Hi there
I'm sorry it took me a while to update
But I'm 100% better now. No more headaches
Let me make it up with this long chapter (this has to be the longest thing I have ever written so far) and I hope you'll enjoy it.
It still need a few modification with the grammars and stuff. Sorry about that
I'll fix it later cause right now I'm sleepy.To the replies:
lovemariharu Yeah, again, I'm sorry
but thanks for the tip. And by the way, I've read your fanfic and was actually wondering when you'll update hehehe
. Anyhow, thank you for reading and hope you like it
cisda83 I'm trying to make them notice each other for a while and not really talk about it. But something might happen, well I still don't know what's going to happen next.
I hope I can think of something fast hehehe. Anyway, thank you for reading. Hope you like it.
kurosawa87 Mariko's role is kinda like a happy-go-lucky type of person but Takamina is not really fond with it. Anyway, thank you for reading. Hope you like it.
Yuki88 Really? It doesn't sound lame or anything?
Thank you for boosting my confidence up and encouraging me
It means a lot. I thought so too, Haruna will probably defend her somehow
. Thank you for reading and hope you enjoy this.
yanouchi Mariko has one killer smile hehehe
Thank you so much for the support yanouchi-san It really means a lot
Thank you for reading it.
michiyo48 Wow. A first time Mariharu reader. Somehow that makes me nervous hehehe
I really hope you like it and I'll make up lots of Mariharu moments on the next one. Don't worry, I'm building up to it
Thank you for reading.
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CHAPTER IV Meet the CraziesAnother day has gone by. You could say that it was a pretty good for a first day in a new school. Considering the fact that Haruna’s family just moves in a new town three days ago and classes start a week before. Being in an unfamiliar environment can make everyone anxious, especially for Haruna. She has been always the reserved type and this can be a hindrance for her. It’s not that she’s a snob but she can’t fully express herself or even start a conversation.
Luckily, she met some nice people. But still, she can still be shy and awkward around them. Haruna did promise to her father that she will do her best to like the new place and so she hopes she’ll fit in with everyone else.
“Welcome to Chemistry lab Miss Kojima.” A man in his mid-forties said to Haruna. “I’m Mizumoto-sensei, your professor.”
Haruna stands near the door and looks around the lab. The class is on the process of lesson 2 so everyone is busy with the exercise. Everyone is now in their respective stations and is paired into two. The pairs have their own workplace and equipments to work on.
She can see that Takamina and Rena are paired together. They are working seriously with Rena instructing Takamina in lighting the Bunsen burner. Takamina notice Haruna in front and waved to her and she waves back.
During her first day, Takamina and Rena have been real nice to her. They joined her for lunch, showing that they want to be friends. She feels truly blessed by it but she can’t help to still feel lonely inside.
“You will need a lab partner but it seems that everyone is almost paired out except for one.” The professor scans every station and spotted one with only one student in it. The student appears to be having a hard time as she flips her textbook back and forth.
“Pair with her and go to your station.” He smiled and pointed at the direction.
Haruna nodded and walks towards the station. As she walks, she can’t see the students face because the student is holding the books in her face and franticly moves around but she can see her wavy brown hair.
Haruna stands in front the table, waiting for her new partner to notice her.
“Ummm, excuse me.” Haruna said quietly but the other girl heard it and puts her book down.
“Ohh hi. I didn’t see you there.”
“The professor asked me if I can be paired with you.”
“Yeah sure. I’m the only one who doesn’t have a partner yet.” The girl said with full smiles.
Haruna then joins her partner and put her white laboratory coat.
“Let me introduce myself. The name’s Yuko.” The girl said, showing her dimple smile.
“Nice to meet you. My name is Haruna.” Haruna said in a small voice.
“Glad that someone is my lab partner. To be honest, I don’t know what I’m doing.” Yuko starts the conversation as she can feel that Haruna is a shy person.
“Why you don’t have a partner?” Haruna asked in curiosity.
“Oh well you see… the old man said we can pick our partner and well… the class has an odd number and I don’t know anyone here so that leaves me the odd man out. Hehe” Yuko chuckle nervously.
“Oh I see.”
“Can’t wait to work with you.” Yuko cheerfully said. “So let’s get started.”
Yuko took the lead, taking out a beaker with a liquid and a bunch of other stuff while Haruna looks at the book, figuring out the exercise.
“I know this question has been asked to you a dozen times now but…um… How’s the school treating you?” The small girl asked.
