The Girl Next-door
ONE
I stood beside the door waiting patiently for Ryu
Gakuto
Hey, let's get going, I need to go play some games
Ryu
Yeah, but first, I need to go play soccer with my teammates, we have a match coming up against Fuji Gakuen next tomorrow.
Gakuto
Fuji, Geez, what happened this time around, you guys are always looking for competitions
Ryu
Well, you see, our captain, Gojo was kinda surrounded by him when he was out on a date with his girlfriend
Ryu
So, they talked about embarrassing us, they also beat him before his girlfriend, so you see, the match was scheduled next tomorrow
Gakuto
Oh, not that I care though
Ryu
Come on Gaku, you always act Stoic, like nothing bothers you
Gakuto
It's good for me, you know, well, whatever, I'll go to the arcade, when you are through with practice come play with me
After saying this, I turn around to walk out as Ryu grabbed my collar
Ryu
No way in hell am I letting you leave me
Ryu
If I let you go, you'll use all your coins yo play games, and they'll be none left for the both of us to play against each other
Gakuto
Oh, that's inevitable though, am leaving
Ryu
Why don't you join us for today's practice, you'll have fun, I promise
Gakuto
Fun, my fun lies only in video games now, I've dropped soccer
Ryu
Come on Gaku, you loved playing soccer in middle school
Gakuto
That's the past you know, well, let's go to the field, I'll just be escorting you
Ryu
You know, you'll be popular among the girls if you play, you can just get a girlfriend easily by making few appearances on goal
Gakuto
Huh? I have no business of any sort in girls, and I don't need a girlfriend
We talked as we walked to the field
Gojo
Did you come to join us?
He looked so happy as he said this
Gakuto
Um well I had no...
Gojo
Oh, thanks a lot, Jin refused to play with us because his elder bro is from Fuji, you are a lifesaver
Gojo
Hey team, Gakuto wants to join us, let's begin practice
I let out a sigh as I look at Ryu who just stood laughing
We finished practice and decide to go home, I was really exhausted.
Ryu ditched me and decided to go with his 'Current' girlfriend, what a playboy
I walk into the house looking around for my little brother
Kashhi
She hasn't come home since she left for work
Gakuto
So how did you get home
Kashhi
I came home with a classmate, they just moved in, next-door
Gakuto
*Hmm, mom doesn't come home too often these days, I wonder why*
Gakuto
Well, we should probably get something for the neighbors, I'll go have my bath now
After a very hot shower, I dried my body and put on a red t-shirt and black shorts before walking to the sitting room
Gakuto
Am ready, let's get going
We knock on the door which was opened almost immediately
Isami
Hey Kashhi, I was just about to come meet you
Gakuto
Hey, we came to welcome you to the neighborhood, with this gift
Isami
Oh, thanks. Mom, mom
A middle-aged woman walks to the door, she was on an apron
Gakuto
We came to welcome you guys
Mrs. Taketa
Oh, thank you so much for coming
Gakuto
Well, we'll be leaving
Mrs. Taketa
Why don't you stay for a cup of tea
Gakuto
No, we don't want to stress you and I need to go to the convenience store
Mrs. Taketa
We won't take your time, please
I and Kashhi walk into the building
After the tea, I go to the convenience store leaving Kashhi with them
Gakuto
Mmhm, yeah, complete
I looked at the list in my hand and then back at the shopping basket, I finally looked satisfied before I walked to the counter to pay for what I've bought
Akane.
Don't mind, am okay
Gakuto
I keep walking to the counter before she called me back
Akane.
Um, you're from NASA highschool right
Gakuto
Yeah, Wait, you are Endó Akane, right
I looked at her to be sure she's done talking
Akane.
Am sorry for keeping you, I just wanted yo be sure that you were the one
I walk away happy that she let me leave
I pay for the stuffs I bought and walk out of the store
The sun was already setting, and I walk towards my home with my hands in pocket
I saw an old woman struggling to drag her box out of a building
Gakuto
*It won't hurt to help a little*
I walk towards the old woman trying to help her
Gakuto
Let me help you get that out
Old woman
No, I'll be okay on my own
Gakuto
It really looks heavy, I can help with it
Old woman
No, I don't want to stress you, I can handle it, thank you very much
I look to my left but I was too late to dodge the bag flying to face
I was already losing consciousness but I saw the face of the girl who hit me
TWO
Ryu
Sick dude, are you for real?
