Mountain
"Um, Takaiyama-senpai, will you... will... you... g... go-o... ou... out... wi-wi... with... me?"
That was number 10 for the day.
"Se-senpai?"
How annoying can these girls be? Well, I really can't blame them, with the handsome guy that I am. Hahaha. Why am I the only one having this problem? No, seriously. Am I the only one having this problem?
"Please, Takaiyama-senpai!"
Wow, she's persistent, I'll give her that. Normally after I ignore the first question, they'll just leave quietly.
"I'm really not interested in you. Sorry." It's true, anyway.
"Oh... Sorry to have *sob* wasted your *sob* time... WAHHH"
There she goes running.
---
DING-DONG-DING. The school bell sounded, which signalled the end of classes. It's only the start of the school year, so nothing much is happening.
"Hey! Takaiyama! Let's play soccer outside!" Some of my classmates were inviting me. We're only second years on our first term, and we don't know each other that much yet, since we came from different classes.
"Thanks, maybe next time." I wasn't in the mood. I had other plans, like reading in the library. That's fun. Or maybe water the plants on the garden. That's fun too! Wait, I can go home now and sleep. Yup, now that's having fun. Better go home then. I knew my bed and I had some sort of telepathy. He's been calling me ever since I left him this morning. Poor thing. Don't worry my dear bed, I will be home soon so you won't be lonely anymore, hehehe.
---
While walking down the hallway, there was a group of girls who stepped in my way to stop me.
"Senpai, please take this!" They were handing out love letters to me. Five of them.
"I can't accept those. Sorry." They all cried and ran away. I could hear other people who saw what happened say things like "he's too cruel" and "what a jerk". I really can't blame them. I am what others may call "popular". They say I'm good-looking (can't argue with them), so many girls come to me to confess their feelings and what-not. It's not like I enjoy hurting those girls' feelings when I reject them, but my idea of love is different and deeper than mere appearances. Guess you can say I'm a bit romantic.
"Maybe he's gay."
Romantic.
"Yup. Definitely gay."
Hmm. I keep hearing strange things.
"Yeah, what type of straight guy will keep on rejecting girls? Man, that's every straight guys' dream!"
Are they whispering about me? Hey! I shouldn't hear your whispers, you're talking too loud!
"I wish I was that handsome. I'd surely put that into good use. Too bad it went to waste with him being gay."
Damn it! I said I was just romantic!
"And I heard he likes to water the plants. Definitely, 100% gay."
What has that got to do with it? Sigh.
---
My name is Takaiyama Uteki. I'm a second year high school student at Chiheisen Academy. I am currently living with my mother and younger brother. My father is, well, I don't know that much about him. He's been living overseas for all I know. I also don't have any idea if my parents are still married or what, but my mom says he still provides money, so I guess that's what is important. My mom, Takaiyama Kirema, is busy at work, but she always has time for us, prepares meals and all that house work. I don't know where she finds the time to do all that, but I'm really grateful to her. My brother, Takaiyama Uryou, is in junior high, he goes to the affiliate school of my school, Suiheisen Academy. We get along pretty well, but there are times when we fight and all, you know, that's how brothers normally are.
---
"I'm home!" I'm usually the first one to arrive at home. My brother goes to this club which I have no idea what they are doing. My mom arrives at evening after work. She prepares dinner, so I usually get to be lazy and take my sweet time until she gets home. Lucky me!
"You're home early." My mom was there already.
"Oh? You're home already?" I was a bit surprised.
"You don't want me here? What? You were up to something, huh? You brought a girl home didn't you? "
"W-what's with all those accusations? You make it sound like I'm a criminal or something!?"
"Hahaha. I just love your face when I tease you." Really now? "Just to be sure, you didn't bring home a girl, riiighhtttt?" She was holding a knife while smiling and saying that. I'm not sure if she's threatening me or what...
"Haha... Of course not..."
"Good, then! I'll call you when dinner is ready."
---
When my brother got home, we ate dinner.
"So, how's school?" My mom asked both of us.
"Fine. There were a lot of girls who confessed to me today." It was what happened, anyway.
"Really? Hmm. I wonder what they see in you."
"Aren't you my mother? Shouldn't you be happy?"
"About what? That my son is a heart breaker? Well, I do admit you are good looking, which you got from me, no doubt, but I know you'll just make those girls cry. I feel bad for them."
"I heard he's gay." My brother suddenly spoke.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!?" Where the hell did he hear that?