“Umm I-it’s fine.” The tall girl said stuttering.
“Hey don’t be shy. Just be yourself. I am your lab partner after all. We’re going to work together from now on so you can tell me everything.” Yuko said smiling.
The sincerity in Yuko’s voice manages to make her a bit relax. It was unusual for someone she just met can make her feel… comfortable. Somehow.
“Ok. In order to get to know each other, How about you ask me questions and I’ll answer all of them? And after I answer your question, I’ll ask you too but you have the option to not answer it. Kinda like a question game. What do you say? Yuko took out his hand.
“Deal? Chemistry sessions are long so we still have a lot of time to do the exercise.”
“Uhhh.” The tall girl was a still unsure about it but it might help. What could possibly go wrong, right?
“Deal.” She shook her partner’s hand, smiling.
“Ok. You go first. Ask me anything?”
Coming up with a question was harder than Haruna thought. She doesn’t want to ask the wrong question and say something bad. And yesterday’s conversation with Acchan, Takamina and Rena was the first thing that pops to her head and they mention that her partner is part of some group called ‘The Prankster’. How about she’ll ask about that? It’s ok, right?
She doesn’t want to judge someone not knowing them first. It just doesn’t seem right to her. And maybe she doesn’t like to be with a stranger but at least she’s doing something about it.
“So how long have you been here?” She decided to ask a basic question.
“Since chemistry class start.” Yuko smiled to her. “Oh you mean in this town. I thought you’re referring to this spot. Since I was born. I grew up here.”
The little joke the small girl give did earn a small smile from Haruna.
“Ok my turn. Umm let’s see. What to ask you?” Yuko glances around the room, trying to come up a question.
“Are you single?” Yuko said, grinning at Haruna.
The question shock Haruna for it was pretty straight forward. She never thought she would ask something like that but she’ll have to keep her end of the bargain.
“Y-Y-Yeah.” Haruna said, a bit stuttering.
“I never thought you’ll answer that. I was just joking.” Yuko was laughing with how her partner answered it directly. She was expecting she will ignore that.
“Remember you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”
Haruna was a bit embarrassed with her answer but she just wants it to be fair.
“It’s your turn again.”
She begins to think again a new question and remembers that Yuko said that she doesn’t know anyone here.
“Where are your friends? You said you don’t know anyone here.”
“Well, my friends and I are separated. The principal puts us in different class and makes sure that we’ll never be put in the same class together. So, I end up here”
Her answer might confirm what Takamina said but she doesn’t want to jump to conclusions. In the other hand, curiosity kicks in.
“Why?”
“Well…” Yuko pauses and scratches the back of her head. “Let’s just say that the principal hates us hehehe.”
It was still vague but she doesn’t want to push it. She’s afraid she might say something bad.
“My turn.” Yuko already thought of a question. “Why did you move here?”
It was a quite an innocent question compare to the last one. Haruna was relieve it was an easy one.
“My dad’s company moved him in a new warehouse and he decided to move us here.”
“Oh, the newly built warehouse? A friend of mine’s sister works there.” Yuko said in a matter of fact tone. “Ok, ask me a new one.”
Haruna was running out of question to ask. But then, she remembers the girl in the roof. The girl asked her about Yuko and she wants to know who the girl truly is.
“Do you have a friend that’s in detention yesterday?”
Yuko was surprised by that question. How could she possibly know about Mariko’s suspension?
“I think I know it is. Why’d you ask?”
“While I was going to the guidance office, I happen to bump someone in the roof and she helped me but I forgot to ask for her name. The guidance counselor did say she might be someone that’s in detention.”
The small girl was surprised again. Mariko didn’t mention about that. Why wouldn’t she tell that? It was clearly important to… something… well whatever, it was still an important detail.
“That’s a friend of mine. Did she say something?” Yuko said, trying to figure out why Mariko would not tell her.
“Not really. She asked if I knew you.”
“Oh is that so?”Yuko said. “Well, it’s my turn now.”
“What does she look like?” Yuko asked, curious what would Haruna thinks about her friend.
“Well…” She remembers about the girl’s appearance. She has to admit that the girl’s appearance was really beautiful, with a tall figure that compliments her short brown hair, with pink lips that matches with her beautiful eyes… but she doesn’t want to say that out loud. It’s embarrassing.
“She’s very tall and has brown hair.”
“Ahh I see. What you think of her?” Yuko asked again.
