Linked Paths

Arc II - Many Firsts [Chapter 2: Dates]

Laha: "Only because you're completely relationship phobic."

Kacchan: "Hah!? Zip it, Hubba Bubba!"

Laha: *intentionally ignores Kacchan's reaction*, "What do you think, is there any hope of getting the other two cases wrapped up?"

Kacchan: "Tch.", *annoyed*

I follow the gazes of my squad. First to Chino, who seems to be completely in her own world, where it's just her and her pie. She's just shoving another big bite into her mouth and is blown away, delighted with the taste. Her crazy cackling can be heard.

Then it goes, as if in full sync, from her to Denji, who is glued to his HeCom and giggling to himself.

Denji: "Kats, just sent you something nice~."

This can only be perverted clips or porn.

Kacchan: "Hm?", *opens their chat*

Denji: "Look at those gazongas! Sheeeesh!"

Or photos of naked women.

Denji: "Awesome, right?"

Kacchan: "I've seen better ones Live." *smug face*

I roll my eyes but don't follow their conversation about this nude photo any further and instead turn my attention to Reki.

Reki: " A crazy cat lady and a porn addict who has a thing for older women?", *overly desperate gesture*, "Difficult.", *bites lower lip to stifle a laugh*, "But they say there's a lid for every pot, right?"

We burst out laughing. But we don't really mean it.

Even if the two of them totally are in a category of their own, I think they'll find happiness in their way. We for our part (though it falls into a different kind of human relationship), have somehow already taken them to our hearts in the relatively short time we've been spending our time together. Well, and let's be honest. Who in our class is normal at all?

[24th of February, Saturday, bowling alley 'Bowlton Balls']

Excited, I watch as the bowling ball heads for the pins in a perfect trajectory. As it then hits the pins 'in the pocket' it's no surprise when all of them are downed. The Strike sequence is played. Kotatsu jumps up and down happily and squeals with joy. Her two pigtails bounce along.

Tamamushi: "Another Strike?!", *demoralized*

Shin: "Wow.", *totally smitten*

What a Strike machine! That's a Turkey now! I giggle and look at our scoreboard. Everyone now has two frames left to score points in this round. Not that it would change the result... Even if I continue to perform very well, I can't beat Kotatsu this round, not even with an ideal run in the tenth frame. Shin is in third place and has no chance of promotion either. And Tamamushi...Oh, this poor cutie. He's not good at bowling at all and is in last place by a huge gap.

I check the time, "We have time for one more round after this."

My cheeks are getting warm once more as I notice Tamamushi watching me closely from the side. Again, as we spend our free time together, I notice that he can hardly take his eyes off me. The many glances I get from him are very flattering and make me happy. On the other hand, it's sometimes a bit overwhelming and not exactly helpful when it comes to keeping my nervousness under control.

I then look directly at him anyway, trying to get to grips with the loud beating of my heart, "Would you mind?"

Tamamushi: "Another round would be okay with me. I'm having fun. Really."