Impudence - Part 7

Haaa, what's taking Chase so long?

I hope Jen didn't trick him into doing something dumb again. If he messes up his reputation again after everything we've done, then I'll…

"Hey Scarlet, do you know where Sig is right now?"

"Huh? Isn't he always with you?"

"No way. That guy's his own man. We aren't two minor characters that're tied by the hip or anything."

Could've fooled me…

"Sorry, I don't. He might have went to go look for Chase or something."

"Man, I hope that guy doesn't defect on us or anything. The punishment for leaving the 'Fated Ones' is real unforgiving."

"Huh? There's a punishment rule? You guys never told me about that… What is it?"

"Castration."

"…"

I pray to God that he's joking.

"Umm, Nick."

"What? Don't look at me like that, woman."

"You know I can't be castrated right?"

"… Oh, I never thought about that. Well, if you quit then we'll castrate Chase."

"What?! That's so unfair!"

"How's it unfair? If we can't castrate you then we'll have to settle for your boyfriend."

"He's not…"

"What? Can you really say that when you're still wearing the jacket he lent you?"

"…"

Boyfriend, huh?

I wonder how he felt when he read my confession.

It took everything out of me to actually say that during the interview. Even Leyla seemed shocked about it.

Was it too bold? Too straightforward maybe? Did it make him hate me…?

Ugh! Why am I so obsessed with that loser?!

"Still, Chase must've done a real good job with his speech huh? Wish I was there to see it…"

"H-huh? Oh, yeah. It was something."

"I heard he destroyed her by using her own tits against her. AND I socked her in the face. Man, if I was Jennifer right now I'd be pissed! Hahaha! I can see the headlines now. 'Chase Masters DESTROYS feminist candidate using FACTS and LOGIC!'"

"… You're the worst kind of human being."

"Nah, I'm pretty sure serial killers are way worse."

"If that's the only reply you could come up with then it just shows how bad you really are."

"Hey, it's not that I wanted to hit her or anything. Even I wouldn't go that far just because it'd help us out."

"Then why? You could have gotten expelled. You're just lucky she spoke to the principal for you."

"Scarlet… there's no real reason for it. She said some awful things to Chase. Things about himself, me and Sig, his family, even things about you."

"About… me?"

"Chase got really angry about all of that. Never saw him that pissed before then. Almost hit her in the face himself, even. But, he couldn't. That would've ended his campaign right there. A bruise on Jennifer Swift's face? L M A O. Good luck explaining that."

"…"

Chase got angry for me?

"I don't want Chase to feel like his anger was misplaced. Hitting her is wrong, but… I wanted him to know that he wasn't wrong to feel angry back then. It's just a normal part of being human."

"Yeah, but…"

"If you don't get it then it's fine. Jennifer might be a grade A thot, but she's smart enough to understand deep down why I did it."

"… Are you calling me stupid?"

"Duh."

I smack him.

"Ow! You need to stop…"

"Or what, you'll hit me?"

Oh, that one looks like it burned. He's frowning real hard.

"Ugh, you do something once and it's all people remember you for…"

"Hehe."

Still, as bad as it was, I couldn't help but think it was kind of cool.

Nicholas really is his own person. I doubt that anyone else in this entire school would have done what he did back there.

That kind of freedom makes me jealous.

Yeah, it's the same jealousy that pushed me into talking to Chase.

They're living their lives to the fullest, aren't they?

I… want to be like them.

"Oh, he's here."

"Huh?"

Approaching footsteps… running? Yeah, someone's definitely running outside.

And the moment those footsteps get to the front door, it swings wide open.

The whole thing causes me to flinch from surprise.

"Yo, Chase!"

"C-Chase? What the…?"

Why was he running like that? Did something happen?

After uh, probably making sure that the two of us were here, he clears his throat.

"Uhm, Nick. Can I talk to Scarlet in private for a sec?"

"Sure man. Just make sure to disinfect the place when you're done. Don't want your normie juices all over my clubroom."

"J-juices?! Why are you such a disgusting cockroach all the time?!"

"You two are the disgusting ones. And before you get started, don't forget: When normies die, they go straight to hell! Straight to hell!"

Nicholas walks away while hurling out petty insults and sticking his tongue out at the both of us.

Seriously…

"Ahaha, Nick never changes huh?

But Chase merely laughs it off once Nicholas finally leaves.

He closes the door behind him and approaches me slowly.

…

Everything's over now.

The campaigning, the elections, everything.

Which means, he's probably going to talk about it now.

My confession…

To be honest, ever since he defended me when Jen was being mean to me, I've probably had these feelings for him.

He's just so kind, so dependable, so warm.

No one has ever made me feel this welcomed before.

Especially not a guy.

I might have acted coldly, but that's only because I couldn't accept liking a nerd like him. Because to me, status and Jen's approval were the most important things.

It hurt me deep down inside.

It's sad that that I was being forced to choose between Chase and Jen.

"… Scarlet. T-this is kind of embarrassing for me, so bear with me okay?"

But if I had to choose…

"Okay."

I'd choose him every single time.

"Ahem."

He clears his throat one more time.

