An Unfortunately Public Stroll
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Post by Okazaki Tomoya on Jun 6, 2011 1:40:22 GMT -6
The world came into view in a blur of lights and sound. The sound of voices was buzzing around him as his eyes adjusted to the light - what was going on again? It took him a few moments to realize he had been sleeping, and that lunch had already begun. Damn. At this rate their would be nothing left but Anpan. He glanced to his flank to find...nobody, Sunohara was missing, damn bastard could have at least woken him up for lunch...though in retrospect, Sunohara had always forced him awake for lunch, which probably meant he had never come to class to begin with. With a sigh he pushed himself out of his desk and moved to leave the classroom.
He was in no particular rush, as much as he wanted decent food, he was too lazy to rush to the cafeteria to obtain a slightly better chance at getting it. He knew how the lines worked - he would have to fight his way through the crowd to obtain his prize, or wait until the horde had died to claim whatever was left, better to save his energy for the fight rather then expend it on getting there - or so his laziness reasoned. There was of course the alternative that he would have liked to have Sunohara try - falling to the ebb and flow of the crowd and being swept away...he would have to be careful to avoid that option himself.
While his classroom had been buzzing with conversation, the halls were silent, the only others sounds coming from the open doors of other classrooms. He didn't seem to be too late, after all the few students he had happened to glance at while leaving had barely started eating their lunch - a sign that they had only just been given the opportunity to to do. His stomach growled as the change in his pockets clinked together. Would he have enough? Most likely, he rarely spent money on anything other then food. With the thought of hunger plaguing his mind he rounded a corner and continued to make his way to the cafeteria. How disappointed his taste buds would be if he was stuck with Anpan...
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Post by Otomo Kojiro on Jun 7, 2011 19:09:00 GMT -6
"What's he doing?"
"Looks like he's spying on someone."
"Isn't that Fujibayashi's boyfriend?"
Koji moved like a phantom throughout the halls of school, shadowing his target. As one would expect from seeing a third-year student walk more carefully than needed, comments were tossed about. Comments that the young man was paying no attention to. He reserved his attention for the other young man, whom he was following, all the way from their class in 3-D. He'd taken refuge behind an open door, that of class 3-C, drawing the attention of a handful of students inside.
"Boyfriend? No way! Which one?"
"Keita said he saw him with the older one eating lunch together."
"Seriously?"
If someone knew that Koji was following his fellow classmate, Tomoya Okazaki, they might question why a decent, average student was tailing a delinquent of all people. The answer was quite simple. Kyou Fujibayashi. Koji wanted to know exactly what it was about him that made the older twin so interested in him. Koji knew that the whole "bad boy" stereotype was a dirty one, and suspected something else was fueling Kyou's attraction to Okazaki. So, he decided he would observe Tomoya from afar, for a period of time. Then, he'd continue as planned, and get to know him. Indeed, he did have ulterior motives, but he also felt Tomoya needed more friends. He knew that Okazaki had been accepted into Hikarizaka High under a sports scholarship. It begged the question; Why did he not play sports? Clearly there was something wrong. Something that depressed him to the point of turning him into a delinquent. It was not in Koji's nature to let another human being suffer like that. If being with friends made Tomoya's day tolerable, then he'd be his friend. It was merely a bonus that he'd, most likely, discover what made him appealing to the girl he was attracted to.
For now, It was time to move on. Tomoya had turned a corner, closing in on the school cafeteria. He'd have no trouble in looking like a member of the crowd in the rapidly-approaching lunch room. He hoped that Sunohara wasn't around, even though he'd been absent from class (which was no great surprise). Despite the popular consensus, he was quite sharp when he needed to be, and would possibly spot Koji lurking in the crowd, watching Tomoya like a hawk. These halls however were quite bare, and devoid of any boisterous blonds, so the young Otomo had to tread lightly to avoid making a shoe-based racket. He was quite heavy-footed after all. He'd have traded his younger cousin's physique for his own right now. Sho was rather small, and moved silently, attributed to her low weight. Perfect for sneaking about stealthily. Koji wondered if he was going a little far in acting like he was. He felt a little foolish, so, he began walking normally toward the lunch hall.
