Do You Wanna Come Over?

Even though our first meeting started that way, truth is I been eyeing Chigusa for a while. Call it a coincidence or whatever, but wherever I go - there she'll be. In the class, library, even at this small private cafe' that I frequent after school.  I saw her there once with a cup of butterfly pea tea, reading classic Japanese literature title 'No Longer Human' from Osamu Dazai. 

I wonder why a grim-themed book such as that could appeal to her?

Anyway, those days of our previous encounter are long over. As for now, we're having this little 'date' arranging the sports equipment in the gym store. Oh, I probably shouldn't even call it that. That's pretty delusional, even for me.

“Why can't anyone clean up after using these?” She complains to herself. That's the first time I hear her  getting annoyed at something. 

I  nodded in agreement, "You're right. Someone could get hurt if they keep it like this." I said. 

Chigusa smiles.

"Right? Still, I can't believe that Mr. Onigura made us clean up this place. Doesn't he know that corporal punishment have been abolished in this school long time ago?"

"Aren't you the one who suggested it to Mr. Onigura in the first place?" I chimed back. Chigusa pause. Then, she turned her back against me.

"Did I? I can't seem to remember."  she reply nonchalantly. We continue to clean in silence. As soon as we're done, Chigusa look at our work in admiration.

"Wow, it's spotless clean. Even the floor is shining. You really know what you're doing, Miyamura-san." she pays me a compliment. 

I smile a little. Cleaning is not a strange concept to me.  Due to my mom busy schedule (she's a woman apparel's owner), I have taken upon myself to do chores at home. And boy, wasn't I a perfectionist? Shota, my younger brother knows that fact well. That's why he never dare to make a mess after I finished cleaning. 

But, a guy who can do house chores doesn’t really sound cool. Naturally, I didn't reveal this little fact to Chigusa.

"Now that we're done, where should we go?” she asked happily after putting the last cone in it's place. I also put the last basketball onto a basket. Then, without looking at her - I pick up my bag and leave the sports storage room.

“Hey, where are you going?” she shouts at me. I slowly turn around. 

“Home. We are finished here, right?” I replied. I don’t hate her. I just need to get home to Shota as quickly as I can. If I don't start dinner now, my little brother going to starve.

“But, we just did something together.  Aren't you tired? Don't you wanna wait to have a drink or something?" 

I look at her. She knows nothing about my life at home. Surely, she’s confused as to why this perverted-face guy just decline an offer from a beauty like her. Oh, well... it just a drink. What's the harm in that?

“So, where do you wanna have this drink?” I proceed to ask her. She pointed at the vending machine outside. Ah, that's perfect. We can walk and drink while walking back home. Time saver!

“Okay, then. Let’s go.” I said. Chigusa nodded with a smile.

Chigusa and I walk side by side. She look like she want to say something to me, but keep biting her lips. I wonder what's bothering her, but I don't wanna pry. 

“Miyamura?”

“Yes?”

“Ermm... nothing.”

I turned to look at her. Chigusa continues to walk in silence. Surely girls are weird and hard to figure out, aren't they? Thank God I only have a little brother at home. He may be a little bossy, but at least he always tell me what’s on his mind. 

“What type of drink you want?” Chigusa suddenly opens her mouth. I look at the vending machine. Latte, white coffee and cappucino had already sold out. The remaining are black coffee or green tea. There really wasn’t much choice here, so I pointed at the coffee.

“I prefer black coffee.” I said. She nodded and put in the coins. The can of coffee drops and she put in another coin. She also pick the same thing. She is about to bend down to pick up the drink, but I stopped her;

"Here, let me..."

“Thank you.” she said. I hand her the can along with 500 yen. Chigusa looks at me in puzzlement.

"No... no... Please take it back. It's my treat." she said and return the coin. When I refuse, she quickly grabbed my hand and put those coins back on my palm. My face slightly turned red at the thought of our hands touches.

"In return, can we hang out and talk a little bit? If that's okay with you..." she requested. 

“Well, what do you want to talk about? We can talk while I’m walking.”

“Are you really in that hurry?”

“Yes. ”

"Am I bothering you?" she adds, clearly offended. 

I shake my head, "No. Not at all." I reply. "I just have some matter at home."

“Oh, I see...” she said. Our surrounding have suddenly turns quiet. I could've swear I hear a pin dropped somewhere. As the beauty in front of me is fidgeting to find her next line, all I can think off is my little brother at home. I'm gonna have an earful after I got home. I can almost hear it now.

“Are you hungry?” I ask her. She nodded. I take a gulp down my throat. As much as it hard for me to utter this next line, it's the only perfect solution I could think off that would let me off home fast;

“Do you... wanna come over to my house?” I asks. She frowns a little.

“Your... house?"

“Yes. The truth is, I need to start dinner for my little brother soon. He's eight years old and only have me to depend on.  Perhaps, you wanna join us?  You can say what you have to say to me then.” I added.

Chigusa is silent for a while. Then, she asked;

"Is your home far away from here?"

"It's twenty-minutes ride on a bicycle." I said. Chigusa seems to be thinking about it. After a moment of silence, she finally nods;

"Okay. I agree! Let's go to your home, Miyamura-san!"

"Huh? Are you sure?" I ask again. 

She nodded, "Of course. You invited me, right? It would be rude to say no."

I smiles sheepishly, "Okay, if you say so... Let's go. My bike is over there." I said. We walked into the same direction again. All the time, Chigusa couldn't even look at me directly. She's really nervous when she climb on the backseat of my bicycle.

It was the longest and probably quietest ride home I ever taken in my life. With school beauty at my back, I suddenly become very careful at each nook and corner. Who wants Chigusa Emiya to be hurt (again)? Certainly not me. Chigusa herselfdoesn’t seem worried at ll. In contrary, she looks like she’s enjoying herself. The ride is smooth until we finally arrives at my home.

- End of Chapter 2-