Going Down the Aisle
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Post by Fuukami Haruka on Nov 5, 2014 15:53:51 GMT -6
There was no need to mock Akira for having dreams. Haruka herself had pretty big and ambiguous ambitions too, wanting to leave a mark on history and do something that people would talk about positively for a long time. Of course, whether she did something good or not, fame will still push her under the lens of scrutiny and criticism. So hopefully, before she did something memorable, if she did something memorable, the freshwoman would be able to practice and do all her mistakes beforehand in a safer and more comfortable environment. Certainly, such a wish was understandable because everyone was always a nobody before they ever became a somebody.
If Fuukami Haruka had no right to offer the second year a simple, easy-to-make cup of tea, then Narukami Akira himself wasn't allowed to downplay the incredible amount of help he gave her, even after she was fairly outrageous at the register. Making tea for guests was something every good Japanese person should do, especially if they helped out, she thought personally. It mattered not if it was a girl for a boy or a boy for a girl. Even adults and people of the same gender did it for each other.
"I'm really grateful about your offer, but as I told you before, I don't do this expecting repayment. If I can do anything to help a lovely girl like you, I will."
"If you're going to step inside my house with those bags, then you're a guest. Every guest at the Fuukami household deserves a cup of tea just for being there, but if you're busy I can't force you. I appreciate that you've decided to play Prince Charming though; it's sort of surprising you'd call me lovely even after all I've put you through, Narukami-senpai. It shows a lot about your character."
Haruka's smile widened considerably as she teased him, not expecting what was to come. Hopefully, her words had enough positive connotations to soften the blows of her teasing, however. They didn't need to, fortunately for her, or not-so-fortunately as the almost masochist in front of her also decided to play dirty.
"I'm terribly sorry, but I have to get home as soon as possible. There is a girl waiting for me at home."
"O-Oh really?" she asked with a restrained disappointment, hidden thinly underneath a courteous smile.
So, Narukami had a girlfriend, huh? She guessed no one could have it all then. That was until the punchline was revealed.
Thankfully, the girl was none other than the boy's cousin; surely, nothing weird went on in between those two. Still, that was something mean to lead on about after that compliment! "If that's the case, then you better get going before she nags at you for the entire day!" Haruka said much more coolly than before, taking the house key out of her left pocket with her free hand. She then quietly opened the door and placed the bag she carried against the wall.
"Now that we're here, I think I can handle this from now on. You deserve a break so please place the bags you're carrying over to where I've put mine. I can unpack them with a few trips back and forth to the kitchen by myself. Again, thanks for all the help." Then, after she had thanked him, Haruka pondered carefully about how to answer Akira. She couldn't help but be slightly more honest than she thought she should have been though as his own candor caught her off guard yet again.
"With all honesty, you could just ask her yourself, since Iryna-neechan is good to most people who would like to acquaint themselves properly with her, but maybe you're the shy type so I'll go and tell you three insignificant things and nothing else: she is a cat-lover, and she likes classical music and meat buns. Pretty mundane, right? Also, how do you know if this guy is interested?" Could he possibly be Mizukami-senpai?
Those three facts about Iryna could be true for many, many other people. Even the tabloids would know about them, and if they didn't, someday it would be apparent eventually.
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Post by Narukami Akira on Nov 5, 2014 21:44:02 GMT -6
Now Haruka just had to call Akira "Prince Charming". As much as he likes being regarded as a noble, chivalrous "prince", a kind of character he liked to be when he was young, Akira still feels that title itself is primarily used with ridicule nowadays, and to convey an unrealistically perfect man. Akira's father told him that women tend to like men who genuinely care about their well-being, and are polite to them. That's what being chivalrous to the ladies is about. No need to show off or be a rebellious bad boy to attract chicks. Just simply be a good person and shows that you care. Akira personally thinks that's the way to attract women who are intererested in the person he is, not his looks, fashion style, or status. Even if he was a famous rock star with girls screaming and rushing towards him, even wanting to save their virginity for him, he knows it would just be all about "popularity". To him, true love is about mutual respect and understanding, and if there is a woman who can do that together with him, he will gladly accept her.
