My old, scratched phone violently buzzed against the floor with a new notification lighting up its worn out screen. It's surprising sound instantly shook me out of my trance and brought my hand to grab it gently and bring it to my face. Squinting my eyes, the digital clock displaying the time appeared a boring background of the Miyagi scenery highlighted the new message I had received--normally all of my daily notifications are from useless games and my inactive twitter account, so it took me by surprise when acknowledging it's origin.
"That's weird," I spoke out loud. "It's a email."
Without any hesitation, I unlocked my phone, bypassing everything else on my screen until I opened the email app and located the whereabouts of the recent message. It could be a random company asking me for a survey, or a new game trying to promote itself; it's probably nothing to get overly curious about. However, after reading the file name, my assumptions were incorrect and, even if it were for a split second, my heart stopped and my body had been temporarily paralysed from a invisible force surrounded by body. I must be reading the Kanji wrong. This can't be. It's--
"Tsukishima."
In clear Kanji, the address going by the name 'keitsukishima@mail.goo.ne.jp' appeared in bold above the blank subject and email of who the message is directed to.
"What the fu-- how did he get my email?! I never gave him my email! Did I? Wait-- oh crap." Then I remembered: I'm a idiot. I gave the blond giant my email two days ago out of cocky desperation when I was sure that I would win our devious bet. After the confrontation today, I wouldn't have suspected he would email me. What he has emailed me leaves a butterfly in my stomach as fear and dread surfaced.
I took a deep breathe and decided to open it. "Here goes nothing."
To: serienhoshiko@mail.goo.ne.jp
From: keitsukishima@mail.goo.ne.jp
Subject:
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What's your home address? I'm coming
over.
---------------------------------------------------
"..."
"Oh my."
I can't tell you the amount of times I overlooked that message, making sure that I was reading the letters correctly and if there was any implication that it was meant as a joke or a troll, however there was nothing. This was definitely something I did not expect, especially from Tsukishima Kei. It almost comes across as elude and perverted, but he would never do something like that, especially to me. Who does he think he is asking a question so forward without any warning? Even after being such a ass? After I merely yelled at him in front of the class? I would be telling a white lie if I didn't say that a crimson blush had unintentionally formed on my cheeks; it's embarrassing to say the least and quite flustering. However, I began to recompile myself and think of a reasonable way to reply, with the perfect amount of aggression and sophistication.
To: keitsukishima@mail.goo.ne.jp
From: serienhoshiko@mail.goo.ne.jp
Subject:
---------------------------------------------------
That's a very forward question to ask a girl
without any context. Why do you need to
know where I live?
---------------------------------------------------
I waited after this, my eyes burning from the bright phone screen and hands merely shaking with anticipation: not because I'm scared, but because my head is overflowing with curiosity and shock at the thought of a kinda hot 6 foot 2 male student wanting to come over to my tiny bungalow. Does he, god forbid, want to spend time with me? Now that's a scary thought. On the other hand, a small tinge of regret formed in my mind after slowly pressing the send button. Did I just suddenly forget how such terror he has caused me? I probably should have just ignored him, however sadly, the deed is done and I can only just ponder what will come next.
My phone buzzed again.
To: serienhoshiko@mail.goo.ne.jp
From: keitsukishima@mail.goo.ne.jp
Subject:
--------------------------------------------------
Don't make this sound creepy. I'm
willing to give you some of my personal
notes for studying. I don't want to give
them to you at school in case anyone
sees and I'm sure both you and me
want to get this over with. So, if you
don't mind, please give me your address
and I'll leave them outside your door.
No need to thank me, shorty.
--------------------------------------------------
I gasped. This sudden change in character is enlightening as much as it is annoying; it has taken him this long to give into his harsh persona. I can't believe what I just read. After all I have been through, it's finally paid off with a rewarding success and I am finally going to get the help that I need. I was punching the air in great achieve, smiling from ear to ear as if I had just struck gold in a coal mine and kicking my feet in overwhelming excitement. However, on the contrary to this exciting news, I don't know about giving him the the name of my home address; I don't want him to know where I live. I've known him for a little while, yes, but that doesn't excuse the fact he is still an acquaintance stranger. On the other hand, this may all be a harsh prank to humiliate me even more. No, I don't think so. He is best friends with Yamaguchi after all: someone who is kind and gentle minded, so if he really was a bully, then I'm sure that Tadashi Yamaguchi wouldn't consider him a acquaintance. I'll just have to play it safe. First of all, I want to know his reasoning behind his sudden change in heart.
To: keitsukishima@mail.goo.ne.jp
From: serienhoshiko@mail.goo.ne.jp
Subject:
---------------------------------------------------
It's a nice offer Tsukishima, but why the
sudden change in heart? Why has it
taken you this long to give me some help?
It's strange that you are considering
this after patronising me earlier and I'm
not sure I'm comfortable giving you
my address without knowing why.
Enlighten me, giant.
-----------------------------------------------------
I nodded in agreement with my message and sent it straight away, pleased with the amount of restrain I am using, not completely accepting his offer yet. He still has some redeeming to do before I snag his proposal.
To: serienhoshiko@mail.goo.ne.jp
From: keitsukishima@mail.goo.ne.jp
Subject:
--------------------------------------------------
It doesn't matter why. The point is is
that I am willing to give you some help.
A score of 18 isn't something that a
student should achieve in the top class.
If I wasn't patronising then who would
have put you into shape?
Be grateful and accept my offer before I
change my mind. So, give me your home
address and I'll be on my way.
----------------------------------------------------
To: keitsukishima@mail.goo.ne.jp
From: serienhoshiko@mail.goo.ne.jp
Subject:
---------------------------------------------------
Ok, fine. I have no reason to argue with
you if you are this willing to help me.
At least I know that I'm talking to the real
Tsukishima and not some murderer with my
email who wants my address. I still don't
forgive you for terrorising me,
but thank you for finally not being a jerk Tsukishima :))))
〒697-0527
Knock on my door when done.
---------------------------------------------------
Tsukishima's messaged seemed like a mask covering the real reason for the sudden change. I didn't want to question any further, but it stilled raised some questions in my racing head. But I don't need to ponder that any more--it's non of my business anyway--so happily excepting was my only choice and it felt like I could finally metaphorically breathe again. I can already imagine my grades exceeding at a higher rate and the contentment I will feel before any exam as I am prepared with the correct knowledge and organised notes. All I have to do now is stay on guard for the knocking on my front door and the salty blond-haired boy to appear as my condescending knight in shinning armour.