Gakuto
Am being serious man, I woke up and found myself surrounded by people
Gakuto
They didn't when call an ambulance, they either walked past me or stopped to watch
Ryu
Why the hell would a girl hit you just because you tried to help an older woman
Gakuto
I just don't know but all I know is that I was knocked out
Ryu
Well that aside, it's almost lunchtime, I'll be heading to the cafeteria now, bye
Gakuto
You really love being on time, huh?
Ryu
Yeah, why not, am not like a guy that I know who prefers staying on the rooftop playing games during lunch instead of stuffing his stomach
Gakuto
You know I actually take lunch
Gakuto
Whatever, just get the hell outta here
Lunch time, I bring out my ear plugs and my phone and start a game
I answered after she tapped me
I removed my ear plugs and shift all my attention to her,
Akane.
I knew you'll stay back, so I decided to stay back in class
Gakuto
Do you need anything from me
Akane.
Well, no, just wanted to have lunch here too
Gakuto
Oh, that seems... Nice
We sit together in silence which made me uncomfortable
I decide to have lunch before the bell is rung
As I ate, I catch her stealing a glance at my bento box
Gakuto
Um, do you want some
Akane.
No, oh my God, was I staring too hard?
Gakuto
I can share what I have with you, if you don't mind
I gave her the bento box to eat what's left
Akane.
Huh? Won't you be eating
And with that I continue playing the games in my phone
School was over and I walked to the field with Ryu
Ryu
What's going on between you and Akane
Gakuto
Huh? Where's that coming from
Ryu
I saw the both of you come out from the rooftop
Ryu
Seems like the both of you had lunch up there
Gakuto
Oh, that. She just walked up there, I have no business with her
Ryu
You know, the both of you could actually hit it off
The next day, I walk to school as usual, on my own
I sat on my seat as the homeroom teacher came to make an announcement
Hm
Please introduce yourself to the class
Student
Oh my God she's a cute one
Mizuki
Good day class, am Itò Mizuki, nice to meet you all
The students greeted her too as I looked up at her
Gakuto
*Huh, huh, where have I seen her before, she's kinda giving me the chills.*
She was really cute, but I had little or no care for her beauty
I just really wanted to know where I net her
The teacher showed her a seat to sit on
Lunch time, I went to the rooftop as usual
I forgot my bento box at home, so I just took bread
Gakuto
What are you doing up here
Ryu
You should be glad I came up to join you
I kept playing my games as he ate
Ryu
Seems like your girlfriend didn't come up to join you today
I looked up at his face looking irritated at his grinning face
Gakuto
I have no girlfriend, last I checked
Ryu
You know, I don't think Akane can date someone like you, loser
Ryu
You are a lonely virgin dude, although we are friends. Geez
Gakuto
I'll show you that Akane can date me
Gakuto
I'll show you my charms man
I continue my game thinking of what to do
Ryu
Man, we'll be playing against Fuji today
Ryu
I wonder how the game will go
Gakuto
It doesn't really bother me
Gakuto
I'll just keep making my passes
Ryu
Let's have a nice game today
School was over, and we were already off to the field
The soccer team of Fuji Gakuen were already coming too
The girls came to cheer us on
Gakuto
The hell, I thought it'll be just the guts
Ryu
You know, the girls will cheer us, nothing more
Gakuto
Maybe you are looking for more girls to fall for you
Ryu
Isn't that just marvellous
Gojo
Let's have a nice game guys
The game started off normally, no goals from either team
After some time, Fuji High scored a goal
Gojo
Crap, let's continue, it's just a goal
The game continued till the break, half time
We stayed together discussing our tactics
Before long two guys started having problems
Gojo
Hey, please let's not fight.
