April Fools

Right at the moment, I am here in the park just several meters away from my house.

The reason? Fufu, it is time for the redemption arc of my story. Yes! This is the time that I'll get Suzuki to be embarrassed! Because today is.... April 1!, meaning it is the infamous April Fools' Day!

Okamoto said the other day that the local art shop near the school will have a 50 percent sale on their items today. Yet, my mom said yesterday that they are going to cancel the sale event.

Just recently, I figured out that Suzuki has this hobby of painting or drawing or something about arts, that's why I am going to pull a prank on her using the art shop!

I am sure I'll be seeing her disappointed face due by me, once and for all!

And....! I am certain that she heard that sale event before I even knew it.

"Morning, Tanaka. Have you been waiting for too long?" asked Suzuki.

"O...Oh, morning. Not really."

S....She looks great on her casual attire. D...Denim shorts and a plain white T-Shirt suits her well.

"Hahaha, here you go again with your blushing antics!" mocked Suzuki.

"I....I'm not! Let's get going!"

S...Save that until we reach the place, Suzuki! I will be triumphant this time!

.......

"URGENT: To our lovely and aesthetic customers, the sale is going to continue! 60% for all items! It was a prank that we'll cease the planned sale event! Got ya!" posted in the store door.

W.....WHAATTTT???????????????!!!

"Hahaha! They sure pulled a great trick!" laughed Suzuki.

T...This means.... AM I THE ONE WHO WAS TRICKED!?!!?

T...This can't be....!

"Oh my, looking disappointed, aren't we? Kekekeke...." teased Suzuki.

Darn it!

"Were you plotting an April Fools prank on me using this idea?" asked Suzuki.

"Y...Yeah, now it's ruined..."

"Nice try, you almost got me with that. Hahaha!" replied Suzuki.

S...She's sarcastic!

"Since it's sale and all, let's come inside. I'll take advantage of this event to buy several art materials." added Suzuki.

"F...Fine."

It's only morning and I am already defeated?! T...This is a disgrace!

I've seldom enter this art shop but sure they have plenty of items in here and the place is quite large.

This should be a heaven for art lovers and I am right. This girl beside me looks happy with all that she is seeing right now.

"I often visit this shop but the feeling upon seeing these things makes me heart flutter still." revealed Suzuki.

H...Her smile is.... quite y'know..... cute.

"L...Let's go ahead with your shopping."

"You're not gonna buy anything?" asked Suzuki.

"The art field is not my forte so I wouldn't. Plus, the only thing that I planned today was to prank you anyway."

"And you failed, right?" added Suzuki as she grins at me.

"Y...Yeah, I failed already! So let's make this quick so we can go home quickly."

"Fine, fine. Help me get these materials, then. I'll give you the list. Here." said Suzuki as she hands me her shopping list.

I thought lists like this are only needed when shopping for ingredients.

"W...Whoa! These are a lot! Are you planning to do drawing and painting at the same time?!"

"Not really. I'm just raising my stock of materials since its sale. You know, a good way to save money." answered Suzuki.

"Y...You got a point."

"Just get me the things with the check mark then you're good." instructed Suzuki.

"O...Okay. I'll meet you at the cashier when I'm done."

For starters, I'll go to the pen section...

WAIT, AM I HER ASSISTANT NOW?!

T..The tables sure have turned, huh?!

It's supposed to be my win but now, I am the slave. Ugh.

I'll get this over with. I wanna go home~.

.........

"Hey, Suzuki. I'm done with these. Are these alright?" I asked.

"Hmm..... Yep, you got all the brand right. Thanks, Tanaka." answered Suzuki.

Good thing she's done with hers too. The line is starting to get longer, her plan was time saving.

"Look, Tanaka. Does this eraser remind you of something?" asked Suzuki.

Hmm, a chocolate-designed eraser.....

I...It's identical to the chocolate I gave her last Valentine's!!!

I....I still feel the embarrassment if I try to recall that scene. Damn.

