Kenji Route: Path of the Bro Ch. 6

At some point in time, conscious thought becomes apparent over the unconscious, and I realize I'm awake.

The early morning sun lands in a few thin beams across my eyes, making them hard to open.  I manage to shield them with a hand and begin to sit up slightly from my position of laying down on the ground.

I look around.  We're still in the forest, no less beautiful in the morning than it was at night, as far as I could remember.

The next thing I see is Kenji.  He's laying down as well, his head somehow ending up resting in my lap.  I'm about to react in shock, but I stop myself.  His face is towards me.  It has that same peaceful, flat expression that I remember from the aftermath of our manly picnic last week.

Eventually, I snap out of my trance and realize that we're probably late for school.  I also realize that my hangover headache has made a return.

I jab Kenji in the shoulder with my wrist a couple of times.

Hisao
"Kenji.  Kenji, get up."

He stirs, letting out a low-pitched groan as he opens his eyes.

Kenji
"Oh, 'sup Hisao."

Kenji slowly gets to his feet with another groan, apparently waving off his previous positioning.

He looks around for a moment, and then checks his watch.

Kenji
"You're late for class, dude."

With a similar level of grudge, I make my way to a standing position next to him.

Hisao
"Don't you mean 'we're'?"

Kenji's face scrunches towards his nose.

Kenji
"No way. I can't go today.  Gotta sleep."

Hisao
"Don't you ever get in trouble for skipping classes all the time?"

Kenji
"Sure, I've had a few guys comin' to my room, asking questions."

"Too many questions.  I just ignored 'em though."

"An important lesson, Hisao.  If they're not police, you ain't gotta answer shit."

Hisao
"I'm not sure that's a good approach to life, or true, for that matter."

Kenji just shrugs and lets out a short yawn.

Kenji
"Do your thing, Hisao.  I'm gonna go do mine.  I'm going.  I'm thirsty as hell."

Hisao
"Yeah, actually, me too."

We grudgingly make our way out of the forest and back to the dorms, waving at each other as we enter our respective rooms.

Despite my headache killing me, I still manage to make it to class.  Luckily, it's a fairly slow day, mostly idle reading and note-taking.

During the day I'm also able to think some recent events over.  Kenji and I have been spending a lot of time together, and despite the ups and downs, it's actually been pretty fun.

And then there's Ayako, Kenji's little cat burglar of a sister.  It's a little ironic that Kenji's sibling would be a sneaky female.  In any case, I really, really need my wallet back.  A medically disabled high school student has more than one important form of identification, and they were all in there.

I also remember Rin, and the time she spent with us last night.  I recall Kenji talking to her for a pretty long while.  I imagined Rin as someone who would be hard to talk to but Kenji seemed to shrug it off, whether she was listening or not.

I also recall her little tongue bath among Kenji's face.  She really took a liking to that alcohol.

Most importantly, I worry that the alcohol might not have taken so kindly to her.

-------------------------

During lunch, I decide to look around for her.  I figure the rooftop is a good place to check, I recall her and Emi taking a liking to eating lunch there.

I open the door to the rooftop.  As my eyes cringe in the noon-time sunlight, I take a look around.  Looks like my guess is right.  Emi and Rin are already looking at me.

Emi
"Hisao!  Hi!"

Hisao
"Hi Emi, hi Rin."

Rin
"Hello."

Rin's eyes seem a little darker around the edges, though lack of sleep could also cause that.  She more or less looks okay.

Emi
"I haven't seen you in over a week!  What's up?"

Emi scoots over on the bench the pair are sitting on, pushing up against Rin.  Emi pats the now-vacant edge with her hand.  I accept the gesture and take a seat.

Emi
"So, how've you been doing?  Everything in classes going all right?"

Hisao
"Yeah, it's still pretty slow going so it hasn't been too bad."

Emi
"Good.  And exercise?"

Her eyes focus on my own face now.  I can tell by the look that she's wanted to bring this up.

Hisao
"I... haven't had the chance to do much, I guess."

Emi gives me a punch to the shoulder, marginally harder than what would be a playful amount of force.

Emi
"I knew it!"

"Hisao, you were specifically told that you need to exercise, by both me and the nurse!"

"He's been grilling me about it, you know."

It's true, during my check-up last week, the nurse illuded to exercise but apparently didn't want to grill me about it again.

I briefly recall Kenji's statement about talking to someone who's not police.

Hisao
"Why do you care so much about what I do?"

Emi's face grows a look of annoyance.

Emi
"That hurts, Hisao!"

"Besides, you're missing the point!"

This time, a sharp poke to my shoulder.  I manage to grunt out an 'ow'.

Emi
"YOU need to exercise, for yourself!"

"So, do it!  Why not?"

I give out a sigh.  She's right.  Amongst other less-than-smart decisions I've made, putting a lack of exercise on top of that might just be enough to kill me.

Hisao
"Okay, you're right Emi, I'm sorry."

"You're still running in the mornings, right?"

Emi's face lights up again.  It's nice to see.

Emi
"Yup!  That's one of my routines, at least."

"You'll come run with me... tomorrow, then?"

Hisao
"Yeah, sure, tomorrow."

I'm thankful she didn't spring a surprise afternoon run on me or something.  I don't think I could handle it today, with my headache still lingering in my head.

Emi
"Great!"

