Estranged - Part 2

"You're at school early, chicken."

Just moments before I arrive at the school gate, a familiar voice creeps to my side.

"Early? Aren't you just late?"

At my side is a Momoka Kudo who seems unfazed by the harsh rainy conditions we're experiencing today. At least, that's the impression I get from her right now. She's carrying a black umbrella that does nothing to lighten up her usual dreary demeanor.

What's really surprising to me though, is that she's somehow wearing such unfashionable boots without looking like a complete weirdo. Is there anything that this girl can't pull off?

"In case you didn't know, this happens to be my normal time of arrival on Tuesday mornings. If anything is different today, it's you Chase."

"Me?"

"Don't play dumb. You're clearly exhausted. More exhausted than usual in fact, if that were even possible. Is everything going okay for you?"

Well, I DID end up staying up until 3am because of how stressed out I was. I didn't think it was that obvious though.

As for what occupied my time until then…

"Instead of sleeping last night, I actually started reading that book you mentioned yesterday."

"That book?"

"Yeah, Norwegian Wood."

I did stop by the book store to pick it up yesterday because I was curious about what she'd said about it, but I hadn't thought that I'd get an opportunity to read it so suddenly. Guess my insomnia is good for something, huh?

"…"

But when I mention the name of the book, her expression grows cold.

Oddly, oddly cold.

Did I say something wrong?

"What…"

"H-huh?"

"What did you think…?"

"Well… I only got through about sixty pages, but I think it's been a heck of a ride so far. I can relate to what you said about feeling like you're visiting Japan just by reading it, yet there was something oddly American about it. I think that kind atmosphere is why it had such a big impact on you. Yeah, I could definitely find myself getting lost in this book if I had the time to read it in one go."

"I… I see."

I could barely hear her reply through the sound of the rain, but I did manage to catch a small glimpse of a smile creeping at the end of her mouth.

She really does care about it after all.

It's kinda hard to pretend the whole Ryan incident didn't happen so I guess I already knew that, but hearing that someone likes something and actually engaging them about it are two completely different things. I feel as if I can finally peek a glance into her world.

"Though… I did think there were a bit too many dialogue tags in his writing. You know, I said, he said. The few bits of dialogue that I got to were kind of littered with it. Stuff like that kinda ruins my immersion when I'm reading if it's too overdone."

Once I'd finished speaking, I caught a glimpse of veins of frustration visibly forming on her forehead.

"… Oh? A critic are we? Well well, Chase Masters. I wasn't aware that you were such a well-read individual."

"N-no, it's not about being well-read, it's just personal pref… wait, are you angry? Are you really angry? Please calm down, it's just an opinion!"

"Oh no, I'm not angry. I'm just wondering where an amateur like you gets off criticizing an established, world-class author about how his own work sounds when translated into a different language. In the first place, dialogue tags are absolutely necessary in order to identify who is speaking at any particular time. More experienced readers normally have no problem keeping themselves immersed through dialogue tags as our minds typically only use them to briefly identify the speaker while skipping over to the next line. In other words, they're practically invisible when you're immersed in the story. I'd really appreciate it if you didn't act as if knew everything about how a piece of literature was composed simply because you happened to take the time to read a few lines without thinking for yourself. Or what, are you going to criticize J. D. Salinger and Harper Lee for their use of dialogue tags too? How many books have you published, Chase Masters? Are you an established editor in the industry? Tell me, what gives you the right to make such a bold claim?"

You're angry! You're clearly angry! What the hell have I done that's so wrong!?

"C-calm down Momo! Like I said, it's personal preference! Besides, I don't think they're very much necessary to begin with! Shouldn't a skilled author be able to make dialogue flow seamlessly even without having to rely on tags?"

"Uhuh? And how do you propose they do that, then?"

"Well, there's plenty of ways if you get creative enough. Point is, there's no need to rely on repeating yourself when you could just hone your skill and get by without it, especially in books that are more dialogue-heavy."

"Hmm…"

Momoka looks down and ponders at my words.

Sheesh, I thought I was going to get my head bitten off. Seriously, remind me to never criticize an enthusiast's passion to their face again.

"Well, I still think it's naïve of you to risk completely ruining your reader's immersion just to experiment, but I don't think it's inherently wrong to go that route if you can execute well enough."

I heave a sigh of relief.

"That being said, I wasn't expecting such a bold take from someone who spends most of their time with people who consume bottom of the barrel story-telling on a regular basis. Are you perchance interested in becoming a writer?"

"H-huh? No way, don't be ridiculous."

Well, the truth is, I only brought it up because I thought that she was. Should I bother mentioning that, though…?

"Um, what about you, Momo?"

"Me?"

"Yeah. You obviously spend a lot of time reading, so I wouldn't be surprised to hear that you planned on being a writer yourself."

