Chapter 3: School project and Senpei's Jealousy

“Ryoko! Ryoko wakes up it’s time for school.” Ryoko’s mother called. “Rio go wake your sister up.” “Sister! Sister.” She went to her room and shook her up.  “What is it, Rio?” “Sister if you don’t wake up now you will be late for school.” “How do you get up earlier than me every time?” She woke up from her bed and went to the bathroom to wash up.

“Ryoko aren’t you done yet?” Her mother asked. “I am done. Where is the breakfast?” “Here and I am preparing your lunch so tie up your sister her hair before going to school.” “Okay!” “Her sister.” Rio gave her. “Rio why don’t you cut your hair it’s problematic to tie it every morning.” She complained. “I will cut my hair again on Sunday.” She replied. “Mother, Kotaru is playing with his food,” Rio said. “I knew he would, Rio can you feed him?” “Okay.” “Mother, where is Father?” Ryoko asked. “He is sleeping after he returned from his night shift.” “He must be tired.” “You are right. Anyways here is your bento. And eat your breakfast soon and hurry up you will be late for school.”

“Ryoko!”

“Natsumi, you are early today?” “Yep, I am. Ryoko, can go by yourself today?” Ryoko looked at Natsumi with confusion. “Actually Himada-kun thought about taking this root to go to school today and asked me to if I would mind going to school with him today? So, I said yes and I wanted to have some time alone with him.” “Oh, I get you. Fine I will go alone today then.” She replied. “Thank you, Ryoko.” She got happy. “Oh, Sister Natsumi. Good morning.” “Good morning Rio. Are you going to school?” She asked. “Yes, I will see you later then.” She waved. “Well, then see you in school as well.” Ryoko took her to leave. “Okay!”

While going on the way to school Ryoko thought about Natsumi and Himada’s possible conversations. Suddenly someone called her, “Out of the way the breaks are not working.” He screamed and hit the pole. Ryoko went to look at the person. “Are you okay?” She asked. “Oh! I am so sorry did I hit you accidentally?” he asked. “No, I am fine. But I guess you hit yourself by the pole.” She said. “Oh! My bicycle.” He rushed to look at it. “Oh, thank god it is fine.” “Um, I think you should go to the school sooner to check up.” She said. “Oh! You are right.” He replied, “Wait you are from your school as well?” He was shocked. “Yes.” “Oh! If you don’t mind can you go and buy me something cool for the time being. Here is the money.” He hands over. “Why don’t you do it yourself?” She asked. “I have to stand here to see if I broke some parts of my bicycle.” She sighed and took the money from his hand and bought him a can of cold drink. “Here.” “Oh, thanks.” “I shall take my leave now.” She went away. ‘What a weird morning this is.’ She thought and she passes by.

The first period started and the teacher announced something related to the project. “So, this is a pair project and I will divide the students according to roll numbers. And the topics of the projects are written here. I hope you all do this project and submit it within nine days. It’s not a difficult project so work on it nicely.” The teacher said. “Teacher, if you don’t mind can you example us how to submit the project just a summary about the presentation will be fine,” Ichika asked. “Sure, I will.” The teacher explained them and the class was over after the bell rang. The students looked for their teammates. “Izumi- Kun?” “Oh! Ichika –san.” “I guess we have to do the project together so, let’s discuss it in the library in lunch today.” She suggested. “Sure, but when?” “How about I will call you? Please stay in the class so, I don’t have a problem finding you.” “Okay, then see you then.” Ichika returned to her seat.  “Ichika why do I have to do the project with a guy?” Kyouko complained, “Every time I do a project with a guy it’s always too hard to complete it and in the end, I have to do it all by myself. Because my teammate goofs around.” “Who are you doing your project with?” she asked. “Masahiro-kun,” Kyouko replied. “But you haven’t even talked to Masahiro- Kun earlier so, how can you know if he is not good or not,” Ichika said. “Yeah! You are right, I hope he cooperates nicely.” She said. “Go talk to him,” Masami said. “Okay!”

She went near him before she could say something he starts talking. “Ogawa- San right.” He said, “I am Masahiro Wakatmatsu. If you don’t mind can you give me your email or contact number so, I can send you the plan I have thought of for the project and don’t worry I will do the work collectively?” He said. She was shocked. “Sure, then here is my number and email.” She gave him. “Oh thank you. Here is mine. I hope we can cooperate nicely. I will look forward to work with you.” He said formally. “Then if you don’t mind I will continue what I was doing earlier if you excuse me.” He asked politely. “Oh! Umm sure. Please continue.” She excused herself.

“So, how was it?” Masami asked. “I think he is okay. At least for now.” She replied. The teacher came to the class and the next class started.

