[STORY] Bittersweet Life - Verse 2
*WARNING: this is an individual chapter. The original characters of DnA might have a different age than their actual age.
So some are older than how they're supposed to be. I informed this to you so you won't get confused later.
The background of the girls & their personality trait created is based on the writer's imagination, so just in case you found it unpleasant,
please accept my apology.
Thanks!
-----------------------------
***
- Verse 2 -
Honey Bee
***
Just like yesterday, Mai woke up early today.
She left a short note and placed it on the dining table before she went to college.
"This morning too. I'll work hard!" said Mai in her head as she ran to the station.
Mai was the last one who 'joined' the girls at the Shared House.
It was when she was in her 2nd year of high school. Her mom told her to be more independent, and she came up with an idea of living in the dorm.
Sad, the high school she attended doesn't has a ladies dorm, so she ended up staying at the Shared House, which is girls only.
*
"Riiiiinggg!!" Carly's alarm is ringing. She had a morning class today and it would be bad if she arrived late.
Carly hurriedly got up from her bed, or else she might have fallen asleep again. She took a towel and headed to the bathroom.
Right when Carly arrived at the bathroom, Eve was about to leave the bathroom."Ohayou, Carly," greeted Eve.
"Ohayaouu~~ You're early today," said Carly to Eve. "Mhm, but there's someone who is even earlier than I am," said Eve as she stared at the door of Mai's room.
"Ahahaha, you're right. She's sure working hard," Carly is actually amazed by how Mai was always able to wake up in the morning and start her day full of energy.
Eve walked down to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
She always made toast for breakfast since it's fast and easy.
Carly always complains when Eve makes toast for breakfast, but she ate it nevertheless.
"I thought you didn't have any class until noon?" asked Carly, who just had her bath and is currently sitting in the dinning room.
"Yep, but I have something to attend this morning," said Eve.
Carly grasped things fast. She knew what business Eve could have this early in the morning, "How is he?"
"Well, he's fully recovered but we still have to undergo a routine check-up. No one wants him to be injured again." answered Eve.
"Now, it's time! I have to go," Eve stood up from her chair and walked to the front door, "See you later Carly."
Now Carly is left alone.
As she watched Eve's back as she left the house and when she saw Mai's empty room, it somewhat motivated her to do her best today too.
She was about to get her bag and leave for college, when her phone rang.
And there's only one person who would call her this early in the morning. Carly picked up her phone and answered with a cheerful tone.
She was really happy to hear her boyfriend's voice.
"Yosh! Ganbarimasssuuu!!!!" shouted Carly after she ended the conversation with her precious one.
*
The class was boring for Mai, but she tryed hard to listen to the lecture.
After two hours, the boring class was finally over. "I'm amazed by you Mai," said a friend, "How can you stay awake during class?"
"Well, I-I just think that I shouldn't sleep during class. Hehe," answered Mai. Her friends don't really get her answer.
Mai doesn't feel like that's the real reason why she could endure those boring lectures. Her real reason was Sawamura.
She knows that her boyfriend is working hard to be the ace of the team.
Even though he was finally scouted by a certain baseball team, it's not an easy to be the ace of this team.
And pro baseball is also different than high school baseball, so he still has a long way to go.
Even so, he never gives up, not even for a second. He'll give every best shot he can.
"Me too. I have to do my best, so I won't lose to him." mumbles Mai.
*
"Chris-kun, I think you should rest for two or three days," said the doctor. "Your shoulder is exhausted, so I suggest you don't practice today."
"Okay, I understand. Thank you doctor." said Chris to the doctor as he and Eve walked out of the check-up room.
"What happened? You know you shouldn't force your shoulder!" said Eve, a bit angry, to Chris.
"I have to get ready for the spring tournament, so more practice is required," answered Chris.
"What was that?! To hear such words coming from your mouth; this doesn't sound like you at all!!" Eve is getting really mad.
Chris' wound finally recovered but now....
"I thought you understood it the best! The price you get for overworking yourself!" Eve was so angry, she almost cried.
She's worried sick right now. She hoped for Chris to love himself more, but, all she could get was disappointment.
"Eve," Chris couldn't say anything, seeing his girlfriend cry made him feel guilty, "I'm so--"
"Forget it," Eve couldn't handle it anymore, so she left the hospital alone.
"...........Eve," said Chris as he watched his girlfriend left.
*
Carly arrived at the campus, and was disappointed because her class is canceled due to the professor not being able to come.
"Haaaaaaaaaah, now what should I do??" If she knew this would happen then she wouldn't have woken up so early this morning.
But now, even going back to Shared House is pointless.
"I think I'll meet my boyfriend now," said a classmate.
"Eeeeh, how nice, I don't have one. What should I do?" said another one.
