Chapter 4 – Mysterious Delinquent
The sun moved to the west signaling that the evening was approaching. As the temperature dropped people were now coming out of their houses to enjoy the cool evening air. Summer was near and the students of Chin Lee Academy were preparing for the school festival. I, however, had a different agenda on my hands…
Numerous vehicles filled the roads as they were heading home for dinner. A single motorcycle weaved through the busy road.
Still keeping my arms wrapped around Sora, I looked around at the unfamiliar scenery.
After riding down a single stretch of road Sora pulled into a fuel station called Kanako. Pulling his bike next to a gas pump, shutting off the engine Sora took off his mask.
“I have to get fuel…” Sora said calmly, not even making an effort to acknowledging me as I continued sitting on his bike.
Keeping silent I exited the motorcycle and observed the fuel station, Kanako.
The main building had a store beside the junk shop behind them was a gated facility. I noticed the gate was opened and helped my self to a peek. Walking through the opened gate I could see different types of metals and machinery nicely organized.
I could see a young couple working on a new type of vehicle. Both seem very close almost like lovers. I didn’t want to overstay my intrusion so I headed back to Sora’s motorcycle and waited for him to return.
From the motorcycle I was watching Sora still inside the store, he was talking to sales clerk and the two looked like they were enjoying each other’s company.
While watching the two an elderly man walked out of the shop next to the store. He proceeded to walk to my direction wiping his hands with a red rag covered with traces of oil. When he made it to where I was still near Sora motorcycle he ignored me and opened the fuel tank.
“Ah, excuse me…” I spoke in a gentle voice, “I can take care of fueling up the tank for Sora.”
The elderly man continued to ignore me and put the fuel nozzle into the tank.
Oh geez this is so awkward… what do I do now, I thought to myself watching the old man keep his eyes on the amount of fuel he was putting in.
When the tank was full he put the pump away and closed the fuel tank. He then pulled a clean rag from his back pocket and started to wipe down Sora’s motorcycle.
“Um… please I can at least take care of thi-”
“So… are you a friend of Sora’s?” He interrupted before I could finish my sentence.
He kept looking at the motorcycle wiping in a circular motion.
“You must be because you’re riding on his precious motorcycle.”
I was in shock and surprised about being called Sora’s friend.
“Eh? …N-no I’m not a friend of his, if I had to put it another way I’m his-”
“Girlfriend? You don’t look good enough for a nice guy like him.”
Interrupting me again he placed the rag into his back pocket and walked away crossing his arms behind to support his back.
Thrown for a loop once again I accidentally let my thought slip out, “Girlfriend? Not good enough? NICE GUY!?”
I was never one to hold in my anger when it came to being insulted, or at least that’s how I had taken the old man’s words.
“Who would think of Sora as boyfriend material… he’s should be the once not good enough for me!”
Stopping he turned back to me and spoke out, “You look like you’re judging Sora based on everyone’s outlook on him.” He turns to the shop not even waiting for my response.
I can’t believe he said that to me, ugh…
Not too long after that Sora came out of the store with a bag of sweets with in his hand.
“Here…” he held the bag out to me.
Before I reached for it I asked him, “What is this?”
Sora turned his line of sight away from me and continued, “It’s an offering to make you leave… take it and go.”
“Stupid… I’m not going to leave until I know what going on with you.”
Besides, how could I leave right now? I have never been this far out from Chin Lee and I certainly don’t even know where I am.
“…that so?”
Sora put the sweets into the saddle bag and got back onto the motorcycle before waving to the person inside the shop.
Heading down the road I could hear laughter coming from the shop Kanako. I turned back to see that it was only the old man who could barely be seen now at our distance.
The sun had begun to set and Sora still wasn’t finished doing these errands he had taken me on. After riding through town and making those stops it had seemed like we were finally going to eat.
We parked in front a family restaurant located in a residential area. I’m glad we were finally stopping to get at least something to eat, that bag of sweets wouldn’t have made the cut.
“Sora?” I called out to him in a cheery voice, “Oops… I mean what are we doing here?” I brought my usual expression back.
Whew, that was close… I thought looking at Sora who still hadn’t answered me.
Still on the motorcycle and I watched Sora make his way inside the restaurant. I got off and headed inside after Sora.
