Suspension sucks.

I'm fully aware that today is saturday, therefore it's club activity only today, but still, doing nothing but pacing back and forth in my room is really boring.

The clock on the wall indicates that the time is 7:30 am.

"Who would've thought that getting suspended will be this dull."

SInce I am suspended due to "taking care" of the bullies, I'm not given any kind of homework or assignment, and also this suspension won't stain anything in my academic record, which is nice.

"Maybe I should go to the cafe and do some work?"

But what should I say to the manager though?

That I am suspended and have nothing to do at home?

"But if I go there to work now, that basically means that I accept his invitation to work there."

Decisions, decisions...

"You know what..."

Fuck it, I'm going.

Working part time there wasn't so bad anyway, and everyone is nice and welcoming.

The pay? truth be told, the payment is the least of my worries.

I received enough money from my Dad, more than enough actually.

"Wonder what he'll say if he ever finds out that I'm working part time job..."

Knowing him, he'll probably cut my allowance by seventy percent.

"Yikes..., I'll keep this a secret then, for now at least."

And if I tell my mom, she would be worried and won't stop calling me.

"Dear God..."

They are a loving parent, don't get me wrong, but sometimes they spoiled me too much.

"I'm a highschool student now dammit, it means a lot when I was a kid, but now..."

Then I bet you have a woman already eh?

Is what my Dad would say if he catches me saying that.

"Bah, keeping this a secret is for my own well being, both physically and mentally."

Tomorrow is Sunday too...

"WIth the plan canceled, maybe I should go somewhere this sunday..."

But alone? That's just sad.

Originally, I was going to ask and have Suzuki show me around the place, search for a place to have some fun around here.

"Maybe Mike could tell me..."

Yeah right...

Going on a date with Mike is the last thing I want to do.

Heck, It's not even on the list...

"AAAAhhhhh!"

Someone! Take me away from here!

The sound of the clock ticking fill the emptiness in my room, which only makes thing more depressing.

"I know!"

Since tomorrow is sunday, perhaps this is my chance to check out the popular modern day culture tourism spot...

Yeaaaah, you guessed it.

"Akihabara!"

Boy oh boy ain't I curious about that place.

"It's decided then, tomorrow's plan is to conduct a reasearch at Akihabara!"

Yeah, "Research" allright...

"No no no, keep it together Reno, keep your calm cool."

Alright, for now I need to gather info as to how do I get there.

"But who should I ask?"

Miura? Ryu?

I mean, they will make a good company, sure...

"Allright, that's plan A."

Let's see who else.

Sonia? Sona? They don't look like the type that would enjoy such a place though.

"Especially Sona."

And it hits me...

"Bloody hell, I just remember that Sona wants me to accompany her today..."

Oh shit, what do I do?

She will probably search for me afterschool today.

I'll just text her right now.

Hey, about our plan for today, we're still doing it?

And send, but I won't expect an answer right away though, considering she might be in class right now.

"Again with the nonsense, today is club activity only..."

But she might be busy, so let's just leave it at that and be patient.

"So, the problem persist, what should I do in the mean time?"

Ding!

"Huh? That's the door, who could it be?"

I head for the door immediately and look through the peephole before opening it.

"Sonia? wait, or is it Sona?"

I unlock the door and open it.

"I don't mean to be rude, but are you Sona or Sonia?"

"Can't you tell?"

"Now, if I ask then that means..." On second thought "You know what, nevermind, what is it Sona?"

Her attitude is a dead give away of her identity.

If it's Sonia she would just answer right away, but Sona? she have the tendencies to answer a question with another question.

"What do you mean what is it? You know why I'm here." She said.

"Huh? No I don't..."

"You do..."

"What makes you think that I know?"

"Because you just texted me."

"That doesn't explain anything."

"Geez, get the hint will you."

Oh shit, she said it...

Okay Reno, calm down, let's access the situation here.

She Dresses nicely, looking really pretty with a light make up on.

"We're going now?" I said.

"See? Not so hard isn't it?"

"No no, that's not the problem here."

"Then what is?"

"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be at school?"

"Shouldn't you?"

Seriously, this girl need to drop the habit of answering a question with another question...

I can't understand you without you telling me, I'm not a psychic dammit.

"Seriously though..., why?" I asked.

"Can I at least go inside and we'll talk about it there?"

"Huh?" I just realized that we're still talking by the door. "Oh right, now that you mention it..."

I step away from the way and let her in, then I close and lock the door, but when I turn around to face her, she's nowhere to be seen.

"Sure, make yourself comfortable..., is what I suppose to say before you do exactly that..."

