Da Capo [16]

Junichi: ...Sigh.

Junichi: What a pain.

I covered the desk with my body, thinking about lunch.

Junichi: It's too much trouble to go to the cafeteria to buy lunch...

The best plan is to stay in the classroom, while I get somebody else to go to the store and buy me a sandwich and a drink.

Let's see, Suginami's gone, and all the guys who go to the cafeteria are gone while I while I was sleeping...

Then, I found Nemu at her desk writing something.

She's quite organized but she's a little slow. Maybe she'll go to the cafeteria now.

Junichi: Hey, Nemu.

I pat her shoulder hoping to make her go to the cafeteria.

Nemu: What? How can I help you?

She turned around all serious.

Junichi: Well, what are you going to do about lunch?

Nemu: Right... Let's see. It's too much trouble to go to the cafeteria, don't you think?

Junichi: Huh?

Nemu: Oh, no, don't misunderstand me. I'm not that hungry anyways. It makes me sleepy if I eat too much at lunch.

Junichi: It's not good for you to skip lunch.

Nemu: You're right...

Nemu tilted her head as she stroked the notebook, and I realized that the note wasn't for the class.

Junichi: What are you doing?

Nemu: What? I'm studying for the test.

Junichi: .........

Nemu: You should do the same, niisan. It seems like not too many students are studying for the test, so maybe you can score high this time.

Junichi: .........

Nemu: What?

Junichi: Nothing... I'm going to get something to eat.

I placed my hand on my forehead. She'll probably keep talking about the exam if I stay here longer.

Then I realized she won't hang out with me much during the exam week.

Junichi: Do you want something? You should eat at least a little.

Nemu: Are you sure? So lucky!

Junichi: What? Lucky?

Nemu: I wanted to ask someone, but I was too busy concentrating on my notes, everybody was gone already.

Junichi: I see.

I sighed and I dragged myself out of the classroom.

Nemu: What's wrong?

I turned around.

Junichi: ...go for wool and come home shorn...

Nemu: What are you talking about?

Junichi: Never mind.

I waved a little and stepped out to the hallway.

Junichi: Why do I have to go...

Nemu: Okay, fine.

As I was feeling crappy, I found Nemu by my side.

Nemu: Don't be so sad, I'll go with you.

She smiled at me reaching out her hand to my cheek.

Junichi: ...I'm not sad.

Nemu: Really? Huh.

She turned around, flaring her skirt as she walked in front of me.

Nemu: Then, let it be.

Junichi: .........

I can stay in the classroom now that she's going to the cafeteria, but if I did that, I bet she wouldn't go either.

Junichi: That's too bad.

Nemu: What?

Junichi: You're my sister.

Nemu: ...? ...Yeah, sure!

I walked to the cafeteria with a happy Nemu at my side, and the distance to the cafeteria seemed to be shorter than usual.

~

Echoing from the music room came some girls' very pretty high singing and some boys' not to pretty low singing.

Junichi: (The girls' voices are very soothing.)

I would like to sit in the middle of them to enjoy their singing.

The time kept passing away regardless of my imagination.

~

Koyoki: Prefect, order please.

Mako: Bow to the teacher.

The homeroom meeting was concluded with the bow, and the classroom got lively right away.

Most of the students were talking about tomorrow's exam. There were even some students surrounding the smarter ones.

The others left the classroom quickly. Everyone must be going home to study today.

...

What shall I do...?

[Choice]
- Sakura Park
- Kazami Academy
- Asakura's house
- cherry blossom trees
- shopping district

Da Capo [15]

Junichi: Yawn...

Time to sleep...

I snuggled in under the blankets, and closed my eyes.

...

~

2.28 Thu

Junichi: Phew... it's safe here.

I slowed down.

The passing surroundings slowed down too.

...

...

Junichi: Hm?

I looked ahead at where the sound was coming from... and founf Moe-sempai and Mako there.

Junichi: Hey.

I sped up again to catch up with them.

Mako: Good morning.

Moe: Good morning, Asakura-kun.

Mako: Did you run here as usual?

Mako noticed my face was red.

Junichi: It's good exercise.

Mako: How?

She gave me a cold look jokingly.

Moe: Are you running every morning for your exercise?

Moe-sempai seemed surprised behind Mako.

...

We all walked in the peacefull mood created by Moe-sempai. Many students had already gone from the street.

I could see lots of cherry blossom petals blowing around.

~

Koyomi: It's exam day tomorrow.

She encouraged everyone in the class.

Junichi: (Sigh... it's already tomorrow...)

I feel depressed...

Koyomi: Okay, prefect?

The prefect directed the students to bow to the teacher, and the short homeroom meeting finished.

~

Kazuhiro: Let me tell you the main points to study.

Junichi: (Yes-------)

The classroom went quiet, and everyone listened carefully.

