I'd really like to write this as a TomoAcchan,
Sydney W, but I don't want the loyal fans of AtsuMina to go in rampage and kill me!
and yes
kahem, its a favor, one that Tomochin can't refuse. Anyways, this is the first time I'm writing an OS after so long so gimme a break, will ya?
~~
THE FAVORS-A Maeda Atsuko Favor Part 2-
Itano’s POVI’m not a morning person, so what? Sue me then. And you can’t blame me that my childhood bestfriend was now sporting a nice bruise on her left arm. Who by the way was now sitting comfortably at the passenger side of my car while happily eating creampuffs and smudging her nose with it. Such a child. Which she automatically defended that everyone becomes a child when eating creampuffs. Riggghtt! Like someone would believe that crap she made up.
“I’m so so happy that you’ll drive me there.”
I rolled my eyes at the ridiculousness of her statement. How can I turn down such favor when she was being all sweet and cuddly? And that I love her to the core of her bones was an already enough reason for me to give in. But it won’t hurt to guilt trip her for this. We’re talking about my sleeping hours being robbed from me after all.
“Of course, I’m such a really really good friend to sacrifice my sleeping time to drive you in Nagoya. Which by the way was only, I dunno like a 5-hour drive? I have such a good heart to do this for you then.” The sarcasm in my voice was oozing and was clearly evident, but it seems my bestfriend didn’t faze. Or she was completely ignoring my blatant attack of making her feel guilty as she continues to put creampuffs on her mouth. Playing the airhead card, huh?
“Bestfriend.”
She said after swallowing a chunk of creampuffs. I glanced at her momentarily as I turn the car towards Tomei Expressway, a little confused to her one word spouting. When I didn’t say anything back to her, she took my silence as a query to her earlier word. Though I clearly know she’s talking about me, me being her bestfriend.
“Firstly, you’re not my friend but my precious bestfriend.” I told ya, didn’t I?
“Secondly, I know you have a good heart because if not then we’re not in this road right now enduring a 5-hour drive towards Nagoya.” Atsuko pointed out, a cheeky smile on her face.
“And lastly, because you love me you really don’t have a choice but to concede-” She quickly put the hand that wasn’t holding a creampuff up to stop me from saying anything when she saw me threw a glare at her.
“-with my favor. And those we’re only part of the million reasons why I love you to the roots of your blond hair.” So she wasn’t using the airhead card, it was the being affectionate card all along. And as sappy as it sounds, it washed all away my very tiny grudge for waking me up early in the morning and making me drive to another prefecture.
Knowing she already won our unofficial battle, she smiled that nose-crinkling smile towards me which I scoffed as a response. Heck! I do not admit defeat... yet.
“Whatever, but you so owe me big time for this, Maeda.” My words only made her smile her trademark smile which prompted me to finally smile back at her. My right arm left momentarily the steering wheel to wipe the cream off of her nose. She giggled while mumbling ‘eyes on the road, Tomochin’ before giving me a kiss on the cheek. Guess this just prove I can’t say no to a Maeda Atsuko favor.
~~
The time we arrived at our destination it was already noontime. The heat of the sun was seeping through the material I was wearing, making me sweat profusely. Atsuko was no better because she was sweating just like me. My stomach also wasn’t helping in the situation since it was protesting; it wants to get feed like this very instant. That’s why I almost jump in clear happiness when I saw our lunch already waiting for us. I immediately found myself settling at one of the chairs in the dining room, grabbing food after food as I placed it on my own plate. I practically tuned out everyone until a distinct voice snapped me out of my eagerness to devour the food in front of me.
“I’m glad Tomomi-chan finds my cooking to her delight, but please remember to chew it properly before swallowing, alright sweetie?” Even though it was a known fact that I have a huge appetite, it still embarrasses me a little when someone pointed it out for me. But then, it was Auntie Sakiko so I’m not embarrass at all, hence it made me smile even.
“Mama, Tomochin can swallow a whole cow without getting choke, that’s like her innate talent or something.” The brat opposite from me said, grinning widely at me. Her comment made Atsuko erupted into a fit of light laughs, Auntie Sakiko doing the same which made me turn my full glare towards the bratty perpetuator.