I'm talking to myself right now, that's just sad.

But I've been talking to myself since this morning, that's even more sad...

"Well, at least now I got company..."

I head to where she is, true enough, she's relaxing on the sofa.

"So, how come you're here and not at school?" I asked.

"Today is saturday."

"Okay..."

"And I'm not in any club yet..."

"I see, makes sense."

"What about you? Why are you here? I thought you joined the student council?" She asked.

"Yeah..., about that."

"What? You're ditching work already?"

"I'm not."

"Let me guess..."

"Go on, credit if you can get the correct answer."

"Oooh, what do I get?"

"What do you want?"

"I get to choose the reward?"

"Just one thing."

"Anything?"

"Within reasonable boundries of course."

"And how much is reasonable to you?"

"Just the same as any average student, not too pricey."

"Hmm..., alright, I'm game."

"Good lu-"

"You're suspended." She said before I can even finish my sentence.

Huh?

"Wait..., what?"

"See, I got it right."

"Wait a minute..."

Why the fuck does she know?!

"H-how?"

"There's a rumour going around, you know, yesterday."

"What rumour?"

"That a first year from the student council took care of the bullies..."

"But, that doesn't make any sense, it just happened yesterday, how could it spread that fast?"

"Who knows, rumour always spreads like wild fire you know..."

"And how do you know it was me? I'm not the only first year in the student council..."

"Really? you're asking how do I clarify that information?"

Is it wrong for me to ask?

"Wait a minute..., It's Sonia wasn't it?"

"See? Not so hard isn't it..."

"Did you tell anyone else that it was me?!"

"What? why would I do that?"

Oh god, thank you...

"All the first years probably knew that already though."

"What the fuck..."

"Hey, why so scared? At least you're popular now..."

"Here's the thing, if the rumour spread too fast, the second and the third year might hear of it."

"So?"

"I'm still not sure whether or not the bullies that I took care of have anymore allies."

"Hmm..., so you're afraid they might come to get revenge?"

"No..."

"Oooh, a brave soul."

"What I'm trying to say is, I don't want to get into anymore trouble just yet, the principal's still mad at me for using violence to take care of the bullies back then."

"So you're afraid of the principal?"

"I'm afraid I might get expelled if I piss him off more than I should."

"I see..., makes sense."

"Not so hard isn't it?"

"Don't say that, your problem is complicated, I can never understand boys and their simple minded behaviour."

"Hey, that's rude."

"So we are both free today right?"

Wow, she changed the subject.

"I guess..." I said.

"Then let's go right now."

"Where to?"

"I have everything planned already." She said.

"Oh really? That's very nice of you."

"You're welcome."

"Let me get ready first."

"Sure, take your time."

I guess, the plan for today is to go on a date with Sona huh.

Not that I'm complaining, hell, why would I? How could I complain when such a cute girl is asking me to go on a date with her?

But this whole rumour, it might bite me off one day.

God knows I pray for it to happen later, not anytime soon.

That problem aside, I need to think of a nice outfit for today.

She's dressed quite simple, jeans and shirt with cardigan, yet her chosen hair accesories and bracelet makes it really stylish.

"I need to dress the part too."

But since I'm not trying to impress anyone, I don't know what I should wear.

"Dammit, she came in such short notice that it is hard for me decide right away."

If I dress poorly, she have no right to complain though, that's a plus at least.

I'm just gonna go with shirt and jeans, fuck it.

Not the plain ones of course, there's some style to them, it should be enough for this occasion.

WIth that decided, I put on my favorite shirt and jeans, then head out immediately.

"Let's go..." I said to her.

But she doesn't say anything, not a single thing.

All she does is looking at me from top to bottom, as if scanning me.

"A simple dress..."

"Hey, you cam-"

"But you look good, with such short notice, I guess I don't have the right to complain." She Pauses. "Must be nice to be good looking, because anything you wear will look good on you."

"I'll take that as a compliment..."

"You're welcome."

Wait a minute, I got the feeling that I should be the one complimenting her, not the other way around.

"You know, I can say the same about you." I said.

"Hmm?"

"Wearing such simple costume yet able to look really good."

"Thanks, I can somehow tell you're going to say that..."

"Oh really? How?"

"It's obvious."

"Obvious?"

"Next time, try not to stare so much."

Ah...

She notice that I was looking?

Should've said something...

"I'm...-"

"It's okay, if I mind, I would've said something, the compliment was late though, but thanks anyway."

That's all that matter I guess...

"Well, should we go my lady?"

She hits my stomach with her elbow.

"Ow..., What the hell?!"

