Lake
The next day, I woke up late. I couldn't sleep with all the things that are bothering me. First, that thing about courting Hiroisora; ok maybe that's the only thing that is bothering me. But still, it's still a pretty big thing. I mean, I lose our house if she doesn't become my girlfriend? What the hell! And apparently, Elizabeth-san 'threatened' my mom that if she tells our situation to the police, 'something' might happen to all of us. Oh yeah, and Elizabeth-san texted me (I don't know how she got my number) that I can't tell anyone of my 'mission'. Now I'm an undercover agent?
---
Classes were about to start. The pressure I felt coming from my classmates' glares yesterday has died down a bit. Maybe they thought that I was just being nice to the new student. It's good if they will settle with that, since I have to be stealthy in my mission so that I can operate more efficiently. Now I'm talking like a real spy! Who am I kidding? If I approach her IN ANY WAY, all hell will break loose. Ah, I miss our house already.
While I was lost in thought and worries, someone suddenly approached me.
"Takaiyama-san." Is this going to be another confession? "Here." It was my notes.
"Oh." It was Hiroisora.
"Thanks for the notes. It really helped me understand the lesson." As usual, she was smiling while talking.
"U-um, no p-problem." There I am again. I think I really am nervous, talking to her.
She went back to her seat. Then suddenly, I felt like I was stabbed with thousands of needles. The piercing looks were back, even more fierce than yesterday. So much for flying under the radar.
"Hey, Takaiyama." Someone grabbed my shoulder from behind, using a very, very tight grip. I can feel the killing intent. "Can you explain to me why you were talking with Hiroisora-sama?"
"Jirai-kun." I usually don't add '-kun' when talking to Jirai, but somehow it felt appropriate this time if I wanted to prolong my life.
"Yes? I'm waiting for a perfectly understandable reason in which you cannot avoid talking to her." The grip is getting tighter. If I don't answer immediately, and with a good reason, I'm pretty sure he's going to crush my shoulder.
"She borrowed my notes yesterday. She then returned it today. That's all." You know when they say that you tell the truth when your life is on the line? Well, it's true.
"Hahaha. Is that so? Well, that seems like a perfectly understandable reason." He's still not letting go of my shoulder.
"Can you let go of my shoulder now?"
"Oh, was I holding it? Sorry bro; didn't mean to touch you. Hahaha." Holding? Touching? You were crushing my shoulder!
"Sure."
"Man, I'm so jealous of you!" The killing intent has disappeared. I think. "You got to talk to her. She is really quiet, especially around the guys. I wonder if she's the shy type. Don't worry my dear Hiroisora-sama, you can tell me your true feelings and I will reciprocate it. We will live happily ever after. Hehehe…" He's off to his own world again.
---
The day went by without me making any progress; although, there were three girls who confessed to me. Hmm, it seems to be down from the usual numbers. Maybe those 'rumors' have finally started to affect my reputation? Well, whatever. It's a good thing, right?
The next day, I was early going to school. There are students inviting people to join their clubs. It seems this recruitment schedule was pushed back due to some complications with the student council and some clubs. Maybe I should join one? Like the soccer club? Or maybe the baseball club? Nah. I don't think I'll fit in those clubs.
"Takaiyama-san!" Someone was calling me. "Takaiyama-san!" It's a girl. Maybe a confession this early in the morning? "Hey, Takaiyama-san! Please join our club!" Huh?
I looked around to see where it was coming from. When I turned my back, she was already there. It was a classmate of mine. It was Nariyuki Kosui.
"U-um. Were you t-talking to m-me?" Why am I like this? I'm too nervous!
"Yes! Hehe, by the way Takaiyama-san, I didn't know you were the shy type." She noticed?!
"Haha…?" Even I don't understand why I'm like this… I thought it was only towards Hiroisora, since she's beautiful and all. Well, it's not like Nariyuki is not pretty or anything, but still…
"As I was saying, please join our club!" Oh, I forgot about that. "The theatre club will be honored if you joined!" 'Theater club'?
"Uh, can I a-ask a question?" I can do this. "Why m-me?"
"Do you want the honest answer or the answer you really don't want to hear about?" Do I really have a choice? I'm afraid of what I will hear if I chose the latter.
"Ho-honest answer, p-please."
"Well, you see, if you join us, a lot of people will watch our performances, since you're really popular and all." So basically, you're using me?
"And the a-answer I don't want t-to hear about?" I can't believe I asked that. But I guess it has to be better than the feeling of being used.
"It's the same."
"Huh?" Ok, it's true I don't want to hear about being used.
---
I just ignored Nariyuki afterwards and went to class. I have no time for such nonsense; I have a lot in my hands already. Now, I'm worried why I'm nervous when I'm talking to girls. I have no problem with it when I turn down confessions… Wait a minute. Come to think of it, when was the last time I had a conversation with a girl that does not involve confessions and turning them down? That's got to be it! Ah! My situation turned to worse. How am I supposed to court Hiroisora if I can't even talk to her?!
---
Inside the hallways, there was a commotion going on.
"Please, Hiroisora-san, go out with me!" A guy from the third years was bowing in front of Hiroisora. A lot of students were watching the scene, in anticipation of her response this time. This type of thing happens frequently, and everytime, she rejects them. This guy was from the soccer club, and he's the star player of the team, who is good-looking as well. Some were expecting the outcome to be different this time.
