4 The uninvited existence.

Sunday is my second favorite day after Wednesday. I get the school piano all to myself on Wednesday while Sunday is a holiday. I can do anything I want on that day.

Before that, let's rewind to one day back. After completing the job we were on our way home. When did this "I" turn into "we"? I have no idea. I also said something really unexpected. To think that such a person could change my ultimate unshakeable moto. I upheld it for one and a half year and this girl smashed it within 4-5 days.

The thing that is most surprising is that I do not feel bad about it. No discomfort, no uneasiness (wait it is the same), no feeling that I am doing something I am not supposed to.

Bottom line is that right now Isogai is the only exception to my moto. I hope there won't be more. I don't want to bear all that.

"So, Takinu let's go to that new café that opened near school."

"Why would I go there?"

"To celebrate our job completion."

"I don't see any gain in that. It is more like wasting money for no proper reason. Also, if I were to go celebrate every time I do a job like this I will be broke soon enough."

"You are no fun."

Saying that she pouted and looked in the other direction. Out of all the people, she was the least expected person to be so interactive with me. If you talk about probability, it was about 1.29% (yes, I calculated it). Well, I guess small probabilities also have chances.

I checked my watch for time. It was 4:00 pm right now. So, I guess I have some free time for myself. I had two option- go along with Isogai or go home and rest for a bit. That is what someone else would think but I chose the third option.

"Sorry, but I had some work with Haruka sensei."

"Okay, I will come with you and then we can go to the café."

Is this girl for real? True I had work with Haruka sensei but why is she tagging along? I messaged sensei to wait for some time in school. What work did I have? Well, I need to confirm something with sensei.

Soon, I went and saw sensei in the music room.

"Sorry for making you wait sensei."

"Looks like you have done your job well Takana. You too Isogai."

"Yes, she did a good job in keeping quite. Must have been painful for someone like her."

"I heard that you provoked him to quit smoking. Am I right?"

"Yes."

"That's not all sensei Takinu said if he quit smoking Takinu will kneel in front him."

"Oh my, you don't have any pride do you?"

How is this about pride? If kneeling in front of someone is losing your pride, then no human will be left with any. It is just a physical act and does not have meaning.

"Anyway sensei, did he do it?"

"Yes."

Saying that sensei takes out a black polythene in which there were cigarette packets and a lighter.

"What is this?"

Seriously how clueless can this girl be? It is clear as day. Sensei replied to clear Isogai's doubts,

"I told him if he feels more committed to quit smoking after his little session with you, then he should give me all the cigarette packets and lighter that he owns and he did. This was proof that Takana's idea worked."

"That is all I needed to know sensei. Sorry for taking your time."

"It's ok. I love talking to you and it was also regarding the job I gave you so no need to apologies for this."

"So, I will be taking my leave."

"Oh Takana, there is a new café which opened. Take Isogai there with you."

And there goes my chance to escape. While going back I would make an excuse that I was really tired so I would go home. Guess, sensei has no intention of me getting some rest.

"Yay, now Takinu will treat me. Thank you Haruka sensei."

"Quit wasting time and let's get going already Isogai."

"Yes coming."

She was in a good mood. Good enough to annoy me a bit more but I am starting to mind it less and less. I don't know why?

I guess I may never find out the answer to that. Or I will? At this stage I have no idea.

The café was only 5 minutes away from school on foot. It was at the corner of a turn and it was huge. Maybe they are still in the part of their grand opening as I saw a big 30% off on any drink sign. Well, I guess I can have a cup of cold coffee maybe.

We entered the café and it was packed with people. I am a loner but I do not mind the crowd at all. I guess, I am a disgrace to all the loner so to all the loners of the world, I really am sorry guys.

We sat on two empty seats near the glass window. There was a sweet aroma in the café. Smelled like coffee. Pro coffee tip, to find if your coffee will taste good even before drinking it, take a quick sniff and you can easily tell. At least I can and my nose was telling me the coffee here will be delicious. Guess I found a new place for me to regularly go to.

"So, what will you have Takinu?"

"I will have coffee."

"Okay, and I will have ice tea."

That is a weird choice according to me. See, I do not have anything against ice tea. I just hate it. Nothing much.

"So, let's get our drinks."

We went and got our drinks. My coffee smelled so nice. I was thinking to get cold coffee but ended up changing my mind and went for hot one. It was delicious. Again, my nose did not fail me.

"Hey Takinu. I had one question which has been on my mind till now."

"Ask."

Here we go again.

"The solution came up with, do you feel it was the best solution. I know it got the job done but still this question has been bugging me for so long."

"For me, it was the most efficient way. It changes depending on the person."

"So, if I had to do it what should I have done?"

"Just use the other option. Trigger love in him."

"Heh? How will I do that?"

"We already knows he likes you, so just say that you hate boys who smoke and will never go out with them."

"Wait, will that work?"

"It will. Humans are really naïve. They are easily willing to change themselves to the preference of someone they like/love."