Kazuhiro: Don't take this the wrong way. But this is just the main 'Points to study'.

I know. He doesn't have to repeat it.

Kazuhiro: I think what's on page 98 is very important.

Junichi: (I see...)

There was only the sound of pencils scribbling.

Kazuhiro: The next is...

~

Junichi: Ahhh... finally.

I stretched to relax.

There are many students studying while eating their lunch.

What shall I do...?

[Choice]
- classroom
- hallway
- courtyard
- rooftop
- cafeteria

Da Capo [14]

Brushing the cherry blossom petals off my shoulders and head, I look up at my home as it gets closer.

Junichi: I wish I were in bed now.

Nice and warm.

The air is comfortably warm and there's a nice gentle breeze blowing.

And what's more, Skaura's standing on the porch with an angry look.

Junichi: What are you doing here?

I put my bag over my shoulder again and look down at her.

Sakura: I've been waiting for you, oniichan.

Junichi: What for?

Even though I told her not to, I wonder why she didn't enter the house through the window.

Junichi: Do you have anywhere you want to go?

Sakura: I want to go to your room.

Junichi: That's incriminating, isn't it?

Sakura: Hm?

Junichi: Nothing.

Looking the other way, I take the house key from my pocket.

Sakura: Mmm...

Junichi: .........

There's a strange creature clinging around my waist, not letting me go inside my house.

Junichi: Why the heck are you here?

Sakura: Look at THIS!

Sakura holds up a piece of paper.

Junichi: Are you playing a magical girl? Say Haann~

Sakura: Haann~?

Junichi: You have to be more enthusiastic than that.

Sakura: What do you mean by enthusiastic? Mmmm.

Junichi: Hm?

I can finally read the note in her hand.

'EXPEL EVIL SPIRITS'

Sakura pretends to be a priestess acting like a magical girl - But anyway. I actually made that note as a joke last night.

Sakura: Can you explain what it means?

Junichi: Oh, I see. A priestess put it up for me because an evil demon moved into my room.

Sakura: .........

Junichi: .........

Sakura: Waaaah~~~

Crying in a strange way, Sakura runs off to her house.

Junichi: .........

Scratch, scratch.

Junichi: What a pain...

The first thing I did when I got to my room is drop my bag and get a piece of paper and a marker pen.

After that, I put up a piece of paper on the window in my room that says 'A SUCCESSION OF VISITORS'. But I'd better keep it a secret from Nemu.

~

Junichi: God, please forgive me.

Nemu hurried me to go study in my room after watching TV in the living room, but I got sidetracked after only one minute.

Junichi: I can study tomorrow night.

That's the real all-night study.

I left my desk, and lay down on my bed.

It's not that late yet, but I'd have no trouble falling asleep as I'd just been reading textbooks.

Junichi: I guess I'll set the alarm now.

I was surprised at myself that this was becoming a habit.

[Choice]
- 6:30AM
- 7:00AM
- 7:50AM

Da Capo [13]

I wish I could eat lunch somewhere quiet.

I went back to the classroom with some juice and a sandwich which I bought from the store to avoid the noisy cafeteria.

Junichi: Hey, Nemu. I got you lunch.

Nemu: .........

Junichi: Nemu?

I waved my hand in front of her face.

Nemu: .........

Junichi: Nemu-sama?

Huh...

I thought about the situation a little bit, and took out a picture of Nemu when she was little and waved it in front of her.

Junichi: This is a picture of you sleeping after crying so hard.

Nemu: Why do you have a picture of that!?

Nemu reached for the picture, kicking her chair.

Junichi: ...So you are awake.

I put away the picture just in time.

Nemu: Well, I was just thinking about the past.

She sat on the chair elegantly, and ran her hand through her hair.

Junichi: What about the past?

Nemu: Well, I was thinking about what kind of girl I used to be, after looking at Sakura, you know?

Junichi: A crybaby.

Nemu: Well... If you put it that way, it won't leave me with anything.

Junichi: Let's see.

Nemu: I did cry a lot though.

Junichi: Sure did.

We out our lunch on the desk and leaned against the teacher's desk.

The clearest memories I have of Nemu would be her crying a lot.

Nemu: I remember when I was cold, or sa, I used to go under your conforter and... Ouch!

Junichi: ...Idiot.

Nemu: Sorry, sorry.

What was she going to say in the classroom?

I looked around to make surre no one was listening.

Nemu: But... all my oldest memories are only really of you.

Junichi: Me?

Nemu: Yeah. We ate together, you taught me how to ride a bicycle, and you came to find me when I was lost.

Junichi: Wow, you remember a lot.

I sighed as I looked away in embarrassment.

Nemu: Yeah, it surprised me too.

Junichi: Oh yeah?

I opened the bag of sandwiches and gave Nemu one too.

Nemu: Thank you.

Junichi: But, don't you have more fun memories?

