Eye Contact
|
Post by Narukami Akira on Sept 5, 2011 20:58:12 GMT -6
April 28 th, 2003 6:00 PM Dinner has come.
From the inn's classy look, I already expected the food to be nice. But this is way better, especailly the salmon. I always like the unique texture and fattiness of the meat, making it my favorite fish dish.
After indulging myself with superb meal, I engage in random chats with those who sit next to me. At least I can blend in nicely with my class now, and Whitey is rather nice, albeit looking like an aloof bishounen.
My eyes move around the other tables to see who is also on this trip like me. I caught sight of a glimpse of silvery flowing hair not far away from my seat, so that's gotta be Sakagami. I give her a small wave, and she waves back.
There are quite plenty of cute-looking girls on the other side of the dining hall. A slender one with short chestnut hair and the gentle looks of a Yamato Nadeshiko is talking to another girl. She has short purple hair with a white ribbon on the right side of her head. She's probably one of the well-known Fujibayashi sisters. I've seen the twins before during lunch breaks.
Then my eyes notice a pair of pigtails with cute spherical hair decs. Ah, that girl from the library? She's here too? That mysterious aura of hers cannot be mistaken. The sight of attractive girls already make my chest thump like crazy, but the sight of that girl sends my mind to overdrive. I don't know how much time has passed when my eyes are fixated on the beauty.
Suddenly a pair of purple eyes come in contact with my own. Taken by surprise, I hurriedly shift my eyesight back to nearly empty dish. Did she notice that I was staring? What should I do now? Did she think I am some kind of a stalker or a lech? She may be right about the first part, since I come to the library to see her, and follow her when she goes home. Heat rushes to my face when my mind is in a mess. I probably look like a lobster now.
|
|
ichinosekotomi Guest
|
Post by ichinosekotomi on Sept 8, 2011 14:11:02 GMT -6
If one had ventured down to the beach, and found someone, one who was not a strong swimmer, then they might expect them to be quite out of their depth. Though not in the vicinity of sand, nor the sea, Kotomi was out of her own depth. Bravely, however, she was brave enough to sit among strangers, away from anyone she knew.
Ryou-chan is over there with her friends. Kichiro-kun is down there with his.
Kotomi popped a small, breaded piece of calamari into her mouth, chewing on it. Mentally, she compared it to her own seafood dishes, and found it most pleasing. She would have to learn how to coat fish in breadcrumbs herself sometime. Perhaps improve on the recipe with the addition of some seasonings.
As she merrily ate her food, the young girl genius found herself scanning the room as bionically, and smoothly as a radar dish. Her vision locked with that of a boy. Another unknown face. Why was he staring? Kotomi instinctively frisked her face with a free hand, searching for something stuck on it. Finding nothing, Kotomi's eyes widened with concern. He had looked away, red as a tomato. Why was he staring at her? Why? He wasn't some perverted person was he? The urge to leave and return to her room was quite overwhelming. So Kotomi did just that. She shot a cursory glance at Kichiro and then to Ryou, before finishing up her meal.
It was time to go. Not that the young Ichinose did not like the boy. It was the fact he was staring. It was rude, and unsettled the girl. Though she was doing noticeably better in crowds than she would have months ago, there were still things that made Kotomi retreat into her shell until she could be certain it was safe. Else she strapped on her armor, and attached her shield. This boy, whom had exchanged looks with her, didn't look by any stretch of the imagination like a bully, however, his staring frightened Kotomi. Why was his face so red too? He was acting just like Kichiro did around Ryou.
Kotomi stopped dead in her tracks. Just like Kichiro did around Ryou! Then this lad perhaps saw her in the same light as Kichiro did with Ryou. It was quite startling to think of that possibility. Kotomi had never been close enough with a boy to consider that kind of a relationship. Except perhaps for Tomoya. Though where he could be was a mystery to her. He would have surely moved away by now. It was probably why he never came back. Kotomi recalled one of the many conversations she had with Okazaki. She was trying to teach him about insects, and she asked why his father never came to meet her parents. For some reason he avoided answering, so she didn't pry. It was obviously quite a personal issue. One she had no business in meddling with.
