"Hello to you too, Sophia. It truly has been a minute."
"Is that all you have to say after such a long time? I guess you haven't changed since the last time I saw you, although now you're much taller than before."
"Yeah, well, that's what happens in life. We grow up."
"So cold. You know, if you act like that, you're never gonna get a girlfriend."
"Great, cause I'm perfectly fine without one."
At that moment, the two of them froze as if time stood still all around them, and then their verbal war began without fail.
"Weenie."
"Blondie."
Then, in unison, they both spoke, their voices loud enough to ring in each other's ears.
"Whatchu say?!"
"Who are you calling blondie, you complete and utter weenie?!"
"Oh, you've got nerve, blondie. No one disrespects me—not even you, butterfly princess."
As Keith spoke, the two of them moved inches away from each other's faces, glaring at one another intently.
"Pfft—hahahaha…"
They both laughed together, even though that earlier thought was still swirling in Keith's head. He put it off because his childhood friend was right there in front of him.
If he acted out of the ordinary, she would have been more than worried, which was something Keith wanted to avoid.
He knew far better than anyone that she worried way too much about other people—more than herself, in fact.
The laughter subsided as Sophia sank into her chair and glanced at Keith while he looked at her with a smirk.
"You're the one who hasn't changed, butterfly princess."
"How do you even remember that silly nickname?"
"I don't know, maybe because you used to make me say it all the time."
"That's nothing but lies."
"Are you calling me a liar? How nice of you. No, I was wrong. You have changed—your brain, which has gotten bigger. And by your brain, I mean your head."
"Oh, is that right, virgin-kun?"
They both growled at each other, their expressions comical, before they went back to normal and decided to talk like civilized teenagers.
"Why did you move to Japan so suddenly? If I'm not mistaken, you told me all those years ago that you'd never move here, remember? And plus, why this school of all the schools in Japan?"
Sophia blushed and looked out the window, her hand on her cheek, her face burning a furious crimson. "That's none of your business."
"Excuse me for asking then. I forgot I was talking to a princess who lost her manners."
"Oh, grow up, you big baby."
As they continued arguing, Shintaro walked into the classroom and found them still going at it. He smiled and queried, "What's this, a lovers' quarrel?"
"Absolutely not," Keith muttered, his fingers placed together to make a cross in the shape of an X.
"Like I would ever be this weenie's lover."
Well, they sure do have a lot in common. They've got good chemistry, too. I'm almost jealous… Almost, Shintaro murmured to himself as the two of them faced away from each other like middle schoolers. He stood there witnessing them acting like a match made in heaven.
A low sigh made its way out of Keith's mouth. "I've known her since we were kids, believe it or not. And as you've just seen, she's a pain in the rear."
"M'kay, but even though you see her as a pain in the rear, you two would still make a pretty decent couple. I'm being for real here, my dude."
Keith paused for a moment, looking thoughtful, then he said without as much bravado as before, "There's… no chance of that… trust me."
"Whatever you say, bro."
Shintaro walked toward Sophia, then he introduced himself to her, his voice sounding somewhat odd and unusual compared to the way he usually spoke. "Salutations, my fair lady. My name is Shintaro Nagai, but you can address me as Shintaro."
"It's nice to meet you, Nagai. I'm Sophia Marlowe, though you probably know that already. Uhh… if you don't mind my asking, why are you talking like that?"
That's rich coming from you, Keith thought to himself while watching the exchange.
Shintaro laughed awkwardly, then decided to pull a joke-free face as he extended his arm, looking to shake her hand. "Sorry about that. I tend to get carried away sometimes. It's nice to meet you, Miss Sophia."
"There's no need for you to be so formal. We're good."
"Gotcha. So then, what's up between you and my boy?"
"Nothing at all. We were just arguing."
"Alright then, Sophia-chan—is it okay if I call you that?"
"Yeah, it's no problem at all."
"Sweet. I hope we can be friends. Can we?"
"I don't see why not."
"Hell yeah! Well—"
The bell rang, interrupting Shintaro in the process as it signaled the end of recess. All the students returned to their classes while he went back to his seat.
The English teacher, Kujiraki-sensei, entered and began teaching once everyone was present. The lesson dragged on as he asked a question, and no one answered. He looked around the class and saw that Shintaro was half asleep, slowly dozing off.
Kujiraki-sensei then said, "Nagai! Tell us the answer to question three."
Shintaro woke up and looked around, his face confused. Everyone stared at him as he made an attempt—a foolish attempt. "The answer is… Kah-bohn dye-ok-side."
"It's pronounced carbon dioxide, Nagai. Now pay attention and stop sleeping during class."
"Sorry, Chief. It won't happen again."
"I'm sure it won't."
The other students laughed as Shintaro sat down with a grin plastered on his face. Keith was face-palming, while Sophia was lost in her own world, totally oblivious to what was happening.
After a few periods, the bell rang yet again, this time signaling home time. Some of the students packed their things while others headed to their clubs to do their activities.
Keith stood up, rushed out of the classroom, and headed straight for the restroom. Afterward, he came out, and as he walked down the hall, he ran into Akira, whose destination was his classroom.
"Oh, goober-kun! I was just about to look for you, but never mind that. I wanted to walk home with you, but it seems like I can't. I have to practice, so… yeah."
Practice? What is she practicing? Maybe she's on a sports team, Keith wondered as he looked at her with a curious face. "Are you in a club?"
"Yeah, I'm on the track team."
Seriously? I didn't peg her as a sports enthusiast, but then again, she was pretty stoked about the 100-meter dash at the championships the other day. Guess she's more into sports than I thought.
"Do you really love running that much?"
"I said it before, didn't I? I love athletics. Anyway, I need to get going. See you tomorrow… okay, goober?"
Akira ran toward the stairs while waving at Keith as he waved back, his face lighting up slightly. He entered the classroom, grabbed his bag, and walked to the station at a normal pace.
He rode the train and got to his gate, but then someone unexpected stood right next to him. He turned to face them.
"Why did you follow me to my house?"
"Didn't she tell you?"
"What?"
"Miss Emily told me I could stay at your house while my parents are still figuring out the whole moving thing. So yeah, basically, we'll be living in the same house for a while. She told me that she was gonna tell you. I'm guessing she didn't. Hah, typical."
She was involved in this. You have got to be kidding me. What the hell is this, an ecchi manga series!!!
『To be continued…』
Next chapter:
Chapter 11: Slice of Everyday Life