"Don't say that again, depends on the mood and situation, it can be either sweet, or cringy..."

"I guess, that falls to the latter huh..."

"Take a guess."

"Don't need to."

If it was Sonia she would say something like, Y-yes, let's go Reno, with a beautiful smile...

How can a twin be so different?

It doesn't make any sense...

"Anyway, where are we going?" I asked.

"You want to know?"

"Well, duh..."

"We are going to Crown..."

"Crown? as if THE Mall, Crown?"

"What else?"

"Isn't that like, a bus stop away?"

"So what Reno? You're a man aren't you?"

"What does it have to do with anything?"

"So state your problem."

"There is no problem, I was just clarifying."

"Then the answer is yes, THAT Crown..."

"Never been there before."

"Really? What have you been doing these past few months of living here" "Is playing video game really all you can do?"

"Hey, I enjoy the loyal company of video games, they are the most loyal of companion..."

"Whatever, can never understand it..."

"I don't need you to understand woman, just don't take video games lightly..."

"Yeah, they can ruin your life, and a relationship..."

"If a relationship could be destroyed by video games, they must be half-assing it."

"If you devote your time more to your games then your girl, of course she'll be bored of you."

"If I devote my life to a girl and play video games on my free time, and she's still angry about it, then I'll gladly show her the way out, a man needs a break you know, even from love."

"See? like I said, video games CAN destroy a relationship..."

"And Like I said, only if they are half-assing the so called "Relationship"."

"Listen here mister..."

And we keep on arguing about whether or not video games can really destroy a relationship.

As an avid and proud gamer since I was a kid, I just can't seem to agree with her, video game can't destroy a relationship.

I mean, come on, if your girl is angry that you're playing a video game, I say just break up with her, she got issues.

Of course, what she said can be considered true if either the male or female played too much and start neglecting their lover, only then her argument is valid.

But other than that? Not a chance.

Beside, how lame must one be to choose video game over the warm love of their lover?

Some people devote their life to games that they refuse to find a lover.

I on the other hand, put a lot of respect to people that can have both and successfully manage them.

Before we know it, and before we can even finish the argument, we arrive at the nearby bus stop, which is not far from school.

Needless to say it makes me restless.

What if someone sees us together? On a day when we are supposed to go to school?

"Our pointless argument aside, is it alright to wait here?"

"Huh? Don't change the subject Reno, that's not cool."

"I'm not just changing the subject, I'm asking an important question here."

"That's not important, your question is stupid and unnecessarry."

"What? Why?"

"Most of the first years that's not on any club are not going to school, we're not the only two."

"Nonsense..."

"Then how about you ask your friend, I bet they will say the same thing I did."

"I'll do it, just for the sake of proving you wrong."

"I urge you to try..."

I whip out my phone and call Ryu immediately.

After a while.

"Hey Ryu..."

"Romeo, whassup?"

"Stop calling me that."

"Hey, it suits you."

"Anyway, that's not important right now."

"Oh really? what's on your mind man."

"Where are you right now?"

"Huh? Why do you want to know?"

"Just tell me."

"Why should I?"

"Dammit, just answer the question."

"Oh that reminds me, come hang out with us."

"I asked you a-"

Wait a minute.

Did he just said hang out with us?

"Hold on, what do you mean hang out with us?"

For a second there, I can see Sona grinning.

Can't be...

"I'm at Miura's place, playing games."

"What?! Why aren't you at school? Why aren't you both at school?!"

"Aww, feeling lonely without us?"

"That's not the point here dammit!"

"If you want to come, just say so, Miura said, let's play all day."

Just as I'm about to say something, Sona stand before me and silently say, Told you so, and grins after that.

"You know what, I'll talk to you two later."

"So you coming or what?"

"I'm not, not today, later..."

I end the call.

Ugh, man, I can't seem to win against this girl.

More like, it's impossible.

She always proves me wrong.

"So, how'd it go?"

"You know how..."

"Hmm? No I don't."

Clearly she wants me to say it out loud.

"I'm not going to say it..."

"Come on Reno, tell me how was it."

"Please, don't embarrass me more than you already have."

"By saying that, you're admitting defeat."

I am defeated, what can I say?

"I'm not going to say I won."

"Ha, serve you right for not trusting me."

"I'm not saying I didn't trust you, I was just doubting the credibility of your statement."

"Same thing einstein."

"No it's not!"

"Next time you should trust me more."

"If you could be more subtle and clearer with your explanation, I just might."

"Now that's nonsense."

"What? How?"

"You never gave me the chance to explain."

"I did..."

"No you didn't."

"I-"

"If you did, we won't be having this argument now would we?"