"I don't know if you really meant what you said during the interview, or if you even meant what you said back during lunch the other day. But I'm going to say this seriously in case you did."

Don't worry, I meant every word.

"Scarlet… I have to admit, I didn't think much of you at first. In fact I might have really disliked how simplistic you were. Like… I dunno, you just seemed really grossed out by me because I didn't fit the same mold as you and Jennifer. To be honest, if our first meeting were also our last, I'd probably never want to talk to you again. But, we did talk again afterwards. And then we got closer. Much closer. Being friends with you, or I guess accomplices, it changed how I felt about you. You'd always called me loser or nerd or whatever and, to be honest it did get to me. I mean, who'd wanna look like a loser in front of a popular girl like you?"

Don't worry, I didn't actually think you were a loser.

"But, I think all it did was make me want to get better. It made me want to be the kind of guy you could look at and think, 'What the hell, this guy isn't a loser. He's actually pretty cool'."

Don't worry, you're easily the coolest guy I've ever met.

"These past few weeks, I've come to realize how kind you are. You've done so much for me when I thought I had no one left. If it weren't for you… if it weren't for you I don't know where I'd be right now."

A single tear escapes my eye.

"After everything that's happened to me, I never thought that such a cute and wonderful girl could ever like someone like me."

I-I'm so nervous… Just say it already…

"I'm going to answer you properly now."

"O-okay."

He gently grabs my hand.

It doesn't matter what he says at this point.

His sudden touch fills me with such joy that the waterworks could start at any moment.

But it doesn't end there.

After all, his next words…

"Scarlet Sterling, I'm in love with you."

Send a bolt of joy through my chest.

"Chase…"

"I-if you're okay with a guy like me, then…"

"Don't be such a loser now of all times!"

I leap into him.

"Woah!"

He catches me, unsure of what to do for a moment.

But eventually, he does wrap his arms around me.

His embrace.

I'm in his arms at last.

Chase's arms…

His warmth.

"Hic…"

Like an open faucet, the tears finally come pouring out.

I didn't think it was possible for me to have a moment like this.

I've been so scared of guys all my life…

They all felt so terrifying and…

"I love you, Chase. I love you."

"Scarlet…"

"I love you… I love you…"

"I love you too."

This feels so good…

Ah, gosh… Why won't I stop crying…?

"Thank you, Chase… Thank you so much… for everything."

"Haha, what are you talking about? I should be the one thanking you."

This is honestly the best day of my life.

It's the kind of high where I could die right now and feel satisfied with the time I've spent on earth.

He pulls himself away from me and looks me in the eyes.

"Wow, you've got snot dripping down your nose."

"S-shut up…"

I cover my nose with the sleeve of his windbreaker look away.

Ugh, how embarrassing…

"Here."

He wipes the tears from my face.

"…"

Maybe Sigmund was right.

Maybe I am that tsoondere thing after all.

All I've done is call him mean things this entire time.

Despite feeling so strongly for him…

If that's the case, then I should say something to even it out.

Something nice. Something that'd make him happy.

Something like…

"… You were really cool today, Chase."

When I say those words, his eyes light up.

"You mean that?"

"O-of course I do! Do you think I'd be this happy if you weren't?"

"Haha, I guess not huh?"

This moment is everything I'd hoped it would be and more.

He really accepted me…

I was beginning to lose hope, but here we are.

This is almost too good to be true.

The moment suddenly ends, however, as the sound of the door suddenly opening fills the club room once more.

"Wow! Look at these lovebird, Sig!"

"Woo, woo~"

"Wha… Chase! You didn't lock the door!"

I quickly turn around to hide my expression.

"My face is still a mess! I can't let them see me like this!"

"Relax, it's fine. They're our friends, remember?"

"But…"

This is so embarrassing…

"'I love you Chase! I love you!'"

"Ahhh, young love… Chase-dono and Scarlet-chan really are cute."

"Ghhh… You two…."

I clench my fist.

"Hey you two. Don't be so mean to my girlfriend. She's sensitive, okay?"

G-g-girlfriend?!

Uah, I'm going to faint.

Everyone else has been saying it all day, but for him to say it himself…

I'm definitely going to faint.

This is all so…

"Tch… Look at this normie. Up until Friday he was still so clueless about her feelings, and now…"

"Now now, Nick-kun. Be nice. Don't you have some kinder words for the new couple? You did say you give the best motivational speeches in the 'Fated Ones', didn't you?"

"Uh… did I?"

Chase nods.

"Yep. I believe the words were 'by far'."

"Tsk."

He clicks his tongue.

"W-well, I'm no good with sappy shit like this, okay?! I hate love! You two normies can just go fuck in some bushes for all I care!"

"… Cockroach."

"Sorry. That was a joke. Uh…"

Wow, seeing him at a loss for words like this is kinda relaxing. I could get used to this.

"C'mon, Nick-kun. Just speak from the heart. The heart!"

"Finee. Haaaa… Well, what can I say?"

Hearing his tone mellow out, I decide to turn back to face him.

"When I first thought the two of you were dating, I was pissed. Here I went through the trouble of creating this safe space from stuff like drama and girls and you go ahead and… whatever, you get the point. I was PLATINUM mad. Didn't help that she was one of the popular kids either. That shit, ooooh I was actually SO mad."