"I'm sorry." And they were wrong.
Hiroisora continued to walk towards the classroom, when someone approached her in the hallway.
"Hiroisora-san! Good morning!"
"Ah. Good morning. You're in the same class as me, right? I'm sorry; I don't remember everyone's names yet."
"Oh, it's ok. By the way, I have something to ask you."
"What is it?" Hiroisora asked sincerely, with a smile.
---
It was already lunch break. I was still worried about my situation that I didn't have the appetite to eat.
"Something wrong, Takaiyama?" It was Jirai. I suppose he's the only guy talking to me anyway, so I shouldn't be surprised anymore.
"Hey, Jirai. Can I tell you something?"
"Yeah, what is it? Wa-wait, don't tell me… A girl is pregnant and you're the father? Why didn't you use any protection! I could have given you one if you couldn't buy-"
"Shut up! That's not it!" Was it a mistake to have even talked to this guy?
"Oh. Why didn't you just tell me?"
"You ran your mouth even before I could tell you, that's why. Anyway, I have-" Wait, I can't possibly tell him that I get nervous talking to girls, right? He'll just think that I'm crazy and insulting him, since I can talk to girls (but only when turning them down). "-a friend who is having a problem."
"What is it?"
"Hmm, well, you see, um, he's having trouble, um, talking to… girls."
"Oh, really? Hmm, I see. I see. I understand." He understands? Wow, maybe he's also in the same situation. I might change my opinion of him since he's able to understand. "What a loser." I'm gonna punch him in the face.
"What was that!?"
"Oh, I forgot. He's your friend. Sorry, I thought it was yo- it's pretty easy to cure, actually." This jerk. He was about to say he thought it was me.
"Really, now? What should he do then, sensei?" I talked with a very condescending tone.
"Well, just talk to girls." I regret talking to him.
"Forget it."
"Wait, wait. Hear me out on this." I'm going to regret this too. "What I mean is to just talk to girls until he gets used to it. Maybe he can ask some of his friends, which are girls, to practice talking with him, maybe acting or role-playing or whatever." Wait. Did he just say 'acting'?
"That's brilliant!" I guess I'm not going to regret it this time.
---
After classes, I decided I would talk to Nariyuki. Well, decided to 'try and talk' to her. I looked around the classroom to see if she was still around. She wasn't. I guess she already went to her club. I wanted to take up her offer of joining the 'Theater club'. Jirai's idea is worth doing, since I have no clue on how to overcome this. I mean, what kind of popular guy can't talk to girls? Hahaha… I'll try again tomorrow.
I was near the school gate when someone called me.
"Takaiyama-san!"
"H-hi." It was Nariyuki. What great timing.
"You really need to join us!"
"O-ok."
"Please! I beg you. I will do anything. You can do whatever you want with-" I guess she finally heard what I said. "Umm. Please correct me if I am wrong. Did you just say 'ok'?"
I just nodded. It's really hard talking to a girl.
"Yes! What a great day this turned out to be! The theatre gods have smiled upon me today! Hahaha!" Wow, she's really happy. Now I feel bad using her.
"With you as our main attraction, there is sure going to be a lot of people who will watch our performances. Hehehe." Main attraction? Tsk. I don't feel bad about using her anymore.
---
She asked me to come with her to the clubroom. She wanted to introduce me to the other members of the club. We entered the room where there are three people waiting inside.
"Everyone! Like I promised, I brought our ace. Hahaha"
"Ooohhhh." Everyone was clapping, but slowly, like they didn't really expect her to actually do it.
"What did I tell you guys? I managed to get our targets in one day. Nothing can stop us now. Bwahahaha!" The clapping went louder this time, now as if they were really impressed. Wait, did she say targets? At least I'm not the only one being used.
"Well, I would like to introduce to you Takaiyama-san from 2-C, a classmate of mine. Takaiyama-san, this is Ookawa Mizuno-san from 2-D, Nume Asahaka-san from 1-B and Unabara Sei-san from 1-A." They are all girls. I really need to wish myself good luck, because I will need it.
"Wow. He really is handsome! Will you go out with me?" Ookawa suddenly said that out of the blue.
"I'm sorry, but I can't." See? That wasn't so hard, talking to this girl.
"Heh, I had to try. So the rumors are true."
"What rumors, Mizuno-senpai?" Unabara asked her.
"He's gay."
"I-I'm not!" So there really are rumors. Damn Uryou.
"Oh. Really? So tell us, why in the world would you join the 'Theatre club', Mr. Straight guy?" She got me there. You can blame Elizabeth-san for this.
"Um, ah, w-well, you see-" I really can't say my reason even if I wanted to talk… since I'm not turning her down or anything. I'm too nervous to talk to her.
"It's not that important, right?" Nariyuki suddenly interjected. I feel that she is on my side. "As long as you're handsome and attract viewers, we don't care if you're gay, ok?" Why, this ingrate. "Well, our other member just needed to do something, so let's wait for her before we start our meeting." Wait, you're just going to brush off the issue like that? Clear up this misunderstanding!"
"Sorry I'm late!" Someone suddenly opened the door. She was there, catching her breath. It was Hiroisora.