Don't Look so Surprised
Sakagami Tomoyo
Retired Staff
Student Council President
In-Character Posts: 121
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Post by Sakagami Tomoyo on Oct 12, 2011 19:15:03 GMT -6
Sakagami Tomoyo ______________________________________________________
Time: 4:37pm Date: May 6 (Tuesday)
With voting for student council presidency set to happen in less than 24 hours, one question always seemed to weasel itself in at some point or another in every conversation she had that day. Obviously it was always a little different each time, but it wasn’t like those little variations in words made any difference.
She hadn’t been nervous at first (she’d honestly been keeping her mind off the elections for a while now), but when asked so many times how she felt about them, it was hard not to feel anxious, no matter how confident she was. It wasn’t nervousness in the form of fear, but it was that familiar feeling one gets when they know a situation is out of their control, which was exactly why Tomoyo resolved not to think about it too much. Besides, the results of the elections wouldn’t be broadcast until the day after tomorrow. Worrying about something she’d already put forth her full effort into would be useless.
Since the end of the school day, Tomoyo had found other ways to occupy her time and mind to avoid defaulting to thoughts of tomorrow. Already the leaves on the trees below were dappled with the pale marigold glow of early sunset, and already she’d spent the past hour strolling aimlessly through the school grounds with some of her classmates, merely chatting to pass the time.
After having separated from them, Tomoyo now found herself standing alone, gazing out the window from the second floor of the newer half of the school complex. It was funny what solitude could do to a person. In those few minutes of quiet, Tomoyo’s thoughts wandered and she wondered how different school life would be in just two days’ time.
What would it be like if things remained the same? She mused over the absurd idea as she stood there, staring out the window at absolutely nothing in particular.
Spending each and every day in such a carefree way...
That kind of lifestyle sounded nice. Tomoyo couldn’t help but smile lightly to herself at the thought of it.
But... things couldn’t stay this way forever.
The idea was too desolate, the image of the hill leading up to the school too barren to tolerate. No, her situation couldn’t remain the same. She didn’t want it to remain the same. She chose her path when she transferred to this school. In fact, none of the students in this school were here for an easy ride through school. They all had high places they were aiming for, didn’t they?
****
Tomoyo drew herself out of her own thoughts, finding that she’d spent enough time loitering around in an empty hallway, which wasn’t particularly a hobby of hers. First of all, there was something about the school environment that made loneliness that much lonelier, even though she’d been with her friends just a short while ago. There was also something inherently disturbing about a silent hallway in a school setting, which was why she decided to descend the nearest stairs and abandon the building.
When she stepped out of the doors and swept her gaze about the area, Tomoyo was greeted by the unusual sight of Okazaki Tomoya spending time after school. Upon first glance, Tomoyo thought he was alone, but it was apparent he’d only recently been left by himself. Farther from him was a familiar girl’s departing figure. For a second, Tomoyo wondered what the two of them could have been talking about, but that thought was quickly abandoned.
The mere fact that Okazaki was still here this long after school let out for the day was atypical in itself, but seeing as how she’d been planning to leave school anyway, this was a convenient coincidence.
She’d noticed it early on -- how Okazaki seemed to move at a pace separate from the rest of the students in the school. As ridiculous as it sounded, he always had a more casual air about him, even though Tomoyo found it nearly impossible to pinpoint what it was about him that lent him that sort of atmosphere. Having Okazaki as company on the way home would definitely be fun. Tomoyo was beaming as she ambled toward him from behind and gave him a tap on the shoulder to catch his attention.
“Okazaki, let’s walk home together,”
[/color] she said cheerily, less as an invitation than as an assumption. [/blockquote][/size]
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Post by Okazaki Tomoya on Oct 18, 2011 23:15:52 GMT -6
What had just happened? No really...what on earth had just happened? He wouldn't think about it...he couldn't think about it...he didn't want to think about. He was more then willing to forget about everything...but he couldn't help but wonder what he had witnessed. Though the entire situation had been ridiculous, did the result really have to be so...awkward? Of course, he had panicked at the time, but looking back on it, was it really as unnatural as it seemed? In fact, if he were to interpret her words...her tone...and her body language...did Kyou in fact li-
"Okazaki, let's walk home together!"
"Gahh!"
Of course he couldn't say no, even if he was in the right state of mind to give one, there was no excuse that was likely to get him out of it. That's not to say he was against the idea...her timing was simply off. Or rather, it was spot on. Calling it pinpoint timing was an understatement, as she literally appeared just as the other disappeared. Had she witnessed what had happened? Was her imagination filling in the blanks? Not likely, but he couldn't help but wonder...what with that impeccable timing and all. Just what had he been thinking about before she interrupted him? It felt important...damn, he couldn't remember.
"You didn't have to look so surprised."
Whatever he had forgotten he would have to remember later, it probably wasn't all that important anyway, and instead decided to shift his thoughts to the conversation.
"Hey, Tomoyo. Is your presidential campaign going well?"
"What is this all of a sudden?"