"Is that a bad thing?"

She said that with puppy dog eye. Why is she seeing me with those eyes? Stop it I am feeling uncomfortable here. Hello, anyone, please stop this girl in front of me. I got back to my usual self and said,

"Nothing is completely bad or good. It only depends on the perspective of a person. In my perspective yes, it is bad. Just find someone who will accept you the way you are and you also accept them the way they are. In your perspective it may be good."

"Wow, looks like I can come to you for love advices now."

"Please don't."

Hearing that she giggled and smiled at me. Any boy who would have seen that smile could easily have his heart stolen but my heart is in a safe locker with code which only I know so it won't be easy to steal.

"So, Takinu what do you do on your holidays?"

"Why do you want to know?"

Really why does she want to know? I am having shivers down my spine here.

"Just like this."

It's scary that she can ask about you with a smile on her face. She would make a good negotiator I guess if she ever uses that thing of her called brain.

Knowing that I could not easily get out without saying anything, I gave up.

"I wake up early to go for a run."

"How much?"

"10 km or 13 if I am feeling well.

"What!!!! 10 km running? Do you run the whole way?"

I said run before, so of course I run the whole way. Was it not clear before?

"To think that he can run 10 km he really is something else."

"You know your thoughts are audible."

"What? I did it again? Why does this happen?"

How would I know? I am not an almighty answer all question god. Also is it unusual to run 10 km? I thought it was pretty usual. Everyone in my home town used to say it was though they could never do it... Oh the realization.

"And then?"

"Do what normal people do, a light workout if I feel like it then sleep the rest of the day.

"Wait. Why do you sleep the rest of the day?"

"I feel very lazy on holidays."

"Say the person who run 10 km."

Like this we went on talking about useless things and topic and then it was time for us to leave. We left the café and were walking on our way to home.

"Oh I forgot to ask. When do you go for your run?"

"6:15 in the morning."

Wait, why did I unconsciously tell her? What is going on with me? I think I need to go to doctor for checkup.

"Okay. Then see you at that time."

Saying that she ran and entered her house.

Wait, did I hear that correctly? Did I interpret that correctly? You get what she meant right? Is she going to join me in the morning?

There goes my peaceful Sunday morning.

Fast forward to today. Well that was a really long flash back.

I woke up and got ready. I wore my running shoes and hoodie. It's pretty cold here in the morning. Gon who was sleeping on the floor saw me and spoke in a sleepy voice.

"Good morning Itsu. Aaaaaaah"

"That was a very big yawn. You are still sleepy go back to sleep. I have to go for running."

"Hey, why aren't you cheerful about running? I thought you loved that."

"I used to until I got to know from now on Isogai is going to join me."

"That is more of a reason to be cheerful. I so wish to be you."

Be my guest. It would be good for him but not for me. It really is a pain.

I opened the door and then locked it. When I turned around Isogai was standing just behind me. I did notice that so I did not get scared.

That is you answer Isogai why was I not startled or scared. She really does this a lot. I do not mind it too much. I rather became accustomed to it.

"I can't believe you actually came."

"Well, I did promise."

"You did not promise anything."

"Okay, but I did say I will come."

"That is a fact."

Now that I look at her properly I noticed she was wearing a brand new track suit of blue colour. Did she buy it just yesterday? She had her long hair tied up in a ponytail and wore normal running shoes.

I really did not want to ask about her new track suit so I just walked out of the main gate and started running. Obviously I was not sprinting or anything. I will not have enough stamina so I just run normally the first 5 km then sprint the rest of the way.

After 20 min I could hear faint heavy breathing from behind. Without even turning I could tell it was Isogai. She really should not try to keep up with me because it looked like she normally does not do this. She should have stayed home and slept but whatever. I slowed down a bit letting Isogai to catchup with me. Her form was great but she was wasting a lot of stamina by her heavy steps.

"Try not to step heavily when running. You will run out of stamina very soon."

"Roger that."

Huh? Roger that? Was she in a military training routine? Anyway giving her this quick tip I sped up again. Just 500 m more and then I will sprint. I looked back and called Isogai out,

"I am going to sprint the rest of the way so if it is really hard for you do not push yourself too hard or you will faint. I don't want to carry to home like that."

"Well then I guess I will push myself really hard."

How can she say something like that with a smile on her face? Did she even listen to me? If she push herself too hard there are chances of her getting a muscles pull or a cramp. That is even worse than fainting. At least you wouldn't feel the pain too much. Well anyway time to speed up.

As soon as I thought that I started sprinting. Obviously when I said sprinting I did not mean full speed, the inertia will be too much for me to control that I could easily fall at a turn or if a vehicle suddenly comes in front of me. I could get hit. Though I can tell it by hearing but still just to be safe I will not run at full speed. Even at that I looked behind and found that Isogai was already out of my view.

