A rush home [Open]

[Hiromi Sakata]

Just as Hiromi opened the front door of Kanehira High, she felt a strong current of cold air touch her skin. She shivered. I hate winter she thought as she hunched over slightly, arms crossed over her navy blue jacket, and proceeded to move forward outside. She could hear the door slowly close shut behind her and for a brief moment she thought about turning tail and heading back inside to where it was warm. But she knew that would only delay the inevitable.

So she continued forward. School had just let out and since she didn't have any obligation (like a club meeting) to keep her here, she left school along with the rest of the student body that were eager to get home. She looked on ahead to see a group of first years she knew only by name gossiping with each other. She slowed down slightly, and allowed them to get further ahead before she resumed her normal speed.

Another strong gust of wind seemed to hit her. She again shivered, inwardly cursing the weather.

[Tetsuya Horokeu]

Finally Tetsuya thought as he the final bell rang. He could only take being trapped inside for so long. He knew being able to go to school was a privilege, and that he should appreciate it, but why can't the have class outdoors? Granted it was winter and most normal people don't enjoy the cold as much as he does. He chuckles at himself. Normal people huh? He quickly grabs his bag and shoes, and prepares himself to navigate through the boisterous crowd of teenagers.  A scowl appeared on his face. Oh how he hated loud noises. But, there was little he could do. He too would be ecstatic to meet with his friends...if he had any.

He shook his head at the thought. No use in worrying about needless things. Things were fine the way the were, no use in changing them.

Just as Tetsuya opened the door, a gust of cold air caressed his skin. He smiled, I love this weather. Back when he lived with the tribe it was basically winter all of the time. And he enjoyed it. Most of his childhood was spent playing in the snow alongside his friends. Those are some of his most fondest memories. That's why he sees winter as his most favorite and luckiest season. 

He continued on his way towards the park, following his daily routine to feed the birds next to whatever senior citizen decided to be there. But just as usual he was the main attraction of the school. Groups of students gawking and making comments. "Whoa it's that animal whisperer kid." "Do you think he dyes his hair?" "How can he only wear a long sleeved shirt in this weather." "What a freak." 

He continued on his way as usual not taking any mind to their gossiping. He didn't care. Well more like he couldn't notice. He was usually listening to the wind, trying to see how it's day was. When talking with nature usually leads to him zoning out and completely leaving the physical world. And almost right on cue, Tetsuya bumped into another student almost knocking them over. He reached out instinctively to catch the student.

"Oh-oh my gods I-I'm so s-sorry!" He managed to blurt out trying to hide his embarrassment. His face was as red as a tomato. He had done it again.

[Hiromi Sakata]

Her attention was focused completely in front of her, that she didn't even notice that anyone was behind her. That's why she was completely caught off guard when she felt a strong force from behind her. Surprised, she stumbled forward, waving her arms behind her instinctively in an attempt to counter balance herself. She felt a strong hand grab at her left arm arms and she regained her balance. Now that she was in no danger to falling, her face changed from surprised, to annoyed.

Hiromi heard her presumed attacker/rescuer's apology. Taking it at face value and believing he didn't really intend to run into her, she decided holding a big grudge wouldn't solve much of a purpose. Taking a single small breath, she adopted the best neutral expression she could pull off and pulled her arm free from his grasp before turning to face whoever had run into her from behind.

"It...was an accident," she said after a small amount of hesitation. Her eyes darted up for a second at the fellow student's pink hair before making eye contact. Beside that small peek, she all but ignored it. I've seen weirder after all she thought to herself.

She gave a small bow to the student and then said, "Please don't dw-"

A small gust of cold wind interrupted her and she looked away uncomfortable. Her legs shook slightly. 

"-Dwell on it," she finished again.

I hate winter.

[Tetsuya Horokeu]

Tetsuya felt the female's slender arm leave his grasp. "Ah- Sorry." 

He stared at her for a bit still at a lost for words. He waited for her response. Don't be angry don't be angry don't be angry don't be angry don't be angry don't be angry don't be angry don't be angry don't be angry don't be angry don't be angry don't be angry

Oh thank the gods. She wasn't. Well, her face said different. No matter how hard she tried to hide it, she was at the very least really annoyed. He couldn't help but still feel bad even after the 72 apologies he had given in the past minute. What do normal people do in this situation. Gods why can't i just be normal. I cant keep staring at her like this this is weird. She thinks I'm weird. He noticed her eyes look up to his hair. Yup she thinks I'm weird. Why am I cursed with this stupid hair color. Why haven't i dyed it yet. That's it I'm dying it when I get home. Maybe I can ask if she wants to help. No! That's actually the dumbest thing I've ever came up with. 'Hey sorry i bumped into you wanna do something that benefits me?' I should just go back to the tribe.