"Elections are tomorrow aren't they? Are you prepared?
Though it was simply small talk, he was genuinely curious how the girl was doing. It was likely if she won they may never talk again - such was the way between delinquents and the elite students of the school. One more conversation couldn't hurt. Right?
[/blockquote]
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Sakagami Tomoyo
Retired Staff
Student Council President
In-Character Posts: 121
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Post by Sakagami Tomoyo on Oct 22, 2011 0:38:21 GMT -6
Sakagami Tomoyo ______________________________________________________
Was her presidential campaign going well? Since when was Okazaki interested in her campaign?
“I didn’t think you’d be following the elections,”
[/color] she said, giving him a doubtful sidelong glance. Even though elections were tomorrow, Okazaki’s unusual mentioning of the subject felt out of the blue. She figured he was the kind of guy who couldn’t care less about the student council, but even he of all people was asking about tomorrow’s elections. “And I still don’t know why you’re asking...”[/color] She almost felt like she was caught in an infinite time loop, doomed to answering the same question over and over again with no escape. Perhaps this was an exaggeration, but seeing it as anything less didn't quite match up with how she was feeling, either. Whatever it was, she’d answered the same question enough times in school already. Couldn’t the two of them talk about something else? Like why wasn’t he with Sunohara, or why had he stayed after school today? Even acting like fools would be fun, but that wasn't her job, was it...? It was more fun to watch them be fools together than to join in. “But, I guess I ‘m prepared,”[/color] Tomoyo answered him lukewarmly. “There isn’t much more to be prepared for. At least, until the results are announced.”[/color] Tomoyo stared at Okazaki skeptically, appraising him. “... Do you even know how elections work?”[/color] she asked rhetorically. Was it possible that Tomoyo was underestimating his involvement in student culture? Most likely not. She'd talked to him enough and had heard enough things about him to know this much. Okazaki wasn’t involved in the typical school life expected of a senior student. She relented. “Unless you’re asking if I’m prepared for the results... Then, probably... Yeah, I’m prepared either way."[/color] Tomoyo was fairly confident that things would turn out well for her in the elections, but becoming cocky was one thing she wanted to avoid. It'd be a waiting game from now until the results would be announced on the PA system the day after tomorrow. If there was anybody who would’ve been able to help keep her mind off the elections, it would have been the person walking by her side, Okazaki Tomoya. To her disappointment, this wasn't going to be the case. Her disinterested gaze floated up toward the late spring sakura trees. Then, as if she'd stumbled upon a memory she'd forgotten about, her sapphire-hued eyes brightened with a new layer of festivity underneath them. “Somehow, it feels like I’m already coming closer to realizing my dream.”[/color] [/blockquote][/size]
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Post by Okazaki Tomoya on Nov 7, 2011 1:29:08 GMT -6
"I didn’t think you’d be following the elections."
"I don't, that's why I'm asking."
"And I still don’t know why you’re asking..."
She strangely questioned his motive. Isn't this likely what everyone of her friends had already asked her about? Why was it so strange coming from him? Then again, this was the same girl who beat up two delinquents in front of the entire school thinking it was a perfectly normal thing to do. With that in mind it was easy to assume she wasn't completely in tune with what small talk really was. He was about to tell her to simply forget it, due to his genuine disinterest of the whole process in the first place, but before he had a chance to she spoke on.
“But, I guess I ‘m prepared. There isn’t much more to be prepared for. At least, until the results are announced.”
A confusing response, maybe the pressure had gotten to her? He wasn't really paying attention to the conversation anyway, there was something important that he had stumbled on just moments before...and now he had the aggravating feeling that he would never come to remember what it was. It had been huge. Massive. It was just his luck that he would forget. Figures. His mind drifted off again and rested on the memory of the quiet girl who had caused him to stop with the simple words "Anpan". Hadn't the Student Council barred her from recruiting members? It hadn't exactly stopped her, but they were certain to be a pain in the future, wasn't that a good reason to support Tomoyo for being student council president?
“... Do you even know how elections work?”
"No."
Was the continuation of the conversation indicative of her nervousness? It was to be expected, what with all the hard work it required to get there, but did she really have to talk about it for this lo-
“Unless you’re asking if I’m prepared for the results...Then, probably...Yeah, I’m prepared either way."
Repetitive. He was starting to regret agreeing to this walk, the walk that just so happened to distract him from the greatest discovery sinc-
"Somehow, it feels like I’m already coming closer to realizing my dream.”
It was a conversation he could get behind, anything besides the student council, they were already a pain in his side, he wasn't willing to put up with more talk of them for the sake of small talk. He took the bait. Gladly.
"Dream?" [/blockquote]
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Sakagami Tomoyo
Retired Staff
Student Council President
In-Character Posts: 121
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Post by Sakagami Tomoyo on Nov 7, 2011 17:11:30 GMT -6
Sakagami Tomoyo ______________________________________________________
Tomoyo wasn't completely oblivious. Despite the fact that social cues and customs sometimes went over her head, the reason for Okazaki's short, sparse, and empty comments was obvious. In the times she'd spent around Okazaki, she'd learned that his surprisingly handsome face was pretty easy to read.