Nemu: Fun memories?

Junichi: What you remember is kind of sad.

Nemu: Something fun... Oh.

She covered her mouth and sneaked a laugh.

Nemu: I have it. Something really fun. I wish I could apply for the Guinness Book of Records for you.

Junichi: What is it?

Nemu: I heard you say "What a pain" hundreds of times. I'm amazed how many times you've repeated it.

Junichi: .........

Junichi: Okay...

Something she can apply for the Guinness Book of Records with.

Junichi: ...What a pain.

Nemu: That's a new record.

Nemu smiled happily and put her fingers together.

~

Today's PE class was basketball. There were sounds of heavy balls bouncing in the gym.

Junichi: It gets very noisy when everyone practices their dribbling.

I mumbled to myself, but still made a few laps around the gym.

Basketball doesn't require much running unless it's an actual game.

Junichi: (Shooting practice isn't bad either.)

I just have to be careful to not hurt my fingers...

Let's try making a goal ----

~

Junichi: Ahhhh, finally...

I stretched as the homeroom meeting had finished.

The others around me were stretching like I just did, or chatting with their friends.

There were also some who were already leaving the classroom.

[Choices]
- Sakura Park
- Kazami Academy
- cherry blossom trees
- Asakura's house
- shopping district

Da Capo [12]

Junichi: That should do...

Time to sleep...

...

Good night.

~

2.27 Wed

...

Junichi: Ummm... ahhh...

I reached out my arm to turn the alarm off.

I stretched lightly, and then got dressed.

It's a busy morning as usual.

~

I walked quickly on the way to school. Nemu must have been there a half an hour ago.

There weren't many students on the street anymore.

Mako: Oneechan, hurry!

Moe: Huff, puff... Mako-chan... wait for me...

Hm? These voices sound familiar...

I turned around -- and saw familiar faces a few feet away.

Junichi: Hey guys.

Mako: Hm?

I said hello to Mako, who was a little closer to me than Moe-senpai.

Mako: Oh no, Asakura. Hurry up, oneechan! We're really in danger of being late!

Junichi: (...Heeeey.)

Junichi: What's that supposed to mean?

Mako: If you're here, that means we must really be close to being late.

Mako: ---! Or are we already late?!?

Junichi: .........

That's an insult.

Junichi: Look at your watch. We're not late yet.

Mako: Really?

Mako: Oh yeah.

She checked the time on her cellular phone and mumbled to herself.

Junichi: Why are you carrying Moe-sempai's xylophone?

Mako: Because if I give thi to her, she'll start playing it right away, and we'll be even more late.

Moe: Good... morning... Asa... kura... kun...

Moe-sempai was catching her breath, and sat down on a cooler box she had been carrying.

Junichi: Poor her...

Mako: What's that supposed to mean?

Junichi: Don't sweat it on the small things.

I replied to Mako, bending over to Moe-sempai.

Junichi: Are you alright?

Moe: Y...es... I'm... okay...

Junichi: Shall I carry that for you?

I pointed at the cooler box.

Moe: No.. It's okay. It's quite light today.

Junichi: Oh yeah?

I stood up straight, and offered my hand to her.

Her soft hand was placed in mine. It was hot as she had been running.

Moe: Thank you very much.

Junichi: No problem...

Mako: It looks like we have enough time - let's walk from here.

We began walking together as Mako suggested.

I headed to school walking between Mako and Moe-sempai.

...

Sometimes good things happen when you get up late...

~

Koyomi: Quiet. It's time for the homeroom meeting.

She slapped the desk with her notebook to make everyone quiet.

She nodded to the prefect to direct the students to greet the teacher.

She opened her notebook, and looked around the class to see if anyone was missing.

It was the usual type of morning.

~

Koi: Please work on the questions on page 124. We will check the answers in ten minutes.

Koi-sensei told the class calmly, taking out a pocket watch.

There was nothing but the sound of pencils scribbling.

I opened the book and also began working on the problems.

Junichi: (Ummm... not good.)

I spun the pencil with my fingers while I thought.

I just hope that she doesn't choose me...

~

Junichi: Umm... it's finally lunch break.

I'm starving...

[Choices]
- classroom
- hallway
- courtyard
- rooftop
- cafeteria

Da Capo [11]

Junichi: I'm home.

Nemu: Oh, welcome back!

Nemu looks up happily as she writes something with the TV on.

Why does she always look so happy?

Junichi: What are you writing? Is it an embarrassing poem?

When Nemu opens her notebook, it could be a diary, poem, household account book, or homework.

This time, I guessed poem because of the way she looked so happy, since it's her dream to be a poet in a future.

Nemu: You're wrong. It's a letter.

Junichi: A letter?

Junichi: You mean, as in a correspondence which never last for long. That kind of letter?

Nemu: You have to say 'for a poor correspondent like me' if you say that.

