Chapter 6: Strange girls
"Achoo!!" I sneezed upon walking towards the school gate. Spring is the worst, especially with my allergy. Why do they even plant trees that produce these annoying pollen? Not to mention the weather. Most of the time the air is at a temperature where it's both hot and cold. Like, decide what you want, world! As I walk past a bush I see as at its base butterflies cheerfully sucking the nectar of flowers. Man, I hate those lifeforms, not because I got lepidopterophobia but because I've had enough of these creatures keep appearing in stories with underlying meaning and metaphors. Why don't we use other insects like… stickbugs? Just imagine them, as they blend in with a tree's branch with its vulnerable and extremely thin body.
Now imagine this little bug starts dancing. Ha! You got stickbugged. Who is "you" in this case? I am talking to myself, moreover in my head. I may have lost my head due to the events last dawn, after all it's a depressingly pressuring task to the mind to comprehend death. I'm just grateful I instantly perished from the impact of the truck. Why, you ask? I don't know how I would have handled even a fraction of moment my older sister, Aurora, suffering before my very eyes.
Even with these thoughts swirling in my trembling brain, but against my past traumas and knowledge, or precisely because of this, I need to fulfill my new motive. I have to ensure a bright and joyful future, a happy ending for these characters around me. I must leave behind my personal hatred and sympathy for these so-called people and lead every of them, without an exception to a happy end. This way, I can sleep peacefully or maybe even die for good. Well, it doesn't matter for now, the real story begins years from now. So maybe I'll enjoy it while I can. After all, a little laziness is good for the soul.
"Are you two excited for your big day?" Right, I didn't mention my two sidekicks, Haruno who is eagerly waiting for our opinions and next to me Yukino, nodding nervously. Despite calling them sidekicks, they are my two precious sisters and persons I want a good ending for. Yes, I hate my older sister a little less now. That's maybe because of her charm, I may fall for it myself sometimes.
"Don't we consider the day of the wedding the 'Big' day?" I asked to show my resistance, well partially to myself because I'm just arrogant, but it's fine. "Well, well, already thinking about that? How mature." I scoffed annoyedly at her words. But maybe with Shizuka or Yui or… her mother. No! She got a husband and it's disgusting to NTR someone and I'm too ethical to perform such a heinous action. But apart from everything else, I can't get into a relationship with a character from this story or I cause chaos. After all, I'm technically an alien in this world.
"Right, you didn't mutter a word, Yukinon. What's your ideal future husband?" Upon getting asked such an embarrassing question, Yukino's cheeks flushed and averted her gaze toward the school gate. "Someone smart?" She answered questioningly in a timid voice. Hey, shouldn't you ask me next? I would have answered immediately with 'I want to marry a rich older woman'. Hachiman was right, being a house husband is the best, not that I have experience. But maybe it's for the better not to be asked. I'm sure she would have retorted with something like 'Oh, so someone like our mother?', assuming I have an Oedipus complex as if she was Sigmund Freud. I do not have one, seriously talking now.
"Anyway, where is Hayato?" I interrupted the awkward topic. "He must be already with his class, probably waiting for the opening ceremony to start." Haruno informed us. "We should do the same and look for class assignments." She was right, maybe I'm in the same class as Yukino. So we finally entered the school's area, searching for a table where we can see which class we are in. Turns out we twins and Hayato are in the same class, thus we joined them in the school yard where students lined up separately with their classmates, waiting for the principal to open the new year.
"Hayato!!" Yukino exclaimed as we neared him. Man, I envy that enthusiasm. He and a couple of people around him turned in our direction. From where I stand it seems Hayato has already gotten along with a bunch of people. That's so him, I smirked. "Looks like we are in the same class!" He said even brighter and Yukino ran up to him, greeting him with a hug. Great, you give him more affection than your own brother?
I could see a faint blush creeping on his neck, though. It's kinda fun to watch them actually. "Is that your girlfriend, Hayato?" A girl asked curiously. Already on a first-name basis? "Uh, lucky!" A boy said with a teasing underline. In their defense, it must really seem that way to an outsider. "What!? No!" They hailed in sync. "She's just a friend, Yukinoshi-" But Yukino cut his words as she puffed and grabbed the sleeve of his uniform. "I can introduce myself, thanks. I'm Yukinoshita Yukino. Nice to meet you." After her stock introduction she hid behind Hayato's back, gripping his shoulders.