Stood like a statue, Kotomi stiffly walked on, across the room. Down the hall. Forgetting to excuse herself from the table in such a rush. There wasn't time to think about that, she'd apologize and make up for it later when she realized. Right now, she was dealing with the possibility of having to assimilate something very alien to her in practice. She knew of relationships, dating, courting, and everything that came with it from one of her many books. Said books discussed the human need for attachment, and why being with someone made their so-called better half feel positively about themselves. It was curious, and she likened it to the studies of Freud. A smart man she would have be honored to meet.
|
|
|
Post by Narukami Akira on Sept 14, 2011 23:58:28 GMT -6
After finishing the last bits of my salmon, I feel like there are butterflies in my stomach. Well, it's definitely not some kind of indigestion. It's more like the stomach pains I tend to have right before exams. I need some fresh air.
So, I stand up quickly, say some obilgatory parting words and hurried out of the dining room. At least I can recompose myself in solitude outside, and I cannot let myself be seen flustered like this. Or else, a torrent of prying questions will be served for my breakfast tomorrow.
This is bad. This is so very bad. I don't want her first impression of me is some kind of dangerous person. I have to fix this. After wandering around aimlessly for a while, as if on cue, a familiar pigtailed girl who is opening a door. That's gotta be her room.
I walk slowly to the door and nervously stand in front of it as if preparing to enter the principal's office. Do I really have to talk to her now, or wait until tomorrow? To knock or not to knock, that is the question. Wait, there is no time to be dramatic. I have to get this over with as soon as possible. Then, my trembling hand knocks three times on the door. It will be very embarassing if I got the wrong door.
|
|
ichinosekotomi Guest
|
Post by ichinosekotomi on Sept 15, 2011 15:11:48 GMT -6
Kotomi had quietly entered her room. It looked as if her roommate wasn't there. So, she locked the door, and curled herself up on the bed. It was not that she was frightened, rather, the young girl was confused, concerned. Most of all, she was embarrassed. A boy blushing at the mere sight of her... She'd never known a boy to think of her in that way. Except maybe Kichiro, but that wasn't important.
Her head twisted around dangerous fast, near-whiplash levels when she heard someone rapping on her door. It reminded her distinctly of Edgar Allan Poe's "Raven". She restrained herself from reciting the poem in broken English, and instead, rose from her bed, yukata and hair trailing behind her. Hesitantly, she unlocked the door, and twisted the doorknob. Thrice was the door knocked upon. Common. Non-threatening. Kotomi gently opened the door but a crack. It was the boy from before. Her heart leaped up into her mouth, more out of surprise than fearful shock.
Timidly, she opened it wider, letting both hands fall in front of her. Her eyes were twinkling from the residual tears formed from earlier. It seemed like a natural response in moments of fear, to turn on the waterworks, disheartening any potential bullies. Nervously, Kotomi spoke up.
"Y-yes... May I help you with something?" She queried quietly, looking down at where her feet would be, were they not covered by the bottom of the yukata. She was trying hard. Kichiro would be happy to hear she dealt with a strange boy all by herself. Maybe Ryou would offer some encouraging words too. She remembered her good manners, and, before the boy could answer, was already bent over at the waist.
"My name is Ichinose Kotomi. I am from class 3-A. I'd like it very much if we could be friends." She recited, standing perfectly still. She didn't quite grasp the fact that she was asking the boy whom she was apprehensive about speaking with, to be her friend, or at least it hadn't sunk in yet.
|
|
|
Post by Narukami Akira on Sept 16, 2011 12:02:06 GMT -6
Ichinose-san opened the door. This really is her room after all.
When I struggle for words, she already bows to me and introduce herself in a rather formulaic way, as if she is a newly transferred student in front of her new class. I kinda spoke like that too when I was just transferred to Hikarizaka High. Her voice is uniquely soft and breathy, hence it can be rather soothing to hear all day.
Wait, what on earth? I come here to apologize, so I should be the one who do the bowing. This is a complete reversal of roles here. I swiftly proceed to bow as deeply as my back allows me:
"Ichinose-senpai, I-I-I am Narukami Akira from class 2-D. I l-love mecha models. I am really glad if I could be your friend, b-b-but would you p-p-please forgive me for my rudeness earlier?"
|
|
ichinosekotomi Guest
|
Post by ichinosekotomi on Sept 26, 2011 10:57:16 GMT -6
Ugh. Short post is VERY short. Sorries.
