V2 - Saki's Determination: Part Two

Katsumi ran his fingers across the spines of a few books. The colors on many of them had been faded by time. Dust settled on the shelf for years, giving them a thin coat.

They were in one of the back most sections of the library, a place where not many people looked anymore—the science-fiction section.

“W-why are we here?” Saki was obviously on edge.

“You’re acting like I’m a strange man who’s just taken you off the street.”

“It feels that way…”

Katsumi frowned. “I know I don’t look creepy because I used to be somewhat popular. So I think it’s you with a perverted mind. Besides, I like girls who actually have tits.” He eyes Saki from the corner of his vision.

She began stuttering then rattling off insults about his appearance back. Out of all the women Katsumi knew in his life, Saki was indeed the flattest. This fact may have been the cause of her anger.

“And can you even read?” She finished her barrage.

If I couldn't, how'd I be in the same class as you!? “I can, and I do sometimes.”

“Then what book are you looking for?”

Katsumi paused his finger on a book with a purple and white spine. “This one.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“It’s called Station Eleven, an American science fiction book. Some guy online recommended it to me.”

“Online? Like those weirdo NEETS?

Katsumi grabbed onto one of the shelves and began ever-so-slightly trying to tilt it. “I’m going to tip this entire bookcase over onto you.”

“Okay-okay, there’s nothing wrong with reading. I’m sorry.”

The two made their way to one of the many tables scattered throughout the library. Sitting opposite from each other once they got to one.

The two met eyes once they sat. Katsumi wore an apathetic look of uninterest while Saki seemed to squirm a little at the prolonged, silent eye-contact.

“Didn’t you have something to say?”

“W-well…” Saki paused for a while, collecting her thoughts. “Jackson mentions sometimes how you’re… interesting, or something. I don’t really understand it but my friend Mai said that you’d be able to get to know him easier…”

“Easier than what?” She’s stumbling over all her words. But I think I know where this is going…

“Easier than I could.” Saki’s eyes darted away.

“Oh?”

“That’s why I need you. So you can get to know him… And—”

“But why would I need to do that? Aren’t you two already together?” Katsumi smiled.

A look of shock washed over her face, quickly turning to reluctance. “No…”

“So what you’re saying is: You need me to build a relationship with Jackson for you? So you can trick him into thinking your perfect for each other?”

Saki’s face turned a crimson red. “You don’t have to say it like that!”

“Isn’t that exactly what it is though?”

“...So will you help me?”

“No,” Katsumi replied curtly.

“Ha—? You sit through my entire explanation just to say no!?”

“Yup.”

“You’re impossible!”

Katsumi shrugged and stood from his seat.

Did she really expect me to help her with this? I mean seriously, she insults me then expects me to help with her love life. She’s delusional.

The girl at the front counter used a scanner to check out Katsumi’s book. “It’ll be due in two weeks, so the twenty-eighth. Have a good day.” She smiled.

“Thank you.”

Really, what would I even get out of this? Helping someone that hates me find happiness? That’s like a government giving weapons to a group of people who would turn around and use it on the government. Noone’s that stupid.

“Murakami.”

“Hm?” Really? She’s not done?

“What’s your price?”

Does Akito want this, this badly? She must be desperate. I always assumed that her whole personality was an act, but is it really that shallow? Has that front she put up for all those years been so easy to break? The problem is though, I don’t want to do it. “I don’t think you could afford my price.” Just say something random, hopefully it’ll discourage her.

“I can afford it.”

Katsumi raised an eyebrow to this. “Is that so?”

“Name your price.”

What’s something insanely expensive that I want… A car? A plane? A flat in Tokyo? Maybe not that extreme. How about— “A new T.V.”

“A T.V? That’s what you want?”

“The one my parents gave me is almost ten years old now. I’ve been thinking about a new one for a little bit.” That should seal it, there’s no way—

“Alright.”

“What!?”

“What do you mean what?”

“I—I… You agreed?”

“Why? I told you I can afford it.”

She must be really deep in her own head about Jackson… It’s incredible she actually agreed to that.

“So do we have a deal?” Saki asked.

I could just take the money… I’m broke as hell after… the trip. No… I couldn’t do that. Even if it’d feel really good. I mean come on, she’s so deep down the Jackson-rabbit hole. She’s practically begging on her knees right now for me to help… “No, we don’t have a deal.”

“What!?”

“This isn’t my problem… I barely knew you back in high school and I don’t know Jackson at all.”

Her eyes widened. “Seriously?”

“I’m not helping… So save your money.”

“I should’ve expected nothing less… Thanks, Murakami.”

Katsumi gave a drawn-out sigh and turned away from her. As he took his first step out of the library a feeling made him pause. An idea pulled him back into Saki.

“Why are you coming to me for this?” He asked.

“I told you.. It’s because Jackson—”

“No. I mean… last time we talked you were telling me to stay away from Arata. Going on and on about how I’ve only hurt people. Even just a few weeks ago at the café calling me out for being a drug addict. You don’t trust me… So why did you come to me for this?”

The two of them weren’t able to notice amidst their heavy conversation the girl at the front counter was listening-in intently.

Saki caught her words just before she spoke. She clearly had the answer but hesitated saying it.

“Akito…”