"Ahaha…"

Don't laugh at that, Chase. He was just a dumb incel back then.

"How to put it though… seeing you stand up for her through Thotifer's tongue-lashing made me think. Like, you never stood up to anyone like that. Ever. Even when they were calling us nerds or whatever. It was a side of you I'd never seen before. And seeing how far she went just to figure out what you were up to after school last week, and after speaking and listening her to a bit more, I came to a conclusion. The two of you wouldn't be too bad together."

He turns to face Chase.

"Chase, Scarlet loves you. I've seen a few couples back in middle school, and compared to them, her love is really freakin' pure. She even puts up with me for you, dude. How many girls can you say would be willing to do something like that? Only love could make you do that stupid shit. Ahaha, yeah no. She's great. Cherish her, will ya?"

Hahaha… When you put it that way…

After saying those words, he shifts to look over at me.

"Scarlet, Chase was just a quiet introvert before you came along. Sig and I barely had any idea what was really going on in that guy's head. No clue about his family, his job, his troubles, nothing. We liked him, but… he wouldn't really open up to us. It wasn't until you came along that he started opening up about his feelings and stuff. I dunno, I guess there's just a part of you that completes him. That makes him a real, whole human being instead of the quiet kid we became friends with during the first week of school."

Ah, not good. The tears are coming back…

"I know I joke about relationships and I call you guys normies all the time and everything, but… I think you two make the most sense out of any couple I've ever seen. More compatible than even Tidus and Yuna. You deserve each other. And Sig and I, we'll be here for you to every step of the way."

"Ah…"

I'm so…

I'm so so happy right now.

"*sniff* Thank you Nicholas. Really…"

"Oh come on, you can call me Nick already.

"Ahaha, no way in hell, cockroach."

"Dude, why."

"Thanks Nick. I wasn't sure what you'd say but you somehow pulled off another good speech."

"You should know me by now Chase. It's just what I do."

He rubs his nose.

"Nick-kun, you ruined your speech with that Final Fantasy 10 reference."

"No I didn't you shitty otaku. It complimented it perfectly."

"Huuuh? Maybe if you made it like… Kyon and Haruhi or something."

"THAT'S the first pairing that comes to your head? Seriously man?"

Ahaha, what are those two even talking about?

"Oh yeah."

Chase speaks up as if he's reminded of something.

"This might sound like a weird question, but… do you guys sometimes relate stories to your life too? Like… when something happens in a story, do you guys try to find parts of your lives that you can relate it to?"

The question catches me off guard.

Judging by Nick and Sig's expressions, it clearly caught them too.

"Umm… Chase-dono."

"Chase, man…"

"W-what? Did I say something wrong?"

I giggle.

"No, it's just… That's the whole point of stories, silly."

"R-really?"

"Maaan, you sure are dense huh?"

"It's okay Chase-dono, I didn't know that either until earlier this year."

"That's not gonna make him feel better, dude…"

"N-no, guys… I was just wondering, you know… What this moment reminds you of? I know lots of people do it but… I've never had a chance to experience something like that."

This one in particular?

"Uhh, Toradora maybe? Chase-dono would be Ryuji and Scarlet-chan would be Taiga and we'd be… wait no that doesn't work."

"Maybe like Isaac and Miri… nope. That's a dud."

What are those two talking about? Always with the anime stuff…

Geez, whatever.

Let's see… A moment, huh?

"Oh, I've got it."

"Yeah? What is it Scarlet?"

"There's this one song from The Lion King that I think fits all four of us perfectly."

"Lion King…?"

Nick thinks for a second.

"Wait, do you mean that 'Can you feel the love' song?"

When Sig hears the name, he starts giggling uncontrollably.

"Oh god, it's so perfect Scarlet-chan!"

"So we're in agreement then!"

I clap my hands together.

Well, at least, three of us are.

"Wait, huh? I've never seen Lion King!"

If nothing else, I admire his bravery for admitting it.

"Omygod. You haven't seen THE LION KING? What a loooooser!"

"Dude, that's just sad."

"Seriously Chase-dono… it's a cult classic."

"Whaaat? Guys come on…"

"Hey, let's go sing it at a Karaoke bar!"

With a giggle, I hurry out of the clubroom.

"Loser has to pay for everything!"

Nick screams the words then hurries after me, with Sig trailing behind.

"Wait come on guys! You know I can't do that! Ugh… You're all so basic!!!"

The three of us laugh as we run through the hallways with Chase trailing behind.

And so, the curtains close on the story of my bitter-sweet first month of high school.

Sorry Jen, sorry Momo, this Snow White really did get her happily ever after.

Chase was right. Now that things are over, I'm actually smiling more than ever.

But still, deep down I can't help but wonder if this was the right thing to do.

Will Jen really change her ways because of what we did? Will she forgive me for betraying her?

I don't know the answer to that.

But.

Even if she doesn't, then at the very least I can take pride in having stood up to her for the first time in my life.

Thank you, Chase.

For everything.

I'll forever be indebted to you.

Momo, however…