Desire - H. Umemiya

Chapter 5. Whirlwinds of Emotions

Umemiya Hajime once heard of the new kid in Makochi. He was planning to welcome him like what he did to the others but that plan got postponed when urgent matters arose, especially that of Shishitoren. He got his hands full that he wasn't able to properly welcome the kid on the first day but hopefully he'll be able to make it up with this invitation.

But to his fascination, the new kid seems to be more interested to his plants rather than him, the farmer, himself, though he was not upset about it, clearly not.

He talked to his fellows for a while but often finds himself distracted by the new guy nearby his plants. He seems to be interested in the fruit of his planting.

And then suddenly he plucked one of his tomato fruit. That did it.

"Ahhh!!! How'd you know they're to be harvested today?" He immediately approach the lad who did not sense him coming his way.

This was not actually his first time meeting the new kid because he saw him around Sakura's neighborhood when he once joined Sakura Haruka to go to school (he was actually left behind), he was confused why he hid though.

But to see him up close glaring at him with a pout, he don't seem to be a danger, well, he seems to like plants.

'No man who likes plants are evil.' He quotes. Though that's not probably even a real quote to begin with.

Looking at it, the newbie looks like a cat with his expression like that. Umemiya glanced at Sakura because he was reminded of him too, the latter though remains unaware of the glance Umemiya's throwing his way.

"Oh, sorry sorry... I didn't mean to surprise you." He apologized as he picked up the tomato and handed it over to him.

Yuki withdrew her glare and whispered. "It's fine." She brought out her handkerchief from her pants' pocket and wiped the surface of the fruit with it. "By the way...?"

"I'm Umemiya Hajime, a third year." Umemiya introduced when Yuki glance his way.

"Then.... Umemiya...-san..." she couldn't help but add the honorifics when he saw Sugishita looking her way. 'He's looking like a monitor.' she thought before returning her gaze to Umemiya who was waiting for what she was to say.

"... what is this fruit called?"

"Pft... You're going that way..." Umemiya bursted out laughing right there with his hands holding his stomach in. This reaction made Yuki a bit pissed because she was genuinely asking. She was forbidden from almost doing anything, therefore, it can't be helped how she can be ignorant with a lot of things.

"What? Is it that funny?" She asked unenthusiastically, her mood dropping at the moment.

Umemiya have not met anyone clearly this uninterested of him, somehow it makes him wanting to change that. Though he can't possibly just blurt it out to the person or in public, that will make him look like he got his nose stuck up otherwise self-absorbed.

"Well, I've never met anyone who doesn't know about tomatoes, you're interesting." Umemiya wiped the tear he had on his eyes.

"I like you." He said flashing her a smile and proceeded to patting her on the shoulders.

This caught Yuki off guard.

"Li-li-like? What do you mean?" She back off from Umemiya straight away as her face burned red from both surprise and embarassment.

"I'm into girls." She added faking a cough. Though in reality she was totally a straight girl.

Her statement brought Umemiya into a hysterical fit of laughter yet again as he was now on the floor slapping the ground with his hand as he was holding unto his stomach with the other.

"I-I didn't mean it that way pfft...hahaha" he continued laughing but immediately came to a halt when Hiragi Toma dragged him up by pulling the back collar of his shirt. "Don't trouble the new kid, Umemiya."

"Nah... He's just interesting I can't help it." He explained teary eyed from laughing.

"I'm Hiragi Toma, don't worry about this weirdo here... that's just his usual." He brought his hand to the front for a handshake.

Yuki calmed down from that explanation.

"Looks like it. The name's Shinomiya Yuki, senpai." She introduced herself too as she shook his hands, it seems like only Hiragi here earned her respect.

"Hey, I'm still here, you know." Umemiya pouted but grinned when his eyes found hers. "It probably is too late to say this but, Shinomiya Yuki-kun, welcome to Furin High!!!"

To that Yuki gave one genuine smile because for once someone has gladly welcomed her.

"Thank you." she replied.

"..." Umemiya, surprisingly was astonished. He blinked his eyes a few times waking up from what it seems like a dream before faking a cough masking his fluster.

"O-Oh, why don't we celebrate it at Café Pothos. I'll introduce you to Kotoha-chan. You like girls, right? Maybe, she can give you a shot!!!" He jested trying to get the flutters he felt away from his mind.

"Sh-shut up!!!" 

"You can also bring home some tomatoes if you'd want!"

Shinomiya Yuki haven't met someone like him before and certainly she would want to continue that if today did not happen. He was someone she just couldn't bear with. Like if she had to compare them to something, it would be like the north and the south pole - they are absolutely polar opposite - like water and oil, black and white, so she wishes she wouldn't see him again. He's just way too energetic and talkative, that's why!!!

"I don't need them!!!"

With that she left running away from Umemiya who now had a paper bag in his hand full of tomatoes, though he stopped chasing her when the door to the stairs shuts creating a loud sound surprising him.

"Oh dear." he sighed as he brush back his hair. He turned to Sakura and gave him the paper bag.

"Suo-kun, go get him. We can't have the main character of the welcome party absent, right?" he stated before leaving to get his jacket frrom the stockroom.

The flow of event left everyone present to sweat drop, both from the chaotic event that has transpired and the way their leader behaved, while Suo just let out a laugh before going after Yuki.

'It looks like he really took a liking on Shinomiya-kun...' Hiragi thought as he took some of his stomach pills.