“She seems…” Haruna pauses, still thinking about the girl. “… nice.”
“Oh…” It surprises Yuko that her first impression of Mariko is nice. People would be intimidated by her friend and would try to avoid her, but it’s good to hear that someone thinks otherwise.
“We’ve been friends since grade school and if you see her again, remember that she’s a really good person.” Yuko said, giving her a comforting smile. “I believe it’s your turn to ask.”
Haruna was running out of question and decided to ask her a last question. She did enjoy this little game, it made her a bit comfortable working now.
“How about we finish this exercise?”
Yuko chucked at the question and decided to follow it.
“Ok. We better finish this.” Yuko said, giving Haruna the book. “You give me instruction on what to do for I don’t know anything about it.”
Seeing the look of Yuko, she nods and read the instruction for her.
“It says here we need to put 70 mL of this liquid into the beaker.”
“Ok.” Yuko took the beaker and the flask that contains the liquid, pouring in aimlessly.
Haruna notice the mess her partner did and puts down the book.
“W-wait Yuko.” The tall girl places her hand in her partner’s arm. “You have to put it down the table.”
“Putting it down the table.” Yuko followed Haruna’s order.
“Get down to eye level.”
“Getting down.” Yuko kneel down to get to eye level.
“Now, slowly pour it.” Haruna took a closer look on what Yuko’s doing. “See that circular disk, wait for it to get to the line.”
As she slowly pouring it down, she notice that Haruna’s face is near hers and was startle by the close contact that she loses focus on the flask and accidentally spill the liquid into the table and into her pants.
“Oh shit.” Yuko quickly stands and looks at her wet pants.
“What is this? Is it acid? What do I do?” Yuko panics as she shook Haruna’s shoulder. “Tell me it isn’t acid.”
“Aww, I can feel it burning in my pants” Yuko jumps up and down, trying to endure the pain.
“You can feel it?” Haruna was smiling to her.
“Yes and it hurts.” Yuko really looks in pain as she closes her eyes and clutches her shirt.
“Cause that’s Sodium Chloride.”
“Ahhh it burns, it burns. Ahhh”
“Sodium Chloride is commonly known as sea water.”
“Oh.” Yuko stops jumping and looks dumbfound. “I um… knew that.”
“Now, it just looks like I wet my pants.” Yuko looks the mess she just made.
“I was just trying to make you laugh hehehe.” Yuko nervously chuckle, making an unbelievable excuse to save her from embarrassment. “I was playing along.”
“Oh really?” Haruna is now grinning widely to her partner’s excuse.
They both laugh loudly, loud enough that the entire class can hear them.
“Oshima-san and Kojima-san, get back to work.” Mizumoto-sensei angrily said as she looks at the two.
“Sorry about that.” Yuko slightly bows and Haruna follows.
Haruna glances at Yuko and they continue to laugh.
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“Man, I’m hungry.” Miichan said as they walk from the hallway.
“When’s the time you’re not hungry?” Jurina said, bumping her fist lightly to Miichan’s arm.
“Hey!” Miichan replied with punch in the arm while Jurina tries to hold Miichan.
Mariko gave a small chuckle as her friends continue to mess with each other.
“Cut it out you two.” Mariko said, being like a big sister to the two. “We’ll go to cafeteria but we have to wait for Yuko.”
A small girl then comes running towards the trio and jumps at the back of Jurina while still holding Miichan’s back.
“Ahhhh. You’re heavy. Get off!” Miichan struggles, almost losing her balance.
“What the- Why is your pants cold Yuko?” Jurina lets go of Miichan’s to look at Yuko. Then the small girl dismounts herself from Jurina’s back.
“Oh it’s nothing.”
“Did you pee all over yourself?” Mariko asked, looking at the small girl’s pants.
“No, just ignore it.” Yuko sheepishly smiled. “Let’s grab something to eat. I’m starving.”
“Finally!” Miichan cheerfully agreed.
The group keeps walking in the busy hallway, with every student heading somewhere for their break time.
“Hey Mariko, guess what?” Yuko grabs Mariko’s shoulder.
“What?” Mariko waits for Yuko’s answer. Knowing Yuko, she’s expecting some kind of weird and small news that might impress Yuko. Just like last time, she excitingly told her about the new paint on the street that’s very boring and unrelated at all.
This kind of topics is not really interesting for Mariko but something tells her it might be good. Maybe it’s about the principal so they can set another prank, or about the upcoming sports meet.