"Ah! Right!!" Without much thought, Carly dashed off to the station and headed in another direction.
Soon, she arrived at her destination.
Both the place and the person she's seeking are easy to find, especially the guy she wanted to meet.
His shiny head is like a replica of the sun, which is rare to find.
"Kouichiroooouu!!" Carly called out her boyfriend.
"Hm?" Tanba turned around, he was so surprised to see who has come for him, "Ca-carly??!! What are you doing here??!!"
"Well, I miss you; that's why I'm here!" said Carly, she then glomps to Tanba's arm, not caring if everybody is staring at them.
"But, but, I have a class now," said Tanba with a red face.
"Then, I'll join you in your class," answered Carly, "Let's go, you shouldn't be late."
Tanba decided no to go pro and live like a normal college student.
But that doesn't mean he gave up on baseball,
He showed it by joining the baseball club at his college.
There are a lot of student in the class, so the professor won't notice if he has one extra student today.
Tanba looks very serious during class. He's not that smart, but he's trying his best.
"Kouichirou, I don't know why you're this serious during class," said Carly slowly, almost like's whispering.
"Well, you know, I'm not that smart. So, I have to pay attention to the lecture. Besides.....," Tanba paused, he hesitate, debating whether he should continue it or not.
Tanba takes a peek at Carly, still wondering whether he should continue his sentence.
"...?? Hm, why??" asked Carly.
"Be-besides, I'm afraid that if I fail my studies, then I won't find a job. if I remain jobless, how would I feed... o-our family?" Tanba's face turned bright red.
He was too shy to say it, but,whatever, he said it already.
"Our family??" Carly couldn't believe what she heard just now. Tanba talked about marriage.
Even though it is still many years in the future,to hear it now just made Carly's heart flutter and she felt so happy.
"YEEESSS!!" She shouted really hard, even stood up from her chair. Now all of the attention was directed to her.
She panicked a bit and sat down in her seat again.
*
The weather forecast said it'll rain today, but, on the contrary, the weather is rather nice today.
It reminds Mai with of first time she arrived at the Shared House.
Back then, the weather forecast also said that rain will come, but it didn't.
Just like yesterday, when Mai arrived at the shared house, she also stood clueless at the front door, wasn't sure whether she should knock or not.
Until, someone scolded her for being in the way, and another one appeared from inside the house and let her in.
It's time for lunch. Today she felt like eating alone in the campus's back yard.
She opened her bento box she bought this morning and started to eat.
This campus has a beautiful garden with a lot of flowers. Mai really liked to stare at them and enjoy the scenery.
Butterflies in many colors played in the garden, but a honey bee caught Mai's attention, because it's the only honey bee among those butterflies.
"Hmm~ honey bee-san is having his lunch too~~" said Mai.
Lunch time was finally over, but she had to wait for a few hours before her next class started.
She wished for time to move faster, because she already planned a date with Sawamura after college.
*
Eve couldn’t concentrate at all to the lecture.
It almost felt like she came to class for nothing.
Her mind is flying somewhere, her heart in pain. She just wanted go home for today.
She still pissed of at Chris,
She never thought he would behave that way.
Chris called her a few times, but she doesn't wanna pick it up.
Even the message Chris sent, she doesn't even bother to read it.
"What's wrong Eve??" asked her friend.
"Nothing, it seems I have a headache," answered Eve.
After 2 hours the class finally finished. Now she headed straight home. She even refused when her friend invited her to the movie.
Sakura trees are blooming along the road, it looks beautiful, but Eve isn't in a mood to enjoy the scenery.
"Tadaima," said Eve as she reached home.
But no one was there to greet her, the Shared House is so quiet.
It's only 2pm, but even at this hour, there is usually someone at home.
The Shared House never felt this empty before, and it just made Eve feel lonely.
She then walked to her room, lying on the bed and sighed.
She wanted to talk to someone, but no one was here. "It used to be pretty noisy here."
Eve got her phone, and she saw the missed called notification on her phone screen, and close it all.
Slowly but surely, Eve was getting sleepy, and ended up falling asleep.
*
"Koichirou~" called Carly. "I was so happy with what you were saying earlier."
"M-Mm, well, I'm glad to heard that," said Tanba to his girlfriend. "let's not talk about it again okay, it was embarrassing."
"Fufufu, okay~" Carly only can laugh seeing Tanba's shy act, but she always thought that the shy side of him is lovely.
Carly then linked her arm with Tanba's as they walked towards the cinema.
"Anyway, Kouichirou, can you come to my place this Saturday?" asked Carly.
"Of course I can, why?" Tanba will do anything Carly asked him to.
"We'll have a reunion, and I'll be able to see them again after a while." said Carly happily.
"Ooooohh??? really? That's nice! I'll make sure to come," said tanba.