Once again, she remembered that this guy was known throughout the school for being a bad student. Why did he ask about the elections if he didn't seem interested in hearing about them? She’d been tempted to shoot him that question, considering she herself was grudgingly talking about them only because Okazaki was the one who asked in the first place. At school and even walking home, the elections were still the topic of conversation. Couldn’t someone give her a break?
Realizing she was moving forward to the future she envisioned however, made her forget it all.
"Dream?" Okazaki asked.
His voice drew her attention away from the trees and toward him again. Tomoyo’s steps slowed to a halt and she glanced at him, then smiled softly.
“Well, I suppose I should call it a goal,"
[/color] the junior mused aloud. "‘Dream’ sounds too sad, I guess."[/color] A dream was an imaginary, untouchable thing. Tomoyo didn't want to think of her goal as something so unreachable. It might have been silly, but she was more than happy to see that Okazaki was at least a little bit interested in knowing more about her aim. It really was such a simple thing to be so joyful over. Tomoyo didn't quite understand it herself. Still, she hesitated. Her goal wasn’t grand in the slightest. “It’s really not all that interesting,”[/color] Tomoyo warned him, not wanting to raise Okazaki’s expectations to lofty heights and then leave him disappointed. “But, even so... even if it’s not that interesting, don’t misunderstand. It’s an important goal.”[/color] She brushed her silver fringe away from her vision and allowed her bright gaze to travel up toward the green leaves again. “There’s a plan to cut down all these sakura trees to expand the residential land,”[/color] she explained. Assuming that Okazaki paid any attention to his surroundings, surely he would have noticed the light brown stretch of land beyond the trees at least once before. That small bit of dry color was proof of the fate of the sakura trees. However, that didn’t mean their fate couldn’t be changed. “I want to prevent that from happening,"[/color] she told him. "I want to preserve these trees. People who know about the development plan are against it as well.”[/color] The sakura trees held special meaning for the residents living here. Saving them wasn't only a personal goal of hers; she was also representing the sentiments of the people around her. Tomoyo’s gaze returned to him and she searched his eyes for something, anything. Most of all, she wanted to know that he was still listening. “If I become the student council president, then I can work to save the sakura trees.”[/color] That was the reason for why she transferred to this school. At this point, she couldn't let her goal slip through her fingers. [/blockquote][/size]
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Post by Okazaki Tomoya on Dec 27, 2011 7:23:37 GMT -6
Merry Christmas He didn't misunderstand. He understood perfectly. A goal huh? It was enviable. Mindlessly spending each day killing time...he wouldn't wish such a fate on anyone. Having a goal, no matter how "uninteresting" it may be, was something that should be cherished. Still, he couldn't help but wonder, what was this important goal of hers?
He listened to her words, his eyes shifting to the trees above. The sakura trees? Simple was an understatement...but it wasn't uninteresting. There was a reason behind her words...a reason behind her goal. Of course, the sakura trees that lined the path to school were certainly aesthetically pleasing...but to attain student council president just to maintain them? Just for the aesthetics? Impossible.
"Why?"
It wasn't any of his business, nor did he plan on changing that - but his curiosity could not be dampened as the question itched in his conscious thoughts. It was a lofty goal, one made more difficult by her history and current, relatively unknown, status within the student body - but no doubt she had already made ripples within the community, with both her actions and words.
He had once had a goal...hadn't he? The thought was so distant he could barely grasp at it before letting it slip away, releasing a sigh of regret. He didn't want to think about it.
[/sub]
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Sakagami Tomoyo
Retired Staff
Student Council President
In-Character Posts: 121
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Post by Sakagami Tomoyo on Jan 1, 2012 20:18:30 GMT -6
Sakagami Tomoyo ______________________________________________________
Why?
It was a valid question, one which she could answer with ease. Without missing a beat, Tomoyo said to him, “This place holds special memories for me. It’s why I want to protect it.”
[/color] It wasn’t the full story. She’d never told anyone the entirety of it before, but there was something about Okazaki which made her want to talk. The problem was that explaining it would take a while... and it would likely be difficult. Her chest felt tight at the thought of delving further. Nevertheless, Tomoyo was happy. Okazaki was asking questions, seemingly wanting to know more, but when he let a sigh slip through his lips, she could only reevaluate his interest. Maybe he was getting bored...? His face looked neither bored nor disinterested, but she could see there was something else there, something which she couldn’t fully identify. It was something which made it clear to her that his thoughts were elsewhere. There were many things about Okazaki which remained unknown to her, but at the same time, he was the person she felt most at ease with. What a strange combination... It was at that moment that a question drifted to the forefront of her mind. “Let’s sit down somewhere.”[/color] *** [/blockquote][/size] [End] ooc; Ending it here, the rest is assumed to have happened exactly by way of canon.
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