Two Hens - Chapter Two

This chapter is a little long, sorry. I knew I should write some more material considering now I'm back in college, I can't write as frequently as I'd like. Please enjoy and leave a review!

Chapter 2

 

          “So cold.” Isao muttered to himself as he threw his scarf around his mouth. He walked out of the math building to the courtyard. Cold wind blew but Isao didn’t mind. He wasn't bothered too much by the cold air as long as the sun was out. He checked the time before deciding that he had enough time to grab lunch from a nearby convenience store. Just as he turned heel, a familiar voice called out to him.

           

     “Isao!”

                It was Sonoe. Her hair was messy, probably not a cause of the wind as much as her frantic running.

                “Hey, what’s up?”

                “You weren’t about to go get some unhealthy convenience store meal, were you?” Sonoe looked at him like a mother would after seeing her child reach a hand in the forbidden cookie jar.

                “Yeah. Problem?” Isao said half-jokingly.

                “Yes! I can’t believe I let you get away with this so many times.”

                “Sorry, mom. I didn’t know you’d run out here just to tell me that.” Isao teased. Sonoe playfully punched him in the arm.

                                “You idiot.” After quickly fixing her hair she continued. “I ran out here to tell you that I have to go help Sana with her homework really quick.”

          

      “Oh, so you can’t accompany me on my unhealthy adventures?”

                “I can, just not now. I’ll be back in a bit.”

                “Ok. Go save the world. I’ll wait here.” Isao frizzed up Sonoe’s hair. After giving another light punch, Sonoe took off.

More quiet time for me I suppose.

                Isao smiled to himself as he sat down at one of the courtyard tables. He began to reach for his drawing tablet. After getting it out he reached into his bag again.

Huh?...

                He reached down further into his bag.

Oh no...Don’t tell me…

                Isao rummaged through every pocket in his bag.

I lost my tablet pen!

                He lightly banged his head on the table.

I don’t have enough money to buy a new one for this model…

                “D****t…”

                “Isao?”

                Isao looked up to see a familiar face peering down at him.

The soccer guy?

                “Ha! So I was right! It IS Isao!” Rio exclaimed.

Oh yeah…the weird one…What was his name again?...

                Isao paused before speaking.

I think it was...

                “…Rio?” Isao said hesitantly. Rio’s eyes widened.

                “Woah! You remembered!” He exclaimed happily.

He’s smiling like a kid. Was it that amazing to be so happy about?

Rio continued. "So what are you doing here? I don't think I've seen you out here at this time."

"I'm waiting on a friend."

"Oh. But you looked so depressed."

Heh..?

“I’m fine.”

“Ah! But I even saw you bang your head on the table!”

He saw that?!

Rio looked straight at Isao. “I even heard you exclaim “D****t!” under your breath!”

What the hell?! And how can I exclaim something under my breath?!

"Like I said, I’m fine"

Rio kept his stare at Isao.

This guy…

Finally, Isao sighed. “I just lost something of mine, alright?” He relaxed a little. “But it’s fine. I can just buy another.”

“Oh? What did you lose?”

“Ah, it was just a graphics tablet pen”

“Pen?” Rio’s eyes widened. “A pen?!” He grabbed onto Isao’s shoulders and looked excitedly at him.

What the hell?!

“Yeah…”

                Rio hurriedly reached into his inner jacket pocket. Isao looked curiously at him. Rio pulled out a black and silver pen-shaped object.

"Could it be this?!"

Right then, Isao quickly stood up and grabbed it. A wide smile appeared on his face.

                

“You found it! I can’t believe it! Where was it?!”

                “Ah…I found it nearby the tree you were under yesterday.”

I must’ve forgot to put it in my bag!

                Isao looked happily at Rio. “Thanks a lot, Rio!”

Rio’s cheeks turned a light pink. “AH! It was no problem…”

Isao gleamed from the touch of his beloved tablet pen that was in his hands again. He placed it in his bag. He looked back up to see Rio staring down on him.

He stares at me like I’m some rare species…

“What are staring so hard for?”

“Nothing. I was just thinking how weird you are.”

I don’t want to hear that from you!

                “What?!”

                “I’ve never seen someone so happy to have their pen back. It’s just a pen, isn’t it?" Rio paused. "...Wait. Maybe it’s a lucky item? Are you into horoscopes?! I'm a Sagittarius! What's my lucky item?!" Rio looked excitedly at Isao. Isao was shocked by Rio's interpretation.

