This Surprise Isn't What I Needed

Akimoto slowly rose from her chair-bed while rubbing an eye. Now you wake up? After I have a massive breakthrough?

“My idea will.”

“Seriously? You’re a millionaire…? That’s—” Her sentence was interrupted with a large yawn. “—Great to hear.”

Like I’ve said many times, she doesn’t have the passionate, burning creative heart. But that shouldn’t matter, she just has to do the tedious work. At least I think that’s how it’ll work.

I glance over at Akimoto and she’s inspecting her face in her cellphone’s camera. Really committing to the no make-up, unstyled look?

Now, despite my vast wealth of knowledge I’ll admit, I don’t know much about fashion… Alright, I don’t know anything. But even I can tell Akimoto isn’t looking the most “fashionable” lately.

It’s because of her breakup with Katsuki, right? I want to try and give her some positive points but… damn.

She gave up on appearance, her friends, she’s gained a little weight I think, and joined the writing club.

No! That last one isn’t a bad thing! Don’t lump that in!

I mentally sigh as I keep my gaze on Akimoto.
“Huh…”

Her eyes met mine. Shit, I’ve been staring for too long.

“Ah… nothing. It’s just—”

“It’s just what? You can’t start saying something like that then go quiet.”

“...”

“Out with it.”

Asking her if she’s doing alright is a stupid question. Anyone could tell she isn’t.

“You know, really committing to this writing thing could help you.”

“Wha?”

“Finding passion in something… It helps you like think and take your mind off Kat— uh stuff.”

“Are you suggesting I’ve fallen off!?”

“No no no!” Yes yes yes! I am! “All I’m saying is trying something new can really change things… sometimes…”

“You’re saying just because I’ve been putting in a little less effort that I need to change my life around!”

“No—”

“Okay, so what if I stopped wearing make-up. And doing my hair every morning. Or doing all my homework… or… hanging out… with my friends…”

The tears were already running down her cheeks.

“And it’s not my fault my mom keeps buying all that ice cream.”

In times like this. It’s not my duty as a boyfriend, because we aren’t together. It’s not my duty as a friend, because we aren’t. It’s not my duty as a classmate, because I wouldn’t care. But it’s my duty, as president of the writing club, to ensure its members are giving their all to writing.

If Akimoto is in a state like this, she is in no place to do her best work. Also, that probably sounded really cool. I wish I said that outloud.

“W-wha!?”

My hands gripped onto her shoulders—our faces inches apart.

“Akimoto-san, I know exactly how to get you back in action.”

“S-so you do think I fell off…”

I did this to myself… “That’s not the point. The point is, this weekend I’ll get you out of that barbeque and help you get into writing. I’ll show you how incredible this team up can be.”

“R-really?”

“Yes. It’s my duty as club president.”

“T-that… that’s a really stupid reason.”

Even though her words might’ve hurt—she smiled. It was a huge smile that seemed to come straight from her core.

“...”

“...”

“So uh—” I stepped back from Akimoto. “What do people usually do after a conversation like that?”

She wiped her last tears then shrugged.

***

The atmosphere was awkward for like thirty minutes after that! I get those conversations are important, but how do you move on from them!?

I had returned to drafting out and putting down some ideas while Akimoto disappeared deep in the realm of book towers.

“Hey! Akimoto-san!”

“Huh?”

“I think I’m gonna head home soon, but I wanna tell you something first.”

It took about a minute until she reappeared on the main club room floor.

I stopped typing and shut my laptop. “Before we meet tomorrow you should think about a story you’re gonna write on your own.”

“What? I thought you’d already come up with the idea for our story?”

“No. Each club member is required to publish a short story each semester in the school magazine.”

“Back up back up! You never mentioned this before!”

“I thought you knew? It was on the application.”

After saying that we both suddenly drifted our attention to the ceiling. Were we expecting something? A flashback? Why’d we do that.

I shook my head and continued. “The stories only have to be a few thousand words, it’s not too bad.”

“A few thousand!?”

“Okay calm down. You can get that in a day.”

“A day!?”

“You— it’s— haa~ Just think of an idea and we can workshop it as well over the weekend.”

“Fine. If we’re suddenly dropping crazy surprises on each other. After the barbeque, our families are supposed to go on a weekend trip together. So now you’ll have to get me out of that too.”

…What?

No seriously… What?

That throws the plan I had out the window.

I’ve got nothing. GG.

Akimoto stood before me, hands on hips, with a triumphant grin like it’s a good thing she just one-upped me.

I’m done.

I packed up my bag and headed for the door. “Just… have an idea for tomorrow. I’ll think of something to get you out of the trip.”