Gakuto
*Fools, we'll fail if this continues*
The game started badly for our team
We passed the ball to one of the guys quarrelling
The guy refused to pass and instead ran to score on his own
The ball was stolen from him by the other team who ran to the post and scored their second goal
Gakuto
*I just started enjoying soccer, I'll have to score to make the team happy, I'll have to break through*
Ryu passed the ball to me as I ran for the post
Gojo
He's going solo, what's wrong with him
Ryu
Hmm, we should be glad, he really wants us to win and that's why he's putting his whole focus on the goal
Ryu
You know, earlier he joined cause you kinda forced him
Ryu
But now he's playing alone
Ryu
He loves going solo, that's why he stopped playing in middle school
They all walked towards me to celebrate
The game continued and I scored 2 more before I relaxed, I wanted the team to score on their own so I stayed at defence
The game ended with us scoring 4 and them 2
Gojo
And it's all thanks to you, Gakuto
Gojo
So, Gakuto, we want you to join our club
I looked at them and nodded
Not like there's something else to do in school, well, except my games
They were all happy and they finally welcomed me
We all walk out of the field happy that we won
THREE
I walked home with my hands in pocket
Ryu
I can't wait for tonight
Gakuto
It doesn't really affect me
Gakuto
Mom's not home and Kashhi will be with his friend, so the house will be all ours
Gojo
Yeah, am so happy for tonight
Gojo
And you guys love playing games, I hope you guys can teach me
Ryu
It's no problem, Gaku is a sick player
Ryu
I know he'll be able to
Gakuto
Whatever, I'll be waiting for you guys
Gakuto
Go get your clothes
Gojo
Yeah, I'll be coming now
I walk into my house, throwing my bag on the couch
He walks out of his room smiling
Gakuto
Am surprised you are home
Gakuto
I thought you'd be with your new friend
I turn around to walk back to my room
Gakuto
You guys need to leave
Gakuto
My friends are coming over
Kashhi
Stop kidding, you have only one friend
They walk into the sitting room with their bags
Kashhi
Wait, that's a new face
Gojo
Hey, am Gojo, you must be Gakutos' bro
Gakuto
So, we'll be using the house and the game today and tomorrow
Kashhi
Can't we have the game tonight
Kashhi
Why don't you play against me, the winner gets the game
Gakuto
Make the game hard for me, you get
We began the game and I won him
Gakuto
It didn't even take 10 mins
Gakuto
I warned you not to bore me
Gojo
He's really good at this
Gojo
Am ready to learn from you, Sensei
With that he bowed dramatically
Gakuto
A student, hmm. A thousand yen for each lesson
We all laugh, which surprised Ryu and Kashhi
Coz I don't really laugh that much
Kashhi
Why don't we play together then
And with that, I kicked him out of the house
As I was about to walk inside, I saw the new girl walking out of Isamis' house
She asked Kashhi who nodded
I keep staring at her trying to remember where I saw her
Gakuto
*She's the dangerous girl from before*
I turn immediately trying to walk into the house
Kashhi
Hey, that's my big bro
Mizuki
Oh, hi am Mi---zuki
Mizuki
Oh, you are the boy from before
Gakuto
*Arrgh, she's gonna hit me again.*
She walks towards me and before I knew it she was bowing before me
Mizuki
Am really sorry for last time
Mizuki
I assumed things without knowing your true intentions
And with that I walk back into the house before she could say another word
Gakuto
Huh, why so suddenly?
Ryu
Adunno, just want to stay out today
Gakuto
Well, that's cool by me
Gojo
Yeah, I wanna see how things go there
Gojo
I've never been to one before
We change our clothes and head out.
We walk out of the arcade gulping our soda
Gojo
You really are a good one Gakuto
Mizuki
Yeah and she left the class screamin
They giggle as they walked towards us
Ryu
Hey Akane, fancy meeting you guys here.
Gojo
Hey,Erica. I never thought I'd meet you here
Gakuto
*Lucky him, his girlfriend was here
Akane.
So, what are you guys doing here
Ryu
We came to play some games.
Ryu
We were heading back to Gakus' house
Akane.
Seems like you guys slept over
Gojo
We'll be going to school from his house next tomorrow
Erika
That sounds cool, we are sleeping over at Akanes'
I just stood looking at them talk everything just became lame
Ryu
Why don't we go watch a movie together tomorrow evening
Gakuto
*The hell, I just wanna stay home tomorrow.*
Ryu
It's settled, tomorrow, the Cinema behind ......
Gakuto
*Haaaa this sucks.*
Gakuto
*Well, let's see what happens tomorrow.*
And with that, we keep spending time with the girls till evening
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