My True Self!

As I was planning my perfect day with Sakamoto-San, Sasaki showed up out of nowhere, ruining my plans. Fortunately, Alberti-San was there to patch things up.

" I'm afraid the young master won't be able to join you on Saturday, Sasaki-San?"

(Don't you worry, young master! I've got everything figured out.)

As if they could hear each other's thoughts, Ryuji slightly grinned.

" Why wouldn't he be able to join me? Does he have plans on that day?"

" Yes, that's right!"

" Who does he have plans with? Is it not possible to cancel?"

" I'm afraid not, and in case you're wondering, the person whom the young master has plans with happens to be me."

?

" With you? Where will you be going? Maybe I can tag along!"

" You can tag along if you want, Sasaki-San."

?

(What are you doing, Albertini-San? Is that how you planned on helping me?)

" That is, if you'd like to help out around the neighborhood and stuff. We'll be tossing out the trash and so much more. If you're into that kind of thing, then sure, tag along anytime."

" Tossing out the trash?"

…

" Will you be doing that too, Ryuji?"

(Now it's up to me! Let's not ruin Albertini-San efforts!)

" Yes, Sasaki! It has all been planned out for weeks now. We'll have a lot of work to do there, but since you want to tag along so much, we might be able to finish faster. Thanks so much, Sasaki!"

I knew Sasaki would never tag along, simply because she never worked in her life. Ever since she was little, she has always been treated like a princess. Things like tossing out trash were things she would never think about, as it disgusted her to even think about. Unlike her, I'm open to new things and willing to learn. Albertini-San had the perfect idea to get rid of Sasaki, but if I want this to work my way, I need to try a lot harder, or she won't buy it. I can't let Albertini-San do all the work.

" If you're coming with us, you'll be wearing these racks."

Just the thought of seeing the used clothes she'll be wearing, Sasaki was to the brink of throwing up as she felt disgusted by the clothes themselves.

" Ryuji, I suddenly remembered that I had plans that day. Sorry for bothering you!"

(Bingo! I got what I wanted, but I can't rejoice just yet, or she might see through me.)

" What? What can be so important than spending time with me?"

?

(Young master, perfect acting! I would have bought it if I didn't know you better.)

" I'm so sorry, Ryuji, but I really can't. Let's catch up some other time."

" I'm so sad to part from you, but it can't be helped."

" We'll see each other at school. See you!"

Sasaki rushed out of my room, running. Never had I ever seen her run so fast before. It was as if her life depended on it.

" Sasaki, are you leaving already? Have you seen Ryuji?"

" Yeah, I've seen him. I've got to go. See you next time, Mr.Fujimiya."

?

(What is she in a hurry for?)

Back to Ryuji's room-----------------------

" Well done, Albertini-San!"

" What are you saying, young master? You did all the work. I was amazed by you. If I didn't know you better, I would have bought it all up."

" Everything that I know, I've learned it all from you, Albertini-San."

“ All jokes aside, have you figured out what to do yet?”

“ Don’t worry, Albertini-San! I’ve got things covered.”

Just like that, Saturday came on the brink of an eye, and Ryuji was ready for his special day with Josiane.

“ I’m ready! This is casual enough, isn’t it?”

“ Where are you going, Son?”

(Dad?)

“ I’m going out for some work and Sasaki knows about it. You can call her and ask if you want clarification.”

“ There’s no need! If Sasaki knows about it, then, that’s fine.”

“ Albertini-San will be with me all morning, so you don’t have to worry.”

“ Have a good day!”

“ Thanks!”

Ryuji was sweating a lot, thinking his dad had figured out something. Was he relieved, as it wasn’t the case?

“ Do you have her address, young master?”

“ Yes, I have it right here.”

I handed Albertini-San my phone in which the address was written. We took off soon after and forty-five minutes later, we were in front of Sakamoto-San’s house.

(Looks like they’re here!)

Sakamoto-San walked out of her house and she was looking very elegant. She was wearing a feathered white dress.

“ Good morning, Fujimiya!”

“ Good morning, Sakamoto-San!”

Sakamoto-San pointed questioning eyes at my chauffeur, whom she never met.

“ This is my chauffeur, Thomas Albertini.”

“ Nice to meet you, Sir!”

“ Likewise!”

I opened the back seat for Sakamoto-San, but I could see how uncomfortable and out of place she felt. This wasn’t what she was used to.

“ This is part of who I am, Sakamoto-San.”

Sakamoto-San entered the car silently without saying anything. I went back to my seat, and Albertini-San started the car engine soon after.

Albertini-San rode for thirty-five minutes before making our first stop, which was at an arcade.

“ Young master, I’ll be leaving for some time. Call me if you need me!”

“ Don’t go too far, though!”

(Albertini-San is so considerate.)

“ You brought me to an arcade. Will we be playing games?”

“ That’s right!”

?

“ What’s wrong, Sakamoto-San? Don’t you like it here?”

“ No! No! Why wouldn’t I like it?”

“ If so, why are you making that kind of face?”

“ I just didn’t expect you to be the kind of person who enjoys things like these. I pictured you a lot more differently.”

“ Because of my wealth, right?”

?

“ You don’t have to hide it. I won’t be mad if that’s what you think. The reason I brought you here today is to show you my true self.”

?

“ I may be wealthy, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t like things like these. The real Ryuji enjoys playing and hanging out with friends, just like normal people his age.”

?

“ What do you say, Sakamoto-San? Shall we play?”

(Since we came to this arcade, there’s been a different vibe around him, which is completely different from when he’s at school. Could that be part of his true self)

“ Sure! Let’s play, Fujimiya!”

The first game we played was an arc game, in which Ryuji excelled perfectly. We played a lot more games after that, and he seemed to be having lots of fun. I never saw this side of him before. If this is what he wanted to show me, it was worth my time after all, did I think as I looked at his amused figure.

“ Let’s play this game next, Sakamoto-San!”

The next game wasn’t that fun, but Ryuji wanted to play it.

“ I’d like to catch one of these stuffed animals for you, Sakamoto-San.”

“ For me?”

(If I tell him it’s not necessary, he’ll feel bad.)

“ I’d like one of these, please!”

Ryuji paid for some coins, after which he attempted to catch one of the stuffed animals. He had his eyes on a white one, and he aimed to catch it.

“ You’re almost there! Just a little more.”

Ryuji couldn’t catch the white stuffed animal, as he kept missing it each time. Frustration was starting to get to him.

“ Fujimiya, should I help you?”

“ There’s no need! I’ll catch it soon. Just wait a bit more.”

Ryuji found a game he wasn’t good at, but he was so persistent in defeating it regardless, as he didn’t want to lose to anyone.

“ You’re doing it wrong. Let me help you!”

Ryuji was startled when my hand suddenly touched his. He was all nervous and blushing.

“ Sakamoto-San, what are you doing?”

“ Helping you! It’ll go a lot faster that way, don’t you think?”

…