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Sakagami Tomoyo
Retired Staff
Student Council President
In-Character Posts: 121
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Post by Sakagami Tomoyo on Jun 8, 2011 22:40:09 GMT -6
Sakagami Tomoyo______________________________________________________ Students always seemed to get so worked up over lunch time. The most eager ones would race out of their classrooms and down the halls as soon as the bell rang just for a chance at being one of the first people in the typical mess of a line. However, most people merely settled for walking swiftly. They didn’t want to look like fools by running, but they didn’t want to be too late to buy their favorite breads, either.
Thankfully, Tomoyo didn’t need to hurry like a good portion of the student population needed to. She usually brought her own boxed lunch from home, and today was no exception. Her destination was still the cafeteria nonetheless. Seeing as how it was always the most crowded place at noon, being there to converse with her classmates and other students was a smart campaign strategy, as well as a relatively pleasurable way to pass the time despite the noisy clamor of everyone else.
Was it bad that the reason she made such an effort to get to know her fellow peers was to gain the needed popularity to possibly have a chance at winning the student council president elections? Was that being manipulative? It was honestly nice being able to meet so many people, but underneath it all, it was for the election. Sometimes she wondered if she’d still make the effort even if she had no desire to become student council president. Heck, her motive for transferring to this school in the first place was to have a chance at saving the sakura trees by becoming student council president. It was nearly impossible to imagine anything different.
By the time she neared the entrance of the cafeteria, she spotted a faintly familiar person as he passed her by. Where had she seen that face before? Tomoyo focused her mind, trying to remember.
... Ah!
She hated remembering names too late. Thankfully, the boy was still in sight. Could it be him? It was always embarrassing getting names wrong, but she was relatively certain he was the one who stood up for her that one day. Tomoyo hadn’t needed it, but it was kind of him to do so, especially considering the guy who had been bothering her that time they first met had been Otomo-san’s friend. She’d dealt with such situations before, but it was rare anyone took her side.
It was strange though... right now, it looked like he was stalking a target, as if he were trying to be stealthy. He was conspicuously inconspicuous against the normal pace of the crowd. She watched him for a moment more. He started walking like a normal person. Still, his previous behavior was peculiar and had successfully piqued Sakagami Tomoyo’s interest. He wasn’t getting himself into any trouble, was he? Regardless, she called out to him.
“Otomo-san!” The junior hastened her steps to catch up with him. “Hey, it’s a surprise seeing you again. Long time no see. ...Were you following someone just before?” Tomoyo always had a habit of getting straight to the point in a conversation, and this time was no different. “Because it... how should I put it...? It seemed like it.”
She glanced ahead, just to see if there was anyone who looked worthy of being trailed -- someone who might be suspicious and up to no good. There was only one person in particular who stood out. That person was infamous in the school for being a good-for-nothing delinquent. “Ah... Isn’t that Okazaki Tomoya?”
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Post by Otomo Kojiro on Jun 9, 2011 16:54:47 GMT -6
Koji nonchalantly sstarted strolling around the corner, ready to proceed down the final hall before the cafeteria, humming to himself. He would have continued his stride had his name not been called out. He nearly choked on his own breath. Had he been discovered? Jerking his head around he spotted a familiar junior girl. Sakagami-san. The last time he had crossed paths with the hopeful student president was with Takuya. Koji didn't fully understand the details, but he assumed that, given his friend's past with the Hikarizaka gangs, it was likely that he, or at least one of his friends had met Tomoyo, and ended up feeling the full force of one of her famous (or infamous) kicks. Takuya, regardless of how strongly he felt about the young woman, was being rude to a girl. One younger than him no less. Koji didn't like Ito's attitude towards women.
Doing a double take, he noticed a couple of onlooking students had focused their attention on both he, and Tomoyo. Had Okazaki heard her? Had he seen him? It didn't matter now. The young man acted with lightning quickness, darting around the corner. He'd doubled back, caught up with, and then taken Tomoyo by the arm, bringing her with him before he merged with the wall, releasing his grip. His pupils had shrunk from the initial shock, and his chest pounding.
"Long time... Long time no see." He mirrored, catching a breath. He chuckled to himself. He'd barely managed to get away with it. He hoped. Poking his head back around the corner he spotted Tomoya. Had he already turned his back? Or did he just not care? Of course, why would he? It wasn't his name Tomoyo had called out after all. Though, her following choice of words might've drawn his attention. Gulping down more oxygen, Koji, recovered, managed to turn and face Tomoyo. He'd suddenly grabbed onto her, and dragged her around a corner. It was a small wonder he wasn't face-first into a door for startling her. Not wishing to jinx it, he quickly gave an apologetic bow.