She rubs her hand gently on my shoulder now, as if to ease her previous chastizing blows.

Emi
"I'm glad, Hisao.  You know, I got enough to worry about as it is with Rin here."

Rin
"Hmm?"

Rin's head leans forward and her eyebrows raise, curious at the mention of her name.

Emi glances at Rin, then looks back towards me.

Emi
"I had to force her out of bed this morning.  I thought she was really sick, and then I smelled alcohol on her."

Oh, shit.

Emi
"I asked her about it and she told me she was drinking with some other students last night.  Drinking!"

Emi throws her arms up in exasperation, knocking a couple of riceballs out of the box on her lap.

It looks like Rin didn't mention me as an accomplice.  I hope she doesn't now.

Rin
"You don't have to get so worked up about it."

It would seem that Rin and I are on the same page concerning Emi's lectures.

Emi
"That's total delinquency, Rin!  It's not acceptable!"

Rin
"I know.  You told me."

Emi
"You're not gonna do it again, right?"

Rin nods curtly.

Rin
"Will not do it again."

Despite the harsh lecture, it's nice to know that someone like Emi is still concerned about me.  It doesn't seem like she enjoys shouldering the burdens of others, but at the same time, it would hurt her to let others forget about their health.  She's a good friend, all things considered.

----------------------------

I feel marginally better the next morning.  Remembering my promise, I manage to find my secondary set of soccer clothing, putting it on after finishing other details of my morning routine.

As I walk out of my room, I hear the locks on Kenji's door being undone.

The door opens moments after.  He spots me and a suspicious frown shows up on his face.

Kenji
"Who is it?  Who's there?"

I respond before our faces end up touching again.

Hisao
"It's me, Kenji.  I know you can't see well, but you don't recognize me yet?"

Kenji's face relaxes slightly.

Kenji
"I thought I did.  Sorry, man.  But what's with that get-up?"

Hisao
"Just athletic clothes.  I was gonna do a little running."

Kenji
"Oh, cool.  I'm into it.  Gotta stay in shape."

"Can't let the feminists outpace you."

Hisao
"Yeah, pretty much."

Kenji
"Be careful though.  There's a web of corruption amongst some of the athletic clubs, especially the track team."

"They're more agile than you could hope to be.  So, watch your back when you're running.  They can be out there at any time of day, I hear.  You're never safe."

Hisao
"Sure thing, I'll keep that in mind."

A smile shows up on Kenji's face.

Kenji
"So, wanna hang out after school today?"

Hisao
"Uhh, yeah, sure.  I got nothing else to do."

Kenji
"Alright, cool."

"See ya."

He turns back to re-enter his room.  I take a step forward.

Hisao
"Oh, uh, wait."

Kenji turns to me once more.

Kenji
"Hm?  What?"

Hisao
"Do you think you could get my wallet back from Ayako next time you see her?"

Kenji
"Ugh, that again."

"You should just let that go.  Why the hell do you need it back?"

Hisao
"It's none of your business, or hers."

"I just need it back, all right?  I'd get it myself but I assume she doesn't live nearby."

Kenji runs a hand upwards through his hair, messing it up a bit more than normal.

Kenji
"Ugh, fine."

"But you owe me."

Hisao
"No problem.  Thanks, too."

Kenji
"Yeah.  Take it easy."

Without any further word or expression, he turns towards his room and steps in, closing the door.

As I approach the track, I spot Emi and hear the familiar sounds of her prosthetics against the track surface.  Looks like she's already well into her routine.

I quickly perform a makeshift work-out routine and step onto the track.

Sure, why not run.  Might as well go jog for a little bit just to say I did, no need to risk my life pushing myself too hard or anything.  I could hardly hope to keep up with someone like Emi anyway.

As I start to jog, she passes me by on the track.

Emi
"Hey Hisao!"

She runs about another 40 yards, slowing down gradually, then turns around and jogs up next to me, keeping my pace for the time being.

Emi
"Good to see you out here!"

Hisao
"I guess you were too cute to turn down, in the end."

I wonder if that compliment is a bit out of place, but Emi giggles in response.

Emi
"So, what's the matter?  Can't go any faster than this?"

Hisao
"I guess not.  More importantly, it's good that I'm out here in the first place, right?"

Emi
"Giving up already?  That's no good Hisao.  Come on, go a little faster at least!"

She waves at me and looks back towards the track ahead of us, accelerating to a speed much closer to her natural pace.

Another challenge from her.  I'm not biting.  I'm fine as I am, at least for now.

I continue my slow pace for another lap and a half, and stop.  My breathing is a little heavy, but my heart feels fine.  Maybe I could've pushed myself more.  Oh well, it doesn't matter.  Better safe than sorry.

I wait on the bleachers for Emi to finish.  It'd be rude to just yell goodbye and leave, even if it meant I could avoid any chance of being chastized by Emi for slacking off again.

She finishes before too long, and approaches me.

Emi
"Had a good run?"

Hisao
"Yeah.  It felt pretty good to get out and run again."

Emi
"Great!"

"Felt good to run with you, too."

"I'll see ya tomorrow, right?"

Hisao
"Yeah, of course."

Emi
"Awesome!  See ya, then, I gotta go change!"

I get up off the bench as well.

Hisao
"Yeah, me too."

Emi's already running off, not bothering to wait for me.  Outpaced again.  I wonder if my aloofness towards running is still bothering her.