Aftermath

After that confession,I go back to the classroom,eat my lunch and decided to buy a water in the canteen.After buying,I noticed Hosokawa-san,eating in the canteen.When she noticed my presence,she called me.

"Tomocchi!.Come here.Come here."

I go towards her and sit in the vacant chair.I'm sure what we will gonna talk about here.

"First of all,Tomocchi.Thank you for showing up in the rooftop."

"That's nothing special.I just did what I think is right."

Ah.I used again the same line to Chinatsu-

san.

"Did Chinatsu-san already told you what happened?."

"Of course!.She immdiately come to me,crying so I comfort.Then after some minutes,when I know she was already okay,we decided to eat lunch here and talk.Then after eating, President called her to help her again."

Hmmmmm?.

"Wait,Hosokawa-san.Did Chinatsu didn't brought her own lunch?.As far as I know,she always bringing one since the the school year start."

"Nope.She said that her parents forgot to make one since they are busy on their job."

After that,a silence had occur.I noticed that Hosokawa-san is kinda smiling for some reason.

"What's the matter,Hosokawa-san?."

"Well,it's just that even though you rejected her,you still can noticed what's the situation around Ai-chan."

"Well maybe I already said it many times,but I have my eyes on people."

Maybe because of that fact that I'm already used to see Chinatsu-san having her own lunch that it kinda surprised me a little bit that he didn't have one for the first time.

"Anyways,did Ai-chan asked your favorite romcom series yesterday?."

"Ah,yes.Also my favorite character there.And I'm sure she will make her own illustration of this."

"And she will give it to you tomorrow,on Valentines Day."

She finished my explanation.Maybe that will be Chinatsu-san's 'gift' to me instead of chocolate.I wonder how it will turn out.

After that,I asked Hosokawa-san a stupid question.

"Are you mad to me,Hosokawa-san?.That I rejected your bestfriend?."

"Are you perhaps an idiot,Tomocchi?."

"Yes I'm an idiot."

I paused a little and added in a soft voice.

"And a human failure."

She probably heard the last line.But she didn't mind that but instead she anwers me in a serious tone.

"I'm not mad,Tomocchi.In contrast,I'm glad,that you answered her honestly.I mean what if you accept her confession and become her girlfriend but deep inside you are not happy?.Isn't the worst case scenario?."

"You're right.You're right."

I couldn't help but to agreed twice since she was telling the truth.

"Anyways,this is just my selfish request but I want you to visit and comfort her after class.You see,it feels like she is kinda sad when I saw her earlier morning.I think she still recovering after the rejection but it feels like she was already sad before that.Or maybe I just seeing things.I really don't know."

Sad before the rejection?.I remember seeing her before the confession but I think she was in her usual self.

"Don't worry.I'm actually planned to comfort in the rooftop earlier but she ran away immediately.It couldn't help though."

"Then that's good to hear.I asked what's the problem but she said she just forgot to write a note in her diary."

"Diary?."

"Ah.I slip my tongue."

So she is writing her daily life in a diary?.Now that's new fact to me.

"Anyways,don't tell anyone about that.If someone found out that she have one,I'm sure she will be mad with me."

"Don't worry.Don't worry.I'm sure that she will still forgive you even though someone found out.

"Tomocchi!!."

It seems like I teased her a little bit.

"I think I need to go now,Tomocchi.Me and Aichan will be excuse in the remaining sessions preparing for the big event tomorrow so you will not see us in the class.Anyways.

don't forget to comfort her,okay?."

"I will not forget."

After saying that she left the canteen.I drank the water I bought,throw the bottle in the trash bin then go back to my classroom.

The class continued and we reach the P.E.class.Here,we are free to do whatever we want,as long as it was related in physical education.We change ourselves into P.E uniforms and go to the basketball court.Ah,I forgot to tell it yesterday isn't it?.By the way,it was just a half court.Also,the uniforms here are unique in a way that it has name sew on it in the bottom part.

Anyways,some do basketball,some do table tennis(they arranged the table) and some do badminton(they also arranged the net itself).

For me,I didn't participate in any sport.I'm not saying I'm not good on it but maybe I'm just not in a good mood today.But it's not just me.There is also one more person who didn't participate which was already expected since it was her 'weakness'.

As I noticed that 'girl',sitting ont the ground,I go towards her and asked:

"Still not participating in sports?.How about you try playing at least once,Hiten-san?."

"Oh.Tomozoki-kun.Didn't I already told you that I'm not good in sports?.Also why are you not participating this time?."

"I'm not feeling good today."

"Are you sick?.I will call Sen-"

"Not in the good mood specifically."

Higashi Hiten.A small girl with a short hair and glasses as her signature trait.As I said earlier,sports may be her weakness but academics is her strength.In fact she was always the one who gets the top score every weekly and midterm exams.

"Joke aside,I think you need at least to cope this weakness of yours,Hiten-san.By the way,just a curious question.Are you doing exercise in your home?."

