Emi/Rin - Go For It

[The following is not based on Promiscuity, one of my other fics, in any way.  It's directly based on the events of canon Act 1]

I begin my stretches, going through the routine of my morning runs, just like any other Tuesday, or any day of the week.  As I proceed to complete a number of laps I never bother to count, I scan the track area, seeing if anyone is approaching.  By the time I'm worn out, I'm still alone on the track.

"I looked, like you said," I tell Nurse, as he goes through the well-practiced method of checking my prosthetics.

His face goes flat, thoughtful for a second, then his smile returns.  "Don't worry Emi, I know you did.  He's new, I'm sure he's still trying to get his feet wet."

"Feet wet?" I say with a joking tone, crossing my arms.  "Not if I can help it!  Soon as I see him, I'll make sure he's a runner, not a swimmer."

He chuckles at my statement, knowing my opposition to the swimming team.  "Very good.  I'll be sure to remind him if I see him."

/-----/

The remains of the morning and noon are just another boring set of classes, each more boring than the last.  Losing interest in the assignment in front of me, I glance over at Rin.  She's asleep, her head slumped onto her desk, her expression showing nothing.  The teacher seems hesitant to wake her up most of the time, she'd either not pay attention, fall back asleep, or do both in the Principal's office, if sent there.

I don't know what wore me out more today, the rush to get those papers printed out after class, the berating I got from the 'deaf and perky' twins after accidentally bumping into that new kid, who I now know as 'Hisao', or this stupid list of vocabulary I have to memorize, but I feel like following Rin's example right about now.

'The transfer student with messy hair who probably looks lost'.  That's what Nurse told me, or something like that.  Was Hisao that kid?  I'd hoped maybe I could catch him on the track during lunchtime, but once again, he didn't show.

Hisao might fit the description, though I couldn't tell how 'lost' he may have been after our little scrape.  He looked more hurt than I would've thought, it'd make sense that Nurse would want him to get some exercise.

Hisao was pretty cute, though, and seemed nice.  I kinda hope it's him.  Meeting him again on the track could be something to look forward to.

/-----/

"...And he was looking all confused at whatever I said.  But I guess I'm used to that," Rin muses on, in the midst of making a drawn-out tale from me simply asking her how her lunch went without me around yesterday.  "I thought there might be a problem in his head, or his pants, but I figured it out eventually."

"Oh?" I ask with increased curiosity.  "So, what did he have then?"

"You know I never reveal that," Rin responds, wearing a coy smile.  "You'll have to figure it out for yourself if you see him."

I nod, gladly taking her up on the challenge.  "Well, what'd he look like?"

Rin closes her eyes, likely trying to recall the images in her mind.  "Kind of tall but not really.  Average height I guess.  I forget what else, I was focused on my lunch at the time.  Maybe he looked like curry."

I look shocked for a moment as she finishes her tangent.  I wonder if the boy she saw was Hisao.  "I met a new student, too, I'm supposed to be helping him out at the track."

Rin's eyebrows raise, then droop back to normal.  "Good for you two," she says, smiling.  "The guy I met, he seems reliable.  Very helpful and nice.  I heard him call me a wonderful person.  It's happened before I think, with someone else, but I can't remember."

/-----/

Rin might have been right, assuming we're talking about the same person, but I wonder if he's really gonna show up today.  Everyone else I was told to 'look after' on the track ended up abandoning me, including Rin, to some extent.  She was never very good with running.  Why should this boy be any different?

Just as I'm finishing my warm-up run, I hear footsteps in the grass off the track.  I pause in my steps, look over, and see him.  He looks as aloof as before.  He's dressed in what looks like a soccer uniform.  The blue color of his shorts puts a smile on my face as he approaches, but I'll still have to see to getting him a proper Yamaku uniform.

I greet him by name, and we chat a little, me apologizing to him again for the accident, him admitting he knew I was looking for him these past couple of days.

He's really taking it all nicely, as we begin joking and chatting.  Eventually, I bring up running together, remind him to warm-up, but he puts up a defense.

"Real men don't warm up."

Smooth quip, Hisao.  Is that the way he wants it?  Fine, I've already warmed up, doesn't matter to me.  If he gets a cramp and falls on his face, it's gonna be me laughing!

We both start running together.  Hisao's running pretty slowly and I get far ahead of him before long. In the middle of the run, he slows to a walk, mentioning that he's out of shape, and we agree to meet again.

Rin could be right, after all.  Reliable, if a bit slow to start.  I could get used to hanging out with him more often.

/-----/

My hopes are answered the next morning as I'm resting after my warm-up.  I see the now familiar figure of Hisao walking towards the track.  Our eyes meet, and I give him a smile, overjoyed to see that he's keeping up with this.

