Chapter Text
‘Don-chan.’
I’m imagining how that word’s sound aligns with the movement of her mouth. Come to think of it, it is fitting: first, her lips formed a circle until it closed, for a second she kept her teeth together, followed by an open mouth slightly wider as in ‘cha’ and finally the lips slightly apart, the tip of the tongue visible behind the upper front teeth for the consonant ‘n’.
She wanted to call me, didn't she? Extended her hand to me as I fell, uttered a sentence that I don't remember, finished with that word, then smiled at me—her sweet smile.
In that dream, the girl had a petite figure. Shoulder-length brown hair with white strands in the middle, and she wore a classic lolita-style burgundy dress with long sleeves. Her legs were covered in white tights. I also saw red mary jane shoes on her feet when I fell. And her face…well, I can't remember, and I don't think I've ever seen her before.
That moment had a familiar ring to it. As if it were a clip from my childhood—together with an old friend, replayed in my mind, but at the same time, I’m also certain that it had never happened since I spent my childhood with books and hiking.
One more thing—she and I were in the middle of a park. There was this slide that shaped like a telephone and a round lamppost next to it. Before that, I also saw a pair of swings. There are white cherry trees that flourished among the other trees. The sun was shining brightly—blinding enough to awaken me from this dream. Slowly, I began to realize—the warm sensation reached my eyes—it was kind of hurt.
Instantly, everything around me went dark. Everything stopped just before I was able to reach for her hand.
Wasn't it the wrong time? Maybe I'll manage to remember her face, after taking her hand at least. More time passed until that face was etched in my memory.
Or maybe it was just a beautiful dream that had no significance. Perhaps this time it wasn't so strange, but assuring and left a lasting impression, though it might just be a dream, like any other.
“Nnnf.”
I gently rub both of my eyes, and block the yellowish light with my hand as I get out of bed.
The floor feels warm. Light shines on my foot. It comes from the window that Buena has opened. The room feels quiet; probably she has left.
Glancing at the alarm clock. It shows ‘06:48’. I woke up late for the third time and missed my morning exercise again. I can't keep doing this. Seems like I really need some magnesium pills.
What's the date today? Thirty-first? Is there a training date today? I need to check.
April. 1.
The number is circled in red highlighter. I read my writing below it, ‘Jordan, heavy tire training, practice track, after the lunch break.’
Yes, there's practice today with Jordan. She promised to tell me the best spa around here after practice.
“Are you feeling better now, Gentil-san?” The voice comes from the door; it’s Buena, who has just arrived. Sweat glistens on her forehead, and her tracksuit is a little worn.
“Feels like it.” I flex my left leg up and down—checking my knee for possible pain.
It feels better now. A junior player threw the ball and it hit hard. Just rapid and forceful. Unfortunately, it prevented me from continuing the game, as it was about to end with a tie score.
“That's great. Oh by the way, I passed by the cafe earlier. It was starting to get crowded. I'm worried you won't get a seat, so I'll go there with you.”
Very sweet of you, Buena but you shouldn't have bothered. It's better if you eat first.
“You can go ahead, I’ll be fine. Waiting for me to get ready will take a long time.”
“It's okay. I haven't changed my clothes either,” spreading her arms to indicate her state of dress, “but you need to hurry up…I'm getting a little hungry now, hehe,” she added, twirling a strand of hair; her eyes smiling.
“Buena-san likes to bother herself, no? Don't do it again,” I advise her in a cheery manner before moving on and grabbing the bathroom doorknob.
*squish*
Oh my, I've run out of shower gel. A transparent bottle of shower gel belonging to Buena has some left in it. I'll use that and let her know later.
Turning on the shower tap and adjusting for hot water. One, two pumps—a subtle coconut scent is followed by the sweet smell of pineapple.
I'm hastening my shower. I don't like making Buena wait for me any longer.
The cafeteria is crowded.
There are a limited number of dishes to choose from at the buffet. I lay out a plate of seven onigiris (the rice mixed with edamame and pickled plums), then a plate of seven rolled eggs, and finally a glass of water onto the tray. I want to add something meaty, but it's all picked up.
The tables around here are all full. Narrowing my eyes and standing on tiptoes, I see only two tables left. One in the corner over there and another in the middle by the counter, the latter of which appears busy. Eating becomes unpleasant when I hear people blabbering.
After Buena took her food, I suggest we sit at the corner table. She complies.
Momentarily after taking my seat, I remember that Verxina's baseball glove hadn't been returned yet and my protein powder container was empty when I wanted to use it yesterday. Wait a minute, tomorrow is also the day for submitting that assignment—that complex subject. Why do I forget so many things lately? Is it because I'm spending too much time on finding a replacement trainer?
Did she just call me? The noisy cafe drowned out her voice, or maybe I simply lost myself in my thoughts….