"Huh?.Now that's a out of nowhere question,Tomozuki-kun."

She paused a bit then continued.

"Actually not.And I think that's rather a stupid question.I mean what if I'm not exercising at home?.What you will do?."

"I'm just asking you know."

Another trait of her is this 'sharp mouth' of hers.But even with that she is the one who doesn't really have someone who you call a 'buddy'.I mean let's look back.Chinatsu-san have Hosokawa-san.Then the three gals.Then Kanakura-san have at least the President.Yahiro-san at least have me(since we are both book lovers)Then there's another two but well let's talk about them later.

"And aside from sports,how about you also make some friends aside from me?.It's already ten months you know."

"When did I consider you as my 'friend',

Tomozuki-kun?."

Friend huh.But you are already calling me by my first name in the last few months,isn't?.

"That aside,I think you and Yahiro-san will be get along together since both of love books."

"Tomozuki-kun,detective novels and national geographic books are different."

"If that the case then about trying reading detective novels now?I can reco-"

"Not interested.I only read facts,not fiction stories."

Well that's it.I guess it couldn't help.I couldn't even manage to finish my own sentence.

A silence occurs after that.A few minutes later,someone approach us.Specifically,the two who are playing basketball one-by-one.

"What did you need from us?."said Hiten-san

"Well,we noticed that the two of you are not doing anything here for some time so we are just thinking if you could play with us?.Like two by two?.Of course,Seishirou and I couldn't be together."

The one who suggest that to us is Kirisaki Onodera.She has a semi-short hair in a ponytail style,for now(since they are playing),with a slim body.

"Not interested.And that is also impossible,not just because I not good playing basketball but also I have a bad eyesight.I will not be play properly while in glasses and I also can't remove them."

"Oh.that's right.I'm sorry.l'm sorry.I really an idiot,no,Seishirou?."

Idiot.Come to think of it,Onodera-san is the one who always got the lowest marks in exams.Which is also mean,a complete opposite version of Hiten-san.

"Don't call be with my first name in front of others,Kirisaki.It's embarassing."

The one who said that is Seishirou Tachibana.A tall girl with pixie cut hairstyle.

Let just say she was the 'tomboy' type.Maybe that was the reason why she have boyish name.Well I will just ask her that to confirm it if I get a good oppprtunity.

"That's okay,Seishirou.It really suits with your appearance and personality."

"Well,I couldn't really disagree with that.

By the way,I heard from the Ayumi-san that these are also classmates back in middle school.Also they said that they are the representative in basketball competition back then in middle school.So they already really known each other before even coming in this school.

"Then how about just teach her only how to play basketball,Onodera-san,Tachibana-san?Since I'm not also in my mood to play so this the perfect timing for all of you."

"If that's the case then Kirisaki,go teach this brat how to shoot a ball."

"Oi.I said I'm not interested.And I'm not a brat!"

"Hiten-san."

I said her name with a slightly strong tone.Her eyes widely open a little bit.Then I continued.

"You need at least to work up body,Hiten-san.

If you don't agreed,I will steal your glasses."

"Are you threatening me,Tomozuki-kun?.If you do that,it's bullying.I will report you to Sensei."

"No.Sensei will probably just tell you to at least participate in P.E.class."

She couldn't manage to reply back.She went on silence.

"So I guess that's settles it."

Onodera-san broke the silence then grabbed Hiten's arm,forcing her to stand up and dragged her to the court.Meanwhile, Tachibana-san just sit up next to me.

"You're not going to join Onodera-san?."

"I'm not good at teaching.So I will just have rest here."

After saying that,I looked up to those two who are in the court.Onodera-san first show to her how to shoot up.Then she gave the ball to Hiten-san and asked to followed what she did.

Onodera-san guide her,then when Hiten-

san release the ball.As expected,an airball.

"Between you and Onodera-san,who is better in basketball,Tachibana-san?."

"Well,I'm not really sure.When we fought one-by-one,I sometimes win.I sometimes lose.I guess we are just in the same level."

After that a silence occur.To broke it,I asked her a silly question.

"Tachibana-san what you will do if a girl confess to you,let say for example Onodera-san?."

I thought that she will insult me with this but to my surprise,she answer me seriously.

"I will reject her and will asked if we can still become friends again."

Okay,if that the case,I will asked her a serious one.

"Joke aside,what if it's a boy.Let say,me?."

"Is the question earlier a joke?."

"Yes.Anyways what your's answer?."

"Of course I will reject you.I mean,we really didn't know each other that much right?."

"Ouch.Did I just rejected before even confessing?."

"Blame yourself for making a joke for me."

This whole conversation is a joke.

"All that aside,what's the matter,Hashimoto?."

"Nothing.I'm just thinking that maybe you're into shotas since you will reject a boy and a girl with the same as you."

"Ahhhh!."

Pannnnn!.A hand chop was send to my head.She didn't mind it and instead continued her curiousity.

