Linked Paths

Arc II - Many Firsts [Chapter 2: Dates]

And look at us. We're hanging out here aimlessly.

"Guess you should have gone out with the others, huh?", I ask and add a demoralized half-snort. And I shouldn't have switched to the earlier shift because of Deku to begin with...

Chi: *makes a waving hand gesture, like a fucking maneki-neko*, "Garbage.", *stretches, yawns*, "Neither feel like going out. My shift was awful."

I chuckle, "First, it's 'nonsense'. Second, wanna talk about it?"

Chi: "Nah, not today. Don't feel like it."

I shrug my shoulders, "Offer stands."

Chi: *snatches the second controller again which lies next to her*, "What about you?"

My right eyebrow goes up skeptically, "Yeah, I'm pretty exhausted, too...Say, what's this?"

Chi: "Hm?", *searches through my game library*, "Wanna game some more with you.", *starts Turbo Drift*

At least when I lose in that game, I don't get that pissed.

When the loading screen appears, I sigh playfully, "Gotta finish you off now, eh?"

Chi: *stands up and retrieves the other controller* "Don't dodge my question.", *pushes the controller into my lap*, "You know what I meant."

"Nah, not today.", I mimic her.

Chi: "Pfft, lame.", *chills down next to me again*, "And~ I'm gonna wipe the floor with YOU!", *lets out her typical cackle*, "Stupid.", *lays her head on my shoulder*

"We'll see, Neko-Chi~.", I smirk smugly. But my face quickly turns serious again. While we choose our vehicles and make our individual settings, I'm not really present. Other thoughts about a very specific topic haunt me, as they have all evening. Well, I AM exhausted, obviously, but there actually is more behind my mood. Chi can always read me so easily. Annoying.

I just feel like going to bed and rest, but that's not going to work because there's a shitload of restlessness inside me. As long as Deku is still out with shitty Mr. Beanpole and hasn't texted me that he's back in his room, I won't get a wink of sleep. I'm like on alert. The whole time I'm wondering if the nerd is okay, if this ass of a beanpole is keeping his mitts to himself.

Now Chi selects a map, then the next loading screen appears.

"It's that damn date of Deku and that shitty creep!", I suddenly blurt out. I'm internally facepalming at that weird behavior of mine.

Chi: "Oh?", *lifts her head from my shoulder to look at my face*, "How come?"

As the game finishes loading, our vehicles are presented in their specific video sequence within the respective split screen and, when the '3' from the countdown pops up, I hit pause.

Chi: *eyes widen*, "You jealous?", *gasps exaggerated*

I frown, "Hell nah!" As if!

This has absolutely nothing to do with jealousy. It's completely different. "He can fuck his way through whole Musutafu and Tokyo for all I care!", I add pissed. Well...From the outside, it might actually look as if I'm jealous, which isn't the case of course.

Chi: "Then?"

I hesitate and think about what I should and shouldn't reveal to her now. After all, it's kind of private, just between Deku and me. Thus, I keep it generic.

"I'm worried about him.", I reply with a low voice.

Right after, I run my hand over my face. Nonetheless embarrassing!