"Sorry about that Sakagami-san... I... Was actually following Okazaki-san. It's complicated, to say the least. I can't let him know I'm following him like some crazy stalker."
Koji took one last look around the corner. His target was still there. Just. What was he doing acting like this? Sighing, Koji stood up straight. Tomoya probably had seen him. So what? Would it really, truly shatter the normality of his day? Why even bother sneaking around when he could get to know Tomoya as a friend? And by extension, learn what he could about his relationship with Kyou.
"I guess we can go introduce ourselves."
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Sakagami Tomoyo
Retired Staff
Student Council President
In-Character Posts: 121
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Post by Sakagami Tomoyo on Jun 11, 2011 13:16:14 GMT -6
Sakagami Tomoyo______________________________________________________ Was it really so wise to have called out to Otomo? He was a hurricane of a mess, and Tomoyo had gotten herself pulled right into that hurricane. Or, more like she had been yanked off to the side by a much panicked senior boy. Maybe he was mentally unstable. That would provide a reasonable explanation for his more-than-odd reactions. He had seemed normal when she first met him. What changed him?
Koji should have been grateful that the junior hadn’t let loose an instinctive kick. As soon as her arm was freed from his grasp, she withdrew from him and shook her now liberated arm out. “What’s with your reaction?” she asked with narrowed, wary eyes. Tomoyo glanced in the direction Koji was peeking at from behind the corner of the wall. Who was he looking for? Or better yet, who was he trying to follow so discreetly?
With a bow, Otomo apologized and explained himself. So, he was trailing Okazaki Tomoya, one of the two infamous delinquent seniors of the school. Tomoyo hadn’t really suspected it was he who Koji was following, but now that she thought about it, that could explain Koji’s reaction. But really, how complicated could the situation be? Tomoyo was still skeptical of the boy’s motives.
“I’m considering it might be a good thing I don’t know your reasons...” she sighed. What could have spurred Koji to stalking? Right now, he did seem like a crazy stalker.
Thankfully, Kojiro was considering a more reasonable solution. They would introduce themselves. Tomoyo raised her eyebrows. “Yeah, that’s a much better idea. And it’s not as completely creepy as stalking him.” Had he not considered that before? The boy had an irrational side to him Tomoyo didn’t notice in their first meeting.
Still... where was Tomoyo in all of this? “I guess we can go introduce ourselves,” was what Otomo said. She was being dragged into this...
“But, why do I need to be here for you?” She shook her head as if reconsidering. “Well, it’s not any trouble... so why not,” Tomoyo said, answering her own question. She knew Okazaki just a little, due to the guy tagging along with his other delinquent friend, and he seemed nice enough.
Stepping out from behind the corner, Tomoyo began to make her way through the always-crowded and noisy cafeteria. It was a miracle she could still spot the azure-haired head. She glanced at Koji to make sure he wasn’t about to give in and continue his discreet stalking.
Suddenly, Tomoyo’s look became thoughtful. “I see now... maybe Otomo is a fan of Okazaki...” she murmured to herself as she thought aloud. That would explain his lack of a clear answer. The girl’s eyes brightened as she thought of an idea. “Oh, do you want to eat lunch with him, Otomo? You’ll be able to get to know each other a lot better that way. I think it would be fun.”
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Post by Okazaki Tomoya on Jun 15, 2011 1:49:56 GMT -6
People talked about him all the time - or to be more accurate, people liked to gossip. All the time. In a school where college meant everything, his status as a delinquent always attracted the eyes of others nearby. He used to pay it no heed, after all, why should he care what others thought of him? That is until he realized how deep gossip ran through the tongues of his classmates. He could usually gauge the gossip around him based on what was being said. If they were talking about him, then literally nothing was going on in the school that would outweigh his presence. If they were talking about something else...well, it must be pretty big if they're outright ignoring him. He was hesitant to call it egotistical, after all, who would want to brag about being gossiped about? But at the very least he could recognize that he was, unfortunately, somewhat of an icon and could do very little to change that image - might as well use it to his advantage.