Kotomi could only blink, with nothing but silence between the two, save for the distant sounds of chatter and eating. The boy before her seemed incredibly nervous, and as he talked, it was evident that his words were not quite coming out at the first attempt. For the first time in a long while, Kotomi did not ponder on the many things it could have been. She pondered, instead on the most likely explanation. The boy, stood before her, introduced himself as one Narukami Akira from the year below her, and he was embarrassed. Kotomi gulped, before opening her cracked door a little more.
"As long as your remember that it is impolite to stare Narukami-kun." Kotomi replied, somewhat like a mother politely reminding her child to have good manners. She breathed heavily, once again, the silence taking them. Thankfully, the boy seemed open to becoming friends. Kotomi almost didn't understand him over his stuttering.
"You seem to be embarrassed Narukami-kun. Did you need something from me you couldn't ask someone else for?" She asked, curious as to why he could have an interest in her. Everyone seemed to flee once Kotomi unleashed the contents of her vault of knowledge upon them. Everyone save for Tomoya, Kichiro and Ryou. Less worried now, Kotomi released her hand from it's grip on the door frame, almost tight enough to warp the wood.
|
|
|
Post by Narukami Akira on Sept 29, 2011 7:55:53 GMT -6
"As long as your remember that it is impolite to stare, Narukami-kun."
Looks like Ichinose-senpai doesn't really mind about it. In fact, the way she gently reminds me of my manners is way gentler than I expected. With that soft soothing voice of hers, she sounds very much like a caring mother. I can't help but revel in that tone, as if I am listening to a flute recital of Schubert's Ave Maria. That, along with the rather... voluptious body of hers, still quite visible over a loose-fit yukata, combine to make her mature charm. However, it is compensated by her cute pigtails, with tiny red spheres that makes me wonder if they jingle now and then. Furthermore, those neither-too-long-nor-too-short pigtails, along with her frequent solitude in the school library, reminds me of a bunny.
Then she asked me whether I had something to ask her. What should I say now? I already fulfilled my purpose here, so I didn't see that coming. I take a deep breath, then reply to her, still bowing:
"Well, there's... only one thing I want to ask right now. I-I heard that you are the top student of our school. Could I... Could I ask you for help when there is any problem with my school work?"
|
|
ichinosekotomi Guest
|
Post by ichinosekotomi on Oct 7, 2011 12:50:41 GMT -6
Again so short. ;~;
As deathly silent as she was being, the rather rapid rise and fall of Kotomi's chest let the boy in front of her know she was still alive, and breathing hard. Her speedy intake and output of breath was very telling. She was nervous, but was muddling through. No small part thanks to Kichiro Haru's influence, and a little bit from Fujibayashi Ryou too. She still her breathing, and a warm smile crept upon her face when Akira mentioned something she was fond of. School work. Improving someone's knowledge.
"Well, there's... only one thing I want to ask right now. I-I heard that you are the top student of our school. Could I... Could I ask you for help when there is any problem with my school work?"
"Top student?" [/color] Kotomi pondered aloud, as a curled finger came up to her chin. She knew her grades were good, and that, due to her intelligence, she need not attend class, save for examinations, and when she so chose to attend. Freely expanding her mind with knowledge from books seemed quite trite to others. For all her grades, and praise from her teachers, Kotomi didn't think she were worthy of the titles bestowed unto her by the student body, and it's teachers. "Girl Genius", "Top Student", "Prodigy". Was it so hard to simply call her by her name? "If you like, I would be able to help you with some problems. But you should try to figure things out for yourself, or ask the teachers for help. You won't learn anything if you rely on other people all the time." She reminded, sounding awfully like her mother. Was there even such a term as "like mother like daughter"?[/blockquote][/size]
|
|
|
Post by Narukami Akira on Oct 7, 2011 13:48:35 GMT -6
My last question... was just a diversion in order to end this conversation as soon as possible without getting Ichinose-senpai suspicious. On the other hand, I can get permission to be closer to her, with legitimate reasons.
Now she's talking to me like a teacher, who tries to encourage students to do their best by themselves before seeking help from somebody else. Well, that was quite expected from an exceptional person like senpai. Still, if there was a teacher who talks to me gently like that, I would be very willing to do as she says.
