Chapter 4Silence enveloped between the two. Yuki's face was serious but Mayu felt that those 3 words lack something. She can't exactly pinpoint what it is because it's the first time she encounter a situation like this. Although her heart skipped a beat, the feeling of unbelief and suspicion was more powerful.
“I'm sorry but I know this is not the right time to confess because of what happened to you earlier but the thought of losing you scared me.” Yuki said. “I wanted to tell you what my feelings for you are. It's alright with me if you don't give an answer now. I understand it very well but... I want to tell that from now on I will try my best to win your heart.”
Mayu really can't believe what's going on. She is nothing compared to Yuki's past boyfriends or girlfriends. She is a nerd, not sociable, not cute or pretty, and out of sync with what teenagers do nowadays. She doesn't get why someone would get attracted to her unless they are planning to do something bad to her.
‘Yuki wouldn't do something bad to me, right?’ Mayu thought. Yuki has been a very good person to Mayu. “Uh.. Ano...” Mayu was obviously uncomfortable with the situation so Yuki decided take it easy for now and let the girl rest.
“Let's talk about it some other time. Just have a good rest tonight. You had a rough day and I'm sorry for making it rougher. See at school Mayu.” Yuki smiled and slowly walked away from Mayu.
Yuki was finally relieved. Now Mayu knows then Mayu might change her vision to Yuki since Mayu has been obviously looking at Yuki as a friend. It's time to go all out for the bet. Aside from winning the bet she also hoped that with this Mayu will forget about her bad experience this afternoon.
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*The Next Day*
Since the two are not meeting up today for tutorial, Yuki woke up very early to be able to walk with Mayu to school. That is the only other time she can be with Mayu without being seen by other students.
“Ah! Mayu-chan ohayo!” Yuki greeted enthusiastically upon seeing Mayu.
“Y-yuki-chan!?” Mayu was surprised to see Yuki. She only saw Yuki this early once but after that she had never encountered her during this time of the day.
“Let's go to school together.”
“S-sure?”Yuki ignored Mayu's hesitant reply and linked their arms.
“!?” Yet again Mayu was surprised by Yuki's sudden closeness to her.
“Mayu-chan I already told my cousin about you and she said I should take you to her shop later.”
“Cousin?”
“Yeah. My relative who needs part-timers at the moment. She only has one employee at the moment since she just started her business so she badly needs workers. You are free later right?” Yuki said.
“Un...” Mayu doesn't seem to be getting used to the physical contact with Yuki. Every time Yuki would look at Mayu; Mayu will always look at the opposite direction.
“I just want to let you know that from now on I will wake up very early just to spend more time with you.” Yuki completely changed their topic and caught Mayu off guard.
“Uh...” Mayu wondered when she will get used to this. Yuki has been invading her space and she doesn't like it but she can't just refuse her because Yuki had saved her. A simple tutorial won't be a good thing to give to her savior. Yuki also helped her in finding a job.
“Mayu-chan are you still there?”
Mayu snapped out from her thoughts and unconsciously raised her free hand. “Hai. Present!”
Yuki laughed at Mayu's absentmindedness. “Classes will start after 55 minutes. Take it easy. Are you excited for classes to start?”
‘If it means to get some space away from you then why not.’ Mayu thought. “I love learning.” Mayu said.
“That explains why you are so smart. I wish I love learning just like you... I hope you will come to love me too.” Yuki whispered the last part but Mayu still heard it. After that the two hadn't said anything until they arrived at the school's vicinity.
“Yuki-chan you go inside first. I have something to do. See you after school.” Yuki wasn't able to reply back as Mayu immediately disappeared before her eyes.
“Is she going to the Botany club's garden? Should I follow her?...... Nah, I will wait for her to invite me there. I'm not interested anyway.” Yuki said to herself.
“Who are you talking to Kashiwagi-san?” A guy asked from Yuki's back.
“Whoa! Akimoto-sensei! I was just.. ugh. Saying my thoughts out loud...” Yuki admitted.
“Oh.” Akimoto-sensei looked at Yuki like she was the weirdest person in the world. “Anyway, are things going well in your tutorial? I didn't hear any complaints from Watanabe-san.” Akimoto-sensei this time looked at Yuki with suspicion.
“Everything is fine. I attended the tutorial without fail and I'm not bullying or blackmailing her or anything.”
“I didn't mention about you bullying or blackmailing her or anything.”
‘Duh, you are obviously suspicious of me.’ Yuki thought.
“I truly don't want Watanabe-san to be your tutor but that child needs to talk to people too.” Akimoto said.
“Sensei do you know something about Mayu's parents?” Yuki asked eagerly.