I think it's time to do the same myself. "Hey everyone! I'm Yukinoshita Tomomi, friend of Hayato and brother of Yukino." I already feel as I burn up in embarrassment. Come on, wash that awkward smirk off my face! Despite my nervousness they seem to accept me and introduce themselves to us. Maybe I'll be able to find a friendship that lasts longer than in my previous life. Also, it would be best if I don't interfere with the lives of characters that actually matter, so these non-important mobs are my only possibility for connections.
"Wait, siblings? In the same class?" One of them asked. "Yeah, they are actually twins." Thank you Hayato for explaining it to them for me. "What? But they don't look the same. And they are not even the same gender." At this, Yukino rolled her eyes and took the lead in the conversation with an underlying mocking tone. "Why do you assume there are only same gender twins?" Our classmates didn't welcome this well, assuming from their faces.
"She wanted to say there are opposite gender twins. She's just a little nervous." I broke the ice as I smiled kindly. Yukino pouted in my way but quickly changed her expression as our classmates understood my words. "Relly? I didn't know. You are so smart, please don't be shy." An outstanding girl with light brown hair and blue eyes said in a sweet tone, then turned to me. "I'm sure your brother is also smart. Hey, you have beautiful lavender eyes!" She leaned even closer with her cute smile on her face.
"O-oh, really? Thanks." I gazed away shyly. Come on, she's just a kid, complimenting you, get a grip. But it felt good to have my eyes complimented. Even against the fact that I despised them for representing Haruno. "Wow, you are right Kana, I've never seen eyes that color before." Another girl examined them and in the next moment my eyes were in the focus.
Shortly after, the principal stood on the stage to welcome the new and the remaining students. Lucky for me, it was enough to distract the unwanted attention from me. Though, I could sense a faint color of envy in Yukino's expression. And so, our opening ceremony and introduction went fairly smoothly.
Inside our classroom had a vigorous aura as classmates chatted with each other. I was sitting in the 'protagonist seat' far back of the room, next to the windows. How ironic, when I'm the least of its embodiments. I'm more close to a mob in that matter. A few rows before me Hayato was encircled by students, also helping Yukino to get used to crowds. I'm glad he's doing my job, I smirked.
Suddenly I sensed something in my peripheral vision and turned my attention to the right. "What's so funny, pretty eyes?" The girl from earlier asked with a mischievous smile. "Uh… nothing. Pretty eyes? Me?" She leaned closer which made me tense up. "I have a name, you know." To think about it, what is her name? But I'm sure someone mentioned it at the yard, I'm such a douchebag. Maybe I could pretend I didn't hear that.
"Sure but what is it? I don't have a memory of you introducing yourself to me." What? I sure did, maybe not to you but… or is my head messing with me? Perhaps I don't remember correctly and she's right. "Well, in that case, I'm Yukinoshita Tomomi, friend of Hayato and older brother of Yukino." I feel a heavy sense of deja vu settle on me. Also, the fact that I could only tell my relations with others as my most advantageous quality is just making me wanna cry.
"Nice to meet you Tomomi, my name is Kana, Katakoi Kana." What an… unusual name. Katakoi, I wonder what kanjis are used to write it. I've never heard a name like this despite consuming so much Japanese content, oh and also speaking it. "Uhm, sorry for being so pushy about your eyes. It's just I've never seen such eyes." Her shy apology, light brown bangs falling over her averted blue eyes made her so cute I didn't care about the uniqueness of her name anymore.
"Ah, don't worry about it." I smiled with a faint blush, I couldn't be mad at her. "Maybe you want to… be friends?" Stupid, I'm such an idiot, only an elementary schooler would ask something like this. Well, no worry because I am, although I wouldn't try this in high school. I would be the laughing stock for three days. I actually observed that in the majority of scenarios where something happens or opinions are formed about which everyone talks about, people tend to not care after the seventy-two hours mark. Of course, if it's not that big of a deal. Psychology is pretty interesting, huh?
