Part 166: 11/10/09

11/10/09

Great news today, Mitsuru was done with whatever crap was keeping her from coming home. Okay, strictly speaking the dorm isn’t home, but you know what I mean.



I heard Mitsuru-senpai is coming back today.
I’m glad to hear that.
I guess so…
I’m sure she’s feeling kinda down. I don’t blame her, of course.

Ryoji’s certainly not shy, I’ll give him that.



What about you, Aelita-chan?
I’m totally psyched!
Let’s do lots of sightseeing while we’re there.
Just the two of us, of course. A Kyoto date!

Yeah, never going to happen. Anyway I headed down to the Home Ec room to help Bebe finish up his kimono.



> It seems Bebe is talking to himself while sewing.
Hmm… Zat cheap material ‘as been transformed!
Wizout your ‘elp…
I would probably be back ‘ome already…
But because of you, Aelita-sama, I was able to finish zis kimono!
What is France like?
My country… Zere is nozing zere for me now!
I ‘ave to put an end to zis, so zat I can die ‘ere in ze country I love!
> Bebe seems fired up.
By ze way, Aelita-sama…
I ‘ave met many people in Nihon…
But, you are ze best tomodachi I ‘ave ‘ere!
If my aunt was still alive…
I would tell her about ze wonderful friend I ‘ave made… Subarashii!
I’m sure my aunt would ‘ave liked you…
> You feel a strong emotion from Bebe.
> Your relationship is stronger now!

I mean I’m not helping him in the traditional sense, mainly just keeping him pushing forward.



Yosh! Now, I will put ze final touches on zis kimono!
I am so tired zat I zink I see my aunt!
Zis is ze last part… I can’t give up!
Ready, set… GO!
> You and Bebe worked on your own projects while cheering each other on…
> …The scarf is finally complete!
> Obtained Hand-Knit Scarf.
> You could give this to someone while on a date…
……

He’s way too nice, I mean he’s much better at this than I am.



Subarashii, I can feel your warmth from it…
……
Is zat scarf a present for someone?
Urayamashii… I envy ze guy who gets it. It is ze greatest present.
……
Urayamashii…
……
I…
I shall return. Zat I promise.
I promise zat… to you.
So…
……
> You worked with Bebe for a long time, and then decided to go back to the dorm.

I missed Mitsuru coming home, though I guess she wasn’t really in the mood to do anything other than head right to bed.



Mitsuru-san has just returned to the dorm.
She looked really tired. She went straight to her room, without saying a word…
Are you worried about her?
Worried…? No, not exactly.
How should I say this..? I feel… I feel responsible for what happened.
……

So yeah every day has fresh reminders of why that asshole deserved to take a tumble off the top of Tartarus. Aki’s known Mitsuru a lot longer than the rest of us, and he seems really broken up.



She’s still bummed…
I guess she needs more time.

Since he’ll have to stay behind at the dorm without us when our school trip comes along I decided to take Ken out to dinner.



Anywhere you want! I’ll pay.
Boy: Huh, Ken?
Huh…?
…Ah.
Oh, he’s one of my classmates…
> A boy about Ken’s height walks by…
Ken’s Classmate: What’re you doing?
Uh… nothing! I’m just about to go to dinner…
Ken’s Classmate: …This is your sister?
Huh?
…Oh, n-no!
Ken’s Classmate: Wh-What’re you getting mad at me for!?
Because…
……
I’m not her younger brother!
Aelita-san is… She’s my…
> Ken falls silent with a troubled look on his face…
We’re friends, right?

We never really made it there though thanks to some little shit we ran into.



Wh-What’s so weird!?
Ken’s Classmate: I mean, she’s way older than you.
…!
Sh-Shut up!
Don’t be ridiculous! …Stupid!
Ken’s Classmate: Your face is stupid!
Dumbass! Hag!
> Ken’s classmate runs off…
> …Did he just call you a hag…?
……
Um…
I’m sorry he said that stuff…
I’m sorry…

I mean not that I’m pissed that he called me a hag or anything.



……
> Ken hangs his head low…
You and me… We’re nowhere close to each other’s ages.
I know that already…
That’s a fact that can’t be changed…
……
So… Why are you bothering with a kid like me, Aelita-san?
The guys at the dorm are older than me, and you have lots of friends, right…?
Then… why me…?
> Ken looks downwards, but he has a serious expression…
> You must be honest with him…
It’s because I like you.
P-Please, don’t tease me.
I know that adults lie all the time…
……
You mean… “As a friend,” right?
I… like you too.
I like you…
> Ken smiles…
> You sense a strong bond has formed between you and Ken…

I’m not even that old! I just stay up late, it’s not my fault!



Oh… I forgot that I had homework!
I’m sorry… I’ll just get something quick to eat and go up to my room today.
…W-Well then!
> Ken’s face has turned bright red…
> …Ken ran off.
> …You decide to return to the dorm.

I mean would a hag have crazy supernatural powers? …Okay maybe one would but bottom line hell with that little bastard what does he know?