Getting to Know One Another

Today’s the day I meet Akabane-chan in the library, what should I wear?... Wait… what do I mean ‘What should I wear?’ it’s a school day and I’m meeting her in the school library so obviously my school uniform! But maybe I’ll put in more effort on my hair though.

I usually don’t do anything to be honest, in fact, my style has been the same for the past 17 years; messy. It usually falls on my eyes and covers my forehead but this time it’s going to be different.

I ‘borrowed’ my brother’s hairspray, don’t ask why he has hairspray apparently, it’s easier and less messy than hair gel. Anyways, I had a shower and washed my hair, once I was ready, I sat in front of the mirror and looked on social media for some help.

I finally found the right video and started following the guy in the tutorial. I first dried my hair using a hairdryer and used a round brush with bristles all over it to brush my hair up. Finally, I used the hairspray to fix it in place and done!

I looked different but I felt good. My brown hair which is usually falling over my red eyes was no longer covering them, and instead sitting on top in a ‘comb over’ style. I suddenly felt a boost of confidence washes over me, an almost ‘Look out world here I come’ attitude.

Whistling a tune, I picked up my bag and made my way downstairs, sitting at the dining table were my mum, dad, and brother. “Good morning, everyone,” I greeted while taking a seat on the left side of my father.

None of them said a word, instead they just stared at me. I suddenly felt very self-conscious and all that confidence I felt mere seconds ago had vanished. “I look bad, don’t I?” I sighed.

“Of course not,” my mum piped up, a smile making its way to her face, “I think you look great.”

“Really?” I perked up.

“Let’s put it this way, I would never normally say this but it really suits you,” my brother nodded.

“Thank you,” I smiled at them.

I looked towards my dad who hadn’t spoken two words, and barely passed a glance my way from his newspaper. But I did see a small smile tug at the corner of his lips, that was enough for me.

“Question, how did you get your hair to stay like that?” my brother asks.

Uh oh.

“Oh, you know. I watched some videos,” I grinned.

My brother, however, did not look amused.

“I’ve known you for 17 years and can tell when you’re hiding something, spill,” he narrowed his eyes.

“I may have borrowed your hairspray,” I mumbled.

“You STOLE my hairspray?” he asked, annoyed.

He huffed before dropping his spoon in his bowl with a loud clatter, “How many times have I told you not to touch MY things! And when did you go in my room? And don’t even bother about lying!”

“When you were having a shower,” I grinned.

“You trespassed!” he gritted.

“Hold on that’s not fair I share my things with you!” I pointed out.

“When?” he questioned making me scoff.

“When you need them,” I retorted.

“Enough!” my dad stood up; his chair roughly scraped against the floor making us cringe.

“You off to school, and you follow me to my office,” Dad spoke to me first and then my brother.

“Yes Dad,” my brother nodded and followed him but not before whispering, ‘This isn’t over’ to me.

I huffed annoyed before rolling my eyes and picking up my bag. I say bye to Mum before making my way out. Once I’m in the car we set off for school. I thought I would be the first one in class, but no, half of my classmates were already there.

As usual, I got the same response, some of them turned their back towards me, while the others tried to approach me, especially a few girls. I took a step back trying to keep a distance, don’t get me wrong I like girls just as much as the next guy, but these girls have a tendency of making me feel a little… uncomfortable.

I walked over to the back and contemplated whether I should sit in my usual place or in the place I was sitting in yesterday. After a few seconds, I decided on the place I was in yesterday.

I kept my head down and read another book by the same author whose story I read earlier. This one is different from what I’m used to; horror. I usually don’t like anything to do with horror but this story is actually changing my view on the genre. The fact that it’s set in a school really makes me want to visit that third floor in the west wing even more now.

“Hey Sakurai-san,” a girl came up to me.

“Oh... er, Hey,” I smiled, politely.

“You look nice,” she twirled her hair around her finger.

“Thank you,” I nodded with a small smile.

“Whatcha up to?” she grinned.

She placed her elbows on my desk and leaned over, the two buttons of her shirt were open exposing her cleavage. I kept my eyes fixed on my book, “Reading.”

“Ugh, boring!” she muttered in disgust.

…and that is another reason why I have no interest in the girls here.

She turned around and I turned my gaze back on my book, I was just about to turn the page when I heard a screech.

“What the fuck?” the girl who was talking to me yelled.

When I saw who she was talking to my eyes widened, Akabane-san stood there with her eyes wide and an open bottle of orange juice in the other, a puddle of orange juice on the floor, and a book held above her head in the other.

“Watch where you’re going,” she told the girl, her voice no longer angelic but stern.

“Or what?” the girl replied.

Right now, the class was filled and all eyes were on the two girls.

