Chapter LXV: The Blonde Bother
During the days of Akiko being absent, the squad goes to hangouts, sometimes without Kota. As he is alone, he ponders about missing Akiko. One day while he is seating in his seat, solving an assignment,
"Uhm, hey", a trembling voice says in front of him.
Kota looks in front of him and goes up, it turns out to be Eloise.
"Ah, yes Murasaki-san?" (K)
"Uhm, wait, is that really how you Japanese people call each other?" (E)
"Well ofc, since this is what we've been taught in school and at home. From your place, though you learned Japanese right after English?" (K)
"Yep, next to English and French" (E)
"Oh nice, so in our place, we use it in a culture. But try using the suffixes we use like -san, -chan, and -kun" (K)
"Alrighty then, Mizushiro-kun" (E)
"Ok, ask your question pls Murasaki-san" (K)
"Uhm, can you help me with this homework?" (E)
"Oh this, I've done this a day before, want me to teach you how to do it?" (K)
"I'm lazy right now, can you send me your homework later?" (E)
"Can't you just learn from me?" (K)
"Nahh, not in the mood right now. But I will scan it?" (E)
"Promise me ok?" (K)
"Alright, I promise. Btw, I heard that you love anime" (E)
"Yeah, it all started from the pandemic" (K)
"Oh, what was your first anime?" (E)
"I think it was that boxing anime'(K)
"Oh, that's nice, I love that anime" (E)
"Oh, really? No way!" (K)
From afar, while Hanako is talking to Satou, she looks at Kota and gives him a glare at his conversation with Eloise. As Kota's conversation with Eloise rises up, Hanako starts to suspect.
One day, just after their dismissal, Kota walks with the squad towards the dike. Surprisingly, Akiko is now present during this day. However, she has an agenda the next day again.
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow on the quaint cafe where Kota and his friends gathered. The air buzzed with laughter and camaraderie as they shared stories and enjoyed their favorite drinks. Kota stood alongside Akiko, unaware of the subtle undercurrents weaving through their close-knit circle.
Somehow, during their nice conversation with one another, something taps Kota's shoulder. It turns out to be Eloise. Her warm smile and genuine interest in their lives made her an instant hit. Asahi, Enmei, Hanako, and Gin exchanged glances, sensing a shift in the group's dynamic. The air was charged with unspoken suspicion. Akiko on the other hand, greets her,
"Oh hi bestie, how are you?"
"I'm fine, just shaking off some anime", she replies
"Nice nice", Akiko responds.
The group then raise their eyebrows. Faced by the current scenario, Eloise gets a second thought.
"Uhm, it's ok if y'all don't want me here" (Eloise)
Stricken with such conscience, the four feels bad.
"Hey, you're welcome to the group you know?" (Asahi)
"Really?" (Eloise)
"Of course, the more the merrier" (Enmei)
"Don't be shy or down in the dumps, we are open to new members hehe" (Hanako)
"Uhm, okay. In that case, allow myself to make your acquaintance pls, I'm Eloise Ava Murasaki, you can call me Elly for short" (Eloise)
As Eloise bows her head in front of them, the group snickers a bit.
"You shouldn't had to do it formal bro" (Hanako)
"Yeah, it's ok with us anyway, but thank you for that" (Akiko)
"You're welcome to the group" (Asahi)
Hanako and Gin, the perceptive duo, couldn't shake off the feeling that Eloise's integration was not as innocent as it seemed. Their suspicions deepened as they observed her interactions, particularly her keen interest in Kota. During moments when the group dispersed, Eloise lingered, striking up conversations with Kota about his hobbies and interests.
One afternoon, Eloise approached Kota with an intriguing proposition in their chats.
"Hey, Kota, there's this incredible place in town I heard about. Would you like to check it out with me?" she suggested, her eyes sparkling with anticipation as she sent an emoji to him.
Caught off guard, Kota hesitated before agreeing,
"Uhm, shall I join? No, no, no, I promised Akiko"
However, his curiosity is overcoming any reservations since he thinks,
"Hmm, Eloise is just a friend, nothing more than a friend. I'll have a friendly hangout with her"
The next day, since it was the weekends, Eloise and Kota meets up in the park and goes out on the street. Unbeknownst to him, near the street someone is just in plain sight. Hanako, seated in a nearby cafe, couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that clung to the atmosphere.
With a discreet click, Hanako captured a series of pictures as Kota and Eloise strolled down the bustling streets. The images depicted a seemingly carefree duo engrossed in conversation, smiling and laughing. Yet, there was an undeniable chemistry that piqued Hanako's suspicion. Swiftly, she sent the pictures to Gin, along with a terse message,
"Something feels off. Keep an eye on them."
Gin, initially dismissive, joined Hanako in the cafe. Together, they huddled over the pictures, analyzing every detail. The realization hit them – there was an unmistakable connection between Kota and Eloise that extended beyond mere friendship.
"Should we confront Kota?" Hanako whispered, her gaze fixed on the unfolding scene outside the window.
Gin hesitated, grappling with the implications of their discovery.
"Not yet. Let's observe a bit more. We need to be sure before jumping to conclusions."
"Should we tell Akiko?"
"No, you idiot! Do you think it's the best way to tackle the problem?"
"Heh, says the one who's not being patient to observe much longer"
"Bro, she's stealing my friend's boyfriend, what should I do about that?"
"Stay calm, she's not stealing him chill"
Hanako then hesitates. Gin pulls out his phone and shows Hanako what she pictured.
"Look at this, do you think that since they wore hoodies with such a coincidental design, means something is fishy? I've looked up that shopping app Storee before, and I discovered that those hoodies are very common merch nowadays"
"Ohh nice"
"So ok, there might be a bit to worry about, but let's observe, because if a person is stricken and shocked by bad news, it can lead to dire consequences"
"Ok ok, I got bro"
"For the meantime, let's observe what these two hooligans are really up to. Btw, I just came up with a plan if something like this would happen again"
While both of them were busy talking, someone taps Gin's back and turns out to be Kota with a surprised reaction and Eloise smiling warmly while glaring at them with red eyes.
"Hey, what are you guys doing here?"
At this rate, Hanako and Gin look at each other. But they overcome it.
"Hanako was just bought me a drink"
Hanako glares at him for saying it, but Gin texts her,
"Just play along so it couldn't be suspicious"
Hanako puts down her phone.
"Oh yes, he didn't have any money left for the train"
"Wait, I saw your story on YourBook, didn't you just got here on a bike?"
Eloise looking at this situation, smiles sinisterly.
"Oh I just got a flat-tire"
The two nod their head hearing this. Hanako and Gin bids goodbye to the two then goes outside of the café as the two make their orders.
"Let's keep this a secret, let's not talk about it until something REALLY fishy is going on"
"Agreed"
Both of them then goes home.