I walked the unfamiliar path towards my new dorm, the number 197 etched into my memory as it mirrored my ID. As I strolled, thoughts of Ichika's dorm, just a floor up at Number 215, occupied my mind. The prospect of being neighbors added a layer of comfort to the otherwise overwhelming transition.
"Kenji!" A cheerful voice called out, disrupting my contemplation. It was Ichika.
I turned slightly.
"You're checking out your new dorm too?" she inquired, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
I nodded, attempting to regain my composure. "Well, yeah."
A radiant smile crossed Ichika's face, and she declared, "So, you're coming to my dorm first!"
The invitation caught me by surprise, and a warmth spread through me at the thought of spending more time with her. "Okay," I responded with a grin.
Ichika's joy was contagious, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness that I could share this experience with her. As we walked side by side, the newness of the surroundings faded into the background, overshadowed by the comfort of familiar company. The prospect of exploring this chapter of life with Ichika by my side made the journey ahead seem less daunting.
We approached her dorm, and Ichika fumbled with her key, a playful grin on her face. The door swung open, revealing a space that would become her home away from home. As we stepped inside, the air was filled with the scent of a new beginning.
"Ohhhhhhh," Ichika said, excitement dancing in her eyes.
I glanced around, taking in the neatly arranged belongings and the warmth that permeated the room. "It's nice, cozy," I said, appreciating the inviting atmosphere.
Ichika's laughter filled the room as she hastily made her way to her bed, playfully leaping onto it with a joyful abandon. I couldn't help but steal a glance, attempting to discreetly avert my eyes, though my visible blush betrayed my attempt at nonchalance.
"Come on, you're not a child…" I said, trying to downplay the slight embarrassment that lingered in the air.
"Sometimes I wish I were again…" Ichika mused, her tone carrying a wistful undertone as she settled onto her bed.
Before I could react, Ichika retaliated by launching a pillow in my direction. Instinctively, I blocked it and returned fire, setting off an impromptu pillow fight that filled the room with laughter and joy.
"Take that!" I exclaimed, swinging a pillow in her direction with mock ferocity.
Ichika's laughter filled the room as she deftly dodged my attacks, her agility surprising me. Soon, we were both armed with pillows, engaged in a spirited battle that seemed to transcend the confines of the room.
As the fight raged on, I found myself increasingly captivated by Ichika's infectious laughter and the way her eyes sparkled with mischief. The initial awkwardness of our interaction melted away, replaced by a shared moment of unbridled joy and camaraderie.
Caught up in the excitement of the moment, I focused less on the fight itself and more on Ichika. The way her laughter rang out like music, the way her eyes danced with playful defiance, it was a sight to behold.
While I also found myself.. Looking at her body, that's not my fault, she's standing on the bed while I'm on the floor!
Caught in the moment, I climbed onto Ichika's bed, matching her enthusiasm. The battle reached its climax as we swung pillows at each other, lost in the spirited exchange. Amid laughter and flurries of soft blows, I found myself dangerously close to Ichika.
Attempting to regain control, she made a strategic move, trying to make me lose balance. However, our intertwined struggle took an unexpected turn, and we both tumbled to the bed, with me ending up on top of her.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still as our eyes met, a silent understanding passing between us. In that fleeting moment, amidst the chaos of our pillow fight, I felt a connection, a bond that transcended words and gestures, weaving us together in a tapestry of shared laughter and friendship.
"Get off meeeeeee!"She threw me onto the floor, and I hit my head hard on that.
"Ouch! Relax, it was nothing!"
As I rubbed the back of my head, trying to shake off the sudden impact, Ichika's laughter echoed in the room, mingling with my groans of discomfort.
"Sorry, sorry!" she exclaimed, stifling her giggles as she extended her hand to help me up from the floor.
I accepted her gesture, trying to suppress my laughter at the absurdity of the situation. As I stood up, a dull ache throbbed at the back of my head, a reminder of the playful chaos that had ensued.
"Are you okay?" Ichika asked, her laughter fading into genuine concern as she inspected my forehead for any signs of injury.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I reassured her with a wince. "Just a little bump, nothing serious."
Ichika's expression softened with relief, her eyes reflecting a mixture of amusement and concern.
"Good," she said, offering me a sheepish smile. "I guess we got a bit carried away, huh?"
I chuckled in agreement, the lingering pain in my head overshadowed by the warmth of Ichika's presence. Despite the unexpected turn of events, there was a sense of camaraderie between us that I couldn't deny.
