Sudden Shift

It took half an hour of motor-bike ride until Keiji and Kanae arrived at Kurayami residence. Kanae anticipated that Keiji probably lives in a fancy house. Although she is not entirely wrong, she did not expect it to be a traditional Japanese house.

There was a sakura tree in the garden with a small koi pond underneath it. Surrounding the wooden fence are the purple and blue hydrangea flowers while the ground is covered in gravel. Contrary to the vibe that Keiji emits, Kanae finds his home to be more soothing. But still, the place remains foreign, and Kanae could not help but feel self-conscious and anxious as they make their way towards the front porch.

“Kana-chan!” Ritsu called out. Kanae and Keiji stopped in their tracks and looked back. Kanae felt a sense of relief after finding out that Ritsu and Ryuu came along.

Having her best friend beside her makes Kanae feel more comfortable. But she knows she has to learn how to deal with new people outside her comfort zone by herself in-favor-of her friend that she would not always be there all the time.

Also, she had proven her assumption right because after finding out that Keiji lives with her parents (as his mother was there to welcome them while his father is currently at work) and his grandma, Ritsu concluded that apparently, there is nothing much to worry about. Kanae also reassures her that she’ll be fine so Ritsu and Ryuu bid goodbye and go ahead on their date after checking on her.

When Kanae and Keiji entered the living room, where there was a traditional Japanese table in the center and a tatami mat underneath it, Kanae took out her notes from her backpack and placed them on the table as they sat on the wooden floor. Keiji also took his books (which are as good as new and don't appear to be worn out the way Kanae’s books are since they weren’t being used in the first place) and other stuff from his room. Just when it looks like they’ve already got all the things they’ll be needing and they can finally start, Keiji stands up again.

“Wait a second,” he says and makes his way outside the kitchen.

Kanae clenches her fists, closes her eyes, inhales deeply, and then exhales as she unclenches her fists back to relieve the tension brought by the unfamiliarity of the place and being with someone she barely knows.

A few minutes later, she felt something nudge her shoulders and when she looked back, it was Keiji slightly shoving a plate with two onigiris towards her.

Kanae raises her eyebrows, “Haven’t had your breakfast yet ain’t you?” Keiji asked as he placed the plate on the table in front of her.

Kanae couldn’t believe she’d completely forgotten about breakfast like the way she forgot to set her alarm. Maybe her brain became very much occupied with formulas and lessons that it has no room to accommodate other non-academic things in some instances — like eating breakfast.

Keiji then sat at the side of the table adjacent to where Kanae was sitting, “It’s from the fridge so I heated it in the microwave first.” He told.

Kanae stares at the food in front of her for a moment. She wants to refuse, but she’d figured that having so much pride wouldn’t fill her hunger, and it’s not like accepting Keiji’s request would be the end of the world for her.

She wonders what had gotten to Keiji that he seems to act nicer than before, did he hit his head? Ate something weird? Or he just has his motive for his unusual behavior?

“I’m not planning to poison you or something,” Keiji defended as if he can read Kanae’s thoughts, “so better eat before it gets cold.” He added and looked away. He sounds slightly commanding, and there was a hint of coldness in his voice that it became difficult for Kanae to figure out if he is being nice or being his usual mean self. Perhaps both, maybe in between, but even Keiji himself couldn’t quite figure out how he is supposed to feel.

“You being defensive just raised my suspicions even more, you know?” Kanae teased as she takes one of the onigiris thinking that the probability of her dying from hunger or malnutrition is greater than the probability of her dying from being poisoned.

Keiji suddenly looked straight at her with an unreadable expression then he spoke, “did I just get exposed?” he jested back.

Kanae slightly laughs, “Yes, you just did.” Instead of biting the onigiri, she extends her arms to give it to Keiji, “Here,” she offers, “eat this one to prove your innocence.”

Keiji shook his head and chuckled, but he took the onigiri nevertheless. Kanae felt less self-conscious and uncomfortable since she’ll not be the only one eating.

“It tastes good,” Kanae says after taking a few bites, although she thought it was probably her hunger that’s making the food taste delicious, it won’t change the fact that they still taste delicious and she thinks it’s just fair to show her appreciation.

They continue to eat in silence but not the kind of silence that is awkward, it was more of a silence that is comfortable — and soothing.

It was also the kind of silence that allowed Kanae to get lost in her thoughts.

She remembers about the events that happened, about Keiji. About the thought that him being a delinquent could potentially harm her. But after several times of being with him, Kanae realized he is indeed troublesome but aside from that; he is harmless.

She has witnessed a new side of him, an unexpected side of him. If she couldn’t turn a blind eye on his mischiefs, the same goes for his good deeds.

Maybe he gets bored easily in class but he can be patient too like the way he didn’t get angry or pissed off when he waited for Kanae just because of her lame reason of forgetting to set her alarm. He may have been rude at times but he can be nice too like when he lends Kanae his helmet even though he doesn’t have a spare one. He has always been negligent, unconcerned about other people, his studies, but he can be thoughtful too like the way he remembered Kanae didn’t have her breakfast yet when she, herself, forgot that fact.

Keiji is attractive, that is given. Many girls would fall for him solely with his looks. But from what Kanae can see, it seems like it is not only his looks that make him attractive. There is more to his personality than his foolish attitude and carefree nature. And she doubts other girls could see that, she doubts Keiji shows this side of him to every girl he gets to interact with considering how he treated Ritsu when they first met.

Kanae made a silent prayer of not falling for him as she wouldn’t want to experience how it feels to have an unrequited love. Besides, it’s too early to make conclusions about things, what if Keiji is just trying to make an act to get her sympathy for his advantage? The sudden shift in his behavior feels indeed suspicious in the first place, Kanae thought.

After finishing their food, she spoke, “So what’s your worst subject? Maybe we can start with that.” She asks as she looks at Keiji and tries her best to keep her composure, not wanting to get distracted by her thoughts and his proximity.

“All of them,” he replied nonchalantly, without a second thought, and Kanae was almost speechless; thinking he might just be kidding and messing up with her again.

Kanae closes her eyes and tries to gather her patience, which used to be remarkably easy before but becomes a harder thing to do whenever it was Keiji she’s dealing with.

“Please, I’m trying to help you here,” she said.

Keiji slightly laughs, “I know, and I’m serious.” He says, “When I said my grades aren’t doing well I mean 'all' of my subjects.”

Kanae wonders if he was really telling the truth or it’s just become one of Keiji’s hobbies to make Kanae’s life miserable because she knows Keiji is after all, and with his mischiefs aside, not as dumb as he appears to be. Then she realizes that his grades are probably bad since he doesn’t do the necessary efforts and he is always fooling around — not because he is dumb.

“Let’s begin with more technical subjects then, how about Math first?” she asks.

“Your choice, Sensei,” Keiji replied immediately.