Toradora: Unseen Connections

Takasu's Safari

It's the end of the day. Ryūji stands near a post waiting for Taiga but Taiga is nowhere to be seen. Ryūji is skeptical.

A friend, Ami Kawashima walks by.

Ryūji says, "Kawashima... have you seen Aisaka anywhere?"

Ami gives a smirk. "Well... Taiga's been a bit... I don't know on edge. I don't know if you and your little midget can... wait a minute... who is THAT?!"

Jax walks in here and smiles.

"Wow." He says. "Ryūji. You never told me you had a sister."

Ami is flattered. "Well... heh... I'm not his sister but I'm a student here as well. New just like you."

Ryūji then adds "And a former mode-..."

"Shut the fuck up." Ami interrupts.

"Yeah SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Adds Jax.

Ryūji stands there in confusion. Then Jax pulls out money from his pocket and hands it to Ami.

"Here." He says. "Why don't you get yourself something nice. Okay?"

Ami is happy. "Oh wow. Thank you... wait..." She says as she looks through the stack. "This is only seven yen."

Jax replies, "I said nice. Not expensive. Oh you gonna be a greedy cow? Huh? You gonna be a digger? Naw. Now get the fuck out of here."

Ami leaves in anger. "You men are all the same..." and she leaves.

"Hey what are you even doing here?!" Asks Ryūji.

"I'm here with the boys!" Says Jax.

"Huh? What are you even talking about?" Asks Ryūji.

"I'm new in town I'm making friends alright? Now let's party!" Says Jax.

Ryūji sighs. "I can't. I have this thing I have to handle at home."

"What thing? I love things! I'm the king of things!" Says Jax.

Ryūji replies, "Home stuff."

Jax says, "Hey. Let's DO something about the thing!"

Ryūji smiles. "Okay sure. Why not? I don't know if Taiga will show up but meh."

Jax says, "Oh yeah. Palm Top Tiger."

The boys head to Ryūji's home. Jax takes interest in everything around him.

"Wow." He said. "So this is what the average home looks like here."

Ryūji says. "Well not average. If anything this place is a massive dump."

Jax is appalled. "Hey come on. My old dump at home? THAT'S a massive dump. Especially multiple massive dukeys inside of it."

Ryūji then gets to cooking dinner when suddenly, Yasuko arrives home.

"Oh hey Ryūji... oh look it's a new friend?! Oh wow! I can't believe it you're letting new friends in! I'm so excited!"

Yasuko hugs Jax tightly and Jax stands there in confusion.

"What's wrong with her?" He asks.

Ryūji replies, "I'm not sure either to be honest. Don't worry about it."

Jax then gets curious about Ryūji. He asks, "Hey when are we ever gonna talk just me and you bro?"

Ryūji says, "Well we can right now. Dinner's done. Yasuko make your own plate right now. I have important business."

They both head into Ryūji's room.

"So what's up?" Ryūji asks.

"Well. Y'know I was the one who stood up to the Palm Top Tiger right?" Jax says.

Ryūji stands there expressionless. He's both confused, offended, and relieved all at once.

"Good job..." He said.

Jax then says. "Sooooo... since I trust you on one secret you gotta trust me on another."

Ryūji says, "Oh like my crush?"

Jax says, "Sure you can tell me any secret you want. I may be crazy but I'm always true to my word."

Ryūji takes in the bravery to say it. "I have a crush on Minori Kushieda."

Jax then says, "Oh... I made a lot of friends but I don't think I friended her yet. Tell me more about her, will ya partner?"

Ryūji then explains everything he knows about Minori. Jax intrigued listens in.

"And I don't know if I can ask her out yet." Ryūji says. "I just don't know if I can fully do it or not."

Jax then says, "Well partner, you gotta make a move somehow. One day you're probably gonna end up in a Santa Suit, in the middle of winter, getting shot down by her, and then have it scramble your life for good."

Ryūji laughs, "Like that will ever happen. Oh wow that's hilarious!"

Jax says, "Hey come on man. I'm serious. Take my advice. I've had girls like that before. And I know how things tend to be. Trust me on this, and you finally achieve the goals of your dreams. You in?"

Ryūji thinks it through. He knows how crazy Jax is, but he seems legitimate when he was actually speaking about his loyalty, and knowledge.

"You got yourself a deal." Says Ryūji.

Jax smiles. "I promise. I will make sure you and that Minori girl WILL be a couple. I don't care if I have my arm chopped off or my head ripped off. I WILL make your dreams come true."

Ryuji feels a sigh of joy when Jax says that. Jax may be insane, and he may be very unethical but deep down, he is a loyal man to his friends no matter what.