“Har-har that was so funny.” I said to the brat, my glare still in place.
“It was.” Atsuko readily agrees, smirking towards me.
“See? My jokes are hilarious.” The brat announced triumphantly, doing an arm pump. A tag team, huh? I glared to my bestfriend sitting beside me.
“I’m just saying.” She shrugged her shoulders before turning her attention back to her food. When she noticed I’m still glaring at her, she pointed to my plate. Right, food first and then maiming the brat and Atsuko later.
If you’re wondering who’s the brat was, I suggest you stop that thought immediately. Because after I finish eating you’ll probably won’t hear about her again. She’s a devils spawn that I need to get rid of. I’m joking. The brat’s name was Matsui Jurina, Atsuko’s cousin. We actually quite get along with each other. She’s a cool kid when she’s not trying to get under my skin. I’ve practically know her when she’s still in her baby diapers, meaning I know a secret or two about her that if she pisses me big time she’ll never wants to leave her house again. But what I am trying to say was that the Matsui’s are a family to me as I am to them.
“Now play nice girls.” Auntie Sakiko chided but the smile on her face gives away that she wasn’t really mad at our harmless banters. I smiled sweetly at her as I discreetly elbowed my bestfriend lightly and kicking Jurina’s leg under the table, making them both choked with their food at the same time. I chuckled inwardly seeing the cousins scrambled to reach for their respective glass of water while glaring at me.
“Atsuko-chan, Jurina-chan what did I say about chewing the food properly?”
“Food went down the wrong pipe, Mama. It happens all the time.”
“Especially when there’s an external force that made you choke on purpose.”
“I agree with them, Auntie Sakiko. So where’s Uncle Masato?” I smiled widely at the cousins when the only adult present didn’t even realized my small trick, and silently congratulated myself for changing the topic wisely, leaving the cousins to grunt in displeasure.
“He’s at the fishing center with his friends. They were talking about a fishing competition. I’m not really sure but as long as he’s enjoying then who am I to complain.” Aunt Sakiko laughed and I nodded in return.
“Why don’t you girls go down at the fishing center? Maybe check up on him if he’s winning.”
“Oh come on, Mama. We all know that Papa sucks at fishing.” The brat said, frowning lightly as she bends down on her chair like she was picking up something under the table. I figured she was probably rubbing the leg I kicked. Now I feel a little guilty.
“Jurina, watch your language, and yes your Papa isn’t good in fishing.” Aunt Sakiko admonished, but she smiled after a while.
“Uhm..Auntie, is it okay if we drop by the fishing center later? I kind of made plans already.” This made my brow arched towards the brat, silently asking her about the plans Atsuko mentioned. She shrugged her shoulders in response. And when I glanced to my bestfriend, she was absently playing at the salad on her plate as she waited for the go signal from Auntie Sakiko.
“Of course, Atsuko-chan. You teens would probably just get bored watching the adults do their fishing match.”
“Thanks Auntie.” Atsuko smiled instantly, her smile so wide one would think she won the lottery or something.
Now that I think about it, my bestfriend was acting kind of secretive these past few months. And the fact she begged me to drive her here where she can actually ask their driver instead, clicked something in my head. Atsuko was keeping something from me, and I bet it’s something big.
~~
“I call shotgun.” Jurina yelled, running towards my car while purposely bumping my shoulder. I almost kissed the ground if it wasn’t for the arm that protectively wrapped on my waist, saving my pretty face in a nick of time.
“Hey!”
I yelled at the brat, giving her my most icy glare ever but she only mocking smiled back at me.
“I’m sorry, but that was for kicking me earlier.” The nerve of this brat. And to think I felt guilty for kicking her. She grinned triumphantly when I didn’t say anything to defend myself.
“That’s what I thought.” She added smugly before jumping at the passenger side. Her hand immediately found the switch to turn the radio on, bouncing her head when the music flooded the interior of my car.
“Can’t say you didn’t deserve that.” My savior said behind me, arms still wrapped on my waist in case I decided to give the brat a bump in the head.
