On the Other Side [Len x Oliver Fanfiction]

Chapter 10 - Shining Food of Frustration

~Oliver's POV~

I sighed and blushed harshly as I shut my notebook. "Jeez...." I bit my lip gently and stood up, heading downstairs.

"Hah, look at 'em go!" My father cheered at the television screen, but I don't know what he was watching. I'm about 100% sure it wasn't football though. He hates football.

"I'm going out for a walk!" I called to him as I opened the door up and waited for his response.

"Okay, be safe!" He called back, waving a hand at me from where he was positioned on the couch.

"Bye," I said as I made my way out the door and closed it behind me.

It was a nice day out, and the wind was blowing gently through my hair. I had to hold onto my hat to keep it from falling off.

I didn't really know where I was going, so when I got downtown, I ended up wandering around for a while. I did happen to run into a certain someone, however....

"Hey, Oliver!" He called cheerfully over to me and I smiled at him.

"Hi. It's been a while, hmm?" I covered my mouth with my hand as I chuckled softly. I guess it was girly, but it was out of habit, okay?

He clicked his tongue. "Sure has. Hey, you wanna go get something to eat while we're here? I haven't eaten yet and it would be a good chance to catch up."

I nodded and beamed at him. "Sure, Fukase!"

We walked around for awhile before actually deciding on where to eat. We ended up just going to a Korean restaurant. Why was I going to these different restaurants...? I don't really know....

"Welcome," A waitress greeted us with a smile. Fukase smiled back, and so did I. She had pretty, long pink hair, and I was unfocused for a moment, but snapped back when we sat down.

"This place is really good," Fukase retorted as he sat down.

I nodded and looked down at the table. The waitress brought over a portable gas stove, got our orders, and asked us if she should do the cooking.

"Yes please." Fukase nodded, and I just stayed quiet as the girl nodded back and left, coming back with a few things to cook with.

While the waitress began to cook the food we ordered, Fukase gave me a somewhat wry smile. "So I hear you've got a girlfriend? Lucky, huh?"

I immediately blushed and waved my hands back and forth as a 'no'. "N-no," I said, shaking my head. "I-I actually.... U-um, I-I r-rejected a g-girl...." I looked down in guilt and embarrassment, but Fukase just chuckled.

"So you did get asked out then...." He hummed softly in thought for a moment before pointing a finger at the girl cooking our food. "You haven't ever met her, I suppose?"

I raised an eyebrow at him and glanced over at the girl. She didn't look familiar. "No...." I said slowly. "Why?"

"She's a Vocaloid," Fukase said nonchalantly. "Her name's Uni."

Uni smiled and nodded her head at me slightly as she continued to cook. "Nice to meet you."

I nodded, still a bit confused with all this, but I let it slide since I was getting food. Even if I had to pay anyway.

"So, how've you been then? Hio still as reckless as always?"

I shook my head. "No, he's much better now. He's more mature."

Fukase huffed softly, looking a bit disappointed. "Hah, no one in your family's very fun, are they...?"

I flinched at the insult and raised my hands. "U-um, w-we're f-f-fun...! W-we just...h-have our o-own ways...!" I nodded my head rapidly, eagerly trying to convince Fukase that we were fun people. I don't know why, though. It's not like I really cared about his opinion anyway.... Or anyone's opinion for that matter.

"Hmm? So I thought." Fukase smiled mischievously. "I was just joking, don't worry." He waved a hand at me and snickered.

"O-oh.... R-right...." I laughed awkwardly and fidgeted slightly in my seat.

"Oliver, tell me something." Fukase looked away for a moment as he spoke, seeming lost in thought.

I tilted my head in confusion as he leaned his head back in his seat and chuckled to himself.

"Why...?"

I narrowed my eyes, utterly confused by the question. "What do you mean, 'why'...?"

"What do I mean...? Oh my...." Fukase's speech pattern became a bit distorted to me. It was strange, like he was angry and yet found it amusing himself.

I sat there, shocked and confused. What exactly...was happening...?

"You know, right...? Don't play dumb, Ollie." Fukase smiled grimly at me, and folded his hands together.

I tensed up in my seat at the nickname he gave me. It was strange and nostalgic, but also very eerie....

I hadn't realized, but the food had finished cooking, and Uni had probably sensed the strange atmosphere and left before she got involved.

"Wha...? What are you talking about...?" I got enough courage boiled up in me to place my hands on the table demandingly. It didn't seem to have any effect on Fukase however.

"Oliver, we both know you're lying, and you should spit it out before something regretful happens. I'll ask once more: why?" Fukase leaned forward on the table and held a creepy smile.

"I...." I stuttered for an answer and racked my brain for what he might be talking about, but I couldn't find anything. "I don't know! What are you going on about?!"

Fukase sighed and leaned back in his chair again. He stood up and swung his cane around a bit. "You really are stupid, aren't you...? I wonder what happened...?"

I trembled with anger at that. It had taken almost all my energy to stop myself from exploding at him in anger at calling me 'stupid'.

"Well, I'll be off then." Fukase nodded and began to walk past me out of the small room we were in, but I grabbed his arm.

"What are you talking about? Also, I'm not paying for the food."

He gave a small chuckle. "Don't worry, Uni's got it covered."

And with that, he walked out, completely avoiding my question.