“You should give this a try, I found it delicious.” She picked up the tamago-kinchaku from the broth with chopsticks and holds it out to me. The abura-age was skewered with spaghetto instead of a toothpick.
“Mhmm….”
The velvety, slightly melted taste of soft-boiled egg yolk spread across my tongue. The broth complemented the overall taste. The sweet and savory flavors were perfectly balanced. I want more.
“How’s it taste?”
“Mm….” I swallow and reply, “It’s deliciously good. Someone knows how to really cook.”
“That's right.”
I reach for the onigiri with both hands and take a bite.
This is tastier than tuna, but I prefer that for more protein.
“Gentil-san.”
I turn my eyes to her face in response. My mouth is still munching.
“You seemed like you were lost in thought earlier. Is everything okay?”
I immediately think about the best response. Of course, it shouldn't be about finding a trainer; the baseball glove; protein powder that would be a nuisance for her. I'll just tell her about the assignment.
“Just some homework—statistics. I haven’t started it. Tried to learn it but I can’t fully understand it yet.”
“Statistics…I get it, kind of. I'll help you, if you want.”
‘Kind of’? Is she’s that smart? I remember Machan said that Buena got the second highest exam score, just behind the student who was ‘good at linear equations’ in their batch. It would be great if she could help me, but would she really not mind?
“Are you sure?”
“Sure,” she says happily, then takes a bite of tamago-kinchaku.
“Thank you. I appreciate it, Buena-san.”
She swallows and replies, “No problem, Gentil-san.”
My smile fading as my eyes wander to the table behind Buena; to a bowl filled with hambagus—neatly arranged, looking appetizing. The bowl is in front of that girl.
I forget her name, even though we are in the same class. Something ‘Gold’?
Every time I was glancing at her face, I felt a certain familiarity, particularly because of her reddish-brown eyes and her pointed nose. It would be a lie to say she isn't beautiful. If the textbook example of bijin was a person, then it would be that person. The same goes for the word preternatural, honestly.
Her behavior is indeed absurd. I have caught her secretly watching me in class until one day I directly asked her if something was wrong, she replied, ‘You sure it ain’t just your thoughts, huh? I’d never do that, nah, or I might just be watchin’ somebody else close to ya.’ And I think she has never looked at me since then.
Ugh, she'd better finish that whole hambagus….
“—is Jooouuurneey!” Simultaneously, she shouts while standing with her arms raised.
Uh? She happily gives the bowl to her tablemate. Maybe they're playing some kind of guessing game, and the bowl of hambagus is the prize for the winner.
How awful, there's no meat left because of their stupid little game. Heck….
Where is that park? It seems to exist. Is that girl also real?
French lessons would be less tedious if students are not required to memorize a thousand words written on the board and in dictionaries.
Up there, a cumulonimbus cloud embellishes the blue canvas known as the sky. It's pretty. Seeing it makes my heart feel excited, distracting me from the rather rambunctious sounds behind.
I try to focus back on the blackboard. So many vocab words on there and they are easy to see. ‘Se noyer’ ‘to drown’, ‘vague’ ‘waves’. So this time's theme is related to the sea.
Maybe I'll try from the left row, pronouncing the words softly.
“Fah, pohrh, na-veer—”
Sound of a mild chuckle comes from the right.
I turn to look—Falko, who promptly shields her face with her pink notebook.
“You’re the one who was giggling, right?”
“Yes…I’m just reminded of one of my fan letters. Their joke was so funny that I can’t help but remember—I’m not laughing at you, Gentil-san!”
I want to reply, but suddenly a paper plane flies past my view and lands under the table in front of me.
*thud*
Another one lands.
I turn around to see where those came from. It must be her doing.
Naturally. She and Orfevre work together to shoot paper airplanes at Fenomeno. No surprise because Fenomeno was always being toy with. Paper planes, of unknown quantity, litter the surfaces around their tables.
“Cannoneer Universal five thousand!” that weird girl pauses briefly to think and quietly speaks to herself. “Yano. The name. What is it….”
Orfevre flings a paper plane toward Fenomeno but she manages to catch it.
“Fliegen vee one—is cleared for take-off!"
One more—the paper plane hit Fenomeno's cheek. “Stop!” Her yell is so loud, it pierces my menko.
For several seconds, the class goes silent.
“Miss Gold Ship, Miss Fenomeno. See me after class.” Ms. Touka shouts sternly. She stopped messing around with her phone now, huh.
Gold Ship. The name that I tend to forget, and I don't bother to memorize it anyway.
“Wait. Orfevre’s also—” She freezes when she finds Orfevre sleeping or faking it on her desk.
Just then, the class bell rings. The silent atmosphere is shattered by Ms. Touka's outburst response.
I have to go to the gymnasium after this.
Words like “excuse me,” “watch out,” and “sorry,” come out of my mouth automatically as I lug this huge tire to the dirt practice track. People stare in disbelief as I keep going.