"Are you perhaps expecting someone to confess to you tomorrow?.Sorry but I can't think someone who will do that."

"You all said that but maybe deep inside you are the one who might confess to me.Well if that happen,I will re-"

Pan.Pan.Two hand chop was send again to me.Wait Tachibana-san.Are you perhaps a more 'violent' girl?.Should I change the way how I describe you?.

After that,we continue to talk nonsense things.Somehow,it gave me motivation.Right now,I'm in a good mood again.

The P.E.class ended and we continue to finished that last session.After some time,the class finally ended.Of course,I know what I need to do.

I go to the spare room in the first floor and there,I found Chinatsu-san.

"Good work,Chinatsu-san."

"Wuaahhhh!."

She got slightly surprised to my sudden appearance and said:

"Ha-ha-hashimoto-kun?.What are you doing here?."

"Well nothing special.I'm just want to see your work.Wait,are you done already?."

I said as I walked towards her.

"Y-yes."

I looked to the painting.Beautiful.What a masterpiece,again.

"Will it display in our classroom tomorrow?."

"That's right."

Damn.Even though I came here in my own accord,I really don't exactly how I will comfort.Think.Think.

"Uhhmmm,Ha-hashimoto-kun.Did you need something from me or here?.If none,th-then,I will be going home now after I re-report it to-"

She stopped on her talk.Because I suddenly patted her head,gently.Okay,what now?.I need to choose the correct words here.

"Ha-ha-hashimoto-kun?."

As expected,she was surprised.Of course,she didn't expect all of this.Okay.I'm finally know what to say.

"I heard from Hosokawa-san that you are somehow worried or should I say,you have something in mind when she see you in the morning.Of course,I will not force you to say to me what you are worrying about.But I want to say..."

I paused a bit.Still patting her head,I continued.

"I want to say that you can also rely on me and maybe to our other classmates.Just because I reject you doesn't we can't become friends,right?.That's why...don't hesitate to talk to me,okay?."

Phew.I'm glad I'm manage to tell what I want to say.The delivery may not be at it's best(since I'm also kinda nervous)but well as long as she hears that,then that's alright.

When I looked to her face,I noticed something weird or should I say,something surprising.

Tears are falling down from her eyes.

"Wait,wait.D-did I say something bad?."

"Ah Do-don't worry.It was nothing."

I looked at my back.Thank God there isn't someone who could witness this.Chinatsu-

san wiped her eyes with her handkerchief and recover herself.Meanwhile,I put down my hand from her head.

"Thank you,Hashimoto-kun.I'm very happy when you said you are worried about me and we can still become friends.But I'm alright.For now,let's relax and celebrate Valentines Day tomorrow,okay?."

She said that all of that without stuttering any word.Really,it surprise when she could be able to do that.It's like a character development.

"Is that so?.Then that's good to hear."

I couldn't help but to just said those words of reliefness.

"That's right.For now,let's just enjoy ourselves tomorrow." I added.

After that,we talked for a while about anything(some are nonsense).We both laugh and we both argue.Then after that finally left the room.I'm sure she go to Ayumi-san to report her work.

I stayed in the spare room for some time.I just keep looking in the painting,appreciating its beauty.Then after that,I finally decided to leave the room and go home.

After changing my shoes in the locker room,I noticed it.Rain.It was raining outside.Also,I noticed that Ayumi-san is standing there in the entrance.I approached her.

"This is quite bad."

"Your right.It would be ugly it it continue until tomorrow."

Well it was not raining heavy but who knows?.The weather may put the heavy rains tomorrow and it would be not ideal since we will celebrate Valentines Day.

"By the way good work,Ayumi-san."

"Thank you,Hashimoto-san.But all of this will not be possible without Chinatsu-san, Kanakura-san and Hosokawa-san."

"Did other people also help?.Like Reina-san and her gang?."

"No.But it's not like they are needed anyways."

After that,a silence between us occur,so I take this opportunity to asked her a different question.

"Did you perhaps don't have an umbrella,

Ayumi-san?."

"I have one.And you?."

"Also the same."

A silence again.Then I continued.

"I'm wondering why you're still not going home.It's already almost six o' clock."

"Well,how should I put it.I'm just love watching rain."

"I see."

Then a silence again.After some time,I finally decided to leave.

"I will be going now,Ayumi-san.How about you?."

"You can go first.I will just stay here for a little bit longer." she said while looking up in the sky.

After that,I gave my farewell to her and left the school.Come to think of it right now,she and Sensei were the only left in the school.I just realized that my other classmates already gone home,including Chinatsu-san.

I walk down the road while holding my umbrella.Of course,I didn't see Kanakura-san in the bench.Finally I got home.I was little wet but that's okay since I will change clothes.

After that,I go to my room and read again the 'Strangulation Romanticist',continuing where I left.After finishing six chapters,I decided to go to sleep,as the rainfall didn't stop.

Another normal day ended.No,since there is something 'special' happened to me today.So I should say a 'special day' have ended.Yeah that's right.