The Story of the Seven

CHAPTER 20 - All Good Things Come To An End

The bus ride home was eerily silent.

Perhaps she's a little hurt by my answer? Or was she kinda serious of that proposal?

Although I was curious, I dared not ask in fear that I would twist the knife further into her wound.

The ride back was lonely, like that crippling depression that follows when a school sleep-over vacation ends. But I guess, all fun things will eventually come to a stop, so I prepared myself to re-enter my regular life.

"Yo, Amane?"

"What?"

"Don't you get depressed after a school vacation?"

"Ah, I was just thinking about that just now, you know."

"Seriously?"

"I wish this time would go on forever."

"True, but we seriously need to get back to our regular lives."

"...........Hey, Haruto?"

"?"

"Don't you need to get off at this stop?"

"!!"

I grabbed my stuff and hurridly jump off. I was going to say somethin' like "See you tomorrow!" when Amane abruptly stood up and yelled at the top of her lungs.

"CONSIDER MY PROPOSAL!"

With that, the doors closed and the bus sped off, leaving me in the dust.

"Whaa.......???????"

CHAPTER SIX

I totally did not go back home.

Too scared of the prospect of facing my parents (Mom in particular), I went to school - never mind the fact that I looked like a run-down train wreck due to anxiety. Sure enough, I got chewed to death by my homeroom teacher, then each of my individual subject teachers, then by the vice principal, then by the principal herself. Yeah. I was in a hella of a tough situation.

On the contrary, though, a certain girl seemed carefully and bright.

"Hey Haruto! Why do you look so tired?"

"You kidding me? Why do you think?"

"Well, you know the proverb In one ear, out the other?"

"Yeah?"

"I used that mystical technique, so I don't feel at all down after getting scolded by anyone "

"You seriously never learn, huh?"

"Well, I just want to live life fun and to the fullest "

"I admire you positivity, but seriously, I'm so worn out."

"Don't worry! Come with me; I'll treat you to somethin' at me home, once school's over.

"Thanks."

I was naïve enough to actually follow Amane back to her home. Once I stepped a foot into the tavern, I was yelled at simultaneously by Amane's parents, plus Toukichi and for some reason, Mafuyu's dad. Just exactly how much trouble was I in?

"Haruto! You scared us half to death! What were you thinking, playing right into my daughter's hand?" (Ayamoto)

"You know, we had a full-on panic attack since you two wouldn't return. I've aged a century due to all the stress you caused me!" (Ayamoto's dad)

"Seriously man? Seriously?" (Toukichi)

"You do realize that Mafuyu was worrying about you the whole time you were gone? And you do realize how much pressure that put on me?" (Mafuyu's dad)