“Yeah, whatever.” I replied in a bored tone, prying my bestfriend’s arm gently as I started to walk back inside the house but to be only pulled back. I was only feigning this hurt act to see what persuading technique she would use on me. And guess what?
“Tomochin…”
–it’s the pouting technique while tugging at the hem of my pink tee. I rolled my eyes; a small smile appeared at the corner of my mouth.
“I didn’t get the memo where I become you’re official driver, Maeda.” I scoffed at her, playfully punching her arm as I strode towards my car.
“And I so love you too, Itano.” She replied in a cheerful voice as I ease behind the steering wheel... again. Her toothy smile reflected in the front mirror when she finally seated herself at the backseat.
“So where to?”
~~
After a 15-minute drive I found myself staring at the stone plate on the wall we passed along the way as we enter a certain vicinity. Written in bold letters was Nagoya Public Highshool.
“So what exactly are we doing here, Atsuko-nee? Its summer break and being in school was the last thing on my mind.” Jurina asked as she turns off the music when I stopped the car that seems to be the parking lot of the school.
My thoughts exactly as I was about to voice it out, but the brat beats me to it. I patted her shoulder instead, completely agreeing with her.
“I promised I’ll meet someone here.” Was her only reply, not even looking at us as she yanked the door open. Oookay, this is major weird because I haven’t seen Atsuko this timid or shy about something before. Now it was crystal clear that my bestfriend was keeping a secret from me. What it is about soon I’m going to find out, and I’m pretty sure about it.
“Someone’s being secretive.” Jurina singed song while climbing out my car. My eyes trailed at the back of my bestfriend as she paced across the parking lot, the brat catching up behind her. When the cousins realized I’m not following them Jurina looked back.
“You coming or not?”
Walking side by side with the cousins who were taking animatedly, I glanced up the building were heading into. I’ve been here before because of Prefectural Tournament being held here last year. I’m a futsal player and our team was the one representing for the Tokyo-Ken. And yes, our team was awesome like that and I have the right to brag about it.
Nearing our destination, my thoughts lead back as to why my bestfriend dragged me out here in Nagoya. She has ulterior motive to do so and that I know now. But the question is, what is it exactly?
‘THUD’The swishing sound in the air and the distinct thud broke me out of my thoughts, my eyes following the object that caught my attention.
‘THUD’Another one.
‘THUD’And there goes the third one.
“Sweet! How cool is that, right Tomochin?” Jurina nudged me, her eyes never leaving the object. She was staring at it with amazement so obvious in her hazel eyes.
“Sugoi…” Atsuko whispered, also amazed. I mean, who wouldn’t?
“And I thought this only happens in movies.” I’m really impressed. Three arrows hitting bull’s-eye less than a minute. I have to give it to the girl; she really knows her thing with bows and arrows.
“Maybe I should try joining the Archery Club next year. It’s so cool, she’s so amazingly cool.” The brat gushed on, staring dreamily at the girl wearing a navy blue Hakama. If I wasn’t involve to any sports right now I would love to learn the art of Kyudo.
“I never doubt Rena’s skills to garner fans now and then.”
An amused voice said behind us. When I turned around to connect the voice to a face, my periphery caught the wide smile already plastered on my bestfriend’s face. It was nothing compared to the smile she gives to me or to our friends. It was more expressive, more feelings were put into it and her eyes says it all. It was sparkling and I’ve never seen it so alive before, not until now.
And just like in the movies, everything was moving in a slow-motion as I watch Atsuko made two long strides before throwing herself to a girl. Her arms automatically envelop the girl in a bone crushing hug. And if I’m not imagining things, both were wearing adorable blush on their faces. I continued to stare at them, wracking my brain to put a name to that familiar face before me. And in cue, my bestfriend answered my unspoken question.
“Minami…”
~~
If you're asking if its a love triangle between Tomo, Taka and Atsu, nope it isn't
It's clearly AtsuMina that shows the great bond of TomoAcchan friendship
So, AtsuMina fans at ease now and put your swords back to its sheath, a'right?
And a shout out to Megumi, kahem and Ryo Hiroshi for pressing the arigatou button!
Topic: ~Yuri-shotS~: A Maeda Atsuko Favor Part 4-Update -07/31/13 (Read 29675 times)