“It’s about the new student.”Yuko said, grinning widely.
Mariko was stun to hear that. It was definitely the last thing she expected to hear but she managed to keep her cool.
“What about her?” Mariko calmly said.
“Oh I thought you’ll be excited…”Yuko continues to wear a wide grin on her face. “…maybe I’ll just NOT talk about it.”
Mariko was taken back to Yuko’s teasing, mad by not telling her. Then Yuko suddenly climbs on Miichan’s back.
“Ahh give a piggyback ride Miichan.” Yuko wraps her arms on Miichan’s neck, totally looking like a kid as she makes a weird horsey sound.
Mariko saw this as an opportunity and stands behind Yuko. She then proceeds to do an unexpected act.
“Ahhhhhh Mariko, stop poking my butt. Ahh!” Yuko struggles but Miichan grab her hands, cooperating with Mariko’s plan.
“Hold her Miichan.” Mariko said laughing.
Jurina then joins in the fun and tickles the tortured girl from the side. They continue to be in that position as they cruise in the hallway.
“Ok ok ok.” Yuko then signs defeat. “Fine, I’ll tell you. Put me down.”
Miichan puts her down gently and Jurina stops with the tickling. The group then settles down.
“I was just going to say that she’s my lab partner.”
‘Yuko’s her lab partner?’ Mariko’s thought begins to process. She isn’t sure if this would be a bad thing or a good thing. Yuko can help her to get to know her but in the other hand, something tells her it might be a bad idea.
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“Finally, food!” Miichan said loudly as they entered the double doors of the cafeteria.
Only students nearby notice it but after that they just continue to do their own thing. The cafeteria is huge with a lot of students are busy eating and talking that the place is a little loud.
They soon headed to get their food and luckily, no one’s in line. Miichan continues to put every food available on her tray while Jurina and Mariko looks at her like she’s crazy.
“What? I’m starving.” Miichan replied to her friends.
“You can feed 10 people with that.” Mariko deadpan.
“Why can’t you get fat?” Jurina ask as she took her appropriate amount of food. “I always wonder about that.”
After they finish raiding the food, well actually, it was actually Miichan that raided it, they scan the cafeteria for a place to seat. The whole place is crowded with a lot of people and all of the tables are occupied.
But then, Yuko saw something near the huge glass windows.
“I think I saw a table.”
“Where? It’s a full house here.” Jurina stated, looking around for an empty table.
“There. Follow me.” Yuko suddenly walk away and the rest of the group followed her. As they near a table, they immediately recognize the people seated.
“Hi there Haruna.” Yuko greeted the tall girl who is seating with Acchan, Takamina and Rena respectively. The four of them is seating in a one long bench altogether.
“Hi Acchan, Hi Takamina,Hi Rena.” Yuko also greeted the girls seated, nodding to each and every one of them.
Mariko stood frozen on her spot as she saw Haruna. Her last encounter wasn’t exactly great and now, she’s here again. Unknowingly, a small smile forms on her face but soon disappears as a shout stops her train of thoughts.
“What is THAT doing here?” Takamina said.
“Whoa whoa. We just needed a place to eat and beside, it’s been a long time since we eaten with all of us.” Yuko said, defending her friend.
“Yuko’s right. It’s nice we can be together again.” Acchan lean forward to Takamina side. “Come right in.”
“But-“ Before Takamina can finish her sentence. Miichan immediately sat down in front of Rena, Yuko in front of Acchan and Mariko was the last one, sat in front of Haruna. Jurina took a vacant chair and sat in the middle of Rena and Miichan. Then Miichan immediately start eating before Takamina can say anything else.
“Wait. I can see some tables over there.” Takamina desperately stated.
“Don’t just kick them out, Takamina. We’re all friends here.” Acchan charmingly smiled to her friend.
“She’s right. I’m your classmate, Acchan and Miichan are classmates and I’m Haruna’s lab partner. That gives us a reason to be here.” Yuko took a bite at her clubhouse sandwich and looks at Haruna. “Isn’t it right partner?”
“H-Hai.” Haruna shyly nodded, not exactly comfortable with a lot of unknown people in the table. Miichan notice this, stood up and introduce herself
.
“Hi there, I’m Miichan and that’s Jurina and Mariko. Nice to meet you.” She gave an enthusiastic wave and sat back down to eat again. Jurina also greeted her while Mariko just stares.