"Thank you~ I still can't believe that I'm so tied with them. I used to be so afraid of them you know." Carly still remembered clearly the first time she moved in.
She hated the fact that she had to move and live with strangers.
Most of them were older than her. She had no one to talk to at first, but as time went by, she noticed that everybody was actually nice and got along with them.
Now she loves the girls as much as she loves Tanba.
The wind blew rather hard. It blew almost everything.
"Kyah!" Carly screamed. it was like there was something, like an insect, perched in her hair.
"Shoo! Shoo!" Tanba shooed away the honey bee.
Carly hates insects and that one just scared her.
"So many flowers around here, honey bees are not an unusual sight," said Tanba as he tried to calm Carly down.
*
Mai finally done with her last class for today.
She still has a little time before the date.
Even so she wants to meet with Sawamura already.
She was walking to the bus stop as she hummed to a song "going to fighting base go exceed now~~~"
She really likes this song. This song also helped her to get closer with the other girls.
It was 3 days after she arrived at the Shared House.
It was during the Golden Week*, so all of them were enjoying their holiday.
Mai was at the back yard, enjoying the view of Tokyo.
She was listening to this song and humming to it. Mai was almost sure she was alone, but suddenly a voice called her from above the tree.
"Oy new kid, you like that song?" asked Red.
"Ha-Hai! I like this song." answered Mai nervously.
"I like that song too~" Red jumped down from the tree and stand beside Mai.
"That song is my mood booster!" shouted Panda from the house, "I don't know why butI I can't stop listening to that song."
"I know right~! A song by.... Tom-H@ck?" Red trying to recall the singer name.
"Mhm! Thisis a song by Tom-H@ck featuring Masayoshi Ouishi," said Mai.
"I like another song from them, 'Perfect Hero' is a good song~!" said Panda, still shouting from her window.
"Get down here!! I can't hear you!!" Red shouted back to Panda.
"Okay! Okay!!" Panda then left her room to the back yard.
After that, one after another came out, and they somehow sang together to that song.
And that's how Mai and the older ladies got close.
That's also the reason why she likes that song very much.
*
"What's your name?" asked Akira.
"My name is Eve. From now on I'll be staying here. Yoroshiku onegaizimasu," answered Eve.
"Let me showed you the room," Akira took Eve on a short trip. She showed the entire house to Eve.
When Eve moved in there was only Akira, Claire, and Carly.
After they arrived at an empty room, Akira took out a key from her pocket and handed it to Eve, "Here's you room and this is your key, hope you enjoy your stay here."
Then, a girl came out from her room, and she seems like she was about to head somewhere.
"Claire~ this is our new friend!" Akira introduced Eve to Claire.
"Oh, Nice to meet you, I'm Claire," Claire took out her hand, initiating a handshake with Eve.
"I'm Eve, I just moved in today, nice to meet you," said Eve as she and Claire do the handshake.
"If you have anything that bothers you, feel free to share your story. I'm willing to listen," Claire offers a consultation session. "But not now though, because I'm heading out."
Eve was somewhat happy to hear that, knowing that there'll be someone who is willing to listen to her problem just made her feel calm.
"Well, see you later," Claire bid her farewell and headed off.
"Now, Now, Now~ Claire is right if you have something bothering you just tell us, we'll try our best to help you, okay~!" said Akira.
Eve woke up from her short sleep.
But she had a pleasant dream.
She heard a 'knocking' sound from her window.
When she looked out, she saw Chris standing there, throwing some tiny rocks to Eve's window.
*
"Carly, what do you want to watch?" Tanba and Carly arrived at the Cinema.
They're picking what movie they should watch. But Carly saw a sign board of this week's movies chosen by the audience.
The movies that were chosen were all old movie or movies that have aired before,
and today they're showing 'Hatchiko'.
"Kouichirou! Let's watch this," said Carly excitedly.
"Eh? but it's not a new movie, I thought you wanted to watch the one that was just released or is currently on hype," Tanba doesn't understand why Carly wants to watch Hatchiko.
"It's okay! I want to watch it," Carly keep insisting that she wanna watch Hatchiko.
Tanba agreed to it and goes to buy the tickets.
"I once watched it together with Vanna & Seii," stated Carly.
"It was when Seii just moved into the Shared House," Carly started their story.
"Carly, I have three tickets to the Cinema, want to come with me?" asked Vanna, suddenly appear in Carly's room.
"Mhm! Of course! And that means we still have one more ticket?" Carly agreed to it. She really wanna watch Hatchiko and she got an offered for a free ticket,
There was no way for her to refuse it.
"What if we invite the new girl?" suggested Vanna, "she doesn't look friendly, but maybe that's just because she's not used to us."