I did tell her that if she gets left behind just wait at the steps of the shrine in the east. I don't know why but that place really refreshes me. Come to think of it I really feel refreshed by lots of things without knowing the actual reason. Well, who care? All that matters is that I feel refreshed.

I completed my run and went to the shrine just in case and found Isogai panting there really bad.

"Good work Isogai."

"Heh? You are back already?"

"What do you mean? When did you reach here?"

"About five minutes or so."

Wait this girl has been like this for five minutes? What kind of breed of dog is she from? I will never buy that one.

"Hmm, so you are pretty slow I see."

"I am not slow, you were too fast."

"Really?"

"Yes, ask anyone."

"The "anyone" I can ask are only Gon and Haruka sensei."

"Oh, right."

Hey what is with that face? Don't look at me with sympathy. This is so annoying.

I checked the time on my watch for the time. It was 6:45 AM right now. Huh. I was slower today. So running with Isogai slowed me down. Well I did slow down sometime for her to catch up.

"Anyway, it was good coming with you. I enjoyed a lot."

"And you slowed me down."

"Does that even matter?"

"It does to me Ine."

Wait. What? Did I just call her by her first name? What is wrong with me? I think she looked angry because her face was all red. So I tried to change the topic.

"Enough of that let's go home I have other work."

"Okay, Itsuki", she said with a bright smile on her face.

Were my ears ringing or she actually called me by my first name. It's been long since someone called me by my first name. It was refreshing to hear and also I bit weird seeing that Isogai was the one calling me that.

I guess life can never fail to surprise us.

"Hey, Itsuki can you give me your number?"

"Why? And also stop calling me by my first name Isogai."

Seriously don't remind me, don't remind of it please.

She looked a bit displeased by my request and then she pouted her face.

"I want your number because if we get another job like what we had yesterday we can discuss about it. Also I will call you Itsuki now. It is a nice name."

"Do as you please."

And this is how I got my number also taken from me.

On the way back she again started talking about useless topics.

"Hey now that I call you Itsuki why not call me Ine from now on."

"Why should I do that?"

"Because it will be weird if I call you by your first name and you call me by my last name."

That is because I am Japanese and you are American I think. Those are the people who do this stuff.

"Then why not just call me Takinu."

"I thought you hated that name."

"I told you I don't care but don't call me by my first name."

"But I want to call you Itsuki."

"What a pain. Do as you please."

"Yay."

Does she still has her brain left in grade school? How can a high schooler act like a 7 year old? What kind of Down syndrome is this (check the net for information about Down syndrome, they will explain it more clearly)?

Short after 30 minutes or so we reached our houses. I went inside my house without saying goodbye to Isogai and threw myself on the bed. At that time my phone vibrated. What does Haruka sensei want at this time?

I opened my phone to check the message which said, "Goodbye J."

Is this the calm before the storm? I don't know and do not want to know. Without realizing I fell asleep. I had a weird dream. More like a nightmare.

I was surrounded by middle schoolers all laughing happily, talking to me, playing with me. I was basically the center of attention. I was smiling widely at them and the smiles came back. Itsuki this, Itsuki that. This was all that was happening. Then suddenly the view changed. I was confronted by the same people but they did not laugh or smile at me. They were looking at me with hostility. Itsuki this, Itsuki that. Same things but it was different. They no longer talked to me but talked at me with bloody eyes and foul mouth.

"It's your fault it happened! All your fault!" "Why did you do such a thing?" "You basically are a murderer." "You mindless fool." "It's all your fault!"

"All your fault!"

"All your fault!"

"All your fault!"

"All you fault!"

-

ALL YOUR FAULT!!!

-

I woke up from that nightmare. Why did it come to me again after all this time? Was it because I was called Itsuki again? Was that the reason? Have I turn this weak that I got the same nightmare just by being called Itsuki?

I went to the bathroom and took a bath. I splashed my face number of times so that I could forget it all. Once, twice, thrice, they said that so many times that I started to believe it.

If someone tells you something once, you may not believe it. If that same person says that again and again you may start to believe it. But when number of people tell you the same thing again and again you will definitely believe. No matter what. That is the human nature, we have so little trust in ourselves that when even if we know someone is lying but tells that again and again we will lose trust in our own belief. Humans really are herd animals. It is proven by this. It's their nature and someone cannot easily change this nature, not even me.

I took a long dip in the bath tub to try to clear my mind. When I resurfaced, Gon was standing beside the bathtub.

"Looking really pale there Itsu."

"I always look like this."

"True but this is different. I know you for two years now."

"Just how much power have I granted my imaginary friend?"

"That is not the point right now. You got the same nightmare again? It's been long since you last had that. If I remember correctly it was when you joined high school."

"I am surprised you remember it."

"Of course I remember. I am you pal and got nothing else to do."

What he said was completely true I did not realize it myself but I stopped having this nightmare long ago. When I completely changed. When my motto was made. I need to remain the same way. I cannot let a simple girl like Isogai change me.

Conclusion: I have to break all my ties with Isogai.