The sound of a girl's voice interrupted his thoughts. His victim was bowing and telling not to dwell on his accident. She was trying her hardest to be nice. He stared at her a bit longer still at a lost for words. Why can't I just say something. God say something anything.


"How about I buy you some coffees as an apology?" Not that. Don't say tha---you said it. Ohgodswhathaveyoudone. 


Tetsuya's face lit up even more. Why did he say that. Why did he have to say that. He could feel his heart ready to burst out of his chest. He started imagining that he was shrinking, becoming too small to be noticed by anyone. I hate my life.

[Hiromi Sakata]

She raised an eyebrow at him, her irritation turning into curiosity. She had been about to just turn and head back home when he offered the beverage as a kind of apology. Coffee she thought to herself, going over his request in her head. A bit much for just walking into someone isn't it? She looked him up and down. Saying he looked a little on edge would be an understatement. He looked incredibly nervous. Like he was out of his element here.

I'm out of my element here she corrected herself, feeling the cold air all around her. Staying still out in the open like this was the last thing she wanted to do here. But she didn't want to completely brush off his invitation. That would be rude wouldn't it? She continued to debate it in her head. To stall for time, she pretended a few strands of hair was bothering her, and brushed them away. But it doesn't even look like he wants me to accept his offer. After all he looks so...uncomfortable.

She felt a small amount of sympathy for the guy although she didn't show it. She decided he clearly wanted to be anywhere but here, so she'd attempt to help him achieve that goal. She decided she would give him the ultimate out.

"Thank you but...I have somewhere I have to be," she lied. "I really can't be late for it. Any other day and I'd say yes."

There she thought confidently. She had just changed the date to the tentatively 'some other time'. Universal code for never. He'd say something along the lines of 'Some other time, definitely' and they'd promise to do it...but deep down it was understood by both parties that that day would never happen. And it would be okay for both of them.

[Tetsuya Horokeu]

Tetsuya let out a pretty deep sigh. 

Thank the gods. I'll have to give a pretty big offering this weekend.


He was ecstatic that she refused the offer, but he couldn't help but feel sad. So this is rejection huh? This doesn't feel nearly as bad as asking. Feels a lot better in comparison actually. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Uh s-some other time then?" he said in an embarrassed tone. He tried to flash a smile to try and shake the nervousness off. He gave a quick bow, and almost instantly started speed walking towards the park.


You didn't even say goodbye.

Don't care.

You didn't schedule the date.

Really don't care.

You looked really awkward when you ran away.

I don--I ran?

He stopped in his tracks and looked behind him. The school was no where in sight. He surveyed his surroundings. He was at the park, but how? He then noticed his heavy breathing and beating heart. He had sprinted from the school without knowing. He stood confused and dejected. He just wanted to hide from existence. He sighed. 

"Well, it cant be helped."


He sat at his usual bench, and pulled out the bird feed from his bag. He looked back on his recent actions as he fed the birds. Even I know that all of that was cringe worthy. But, whatever I what are the odds I'll ever see her again. Almost zero right? Our schools pretty big. I'll be fine. And if I do hopefully she'll forget about--

He blushed at the thought that he asked someone out on a date. 

I.Hate.Life.

[Hiromi Sakata]

"I...sure," was all she could get out quickly enough after he bowed and moved at break neck speeds to get as far away as possible from her. Her eyes raised, all she could do was notice that he didn't quite so much as walk, or even fast walked, but sprinted away. That's...different she thought as she watched him go. She stood there for a few moments, wondering if she had done something wrong. But how could it have been her? After all, she wasn't the one who ran into him, and then ran as far as she could away.

Maybe it was the start of some kind of confession? She instantly put that thought out of her head. Turning, she continued the way she had been before the interruption. Ridiculous. It was a just social awkward kid put into a social situation. 

It seemed there was only one thing she knew for certain.

Another gust of cold wind hit her.

I.Hate.Winter.