Hey?! Is this guy serious?

"It’s a graphics tablet pen!"

Rio's expression turned blank.

He doesn't know what a graphics tablet is?! He's the weird one here!

                “Graphics tablet? What’s that?”

                “Are you sure you’re from this century?”

                “Heh?! What are you talking about, Isao? I was born in 1996!”

                “18, huh?”

                Rio nodded. “What about you?”

                “19.”

                Rio’s face showed disbelief. “19?! You’re older than me?!”

                “Seems so. Why are you so shocked?”

                “But you’re so…” Rio scratched his ear.

I swear if he says something ridiculous…

                Rio placed his hand on Isao’s head and continued an awkward stare. After finding the words he wanted to say, he opened his mouth. “Undersized…”

You b*****d!

                Isao smacked Rio’s hand away. “You idiot! I’ll have you know that I am AVERAGE. You are just gigantic!” Isao’s face reddened from frustration. Rio looked curiously at him.

                “Heh, it’s nothing to blush over.” He chuckled.

I’m going to murder him.

                “HEY! Rio!!” A male student called out to Rio from across the courtyard. “Are you coming to grab lunch with us or not?!”

Finally, someone to take him away!

                “Yeah! Coming!” Rio responded. “Well, I’ll see you later, Isao.” He smiled and ran across the courtyard as Isao remained silent. When Isao saw that he left, he sighed and sat back down as if exhausted.

Seriously, what’s wrong with him?

                Isao rested his head on the table as he again waited for Sonoe’s return.

Well I’m grateful to have my tablet pen back.

 

 

 

                Sonoe slurped as she finished off her latte. She and Isao were sitting in a small café that was nearby L University; a usual spot for them. They would chat about their day and conversations would lead off into the unrelated. Isao yawned as the waitress brought him another coffee.

                “Wow, you seem really tired today.”

                “Hm?” Isao took a sip of his drink.

                “You’re usually drawing in your little tablet thingy.”

                “Ah…yeah. I guess so.” Isao yawned again.

                “Hey, are you sure you’re gonna be able to last two more classes? Maybe you should go home and rest.”

                “Hah, can’t. I need to turn in some assignments.”

                “Can’t you just turn them in at the beginning of class then leave?”

                “Ah…I suppose…but I don’t want to get behind in lessons. We have a unit test coming up.” Isao took another sip and rested his face in his palms. Sonoe looked concerned at Isao.

                “Hey, Isao, have you talked to your mom yet?” Isao up, surprised at Sonoe’s sudden question.

                “Where did that come from?”

                “She called me earlier. I didn’t answer though because it was on silent when I helped Sana. She texted me later saying she wanted you to call her tonight. “

I really don’t feel like talking to my mother…

                “I think it’ll be good if you call her”, she continued, sipping on her tea.

                “She’s just gonna pressure me about the same old thing.”

                “Maybe…but you and I both know she means well.”

                Isao rested his head on the table. Sonoe ruffled his hair and Isao softly groaned. She giggled. He lifted his head and looked at her.

                “You’re like a puppy, Sonoe.”

                Sonoe ruffled his hair even more.

                “The only one here acting like a puppy is you, idiot!” she laughed.

                The two continued to make small chat before returning to L University for the rest of their classes.

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                Isao threw his bag in a corner and slumped himself on the bed.

                “Haaah…finally home!”

                He buried his face into his pillow. It was quiet where Isao lived. Sometimes he could hear the giggles of children when they played outside, but it never upset him in the least.

Suppose I can’t rest just yet.

                He lifted his head and grabbed his cell phone from his pocket. He began to dial in numbers.

                “Hello? Isao?”

                “Hey mom. Sonoe said to call you.”

                ”That’s right. If I don’t tell her, you’d probably go ten years without contacting your own mother!”

                “Sorry. Is everything alright?”

“Everything is fine over here. I’m just checking up on you.”

“I’m fine, mom.”

“Well, are you going out? Meeting new people? Girlfriends? Well of course, studies come first.”

Isao grumbled. “Mom…please.”

“I’m just a concerned mother, Isao.”

Isao kept quiet.

“How are those accounting classes? I wanted you to take another business course, but you never listen to me or your father. “

“It’s good, I guess.”