Rin told me yesterday that there was this boy still helping her paint the mural, as well.

In any case, it's good to know Hisao's getting himself involved with the school quickly.

We run together again.  I take it a bit slower this time, keeping him just behind me, looking back to see if his eyes are on the track, or something else that's in front of him.  He looks more like he's not focused on anything and is already breathing more heavily.  Deciding that I need to keep my own pace, I speed up, going a bit faster.  He doesn't make any attempt to catch up, just going more slowly until he looks exhausted, his run degrading to a walk.

That's okay, Hisao.  Just keep at it!  Even that much, done every day, will make you a lot healthier.

My optimism is shattered as I see him stop and wave to me from the far side of the track, walking away without another word.  I watch as he does.  He doesn't look back, and fades from sight before I can round the corner to catch up to him.

Hisao, what happened?  You were so eager and ready to go until this point, despite being out of shape.  Is this it?  Are you still gonna come tomorrow?

I finish my laps, alone once again.  Maybe I'm going about this the wrong way.  We should do something else together.  I know, I'll invite him to a nice, relaxed lunch with Rin and I, and bring the best of my charm.  It's possible he was just in a bad mood, and we can cheer him up.  I'll have to skip a class to find him an extra lunch, but I should be able to manage.

/-----/

And so, later that day, I catch him outside of his class after the ringing of the lunch bell, and ask.  He accepts, and I lead him down the hall, up the stairs, and to the roof, where we join up with Rin.

I'm stunned to see that Rin and Hisao already know each other.  It becomes pretty obvious that he was the new kid Rin was talking about, so they've known each other as long as I knew him.

The three of us struggle to fit on the bench.  Hisao's squeezed up right next to me.  His wrinkled shirt feels warm against my own.  This is nice.

As we start eating, I glance over at Hisao.  He's looking right past me, eyes attentively focused on Rin.  I didn't figure him as the type to stare, but even so... why Rin?  Is he attracted to her?  This can't be.  I was just starting to like Hisao, but it looks like Rin beat me to the punch.  She picked him up faster than I could.

I suppress speaking up, and instead return to my lunch before Hisao gets a chance to catch me observing, taking out my frustration on the chicken and rice before me, wolfing it down like a ravenous dog.

Hisao asks me about my eating speed, and I reference my high amount of exercise and maintaining of my girlish figure.  Bingo!  Rin's got nothing on this.

Rin shoots my boasting down with a joke.

Hisao's attention is back to both of us, now.  He asks if we always argue.  Arguing?  Rin and I?  We don't do that, do we?  Were we?

The conversation settles into a bit of nondescript small talk as I bring out boxes of drinks for everyone.  As I begin to sip, I see Hisao observing Rin again.  I almost want to crush my box of juice over Rin's head, that'll give him something to stare at.

As we finish up, I mention to Hisao that he can come back for lunch any time.  Instead of accepting outright, he expresses doubt, jokingly.  I go along with it, and offer up that both Rin and I will be here.  That seems to close it.  He accepts.

He definitely likes Rin.  They're sort of alike, after all.  A bit lazy, aloof, jokes a lot.  It just doesn't look like my upbeat, energetic attitude can fit into that.

/-----/

As I exit my final class of the day, Rin steps in front of me.

"Wait.  I need to go to the store, Emi.  Can you come with me?"

I dunno Rin, can I?  Can't you get your boyfriend Hisao to do it?  I'm sure he'd love the chance to gawk at you again.  "Sorry Rin," I answer, trying to hide my anger and look calm, "I've got a lot of things to do this afternoon.  Just go yourself."

"But-"

I'm running down the halls before she can finish her sentence.

/-----/

It's Saturday.  The classes pass by as quickly as any other half day.  I still haven't asked Rin anything regarding her relationship towards Hisao, but the thought won't leave my mind.

I'm sitting on Rin's bed, in her room, with her on my lap, brushing her hair.

"Hey Rin," I pipe up, "Have you seen Hisao lately?  He hasn't been showing up for his morning runs."

"Yeah.  Saw him last night.  In the town.  I sorta lost my way so he helped me back.  Blind girl was with him."

Once again, I find myself having to mask irritation.  "Has he said anything about me?" I ask, pulling a tangle loose as gently as I can.

"No.  Not that I can remember.  Mostly just reading my mind.  He's pretty good at it, even if he says he isn't."

Reading her mind.  I'm not sure what that means, nor am I sure how they got so close in less than a week.  "Okay, well if you see him, tell him I want to talk to him more.  I feel like he kinda turned his back on me, and the whole running thing."

Rin nods, and silence falls between us for a few minutes.  Suddenly, she speaks again.

"Do you like him?"