The bell rang after the completion of the class before lunchtime. Ichika stretched herself. “Ichika.” “Shall we go to wash our hands?” Kyouko asked. “Umm, sure.” She looked for Izumi. “Oh, Izumi- Kun?” She called. “Yes, Ichika- san.” He responds to her call. “I will see you at the library after 5 minutes so make sure you take your lunch and a notebook with pen or pencil.” She said and left. “Ichika are you going to have lunch in the library?” They asked. “Yes, because I don’t have a choice I want to start the project sooner.” She replied. “I had bought your favourite food today in my bento,” Ryoko said. “Really? Then I will go once I take a bite of it.” She replied.

Ichika came to the library after picking up her lunch from the classroom. “Oh! Ichika san.” “Kanata- Senpai.” “Are you here for lunch?” he asked. “Yes, and I also have to work on my project with my classmate. So, today is Nozaki Senpei put in charge on his behalf I guess.” She replied. “Yes, but don’t create noise alright.” He warned with a smile. “Sure, sure Senpai.” She saw Izumi and sat opposite him. “So, Izumi- kun.” She started, “I have looked through the topic and I think these topics are the easy ones to complete in time easily and we can get information easily on these as well.” She showed him. “I think you should decide the topic as you know, I trust that you will come up with a nice one.” He replied. “I can do that but remember Izumi-Kun you have to work the same as me and even if you are slow to do the work I gave you do it nicely so, that I don’t have to review and edit it once again. And cooperate with me nicely otherwise if I end up doing all the work alone I will make sure to tell the teacher that you did nothing and give you no grades for the project work.” She threatened him. “Yes, ma’am.” He got scared.

On the other side, Kenta was watching Izumi and Ichika’s conversation. And like a best friend of Tatsuya, he called him. “Hello? Tatsuya? I saw Ichika- san with a guy in the library.” On the other side, “what? Are you sure it is a guy? The last time you called I ran to her and saw it was just a girl who had hair like that.” He remembered. “This is a guy classmate of hers. They are doing a project together and she just now shared her lunch with him.” He said. “Are you serious?” “Of course. Man the food looks good I will have a bit of it. Alright, see you at the class then.” He hanged up. “Oh! Ichika- san.” He came to her seat. “Oh! Kenta- Senpai. Is there something you want?” She asked. “Your lunch looks good can I have some?” he asked. “Sure, you can but please leave some for me as well.” She said and passed him. “Man, thanks for the food.” Ichika saw Izumi confused. “Oh! Izumi, you looked confused. Is it because of Senpai?” She asked. He nods. “Kenta Senpei is a member in the Acrobats club. He sometimes comes to the library in the exchange for Tatsuya Senpai and Nozaki Senpai. I guess the student council called Senpai again?” She asked. “Yeah! They call him time to time for the meetings as their adviser.” He replied. “Ichika- san!” She looked back. “Sshhh!” “I am sorry.” He said. “Tatsuya Senpai? What are doing here today? As I remember we don’t have our shift today so, you should be in the drama club.” She said. “I heard from Kenta that you were here so, I thought maybe I had forgotten that I had shift today. So, I came here. I see you are having lunch. Who is this new guy?” He asked. “This is Izumi- Kun my classmate. He and I do a project together so, we came here during lunch to discuss it while eating.” She replied. “Oh project. Then work hard on it. I hope it turns out well.” He gave his wishes. “Oh! Ichika- san the food you brought taste good.” Kenta exclaimed.  “Oh is it? I made it myself today. It good to hear that it is good.” She replied. “Ichika-san you can cook as well. That’s so nice.” Izumi said. “I don’t know many recipes but I just know some basics that’s it.” Tatsuya looked back and asked, “Ichika-san if you have made that can I try as well?” he asked. “Sure, but please buy me something to eat before lunchtime is over I don’t my lunch will be left after this.” She sighed. Tatsuya took a bite and said, “It’s good.” “I am glad you like it. Does senpai also knows how to cook?” She asked. “No, he doesn’t. Back in the room he never cooks and so, as Nozaki.” Kenta replied. “I think everyone should have a bit of knowledge about cooking.” She said. “I will learn cooking.” Tatsuya said, “Nozaki also knows few things to cook so, it’s a bit shame that I don’t. So, I will learn that would you like to taste my food Ichika-san?” He asked. “Okay, I will but do make it eatable.” She said.

“Here, Ichika- San please have this cream bun as an apology to finish your lunch.” Tatsuya hand her. “Thanks, Senpai then I will take my leave. I will see you again in our next shift.” She said and left. “Pfft! Hahaha!” Kenta couldn’t control his laugh. “Dude.” “You like her so, why don’t you tell her?” he asked. “I am not sure if she likes me the same way.” He replied. “She likes the other you though,” Kenta said. “That’s just fangirling I guess,” Tatsuya said. “Ughh!” Tatsuya got frustrated and crotch down. “Ichika- san when will you like me as well?” He said.

    “Oh! Ryoko!” Ickika called her as she saw her in the hallway. “Ichika!” she called her back. “Oh! Excuse me.”  Someone called Ryoko. “Oh! It’s you…..”

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