“”It’s important you do well, Isao. Your father is getting older. The company will need you one day. And you know, staying cooped up on your computer thing all day will not lead you to a successful path.”

Again, with this. I knew it from the beginning, anyways.

 “I understand. I’ll try my best.”

“It might be good for you to take a finance course as well. You can never be too pre- Ah! Crap! The food is about to burn! I’ll talk to your later, sweetie. Love you.”

“Okay, mom. Love you too, bye.”

Isao put his phone on the nightstand and stuffed his face into the pillow again.

I can never say what I want with her.

Isao curled up on his bed, thinking about his mother’s words. Though exhausted, he couldn’t bring himself to fall sleep yet. He got up to check the time.

5:22 p.m.

                “I think I’ll go for a walk.” Isao decided. He threw on a light jacket and walked out his apartment complex.

                The cool breeze brushed Isao’s face. He walked a steady pace down the sidewalk.

Ah...so nice. Tranquil. I don’t even know where I’m going.

                Isao saw the neighborhood convenience store, Stacks, up the small hill. He usually went there for a quick meal when Sonoe wasn’t around. But today, Isao had other stuff on his mind apart from food.

Imagine telling them I want to get into graphics.

“Heh.” He chuckled to himself.

Impossible.

Isao walked past Stacks. There was a scenic park up ahead he would walk through. 

I wish I had a bit more courage. Enthusiasm. Spark. Then, I could tell them straight with no guilt or frustration.

Isao sneezed.

Ugh, I should probably buy some meds…this cool weather is taking effect on me.

                “Ah, bless you.”

Isao recognized the familiar voice and immediately slumped his shoulders.

Damn…Rio.

He didn’t turn around in hopes that the man of the familiar voice would not recognize him. Isao walked a few steps away before curiosity struck him. He peeked behind him to catch a glance at Rio. Rio was talking to a flower salesman outside the local convenience store.

Is he buying flowers?

Isao saw Rio exchange some cash for a large bouquet of flowers.

They’re so flamboyant.

Isao was so caught up in his nosiness that he was now looking straight at Rio, and before he knew it Rio happened to catch his stare.

“Oh, it’s you!”

Crap.

Isao was almost tempted to hide behind a tree when he saw Rio approach him.

“Oh! Hey...”

As Rio walked closer, Isao noticed his classy attire. A blue button-up shirt and khaki slacks. The usual pins in his hair was replaced with a slick gel.

I guess jocks like him go on dates, too.

“Isao, what are you doing out here?

                “Just on a walk.”

                “Where ya headed?”

                “Just up the street to-“

Wait! I can’t say a grown man decided to walk through a scenic garden park as a pastime. That sounds weird!

                Rio still looking intently at Isao, waiting for his answer.

                “…a friend’s house.”

                “I see. I’ll walk with you!”

                “What?! No need. I can walk on my own.”

                “But of course there’s a need! Besides you were headed my direction, right?”

                “Don’t you have a date or something?”

                Rio looked puzzled at Isao’s sudden question.

                “Date?..”

                “Don’t try and hide it. You’re all dressed up holding a bouquet of fancy flowers!”

                Rio looked down at the flowers he was holding and looked back up at Isao.

                “So you like them?”

                “What?”

                “Well, if I gave these flowers this to you, you’d like them?” Rio’s calm expression 

unchanged.

                “As If I’d accept something embarrassing like that from you.”

                Isao started to turn heel and walked briskly away. Rio’s face went from calm to slightly panicked.

                “T-That’s a lie, right, Isao? Wait, hold on!”

                Rio fastened his pace to keep up with Rio as they walked through the city streets.

 

 

Walking down the street, Isao could hear the bells from little shops and the annoying people advertising their products. He could smell the food being sold at the many food carts. He saw groups of school girls, couples holding hands, and drunkards leaving bars.  He couldn’t wait to get through the bustling crowd.  Unfortunately, escaping from the busy cityscape would not be the end of his annoyance.  The prime cause of his annoyance, Rio, was now tagging along beside him.         

“Hey, Isao, aren’t you hungry?”

Isao ignored him and kept silent, still walking briskly.        

“I’m starving…”

Isao, who was still silently walking, was suddenly pulled slightly by the shoulder of his jacket.

“Ohh! Come over here, they have meat pies!” Rio said excitedly. He was now pulling Isao with him to a nearby food cart.