Luckily she got a mind appropriate for her age and instead of laughing at me loudly she accepted my friendship happily. "Of course! I would love to." And so I made my first friend in a new life. If we don't count Hayato, but he could be friends with anyone, does it count? "And…how many friends have you made so far?" I slapped my face internally at my inability to make a normal conversation. "Not much, you are my first in the school." Looks like we have something in common.
"Oh, I see. You are also my first… in school, Hayato is my childhood friend since birth. He's more sociable." It was still strange how a child could be so extrovert on his first day of school, but I wrote it off as a basic ability or boost in Hayato's social skill because it's a fictional world I'm stuck in.
She looked in the direction of said important character and back at me, the insignificant mob. "Yeah, he's quite popular already. I envy him." Compared to him, we background characters could never compare. "Don't worry, I'm as awkward as you are." I tried to bring up the mood, which I succeeded in, considering her small, but still audible giggle.
"Maybe we should go around and talk to others… to improve?" She offered timidly, but I'm not so sure I want to, or could do it. "I… don't know, this seat is comfortable." At this she reasonably pouted. "Lazy brat." Me? "Hey!" I snorted back from my lonely seat. "Come on, you are so easy to talk to, and I envy how easily you could introduce yourself earlier in the day. It was so amazing." It was nice to hear but inside I was just an antisocial coward who avoided any human interaction as if they had the plague. Despite seeking it, maybe it's the reason why my friendships were shortlived. Wait, what was that about introdu-
Noticing my remaining doubt, she grabbed the hem of my shirt sleeve, cutting off my thoughts. "Please." Her pleading made me realize she was as bad at conversations as me, so I finally lowered my guard and agreed. So I misjudged her personality that initially looked playful and extroverted. It's nothing strange to mistake it if I think about it logically, after all she was never mentioned in the story. Not like my sisters or Hayato whose nature I know perfectly well because they are relevant characters. There is no mystery surrounding them. I know them perfectly well. I think…
It was finally time for one of, if not my most cherished activities in this other world, karate. Oh? You say I mentioned mixed martial arts a few chapters before? It doesn't really matter actually. Well, it's never a good idea to believe everything that's written down, says a famous con artist and ghost buster. The same applies when someone tells a story. They are not necessarily telling the truth, there may be half-truths, misunderstandings and lies between their words, intentionally or not.
But back to the topic, our Sensei also prepares us for different situations, scenarios that can happen on the streets. It makes his lessons much practical and can save your life outside the walls of the dojo. The sun was heading towards the West, in a few hours the sky would be drowning in orange. Strangely, my second first day in elementary school passed relatively quickly probably due to not doing much yet.
On my left was Hayato, similarly excited as me, carrying his school bag and sport bag as well. We actually went to the dojo for a few weeks now, and we were really talented. Actually, we already earned our yellow belt, resulting in much respect from the younger students and also envy from the older students there. I'm starting to think I have superior genes. Oh sorry, we have.
"What do you think of that girl?" A curious voice asked from my left with an underlying teasing. "WH-what girl? There are a few." Come on, get yourself together. "You know who I'm talking about, the girl you became friends with instantly." Your mocking voice comes out more obviously than you think, you can't hide it. At least he tried to. "Oh you mean that girl? Katakoi? I wouldn't say instantly." I tried to brush off his prying mood but he just smirked irritatingly. "I'm just saying what I saw."
"She has a weird name, I have never heard this last name before. How does she write it?" This was it, a chance to turn the tables on him. "Oh, you sound interested in her." I said as annoyingly as I could. He just furrowed his brows, nothing tsundere like action like 'I-I'm not, dummy'. "I barely even talked to her." Hayato answered in such a cold tone I felt a chilly breeze tickling my heart. Are you showing me your bad guy persona already?
"Talking doesn't indicate everything sometimes. It's enough if you just stare at her, that's enough proof." Trust me, I know it for a fact. "Do you think I find her attractive?" Squeezing his fist he prepared to punch me, lucky for me, carrying two bags made it hard for him to carry out on his plan so he never tried. "Well, she's decent looking but not on the level as Yukino…what do you think?" He asked back abruptly.