"Yeah, but it was fun," I admitted, returning her smile.
"Definitely," Ichika agreed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Though maybe we should stick to less crazy activities next time."
I couldn't help but laugh at her suggestion, realizing that even in moments of chaos, Ichika had a way of making everything feel lighter.
"Agreed," I said, nodding in mock seriousness. "No more pillow fights."
Suddenly, a wave of nostalgia washed over me, tinged with curiosity. Her familiar gesture, the concern in her voice, it all felt like déjà vu, reminiscent of a time long past.
"Are you okay?" Ichika's words echoed in my mind, triggering a flood of memories from five years ago. Back then, it was the same Ichika, always there with a comforting hand and a caring question whenever I stumbled or fell. How did she always know how to lighten the mood, to make everything feel okay, to make me feel cared for? It was a question that had lingered in the back of my mind for years, and now, it resurfaced with renewed intensity.
I made a mental note to ask her about it later, to unravel the mystery of her innate ability to bring warmth and comfort to those around her. Perhaps I was overthinking it,
Maybe she's just born with an ability to comfort, but the thought of gaining insight into Ichika's compassionate nature was worth the risk of a potentially awkward conversation.
"Kenji, let's check out the bathroom! Do you think they've got shampoo there like in hotels?" Ichika's sudden change of topic snapped me out of my reverie, bringing me back to the present moment.
"Uh, it's not a hotel, but maybe?" I replied with a chuckle, grateful for the opportunity to shift my focus away from the swirling thoughts in my mind.
As we entered the bathroom, the familiar fixtures greeted us - the sink, the bath, everything you'd expect. But the moment was anything but ordinary. Why was I here, standing in a bathroom with a girl? I couldn't quite pinpoint the reason, but there we were.
"Kenji! Look, there's a bath! Do you think I could fit in it?" Ichika's voice broke the silence, her curiosity leading her to step into the dry tub, fully clothed.
"Uh, yeah, you're not that big…" I replied, instantly regretting my choice of words as Ichika's expression turned from curious to annoyed.
"W-what does that mean?!" she retorted, her tone laced with indignation. Did she think I was insinuating that she was overweight? I think Ichika isn't overweight, she isn't underweight either, she was a little bit above average. The thought made me internally cringe - navigating the minefield of conversations with girls was proving to be trickier than I had anticipated.
"N-no… nothing," I stammered, desperately trying to backtrack and avoid a potential verbal onslaught.
I chuckled nervously, trying to brush off her comment with a dismissive wave of my hand. "Did you already find a girl better than me who taught you this?" she added, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
The question caught me off guard, and I stumbled over my words in response. "Of course not!" I exclaimed, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment at the implication.
Ichika's laughter filled the room, her joy infectious as she continued to tease me mercilessly. "Are you suuuure? A little bird told me you and a girl named Ayumi Suzu were sitting and talking together," she said, her eyes dancing with amusement.
My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Ayumi's name, and I hastily tried to defend myself. "Uhh, t-that was a- we did homework!" I protested, my voice cracking with nerves.
Ichika raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical as she leaned in closer, her teasing smile never faltering. "And kissed too, right?" she teased, her words like a playful jab to my ego.
I felt my face grow hotter with each passing moment, my embarrassment reaching new heights as I struggled to find a coherent response. "N-n-n-no, no!" I stammered, my words tumbling out in a jumbled mess.
But Ichika was relentless in her teasing, her laughter ringing in my ears as she continued to poke fun at my expense. "Aw, you're blushing! You love her!" she declared, her laughter infectious as she watched me squirm under her teasing gaze.
"I-I'm not!" I protested weakly, feeling like a deer caught in the headlights of Ichika's playful interrogation. "She's just a classmate," I added hastily, hoping to deflect any further scrutiny.
Trying to regain my composure, I cleared my throat and attempted to steer the conversation in a different direction. "Anyway, enough about Ayumi," I said, hoping to shift the focus away from my tangled feelings.
Ichika's playful grin softened into a gentle smile as she sensed my discomfort. "You know I love messing with you," she conceded, her tone light and affectionate.
Feeling a mix of nerves and anticipation as we made our way over to her bed. Sitting down beside her, I couldn't shake the nagging thought that had been lingering in my mind.
"Ichika, isn't it embarrassing?" I finally mustered the courage to voice my concern.
