Chapter 38: A Feeling Without A Name

Chapter 38: Chapter 38: A Feeling Without A Name

Shion’s monologue, POV

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"So ahhmm...." I muttered.

"Hmmm?"

"Do we know each other from somewhere" I asked.

"No" she answered.

"I only heard of you from someone that knows you" she added.

"You are headed to the amusement park right?" I asked.

She chuckled a bit, her smile was beautiful and attractive.

Is she some kind of princess from a historical drama?

"Yeah, I’m headed that way as well. I’m sure that you already knew I’m someone they knew as well" she said.

I was left in the dark about what the amusement park trip was all about, I had just thought it was to hang out, but inviting an unfamiliar person to those kind of occasion isn’t something I’d do.

"So why where you following the other guy around?" She asked, her gaze turning to me.

My heart skipped a bit, it was kind of hot for some reason I can’t explain. More like I’m nervous right now.

"W-we so happened to be heading the same way" I explained, turning my face to the side to hide my face.

I couldn’t be more of obvious than that.

".....well he invited me over to go me him at the a specific location but I couldn’t gather the courage to go talk to him when I noticed him on the way here"

"...."

"My name is Nanami...Nanami Mistogan" she added, after a brief long silence.

"Eh? R-right" I was still a bit nervous from all this. I wasn’t feeling confidence at all in front of her and the situation

"So...can I get your name, Mrs?"

"Oh ahh my name, my name is Shion Shiwogata" I replied, trying to regain my confidence but my voice came out lower than normal. It couldn’t be help, I mean one cause Oota was nearby and the other, the situation.

"Shiwogata-san then.." she muttered to her self.

"Just Shion"

"Hmm?"

"Just Shion is fine" I added my eyes scanning the floor. Not wanting direct eye contact.

"Right, Shion then."

"So Mistogan-San..who-"

"Call me Nanami, it’s only fair you do the same for me. " She interrupted me before I could finish.

"N-Nanami-San, " I voiced out low toned.

"Yes, Shion?"

"Who is this friend of your that told you about me?" She’s from our school, that uch is clear.

"Junpai.."

"Junpai...?" I repeated.

Oota’s friend Junpai is the one who told her about me, well that mean sense. Nice going blubber-mouth.

"During one of our conversations, he mention you were going to come along. I got curious and asked." She continued

I chuckled forcibly, "Yeah he really is a blubber-mouth"

She chuckled in reply.

Time flew as we get to know each other, we talked about Junpai’s funny moments and our times at home.

​The bus slowed down, pulling up alongside the wide sidewalk bordering the entertainment complex.

​"Tokyo Dome City. Tokyo Dome City," the automated voice announced.

I stepped down from the bus onto the wide stone pavement along side Nanami. The area was alive with energy, the distinct, far-off sound of music playing from the amusement park speakers, the distant rumble of the Thunder Dolphin roller coaster tracking along its steel rails, and the joyful noise of families, couples, and groups of friends gathering near the plazas.

​Checking my phone one last time

10:28 AM

I tried quickened my pace to follow Oota but I was dragged again by Nanami who was still heading there.

"We are going to be late" I said turning to her completely.

"I-i have a question I wanted to ask, if it’s alright with you." She muttered suddenly.

"What?" I asked.

"Do you love someone? Like does anyone come to mind?" She asked

"Hmm?" I was confused by that sudden question. I wasn’t flustered by it, it felt serious.

"Well, it’s hard to admit but I think I do" I muttered, my voice shaking a but from nervousness.

"I’m not sure how to answer that. I don’t even understand my own feelings enough to know if I feel that way for someone" I added.

"....."

"....."

It was quite for a moment, we just stood there in silence. I couldn’t read her.

The questions that flew to me was, why?

Why the question? Why me? Why now?

It just felt off to me.

"Right forget about it" She finally uttered.

"It’s just a personal matter on my part" she said leading the way to the park.

As we walked together, i tried to communicate to her but it felt impossible. But just when i was thinking of letting go she chuckle softly.

"No need to be so tensed up like that"

"I- i didn’t know what to said, you were been awfully quiet." I replied.

"Let’s have a drink first, I’m tasty"

I couldn’t argue with her I just followed her lead like she’s my mom or my boyfriend.

At the end we brought two can-drinks, specifically soda and tea and sat in silence sipping on it, I don’t know what she’s thinking and why she’s doing this.

I just watched as she slowly sipped her soda.

After some minutes had passed, we past the fountain plaza toward the central park entrance. The bright morning sun washed over the open square, illuminating the colorful banners and towering structures of the park.

​And there, standing near the prominent park entrance arch, were the group already there, they seemed to be engaging in some drama.

"Hey! Sorry we’re late!" I voiced out, my voice reaching them as Oota and Junpai turned slightly.

The group were drawn to Nanami’s, their eyes shifted subtly between Junpai and Nanami but his eyes were still focused on her.

The race of his breath, and the dynamic of the group changing to something clear. Yeah...I see.

So they were on a date, Junpai must have asked Nanami out on a date, no a trial date since his friends were allowed to come along when it’s not a double date or something relating.

They must have planned a lot of things to make this go well, Aki cheerful behavior was giving that away.

For the moment though, most of their attentions were drawn to Nanami but then, I shifted my eyes slightly noticing Oota staring balls at me.

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

I felt embarrassed, drifting my eyes immediately away from them.

Why are they looking at me so intensely?

Nanami on the otherhand 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," I snapped back, my cheeks flushed a violent crimson as my purple eyes darted directly to Oota. He wasn’t faking it, he really meant it.

This was already my happiest moment of the day.

"Don’t make a big deal out of it."

"No, really, Shion. You look great," Oota said, scratching the back of his neck with a bashful chuckle.

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

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

The blubber-mouth was too uptight in front of his date.

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. This wasn’t what I was expecting.

It turns out it was a date, then doesn’t that mean the others and me are all third wheels.

Right didn’t Oota invite Mataguchi? He didn’t make it?

"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.

Serves him right for what he did.

Oota had been a bit quiet, even though he acts normal on the outside, that can’t be the same on the inside.

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

"Yeah, she seems really nice," he agreed, his mind still seemed slightly preoccupied. He kept his hands in my pockets, his posture slightly withdrawn despite the bright scenery.

My eyes was directed to his expression before facing back to the group.

There was signs of terror, fear, trauma or isolation underneath his calm expression.

"Hiding..." i muttered not clearly enough for him to pick but to me self, self-consciously.

"Huh?" He uttered in confusion.

"Oh, yeah. I was previously just thinking I haven’t seen Mataguchi around.....you did invite him didn’t you?" I replied immediately my tone composed.

"Well yeah, I did.." Oota responded.

"His over there" he pointed to Mataguchi, seeing as two 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. He said he didn’t have much to do with girls, so what’s with that numbers?

That makes three girls in total now.

"Wait, what’s he-" i stopped 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.

But when Junpai finally pointed to Oota, the dynamic subtly shifted. I watch her closely noticing her eyes where lingering longer on Oota before facing away it was not malicious.

What does that mean.

My mind immediately recall the conversation I had with Tanya back in class a few days ago.

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"Even if his social standing is currently on the lower side, because of his isolation complex. He’s getting more attention by the day."

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

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

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

I hate this exchange.

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"Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier ways."

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