1 Calm Before The Storm

I am a pervert..a hopeless one. You could find me anywhere but you don't bother noticing my existence. Like a background, I always fade away...

"Riku, do you wanna hit the arcade today?" A tap at my shoulder broke me out of my thoughts, I focused my vision at my supposed friend.

"Nah I will pass, you guys enjoy."

"Tsk." Clicking the tongue in response, Kaito, someone who only befriended me for my money fucks off towards his friends who were laughing while pointing towards me.

I didn't mind as I was already used to it but it would be a lie to say I wasn't irritated.

"Ding-Dong!"

The class bell rang but where is she? I looked around the classroom, not bothered about the nasty looks everyone gave me.

'She isn't here?'

Right after I thought that, the classroom door snapped open.

"Sorry teacher, we are late."

The one who entered the classroom was one of the most beautiful girl of this high school, Misato Takahashi. The dream girl of every man in this school. Misato possessed a long chestnut coloured hair, which goes perfectly with her big, round umber eyes. A perfectly symmetrical face with ever present smile on her face eluded positivity. She wasn't very tall, around 5'5" but it didn't stop her legs which has black stockings on it from looking sexy. If you think she was all show then no —she was also very smart. Constantly taking one of the top places of all Japan High School Competition wasn't something anyone could do. She was also good at sports, honestly, it was very hard to find a flaw in her. In my daily messed up life, If I could see her once, I would be satisfied.

A smile automatically appeared on my face when I looked at her face but soon it turned into a frown.

'Why is he with her?'

Jason, a half-Japanese-half-American guy was the childhood friend of Misato. He was also very handsome guy with decent grades but he was very good at sports which made him very popular in our school. We didn't have much interaction as there was no reason to. While he didn't speak, I could nonetheless could always make out the disdain his eyes held when he looked towards me.

Even though these guys were childhood friends, they never came together in class. My intuition screamed something was wrong.

"It's alright. Come inside and take your seat." Teachers as usual were biased, if it was me there, surely I would have been thrown out of the class.

I noticed Jason was smiling too much today for some reason, it was quite annoying seeing that big smug on his face like he won something big. Strutting off he sat on the desk in front me. That's his usual seat while Misato sat on my left seat. I still remember praying to gods starting this semester that I wanted Misato to sit next to me, I even donated some of my hard earned pocket money to the temple after it came true. Sitting near her was delight, I could always look towards her beautiful face. It was a good thing she didn't notice as I was being quite careful otherwise she would think of me as a creep.

The period right now was Organic Chemistry, while I did enjoy studying it, I wasn't in the mood today. Putting my head down on desk, I secretly took a peek at Misato's Chest which by the way were decently big.

Happy at my little mischief, I closed my eyes, trying to sleep through the class. My grades were quite good, so teacher didn't seem to mind me too much and continuing teaching. While thinking some perverted fantasies about Misato, I drifted deep in sleep.

"Ding-dong-ding-dong!"

Hmm? Four bell rings? Wait! It's already lunch time?

Rubbing my sleepy eyes, I gazed around and saw most of the student missing. Some of them were taking out homemade lunches. Sigh! The life of a loner. How good it would be if Misato was my girlfriend and woke me up saying 'Its lunch time dear or something'.

While I was busy in my own little world, I suddenly heard some whispering couple seats across me. It was one of the most talkative girls in our class, Kanon. You know the kind to speak almost all the time. You only need to give her a topic, even if whole day passes, she wouldn't be caught wordless.

My random curiosity was picked. I took out my lunchbox while my ears picked towards their conversation.

"Do you think it's true?" The other girl, Risa inquired while grabbing a piece of omelette.

"I am pretty sure. Didn't you see them walking together hand in hand?" Shifting her imaginary glasses, Kanon said.

"Yeah. It's kind of unbelievable but I guess Jason is quite worthy of her."

I was not stupid, I could take a guess. Looks like that guy Jason found himself a girlfriend. Not being interested in their conversation, I decided to not bother with them anymore and eat my lunch but their next statement made my eyes widen in disbelief.

"Yeah, who would have thought Misato would start dating Jason. I mean we are in third year, and some month later we will enter college. It's kind of weird to date at this time."

What? You are kidding...Misato dating Jason?? I felt the floor beneath my feet shift. It hit me so hard I was having trouble breathing. My weird behaviour didn't went unnoticed but no one bothered with me.

Taking deep breaths, I calmed myself down. I calmed down after some time but my heart burned in pain. A stinging sensation pulsing every now and then.

I didn't notice when the bell signifying recess is over rang but the next moment I saw Misato and Jason entering inside the classroom enter, their hands joined together. My eyes burned in envy but I made sure no one saw it. I felt like such a loser. Somewhere in my heart, I wished it was all a dream but alas my pleas has no effect as time moved forwards without stopping, unhesitantly.

I saw as Misato sat next to me while Jason went back to his seat while winking at Misato.

The murmurs stopped as teacher came to our class and started teaching.

"Finally it is over." I spoke lightly after final bell rang. I needed time..the news hit me too hard. Every time I think that Jason putting a hand on my pure Misato, I clenched my fist hard. I wanted to go out of the door but Jason suddenly stood up in his seat and started speaking, gaining everyone's attention.

"Everyone, I have an announcement to make. It will just take a minute." Jason was the leader for boys group, with his popularity no one objected him. Even the otakus in the back focused their attention at him.

"While some of you may know this, some of you may not but I will say the truth. From yesterday, I and Misato are a couple. I hope anyone who has thoughts about her can stop confessing her as I won't tolerate anyone annoying her." I was looking towards Misato at the moment, I wasn't hearing things, I definitely heard her sigh just now. I wonder what that was about.

"Jason. Let's go." Misato said and started exiting the classroom. Her usual smiling face returned to her face.

-+-

I was walking down the streets kicking the rocks that came in my path. I was very angry and depressed but I knew I could do nothing about them.

When I was about to reach my home, I noticed an old man looking lost. Being taught to help others from my childhood, I did what I thought was natural and walked towards him.

"Grandpa, can I help you?" The decrepit man looked at me with his wisdom filled eyes. He shook his head and said slowly.

"I am too old to be helped now. Tell me young man — do you need any help?"

"..no." For a second I wanted to tell him my difficulties but even the thought sounded insane to me. Why would I got out telling an old man about my teenage problems?

"Hoho, looks like you don't think this old man will be of any use. Very well, take this. This is my way of showing you my gratitude." Uncovering a piece of cloth, the old man gave a piece of equipment. It was like a mobile.

Since I didn't have a good cell phone and this one looked hi-tech, I grabbed the phone before the old man changes his mind.

"Thank you old man. Are you sure you don't need any help?" I pocketed the phone and decided to check it out later.

"No. Be on your way." The old man smiled which made him look like a withered old tree. I had a feeling he won't live much. Bowing my head, I was on my way back at home.

"I am home."

No one replied.

"How could I forget, my parents went onto a month long trip yesterday." Taking a cup of instant noodles from the kitchen shelf, I boiled some water and added into it. I took the cup and made my way towards my room which was on the first floor. I was the only child of the house, hence the house was very quite. I actually enjoyed the silent atmosphere, it helped me relax.