"Uhmm..." I mutter, not sure how to respond, "Yeah, I think I do.  He was really nice on the track and at our lunch.  I think I'm starting to fall for him."

"Me too," Rin says quickly, "I like him a lot, too.  He's a good listener, and he's a fun guy to have around.  Not a mushroom, I mean, just fun, and a guy."

I stop combing.  "So it's true!  You two are seeing each other!"

"No.  I don't think so.  But maybe that could happen.  I don't think I'd mind."

"Grr..."  Here it is.  I finally find a decent guy who might be into me, and my idiot friend swoops in and takes him without even trying.  Did she even listen when I said I liked him?

"Combing's done," I say with forced calmness, pushing Rin out of my lap more forcefully than usual.

"Good.  I need to go paint.  I wonder if Hisao can help me again."

I sneer at her back before getting up to help with the door.

You're not getting him yet, Rin.  The festival's coming up, and once I convince him, he'll be sure he can have a better time with me there.

I follow Rin, sitting down with her as she paints, helping however I can.  If Hisao's so stricken with her, then he's sure to show up.

"I need more supplies," Rin says under her breath.  "Paint.  A lot of it."

As if on cue, I see her helper boy approaching from the school's courtyard.  I greet him with as large a smile as I can muster.

I'll get your paint, Rin, and I'll bring Hisao with me.  And he'll be hanging out with me when we're done.

Like I could've predicted, all he does is talk about Rin.  Rin this, Rin that, not a word about me, or running, or anything else.  As I'm about to tell him I miss seeing him at the track, I look over the tall shelf in front of me.  I can't hope to reach the paint cans up at the top, and even if I could, I'd risk them spilling all over me.

This could be my chance.  Time to let Hisao help me, for a change.  I make as cute a huff as I can manage while hopping up and down, making an act out of trying to read the labels on the cans.

Is he looking?  Come on Hisao, help me out here!

I hop a little closer to the shelf, brushing against it, the frame proving to be rather flimsy, the supplies on it rattling, threatening to fall down.

Finally, he steps forward and offers to help, referencing my height.  Offering to read the labels himself.  I'm a little disappointed, but I guess expecting him to hold me by the hips and lift me would've been a bit too much, though I hoped he'd try something like that anyway.

We finish gathering supplies and make our way back to Rin at the mural.  As we go, I try to bring up at least a few topics, but he remains mostly unresponsive.

Finding nothing else to bring up that could possibly be interesting, I decide to mention Rin again, namely, her laziness at getting the mural done, detailing how she's helpless and I have no idea if she'll get it done.  I stay as neutral as possible, careful not to scorn her directly, covering up any bad tones with constant giggles.

Rin's not 'unique', as he seems to like saying, she's just weird.  Really, she's a deadbeat, not nearly as dependable as me, or Hisao, outside of him ditching his running, which was probably because of Rin.  She's not a good match for him, she's just a bad influence.

As we meet up with Rin again, she and Hisao immediately start their own conversation.  I get aggravated that I can't figure out a way to pull him closer to me.  I take an odd request for 'Prussian Blue' paint as an excuse to get away.

I stay awake late into the night, running, thinking about Hisao, and about Rin.

/-----/

I wake with the sun in my eyes.  I get up with a start and check the time.  11:42.  I didn't mean to sleep in THIS much.  I hastily take a shower, put on a uniform, and run outside.

I stop immediately as I approach the steps leading away from the dorm area.  Rin's sitting there, and Hisao's next to her, looking just as slouched as she is.

I quickly evade them and proceed to the collection of various festival stands, already crowded.

I walk around, alone.  I spot some games I like but nothing I want to play, alone.  Kids are laughing and everyone's having a good time, but I'm ALONE.  I don't even have the track, there's a special event there and it's closed for the day.

And so, I'm left to wander the festival aimlessly, for a long time, before I hear the voice of Rin calling my name.

"Emi."

I turn to face her.  "Oh.  Hi Rin.  What are you doing here?  Where's Hisao?"

She jerks her head back a moment, motioning to where she came from.  "Next to the mural.  I need your help, Emi.  Period."

I hesitate a moment, but nod.  I'm used to her blunt approach to any request, even the more personal ones, but this is really bad timing.

Without another word, we get to the bathrooms and lock ourselves into a stall.  I unclothe Rin as needed, and she assumes the usual position on the toilet, and I reach into my bag for... for...

"We're... we're out!?"

"Yes, we are," Rin replies, her face looking a little agitated.  "I tried to tell you the other day, we need more from the store.  You stormed off.  Couldn't find the store.  Was hoping you had some hidden anyway.  Guess not.  We have to get some.  From one of the other girls, there's no other way."