“Not really. All I know is that they died in a car accident that was set-up by a jealous business partner. Watanabe-san was fortunately not with them that time. She lost her parents when she was 2 years old, I guess.”
“2 years old..” Yuki mumbled. This was the first time she heard about how Mayu's parents died. The people whom she asked info about Mayu also didn't know how and when Mayu became an orphan.
“I don't know if this has a connection to Watanabe-san too but please stop playing with the feelings of other people or else you will regret it forever.” Akimoto said before walking away.
Yuki scoffed as Akimoto's figure was out of sight. “This is youth. You do everything that is fun for you to do. It just so happens I love playing with people and seeing their hurtful face from heartbreak.” Yuki, for the second time that day, said to herself.
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Classes have ended and at the same time Mayu got a mail from Yuki that they will meet in the usual convenience store. Upon arriving Mayu saw Yuki outside the store.
“I'm sorry. Have you waited long?” Mayu asked.
“No, I just got here too. A few minutes earlier than you." Yuki replied and stand beside Mayu. "Let's go?”
“U-un.” Mayu was relieved that Yuki didn't cling to her just like this morning. Yuki thought it might be dangerous to cling on Mayu right now since many students might see them and would question her taste in girls.
Yuki kept the conversation alive and going while Mayu mostly accidentally replied that can make the conversations reach dead end. Yuki has been trying hard and she felt really exhausted just talking to Mayu. Yuki got lively again when they are nearing to their destination.
“Mayu-chan, my cousin's shop is right over there.” Yuki dragged Mayu inside a small pastry shop.
As they went inside they saw a long brown haired girl managing the cashier and Yuki continued to drag Mayu to towards the cashier. “Kojiharu, this is the friend I was talking about.”
“Ah, Yuki-chan you did came.”
“I want to help. Please hire her Cuz.”
“What I need now is someone who can give a hand at the kitchen. Can you bake?” Haruna asked Mayu.
“Um, I don't have any experience in baking but I'm willing to learn.” Mayu said with determination. Haruna smiled seeing Mayu's fighting spirit.
“Don't worry Kojiharu. She is a fast learner.” Yuki chimed in.
“Okay, I will trust you this time Yuki-chan. Since I don't have customers at the moment please take care of the cashier for me while I figure out if.. Uh.. Watanabe-san?”
“Yes, I'm Watanabe Mayu.” Mayu confirmed.
“By the way, I'm Kojima Haruna. And I will give Watanabe-san a test at the kitchen.”
Yuki saluted at Haruna. “Yes Ma'am. Good luck Mayu-chan!” Yuki gave Mayu a wink which made Mayu blush.
*At the Kitchen*
“Do you know how to crack a raw egg?” Mayu thought how idiotic Haruna's question was. “Yes, of course” Breaking an egg is easy for Mayu since she lives alone so there are times when she cooks if she has lots of free time and not lazy.
Haruna gave Mayu an egg, a utility bowl, and a fork. “Then demonstrate it.” Haruna told Mayu. The egg was cracked in a decent way which Haruna didn't expect from Yuki's friend. “You can surprisingly do it properly.” Haruna mumbled but Mayu didn't let that slip.
“What do you mean Kojima-san?” Mayu curiously asked.
“Yuki-chan is an idiot when it comes to the kitchen and you know what they say. Birds of the same feather flock together. So I thought you are an idiot in the kitchen too. But you are far way better to help me than Yuki-chan.”
“Really? Is she really that bad in the kitchen?” Mayu was amused to the new bit of information about Yuki.
“Yes she is. She is really hopeless in baking and cooking. It would really make you face palm at her idiocy. She couldn't understand a simple instruction and does something unbelievable. Her common sense fades away as she enters the kitchen.”
“Wow.”
“Is it not obvious from her looks?”
“A little from her image..” Mayu said.
“We're not here to talk about my stupid cousin who can't cook. Okay!” Haruna put her hands together to make a loud sound. “Next is the final test. I want you to follow these steps.” Haruna gave Mayu a paper with procedure to be done. “If you have any questions regarding the procedure, please feel free to ask.” Haruna smiled accommodatingly and then sat at a chair where she can see Mayu work.
Mayu quietly followed the instructions and had asked Haruna only once when she was hesitant on what to do. After placing the cake pan inside the oven, Haruna asked Mayu to go out of the kitchen with her.
“Ah! How was it Kojiharu? She passed the test right?” Yuki, who was munching a cake, asked as soon as she saw the two come out from the kitchen.
“I haven't even told Watanabe-san my verdict so why should I tell you first..” Haruna coldly said. “And why are you eating my products instead of keeping an eye on them? These are not free for a relative you know.” Haruna snatched the plate that Yuki was holding.