I didn’t let my guard down as I walked through the double door entrance. Sora was making his way around the aisles greeting people who knew him. Keeping my distance I continued to watch his actions.
“Could I really be wrong about him?” I clenched onto my uniform and looked down to my feet.
When I looked back up Sora was nowhere to be found.
“He… he couldn’t have left me here, right?”
I ran back outside and hesitantly looked around. Once I saw Sora’s motorcycle still parked a feeling of relief overcame me.
“Hehe… I guess he’ still inside,” I said nervously turning back to the family restaurant.
Taking another look though out the restaurant I noticed a hallway at the point where I had lost sight of Sora. I walked down and pushed open the door at the other end. Not hesitating for a moment I pushed open the door and before my eyes was Sora half naked.
“S-s-so…”
“…So?”
The feeling of embarrassment overtook me to the point I couldn’t respond fast enough. I did notice that the room was filled with lockers and a table covered with a couple of magazines.
Turning my attention back to Sora, who only had pants on and a white polo shirt in his hands, I was finally able to speak out.
“W-w-what are you doing… you pervert.”
I turned and covered my eyes in embarrassment, my face was completely flushed.
Sora didn’t respond, only the sound of him putting on the polo shirt could be heard as the two of us occupied this room. A locker closed behind my back and I could hear Sora’s footsteps advance towards me.
W-what does he want? Why was he half naked in a restaurant? Only questions raced through my mind before being interrupted by Sora’s monotone voice.
“This is a changing room right? …I have to work now… could you please move…”
Moving my hands away returning my vision, I looked back at Sora.
“Eh… work? You!?” those were the only words able to come out after being embarrassed once more.
“That’s rude… I have to make a living after all…” Sora fixed his collar and proceeded forward by reaching for the door hand I blocked.
Moving out of the way I stayed behind as Sora went to do his job. I couldn’t figure out this mysterious boy that had a bad reputation, as well as being adored by others.
“T-this isn’t right…” I placed my right hand over my chest, “Why is everything I heard wrong about him?”
I opened the door back out to the sales floor and sat down at a table. Not long after I sat down a waitress came and took my simple order of toast with coffee.
Watching Sora work and smile, he was showing more enthusiasm than at school. There were even people coming into the restaurant just to see him.
An hour had passed and I finished two more cups of coffee before paying my bill and leaving the restaurant. I couldn’t even say goodbye to Sora who after today was a better person than me.
The guilt of misjudging him ate at me as I headed down the on road leading back to the city in the distant.
Walking endlessly into the night and greeted by lights that shined from the street posts I began to feel the cold chill.
Who knows how long I had been walking, every time Sora’s face came into mind I would always beat myself up with questions.
“Why am I like this? Why do I have to be the one that always makes critical mistakes like this?”
A cold breeze picks up sending a chill down my spine falling to my knees I look down. Placing my hands into the light that touched the pavement I could see the tears that fell from my eyes.
I had not cried in a long time, the tears I had held back for so long had finally erupted as I began to weep openly.
“Sora… I’m sorry.” I could only apologize to Sora just to give myself some comfort.
Looked up I could see a street sign written with the distance from my destination.
“13 Miles from Chin Lee.”
“Crying is not going to help me here…” I wipe the tears from my eyes and stand up.
Once I started walking again a familiar sound came from behind. The roar of a machine I had been riding the whole evening was approaching fast.
Immediately turning around I saw the fire truck red motorcycle as it reappeared with each street light it passed. I could see Sora on the motorcycle, wiping away the remaining tears left behind I began to wave, hoping I would get his attention.
But I was only greeted by the wind as he passed by me.
The anger inside began to boil as I raised my hands up and shouted, “Hey don’t leave me here… I don’t know where I am!”
I began running effortlessly after him and to my surprise he stopped.
“…ah, thank you.” I said approaching the motorcycle.
When I was only a couple of feet away from Sora he took off and stopped a little ways after.
“You idiot… stop messing with me.”
I began running after him again as this routing continued for about two more times. It seemed like he had his fun, because when I approached him the fourth time he didn’t try to take off.
“Get on… I’ll take you back…” Sora said.