I stand up and cross my arms, returning her annoyed glare.  "Fine, go find someone yourself."

"I'm sitting on a toilet and I could start leaking at any time if I walk around.  You go."

Our piercing stares grow angrier as I continue on.  "Why don't you make Hisao do it?"

"Our relationship isn't at that point yet."

"Relationship!?  So he's officially your boyfriend now, huh?  He can DEFINITELY do it, then.  He'd probably like it, too!"

"Maybe," Rin utters with a shrug.  "What is your problem?  You seem really bothered.  If you care about Hisao so much, then give up."

"Wha...?"  I punch the door, my face growing red.  "And what about you?  Do you really think you'll be there for him when it matters?  He'll move on from you."

"I don't know anything about that, I can't read the future.  Only the present.  Hisao's with me, not you.  He chose me, and I like him.  He doesn't like running and he doesn't like you.  Stop getting angry about it."

"No!  He's supposed to be exercising!  I was TOLD to do that!  He's supposed to be hanging out with ME!"

Rin's face goes flat, and she looks at me as sternly as she ever has.  "Get me a damn tampon."

"I told you, GET IT YOURSELF!"  I yell out and turn to punch the door to the stall once again, harder this time, sending it flying open with a high-pitched creak.  I storm out of the bathroom, leaving Rin on her own.

I walk to the area behind the dorm room, sit down next to a tree, and cry.

I didn't mean to get so agitated.  Now even Rin's yelling at me.  She's been my only real friend for months, even if she never wanted to call me one.  I know  that's the way it is.  She seems like a bad person to an extent, needlessly negative, but in reality she's nice, and listens, and is there when needed, despite what I just told her.  And now I left her alone.  I don't have a friend who's a boy, or a girl.

This isn't right.  I can't slump like this.  I need to patch things up with Rin, both emotionally and, well, physically.  I left that stall open, another girl doesn't need to witness that.

I hurry back into the bathrooms, hoping Rin's still in there.  She is, in the same position as before, looking at least twice as distressed as she did, a few tears coming out of her eyes.

"Emi... I can't really get up or..."

"Don't move, Rin!  I'll be right back!"  I close the stall door, careful to leave it unlocked, then rush out into the hall.

Where to go... who to ask... really don't wanna ask... wait, Miki leaves her door unlocked, right?  Perfect!  She's about the same height as Rin.  Well, height isn't really a factor, but I hope it's close enough.

I burst into her room and waste no time digging through any drawers I can find.  I discover what I'm looking for in the top drawer of the nightstand.

As I return to Rin and kneel down to assist her, I decide I can't waste any more time with the tension around us.  "Hey Rin..." I say hesitantly.

"What is it," She blurts, returning to her neutral voice.

"I'm sorry for blowing up like that.  You were right, he likes you.  It's too obvious.  He spends a lot of time with you.  I think I can accept that, but I don't want us to not be friends."

"But I don't really consider you a friend.  Even before this."

"I know," I say, smiling at her words.  "You're my friend, anyway."

"That's very nice of you to say."

I finish up with the task in front of me and proceed to help her pull her underclothes back up.  "Are you guys having a lot of fun at the festival?"

"Yeah.  Well, no, not really, nothing fun, it's pretty boring, thinking about it.  But I think it's better if he is there."

"Good," I acknowledge with an enthusiastic nod, leading her out of the bathroom.

"Do you want to hang out with us too?" Rin brings up.  "We're just sitting around.  I know you don't like that much, sitting, but it'd be nice having you there too."

"No," I answer with a giggle, turning to face her once more.  "You guys should spend it together, just the two of you."

"If you say so," Rin says, face drooping a bit.

"Trust me."  I give her a wink.  "You'll thank me later."

/-----/

Once again, I'm alone.  But just for the rest of the day, which is quickly coming to a close as the sky gains a brownish red tint.

As I hear the fireworks start, I look up in amazement.  Colors bursting in what's probably a random order, shape, and size, but still beautiful, in their fleeting moments.

Hisao and I weren't meant to be.  That's just the way it is.  Maybe it's better for me if I don't fall for the first cute, nice guy who comes my way.  Maybe near the end, it was jealousy towards Rin that drove me to pursue it more desperately.  Whatever the case, it's over, I'm still friends with Rin, and Hisao as well, I hope.  I'll have to talk to him about running again some time.  Even if he's Rin's boyfriend, avoiding the Nurse's orders is out of the question.

With my eyes mostly to the sky, I happen near the spot they were sitting without even realizing it.  They're still there.  Rin looks fast asleep, leaned against Hisao's shoulder.  He's looking up at the luminous spectacle far above him, a warm smile on his face.

I can't deny it, they look really cute together.  Best leave them alone, for at least a little while longer.