"Nice idea! We should!" Carly agreed to Vanna's plan. So, both of them went to Seii's room, who just moved in a week ago.
"Seii! I got a free ticket! Let's go to the movie together!" invited Vanna.
"Yes, yes yes, the three of us should go together~ I heard Hatchiko is pretty good movie~!" Carly tryed to convince Seii.
"No thanks," Seii refuses and about to close the door.
But before the door closed vanna managed to hold it back will all of her power, and somehow managed to drag Seii along.
"I'll get popcorn, you guys wait here!" Vanna left for the food counter.
Carly noticed that Seii was looking at hatchi poster worriedly. She wondered why, but wasn't sure she better ask or not.
Vanna finally came back with a bucket of popcorn and 3 cokes. The movie was about to start, and they entered the studio and went to their seats.
After two hours of movie showing.
The three girls walked out. Seii trying hard to cover her face.
"Hahaha, seriously Seii, I can't believe you!" vanna couldn't hold her laughter.
Seii bursted out into tears, even though the movie had started 15 minutes minutes prior. "That's why I didn't want to come."
Her heart is weak when it comes to animals. Now Carly understands why Seii was looking at the movie's poster worriedly.
*
Mai had been waiting for her boyfriend for a hour.
That puts her in a foul mood. How come he's late for the date?
She was about to walk home, when a boy called her name loudly, "MAAAAAAAIIII!!!" called Sawamura.
"Mai! Sorry I came late! The practice was longer than I expected and then, and then," Sawamura trying to explain the situation, but he spoke a bit too loudly.
And made everybody on the street stare at him.
"You should lower your voice Eijun," said Mai.
"Well, mm, okay, so yeah the practice took longer and the coach scolded me so, balablablabla," whatever with Sawamura's explanation.
"You make me wait for an hour, and all you can do is come up with excuses?" complained Mai.
"Mai........," Sawamura took a long silent and suddenly he took something from his jacket.
"I'm sorry for being late," Sawamura gave Mai a teddy plushie, it was a present he brought for Mai.
He came late, so he shouldn't come empty handed.
Mai was so amazed to think that Sawamura had initiative to bring her a present, and was really happy for it.
"Thank you!" Mai forgave Sawamura right away, but she didn't know it was actually a friend of Sawamura who suggested it, so it wasn't his idea.
But it doesn't matter anymore.
*
"Why are you here?" asked Eve. She's now in the backyard together with Chris, staring at the city of Tokyo.
"I want to apologize," said Chris, "I was wrong. I was too focused on the upcoming tournament, and forgot to take care of myself."
"Glad that you finally realized it," Eve felt relieved.
"Yeah, I'm sorry Eve," Chris embraced his girlfriend who had been worried sick about him for the whole day.
The wind blew gentlly,
It was a fine afternoon.
Eve took chris back to the house, and offered him a glass of juice.
Chris looked out the window, seeing many flowers in the backyard.
"Honey bee," he mumbles.
"Hm? Honey Bee?" Eve just came back from kitchen bringing two glasses of Juice.
"Yes, a honey bee. Do you want to hear a story about a honey bee, Eve?" asked Chris.
"Well, I don't mind. Tell me," Eve is willing to listen to whatever Chris will say.
*
"Thank you for today, Koichirou," Carly and Tanba just finished their movie date.
"Why are you being so formal?" Tanba isn't used to Carly's formal attitude, "No need to thank me."
Carly kissed Tanba on his forehead.
"Don't forget to come this Saturday," Carly reminds Tanba about the reunion.
"I won't, don't worry. I will come for sure," Tanba gives Carly another kiss .
At first, he wanted to take Carly to the Shared House but, Carly refused, so he only took her to the station.
And when Carly's train arrived, Tanba left.
***
A honey bee.
Everyday it flew for 10km, from flower to flower to collect the honey for their queen.
Each of 10km, they only get 10mL of honey.
Yet without becoming tired, they keep doing their best,
flying here & there, everyday, to collect the honey little by little, and saving it in their hives.
Protecting their precious house from the bears or even humans.
Fighting with everything they got, even sometimes they still lose their precious honey, but
they won't stop.
Slowly but sure, they're gaining results.
Even though they might lose it once again,
The honey bees will never give up.
*** to be continue - Verse 3 [First Meeting] ***
*) Golden week: The end of April through around May 5th is called "Golden Week" in Japan since there are many national holidays during this period.
The first national holiday during Golden Week is April 29, which was the birthday of Shouwa Emperor. Now, this day is called showa-no-hi (Showa Day). The second holiday is kenpou-kinen-bi (Constitution Memorial Day), May 3. Then, May 4 is called midori-no-hi (Greenery Day).
The last holiday during Golden Week is kodomono-hi (Children's Day) on May 5. It's also Japanese Boy's Festival called tango-no-sekku and is a day to pray for healthy growth of boys.
