEOPLE who deliberately pushed him to a corner.”

“JUST SHUT UP, AKENO!”

I instinctively yelled at the top of my lungs, only to realize the grave mistake that I’ve committed.

Tears welled up in her eyes, as Akeno looked at me, with anger.

“Sniff…. Sniff…..”

“Akeno, I’m sorry! I-“

“Shut up! Don’t come near me!”

With that, she ran off, leaving me alone here, dumbfounded. Meanwhile, the other students bare witness to the atrocity that I had just committed.

Meanwhile, the other students started gossiping.

“Hey, did you just see that?”

“Tachibana-san called that nerd Nishimura by his first name? I wonder what’s their relationship?”

I quietly dragged myself out of that place. Dumbfounded, I reached the only other place that I could’ve found solace in.

The student council office.

As I opened the door, I saw the president taking notes inside that diary of hers.

“Go ahead. Have a seat.”

I sat down on the chair kept in front her, and looked her, with dead eyes.

“So, what brings you here at this hour?”

“I……don’t really know.”

My gaze followed downwards, as I said these words.

“You don’t know? Or you don’t want to know?”

“I……. just don’t know how to talk to Akeno normally anymore.

It was a mistake from my part.

Yet, the one who suffered the most,

was her………

I hurt her………….

again………………..,

and again………………,

consciously…………..,

and subconsciously……………….,"

“And? You came to me, just to say this?”

“You are the only person I could turn to, Emi-senpai.

I don’t know what to feel anymore.

I don’t what I should do anymore.

I feel suffocated.

I feel lost.

I didn’t realize that the emotions that I’ve felt until now,

was pain.”

I pressed my hands over my face, as I say that.

“Then let me give you a proposition, Kouhai-kun.”

said she, while bringing her face close to mine,

and looking at me directly in the eyes:

“Become mine,

and I shall make this pain go away.”