"What is?" she replied, her expression curious and open.
"Both of us, in a room… together… it feels like we're… like we're l-lovers or something…"
The words stumbled out of my mouth awkwardly, each syllable weighted with the uncertainty that had been gnawing at me.
"Are we?" she asked, her voice soft and gentle.
"N-no, of course not," I stammered, feeling the flush of embarrassment creeping up my cheeks.
"I get what you mean," Ichika said, her eyes warm with understanding, "but we're friends, and I trust you. So, I don't see what's wrong with having fun with a friend."
As her words sank in, I realized something profound. Who's going to judge us? Nobody's here except us, and we're just friends. Society's standards about what is normal to do and what isn't have really taken a toll on my life. I've never been independent, always afraid of making my own decisions, always letting others do it for me. And I think that's the main reason I'm like this.
"You're right, never mind.." I conceded, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders.
"If you're not into things like that, you can always tell me, y'know?" Ichika's voice was sincere.
"N-no, I like that kind of fun, with you.." I admitted, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.
"Come to think of it, you're not complicated, Kenji. Just exhausting." Ichika's tone shifted, her confession catching me off guard.
"H-huh?" I blinked, processing her words.
"Yeah, I mean, "You're not hard to understand. You're just hard to deal with."
"I didn't know you felt like that… I'm sorry," I murmured.
"Just kidding!" she exclaimed. "I'm happy to see you having more friends, Kenji."
Her words hit me like a ton of bricks, and I felt a surge of anger and hurt bubbling up inside me. How could she make light of something that had caused me so much distress?
"Oh," I mumbled, unable to meet her gaze, feeling like a fool for allowing myself to be so easily manipulated.
Ichika must have sensed my turmoil because her laughter faded as she noticed the change in my demeanor. In an instant, she pulled me into a tight embrace, her arms wrapping around me protectively. "I'm sorry, Kenji! Hey.. I'm sorry I made you feel like this. You shouldn't be sad because of me. I said something that hurt your feelings, and I know it," she whispered, her voice laced with remorse.
As she gently caressed the back of my head, I struggled to contain my emotions. "It's fine… Ichika, I'm fine." I murmured weakly, attempting to pull away and regain my composure.
But Ichika refused to let go, her grip tightening around me. "You're not okay," she insisted, her eyes pleading with me to open up. "I want you to tell me what I said wrong."
"Hey, let me go!" I protested, my voice tinged with frustration.
Reluctantly, Ichika released her hold on me, allowing me to sit back on her bed. "Nothing was wrong, okay?" I muttered, avoiding her gaze.
"Liar,"
She encountered me softly, her eyes searching mine.
"I don't want to talk about it."
I deflected, my walls firmly in place.
"I don't want you to bury it down… I want you to talk to me," Ichika's voice was gentle yet firm, her expression one of genuine concern.
Caught in the intensity of her gaze, I relented, my defenses crumbling. "I couldn't help but remember when I talked to you near your friends and those comments they said about me. And when I said sorry, you said you were joking, I just felt… Played, y'know?" My voice cracked with emotion, the weight of my words hanging heavy in the air.
Ichika's eyes softened with understanding as she listened, her hand reaching out to gently touch mine. "I'm sorry, Kenji," she murmured, her voice filled with genuine remorse. "I never meant to hurt you, please, every time I do something that hurts you even a little, talk to me.
Ichika's expression softened further, her eyes reflecting a mix of compassion and understanding. With a gentle squeeze of my hand, she encouraged me to continue.
Taking a deep breath, I pressed on, the floodgates of my emotions now open. "It's just… I've always felt like I didn't quite fit in," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. "Ever since I was a kid, I've struggled to meet society's expectations, to conform to what's considered 'normal.' But no matter how hard I try, I always end up feeling like an outsider, like I don't belong."
Ichika's grip on my hand tightened, a silent gesture of support as she listened intently to my words. "And when you joked about feeling left out, it struck a nerve because… because it's a feeling I know too well," I admitted, the weight of my confession hanging heavy in the air.
For a moment, there was only silence as the gravity of my words settled between us. Then, Ichika spoke, her voice soft but resolute. "Kenji, you don't have to pretend to be someone you're not just to fit in," she said, her gaze unwavering. "You're unique, and that's what makes you special. Accept who you are, and the right people will accept you for it."
"D-do you accept me?" I asked.
"I accept you no matter what, Kenji."