This choice: You ask her to take you to the school festival • Go Back...Chapter #7You ask Seiko to take you to the school festival by: SwiggitySwooty   Now that Seiko's agreed to be your guardian for the time being, she starts cleaning up your work station, taking care to not bump or knock you over in the process while the two of you make small talk. Although, it's more you gushing over what she does at her lab and how she helps other students than it is a balanced conversation. Whenever you tell her how cool she is for being so focused on her work, or generous to others, she cups her cheeks and gets all flustered. It's really cute!
"Honestly, Seiko, just sitting here and talking to you is making me more interested in this stuff than any of that boring sheetwork Mr. Gunsoo's handing out."
She looks away bashfully. "Ehehe, thanks..."
All the various instruments you took out for the assignment--droppers and flasks and vials and their holders--find their way back into the tool drawers in the side of the counter while you both chat...well, all except for one. Instead of putting the last vial away, the Ultimate Pharmacist pops the cork off of it and carefully pours a sample of your 'Super Serum' inside. Then, she seals it again and puts it in a secure-looking compartment on the very top of her purse.
"I'll take a sample for safekeeping. If I can analyze the ratio of compounds you put in here to replicate it, then find out what chemical reaction takes place by heating it up, it'll get us that much closer to getting you back to normal."
You shed a single tear. Even if this whole conundrum puts your life on halt, at least you've got the help of one of the most talented people in the nation on your side, ready and willing to aid. Also doesn't hurt that she's been excellent company so far; it's enough to make you forget (if only temporarily) the grim haplessness of being reduced to the size of a crayon.
Heck, this is almost what you were wishing for in the first place when you took that sick day off: a break from all the work, work, work, work! Now you can chill out and hang with your new friend all day!
Actually, when I think about it like that...
"Hey!" you shout up to Seiko. She turns puts down her purse and turns her head towards you, a curiosity in her gaze that defied the nervousness she held earlier.
"Hmm? What is it, Nanashi?"
Now it's your turn to be nervous. You close your eyes and pump your fists in an effort to psych yourself up. You can do this.
"Okay, Seiko...this might sound crazy, but," you stop, trying to figure out the best way ask the question. Should you bring it up casually? Assertively? Isn't this kind of a stupid thing to suggest when you're so vulnerable? Would she even want to, considering she just got blown off by her supposed 'friend'?
In the end, you go through with it. You throw yourself to your knees and clasp your hands together in a begging pose. "PLEASE GO TO THE SCHOOL FESTIVAL WITH ME!!"
"H-huh?!" Her voice cracks, and there's a big ol' blush on her face that even her surgical mask can't hide. "B-but...aren't you worried about growing back? We'd be risking a lot by walking outside in the first place..."
She tries to deflect with genuine concerns, but you know by how hard she's blushing that that's not the only reason. You have to admit, that was pretty forward of you. Maybe too forward, in fact. But who the hell cares? The train's already chugging along; it's way too late for second-guessing now!
"It's okay, Seiko. I trust you. You've been nothing but kind and attentive to me, even before you found out what I was. I have nothing but complete faith your ability to protect me!"
You can see the edges of her cheeks turn bright pink. She mutters to herself, disarmed momentarily by your praise. "I-I'm glad you feel that way..."
"A-ah, but still! It's way too big a risk! If I lost you for even a second, then," she shudders, too disturbed to finish the sentence. She digs at the top of her mask subconsciously. A nervous tic, maybe? "...why do you want to go so badly, anyway?"
You rub your forehead in thought. When you put your hand back down at your side, it's entire palm is sticky with sweat. "It's just...I've really been looking forward to tonight. There's supposed to be so much cool stuff going on; so many Ultimates are giving the press--and the Reserve Course students--a taste of their prowess: Kazuichi Souda's showing off his functioning miniature replica of the Apollo spacecraft, Hiyoko Saionji is doing a whole song and dance number in the Reserve Course auditorium, Chiaki Nanami's speedrunning Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 back to back on the big screen, and that's only what I can list off the top of my head! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for someone like me! Look, I know we just met, but can't think of anyone I'd rather spend the evening with...!"
...Holy shit this sounds more like a confession than it does a plea! Seiko must be getting those undertones too, cuz if you thought she was blushing hard before, well, steam's practically pouring out of her ears now. Your heart pounds as your little slip-up weighs down on your conscience. You can only hope she doesn't take the wrong way...
"A-a-ahh, u-u-umm," she stammers, waving her hands around in a panic and failing to get any words out. "Wow, I..."
The room goes quiet. You both glance around, looking at anything other than each other. The atmosphere is so thick with anxious energy that you could choke on it. All you can do is look down and pray to whatever deity was listening that you didn't just make things horribly, horribly awkward between the two of you...
For far too long, the only thing either of you hear is the droning of the ceiling lights and the poor ventilation systems whirring in the background. Eventually though, Seiko musters the courage to give you an answer. Pulling down her brown, studded face mask, revealing a sharp nose, two pale, soft-looking lips, and deeply flushed cheeks that charm you all over again, she speaks up...   indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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