"Yes, I understand, Ichinose-senpai." I replied like a soldier who just acknowledged his mission. Then another question slips out of my mouth: "Senpai... If you don't mind... Could I come to the library to see you?"
|
|
ichinosekotomi Guest
|
Post by ichinosekotomi on Nov 4, 2011 2:53:39 GMT -6
It had taken her a few minutes. But now, in glorious hindsight, Kotomi was not seeing anything particularly bad about this boy anymore. Her inital awkward reaction to his staring was gone now.In it's place, a newfound enthusiasm to help a newfound acquaintance with their studies. So long as he didn't use her intelligence as a crutch to pass his classes.
"Yes, I understand, Ichinose-senpai."
The dilligent Ichinose nodded approvingly. That was all she would do. Help him understand. Te rest would be up to him. Anything non-school related however, was anyone's game. Regardless of the subject, she would be more than happy to discuss it. In fact, the prospect of widening another person's mental horizons was rather exciting for Kotomi.
"Senpai... If you don't mind... Could I come to the library to see you?"
There it was. He would come to visit her, with her permission, and she could share the wonderful knowledge of the world with him, as she had done with Tomoya. Granted as a young boy, he didn't quite grasp the concepts of some of the things, but he was quite bright. It was enough to understand once Kotomi broke it down.
"To see me?" She pondered aloud with a slight tilt of the head. She didn't get many visitors to her secluded area of the library, and she only ever ventured to class for exams and when the feeling took her. Kichiro was there, so it was always a welcome place. It was a great pity Ryou was not in their class too.
"Yes."
Her answer was but one simple word. She delivered it with a happy nod of the head looking quite like a bobblehead as her wild hair flailed across her shoulders. She was making another friend. Kichiro would be pleased to see she was doing it all on her own. That boy deserved a great many thanks from the girl genius. Because of him, she was able to do this, here, now, without cowering behind him in apprehension. Though, she was partially behind her door. She was still wary.
"I think that I would like that very much Narukami-kun." She beamed gracefully, with an illuminating smile. Already she was mentally picking her favorite books to share, provided the boy showed an interest in topics unrelated to the school curriculum. It would be sch fun if tthe two could discuss her parent's research, or particle physics. The school's physics teachers were absolutely astounded by how much more she knew of the matter of physics than they did, most felt like they should be the ones sitting down and letting Kotomi lecture the class.
"You can visit me at lunchtime. Please do not skip class to come and visit. Your studies are important." She cautioned yet again.
|
|
|
Post by Narukami Akira on Nov 4, 2011 11:26:31 GMT -6
"Please do not skip class to come and visit." Eh? What on Earth? She's in the library during class hours too? I've already heard that she's a genius, but... the school just let her skip class like that? Man... she really is something. Well, come to think about it, her knowledge level is way beyond that of ordinary high school students, so she doesn't have to attend her classes, as long as she aces her exams, I think. After all, knowledge is power. I can imagine her being some sort of a "smart one" in a team of fictional heroes. On the other hand, she's like a hermit, who prefers solitude in his quest to improve himself, and many stereotypical genius characters are like that too. I couldn't believe I would meet such a person in real life.
"Understood, Ichinose-senpai." I replied, then stand straight up rigidly as if preparing for a salute. "I shall take my leave now, Ichinose-senpai. Have a good night". I quickly turn away and rush toward my quarters as fast as I can without making too much noise. It would be very troublesome if someone came across our little conversation earlier. OOC: I think you can end it now, Nick.
|
|
ichinosekotomi Guest
|
Post by ichinosekotomi on Dec 27, 2011 12:23:14 GMT -6
The boy was a curious one. with his unnerving staring aside, he was turning out to be an interesting person with a seemingly genius interest in her knowledge. One of a rare breed. Already Kotomi's head was abuzz with ideas for things to talk about. Perhaps maybe her late parents' work? After all, it was exciting to think there could be many other worlds similar to this one.
Waving the retreating Narukami Akira a goodbye, Kotomi waited patiently until he was out of sight, Kotomi closed her door over, and proceeded to pick up her book, The Fall of Hyperion. The genius girl finally set about plopping down on her bed, happy at the prospect of making a new friend.
|
|
|
credits
Clannad is a product of Key. Dango Daikazoku holds no legal rights or claims to the images or the characters that are used on the site. No materials on this site are used for commercial purposes.
Site code provided by ProBoards and modified by Karu. Skin created by Karu. Site created by Whammy of RPG-D. Please do not copy without consent.
Site banner made by Pixiv id 13750517.
Background image by Cynnalia-stock.
Cafeteria image by Pixiv id 202175.
|
|