She didn’t reply instead she put her stuff down on her desk and closed the two open buttons on the girl’s shirt.

“How dare y- “

“I’ll tell you what’s boring, baby girl. Attention seeking,” she replied while also tightening her tie and walking around the desk to sit down.

“You are…!”

“I- am- what?” Akabane-san stood abruptly, her face right in the girls’ threateningly.

Just then our teacher walked into the class, everyone quickly went to their designated seats, including the girl, who I have to admit looked terrified.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m okay, but why did you do that?” I asked, confused as to why she almost started a fight for a guy she barely knew.

“I could tell she was making you uncomfortable, and that’s not okay. What she was doing was not okay,” she sighed.

“Thank you,” I smiled.

“Ah it’s fine, I’m sure you would’ve done the same for me if I were in your place,” she smiled.

That angelic voice she had when we first spoke came back.

“Of course,” I replied without missing a beat.

“By the way I realised I didn’t introduce myself, Sakurai Kyo,” I reached a hand out.

“Akabane Ichigo, but call me Ichigo, I hate it when people are formal with me” she shook my hand.

“In that case call me, Kyo. And I know who you are” I chuckled.

Ichigo’s face went pink when she remembered that note she gave to me yesterday.

“Ohhhh right,” she face palmed

I have to admit she was adorable. The class started and the two of us sat in silence taking notes, but occasionally passing quick but very obvious glances to one another. Soon enough the lesson came to an end and it was lunch.

“Library?” Ichigo looked up at me as we were packing away.

“Yup, but can we get lunch first?” I asked, I was so hungry.

Just then I heard a noise, almost like a low growl, Ichigo patted her tummy and looked at me with a red face almost resembling her hair. I chuckled and led her to the field since we both had ready-made sandwiches in our bags.

“Let’s go,” I chuckled.

We sat down just outside the library and ate in comfortable silence for about two minutes.

“So, what was the book you were reading?” she asked me.

“Isn’t that supposed to be my line?” I chuckled.

“Please! I wanna know your book first, I also loved the cover!” she grinned.

“Judging a book by its cover? Isn’t that against the rules?” I raised an eyebrow.

She looked at me with wide eyes for a few seconds and I swear I’d never seen greener-looking eyes before.

“Nuh uh! Doesn’t count,” she shook her head.

“Why not?” I asked, holding back a smile.

“Because… because…” she tapped her chin thinking of a reason.

“Because?” I whispered in her ear.

“Because I said so,” she pouted before taking a large bite of her sandwich so she wouldn’t have to answer any more questions.

I don’t think I’ve ever laughed that hard before, she looked like a squirrel with the way she stuffed her cheeks.

“Okay, fine, I’ll tell you,” I rolled my eyes with a smile.

She turned her body towards me and looked at me intently.

I explained what happened in the story I was reading, I talked about the characters, the setting, the plotline, and the way the author went into detail to explain everything so immaculately that you could see the story unfold in front of your eyes.

When I finished Ichigo was quiet for a while before she took a deep breath. She sat up so her back was straight and she was no longer leaning forward with her chin resting on the palm of her hand.

“Wow,” was all she breathed out.

“You can borrow it if you want…” I told her.

Ichigo nodded eagerly, she reached her hands out in front of her and gave me the puppy eyes.

“That face should be illegal because I know I won’t be able to say no to that,” I laughed.

I took the book out of my bag and held it near my chest.

“On one condition,” I say.

“Oh, I know, no eating or drinking near it, no dog-earing the pages, no breaking the spine, oh and treat it like a baby the book requires a lot of care,” she recited.

“Exactly,” I managed to say as I was so surprised.

She carefully took the book from me and ran her fingers over the cover, she looked at it in awe as if it was the most beautiful thing she’s ever seen.

“Okay now tell me about your book,” I smiled.

“Okay, it’s about a guy whose really good with computers and his teacher challenges him to hack and program and he does, so then he realises his passion and decides to go to the most renowned school for programming, but then he doesn’t realise the amount of danger he would have to face,” she explained.

“Can I borrow it, please,” I asked her.

“Of course,” she smiled.

I smiled as she gave me the book, the cover of the story was really good too. I love computers myself so I know I’m going to enjoy this book.

“Hey,” Ichigo suddenly yelled making me jump.

“What?” I asked surprised.

“I have an idea! We should be in a book club!”

“A book club, isn’t that going to be weird?” I chuckled.

She pouted for a few seconds before a smirk replaced it, “I’ll tell you about another book I love,” she grinned.

I considered it for a few seconds, “Fine!”

“Yayyy,” she cheered clapping like a little child.

She’s lucky she’s cute! I guess I’m part of a book club now too, wait till my Father hears about this.