The giant tire: check.
The rope: on my shoulder.
There was a piece of rock stuck under the tire, I kick it away and continue on my way.
And finally…now where is she?
There she is, sitting on the wooden bench. I'll surprise her with this tire.
The shadow of the tire is definitely casting over her, right? Hoho.
She flinches, just as I expect. She looks astonish and her ears recoil as I peek. She is holding a smartphone in her hand and there is a megaphone on her lap.
We make our way to the track.
This tire already had a rope on the opposite side, but it looked quite dusty and the fibers were frayed, so I need to retie with Jordan's help. After that, I bind her waist with it.
“Is it too tight?”
“It's alright—Aa, Nakayama!”
A brunette uma with a gray beanie rushes towards us.
“Is this what you asked for?” She hands her a bottle of isotonic water—Pocasi Water.
“Yah, exactly. Arigachuu, Fesu-chin,” says Jordan playfully, giving her a heart finger and a wink.
This ‘Fesu-chin’ or ‘Nakayama’ girl cringes and let out a small ‘eugh’ as a reaction.
I continue to tie the rope to the other side while the two of them talk. After securing it, I brush my hands off.
Gold Ship, Fenomeno, and Chrono Genesis heading to the practice track we'll be using. Nakayama comes over to them, and it seems like they're moving to another dirt track on the inside.
“–fifty-eight, fifty-nine,” I count as Jordan drags this tire with all her might. Her friend next to me also supports her in a rascal-like manner.
I pause when Fenomeno's body seems to collapse on the other side. From up here, it's hard to tell. Is she unconscious?
That idiot Gold Ship ignores her and continues her conversation with Chrono amiably.
“Why the stop,” Nakayama asks, facing me.
“Sixty. Jordan, you might need to take a break.” I shout again through the yellow megaphone.
I climb down from the tire swiftly, going after Fenomeno.
I gently lay her head on my lap and carefully shake her awake, “Fenomeno!”
“–saw that one with a pandan leaves bag? I helped my mom design it, she was hesitant at first but her manager agreed wi—wa-why stop?”
The knot looks difficult to untie. I waste no time in loosening it.
“Mamechin!”
“The knot was so tight. Who tied it?”
“It’s Chron–”
“You didn't check it? You fool, this can be fatal, you know!”
“Gentil-san, it's my fault,” Chrono Genesis says in a frantic voice.
“–Golshi-san, Gentil-san, uhh–” Fenomeno let out a gasp when Gold Ship returned my words with an inconsiderate snap back.
“–Meno, you're alive!” She embraces her immediately.
“Meno-san, thank Goddesses, you’re awake. Here, drink this.” Chrono offers her a water flask.
I would like to give some advice to Gold Ship, lest this incident happen again, because aside from her idiosyncratic nature, I know she tends to be negligent. “So, Gold Ship-san, the next time you practice with your friends, you should double-check and be careful—”
“I really didn’t know! Like I said already, I didn’t notice the rope. I just returned from the restroom and I thought Chrono had tied it properly—” still hugging, her voice is muffled and sounds like she is almost crying.
I cut in, unable to bear her rambling. What a big ego she has. “And you're incompetent because you assume things—”
“Hey, hey, what's going on here? Are you guys fighting?” Jordan and Nakayama come over to us.
I explain everything to them, even though that strange girl is constantly interrupting, and Chrono pipes in as well.
Drugstores are quite a distance from Tracen, meaning I have to travel downtown, yet I am reluctant to cram myself into a train just for a magnesium pill.
The scenery of the city is picturesque from the hillside here. Seeing it puts me at ease after that unpleasant incident.
Getting into arguments will only make you stressed and exhausted. After she made amends with me, Gold Ship averted her gaze from me. Still, she isn’t sincere. Due to the training earlier, at least I got to know where the best spa is located. It also felt good to see Jordan so fired up.
I find Gold Ship on her bike talking through the pickup truck's side window with someone who is wearing glasses and has a ponytail. Is that her trainer?
It starts to get dark, I have to go fast. I can't run in this; I'm only wearing this tiered cream mini dress. Some asshole could peek in. Eureka! I'll tie my cardigan at the waist so it doesn't flow.
*whizz*
A cyclist drifts in front of me, bringing me to a halt.
Gold Ship.
Looks like she wants to pick a fight with me again. I have to run but she blocks the way.
“Hey, man. You dropped your wallet,” Gold Ship says matter-of-factly.
“Uh.” I am not aware that I got tongue-tied from being caught by surprise.
“Huh?” She raises one of her eyebrows.
“Oh, yes, thank you.” I reach for my wallet in her hand, but she firmly clutches it.
Darn you, jerk, her grip is very strong. I reach for it again along with my other hand.
Almost there….
“Where are you going?”
What?