"If everyone who frequently read books actively planned on taking up the pen then there'd be more unpublished authors than there are books in the world."

"T-that so?"

After having said that, she suddenly smiles more sweetly than she usually would.

"Well, if I'm being honest you were actually relatively close. In truth, I've always dreamed of joining a band and becoming a musician."

Ohh?

"A band, huh? Like The Beatles?"

"Just like The Beatles."

"Can you sing?"

"I've been practicing, but I'm not very good at it."

"Oh come on, I'm sure you're just being humble about it. I'd like to hear it sometime."

She giggles at my off-handed remark.

"Are you sure a guy with a girlfriend should be making time for other girls like that?"

"…"

And just like that, my playful expression fizzles away.

"Let's end this relationship."

Scarlet's words from yesterday ring in the back of my mind.

That's right, I guess she still doesn't know.

What the hell, does Scarlet want to have me running around telling people that I've been dumped like some kind of loser?

Oh wait, that sounds exactly like her.

Haa, this sucks.

Why am I acting all mopey for a relationship that wasn't even real to begin with?

I sigh.

"Chase..? You okay? You know I was joking, right?"

"No. It's not that, it's…"

I guess I should just tell her, huh? No reason not to at this point.

"The truth is Momo… Scarlet dumped me yesterday."

"…"

"I guess she didn't like what happened all that much, huh? It sucks, but I guess since it's what she decided on then…"

"…"

"Momo…?"

I've never seen that kind of look on her face before.

Not when Ryan confronted us, or even when she was talking about her past.

That expression of hers sends strange feelings of uneasiness down my spine.

Why…

Why does she look so terrified?

"Momo? Are you okay?"

"I'm… I'm so sorry."

I could barely make out the words due to the pitter patter of the rain against our umbrellas.

But after uttering them– without waiting for a response– she rushes off towards the school building as quickly as her legs can take her.

"Ah, hey! Wait!"

And just like that, she's gone.

She probably couldn't even hear me calling out from behind her thanks to this stupid rain.

Dammit…

Dammit!

How could I be such an idiot?!

Of course she'd feel responsible! The main reason Scarlet and I "broke up" to begin with was because she seemed upset about what happened with Momo yesterday.

I stomp my foot in frustration.

Dammit. I'm such a piece of shit for bringing it up like that.

"Ugh…"

I just… I really hope I didn't end up ruining their friendship somehow.

That's the last thing I want weighing on my conscience right now.

"…"

But…

If Rachael is right–

If Scarlet really does have feelings for me, then it's possible that those two might already be on bad terms because of what happened yesterday. Even if it was a misunderstanding, that's just how it is with these kinds of things.

"Great, I really am an idiot after all."

Thinking that to myself, I continue walking despondently until I finally arrive at the entrance of Sunchester High's main building. Once I'm safely under shelter, I point my umbrella at the ground then carefully close it so that the water still clinging to its surface doesn't drip onto my shoes. I'm surprised that the rain still isn't letting up, though. We would've been in a bad position if we hadn't paid attention to the weather reports last night on TV.

Haa, oh well. Thankfully we usually have gym class indoors so there shouldn't be a problem.

I casually step inside of the building with my umbrella still in hand.

But still, what am I supposed to do about this? Confirm Scarlet's feelings? And now I have Momo's guilt to worry about? Geez, dude. Am I a school counselor now? That's way too much responsibility for me. I just wanna nap through class like I usually do…

But even under normal circumstances, thanks to today's schedule that kind of idealistic scenario probably won't happen in the first three periods.

"Chaaaase! Man, it feels like it's been forever since I've seen you."

"Almost like it's been three months desu."

And these two guys are exactly why.

Right on queue, huh? I haven't even touched my locker yet and Nick and Sig have already found me and started with their usual chatting.

"Uh, hey guys. What's up?"

I open my locker and begin looking scrambling through the messy assortment of books for my first period materials.

"Don't 'what's up' us, why'd you keep your part-time job a secret from us? That's the whole reason we ended up following you all day to begin with!"

Well, at least Nick's honest. I can't find it in me to get angry at him for some reason despite that being a complete breach of privacy.

"Uhh, let's just say it's not something I like advertising. Especially since, y'know…"

"Ahh, I get ya. Don't wanna publicize it, huh? You always struck me as a down-low kinda guy. Still though, Smooters huh? Can't say I'm surprised."

At those words, Sig nods his head in agreement.

"Seriously, Chase-dono and Smooters are almost like a match made in heaven."

Huh? Huh?

What are these two going off about now? Am I missing something?

"Uhh… I'm not quite sure I follow."

"Oh don't be so surprised, man! We've spent enough time with you to understand your tastes."

"My… tastes?"

