Chapter 30: Junpai’s Lingering Worry

Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Junpai’s Lingering Worry

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"If something were to go wrong.." Junpai added but was interrupted by Aki who placed his right hand around Junpai’s shoulder for comfort.

"It’s alright, we will make it a blast okay. Trust me"

Aki was so positive the negativity of Junpai simply turned to dust.

To the side, I noticed Inosuki standing in silence. Same as he who had been quiet, he watched.

Honestly what’s this guy thinking?.

"I’m glad you made it too, Inosuki.." i uttered facing the other student.

"You usually don’t have time for these kinds of events or activities" i remained positive and warmth while I smiled.

Truthfully, he wasn’t the type to hang out at all, either he goes home straight, gi es us a excuse to avoid it or just plain out say no.

I was a rather shocked to see him agreeing to go along with this.

"Yeah, I guess..." Inosuki replied, his eyes shifted to my smile as if analysing something.

I was acting pretty normal I think.

"Are you...alright?.." Inosuki added in worry.

"Uh?..what? Do I...do I look that bad?..." i paused then stuttered, my expression didn’t changed much as my expression remained positive.

"Well no...you just seemed different today, or kinda of out of it" he added.

"Oota my man, are you okay?....if you’re feeling unwell...you can sit this one out" Aki responded holding me on my shoulder with his other hand.

"We’ll explain the deeds to you when you’re feeling better"

"I’m fine, I just had some trouble at home...I guess I will take it slow for today" my eyes was directed down, my expression covered in worry thoughts.

"Well you could say both Oota and I are having a hard day, so for our sake let’s take it slow" Junpai breaks the tension.

"Look who’s talking, bro you are the star of the day" the Aki replied his attention drawn to Junpai.

He should have more confidence in his self, upperclassman or not. He got this.

I felt a strange, light buoyancy in my chest. The bright sunlight and the sheer noise of the park were consistent and loud. For now I would say the terrifying memory of the flickering child in the alley felt distant now, muted like a bad dream.

I glanced out of the corner of my eye toward Mataguchi. He was already here

Mataguchi stood slightly apart from the group, leaning against a concrete pillar.

You know, i should have expected much but i was kind of still surprised, While the rest of them wore light summer clothes, he wore black trousers paired with a plain, oversized grey long-sleeve shirt and surprisingly, he had on a pair of glasses.

Wait they seemed medicated glass? Does he have problem seeing now?

Huh?

His hands were buried deep in his pockets, his eyes fixed on the moving gears of a nearby Ferris wheel while two ladies, one who was clearly older than him.

she seemed to be talking to him. His not even replying, or is he just listening?

They both had deep dark hair, but unlike the older lady talking to Mataguchi, the other one’s hair was extended to her waist. Both ladies have on same attire as Mataguchi. He hadn’t spoken since they arrived.

He’s keeping my secret...I thought, a wave of profound gratitude washing over me.

He knows I’m not crazy. I can actually just be a normal kid today...

More importantly, the weather isn’t like last time. I don’t think will come out in rain ig it even happens.

Inosuki gaze was on me for some moment before a voice called from a distance. It wasn’t malicious in anyway.

"Hey! Sorry we’re late!"

The voice made me and Junpai turn. Walking briskly toward us was Shion, accompanied by a petite girl with short brown hair who was blushing furiously Junpai’s new girlfriend, Nanami.

I’ll be damned. But she looked nothing like what I had picture her to be. When Junpai and Inosuki were describing her, it was as if she was some alpha predator watching us as preys.

I know it might as well be a fabrication because of disclosed similar backgrounds.

My breath caught slightly. Shion had clearly put immense effort into her appearance. Her long white hair was tied back into two high, playful pigtails, secured by dark purple ribbons. She wore an oversized, off-the-shoulder pastel sweater over a short black pleated skirt, her thigh-high socks meeting the hem perfectly.

"Wow, Shion-san, you look... really cool," both of the boys blurted out, their cheeks turning pink.

A honest reaction.

Nanami was a third-year, and it showed. Unlike the frantic, high-energy vibe of the underclassmen i thought she would approachus as, she moved with a calm, effortless grace.

She wore a simple but elegant cream-colored sundress that caught the summer breeze, her dark brown hair falling neatly past her shoulders.

She carried herself with the poise of someone who was completely comfortable in her own skin, immediately making Junpai look like a vibrating ball of pure panic, which I myself completely understand giving the circumstances.

"H-Huh? Whatever, it’s just regular clothes," Shion snapped back, her cheeks flushed a violent crimson as her purple eyes darted directly to me.

Is she trying to gauge my reaction?

"Don’t make a big deal out of it."

"No, really, Shion. You look great," I said, scratching the back of my neck with a bashful chuckle. Yeah I did reacted, how couldn’t I?

Shion’s eyes widened slightly, her gaze dropping to her platform boots as she hid her lower face in the collar of her sweater. "Y-Yeah? Well... thanks. You don’t look completely terrible either, Oota."

Man, I was seeing sunshine and rainbows at that moment but kept my cool either less.

"Senpai!" Junpai squeaked, bowing so quickly his denim jacket snapped. "T-Thank you for coming!"

Bro very polite, it was like she was greeting an elder.

Nanami chuckled, a soft, melodic sound, and stepped forward to lightly touch his left cheek "I told you to call me Nanami outside of school, Junpai. We’re on a date, remember?"

Junpai looked like he might faint from joy right then and there.

I was watching them closely, it was like a TV drama. I wished I was with a popcorn.

"Question, doesn’t the Junpai girlfriend seemed to good for him" Aki whispered on Inosuki’s ear in which Inosuki blurted out immediately

"totally" he replied.

Their whispered was opened and volumed enough for Junpai to hear.

Junpai expression tighten, he was clearly annoyed by it but kept quiet.

I can hear you, you punks....already giving up and ditching uh... Junpai thought in annoyance.

"Wow, she’s gorgeous," Shion muttered under her breath, unconsciously shifting closer to me.

"Yeah, she seems really nice," i agreed, my mind still slightly preoccupied with the lingering dread from the night before i didn’t actually think much of the appearances. I kept my hands in my pockets, my posture slightly withdrawn despite the bright scenery.

Shion eyes was directed to my expression before facing back to the group. She must have noticed something but kept quiet, not sure since it was only a brief second.

"...." shion muttered not clearly enough for me to pick as it was but a whisper to her self.

"Huh?" I uttered

"Oh, it’s nothing. I was just thinking I haven’t seen Mataguchi around.....you did invite him didn’t you?" Shion replied immediately her tone composed.

"Well yeah, I did.."

"His over there" i pointed to Mataguchi, seeing as the girls were recently leaving.

I guess they are finally done with whatever they are doing.

From his position by the pillar, Mataguchi was observing the exchange. He didn’t seem to care much about interactions but he was surely observing.

"Wait, what’s he-" Shion stopped as she was interrupted by Junpai who then clumsily began introducing the rest of the group.

Nanami listened politely, offering a warm smile and a nod to each person. She was a perfect coordinator, matching the names Junpai had told her to the faces in front of her.

But when Junpai finally pointed to me, the dynamic subtly shifted. Shion and Inosuki eyes seemed focused on Nanami before looking away. I immediately knew something was off. Well not now but maybe later.

"And this is Oota, my underclassman from the club," Junpai said proudly.

"Nice to meet you, Nanami-senpai," i said, offering a polite, standard bow.

"Nice to meet you, Oota-kun," Nanami replied.

This exchanging is starting to feel unnecessarily intense.

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"There is no escaping fear, it is want makes us human."

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