“N-Nice to meet you.” Haruna replied.
“I’m still not ok with this. Someone here owns me a LOT.” Takamina said, exaggerating with the ‘lot’ part. Then, she gave a deadly look to Mariko.
“Like what?” Mariko returns the glance.
“Last year’s car wash event.” Takamina quickly said.
“The hose suddenly burst.”
“The school fair’s fashion show.”
“I did nothing. You wore your banana parka.”
“The gym incident.”
“You ran out of clothes, I just gave you one.”
“Freshman’s photo day.”
“It was the photographer’s fault.”
“You paid him”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Yes you did”
“Did not.”
“Did too.”
They both continue to bicker like children, but on the other side of the table, Jurina watches the scene unfold. She noticed that Rena is silently eating her melon pan but Rena observed that Jurina is looking at her and turns her attention to her.
Jurina smiles at her but Rena looks away and continued eating. Then, Jurina took a piece of paper and quietly wrote something in it. As soon as she notice that Mariko and Takamina is still arguing and nobody is looking at them, she folds the paper and reaches for Rena’s hand under the table.
Rena slightly twitches by the contact of their hands but accepts the paper, putting it quickly in her pocket. Unknown to them, Miichan saw the whole thing and pretends she didn’t see it by turning her attention on her food.
“I know you did it.” Takamina said with a dismayed look.
“No, I did not.” Mariko said with a grin on her face.
“You know what, let’s just talk about something else. Right, Yuko?” Acchan quickly said, not liking the whole argument.
“Right. My head’s starting to hurt with all this shouting and fighting.” Yuko agrees.
Yuko then starts a normal conversation with Acchan while Takamina and Mariko just kept quiet. Miichan and Rena occasionally join in the talk while the rest listen.
Mariko ignores the talk and Takamina’s glare at her, begins to eat her food in silence. But then, she notices the person seating across her. She caught that person staring at her but as soon Mariko looks back, she avert her gave and bows her head real low.
It’s been bugging Mariko about their last encounter and she wanted to say something to her but right now, it’s not the best time to talk. She’ll have to find another chance for that.
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With break time almost up, the two groups parted ways. Gladly, nobody got hurt with the crazy argument that happened but they parted peacefully.
The pranksters decided to escort Jurina back to her room, heading towards the first floor of the building because Jurina is still a freshman and the entire freshman is in the first floor.
“Thanks guys. I’ll see you later.” Jurina happily waves at them and enters her room.
As soon Jurina is out of their sight, they now head towards their own rooms. They decided to hand around in hallways for a while, noticing that they still have a few minutes to kill before class start.
“Hey, I notice something with Jurina and Rena in lunch.” Miichan said, leaning in one of the lockers.
“What?” Yuko was leaning right next to her with Mariko standing in front of them.
“I saw her handling a note to Rena.” The black haired girl informed them.
“Aha, I knew it that there’s something going on with them.” Mariko said. It’s not that she doesn’t agree with their relation, if there is something really going on, she just wants Jurina to be honest with it.
Knowing Jurina since she was a kid, she practically treats her as a younger sister and she wants the best for Jurina.
“Everyone already knows it.” Yuko said, smiling at Mariko. “Even Acchan notices it.”
Then suddenly, an idea pops in Mariko’s head.
“I have a plan.” Mariko said, smiling widely.
“Ohh this is going to be good.” Yuko knew that smile, it’s one of Mariko trademarks when something is going to happen. “What are your orders, boss.”
“Miichan, talk to Acchan and tell her to bring Takamina.” The tall girl instructed, pointing at Miichan.
“Can we bring Haruna as well? She is their classmate after all.” Yuko suggested to their ‘boss’.
“Umm… sure. Whatever. The more the merrier.” Mariko was unsure about it but she sees no reason why not.
“Tell them to meet up after class and do not tell Jurina and Rena about this. We’re going to need both sides into this so tell them that this is something that concern about Rena.”
“Ok, I’m going to talk to Acchan during class. Consider it done, boss.” Miichan salutes, happy with another plan from the great Mariko-sama.
TBC__________________________________________________
Sorry for the lack of Mariharu moments, I'll make it up on the next one.
Review, comments, criticisms, compliments, violent reaction are all welcome. Tell me what you'd think
I'll see you at the next one. Bye bye
Topic: Fool Like Me [MariHaru] CHAPTER V: Truce? (Read 12272 times)