"Hmm, your reaction tells it all. You're embarrassed~." mocked Suzuki.

"O...Of course, I am! That was the first time I've done it in my entire life."

Please understand my situation, Suzuki! For God's sake!

"Really? I'm happy to hear that." answered Suzuki as she smiles at me.

"O...Okay, t...that's good."

"I wonder who's the culprit of stealing my chocolates, though." said Suzuki.

"Oh yeah, the investigation still continues. Saionji-san goes everyday to the surveillance committee and only found that there was a boy wearing a hoodie and a face mask that entered the room briefly, purposely getting the chocolate in my desk."

"What's his deal, anyway? He's giving me a creepy vibe." disclosed Suzuki.

"We'll soon discover the identity of that guy. For now, let's finish shopping so that we can go home early and be safe."

"I agree with that, red-faced assassin." teased Suzuki.

"Who are you calling a red-faced?!"

"Hahaha! Just kidding~."

Still, what was that guy's objective anyway? Why did he steal Suzuki's chocolate? Ugh, my mind is full of theories right now!

...........

As soon as we were done in the counter, we left the store and immediately headed to the direction of the park.

"Thank you for today, Tanaka. You made my task easier." said Suzuki.

"No problem with that."

"Are your arms hurt already? Let me carry the other bag for you." offered Suzuki.

"I...It's fine. I'll prove to you that I am a tough guy!"

How was that, Suzuki? A pinch of my masculinity is being exposed right now! You can praise me if you want!

"You just don't want your pride to be tainted. What a kid you are, Tanaka. Hahaha!" ridiculed Suzuki.

W...What did she say?!

"Fine, here's the other bag!"

"I guess I am right about it. Thanks for admitting~." teased Suzuki.

"I just don't want you to tease me for being childish!"

"So you are thinking that it was childish? Hmm~" added Suzuki as she grins again.

That grin is always irritating to see! Tsk!

She always have a comeback line on her arsenal, which makes her really unbeatable.

"You know what Tanaka, I love you." whispered Suzuki.

Huh?

E....EEHHHH???!!!???!!

W...WAS THAT A.... LOVE CONFESSION?!!?

I....IS SHE THINKING RIGHT?!

DID I HEAR IT CORRECTLY?!

"April Fools!" shouted Suzuki.

W...What....?

"Hahaha! Did I do it right? Since you attempted to prank me, I pulled a trick on you too." revealed Suzuki.

A...Ah..... A prank, huh? Hahaha... Hahaha...

"You were blushing so strong already! Hahaha! This is so worth it." mocked Suzuki.

"I...Is that so...."

"Hahaha! It's a prank. Of course, I'm LYING." added Suzuki.

I....I feel so disappointed.....

I got worked up for nothing!

"I'm going this way, thanks again Tanaka!" said Suzuki as she gets her paper bag from me and sprints towards her house's direction.

A lie, huh?... She got me good, yet again.

Guess I'll go home.

"Oh, that was Suzuki Kotori, right?" asked by a stranger.

Suddenly, there's this dude who wears a black hoodie jacket and a face mask.

Wait, he fits the person that Saionji-san described!

"W...Who are you?"

More importantly, he wears the same school uniform like ours! Judging by his badge and his body build, he's more likely a second year! H...He's huge.

As I asked his identity, he comes closer to me quickly and grabs the part of my shirt close the neck area.

"Whatever you do, Suzuki Kotori will be mine. Try to do something and we'll dispose you." threatened by the stranger as he glares at me closely.

I.... couldn't reply. He releases his restriction and walks away as if nothing happened.

He knows that I am nervous that I'm not going to attempt to retaliate, that's why he took his time to go away.

W...What's this development? T...That guy is a big threat..!!

I....I feel like blanking out. My sweat is not that warm.

I...I need to go home now. Immediately.

My heart really beats fast. I am shaking.

Everything is too sudden.....

W...What does he want with Suzuki?

Damn it...

----------------END OF CHAPTER 17-------------