One's Eden: Hanayuki Travel

Short story 1: The aspiring novelist (Part 3)

Early in the morning, while I was on my way to school, I knew that I didn’t have many friends and was always anxious about the people around me. But today is different… The start I’m having is piercing my heart. Behind my back, I could sense glares. I don’t have any idea why.

I ignored them and just went inside the school. The glare continues in the hallway to my class. The boys are especially looking at me like I’m somewhat inferior and the girls are in disbelief.

“S-Sorry!”

In front of me, a girl flinched upon meeting my eyes. She took her head down and walked back to her seat.

I don’t remember most of my classmates besides Hanamori, but that girl was the honor student Sasaki Yui. She’s the elected president of the class. Despite being shy looking. She is very reliable and goes along with everyone in the class.

I envy her for that reason.

Why did she flinch? I don’t look like a thug, right? I fix my appearance before going out. Or maybe I have a terrifying face enough for her to flinch.

Thinking about it is depressing. I’m overthinking things. I guess this is another side effect of shutting myself inside my room for a very long time.

“Morning Ren… You seemed down, did you? Fought with Shina in the first year?”

“How did you know about her? Also, there is no reason for us to fight.”

“Come on… everyone already knows about it. You and Shina are in a relationship, right? That explained why you always took a glance at her from the window. You are looking out for her, right?”

“That’s a misunderstanding.”

“Very shy... You’re that kind of guy, huh? Yesterday Shina was feeding you her lunch. Girls will only do it when they are in love.”

No, I’m sure that’s not the case for Shina. Shina is being kind to me because she is recruiting me to be her illustrator. Explaining things to Hanamori is difficult. I don’t want to say that I can draw or I’m previously an illustrator. I’m sure it will attract my attention to me. Showing off my skills is one of the things I don’t like.

Like a baseball player showing off his skills to awe girls. Or in another example, is a rich guy showing off his new phone or fancy things in class.

I don’t want to be lumped with those guys.

“I understand now… The reason why those people around me are glaring at me like that. Because they think that Shina and I have a relationship.

“That’s correct… because the pure angel they wanted to protect was taken by an average looking dude like you. Did you take her first? Did you massage her breasts? Maybe you already took her cherry… Boys these days are hasty and Shina is a beauty. Letting her go would be an i***t movie for boys.”

What kind of question is that? I never thought that Hanamori had such a perverted mind.

“Shina and I aren’t in a relationship… Believe it or not.”

Being told that I look average causes damage to my heart. Plus, those people around me think that I’m inferior to them.

They might be correct, I’m a previous shut-in after all. I’m the trash of society. Recalling all my bad habits makes me depressed. Better shake those thoughts out of my brain and move on. Those people around me are just glaring at me. Nothing extreme is happening yet. Like violence or bullying. I should just ignore them.

That’s the best I can do right now.

…

At lunchtime, I’m still in my usual spot. Taking my peaceful time sitting in the bench chair at the side of the gym. While eating, I could see the players in the tennis club playing tennis.

These people are serious about playing tennis while at lunch. Did they eat their lunch quickly just to play tennis?

Hanamori is there like usual, but right now she looks gloomy. She is still smiling at the girls beside her and cheering on the western exchange student.

What is his name again?

I don’t have much interest in my classmates. I don’t know their names.

“Eating sandwich again? Is that enough for your stomach?”

Turning my glance to my side. The angel has arrived.

“Shina… I think you should stop seeing me in this spot.”

“Why? We’re not doing anything bad.”

“How can I say this? Umm, you see, people have been staring at me crazy since morning and their glare is breaking my heart. I can’t focus. I felt like I was a prey being hunted by a predator.”

She tilted her head while looking at me. Cutely she put her finger on her cheeks. Her expression was clueless to the point she was looking at me with puzzled eyes.

I have to be direct with her.

“People think we’re dating and many boys who have a crush on you want to kill me.”

She looked at me as if she wanted to murder me.

“No way in hell.”

Of course, that’s her answer. We don’t have anything going on with us. Still, it hurts me to hear directly from her.

“No way they will kill you… I mean, that’s a crime.”

“That’s what you don’t.”

“Also, no way we’re dating… We don’t have feelings for each other. How can we date if we don’t love each other? Or maybe, are you attracted to me?”

With that extremely cute face and the easy-to-talk aura she embodied. I think I’m attracted to Shina. She is nice enough to talk to someone like me. But I can’t imagine myself being together with this angel. Looking at her from afar is enough for someone like me. Reaching or attempting to be with her is ridiculous after all.

I averted my head and replied:

“I’m not attracted to you. Well, you are kinda cute. Maybe one of the cutest girls I saw.”

When I turned my glance back to her, I could see a bit flustered face on her cheeks.

She turned her glance at the people around us and she noticed the people I was talking about.

“Well, its true that their glance is piercing. They looked at us like we were some kind of celebrity going out on a secret date.”

“Do you get what I am feeling?”

“Then, would you become my illustrator?”

“Nope… I’m not going to become your illustrator.”

My answer didn’t change.

After lunch, going back to my class is like hell. I felt like my life was on the line. The stare got stronger. Resisting them mentally is tough.

I went back to my seat. Hanamori looks at me with a smiling face and teases me.

“Hey, I saw you with Shina again. Did you kiss her behind the gym? All the boys are agitated. Weird, some girls are angry with you. That tells how popular she is in the boys' and girls' popularity polls.”