Curiously, as it turned out, today was the first time he had heard his name uttered by a stranger in a long time. For a while now it had seemed everyone had been preoccupied with a rumor of a supposed ghost girl roaming through the school, handing out her cursed gift to all who dare approach her. He dismissed these claims of course, finding little interest in the outlandish stories that his classmate would somehow concoct and somehow manage to convince others of, thereby spreading the rumor ever farther. He didn't turn, of course. As much as he heard his name, it was rarely ever an invitation - though even if it had been, he would likely never accept it. The unfortunate truth was this school...bored him. The people...bored him. Everything about it seemed fake, too far away for him to understand, or even want to be a part of. He would mess around with Sunohara and find as many ways to be an idiot as possible - if nobody else could understand that desire then so be it, he didn't need their support, or their approval.
He heard it again, this time closer, and much closer to an invitation then he had ever heard before. He had been so close...just another turn and he would have made it. There, he would have been able to lose himself in the tumultuous lines, and with enough effort, possibly find something tasty to eat...but alas, the voice behind was too confident to be ignored; he would have to deal with this here and now. He reluctantly turned around to see...ah, Sakagami Tomoyo, the famous junior who beat up a group of delinquents from another school. He listened to her story with a raised eyebrow, uncertain how to react to her abrupt nature. This person was following him? If lunch wasn't starting...5 minutes ago he would have been inclined to teach him a lesson...not that he needed too, the boy seemed as harmless as a fly. It wasn't until she had invited them all into a group together that he finally reacted, albeit a little late as his bewilderment had yet to be completely cured.
"Huh? That doesn't sound fun at all." he remarked, slightly annoyed
I have a better idea - how about I don't beat you up for stalking me and we call it even."
That's what he wanted to say...but it sounded too much like something Sunohara would say, and he never wanted to sink that low...not to mention...threats around Tomoyo never seemed like a good idea. He shrugged, nonchalant
"But whatever, buy me my lunch and I'll join your little group."
He glared down at the boy
"And it better not be from the leftovers."
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Post by Otomo Kojiro on Jun 15, 2011 18:26:30 GMT -6
It seemed that Tomoyo had gotten the wrong idea. Given the fact that Koji hadn't told the girl precisely why he was sneaking around, following Tomoya as he was. He wasn't making a rush to meet and greet Tomoya this instant. His plan was quite complex, in that he'd try and make friends with his fellow senior for two reasons. The first, and foremost was trying to better understand his personality, in an effort to understand, in turn, what it was about him that had piqued Kyou's interest. The second was the genuine desire to become his friend. Okazaki seemed to be in a bit of a rut. In class, he appeared bored, and incredibly uninterested. Koji knew nothing about what he did outside of class, but given how tired he was when in class, it couldn't have been productive. Did he have issues at home? Were his friends the only reason he hadn't sunk into a deep depression and completely abandoned his school life altogether. Though it was none of his business, Koji couldn't stand seeing someone suffer like that. At least they had one thing in common. They'd acquainted themselves with Nagisa Furukawa.
Tomoyo had already introduced herself, and revealed Koji's actions before suggesting that he join Tomoya for a spot of lunch. Her choice of words were interesting. Getting to know each other a lot better? It made Koji sound like he was interested in his fellow male.
"No, that's not what I..." He began, trying to hastily produce an explanation. But... It would have been complicated trying to explain the entire situation with Kyou. Besides, Tomoya had gone ahead and accepted... In a way. He was about to be disappointed.
"I brought my own lunch with me Okazaki-san... But if you'd like, I could buy you a pork cutlet sandwich, and I can explain all this... I hope." Koji replied, trying to make the best out of a potentially disastrous situation. He felt a little intimidated by Tomoya, and despite being more than capable of defending himself, his gaze shifted to Tomoyo. His widened eyes gave a pleading look, as if asking her not to let the two go off alone. He needed another person there. As complicated as it was, he felt like explaining everything to the two, both to explain his actions, and his intentions. That, and he was a little nervous being on his own with Tomoya. He'd gotten into fights over lesser things than being stalked, so Koji was making quite an effort to make sure he didn't end up in one with Tomoya.
"And you, Sakagami-san? Would you like to come too? That's, if it's alright with Okazaki-san."
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Sakagami Tomoyo
Retired Staff
Student Council President
In-Character Posts: 121
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Post by Sakagami Tomoyo on Jun 16, 2011 20:47:09 GMT -6
Sakagami Tomoyo ______________________________________________________
It didn’t sound fun? Then what else did the azure-haired senior do during lunch time? It looked like he was alone right now. Tomoyo felt that this guy should be feeling privileged that people actually wanted to sit and chat with him during lunch, but she held her tongue regardless of what she was feeling. Now he wanted them to buy lunch for him, too? What more could he want? Since Koji was actually agreeing to buy him lunch, Tomoya shouldn’t have any more excuses not to sit and eat with them.