From my point of view I could’ve sworn I saw a smile across his face. Lifting up my skirt I stepped over the seat and sat down.
“T-thank you…” those were the only words I was able to say to him.
As we began to enter the city limits of Chin Lee I noticed Sora was still wearing his work uniform.
“What about your job… you’re still in your work uniform after all.” I said hugging Sora lightly.
Sora kept silent as he exited from the freeway, making a stop at a streetlight he spoke.
“… I quit.”
“Wha… why?”
From my stand point I couldn’t believe what he had said.
The light turned green Sora took off and didn’t say anything, the only thing I could do was to continue hanging onto him.
When we finally arrived at the school Sora parked the motorcycle by the closed school gates. Feeling uneasy I stayed on and asked him one more question.
“Sora… why did you quit your job?”
Upon arriving to school the street lights came on one by one. Sora parked his motorcycle and waited for Reenie to get off. Feeling uneasy she wanted to ask him more questions… but there was only one question on her mind.
“Sora… why did you quit?”
Taking off the helmet and brushed his hair to the side Sora looked up.
“I could leave a girl like you in that part of town… besides it was my fault for bringing you along.”
“Eh…”
When I heard this it was apparent…
“T-this is my entire fault.”
The guilt had pushed me to the point of tears and I began to cry softly before wailing out.
“I’m sorry… I’m really sorry, if I didn’t force myself along then you would still have your job. I just didn’t know you were a really nice person…”
The tears didn’t stop this time.
“I didn’t get to know the real you. I just judged you from what other people had told me… I’m sorry”
I was waiting for Sora to laugh at my face and blame me, but all he did was hand me a handkerchief.
“C’mon let’s get you home… I don’t think you should be walking home in this condition.”
Turning his motorcycle back on Sora put his helmet to the side and pulled back onto the road. All I could do was hug onto him tightly. My tears began to soak through his shirt.
When I looked at Sora from behind his red hair glistened in the light, that was when I felt a twinge coming from my left chest. I was riding along with Sora Sendo my knight who I had come to admire.
Riding down the road a gentle breeze blew cool air towards us signaling that summer was coming to an end.
And on that night Sora had made his first friend after nine years.
<End>
The sun moved to the west signaling that the evening was approaching. As the temperature dropped people were now coming out of their houses to enjoy the cool evening air. Summer was near and the students of Chin Lee Academy were preparing for the school festival. I, however, had a different agenda on my hands…
Numerous vehicles filled the roads as they were heading home for dinner. A single motorcycle weaved through the busy road.
Still keeping my arms wrapped around Sora, I looked around at the unfamiliar scenery.
After riding down a single stretch of road Sora pulled into a fuel station called Kanako. Pulling his bike next to a gas pump, shutting off the engine Sora took off his mask.
“I have to get fuel…” Sora said calmly, not even making an effort to acknowledging me as I continued sitting on his bike.
Keeping silent I exited the motorcycle and observed the fuel station, Kanako.
The main building had a store beside the junk shop behind them was a gated facility. I noticed the gate was opened and helped my self to a peek. Walking through the opened gate I could see different types of metals and machinery nicely organized.
I could see a young couple working on a new type of vehicle. Both seem very close almost like lovers. I didn’t want to overstay my intrusion so I headed back to Sora’s motorcycle and waited for him to return.
From the motorcycle I was watching Sora still inside the store, he was talking to sales clerk and the two looked like they were enjoying each other’s company.
While watching the two an elderly man walked out of the shop next to the store. He proceeded to walk to my direction wiping his hands with a red rag covered with traces of oil. When he made it to where I was still near Sora motorcycle he ignored me and opened the fuel tank.
“Ah, excuse me…” I spoke in a gentle voice, “I can take care of fueling up the tank for Sora.”
The elderly man continued to ignore me and put the fuel nozzle into the tank.
Oh geez this is so awkward… what do I do now, I thought to myself watching the old man keep his eyes on the amount of fuel he was putting in.
When the tank was full he put the pump away and closed the fuel tank. He then pulled a clean rag from his back pocket and started to wipe down Sora’s motorcycle.
“Um… please I can at least take care of thi-”
“So… are you a friend of Sora’s?” He interrupted before I could finish my sentence.
He kept looking at the motorcycle wiping in a circular motion.
