Chapter 2

I flop onto my bed and stare at the blank ceiling. I saw Takahashi more than usual today. He’s more like an urban legend rather than a student. His name floats along the halls more than you see him. The conversations usually go like:

‘Have you seen that student with the red hair? They say he beat up a gang from Kawa High.’

‘That popular school in Tokyo?’

‘I even heard that he got arrested once!’

‘Really? We should stay clear of him then.’

But he was surprisingly calmer than I imagined….

Why am I thinking about him?

I only saw him three times. If you walk the halls, you’re bound to see people more than once. I curled up in my covers and shut my eyes. Those interactions were nothing special to linger on.

*****

The air is warm enough to wear short sleeves. Maybe the cold season has finally passed. If that’s the case, then I can hang out under the bridge after school and catch fish. I hum to myself.

“What puts you in such a good mood?” Katsuhiko jumps onto my shoulders.

“Not having to deal with you,” I push him off.

“You left me to deal with Takahashi”, I glare at him.

“Who?” Katsuhiko laughs as he says it.

“The kid you bumped into. Y’know, the delinquent”. Katsuhiko looks up and taps his cheek.

“That Tahakashi? You bumped into him?” Keiichiro steps between us.

“You’re in trouble. You’ll be lucky if he doesn’t find you by the gates.” Keiichiro says, jabbing a finger into Katsuhiko’s rib.

“I’ll run so fast, he won’t be able to catch up. But listen to this! Yesterday I walked home with Suzuki!” Katsuhiko smiles brightly.

Keiichiro looks at me and raises his eyebrows.

“What happened?”, Keiichiro asks.

“I asked her if she had feelings for the teacher.” He says proudly.

I don’t think I have to focus on making his love life hell if he ruins it himself. “And, what did she say?”

“She got bright red and said of course not. But I’m not buying it.” Katsuhiko rubs the back of his neck.

“It’s just the way she looks at him. Everytime I glance at her, she’s staring at the teacher with red cheeks. If that’s not a sign of love, then I don’t know what is.”

She was looking at you and got embarrassed because she thought she was caught.

“Get this, she even slapped me!” Katsuhiko rubs at his cheek.

“Look, It’s all swollen now!” He brings his cheek closer to my face. He turns and does the same to Keiichiro.

“You deserved it after that question” Keiichiro pushes his cheek away.

Katsuhiko crosses his arms around his chest. “I did not.”

“So, are you no longer interested in Suzuki?” I ask him.

“I’m not interested in her. I’m just curious if she likes the teacher”. The red on Katsuhiko’s cheeks tell another story.

“She’s in the photography club, and the teacher oversees the photography club. So, there must be some sort of secret relationship”. Katsuhiko looks at me mischievously. He’s basically begging me to ask him a specific question.

“Are you joining the photography club?” I ask giving in.

“I’m joining the photography club.” He says resolutely.

We reach the gates of the school. Katsuhiko straightens his uniform when he sees Suzuki and her group of friends.

“Good morning,” Suzuki bows her head shyly.

“Good morning," Katsuhiko does the same as Suzuki.

Keiichiro’s girlfriend Fuji Takubi takes his hand. “I’m taking this one.” She says to no one in particular.

“Yeah, that’s fine,” Katsuhiko’s eyes stay fixed on Suzuki.

Keiichiro grins from ear to ear allowing himself to be dragged away by his girlfriend.

I’ve been reduced to a side character in my friends’ love lives. Not just any side character, but the that hasn’t gotten their spin off manga yet. Keiichiro was the first volume, and Katsuhiko is the more popular volume. The readers would cry ‘Where’s Taiyou’s volume’ ‘I want to see my favorite character fall in love!’ The author would drag their feet drawing it due to the popularity of the second volume. Why do I have to be last?!

I tap Katsuhiko’s shoulder. “We should get going. The bell will ring soon.”

Katsuhiko breaks his gaze from Suzuki, “Oh, okay.”

He’s completely star struck. “Do you even know anything about photography, why would you join?” I ask.

“It’s just snapping photos, it can’t be too hard. Plus, I’ll get to keep an eye on Suzuki.” Katsuhiko says.

“Then I’ll join the club too, it’s no fun doing things on your own.” I step into the classroom.

“You don’t need to do that.” Katushiko looks a bit annoyed at the idea. I’m definitely joining the club now.

***

The photography club is a small club, so the teacher lets us join the day we turn in our forms. “I’m glad you decided to join a club Mr. Abe,” the teacher said.

Katsuhiko jabs his shoulder into my side, “You didn’t need to join.”

Oh, but I did.

“Don’t worry, I won’t get in your way.” I smile.

I definitely will.

The teacher leads us outside. “Since it’s been warm recently, the club decided to focus on nature photography.”

How lucky! I can slip off and lay in the sun. Better yet, I can get in Suzuki and Katsuhiko’s way.

When we open the door to the court yard, the small group of students turns their heads to look at us. “Come, we have new students today!” The teacher calls. A chorus of ‘yay’s and ‘hello’s fills the air.

“Introduce yourselves.” The teacher says.

“I’m Nishihara Katsuhiko”.

“Abe Taiyou”.

Suzuki makes her way to the front of the group. She pushes her hair to the side and stares at Katushiko with large blue eyes.

“Today we’re working in pairs, so take this as an opportunity to get to know your club members.” The teacher says.

“Um, Nishihara…do you want to be my partner for today?” She asks.

The tips of Keiichiro’s ears go red, “yeah, of course!”

The pair walk away, Katsuhiko doesn’t spare me a second glance. Some friend he is. I turn to face the teacher, “I can work on my own today.”

The teacher shakes his head. “You need to get along with your peers in the club.” He looks around the courtyard before calling a student over.

“Takahashi!”

The delinquent from yesterday turns around.

“Could you partner up with Abe today?”