Also, why wasn’t he with that foolish friend of his? What was his name again? Oh, right. Sunohara. Well, Tomoyo certainly didn’t miss bleached blond not being here. She just hoped he wouldn’t challenge her again. Did he just like getting hurt? Some guys could really be disgusting. But none of it mattered anyway, since that guy wasn’t here right now.
Yet, for some reason, Koji was looking at her with pitiful eyes. Tomoyo didn’t quite understand what was up with his hopeless look, but he then proceeded to invite her to eat lunch with them. For a second, Tomoyo was taken aback. She already figured she’d been included by default... and then she mentally kicked herself. Of course not. She’d be a third wheel in that case. If she’d eaten with them without being invited, she would have looked rude doing so.
I really need to pay more attention to social cues next time, huh, the junior thought bitterly to herself.
Still, she managed to force a gracious smile despite her clumsy thoughts. “Oh, yeah. Sure. Thanks for inviting me, Otomo.” Tomoyo looked at the lunch tables, just wanting to avert her eyes elsewhere until she could regain the composure in her gaze. Even so, she figured she should be grateful to be invited.
Returning her eyes to the pair, she asked, “Say, do you think we should eat in here or somewhere less noisy?” Tomoyo was thinking to suggest they eat in a place that was more welcoming of conversation (contrary to the half-yelling they might need to do in the cafeteria), but if this place was fine for Kojiro and Tomoya, she didn’t care where they ate.
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Post by Okazaki Tomoya on Jun 21, 2011 1:26:22 GMT -6
With a sigh he walked ahead.
"Come on let's go"
He made his way towards the cafeteria. This was for several reasons: One, he didn't want to pay for his lunch and the cafeteria was the only place where food was offered. Two, he wanted to see if the timid boy could brave the lines. And finally, three, he wanted to confirm with the level headed girl if he was the only one going crazy with this boy and his family. They were crazy. Psychotic. It was the only the conclusion. First, his junior cousin storms up to him and rattles off accusations, now he is stalking him, trying to learn what makes him tick? He wasn't afraid, but he couldn't help but feel annoyed. Why was he getting all this attention from simply talking to Kyou? It's not like they were best friends, sitting with each other during lunch, chatting it up during every break that class offered. It was more accurate to say the relationship he had with her worked in the form of a chain reaction. Fujibayashi would come to him for his delinquent ways in the hope to stop them, he would kindly ask her to leave him alone, and then he would nearly avoid death by dictionary. The situations differed but the outcome was often the same. This psychotic family had viewed his many near death experiences as a budding romance? That those dictionaries were cupid's arrows all gone astray? Like hell it was, he didn't know why this boy insisted on Kyou having a secret crush while he himself was obsessed with her, but things had gone a bit too far for him to ignore - he was finally going to get involved in this mess.
The formality between the two was interesting, albeit slightly sickening. Wasn't the original offer for them all to eat lunch together? Then why had he needed to re-invite her for lunch? It was probably a plea for company rather then a real invitation. If he had remembered correctly, Tomoyo was a fairly popular junior - she likely had friends she usually sat with at Lunch, so helping the boy was probably interfering with the obligation to do so. Was his need really so desperate? Was his evidence really so solid? Nonsense. He was psychotic. Just like his cousin. Just like his...jealous cousin? No no, now was not the time for that - the cafeteria was nearing, he didn't have time to be so easily distracted.
He found a relatively empty table near the back and sat down, motioning towards the line, allowing the scream of a student that had been caught in the vicious wave of bodies to die down, before continuing,
"You better hurry, they tend to run out of the good stuff fast."
His mind was working, rotating around the naivety that he saw in those boys eyes and heard in his voice. It was easy...too easy...and perhaps even a tad evil...but was it really? In some aspects it was the very noblest of deeds...but he would be sure not to push the envelope too far in that direction - after all, this was meant to merely be fun for him...a distraction. He would act on whatever first came to mind and stick with it, whether it be noble or mischievous, only time would tell. After all, predicting the results of his actions took all the fun out of it.
He waited for the boy to leave and turned to talk to Tomoyo.
