The Derp Squad

The Japanese Girl Part 2

Agreeing on the thought to watch another horror film, Tao and Jurii made their way to Tao's car.

"Hey. I'm not going to do this if you don't want to, Tao-chan." Jurii said as she strapped on her seatbelt in place.

Tao, being busy in starting the car, just smiled. "I'm dead serious about this. I want to finally break out from my stupid fear. And knowing your story just made me want to break out from this stupid fear as soon as possible." He answered her without taking his eyes off the road.

Jurii didn't know how to respond to that seemingly sappy statement that Tao just said. Truthfully, she finds Tao really interesting and charming. But most of all, she finds him cute in a tough guy kind of way. And his tantalizing panda like eyes - Gosh, those eyes are amazing - are not helping her to contain her focus while being inside a constricted space with him.

On the other hand, Tao wished that Jurii didn't notice his sudden blurting out of cheesy comment. Even he himself didn't know why he said that. But deep within himself, he's not contrite on that he said those words. It's the reality of it. It's real that because of Jurii's story, he finally felt that he can watch or face any horror stuff without ending up being a total loser.

Their car ride for the first 5 minutes was silent. The both of them are so wrapped up with their thoughts until out of nowhere, Jurii asked in a whisper-like voice "Are you currently single, Tao-chan?" before covering her mouth.

Not really sure if he heard her right, Tao slowed down their speed and turn his head to her direction. "Didn't really understand what you've just said, my dear."

"Nothing. It's nothing, Tao-chan." She replied in a rather unsteady voice. She just hoped that he didn't see any traces of lying on her face. She's mentally scolding herself for saying that without thinking. But she's just so taken by Tao's presence and she couldn't help if she keep thinking about her and him being together.

She unconsciously said "Baka wa surenai, Jurii. Damare, damare, damare." (Baka wa surenai - Stop this stupidity. Damare - Stop.)

"Please don't speak Japanese, Jurii. I can't tell if you're making fun of me or cursing me under your breath. I'm begging you." Tao joked, being really confused of Jurii's sudden change of language. She sounds pretty pissed off by her tone. He couldn't be sure, tho.

Just to divert the convetsation where the both of them will be comfortable, Jurii asked Tao where they're going.

"Down to my hyungs' and noonas' place. Or as we call it, The Derp House."

She fought back a chuckle but she failed to. "I mean for real? Why?"

He smiled and explained. "It's my noonas' name for their group. To their point of view, they're the bunch of misfit kids during their college days. Then this word Derp became very popular so they adapted that name. They bought a house before graduating college so they can stay there together."

"Oh~ That's just so cute! And all of the girls there are IRL with your big bros, right? Aw! That's really cute! But are you sure they wouldn't get mad that we're going there just to watch a movie?" She asked.

He just shrugged. "Of course. I can go there anytime I want. And being one of the youngest has its perks." Tao looked at Jurii and give her a wink before looking again on the road. When Jurii put down her head, he smiled because he knows that she's somehow affected by his unfailing charms.

And then there's Jurii. Even though under the dimness of the inside of the car, she can practically see the blush from her cheeks at the window. Doushiyou, Tao-chan?!? She thought and she's sure that she didn't said that out loud again or else she's busted. (Doushiyo? - What do I do?)