She hid her letter inside a book and stretched.

Junichi: You look tired.

Nemu: Huh?

Junichi: Well, you should take it easy, since you're studying at night and stuff.

Nemu: I know that. You don't have to worry like that.

I'm worried because she doesn't seem to understand that.

Nemu: Although I have been feeling a bit tired lately. Ouch, it hurts...

Nemu moved her neck from right to left, and grabbed her shoulder.

I'm sure if one of the guys at school saw her acting like a middle-aged man, he would faint.

Junichi: Huh.

I put my bag on the floor and sneaked behind Nemu as I unbuttoned my shirt.

Nemu: Mm, Mmm...

The target didn't notice my move while she concentrated on the TV with a remote control in her hand.

Nemu: What!?

Nemu shook in surprise.

Junichi: Don't raise your voice...

I whispered in her ears, as I loomed over her from behind.

Nemu: Hey! Niisan! Don't be silly!

Junichi: Quiet!

Nemu: No! Stop, stop. I give up!

Nemu curled her body up trying to escape, but she didn't mean it for real.

Junichi: But, it's so stiff. This must feel good, doesn't it?

Nemu: Don't say that. Ah!

Junichi: Do you like it, here?

I applied more pressure, moving my fingertips a little.

Nemu: Oh, that hurtd... Stop it...

Junichi: See? You're breathing hard.

Nemu: So are you...

Nemu put her little white sweaty hand over mine, as I put it where she likes it.

Nemu: You're breathing hard and your heart's pounding hard... Ah!

Junichi: Don't move around like that. Be still.

Nemu: Mm... Ah... Haah, haah...

Junichi: Do you like this area, where the dip is?

Nemu: Ouch... a little bit less.. Mm... like that.

Nemu sank into the sofa, not being able to take too much pleasure.

I massaged her body, bending forward to follow her body.

Nemu: Ah, right there. Oh, no! That's so good.

Junichi: Don't make it sound like that!

I slapped her head.

Nemu: Ouch!? What are you doing?

Junichi: I'm just massaging your neck! What kind of reaction's that!?

Nemu: Who cares! You have to consider the fact that my neck's very sensitive!

Junichi: It's my fault?

I looked up to the ceiling, smoothing my heated neck.

Nemu: I-I'll be going to my room.

She straightened her shirt, and said it with a straight face.

Junichi: Fine, but you're in a weird mood.

Nemu: Right... well.

Nemu tilted her head and looked at me shyly as she turned around.

Nemu: That felt good.

Junichi: What?

Nemu: It felt good, so can you do that again?

Nemu mumbled as she looked away.

Junichi: S-Sure.

Nemu: Okay.

We raised our hands up in the air and parted.

Junichi: Well...

I sat down on the warm sofa where Nemu was sitting just now.

My neck was stiff.

~

I'm more tired than usual today.

I stretched and sat down with crossed legs.

Junichi: It must be the way I was woken up this morning.

Sakura had better not show up like that every morning.

Junichi: .........

I'd lock the window if I could, but the lock's broken.

I had no choice... I wrote on a piece of paper 'Evil may not enter' and posted it on my window.

Junichi: That should do.

If she's a witch, this will work.

Junichi: Yawn...

I made a big yawn, and snuggled under the blanket.

Junichi: I should set the alarm just in case.

I stretched my arm out to the alarm clock, and set the 'ideal' wake up time.

[Choice]
- 6:30AM
- 7:00AM
- 7:50AM

Da Capo [10]

Junichi: Well, it's going too far to call her an alarm clock, but...

I pressed my eyes, and boasted as I looked away.

I'm sure Nemu wouldn't appreciate being praised by me, a family member, as I think about it.

Look at that expression.

Nemu: You better remember that...

Junichi: What? Nemu-sama?

Nemu: Well then, I should be leaving.

She left in a flash, ignoring my hand reaching out for her.

Suginami: ...You're the king of challengers, man.

Suginami nodded with respect and fear.

Junichi: Should I escape into space?

I dreamed of a faraway world.

A peaceful world without any way.

~

Seiji: The next part means...~

Yukawa-sensei is explaining the meaning of this Tanka poem.

The classroom was quiet.

This knd of subject has spice, but lacks excitement.

It's borning, and makes me sleepy. It's more fun when we have a one-hundred tanka poem card competition or something of that sort.

Junichi: ...Still one hour to go, huh?

The time passed very slowly on this warm, early spring day.

~

Koyomi: That's all for today...

The teacher said, as she came into the classroom to dismiss the class.

Mako: Bow to the teacher!

The prefect directed the students, and the homeroom meeting was finished already.

Junichi: Let's see... what shall I do today?

I stretched my arms, and asked myself in a quiet voice.

[Choice]
- Sakura Park
- Kazami Academy
- Asakura's house
- cherry blossom trees
- shopping district