Endearment | komahina (COMPLETED)

Gamers

I walked along the path towards my cottage, looking around I spotted Mikan and Ibuki who were quietly sitting on a bench nearby. I waved over and they waved back smiling, although I noticed Ibuki seemed to be talking about some kind of story.

She was gesturing her hands around in the air like crazy and her expressions made Mikan's smile grow brighter. I kept walking along spotting people do things together or even just have a quick conversation. It must be a break day for everyone too. The long path to my cottage was getting tiring, it was quite a walk from the beach back here.

The wind was whistling through some trees and over the water, you could hear the waves hitting the shore. I stopped dead in my tracks when the boy began approaching me. What did he want from me?
I crossed my arms and stood there looking away, acting like I was minding my own business.

"Oh, Hey Hajime." He glared at me.
I didn't say a word and looked towards the lobby.
Finally I looked up at him he was still glaring a bit but not that much. He seemed less tense his arms at his side.

Maybe Chiaki and Kazuichi were right. Maybe it was time we talked? I couldn't believe the thoughts that were swarming my mind.

"Hey." We stood there for a few minutes not saying anything.
What was I supposed to say to him?

Why did you hurt me?

Why did you bother me so much?

"I'm sorry I have to go...." I began trailing off until an arm stopped me.
He latched his hand onto my arm and gave me a light smile.
"Can we talk?" I stood there in disbelief.
Who was this new person?
Definitely not the boy that bothered me for so long, that ditched me for a group of stupid boys.
Was it a trick?

I wasn't sure on how to respond so I took his hand off my arm.
"Uh I don't...know." I looked to the side looking down on the ground. I felt a pain in my chest, I didn't really want to talk to him. I thought he hated me, why would he care now?

His smile fell and he looked down sadly.
Why was HE sad?
I should be the one that's upset.

"I really got to go..."

I kicked the ground lightly.

"Okay how about later then?" He looked up his expression wearing a slight frown.
"Maybe...." I shrugged still looking down at the ground we were standing on.
I began to walk off but I could feel his eyes staring at me. I felt guilty as I trailed off to go find Chiaki and Kazuichi or any of my new found friends.

Friends....
I couldn't believe I finally had them.
-
-
-
-
I found Chiaki walking down the pathway to the beach house. She waved looking at me and I waved awkwardly. She happily walked over to greet me.
"Hi Hajime, how are you? I haven't seen you much today." She stood on her heels and then on her toes going back and fourth.

"Well I ran into...him." I looked at her like she would know something but she gave a confused look.
"Who?" She questioned.
I quickly changed the subject.
Why had I been thinking about him so much today?

"Uh, nothing. Hey I was wondering want to have a gaming competition, like for fun?" I smiled as she pulled out her small electronic containing multiple games.
"Of course!" She excitedly walked next to me.

We went to the library to have the small competition. I gazed at the sky the sun's rays coming down on us. I walked into the dusty library pulling out a couple chairs for us to sit at.

Alright so you go first and I'll keep score. She ran over to a random set of drawers pulling out random papers and magazines. The novels of books being thrown around.

"Uhh Chiaki? What are you looking for?" I questioned only slightly concerned about the amount of time she was taking.

"Got it!" She pulled out a piece of paper and a pen.
Oh, that's what she was looking for.
She opened the pen writing both our names down and put a small line under each.
"Okay I'll start the game." I began pressing the buttons Down rushingly and sadly failing on my first try.

"One point for me!" She wrote a single line under her name and I passed the controller to her. She went into a quick trance pushing the buttons very fast.

A small victory sound played from the game and she smiled big.
"Good job Chiaki." I smiled slightly feeling sad I had failed it but continued in hopes I could beat her.
Yeah, right Hajime like you could beat the ultimate gamer.

We continued playing....me sadly failing every round.
"Okay I give up!" I laughed as I put down the controller.
"Good job Hajime." I looked at Chiaki who was already starting the next level.
"I wish I was as good as you..." I trailed off putting my fist on my cheek.

"Your actually really good." She smiled.
I gave her a look of disapproval.
"I am not." I sadly looked down at the point sheet she had written down all the little lines filling up the blank space under her name, while I had not a single line under my name.
"It's not just you, it's everyone. I don't have a talent. I'm talentless Chiaki. I just feel left out....I guess." I continued, Chiaki listening away.

"And I can never be anything good, I guess I will always be a stupid reverse course student..." I got up ready to leave I could feel the awkwardness brewing.

"You will not!" Her words stopped me dead in my tracks.
I turned around not saying a word she looked pretty upset at me.
"Hajime you are perfect, just the way you are." She smiled her eyes darting to the side.

"Even when others don't think you will succeed and become someone amazing, I have faith in you! You are amazing Hajime don't let anyone else tell you otherwise." She smiled widely.

Some tears were slightly falling down my face, no one had ever told me that before. She walked over putting her hand on my shoulder.
"Why are you crying?" She chuckled a bit.
"Thank you Chiaki, thank you....for being my friend." I smiled back at her as she shook away the moment.
"Hey, why don't  we go find the others, maybe we should all hangout together."
She put her hand down and grabbed her device.
"Okay.." I smiled lightly again and began to walk out the library door Chiaki trailing behind me.

She really is my best friend.