She's..., Right.

"My bad..."

"It's alright, that aside, our bus is here."

More like, the bus has been there for several minutes now, but the bus driver was waiting for me to finish my call first.

What a good guy.

I guess that's not something he's suppossed to do, but he did anyway.

"Thank you." I said to him as I walk past him.

He just smile and nod to me.

Sona walks before me, so she already found our seats, which is at the back end of the bus.

Why not sit at the front row? I like to watch the road when I ride on a bus.

She waves at me and then pat the vacant seat next to her.

Well duh, where else am I supposed sit?

"So, how long is the trip?" I asked.

"About fifteen minutes."

"You've been there before?"

"Yeah, twice I think."

"Alone?"

"Haha, I like that, asking it like that is like asking "with who?" but without suspicion or any other meaning behind it."

"You know, if you could just stop commenting on every single thing that I said, that'd be great."

"Sorry sorry, it's one of my main source of entertaninment."

"Not entertaining to me though."

"Well, I'm sure you can get over it someday."

"Not today that's for sure."

"Come on, put up with me will you?"

Her eyes are saying please like her life depends on it.

But I know her, her acting skill is superb, I must not let my guard down.

"I'll try."

"Thanks." She smiles as she said that.

Never take a woman's tears or smile at face values, that's rule number one.

It's not that I don't trust her, it's just that everything she does so far is highly suspicious.

She must be up to something.

Let's just hope that's my paranoia speaking.

Sona is the most complicated girl I've met so far.

I mean, sometimes she can be a completely mature person and always serious, sometimes she acts all girly, can be tomboyish too, but sometimes she can also be cheerful and childish like she is now, she keeps smiling and humming a song while looking out the window.

Not to mention her acting skill.

I'm not crazy, allright? I'm just being cautious.

The last thing I wanted to happen is to fall right into her trap with my guard down.

"So..."

"What is it?"

"Can I ask something?"

"Sure, ask away."

"Why did you ask me out on a date?"

"pfft..." And she laugh...

Why? What's so funny?

"I'm sorry, I asked you a question, not asked you to laugh."

"I'm sorry..."

But she keeps laughing anyway.

Kind of remind me of someone.

She laugh for a good while, probably a minute or two.

"You done laughing there miss? Because everyone is looking at us..." I said

She's not laughing that loud, it's just that, we don't look like an asian, and we spoke in english since we sat down, from the beginning I can already feel their curious gaze.

But now that she's laughing her ass off, the other passangers are directly looking at us.

"Y-yeah, I'm sorry..."

She lets out a relief sigh after that...

"So, mind telling me what's so funny about what I said?"

"Nothing, it's just..."

"It's not nothing if you laugh like that..."

"True..., true."

We stay quiet for a few seconds...

"So?" I asked

"It's just that, it's hillarious how you can ask that with such a straight face, and no beating around the bush either."

"You're welcome..."

"Sometimes I wonder whether you have modesty or not..."

"Since it's you, I think I can keep the modesty to a bare minimum..."

"Since it's you, I don't know whether that's a good thing, or a bad thing..."

"It's just a matter of perspective really..."

"And how and also when you say it..."

"Exactly, then I guess you can already tell..."

"Perhaps."

"You definitely could."

"Maybe..."

"Don't fool around like that."

"I'll just let time answer that for me..."

"Oh come on, don't try to be cheesy now of all time."

"Who are you to force an answer out from me?" She said with a smug face

"Fine, don't tell me, but answer my question will you?"

"Hmm..." She's thinking "Okay, I'll tell you why I asked you out."

"I'm listening."

"On one condition though."

The fuck...

"What condition?"

"I will stop and you can't ask anymore when the bus arrived at The Crown."

"What kind of stupid rule is that?"

"Will you comply?"

Uhh..., I swear to god this girl...

"Fine, I'll do as you asked."

"Good, you see, the reason I asked you out was because..."

And then the bus stops.

"Hold on, you're playing with me again?!"

"Hmm? What did I do?"

"Don't ask me! You never plan to tell me from the get go!"

"Of course not, that's my secret and mine alone." She smiles sheepishly.

Outside there's a sign that says, The Crown Bus stop.

She timed everything perfectly.

That's the reason behind the crazy condition.

"I swear I'll get you back someday..."

"I dare you to try." She sticks out her tongue. "Let's go Reno, our date awaits!" She said as she gets off the bus.

She can be annoying sometimes...

"Correction..., all the time is more like it."

Well, at least someone is in a good mood.

As a man, the least I can do is to humour her.

IT IS a date after all...

Sigh...

This is going to be a long day.