3 Chapter 3: Lake (2/2)
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It was already lunch break. I was still worried about my situation that I didn't have the appetite to eat.
”Something wrong, Takaiyama?” It was Jirai. I suppose he's the only guy talking to me anyway, so I shouldn't be surprised anymore.
”Hey, Jirai. Can I tell you something?”
”Yeah, what is it? Wa-wait, don't tell me… A girl is pregnant and you're the father??? Why didn't you use any protection!! I could have given you one if you couldn't buy-”
”Shut up!! That's not it!” Was it a mistake to have even talked to this guy?
”Oh. Why didn't you just tell me?”
”You ran your mouth even before I could tell you, that's why. Anyway, I have-” Wait, I can't possibly tell him that I get nervous talking to girls, right? He'll just think that I'm crazy and insulting him, since I can talk to girls (but only when turning them down). ”-a friend who is having a problem.”
”What is it?”
”Hmm, well, you see, um, he's having trouble, um, talking to… girls.”
”Oh, really? Hmm, I see. I see. I understand.” He understands? Wow, maybe he's also in the same situation. I might change my opinion of him since he's able to understand. ”What a loser.” I'm gonna punch him in the face.
”What was that!?”
”Oh, I forgot. He's your friend. Sorry, I thought it was yo- it's pretty easy to cure, actually.” This jerk. He was about to say he thought it was me.
”Really, now? What should he do then, sensei?” I talked with a very condescending tone.
”Well, just talk to girls.” I regret talking to him.
”Forget it.”
”Wait, wait. Hear me out on this.” I'm going to regret this too. ”What I mean is to just talk to girls until he gets used to it. Maybe he can ask some of his friends, which are girls, to practice talking with him, maybe acting or role-playing or whatever.” Wait. Did he just say 'acting'?
”That's brilliant!” I guess I'm not going to regret it this time.
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After classes, I decided I would talk to Nariyuki. Well, decided to 'try and talk' to her. I looked around the classroom to see if she was still around. She wasn't. I guess she already went to her club. I wanted to take up her offer of joining the 'Theater club'. Jirai's idea is worth doing, since I have no clue on how to overcome this. I mean, what kind of popular guy can't talk to girls? Hahaha… I'll try again tomorrow.
I was near the school gate when someone called me.
”Takaiyama-san!”
”H-hi.” It was Nariyuki. What great timing.
”You really need to join us!”
”O-ok.”
”Please! I beg you. I will do anything. You can do whatever you want with--” I guess she finally heard what I said. ”Umm. Please correct me if I am wrong. Did you just say 'ok'?”
I just nodded. It's really hard talking to a girl.
”Yes!! What a great day this turned out to be! The theatre gods have smiled upon me today! Hahaha!” Wow, she's really happy. Now I feel bad using her.
”With you as our main attraction, there is sure going to be a lot of people who will watch our performances. Hehehe.” Main attraction? Tsk. I don't feel bad about using her anymore.
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She asked me to come with her to the clubroom. She wanted to introduce me to the other members of the club. We entered the room where there are three people waiting inside.
”Everyone! Like I promised, I brought our ace. Hahaha”
”Ooohhhh.” Everyone was clapping, but slowly, like they didn't really expect her to actually do it.
”What did I tell you guys? I managed to get our targets in one day. Nothing can stop us now. Bwahahaha!” The clapping went louder this time, now as if they were really impressed. Wait, did she say targets? At least I'm not the only one being used.
”Well, I would like to introduce to you Takaiyama-san from 2-C, a classmate of mine. Takaiyama-san, this is Ookawa Mizuno-san from 2-D, Nume Asahaka-san from 1-B andUnabara Sei-san from 1-A.” They are all girls. I really need to wish myself good luck, because I will need it.
”Wow. He really is handsome! Will you go out with me?” Ookawa suddenly said that out of the blue.
”I'm sorry, but I can't.” See? That wasn't so hard, talking to this girl.
”Heh, I had to try. So the rumors are true.”
”What rumors, Mizuno-senpai?” Unabara asked her.
”He's gay.”
”I-I'm not!” So there really are rumors. Damn Uryou.
”Oh. Really? So tell us, why in the world would you join the 'Theatre club', Mr. Straight guy?” She got me there. You can blame Elizabeth-san for this.
”Um, ah, w-well, you see--” I really can't say my reason even if I wanted to talk… since I'm not turning her down or anything. I'm too nervous to talk to her.
”It's not that important, right?” Nariyuki suddenly interjected. I feel that she is on my side. ”As long as you're handsome and attract viewers, we don't care if you're gay, ok?” Why, this ingrate. ”Well, our other member just needed to do something, so let's wait for her before we start our meeting.” Wait, you're just going to brush off the issue like that? Clear up this misunderstanding!”
”Sorry I'm late!” Someone suddenly opened the door. She was there, catching her breath. It was Hiroisora.