His statement wasn't something strange to say because objectively speaking, Yukino was more likely to be considered superior in looks. "I think the same. And she's just a friend so stop this." I brushed off his suspicion with minimal effort but from his smirk I assumed I led him more into the abyss of misunderstanding. "Stop what?" I decided to ignore him after that point until we arrived at the dojo. At least he shut up about her after that.
Well, I'll see how long our friendship lasts with her. Maybe it will crumble as fast as it formed. Perhaps in seventy-two hours, I chuckled internally at this. Friendships can't last forever, especially between opposite sex.
As soon as we arrived at the dojo's vast entrance the first thing we did was to hurry inside the changing rooms. There were a few younger peers of ours, not in the sense of age, but they were still new here, the more carefree, younger segment of those training here. Said people were still chatting and fooling around in the room.
After a few exchanged words between us and them, we already hopped inside our training clothes and fastened the belts around our waists. These rookie layers of people coming here were the ones who looked up to us as they felt motivation from our fast success. Our older and more disciplined peers must be already inside the fighting area. And you guessed it, they are the more jealous types as they envy our outstanding results because they never could do it. I think it's simply a skill issue, but I think I don't have to tell them that, however they want to deny this fact.
This overwhelming jealousy was palpable the moment we entered the area. I could feel their piercing eyes carving holes into the back of my…everything, it was that suffocating. But I couldn't really care because we all knew it's their fault for not training hard enough. Of course I wasn't on their level just yet but my potential was enough to fire up their ugly feelings and show their heads.
But as soon as Sensei set foot on the wooden floor of the dojo, magically every envious senpais expression changed back to normal and as an obedient formicary, everyone stood up on one side of the room, forming a line. "Good afternoon, kids!" We all straightened up and echoed back a greeting in unison. "You can all rest." And we did, loosening on our bodies.
Master, or Sensei, as you prefer, is a middle aged man. His head is mildly balding, fairly tall and slightly toned. At first glance he might look pretty average but that's not exactly the case when you throw his fighting ability into the equation. It was not an overrated statement to call him a master in martial arts.
"Today we have yet another person to join us, so as always, greet her with open minds and help her fit in." So today's training will begin with an introduction. It was the same when Hayato and I first took part in this place's activities. What is it with introductions today? "Come here, say a few words about yourself." Sensei beckoned the meek girl with an extended hand.
A new girl. It wasn't so strange but it was still rare for our dojo to take in them. There were a few girls sure, but I wasn't going to make a problem out of it. She must be a tomboy.
But it wasn't the case, there was nothing boyish in her, since she made her way with delicate steps and stood timidly beside the Master. Her eyes downcast, her long pale blue bangs covering them from the side. In any case, she was shy. Beside the point, she was fairly cute and slender, small, around my age, I could see someone in her.
"Hello everyone… my name is…" Her meek voice lowered as she got to her name. To my surprise, a few of my peers cheered her on and reassured her that she didn't have to be so shy. What a motivating brigade.
After a few, long seconds of pause, her voice rang up yet again. "M-my name is Ka-Kawasaki Saki!" At that moment my jaw dropped both metaphorically and literally. I could hear her shy voice as she continued her monologue, but all of that passed my ears as I sank deep into my thoughts. A quick question for our math freaks. What is the chance of me and a relevant character going to the same dojo?
Time's up! The answer is, it's no use complaining about spilled milk. In other words, describing this whole situation with one word, irrelevant. This was a scenario even my highly skilled instructor can't prepare me for. Why does it sound like I make a fuss about this? Well, I wasn't delighted about the fact that there's a chance I will screw up something else about the story. But it's not like I can't avoid it, I just have to keep distancing myself from her.
"Tomomi, Hayato! Could you take care of her until she gets used to our habits?" Said the Sensei. "HUUUUH?" I creaked out a painful, surprised sound which made everyone, including the young Kawasaki, look at me. I swear I could see her rude future self in the look of her eyes.
"Of course, Sensei." I smirked with feigned happiness on my face. Why does the world have to make fun of me all the time? But it's not a big deal, if I think about it. Her character arc wasn't perfect either. It would be cruel to leave her out of my plan to ensure a happy outcome for everyone. So in conclusion, as long as I don't make a fatal mistake, then everything is just fine. My fake smile isn't so bogus anymore.
