(Remake) This Isn't How it's Supposed to Go

The first day of classes whenever you move up a year is always a breeze. It’s kind of like telling you, “Hey, you’re about to go through mental hell, but will give you a day to take in the environment that’ll occur in.”

For the last class of the day, homeroom, we did our introductions. Everyone had a normal intro to themselves with no hiccups.

Most students already knew who I was so it wasn’t a biggie for me either. I just said my name and hoped for a smooth year.

Finally, with all this nonsense out of the way I can return to what really matters—my journey to author-hood.

As the bell to dismiss us rings I’m one of the first few out of the classroom’s door. I used the door’s frame to assist in making a sharp turn, then near slip as I began to speed up down the straight away.

I’m as quick as a bullet—or as quick as a bullet could be if it was scolded by Hasegawa-sensei for running then forced to speed-walk. Whatever speed that would be, that’s how fast I was.

I enter the small closest-like clubroom and take my seat—producing my laptop and a notebook from my bag.

With a crack of my knuckles, I have a strange renewal in my writing confidence. It’s gonna be okay, isn’t it?

“So what if I got nearly last place this year? This gives me an opportunity to get better as a writer. I can show those judges what they’re missing out on."

I begin tapping my foot.

“They’ve got no clue what makes a good light novel! They’re all corporate sellouts! They feed the public slop and more slop! While gems like me get buried underneath the shi—”

Oh…

My laptop.

It’s dead.

All this excitement for a mildly disappointing result. This means I have to write at home instead of the clubroom—which I don’t particularly mind.

After navigating the hallways for a few minutes I step outside into the surprisingly cool evening spring air. It’s a nice change since I’ve been indoors for almost thirty six hours.

I hold my bag strap in one arm and my laptop in the other.

I wonder what mom is making for dinner? Oh! And how my sister’s first day of the new school year went as well.

Up ahead the sidewalk was being blocked by some commotion. That’s really inconvenient… less inconvenient and more awkward actually. But what if the guy goes crazy and starts fighting people? I don’t know how to fight!

“You’re breaking up with me!?” The man yelled.

“Hah—!? Are you stupid!? Of course I am! I’d be a dum–ass girl not to.”

“It was never like that with her. Why won’t you just believe me… Kaoru-chan… please. You know I’d never do this.”

Kaoru… chan? Wait, Akimoto Kaoru? I got a bit closer and saw they were wearing my school’s uniform. And with that head of blonde hair, it was unmistakably Akimoto.

“So this picture I have isn’t real then? I’m just a crazy person?” She asked sarcastically.

“Ah— Well—”

“Well what you piece of shit. You got nothin’. I have a picture of you kissing your childhood friend. Look! I’m even in the background! You can’t be serious.”

Akimoto turned her phone screen to her soon-to-be Ex-boyfriend.

“Haa— Guess the cat’s out of the bag now.”

“Out. Of. The. Bag!? I’ll kill that cat then kill you!”

Akimoto tried jumping at the poor guy. I say poor guy—I know he cheated, but he’s getting attacked right in front of me. That was until a nearby store owner pulled her back and separated the two.

The guy Akimoto was arguing with suddenly ran past me. It looks like their dispute is over now. Geez, can’t they do that somewhere private?

Just as I foolishly believed I was in the clear, I got a weird tingling in my neck. It was cold and unfriendly—a weird sense like someone was… staring at me.

The hand of judgment fell onto my shoulder. I perked up and shivered as I feared the worst.

“Kiyotaka-kun…” The voice was deep and gravely. I didn’t know Akimoto could sound like this.

“Y-yes?”

“I can’t let you leave.”

“P-please don’t hurt me.”

***

We stood in an alleyway, Akimoto’s face was mere inches from mine as she cornered me against a wall. Both escape routes to the right and left were blocked by her arms.

Even though I’m terrified, I can’t help but appreciate how cute she is. Seriously, that guy must’ve been blind.

Neither Akimoto nor I said anything, she just stared at me with a look like she would bite my face off if I said the wrong thing.

“Uhm, Akimoto-san—”

“Kiyotaka-kun… Pleeease don’t tell anyone about this!”

What?

“I just lost control and— and I couldn’t think— and he was—”

Her tone had lost all notions of aggression. Her voice was wavering and tears began building up in her eyes.

“I can’t believe he would do that! Right!? What’s wrong with him!”

I took the chance and slowly slipped under her arm. Now I was at least physically free.

“I’ve been right in front of him this whole time… and he never saw it… what’s wrong with you? Idiot…”

She really is hopeless… But I guess feelings like hers wouldn’t suddenly disappear.

“E-excuse me, Akimoto-san.”

“What?” She wiped some tears with the back of her hand.

“W-what does t-this have to do with me?”

“Ah— w-well. You heard our argument, which makes you a witness… I really can’t have how I acted getting out.”

“A-are you gonna have me silenced?”

“Wahhh! Kiyotaka-kun what do I do!” She threw herself at me, trapping me in an unexpected hug.

The first thing my mind focused on was how soft her chest fel— Now isn’t the time to think like this, Makoto! Now is the time to escape and get home. I’m sorry, Akimoto, but this isn’t my issue.

“Y-y-you get it, right?” She said with a choked voice. “Heartbreak.”

I quickly shook my head no.

“Seriously?”

She released from her suffocating grip and I nodded to confirm.

“W-well if you’ve ever read any romance books you’d probably get the idea…”

That’s not an entirely untrue statement. But this is going on for too long, I have to get home. “Uhm, Akimoto, back to your original point. I promise not to tell anyone, okay?”

“Our families are friends! This is going to ruin all that! We even had plans this weekend… His dad was going to grill… all the delicious food I won’t be able to taste.”

“Excuse m—”

“Idiot… I can’t believe I fell for someone so dense.”

She looked ready to collapse and break down into tears, or worse, hug me again. Concerning me though, she seemed to ignore my signaling that I wanted to leave.

“Akimoto-san… I really have to get going. My mom—”

“I was looking forward to eating so much grilled meat all week! It isn’t fair!”

I took a deep breath, and in a sudden moved gripped onto her shoulders.

“Akimoto-san!”

“Hm?” Her eyes widened.

“I won’t tell anyone, okay? I have to go.”

“O-oh, yeah… That’s really all I wanted to hear… Thanks.”

While I looked to make my getaway, the damn human part of me couldn’t ignore her begin to cry again.

I sorta wanted to comfort her but, what would I say? Is it a man's responsibility to do so? Or is it the human thing to do?

My hand slowly started moving on its own. It reached out and set itself on her head.

“What’re you doing?”

My hand recoiled and pulled back to my side. “Sorry! I— I didn’t mean anything by it. I just dind’t know what to do, and you’re crying, and—” I trailed off.

Akimoto looked up at me with teary eyes. “Oh… Well I didn’t hate it.”

I could feel my face grow a little hotter. “I– I gotta go… See ya.”

She silently nodded.

I walked out of the alley and tried my best to continue like that mega-awkward interaction didn’t happen. Was it wrong of me to walk away from her like that? Some might say yes, but I say no.

Akimoto’s life has nothing to do with mine. I have no stakes in her relationships.