"So Tomoyo, how did you get involved in this whole situation?"
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Post by Otomo Kojiro on Jun 23, 2011 18:03:44 GMT -6
Koji gave an affirmative nod, and set about his task. Quickly finding himself jostled about in a sea of bodies, he fought his way through the disorganized crowds, and into the lunch line. His eye caught a glance of the sandwiches stacked up neatly. As Tomoya had said, they were depleting rather rapidly. The pork cutlet sandwiches were quite expensive, but it was just this once, and it was doing something nice for someone, so it was fine. Wrestling with his pocket to grasp hold of his wallet, the young man counted his money.
"Just enough I think..." He muttered, gripping it tightly, as bodies were pressed together, shuffling slowly forward to the source of that delightful food smell. He imagined this was like being in a sardine can. This was important. Koji was going crazy not knowing where Tomoya was at with the Fujibayashis. It was making him act irrationally, stupidly. He found himself making more lapses in his judgment ever since he had confessed to the lavender-haired girl.
Perhaps it would've been better off if he'd never said anything. Yes, Rumi would've quit teaching him how to play guitar. Yes, he'd be keeping it bottled up inside. But at least he'd have his head on straight. It was so unlike him. Stalking people, Then it hit him. What he'd done to Tomoyo. He'd yanked the poor girl around a corner in terror. He made a mental note to apologize to his kohai as soon as he had the sandwich in his possession. The line did seem to be much closer to the counter now. That was good. It wouldn't be much longer now. He took a glance over at his chatting acquaintances... Though perhaps he was more friendly with Tomoyo than merely being familiar as he was with Okazaki.
Koji figured he didn't need to rush back. He'd give Okazaki and Sakagami some space to talk a little. They were at least friendly with one another. Koji felt no need to butt in, but there was still that feeling of jealousy. Why? What reason did he have to be jealous? Tomoya was friends with the twins, nothing more. Regardless of how Kyou felt about Tomoya, it was unlikely he felt the same way.
Finally, he had broken free of the majority of the crowd, and managed to snatch one of four remaining pork cutlet sandwiches, heading over to the counter to pay for it before he was swallowed up again by the ocean of rabid students clawing at each other for sustenance. Today was like a war zone, with each student vying for dominance over the best dishes, leaving the lesser items for those unable to push and shove their way to victory. Thankfully Koji moved nimbly enough to weave in and out of the more unruly bodies.
Once free of the tide, Koji stood to the side, pacing a little. If Okazaki and Sakagami wanted him to hear what they were saying, they'd have invited him over to join the conversation. He waited, until he noticed the two had concluding speaking before venturing back over to the duo. He handed the sandwich over to Tomoya.
"Don't worry about owing me for this or anything. This time it's on me. Call it my apology for stalking you." Koji informed, with an earnest smile upon his face.
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Sakagami Tomoyo
Retired Staff
Student Council President
In-Character Posts: 121
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Post by Sakagami Tomoyo on Jun 24, 2011 9:03:09 GMT -6
Sakagami Tomoyo ______________________________________________________
As she sat down at the lunch table, Tomoyo couldn’t help but feel a sting of pity for Koji, who had gone to fetch lunch for Okazaki. In a way, it was like Koji was getting robbed of his money. Seeing him physically leave to journey into the monster lunch line made her feel a tad sympathetic for him. Maybe he deserved it for stalking someone, although she still hadn’t heard his real reasons for doing it.
Her attention shifted to Tomoya when Tomoyo heard her own name being addressed. She met her eyes with his from across the lunch table. He wanted to know how Tomoyo had gotten involved in this strange lunch arrangement. After all, from an outsider’s point of view, the situation was probably very peculiar. It was even a little odd for Tomoyo, who wasn’t an outsider of the situation. Didn’t she have better things to do than to eat lunch with these people?
Tomoyo looked up as if to trying to recall the details of the events that put her into this group of theirs. “Well, where should I begin...” she pondered aloud as she considered the best briefest way to explain. “I’ve met Otomo before, so when I noticed him in the hallway, I figured I should greet him,” Tomoyo began. “But when I called out to him, he freaked out. He was looking a little suspicious before, but I pretty much confirmed he was doing something weird because of his reaction,” she said with a wry smile. “I suppose you could say we’re on friendly terms. I basically got myself dragged into this, but it isn’t much of a bother.”