So some are older than how they're supposed to be. I informed this to you so you won't get confused later.
The background of the girls & their personality trait created is based on the writer's imagination, so just in case you found it unpleasant,
please accept my apology.
Thanks!
-----------------------------
***
- Verse 2 -
Honey Bee
***
Just like yesterday, Mai woke up early today.
She left a short note and placed it on the dining table before she went to college.
"This morning too. I'll work hard!" said Mai in her head as she ran to the station.
Mai was the last one who 'joined' the girls at the Shared House.
It was when she was in her 2nd year of high school. Her mom told her to be more independent, and she came up with an idea of living in the dorm.
Sad, the high school she attended doesn't has a ladies dorm, so she ended up staying at the Shared House, which is girls only.
*
"Riiiiinggg!!" Carly's alarm is ringing. She had a morning class today and it would be bad if she arrived late.
Carly hurriedly got up from her bed, or else she might have fallen asleep again. She took a towel and headed to the bathroom.
Right when Carly arrived at the bathroom, Eve was about to leave the bathroom."Ohayou, Carly," greeted Eve.
"Ohayaouu~~ You're early today," said Carly to Eve. "Mhm, but there's someone who is even earlier than I am," said Eve as she stared at the door of Mai's room.
"Ahahaha, you're right. She's sure working hard," Carly is actually amazed by how Mai was always able to wake up in the morning and start her day full of energy.
Eve walked down to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
She always made toast for breakfast since it's fast and easy.
Carly always complains when Eve makes toast for breakfast, but she ate it nevertheless.
"I thought you didn't have any class until noon?" asked Carly, who just had her bath and is currently sitting in the dinning room.
"Yep, but I have something to attend this morning," said Eve.
Carly grasped things fast. She knew what business Eve could have this early in the morning, "How is he?"
"Well, he's fully recovered but we still have to undergo a routine check-up. No one wants him to be injured again." answered Eve.
"Now, it's time! I have to go," Eve stood up from her chair and walked to the front door, "See you later Carly."
Now Carly is left alone.
As she watched Eve's back as she left the house and when she saw Mai's empty room, it somewhat motivated her to do her best today too.
She was about to get her bag and leave for college, when her phone rang.
And there's only one person who would call her this early in the morning. Carly picked up her phone and answered with a cheerful tone.
She was really happy to hear her boyfriend's voice.
"Yosh! Ganbarimasssuuu!!!!" shouted Carly after she ended the conversation with her precious one.
*
The class was boring for Mai, but she tryed hard to listen to the lecture.
After two hours, the boring class was finally over. "I'm amazed by you Mai," said a friend, "How can you stay awake during class?"
"Well, I-I just think that I shouldn't sleep during class. Hehe," answered Mai. Her friends don't really get her answer.
Mai doesn't feel like that's the real reason why she could endure those boring lectures. Her real reason was Sawamura.
She knows that her boyfriend is working hard to be the ace of the team.
Even though he was finally scouted by a certain baseball team, it's not an easy to be the ace of this team.
And pro baseball is also different than high school baseball, so he still has a long way to go.
Even so, he never gives up, not even for a second. He'll give every best shot he can.
"Me too. I have to do my best, so I won't lose to him." mumbles Mai.
*
"Chris-kun, I think you should rest for two or three days," said the doctor. "Your shoulder is exhausted, so I suggest you don't practice today."
"Okay, I understand. Thank you doctor." said Chris to the doctor as he and Eve walked out of the check-up room.
"What happened? You know you shouldn't force your shoulder!" said Eve, a bit angry, to Chris.
"I have to get ready for the spring tournament, so more practice is required," answered Chris.
"What was that?! To hear such words coming from your mouth; this doesn't sound like you at all!!" Eve is getting really mad.
Chris' wound finally recovered but now....
"I thought you understood it the best! The price you get for overworking yourself!" Eve was so angry, she almost cried.
She's worried sick right now. She hoped for Chris to love himself more, but, all she could get was disappointment.
"Eve," Chris couldn't say anything, seeing his girlfriend cry made him feel guilty, "I'm so--"
"Forget it," Eve couldn't handle it anymore, so she left the hospital alone.
"...........Eve," said Chris as he watched his girlfriend left.
*
Carly arrived at the campus, and was disappointed because her class is canceled due to the professor not being able to come.
"Haaaaaaaaaah, now what should I do??" If she knew this would happen then she wouldn't have woken up so early this morning.
But now, even going back to Shared House is pointless.
"I think I'll meet my boyfriend now," said a classmate.
"Eeeeh, how nice, I don't have one. What should I do?" said another one.
"Ah! Right!!" Without much thought, Carly dashed off to the station and headed in another direction.