“Okay fine. I will pay for it.” Yuki rolled her eyes before placing her money in the counter. “There. Can I have my cake back?”
Haruna gave the cake with a big smile. “Of course.”
“Stingy.” Yuki grumbled but enough for Haruna to hear but Haruna ignored her.
“Watanabe-san.” Haruna said.
“Hai.” Mayu straighten up.
“You're hired. If you don't mind, can you start tomorrow?”
“Thank you very much! I will surely come here tomorrow.” Mayu bowed 90° full to show her gratitude.
“That's great Mayu-chan! Here. Have a piece of my cake.” Yuki readily sliced a piece from her cake and held her fork nearer to Mayu.
“Eh?”
‘Didn't she used that fork a while ago?! Wait... We are friends and normal friends do this without discomfort. But she said she loves me not as a friend. Is this her way to make me-‘ Mayu panicked. She was thinking too much that Yuki wondered why it took her too long to respond.
“Mayu-chan, do you dislike cakes or maybe you don't trust Kojiharu's skills?”
“Eh? Does my cakes don't look appetizing? The appearance should not fool you. I guarantee that they are delicious.” Haruna said.
“No no no. It's not like that, I just.. Uh, forget it.”
‘What am I thinking?’ Mayu hesitantly ate the piece of cake that was waiting for her. Yuki smirked for a second which didn't miss Mayu's eyes.
“It's delicious Kojima-san.”
“Hehe. I know. I'm the best after all.” Haruna proudly said. “Oh, since you might be a great help in the kitchen I will let you borrow a book about baking for beginners. I will get it now.” Haruna left the two and went to her office.
Mayu intended to steal just one glance at Yuki but she ended up staring at her. Yuki ate another piece of the cake and for some reason it was done in a sexy way.
‘Is it me or she's really tasting the fork?’ Mayu fixed her glasses in attempt to distract herself from the beauty in front of her.
“Ah. It's really sweet. I love it. Do you want another bite Mayu-chan?”
“No, I'm fine.” Mayu blushed at the thought of getting another indirect kiss with Yuki.
“You sure?”
“Yeah. I'm not craving for cakes right now so no.”
There was a long silence before Yuki sighed. “You noticed huh.”
“What?”
“That I'm trying to get more indirect kisses.”
‘Seriously?!’ Mayu blushed again at Yuki's revelation.
“Ne Mayu, exams are just a few weeks away right?”
‘Why did she change the subject? And she called me just Mayu. This feels serious.’ Mayu thought. “Yes. Are you not confident to pass?”
“No, I know I will pass it but do you think I can make it to the overall top 10?” Yuki asked.
‘Top 10? Yuki-chan is not that smart based from the tutorials. She is quite slow so getting inside the top 10 is impossible unless she tries 20 times harder.’ Mayu thought and told Yuki the truth. “No you can't.”
“Ouch. You're too frank.” Yuki touched her heart pretending that it hurts.
“I just don't want to get your hopes up if your way and view in studying won't change. You won't even get into the top 20 so I bet you won't ever get into the top 10. I'm very sure.”
“You bet? Then let's have a bet!” Yuki declared.
“Fine. What are the conditions?”
“If I get inside the overall top 10 then you will accept my confession and go out with me.”
Mayu was surprised to the condition. “What? Isn't that too much for a reward?”
“Are you afraid that I might win?” Yuki mockingly said.
“Wha-.. I'm sure you will not win. I accept the bet wholeheartedly.” Unknown to Mayu, she had completely fall to Yuki's trap.
‘I will surely win. I was just acting dumb in the tutorials.’ Yuki thought.
“What would I get if I win?” Mayu asked.
“Then I will stop having boyfriends and girlfriends until I graduate from high school.”
‘Her punishment lasts for 3 years and it seems harsh since I heard that she can only last 3 months without relationships.’ Mayu thought. “Okay, we will go with that.”
“Make more examples during the tutorial ne Mayu-chan.” Yuki happily said.
“Why should I help you win?” Mayu unbelievably asked.
“You have to tutor me or else I will tell Akimoto-sensei that you became lazy in teaching me.”
“Geh.” Mayu remembered that it's her obligation to teach Yuki and make sure she passes the exams with flying colors.
“Sorry for making you wait. This book had found a very good hiding place.” Haruna arrived and noticed Mayu's depressing aura. “What happen Watanabe-san?”
“It's nothing Kojima-san. I just felt Yuki-chan tricked me.” Haruna then turned her attention to Yuki who was happily eating the cake she bought.
TBC
Sorry if I took so long. School became busy.
Topic: It Started With A Bet - Chapter 8 Part 2 03/08/15 (MaYuki fanfic) (Read 66239 times)