“Stop it, nothing is happening between us. We just talk about something very irrelevant.”

…

The class ends, and everyone goes home. As usual, I wait until I’m the last one. Being around too many people still creates a whirl in my heart. I go home when almost no one is at school.

Waiting for 15 minutes. I stood up from my seat and opened the door.

In there, the blonde angel is waiting for me.

Let's become light novelists together.”

She asked and offered her hand.

She doesn’t know how to give up. But I couldn’t do what she wanted me to do.

“Sorry, I can’t.”

I ignored her and walked away. Leaving school.

The following day, she did not meet with me anymore at lunch. My peace was restored, but every time my class ended. She waits until no one is around and waits for me to come out of my room. Every time I open the door, I go out of my classroom. I saw her inviting me with her hand ready to shake mine.

“Let's become light novelists together.”

I turned my back away from her and responded.

“No.”

One week passed, and the same routine was made. She is waiting until everyone is away and asking me if I can become her Illustrator.

“Let's become light novelists together.”

“No.”

My answer didn’t change.

The month has already changed. The pleasant warm weather of April shifted to a lot warmer days in May. The rumors about me and Shina dating died down. No one suspects that I’m dating her. Because of these past few days. Our interaction is so little. The only moment of mine meeting her was in front of the door. Inviting me to her light novel project.

As usual, I said no every time.

She is smiling and never loses her spirit. I’m amazed that she still keeps on going after a month. Or maybe, I’m just horrible for not accepting her invitation.

I have already explained my reason to her. I doubt that I can draw anymore. Two years have already passed since I held my pen and drew. I can’t draw anymore.

Why can’t she understand?

One day.

“This is unusual.”

Looking out the window. Dark clouds covered up the whole sky. Raining cats and dogs. Big drops of water fell onto the roof.

It is bad. I don’t have an umbrella on me.

From the window, I could see umbrellas moving and others running in the rain.

There is no typhoon warning or low-pressure area around the country. This heavy rain won’t last long. If I wait for about 30 minutes, this rain would stop.

Thirty minutes passed and the rain did not stop.

I waited for another 30 minutes or more… But the rain was not giving a sign of stopping. The sky is getting darker. I have no choice but to leave the school.

I opened the door expecting Shina to invite me again.

" Looks like she is not here..."

Why am I expecting to see her again? It's expected of her because it's raining and getting darker.

While walking in the hallway, the thought of her giving up came to my mind. A month had already passed after our repeated routine. Of course, she gave up.

"If she gives up, then it's fine."

Turning my glance up at the dark sky.

I don’t want to do this, but I have no choice. I have to run into the rain. I plan on going to the nearest convenience store to buy some umbrellas.

But before I made my first step in the rain.

Somebody give me an umbrella.

It's the blonde-haired girl who wanted to become a novelist. She is exhausted and she is running out of breath.

"Shina? Why are you so wet?"

"I rushed home and got an umbrella for you... I noticed you earlier and thought you didn't have an umbrella. Seems like I'm right... Let's become light novelists together."

Shina said with her usual smile.

My hand trembles. Anger is going up on my nerves not because of her but because of the reason she’s wasting, too much time on trash like me.

Just what is her deal? I’m being horrible to her and she is not giving up. Why is a girl like her taking me so seriously? A man that doesn’t have worth at all. A previous shut-in.

"i***t! You really are an i***t! You rush home just to give me an umbrella! What if you get a cold and become sick because of me?! I'm just a no-one. I’m nothing important! Just a stranger! I don't deserve such attention from you!”

I snapped out and scolded her.

The rain was heavy and my voice couldn’t be heard clearly. But Shina looked downcast and averted her eyes away. After that, she looks back at my face seriously.

"But... I just... Sorry, Ren... But still, I wanted you to become my illustrator."

She’s so innocent and her intention is very pure. I scolded her but she didn’t look that angry. More importantly, she didn’t give up and invited me. Even if it costs her health.

This girl has some screw loss on her head. This angel is an i***t in the head.

But I’m not that horrible not to respond to the message she’s trying to say.

“You only have one umbrella.”

“I forgot mine. What should I do? What should I do? I’m in a rush. I forgot about it.”

She panicked.

I stepped forward and moved inside her umbrella. I took the umbrella in her hand and pulled her a bit into my hand.

“I’ll walk you home. Your house is just near here, right?”

“Yeah.”

We became silent and just walked in the heavy rain.

We walked together leaving the school. While walking with her, I didn't notice the sound of the rain at all. I noticed another sound. A sound from my chest. Pounding every time I make a step beside her.

She instructed the way toward her house and we reached it without any problem.

“ Before you go… can I have your contact number?”

“My number? Sure, get your phone. I’ll scan the code.”

I took my smartphone and we both exchanged numbers. There are no people on my contact. Making her mine very first.

“Why does Ren want my contact?”

“Well, you can tell me what I should draw when I get home. I’m not confident in my drawing skills, but I’ll do my best.”

A big smile appeared on Shina’s face.

She already knew what I meant.

“I understand I’ll message you tonight… You can take an umbrella. It's a cheap 100 yen umbrella. You can just toss it out if you want.”

She said and hopped away. Running toward the door of her house.

I smiled and turned my back away, going in the direction of my house.

This might be a good thing.

Looks like I have plenty of work to do.

While wondering about my thoughts, I didn’t notice the speeding truck. Splashing water on my face and body.