“You must be because you’re riding on his precious motorcycle.”
I was in shock and surprised about being called Sora’s friend.
“Eh? …N-no I’m not a friend of his, if I had to put it another way I’m his-”
“Girlfriend? You don’t look good enough for a nice guy like him.”
Interrupting me again he placed the rag into his back pocket and walked away crossing his arms behind to support his back.
Thrown for a loop once again I accidentally let my thought slip out, “Girlfriend? Not good enough? NICE GUY!?”
I was never one to hold in my anger when it came to being insulted, or at least that’s how I had taken the old man’s words.
“Who would think of Sora as boyfriend material… he’s should be the once not good enough for me!”
Stopping he turned back to me and spoke out, “You look like you’re judging Sora based on everyone’s outlook on him.” He turns to the shop not even waiting for my response.
I can’t believe he said that to me, ugh…
Not too long after that Sora came out of the store with a bag of sweets with in his hand.
“Here…” he held the bag out to me.
Before I reached for it I asked him, “What is this?”
Sora turned his line of sight away from me and continued, “It’s an offering to make you leave… take it and go.”
“Stupid… I’m not going to leave until I know what going on with you.”
Besides, how could I leave right now? I have never been this far out from Chin Lee and I certainly don’t even know where I am.
“…that so?”
Sora put the sweets into the saddle bag and got back onto the motorcycle before waving to the person inside the shop.
Heading down the road I could hear laughter coming from the shop Kanako. I turned back to see that it was only the old man who could barely be seen now at our distance.
The sun had begun to set and Sora still wasn’t finished doing these errands he had taken me on. After riding through town and making those stops it had seemed like we were finally going to eat.
We parked in front a family restaurant located in a residential area. I’m glad we were finally stopping to get at least something to eat, that bag of sweets wouldn’t have made the cut.
“Sora?” I called out to him in a cheery voice, “Oops… I mean what are we doing here?” I brought my usual expression back.
Whew, that was close… I thought looking at Sora who still hadn’t answered me.
Still on the motorcycle and I watched Sora make his way inside the restaurant. I got off and headed inside after Sora.
I didn’t let my guard down as I walked through the double door entrance. Sora was making his way around the aisles greeting people who knew him. Keeping my distance I continued to watch his actions.
“Could I really be wrong about him?” I clenched onto my uniform and looked down to my feet.
When I looked back up Sora was nowhere to be found.
“He… he couldn’t have left me here, right?”
I ran back outside and hesitantly looked around. Once I saw Sora’s motorcycle still parked a feeling of relief overcame me.
“Hehe… I guess he’ still inside,” I said nervously turning back to the family restaurant.
Taking another look though out the restaurant I noticed a hallway at the point where I had lost sight of Sora. I walked down and pushed open the door at the other end. Not hesitating for a moment I pushed open the door and before my eyes was Sora half naked.
“S-s-so…”
“…So?”
The feeling of embarrassment overtook me to the point I couldn’t respond fast enough. I did notice that the room was filled with lockers and a table covered with a couple of magazines.
Turning my attention back to Sora, who only had pants on and a white polo shirt in his hands, I was finally able to speak out.
“W-w-what are you doing… you pervert.”
I turned and covered my eyes in embarrassment, my face was completely flushed.
Sora didn’t respond, only the sound of him putting on the polo shirt could be heard as the two of us occupied this room. A locker closed behind my back and I could hear Sora’s footsteps advance towards me.
W-what does he want? Why was he half naked in a restaurant? Only questions raced through my mind before being interrupted by Sora’s monotone voice.
“This is a changing room right? …I have to work now… could you please move…”
Moving my hands away returning my vision, I looked back at Sora.
“Eh… work? You!?” those were the only words able to come out after being embarrassed once more.
“That’s rude… I have to make a living after all…” Sora fixed his collar and proceeded forward by reaching for the door hand I blocked.
Moving out of the way I stayed behind as Sora went to do his job. I couldn’t figure out this mysterious boy that had a bad reputation, as well as being adored by others.
“T-this isn’t right…” I placed my right hand over my chest, “Why is everything I heard wrong about him?”
I opened the door back out to the sales floor and sat down at a table. Not long after I sat down a waitress came and took my simple order of toast with coffee.