Soon, she arrived at her destination.
Both the place and the person she's seeking are easy to find, especially the guy she wanted to meet.
His shiny head is like a replica of the sun, which is rare to find.
"Kouichiroooouu!!" Carly called out her boyfriend.
"Hm?" Tanba turned around, he was so surprised to see who has come for him, "Ca-carly??!! What are you doing here??!!"
"Well, I miss you; that's why I'm here!" said Carly, she then glomps to Tanba's arm, not caring if everybody is staring at them.
"But, but, I have a class now," said Tanba with a red face.
"Then, I'll join you in your class," answered Carly, "Let's go, you shouldn't be late."
Tanba decided no to go pro and live like a normal college student.
But that doesn't mean he gave up on baseball,
He showed it by joining the baseball club at his college.
There are a lot of student in the class, so the professor won't notice if he has one extra student today.
Tanba looks very serious during class. He's not that smart, but he's trying his best.
"Kouichirou, I don't know why you're this serious during class," said Carly slowly, almost like's whispering.
"Well, you know, I'm not that smart. So, I have to pay attention to the lecture. Besides.....," Tanba paused, he hesitate, debating whether he should continue it or not.
Tanba takes a peek at Carly, still wondering whether he should continue his sentence.
"...?? Hm, why??" asked Carly.
"Be-besides, I'm afraid that if I fail my studies, then I won't find a job. if I remain jobless, how would I feed... o-our family?" Tanba's face turned bright red.
He was too shy to say it, but,whatever, he said it already.
"Our family??" Carly couldn't believe what she heard just now. Tanba talked about marriage.
Even though it is still many years in the future,to hear it now just made Carly's heart flutter and she felt so happy.
"YEEESSS!!" She shouted really hard, even stood up from her chair. Now all of the attention was directed to her.
She panicked a bit and sat down in her seat again.
*
The weather forecast said it'll rain today, but, on the contrary, the weather is rather nice today.
It reminds Mai with of first time she arrived at the Shared House.
Back then, the weather forecast also said that rain will come, but it didn't.
Just like yesterday, when Mai arrived at the shared house, she also stood clueless at the front door, wasn't sure whether she should knock or not.
Until, someone scolded her for being in the way, and another one appeared from inside the house and let her in.
It's time for lunch. Today she felt like eating alone in the campus's back yard.
She opened her bento box she bought this morning and started to eat.
This campus has a beautiful garden with a lot of flowers. Mai really liked to stare at them and enjoy the scenery.
Butterflies in many colors played in the garden, but a honey bee caught Mai's attention, because it's the only honey bee among those butterflies.
"Hmm~ honey bee-san is having his lunch too~~" said Mai.
Lunch time was finally over, but she had to wait for a few hours before her next class started.
She wished for time to move faster, because she already planned a date with Sawamura after college.
*
Eve couldn’t concentrate at all to the lecture.
It almost felt like she came to class for nothing.
Her mind is flying somewhere, her heart in pain. She just wanted go home for today.
She still pissed of at Chris,
She never thought he would behave that way.
Chris called her a few times, but she doesn't wanna pick it up.
Even the message Chris sent, she doesn't even bother to read it.
"What's wrong Eve??" asked her friend.
"Nothing, it seems I have a headache," answered Eve.
After 2 hours the class finally finished. Now she headed straight home. She even refused when her friend invited her to the movie.
Sakura trees are blooming along the road, it looks beautiful, but Eve isn't in a mood to enjoy the scenery.
"Tadaima," said Eve as she reached home.
But no one was there to greet her, the Shared House is so quiet.
It's only 2pm, but even at this hour, there is usually someone at home.
The Shared House never felt this empty before, and it just made Eve feel lonely.
She then walked to her room, lying on the bed and sighed.
She wanted to talk to someone, but no one was here. "It used to be pretty noisy here."
Eve got her phone, and she saw the missed called notification on her phone screen, and close it all.
Slowly but surely, Eve was getting sleepy, and ended up falling asleep.
*
"Koichirou~" called Carly. "I was so happy with what you were saying earlier."
"M-Mm, well, I'm glad to heard that," said Tanba to his girlfriend. "let's not talk about it again okay, it was embarrassing."
"Fufufu, okay~" Carly only can laugh seeing Tanba's shy act, but she always thought that the shy side of him is lovely.
Carly then linked her arm with Tanba's as they walked towards the cinema.
"Anyway, Kouichirou, can you come to my place this Saturday?" asked Carly.
"Of course I can, why?" Tanba will do anything Carly asked him to.
"We'll have a reunion, and I'll be able to see them again after a while." said Carly happily.
"Ooooohh??? really? That's nice! I'll make sure to come," said tanba.