“What the- I’m not hungry!”

“Really?” Rio replied, letting go of Isao. Not really paying attention to Isao’s objection, he began to talk to the man behind the food cart.

This is stupid. I’m leaving.

                Suddenly, Isao began to hear the small whispers of girls around him.

                “Wow, he’s so tall.”

                “He’s really cute, right?!”

                “And he’s dressed up?! So hot!”

                Looking around Isao saw the blushing faces of girls gazing upon Rio. They ranged in ages from school girls to even some working women.

Wow, now I’ll look even weirder with this guy. It’ll be best if I leave now.

                When Isao turned around to escape, he was grabbed again by the hood of his jacket.

                “Don’t leave me!” Rio whined. Isao could now hear the confused voices of the girls nearby.

                “Are they together??”

                “They don’t seem like the types to be friends, do they?”

                Isao began to walk even faster away from Rio, like a light jog.

                “Isao! Wait, I have food!”

                “Shut up! I’m leaving!” Of course, Rio still scurrying behind him.

 

 

                Isao and Rio were now walking away from the bustling city’s crowd. And as happy as Isao would have liked to be about now entering the flower park, he wouldn’t be able to enjoy his serenity listening to the munching of food Rio was eating. And now that he was exhausted with Rio and his fast-paced walking, Isao now plopped himself on a bench and let out a deep sigh. Rio still standing up eating his meat pie, looking down on Isao.

                “I think you should recover your energy.” Rio said, lowering his hand to offer Isao one of the meat pies.

                “I don’t need it.” Isao tucked his hands in his pocket to keep them warm.

                “Oh no, Isao. You NEED this. Coach would tell you himself.”

                “Like I said, I don’t need it.” Isao was looking down. Rio then sat down on the bench beside Isao. Almost a minute passed of complete silence, before Rio spoke again.

“You know what else Coach would say?” Rio continued without waiting for a reply.

“Make sure what you’re doing today gets you closer to what you want to be tomorrow.”

Isao looked questionably at Rio, who was looking out into the scenery still eating his food. He then began to chuckle.

“What made you say a cheesy thing like that?”

Rio laughed and scratched the back of his head.

“Is it cheesy? It was the first thing that came to my mind.” Rio paused before continuing. “You looked down.”

“Huh?” Isao was a bit startled.

“You looked down. Even though we are in the most beautiful area of the city, you are looking down.”

He meant literally looking down…Wow.

                “I guess you could mean that figuratively, too.” Isao muttered.

                “What do you mean?”

                ”Well uhm...” Isao scratched his eyebrow looking for the words to say. “I guess I’ve been feeling down a bit.”

                Rio turned to look at Isao’s face as he continued.

                “Just some stuff that’s been going on. I guess it’s nothing major. It’s something I’ll learn to get over.” Isao squinted his eyes slightly in frustration. “I’ll have to get over it.”

                Rio was still looking intently at Isao. After finding the words he wanted to say, he spoke.

                “I think anything that frustrates you to the point of not being able to see the beauty of things is something major.”

                Isao paused and then chuckled.

                “Something else your cheesy coach tells you guys.”

                “That was from me! I’m not cheesy.” Rio turned away.

Is he embarrassed? How funny!

                Isao stopped laughing but his smile still there. 

                “But I’m glad.”

                Rio turned back to look at Isao, who continued.

                “I haven’t opened up really to anyone. But you made me laugh so…” Isao looked up and to Rio.

                “Thanks.”

                Isao stood up and stretched his arms to yawn. He looked back at Rio.

                “I’ll take that meat pi- Hey, why is your face all red? You should get out of the cold.”

                “You’re such a weird one, Isao.” Rio said, as he handed him the other meat pie.

                “Back at you.” Isao noticed the flowers Rio still had sitting beside him. 

“You’re late for your date”. Isao said, pointing at the flowers.

                Rio stood up, taking the flowers in his hand. “That’s right, huh?”

                “Don’t forget such important things. Geez.”

                “Yessir.” Rio reached his hand to mess up Isao’s hair. “But what about your friend’s house?”

                Isao lightly slapped his hand away. “Decided not to go. Too tired.” He began to walk back home. “Have fun.”

                “See you later, Isao.” Rio called out, as he began to walk in the opposite direction.

                And as Isao began to walk back, he started thinking about the words Rio said to him earlier.

Weird AND cheesy…

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