She was still unsatisfied with her own explanation. Why was she actually looking forward to eating lunch with these two people? She had her classmates and friends to sit with, but she was going to be eating with Otomo and Okazaki instead. Her expression was puzzled for a moment as she thought about this. Even now, this lunch was already more fun than her usual lunches. Tomoyo realized it was because of the people she sat with. On normal days, lunch was routine. She would sit with her classmates and talk with the girls about things Tomoyo couldn’t care less about, like who was going out with who, which guys were the cutest, what grades people were getting, and what they were doing after school. It was... dull.
This was a break in the routine. It was an escape. Tomoyo’s expression became aware again. “And this is fun, so it’s okay.” She was smiling. As Tomoya and Tomoyo finished up their conversation, Koji returned with the sandwich he had promised the other senior. Koji took the situation of being forced to buy lunch as an opportunity to apologize. He was such a nice guy at heart.
Tomoyo motioned for Otomo to take a seat at the table. “Maybe you could tell us why you were stalking him in the first place,” she suggested. That was the one question she felt was chewing at both Tomoyo and Tomoya’s minds.
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Post by Otomo Kojiro on Jun 24, 2011 11:44:06 GMT -6
After handing over the sandwich to Tomoyo, Koji sat himself down with the two. It was time for him to come clean. He was always said to be honest. Even if he had been a little dishonest beforehand. He was also blessed (or cursed) with the inability to tell a lie with a straight face. He could, however come up with a good concept to form a lie. His execution, however, left something to be very much desired. Koji let his breath escape him before drawing in another deep one.
"I suppose that it's only fair. I hope you can bear with me, because this is... Well, it's complicated, so I'll try and keep it simple." He began, shifting his gaze between Tomoya and Tomoyo.
"Firstly, I'd like to apologize for grabbing your arm earlier Sakagami-san, and for following you Okazaki-san. I was following you because I thought I might be able to find out a little more about you by watching you." Continued Koji, pausing for yet another huge gulp of air. He was about to let it all out in the open.
"There's a reason for that. You're both familiar with Fujibayashi Kyou in class 3-E. You see... I really like her a lot. I told her, but... She also likes someone. I thought it might've been you Okazaki-san, but, now I don't know what to think." He explained, his expression dropping into uncertainty. He had no idea who it was that Kyou liked. He'd guessed, and he'd even told two or three people he thought so, but he couldn't be certain. She and Tomoya were friends. Weren't they? But here, now, he had the oppertunity to find out for certain, and either strengthen his resolve, or deflate him considerably.
"Okazaki-san... Do you like Fujibayashi-san?"
It was probably quite a personal question to ask in hindsight, but it had already left his lips. It was common knowledge that Tomoya didn't exactly have a bountiful supply of friends, due to his delinquent status. Koji found that quite unfair. People were unwilling to give him a chance, and get to know him because he was branded as such. He likely didn't have many female friends either, save for perhaps Ryou, and Kyou herself. But Koji just had to know. He had to know he had any sort of chance with Kyou.
There would be a very slim chance if Tomoya liked Kyou, and it was indeed he, that Kyou liked in return. It would be better for him to stop trying fruitlessly than to not know and keep trying in ignorance only to suffer in the end. Even if she did like him, and they were friends, there was still a chance to prove to her that he was boyfriend material.
Despite the whole confusion, even if Kyou and Tomoya liked each other, and started dating, Koji, though he would be greatly disappointed, would still stay friends with the duo. The only thing he could do would be to wish them happiness. Of course being friends actually meant getting to know them both a little better. Kyou had a slight head start on Tomoya.
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Post by Okazaki Tomoya on Jun 29, 2011 1:02:52 GMT -6
He sighed. It was a sigh that represented a vast array of feelings and emotions he could not phrase into words. The fact that he found this entire situation ridiculous, the fact that he really couldn't understand why he had been picked out of the many male friends Kyou likely had, the fact that his cousin was psychotic, the fact that this boy was ridiculously misinformed yet seemed to stick to his false instincts like a dog to a scent. He sighed, for the people around him had dragged him into a situation that seemed nigh impossible for one with a delinquent status...he was officially participating in a sitcom.
