Out of the Ordinary by Eruanna17

Chapter 5: A Puzzling, Persistent Problem

Chapter Five! The Secret is Out! (To Shin, anyway)

So! Lots of creative license going on here, because they don't show what Shin's doing in the background in the drama. Hope you enjoy!

Time to learn about traditional Japanese houses!

A genkan is the entry way a step below the rest of the house where people can take off their shoes (and change into slippers) before going in.

A chabudai is a short-legged table where families gather to eat.

When they eat, they traditionally sit on zabutons, which are sitting cushions, rather than chairs.

Sake is rice wine, a common Japanese alcoholic beverage.

"Um, hello?" Shin spoke into the small pink phone.

"Ojou? What happened to your voice? Are you sick? I will have Minoru make you hot pot and tea right now! I'm so sorry, Ojou! It's from my lack of care you're sick! Please don't hurt me!"

Shin stared at the phone again. Who was this? And who was this scary Ojou lady?

"Um, this isn't…Ojou. I found this phone on the ground."

"Eeeh? So Ojou's not sick? Minoru! Cancel the tea!"

"Uh, look, I'm heading home, so if you want to tell me whose phone this is, I can try and give it to them tomorrow. Do they live near Shirokin?"

"Shirokin?" There was a pause and then some incredibly loud whispering. "Minoru! Shirokin's Ojou's school, right?"

Shirokin's an all-boys school. Why would a girl go here? This wasn't a manga, for heaven's sake.

"Who is this?" The phone asked, suddenly suspicious.

"Sawada Shin. Are you going to tell me whose phone this is or what? What's "Ojou's" real name?"

"Uhhhh, she doesn't have one! We can't give it to you! Come to this address! We'll see you soon - bye!"

And then the line went dead. He stared at the stupid pink phone. Why did he have to come to them? Couldn't they just tell him to meet whoever "Ojou" was somewhere tomorrow?

He sighed. He knew where the district was (a good 20 minutes out of his way), and he really didn't want to keep the phone when they expected him to bring it (the guy on the line sounded kind of tough), so he rolled his eyes at the annoyance and started walking.

When he entered the area, he wondered what anyone from this district was doing at or near his school.

"Why do I have to return it?" He muttered to himself as he reached the address. This place seemed a lot nicer than the surrounding buildings. Maybe this "Ojou" is rich and has butlers. Butlers would call someone "Ojou".

"I guess this is the place." Just then, the phone rang with the same number.

"Hello. Thank you for coming all this way." Weird. It's like they knew exactly how long it took to get here from Shirokin.