Shin Megami Tensei Fan Fiction ❯ Dear Diary ❯ June 1st, 2009 ( Chapter 7 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Author’s Note: Phew! It’s been a long time! I’m so sorry for the wait, and I hope that you really like the next two chapters! Another good one is coming up! Thank you so much for all of the reviews and subscriptions! Each one was another little push to get this chapter out, and I’m already working on the next one too! So Happy Late Holidays, everyone! A shorter, but happier chapter for you all! (Mainly a set-up for the next chapterÉ hope you like it anyway!

Music Suggestion: www . youtube . com/watch?v=KC1hnFSp2DQ

June 1st

Dear Diary,

There have been a lot of funny rumors flying around school latelyÉ Ghost stories. It would sound silly to me normally, but what if Shadows are involved? Akihiko-senpai thinks that the rumors are something that should be looked into, so there must be something going on. Akihiko-senpai’s really smartÉ and he’s really nice too. We’ve started hanging out recently and it’s been fun!

It’s been almost a month since the last full moon and I still haven’t spoken to Junpei. Well, not for his lack of tryingÉ but I’ve been avoiding him. Though he did corner me todayÉ

Haruhi sighed with a weary smile. It had been her turn for classroom cleaning duties this afternoon, and she had just finished. The sun was low in the sky, filling the halls and entryway with a deep orange glow as she descended the stairs, making her way toward the lockers.
As she reached her locker, someone stepped out from behind the end of the row and moved to stand next to her. Someone who was a bit taller than herÉ and wearing a stupid hat that she would recognize anywhere and a painfully out of character somber expression. With a brief light scowl, she turned and gave her undivided attention to the task of retrieving her shoes from her locker.
He stood silently, just staring at her as she slipped out of her school slippers in and into her loafers. With only the empty silence of the entrance hall broken by the scuffing of her shoes to distract her from his obvious gaze, Haruhi quickly found herself growing agitated. Finally, she deposited her slippers into her locker and closed it with a slam.
ÒWhat, Junpei?Ó She snarled, whipping her head in his direction.
Despite his gloomy mood, Junpei couldn’t help but smirk weakly at getting a rise out of her. He squashed the urge to ruffle her hair and leaned against the lockers, hands shoved deep in his pockets.
ÒHehÉ At least you said somethingÉÓ He murmured, trying his luck at a winning smile. With a grumble Haruhi strode past him, feeling even more irritated when he followed, falling into step beside her. ÒC’mon, Haru-chan, you can’t ignore me forever.Ó
ÒReally? That happens to be my goal.Ó
With a determined glare, he stepped in front of her to block her path.
ÒCome on, why won’t you even let me apologize? I feel awful!Ó He frowned down at her.  She simply averted her gaze moodily and moved to step around him, managing three paces away from him before she felt his hand close around her wrist. She immediately whirled around, her eyes alight with anger.
ÒDon’t you get it!?Ó She snarled, ÒI don’t care! I want you to feel awful! Don’t you have any idea how you made me feel!? I thought you were my friend, Junpei! You really hurt- You said all of those- You’re terrible! You could have died! You could have gotten us all killed!Ó
ÒI’m sorry!Ó He shouted desperately down at her, still clinging onto her wrist as if he were afraid she’d try to shake him off. ÒI was an idiot! I was a jerk! I was a self-absorbed piece of scum! I know I shouldn’t have said those things and I know I shouldn’t have run off! I messed up, and I’m sorry, Haruhi.Ó
The sound of her name with his panicked voice made her face soften slightly.
ÒTell me what you want me to say, and I’ll say it. Tell me what you want me to do, and I’ll do it! I just can’t take not being your friend.Ó
He felt her begin to pull away and strengthened his grip on her wrist in one last desperate attempt.
ÒLet me buy you dinner. We need to discuss those rumors about that ghost anyway, right? Please, HaruhiÉÓ

Haruhi soon found herself sitting opposite Junpei at Wakatsu Restaurant, located in the Iwatodai strip mall. They had both ordered large beef platters and were busy savoring the flavor of the seasoning. The quality of the food was good and was putting Haruhi in a better mood.
ÒSo,Ó Haruhi set her chopsticks down, Òhave you heard anything about those rumors yet? I’ve only gotten a chance to talk to the other student I was doing classroom duties with this afternoon, and she said that this wasn’t the first time that someone was found unconscious outside the school- It was the third time.Ó
ÒHuh?Ó Junpei looked up mid-bite, setting his food down again. ÒI guess that is kind of suspicious.Ó
ÒWell, what have you found out?Ó Haruhi asked earnestly, picking up her chopsticks again, deciding which delicious piece of beef or vegetable she was going to eat next.
Junpei chuckled, picking his food up again to take a bite,
ÒWho, me? Ah, I’m not gonna bother with that stuff. Leave that to Yukari.Ó