The two of them grin.

"Come on dude, let up. You're always catching glances at the other students' tits while we're-"

"Wha-!!"

I rush up to cover Nick's mouth.

"W-what the hell are you saying so openly first thing in the morning!?"

"Mmfmfmfm.."

"However Chase-dono, he certainly isn't mistaken. I have definitely seen you gazing longingly at the oppai of even some of our classmates, especially Momo-chan and Scar-san's friend. Jen-chan, right?"

Ughhh, it's not on purpose guys! It's just puberty! Puberty! I'm trying my best, okay?!

"W-whatever! Let's just drop this, okay? Besides, Nick is always staring at our homeroom teacher's butt when she writes on the-"

The skin of my fingers ring out in pain as they're suddenly crushed between Nick's teeth.

"OWW!!"

I reflexively pull them back.

"Hmph. Truly unfortunate how you're comparing your childish fixation on breasts to my exquisite and refined appreciation of a grown woman's ass. You're a big fat mess today, Chase. Very uncool. This is why the 'Fated Ones' can only go forward under a strong leader like myself. Sad!"

Uh, you're a little too proud of being a pervert, aren't you? And why did that sound like a Donald Trump tweet?

"I dunno Nick-kun. Both of those are okay but calling such a basic taste 'refined' is…"

"Oh shut up, you're just a foot-loving degenerate."

"Tch, fucking riajuu. You only like our homeroom teacher because she wears glasses anyway. How is that even a real fetish man? Like 'oh my god, seeing aids! That's so hot!' Literally get over yourself."

"What was that, you foot-loving asshole?!"

"You wanna go, kusoyarou?!"

"Pffthaha."

Ah crap, I forgot how funny these two can be.

Geez, these are my friends, huh?

Seriously, they're so honest that it almost hurts to watch. I definitely get why it makes everyone else at school feel so uncomfortable.

But that's only because we're so used to hiding all the dark parts of ourselves all the time.

The way they can honestly blurt out whatever's on their mind just feels so refreshing to me. Rachael was definitely right when she called them perverse, but it isn't a bad thing at all. I'm actually impressed that she managed to keep up with them at all.

"Hey, Chase? I know this guy's foot-fetish was funny, but you didn't have to laugh at him to his face like that."

"I'm pretty sure he was laughing at your shitty megane fetish, man."

I close my locker with a smile.

"Sorry, you guys just reminded me of a funny joke from work. I'm just about done here so let's head to class."

The two of them share a quizzical look with one another then shrug before following behind me.

Still, these late night shifts are really getting to me. I feel like I could pass out at any moment. I'm just barely paying attention to the conversation we're having. School is pretty much the only place where I can catch up on sleep and my grades may just end up suffering it.

Geez, I'm just glad Chloe seems to be doing okay in that department. Once I get my high school diploma I should be fine, but I can only hope that she ends up making some serious money with those brains of hers. She doesn't deserve to continue living like this.

"Hey Chase-dono, look. It's Scar-san."

Badump.

"…"

Scarlet?

"Ah, you're right. She's right there with that Jennifer chick. Hey Chase, should we go ahead without you?"

What should I do?

What should I do?

This is the first time I've seen her since that talk with Rachael.

"Chase, that girl is in love with you."

If what she said was on the money, then how do I go about talking to her like normal?

Especially after that scene we made at Smooters yesterday.

This is rough…

"Chase-donoooo?"

Ah, crap. They're getting closer.

I'm getting nervous.

I guess the least I could do is say hello, right?

Okay, that sounds good. We'll go with that.

As the two of them finally draw near to us, I raise my hand and shoot her a smile.

"Morning, Scarlet."

"…"

It almost felt surreal to greet her like that after everything that happened yesterday.

Normally a greeting like that wouldn't mean much, but today's greeting has so much more weight behind it than usual.

My entire body is completely stiff.

It's an overwhelming tension that could only be dispelled by her response.

But…

Despite my expectations,

Despite my hope for sparking something,

A reply, a conversation, anything…

She just keeps on walking right past me.

As if …

She never saw me to begin with.

"…"

A cold shock runs through my body.

And with it, the harsh reality of the situation finally settles in.

I guess… it really is over, huh?

"Chase..?"

"Chase-kun?"

Our game of pretend-dating really is at its end. And it doesn't seem like I'll even figure out what really happened to begin with.

She's in love with me? How on earth am I supposed to believe that after she gives me the cold shoulder like this? I mean, it doesn't seem like she'll even look in my direction anymore, let alone give me her time of the day.

"Haha."

Oh well, there's only one thing left to do.

With a smile on my face, I turn back to face my friends.

They both seem visibly perplexed by what had occurred.

But all I can do now is keep the façade going until the very end.

"Sorry guys, I got dumped."