"There are rumors from your school. We hear about it since you're popular and all. And since I'm your brother, they ask me about it."
"And what do you tell them?"
"That it's true." He said it with a straight face.
"Wha-what the heck! Aren't you my brother? Shouldn't you defend me when people bad-mouth me?"
"I'm not gonna lie to other people." This prick. I'll crush him.
"I'm gonna punch you, be prepared."
"Mom! Onii-chan's gonna punch me."
"Why you, little-"
"That's enough, Uteki. I'm sure your brother will not lie to people. I taught you guys that, right?"
"You believe him?"
"It's the only logical explanation. I wish you were just honest with me. I would have accepted you whatever your preferences are."
"I'm not gay!" What the hell is wrong with my family?!
---
Last night was irritating, alright. But I guess people will really think that way since I keep on turning down those girls. I'd feel even worse if I play with their feelings.
"Good morning, Takaiyama-san." A girl from another class talked to me while I was walking towards our classroom.
"Good morning, too." I guess the 'rumors' haven't damaged my image just yet.
"Umm, I was wondering… if you-"
"Sorry, I'm in a hurry. I'm gonna be late for class. You should hurry too." I hurried to my class without looking at her.
This has been happening the past few days. Actually, it's been happening since I was in third year in middle school. I've been turning them down since, as well. After a certain incident when I was younger, I decided to change and who knew I'd be this popular.
Back when I was in first year middle school, there was a popular girl I really liked. I couldn't approach her, since I wasn't yet confident on how I looked. When I was able to muster the courage to confess, I talked to her and said I liked her. She said she was happy. When she said that, I thought that she also felt the same for me, since she accepted my feelings. But then I heard that other guys were going out with her. Basically, I was hurt. She could have just turned me down and be honest with me. Maybe that's why I don't want to play with girls' feelings, because I know how painful it is…
---
Class was going to start. I sat down in my chair. I was looking outside the window.
"Hey, good morning." Another one? "What's up?" Wait… Something's wrong. "You're not very sociable, are you?" Something's definitely wrong with this girl. I guess I should look at her to turn her down properly.
"If you're gonna confe-" That was close.
"The hell are you talking about?" It was a guy. I think he is one of my classmates. I don't remember his name.
"Oh. Sorry. I thought it was another girl who was going to confess."
"Hahaha. Well, no- wait, did you just say 'another'?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Just ho-how many have confessed to you?"
"Hmm. Four, maybe?"
"Four? Wow, I guess you really are popular. You've already had four confessions in the month since classes started, huh."
"Month? Actually that was just this morning."
"Thi-this mo-morning? Are you f*cking kidding me!?"
"Actually, no."
"Damn it! I'm gonna kill you, you bastard! Man! I'm so jealous." I don't know if he was serious or not about that killing part. "You better leave some for me!"
"Don't worry. I've turned them down."
"Turned them down? What the? Are you gay? Now you're seriously pissing me off!"
"No, I'm not." Wow, this is the longest conversation I had with a classmate since the school year started.
"Hahaha. Maybe I should stick with you, so I can comfort all those broken-hearted girls after you're done with them. It's the perfect plan. Bwahaha."
"You realize that you just said that out aloud, right?"
"Of course! Since you'll be my accomplice, you might as well hear about the plan, right?" He isn't so bad. Most guys either hate me or jealous of me since I 'get' all the girls. "By the way, I'm Jirai Kagami."
"Takaiyama Uteki."
"This will be the start of a good friendship. Hehehe." Friendship, huh. I guess it's not bad having a friend, and he doesn't seem to hate me. I guess that killing part was a joke.
"Seriously, though. How many have confessed to you?"
"Five."
"Five? Didn't you just say it was four?"
"That girl outside the window was holding a signage saying 'Will you go out with me?'. I used sign language and said 'No'."
"What the? I'm so jealous! I'm really gonna kill you!" He started choking me. I guess he's serious about the killing part. Haha.
---
After our conversation, our teacher came in.
"Before I check the attendance, I will be introducing a new student. She just transferred to our school. Please be nice to her. Come on in, Hiroisora Kari."
I wasn't really paying attention to what was happening. Suddenly, everyone shouted; the guys, especially. They were looking at the student standing in front.
"Good morning, everyone. I'm Hiroisora Kari. Pleased to meet you." She smiled at everyone. The guys cheered in happiness.
I looked at her. She's really beautiful. No wonder the guys were so happy.