"Thank you~ I still can't believe that I'm so tied with them. I used to be so afraid of them you know." Carly still remembered clearly the first time she moved in.
She hated the fact that she had to move and live with strangers.
Most of them were older than her. She had no one to talk to at first, but as time went by, she noticed that everybody was actually nice and got along with them.
Now she loves the girls as much as she loves Tanba.
The wind blew rather hard. It blew almost everything.
"Kyah!" Carly screamed. it was like there was something, like an insect, perched in her hair.
"Shoo! Shoo!" Tanba shooed away the honey bee.
Carly hates insects and that one just scared her.
"So many flowers around here, honey bees are not an unusual sight," said Tanba as he tried to calm Carly down.
*
Mai finally done with her last class for today.
She still has a little time before the date.
Even so she wants to meet with Sawamura already.
She was walking to the bus stop as she hummed to a song "going to fighting base go exceed now~~~"
She really likes this song. This song also helped her to get closer with the other girls.
It was 3 days after she arrived at the Shared House.
It was during the Golden Week*, so all of them were enjoying their holiday.
Mai was at the back yard, enjoying the view of Tokyo.
She was listening to this song and humming to it. Mai was almost sure she was alone, but suddenly a voice called her from above the tree.
"Oy new kid, you like that song?" asked Red.
"Ha-Hai! I like this song." answered Mai nervously.
"I like that song too~" Red jumped down from the tree and stand beside Mai.
"That song is my mood booster!" shouted Panda from the house, "I don't know why butI I can't stop listening to that song."
"I know right~! A song by.... Tom-H@ck?" Red trying to recall the singer name.
"Mhm! Thisis a song by Tom-H@ck featuring Masayoshi Ouishi," said Mai.
"I like another song from them, 'Perfect Hero' is a good song~!" said Panda, still shouting from her window.
"Get down here!! I can't hear you!!" Red shouted back to Panda.
"Okay! Okay!!" Panda then left her room to the back yard.
After that, one after another came out, and they somehow sang together to that song.
And that's how Mai and the older ladies got close.
That's also the reason why she likes that song very much.
*
"What's your name?" asked Akira.
"My name is Eve. From now on I'll be staying here. Yoroshiku onegaizimasu," answered Eve.
"Let me showed you the room," Akira took Eve on a short trip. She showed the entire house to Eve.
When Eve moved in there was only Akira, Claire, and Carly.
After they arrived at an empty room, Akira took out a key from her pocket and handed it to Eve, "Here's you room and this is your key, hope you enjoy your stay here."
Then, a girl came out from her room, and she seems like she was about to head somewhere.
"Claire~ this is our new friend!" Akira introduced Eve to Claire.
"Oh, Nice to meet you, I'm Claire," Claire took out her hand, initiating a handshake with Eve.
"I'm Eve, I just moved in today, nice to meet you," said Eve as she and Claire do the handshake.
"If you have anything that bothers you, feel free to share your story. I'm willing to listen," Claire offers a consultation session. "But not now though, because I'm heading out."
Eve was somewhat happy to hear that, knowing that there'll be someone who is willing to listen to her problem just made her feel calm.
"Well, see you later," Claire bid her farewell and headed off.
"Now, Now, Now~ Claire is right if you have something bothering you just tell us, we'll try our best to help you, okay~!" said Akira.
Eve woke up from her short sleep.
But she had a pleasant dream.
She heard a 'knocking' sound from her window.
When she looked out, she saw Chris standing there, throwing some tiny rocks to Eve's window.
*
"Carly, what do you want to watch?" Tanba and Carly arrived at the Cinema.
They're picking what movie they should watch. But Carly saw a sign board of this week's movies chosen by the audience.
The movies that were chosen were all old movie or movies that have aired before,
and today they're showing 'Hatchiko'.
"Kouichirou! Let's watch this," said Carly excitedly.
"Eh? but it's not a new movie, I thought you wanted to watch the one that was just released or is currently on hype," Tanba doesn't understand why Carly wants to watch Hatchiko.
"It's okay! I want to watch it," Carly keep insisting that she wanna watch Hatchiko.
Tanba agreed to it and goes to buy the tickets.
"I once watched it together with Vanna & Seii," stated Carly.
"It was when Seii just moved into the Shared House," Carly started their story.
"Carly, I have three tickets to the Cinema, want to come with me?" asked Vanna, suddenly appear in Carly's room.
"Mhm! Of course! And that means we still have one more ticket?" Carly agreed to it. She really wanna watch Hatchiko and she got an offered for a free ticket,
There was no way for her to refuse it.
"What if we invite the new girl?" suggested Vanna, "she doesn't look friendly, but maybe that's just because she's not used to us."
"Nice idea! We should!" Carly agreed to Vanna's plan. So, both of them went to Seii's room, who just moved in a week ago.