And as always, I was right. Everything went smoothly during warm-up. After we were sufficiently warmed up, Hayato and I, with a little help from the Master, taught her a few rookie moves, blockings and tricks. I must admit, she has nearly as much potential as me. Of course, nowhere near my level but it's still pretty impressive.
When we were done with warm-up and practice the one thing we always did was a little one on one with other training partners. This is our custom here, I don't know what customs other dojos hold, perhaps ours wasn't that special, probably.
So, the honor fell to me to face our newest mate. Yes, it was probably a dumb idea to even entertain but it is the unchangeable truth I have to face. Maybe the world really was making a joke out of me, or perhaps… Master saw something in her, some spark of strength. Well, if this was the case then he hit the nail on the head, knowing her future attitude. But she was, or rather will be strong with words, not fists. Verbally, not physically. But maybe I was mistaken and she was secretly a master fighter in the anime.
But nah, I couldn't have been wrong about her, she's a relevant character in a sense. So I should know everything about her, right? Anyway, we were already on the two ends of the mattresses, between us the head of this place. "The winner will be the first to reach three points. Introduce yourselves and bow." As instructed, we did what he said and bowed. "Hajime!" After shouting this, he took a step back and the match finally began.
We took up our defensive stances and watched for the slightest sign of any attempt at attack. I should make this easier for her, after all I didn't want to take any of her spirit to attend again on these mats. So in an attempt to make her easier to experience a sense of success, I lowered my hands slightly.
Kawasaki instantly took advantage of the situation and advanced on me. A fist flying at incredible speed toward my chest but I jumped out of her way to the side. As her tiny hand went past me I could hear as the air whistled near my ear. And she throwed fist so eagerly, she almost fell face first as she missed her target. Don't scare me, I wasn't prepared.
I could hear her grunting as she found her balance on her slim legs. Woah, young Saki already has fire in her, maybe she is a tomboy, that was my conclusion. Suddenly she got into the swing of the next attack. Literally, as she whipped up her right leg in the snap of a second and aimed a high kick at my face.
Luckily I was able to block it, out of sincere kindness I didn't catch her leg, avoiding a scenario resulting in an easily scored point for me. Not because I had used both my hands to block the painful kick out of surprise, preventing me from a comeback. No, I just didn't want her to get disappointed in herself, seriously, this is the reason.
What the hell, she might be a natural at this. I could see this thought in the eyes of people around me, maybe Sensei has a supernatural sense to sniff out prodigies. Talking about sensing, the moment my attention was drawn by my own thought process, Kawasaki took this chance to successfully strike a hit on my chest. "Yuko!" Could be heard from the Master, one point to Kawasaki.
The crowd stood confused, understandably, as much as I am. "That was… nice." I admitted as standbyers mocked me about my inability to beat a girl. "But next time it won't be so easy-" Not allowing me to finish what I had to say, Kawasaki's fist went straight towards my face which I could have avoided at the last moment. "Oi!" I protested.
"Less talking, more fighting. Round two has started." How impatient of her. And shouldn't Sensei scold her for this? But as I looked at him the only thing I could see in his eyes was overwhelming amusement. Yet again, she took that sweet time when I glanced away as an opportunity to swing a leg high.
This time though, it didn't catch me off guard and I was able to grab her leg with both hands and pull her down to the ground. What no one expected, she grabbed the material of my training clothes on my shoulders, squeezed her hold and pulled me to the ground with her, with the help of her momentum. We sprawled out on the ground across from each other, panting heavily, yet we immediately jumped up from the mattress.
And we were back to square one, except she already has one point. So to speak strictly, I was at square zero and she was one step ahead of me. This had to change, so I charged forward with a step and a flying right hook but she successfully jumped to my left, avoiding the range of my hand. She immediately launched her right hand with opened palm towards my left upper arm. I could see instantly what she tried to do. Sorry, but you are not on that level, so I reached forward with my left to slap her hand away.
