41 New Friend and The Gif (1/2)

.

It was finally lunchtime and this time, Kazuya failed to escape. He had been concentrating too much on his studies that he didn't hear the school's bell sounding. Tomoyo finally noticed him and stared at him as if she was wronged. He ignored her and continued to read. He was hungry but he didn't feel like dealing with this robot right now.

”That's not very nice of you Mr. Nice guy. The person Shiroyuki-san has been saving the seat for was you right?” Kazuya finally closed his book and turned his gaze towards Takaya. ”I feel like I've been tricked”

”You're not the only one. I felt the same when I was forced to take that seat” he remembered the day he transferred and got forced to sit there. ”You have my gratitude for using your privileges to save me from it” Kazuya smiled, he found a good excuse to have a peaceful day without being stared at.

”Oh! I like you! You're pretty quick with your comebacks!” Takaya laughed and introduced himself. Kazuya responded with his own name. Takaya realized the connection between him and Tomoyo immediately after hearing his name. ”Would you have yielded your seat if you were seated in any other seat Champion-san?” he curiously asked.

”I probably would, it's not like I mind sitting anywhere really. I just read books most of the time in class anyway” he replied without hesitation.

”You really have guts. I'm liking you even more. People are usually afraid of me when they see the badge on my uniform but like Shiroyuki-san, you're different” he patted Kazuya's shoulder.

”Why should I be afraid of you? Aren't you a student just like the rest of us? S class is a group of people who have busy schedules and come as guests to sit in on other classes. In my opinion, you guys are the ones who should be respectful. How would you feel if I pulled my weight around your house?” Takaya's mouth gaped. Kazuya raised a fine point which everyone who heard nodded to.

”You're absolutely right! Members of S class have a bad reputation because of people like that” Takaya laughed as if it didn't involve himself. ”Let's go to the cafeteria to eat I'm starving” he urged.

The three of them went to the cafeteria. Takaya was surprised that Tomoyo actually went with them. He couldn't help but wonder what it could be about Kazuya that made her behavior change like that in the short time that he was gone. He knew that Kazuya took the recent kendo regional championship but was that really all?

”What are you staring at me for?” Kazuya looked at Takaya who had been staring at him for a while.

”I'm wondering what you did to make Shiroyuki-san follow you around like this” he bluntly replied.

”Why don't you ask her then?” he really didn't know. He had his suspicions but didn't want to consider them because he had no way of proving it.

”Do you think I'd get an answer?” everyone knew that aside from Kouzuki Kazuya in school, this robot girl would either nod or ignore a question directed at her.

”Fair point. Why are you even asking anyway?” Kazuya sighed. He hasn't made any progress in getting this girl to express herself in words at all.

”Because I want to know what she's thinking. if I get some insight on how Shiroyuki-san thinks then it will be easier for me to assume her in my acting. The part I need to play is perfect for her personality and it is challenging enough for me to tackle” Takaya smiled as the two turned to look at Tomoyo who was peacefully eating her meal.

”You're quite passionate about acting huh…” Kazuya commented.

”Of course I am. It's one thing to express a variety of emotions but to express almost none at all will take me to the next level. My mother was the one who told me to try practicing for such a role and I admire those who can do it because as an actor myself, those who can achieve that level are—”

*CLANK*

Takaya was interrupted when Tomoyo placed down her chopsticks. She had done this on purpose to get their attention. She pointed towards Kazuya after both turned to her as if trying to tell them something.

”(This girl remembers…)” Kazuya scratched his head. He knew what she was trying to say.

”Shiroyuki-san I can't understand…” Takaya also followed Kazuya's example and scratched his head.

*tug tug* she pulled on Kazuya's sleeve. She knew that he understood her already.

”She meant to say that I can help you because I can emulate her” Kazuya breathed in deeply and closed his eyes. The moment he opened them again, his face, demeanor, expression, eyes and they like were like Tomoyo's.

”This…” Takaya was speechless. He was going on about how being able to portray her was a milestone for him but Kazuya did it on a whim. This made him take another look at Kazuya. This was the very first time he tried to evaluate someone his own age and he was impressed. ”You should be an actor!”

”No. Hell. no.” he tried to imitate a robot while he was still in character.

”pfftt…” Takaya was caught off guard and stifled a laughter. He wanted to hear what Kazuya's impression of her speaking was but the unexpectedness of what he did seemed to fit. Even the impersonator himself found how ridiculous his impression was and stifled laughter could be heard when he turned away.

”…” Tomoyo stared at Kazuya. Even both boys could tell that this expressionless girl had developed a frown. This robot girl didn't like being made fun of. She was already heard talking by Kazuya a few times so she didn't appreciate such an impression.

”Hey, you shouldn't be upset. You should start talking so that I won't have to guess every time you try to communicate with me with your eyes” Kazuya turned back to face her after laughing.

”You communicate with Shiroyuki-san like that?” Takaya was the first to react.

”I talk to her normally. She usually just stares if she wants to relay something that can't be answered by a nod or a head shake so I got used to it more or less. I spent a lot of time with this girl in both training at the club and their dojo. Seeing her interact with her grandfather was a good reference so I think I'm accurate most of the time”

”That's great! That's even more of a sign of you being a very talented actor. To be able to read cues or communicate with just looking at another person's body language is definitely a great skill”

”Stop trying to convince me. Reading body language is even more useful in battles or in sports”

”All I want is to ask you to come meet the people in our theatre. They will have a more credible evaluation than me. I had chills when I saw you impersonating Shiroyuki-san and I trust my instincts” He tried to convince Kazuya.