"Seii! I got a free ticket! Let's go to the movie together!" invited Vanna.
"Yes, yes yes, the three of us should go together~ I heard Hatchiko is pretty good movie~!" Carly tryed to convince Seii.
"No thanks," Seii refuses and about to close the door.
But before the door closed vanna managed to hold it back will all of her power, and somehow managed to drag Seii along.
"I'll get popcorn, you guys wait here!" Vanna left for the food counter.
Carly noticed that Seii was looking at hatchi poster worriedly. She wondered why, but wasn't sure she better ask or not.
Vanna finally came back with a bucket of popcorn and 3 cokes. The movie was about to start, and they entered the studio and went to their seats.
After two hours of movie showing.
The three girls walked out. Seii trying hard to cover her face.
"Hahaha, seriously Seii, I can't believe you!" vanna couldn't hold her laughter.
Seii bursted out into tears, even though the movie had started 15 minutes minutes prior. "That's why I didn't want to come."
Her heart is weak when it comes to animals. Now Carly understands why Seii was looking at the movie's poster worriedly.
*
Mai had been waiting for her boyfriend for a hour.
That puts her in a foul mood. How come he's late for the date?
She was about to walk home, when a boy called her name loudly, "MAAAAAAAIIII!!!" called Sawamura.
"Mai! Sorry I came late! The practice was longer than I expected and then, and then," Sawamura trying to explain the situation, but he spoke a bit too loudly.
And made everybody on the street stare at him.
"You should lower your voice Eijun," said Mai.
"Well, mm, okay, so yeah the practice took longer and the coach scolded me so, balablablabla," whatever with Sawamura's explanation.
"You make me wait for an hour, and all you can do is come up with excuses?" complained Mai.
"Mai........," Sawamura took a long silent and suddenly he took something from his jacket.
"I'm sorry for being late," Sawamura gave Mai a teddy plushie, it was a present he brought for Mai.
He came late, so he shouldn't come empty handed.
Mai was so amazed to think that Sawamura had initiative to bring her a present, and was really happy for it.
"Thank you!" Mai forgave Sawamura right away, but she didn't know it was actually a friend of Sawamura who suggested it, so it wasn't his idea.
But it doesn't matter anymore.
*
"Why are you here?" asked Eve. She's now in the backyard together with Chris, staring at the city of Tokyo.
"I want to apologize," said Chris, "I was wrong. I was too focused on the upcoming tournament, and forgot to take care of myself."
"Glad that you finally realized it," Eve felt relieved.
"Yeah, I'm sorry Eve," Chris embraced his girlfriend who had been worried sick about him for the whole day.
The wind blew gentlly,
It was a fine afternoon.
Eve took chris back to the house, and offered him a glass of juice.
Chris looked out the window, seeing many flowers in the backyard.
"Honey bee," he mumbles.
"Hm? Honey Bee?" Eve just came back from kitchen bringing two glasses of Juice.
"Yes, a honey bee. Do you want to hear a story about a honey bee, Eve?" asked Chris.
"Well, I don't mind. Tell me," Eve is willing to listen to whatever Chris will say.
*
"Thank you for today, Koichirou," Carly and Tanba just finished their movie date.
"Why are you being so formal?" Tanba isn't used to Carly's formal attitude, "No need to thank me."
Carly kissed Tanba on his forehead.
"Don't forget to come this Saturday," Carly reminds Tanba about the reunion.
"I won't, don't worry. I will come for sure," Tanba gives Carly another kiss .
At first, he wanted to take Carly to the Shared House but, Carly refused, so he only took her to the station.
And when Carly's train arrived, Tanba left.
***
A honey bee.
Everyday it flew for 10km, from flower to flower to collect the honey for their queen.
Each of 10km, they only get 10mL of honey.
Yet without becoming tired, they keep doing their best,
flying here & there, everyday, to collect the honey little by little, and saving it in their hives.
Protecting their precious house from the bears or even humans.
Fighting with everything they got, even sometimes they still lose their precious honey, but
they won't stop.
Slowly but sure, they're gaining results.
Even though they might lose it once again,
The honey bees will never give up.
*** to be continue - Verse 3 [First Meeting] ***
*) Golden week: The end of April through around May 5th is called "Golden Week" in Japan since there are many national holidays during this period.
The first national holiday during Golden Week is April 29, which was the birthday of Shouwa Emperor. Now, this day is called showa-no-hi (Showa Day). The second holiday is kenpou-kinen-bi (Constitution Memorial Day), May 3. Then, May 4 is called midori-no-hi (Greenery Day).
The last holiday during Golden Week is kodomono-hi (Children's Day) on May 5. It's also Japanese Boy's Festival called tango-no-sekku and is a day to pray for healthy growth of boys.