As much as he wanted to avoid the question - he couldn't. Not when it was so obvious, so blatantly presented to him like that. Not when those puppy dog eyes of his seemed to be burning into his soul. What could he say? Well, the answer was obvious of course, no - he didn't. He viewed her as a friend, nothing more - but the truth behind the simple answer was that he had never ventured so far as to imagine her in that way. Why should he? Day after day, he returned to the home of a drunk father who pretended not to have a son. He slept during class, idled at Sunohara's soon after, and then returned to his home in the middle of the night to perform the routine again. Sometimes, when he thought about it too much, the entire situation sickened him to the core. After years of the same habits under his belt, could things ever change? Would they? Next to this he was asking him if he liked Fujibayashi Kyou. As much as he poked fun at her temper with Sunohara, he had to admit - she was popular,a class representative,and likely to have stellar grades - what good was he next to her? For that matter, what good was he next to any girl? A boyfriend was supposed to be dependable - what business did he have dating when he couldn't even take care of himself?
What ridiculous nonsense...
It was taking him a while to respond. After the sigh he had opened his eyes and looked off to the side, deep in concentration. To them it likely seemed he was thinking calmly about the question at hand - when in reality he was growing more and more aggravated at the implications of the question. He was tired of it - time to clear the air. He took a bite out of his free lunch before giving Kojiro a serious look and explaining the situation in full.
"No. I don't. We're just friends...I think."
He digressed the last word with a glance to his flank, as if he was unsure of his answer, and then leaned back in his chair to take a more nonchalant, leisurely pace to the conversation.
"But you know, rather then chasing after delinquents who Kyou happens to talk to, you should really be taking a more aggressive stance."
He returned to his serious glare as he continued to ram in his point.
"Stalking me? Releasing your cousin to reprimand me? Pah! You have to run out and get her! Man up!"
When had this conversation turned into a pep speech? Well, never-mind that, the final blow was upon him...
"Go to her. Ask her out. Do it with all the confidence the universe has to offer - in fact, be cocky. Pretend like you know the answer before she even gives it you. That is the secret to Kyou's heart. Do you have what it takes?"
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Post by Otomo Kojiro on Jun 29, 2011 7:23:04 GMT -6
Just friends. It was not the fact that he said "friends", but "Just friends", regardless of his following uncertainty. That was enough. It had given Koji a newfound sense of hope. There was still every chance in the world.
Koji was hanging on Tomoya's every word, as if he were some kind of fountain of inside wisdom. Upon his face, was a serious, concentrating look. This, slowly but surely changed, as the word "cousin" was uttered. There was no way... She wouldn't. No. Shou would. Koji's pupils shrank to a worrying size, followed by the color draining from his face. What on earth did she do? Or rather, what didn't she do?
"You... You met Sho-chan then? I am so sorry if she bothered you. I-I mean I told her not to worry about it, but she's so stubborn," Koji explained, somewhere between angry and embarassed, "just don't take it personally if she tried to insult you, she's loud because she's always been small."
With that, Koji drew breath. Perfect. Shou had tossed a small wrench into the gears. Only now would he be capable of sticking his hand in, and pulling it back out, preferably to smack it across his younger cousin's head for being such a brat.
And then, Koji was taken by surprise. Tomoya started to give him some words of encouragement., urging him to boldly ask the girl, whom he liked out, exuding an air of confidence as he did. Of course, before, he was caught in a lie, and gave her an incredibly cheesy love poem. (he had still to pay Rumi back for suggesting such a cliche) This time it would be different. What harm could there be in one date? If she didn't enjoy it, then that was fine, if she did, then he could ask her out to another. It wasn't rocket science.
"I know exactly what I'll do. Thank you Okazaki-san. You really are a good guy, despite what people say" Koji informed, with a thankful bow of the head. He then popped the lid from his bento and began more rapid process of eating than was normal. He knew what he'd do next.
Once he finished his lunch, he'd stop by the reference room and try to get some additional help from Yukine Miyazawa, and one of her interesting charm books to see if he couldn't ensure that Kyou would be alone when he asked her out. Not that he would mind if she was with her friends. He'd be sure to give Tomoya plentiful praise if it worked.
As he ate, his mind concoted many places where he could take Kyou. A cinema? Maybe a little too cliched. A restaraunt? Maybe for a possible third or fourth date. Bowling... Bowling stuck out. It was niether cliched, nor an overly romantic date. Koji didn't care much for moonlit candles, soothing piano playing, and staring into each other's eyes as the minutes rolled on. That was best saved for the movies. No. Bowling would be just fine.
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