Watching Sora work and smile, he was showing more enthusiasm than at school. There were even people coming into the restaurant just to see him.
An hour had passed and I finished two more cups of coffee before paying my bill and leaving the restaurant. I couldn’t even say goodbye to Sora who after today was a better person than me.
The guilt of misjudging him ate at me as I headed down the on road leading back to the city in the distant.
Walking endlessly into the night and greeted by lights that shined from the street posts I began to feel the cold chill.
Who knows how long I had been walking, every time Sora’s face came into mind I would always beat myself up with questions.
“Why am I like this? Why do I have to be the one that always makes critical mistakes like this?”
A cold breeze picks up sending a chill down my spine falling to my knees I look down. Placing my hands into the light that touched the pavement I could see the tears that fell from my eyes.
I had not cried in a long time, the tears I had held back for so long had finally erupted as I began to weep openly.
“Sora… I’m sorry.” I could only apologize to Sora just to give myself some comfort.
Looked up I could see a street sign written with the distance from my destination.
“13 Miles from Chin Lee.”
“Crying is not going to help me here…” I wipe the tears from my eyes and stand up.
Once I started walking again a familiar sound came from behind. The roar of a machine I had been riding the whole evening was approaching fast.
Immediately turning around I saw the fire truck red motorcycle as it reappeared with each street light it passed. I could see Sora on the motorcycle, wiping away the remaining tears left behind I began to wave, hoping I would get his attention.
But I was only greeted by the wind as he passed by me.
The anger inside began to boil as I raised my hands up and shouted, “Hey don’t leave me here… I don’t know where I am!”
I began running effortlessly after him and to my surprise he stopped.
“…ah, thank you.” I said approaching the motorcycle.
When I was only a couple of feet away from Sora he took off and stopped a little ways after.
“You idiot… stop messing with me.”
I began running after him again as this routing continued for about two more times. It seemed like he had his fun, because when I approached him the fourth time he didn’t try to take off.
“Get on… I’ll take you back…” Sora said.
From my point of view I could’ve sworn I saw a smile across his face. Lifting up my skirt I stepped over the seat and sat down.
“T-thank you…” those were the only words I was able to say to him.
As we began to enter the city limits of Chin Lee I noticed Sora was still wearing his work uniform.
“What about your job… you’re still in your work uniform after all.” I said hugging Sora lightly.
Sora kept silent as he exited from the freeway, making a stop at a streetlight he spoke.
“… I quit.”
“Wha… why?”
From my stand point I couldn’t believe what he had said.
The light turned green Sora took off and didn’t say anything, the only thing I could do was to continue hanging onto him.
When we finally arrived at the school Sora parked the motorcycle by the closed school gates. Feeling uneasy I stayed on and asked him one more question.
“Sora… why did you quit your job?”
Upon arriving to school the street lights came on one by one. Sora parked his motorcycle and waited for Reenie to get off. Feeling uneasy she wanted to ask him more questions… but there was only one question on her mind.
“Sora… why did you quit?”
Taking off the helmet and brushed his hair to the side Sora looked up.
“I could leave a girl like you in that part of town… besides it was my fault for bringing you along.”
“Eh…”
When I heard this it was apparent…
“T-this is my entire fault.”
The guilt had pushed me to the point of tears and I began to cry softly before wailing out.
“I’m sorry… I’m really sorry, if I didn’t force myself along then you would still have your job. I just didn’t know you were a really nice person…”
The tears didn’t stop this time.
“I didn’t get to know the real you. I just judged you from what other people had told me… I’m sorry”
I was waiting for Sora to laugh at my face and blame me, but all he did was hand me a handkerchief.
“C’mon let’s get you home… I don’t think you should be walking home in this condition.”
Turning his motorcycle back on Sora put his helmet to the side and pulled back onto the road. All I could do was hug onto him tightly. My tears began to soak through his shirt.
When I looked at Sora from behind his red hair glistened in the light, that was when I felt a twinge coming from my left chest. I was riding along with Sora Sendo my knight who I had come to admire.
Riding down the road a gentle breeze blew cool air towards us signaling that summer was coming to an end.
And on that night Sora had made his first friend after nine years.
<End>