Akira let out a mischievous smile, as his teasing seemed to work. Now he sees why many guys think teasing beautiful girls are so much fun. They are just so cute when caught off-guard. Haruka tried to act calm and collected, but the signs were still there. If the girl being teased is more of a prudish, calm or lively, confident kind, the cuteness factor of being embarrased can be off the charts. But of course, Akira knows he can't go too far.
His work is finally done, but the half-Russian matter still remains. Akira does not know whether he jumped to conclusions about Whitey's relationship with that pigtailed girl, but expressed his assumption anyway. Honesty is the best policy here, again:
"Well, I saw him talking to your cousin the other day. They looked like they got along. And he's not the kind that talks to girls often, so I think he has interests in her. Maybe not romantic, but it's there."
Still, Akira is glad that he finds out some nice facts about the figure skater. She loves cats. Very lovely. She even looks like a cat herself. One can imagine her hugging cat plushies. Classical music. Being half-Russian and loves figure skating, it's not a far stretch. Figure skaters use a lot classical music pieces for their performances. And meat buns, it reminds him of a female character from a novel he read. She is short, has long hair, carries a flaming sword and loved melon bread, also a round-looking snack like meat buns. It's nice that a rich girl like her is interested in rather "common" food. Last, but not least, looks like Akira does not lose any point with Haruka because of that question.
It's time to go.
"Thank you for your information. I'm glad to know that your cousin is also a normal girl. Maybe you can introduce me to her, and I will bring that friend of mine along. I really have to go now. See you at school."
Then Akira takes off with his groceries. He's glad of what he did today, and befriended a cute kohai. Besides, he has gathered some nice info about the trip's sponsor. Whitey will be glad to know it.
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Post by Fuukami Haruka on Nov 5, 2014 22:46:51 GMT -6
Maybe her teasing was a bit off. Narukami-senpai looked slightly disgruntled by such a nickname. He certainly did look and act the part, though, but maybe his idea of Prince Charming was different from hers. She supposed women and men had different meanings for stereotypes; it made sense after all, with the social norms set in place in Japan, but her idea of Prince Charming was not one of ridicule. It was more that he seemed like a noble hero, like a real prince who had a princess's interest in heart and he was charming, but Haruka seldom knew anything about the second year before her. Although she couldn't help but wonder if he was interested in her or her older cousin Iryna. He seemed to know a lot about Iryna from the sports magazines, however, and if he liked Iryna that way, he most likely would have asked for Haruka to give him her blessing or something so that he could go and visit Iryna's mansion. That sounded creepy but Akira was far from being one of those weird creeps. Although she didn't know the boy too well, she knew that much. It was reasonable to want an introduction, however.
The younger girl let a frown spread across her facial features as she studied Narukami's mischievous smile, knowing he was satisfied that his teasing worked. She knew she sort of deserved it though for putting through Akira through all that trouble, so she took it as graciously as she could, but her indignation couldn't help but let itself be known through subtle facial expression changes.
Haruka had grown to appreciate the candid demeanor in which her upperclassman acted. His intentions were broad, yes, but sincere and not plagiarized. She found a fondness in the way he disclosed all information about his incentives courteously but concisely.
"Thanks for letting me know. I'm glad to hear she has made a friend like him, but if they got along like you said, I can't help but wonder if he knew about the stuff I told you. But what matters is that most people don't, so it's good I told you anyway."
With a gentle wave, she bid him farewell.
"It was no problem, and she is much more relatable than the world knows. I'm glad one more person is aware. And sure I can but you have to make the first move. Ambitious people tend to either love or hate each other. Iryna-neechan's a good girl so I'm sure she'll get along with you too. Just let me tell her about you too, okay? That's the price for the information though it's not really a price when I'll be speaking well of you. Take care!"
Even though she would have liked to freeze this tableau and frame it with gold leaf for safekeeping, the freshwoman could not. Dutifully, she set out to bring in her groceries into the kitchen, carrying reasonable loads and making two or three trips (she did not count).
THE END
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