A surprise, yet again. As if she changed her mind, her slender body backed up, avoiding my reach, making me lean forward a little too much to be comfortable. Another change in mind and she stepped forward again, grabbing my extended left hand, pulling me forcefully, and making me stumble forward. It was a trap, and it got me so off guard that I had no time to turn around before she hit me on the back. "Yuko! One more point for Kawasaki."
In the end she went with a less hard move than I expected at first, but it was so much more witty. "I didn't expect that. This was really clever." I said with half amusement and half irritation. I finally understood what my senpais felt when a much younger person showed up with much more potential than them. I could see the cocky look in their eyes now. "Thank you, it means a lot. From a person one belt above me." Her smile was happy, sure, but it hid more mock than it should. "Anyway-"
I cut my words as I swung a leg from the right in middle height. Her reflexes must be considered more as cat's than human's since she easily blocked with her arms. This was my last chance to show her, and everyone here I was the better. Although, scoring two points against me was already showing the opposite since supposedly she was a rookie.
Well I wasn't saying she did this before because her punches, kicks and moves weren't professional, I could even say it was free style. But I got enough of this, I should finish this. I bent my knees slightly and launched forward with all my might. Crossing the mattresses in the nick of a second got her scared. All she could do was to pull her arms in panic to the side I was gonna punch. But before my hand reached her arms I withdrew it and swung my leg up high in the air and kicked her on the head at half strength.
"Ippon! Three points for Yukinoshita." What? Oh that was me, I still didn't get used to that name. "Tomomi has won." The crowd cheered on at the sight of such a close match. Kawasaki and I respectfully bowed our heads and stepped off the fighting area, walking to Hayato.
"That fight was crazy!" Hayato said excitedly which caused her to shine more confidently. "Thanks, if I were here as long as you, I could have easily beat you." She looked at me cockily with an annoying smirk on her face. I could only roll my eyes on this matter. "I went easy on you." She scoffed back at me, saying "As if."
"Despite it's your first time here, you performed well. Did you go somewhere else before this?" Hayato asked curiously, and it was no lie I also was nosy to find out the answer. "Ah no, but I have fought with my younger brother quite frequently." HUH!? That Tai-someone? How old is he right now? Three and a half? Did nobody tell her she shouldn't be this talented by winning against a toddler? Maybe she really got a knack for this.
Weird, the Kawasaki, known for her motherly instincts toward her siblings, now admitting to fighting with her brother. It was a far cry from the girl I know from the original story. It even made me question my own concept about knowing these characters of this world perfectly. Just a little bit, only ever so slightly. But then I remembered I was far from that time period, and as I mentioned earlier, humans change over time. So by then, they ought to be the way I remembered them.
After that, a bunch of other students gathered around us, seeking to talk with the new prodigy girl. It was strange, I have never fought with my siblings physically, rarely verbally even. Not in this world nor in my past life with Aurora. Was their way of sibling rivalry normal? And maybe I was wrong to think, even in my past life, that my relationship with my sister was normal?
That was, of course a dumb thing to think because people are not the same and my kind of family was as normal as theirs. Except for the fact that we were rich and I thought of our mother and older sister as crazy people… Then my goal hit me like a ton of bricks. No matter how they act now or will act in the future, I need to ensure a happy ending for, I emphasize, everyone. And to do that I might have to change the way they will act, for example, Haruno.
But man, it was a long day. So I said to myself I was satisfied with what I achieved today, I'm proud of myself and called it a day.
Afterwords:
Man, it has been a long time since I put up something. But at least it didn't take almost a year. The previous chapter's writing time really disappointed me in myself. And kind of this chapter too. But of course it wasn't the writing itself what took most of the time, no, it was laziness as always. BUT! And here comes the big but. I'm forever and will forever be grateful for the Monogatari series and Nisioisin, the author. I didn't know there was such a thing as a 10k hour rule but I'm glad I heard about it. It got me motivated, and made me want to write, write and write. Of course, I won't work on this eight hours a day like Nadeko Sengoku did on her manga, but work will flow more smoothly. And I'm determined about this. I could have stopped this project, but I didn't. Because this is the one thing I'm GENUINELY serious about, to create something I'll look back upon with pride in my heart.