The Snacks Extravaganza

I tend to wonder whether I'm the only one who goes through cringe-worthy, embarrassing moments. What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you? This is probably a painful question for most people. So, I'll share my embarrassing memory instead.

I was still a first-year in middle school. I think it was the year 2020. Basically, I was a loner. Yes, nothing has changed; I was a loner then, and I'm still one now. I probably sound like a broken record with the constant loner talk.

Loneliness—hold up, I'm getting sidetracked. Sorry. It was the first day of the new school year, and in my class, we did this thing where everyone introduced themselves.

It began pretty smoothly as one person after another did their intros decently, but when my turn came, well, let's just say I fumbled hard. While everyone was doing said intros, I was lost in my otaku brain, thinking about the latest releases of the season.

Now, I'm sure I ain't the only one who has eagerly waited for their favorite anime to make a comeback after it went on a hell of a hiatus. I was going through the same thing. Fateful Teleportation was my most anticipated return, and as a bonus, Mom told me she would be part of the animation staff—as the key animator, of course.

What did you expect? She is my mother, after all. Knowing she was going to play a major part in the production made me anticipate it even more. Until my turn actually came, for real.

The student who sat in front of me nudged my arm while I lay on the desk, daydreaming like a lovesick puppy. I shot up as the realization hit me like a police officer giving a criminal a major ass-whooping. Everyone was looking at me.

Some looked at me with judgmental eyes, while some were full of pity, and others were brimming with amusement. In that instant, I blurted out, my voice slowly decreasing in volume as a slight blush overwhelmed my face:

“Fateful…”

There was a palpable silence, until...

“Huh…?” everyone blurted in unison, their voices in perfect synchronization. Then, one male student snickered.

“Your name is… Fateful?”

What followed after was a cacophony of students who were blown away by the sheer amount of hysteria unfolding in that classroom. I couldn’t even comprehend what had happened. I said one word by mistake, and clearly, back then, I thought:

This is the death of me, ain't it?

That day will go down as one of my most embarrassing memories ever. After the class settled down, I did my intro, and we moved on. Or rather, everyone but me moved on.

Anywho, today is a new day—again. I wonder when it will be an old day. Okay, that wasn't funny. Damn, why am I so lacking in humor? I guess we'll never know.

About three or four days had passed, and it's basically become a daily routine for me to visit her as we search for this mystery soulmate.

Although that's initially the main thing we should be doing, we… have been doing the exact opposite. Instead of that, we’ve spent these days chatting away and getting to know each other.

Or more like she got to know me better, because when it comes to her, all I know is her name and favorite anime. That's it. But one thing is for sure: ever since the splashing incident, she's been way more open… to a certain extent.

Today is going to be different, though, because… I got snacks, baby. I ambled through the trees while carrying a plastic bag filled with snacks. What can I say? I love snacks.

The bag had Hori Yubari Melon Pure Jelly, Hori Corn Chocolate, Puccho Yubari Melon, and other snacks. I didn't even bother to count how many I bought. From what Miyu told me, these snacks are by far the best around here. I guess I'll be seeing for myself. These snacks are for me and Chiyoko-san. I can't wait to see which of these she'll like.

Step, step, step, and another step, and already I had made it to the Tree of Elders—or Elder Tree, same difference. While still approaching, I caught sight of Chiyoko as she sat down in front of the tree, facing my direction. She was gazing at the beautiful mountain view that was visible from that spot in the forest. The great gaping hole spot.

She heard the soft crunch-crunch of my strides as she turned her head slowly. This time, she wore a yukata… again. Her hair was tied in a neat ponytail, and her ruby-red eyes were sparkling like glitter—or maybe that was just my imagination. In any case, I avoided making eye contact.

“Good afternoon, Chiyoko-san,” I said while standing in front of her with a small grin.

“Good afternoon to you as well, Hiroshi-san.” A much warmer smile curled her lips. “What's that you got there?”

“Snacks. Do you wanna eat them with me?”

“Oh… why do you want to share them with me? Hmm?”

I looked away from her as my cheeks turned red. “There's no special reason. I just thought sharing them would be nice, that's all.”

“Truly? ”

“Yes, truly. Now please drop it, okay?” I steamed like a pot about to boil over.

In the past few days, Chiyoko has gone through a… change. A subtle change that I noticed almost immediately. She shows more emotion than before, and as it turns out, she's a big tease. Who’d’ve thought?

“I'm sorry. Will you forgive me, Hiro-chan?”

“Hiro-chan?” I asked as I sat down right next to her on the soft grass.

“Yes. Do you not like that nickname?”

Oh lord of the heavens, thank you for this wondrous gift. I shall treasure this name till the day I cross over to the next world. Amen.

“It's fine, I like it. I should give you one too. How about… Chiyo-san?”

“Oooh, I find it very fitting. This is my first time getting an alias. I feel honored. Should I cry?”

Whoa there tiger, calm down.

“There's no need to cry for something so mundane.”

“For me, it's not something mundane, Hiro-chan. It's a lifelong dream coming true; I never thought I'd see the day.”

“Oh, come on, there's no need to be so dramatic. But if that's how you want to see it, then who am I to get in the way of that?”

“You are Sato Hiro-chan, the weirdly wonderful teenage boy.”

I felt an imaginary knife pierce my heart the minute she said that.

"I'm still weird, huh?"

"In a good way."

"Weird is never good my lady."

"I beg to differ."

“So you genuinely think I'm weird. Well, I guess it can't be helped.” I reached into the plastic bag and pulled out some Hori Corn Chocolate. I offered it to her.

“I'd like to see you eat it first. Who knows if you're trying to drug me and take me to some place where you'll do indecent things to me… hehehe…”

“I'd never do that!” I blurted while burning a furious crimson. “Okay then, we'll do it your way.”

I took a bite, and just like that, I was transported to Flavor Plaza. The corn itself was amazing, but the chocolate just made it all the better. Chiyoko-san watched me while smiling gently. I finished the corn and offered the other one to her.

“You should try it. It's really good.”

“Okay.”

She took it while I rummaged through the other snacks, checking just how many we had. When I turned to her, she was already done. The corn was gone without so much as a trace of it—not even on her yukata or hands. All of it was as clean as it was before. That's a rich girl for ya.

“Did you like it?”

“Yes, I actually enjoyed it.”

“That's great! Then let's keep on chowing down till we pass out from sugar intake!”

“No sir, I am not doing that. But you're free to do so; I'll watch.”

“Suit yourself. Sugar rush, here I come!”

I'm such a fool. I mean, who even says stuff like this? Well, at least I got to be the main protagonist, and I got to eat some crazy good snacks, so yeah, that's basically a win. Oh right, I forgot I ate too much sugar; now I feel like I'm flyin’. 

Now then, who am I again?

[To Be Continued…]