Haruhi choked momentarily on a bell pepper at this. After taking a large gulp of water, she glared angrily at a now amused Junpei.
ÒYou aren’t even going to try asking around for information!? You lazy little-Ò
ÒAw, c’mon. They’re just rumors.Ó He grinned, taking another bite of beef.
ÒYou said we were coming here to discuss these rumors!Ó She fixed him with an incredulous, irritated stare.
Junpei swallowed, smirking.
ÒEh, I only said that so you would come out with me. You’ve been a hard girl to talk to this past month, Haru-chan.Ó
His face was slightly smug, but his voice was light and apologetic in a way which quelled her desire to start shouting at him. Instead, she simply scowled down at her platter as she stabbed another piece of beef with her chopsticks.
ÒWellÉ I still haven’t forgiven you for what you said to me.Ó
ÒYou really shouldÉÓ
She glanced up from her plate to see him gazing at her carefully, a sad, half smile twitching upon his face.
ÒI’m really sorry, Haru-chan. I mean it.Ó
Haruhi stared back down at her plate, unwilling to look at him while he spoke to her.
ÒI guess, I was just jealousÉ and a bit misogynistic.Ó He smirked sadly, his eyes dropping to his own plate briefly before glancing back up at her. ÒI guess with me being the only guy in the group before Akihiko came back got me thinking that I should be in charge to protect you and Yuka-tan. And it seemed like everything was coming so easy to youÉ the recognitionÉ leadershipÉÓ
Her eyes shot up to his, fiery. She opened her mouth to retort, but he cut her off before a single word was uttered.
ÒI know this isn’t true. You work harder than the rest of us, especially hard to prove yourself. I think I’ve always known it tooÉ but I let myself get wrapped up in my own self-pity that I just forgot itÉ I know that doesn’t make it right. ButÉÓ
He fixed her with a serious, pleading look.
ÒHaruhiÉ I’m really sorry.Ó
She frowned, averting her gaze again.
ÒI know you areÉ But I can’t pretend that you didn’t hit me where it hurts.Ó
ÒI knowÉÓ He replied desperately, ÒYou don’t have to forgive me right away, but I’ll make it up to you. I’ll make it better, I promise.Ó
He chanced a small smile that she couldn’t help but reciprocate.
ÒI’ve really missed being your friend.Ó He said, his smile growing.
ÒMe too.Ó
As they ate their meals, things seemed to slowly begin falling back into the way they were before, and with an amazing feat of endurance they had each finished their platters, sides and desserts within the hour. With a great, satisfied sigh, Junpei leaned back in his seat.
ÒThat was greatÉ I can’t eat anymore.Ó He chuckled, glancing across the table at Haruhi, who was dabbing her face with a napkin. ÒBut man, you ate a lot too. You ordered the same stuff as me, right? How in the world did all of that fit inside your thin little bodyÉ?Ó
Haruhi felt her face light up like a stop light as heat rushed to her cheeks. She averted her eyes from his impressed stare and scowled slightly.
ÒWh-what!? What kind of question is that!?Ó
He laughed out loud a little before continuing,
ÒRemember how I told you that one time that there are guys that’re interested in you? I bet they’d be shocked if they saw how much you can eat.Ó
She scowled as he winked at her. Snatching up her glass of water to take a sip.
ÒMeh, like I care.Ó
He smirked at her with a nod.
ÒYeah, you got a point. Worrying about stuff like that’ll just ruin the good food you’re eating.Ó Saying this seemed to lighten her scowl on her face, so he smiled and continued, ÒAlso, you seem happy when you’re eating. It makes me feel good watching you.Ó
Haruhi flushed again, snapping her eyes to his. He laughed happily at her reaction, picking up his own glass of water to finish what was left of it.
Late that night, Haruhi laid awake in her bed, staring up at the ceiling in the dark. Today had gone alright, she guessed. As much as a more stubborn part of her hated to admit it, she really had missed JunpeiÉ at least a little bit, anyway. With a smile, she turned over to face the rest of her roomÉ only to meet a pair of eyes of brightest blue. Eyes that seemed to almost glow in the moonlight. Eyes that belonged to a very mysterious, albeit familiar boy. She yelped aloud, bolting upright in her bed.
ÒGood evening.Ó The boy giggled, ÒI came to see you again as I promised. How are you?Ó
Clutching her heart, Haruhi steadied her breathing before answering.
ÒI’mÉ I’m alrightÉ I guessÉ But could you give me more of a warning next time you visit?Ó She sighed, shifting to sit in a more comfortable position. The boy giggled again- an eerie, unnerving giggle, though it didn’t hold a shred of malicious intent.
ÒI’m glad you remembered me.Ó He smiled at her, pausing for a long uncomfortable moment. Haruhi blinked at him for a moment before nodding in response.
ÒWellÉ you’re kind of hard to forgetÉÓ She stated, trailing off rather lamely.
ÒI’ve come to tell youÉÓ He shifted closer to her, his eyes shining earnestly, ÒIn another week, the moon will be full againÉ and the next ordeal will be upon you. So be very careful.Ó
Haruhi stared unblinkingly at him. This warning sounded slightly familiar.
ÒThe moon will be fullÉ againÉ? Do you mean-Ò But she was cut off by her own gasp as the boy disappeared from in front of her and reappeared at her door. She could still see his blue eyes glinting at her from the darkness.
ÒÉI’ll come again.Ó
With another gasp, she whipped the covers off of her, stretching out an arm as she lurched out of bed.
ÒWait! Tell me what’s going to happen! What ordeal!? Is it going to be like the last full moon!?Ó
...But it was no useÉthe boy had already gone.
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