On a journey? [mizu <3 + open]

[Azuma Wataru]

OOC: Anyone is welcome to join! And just to note, Wataru is NOT in school uniform or the tumbling shirt so he just looks like a normal yankee. Hope the start was alright! =)


It was almost dawn and Wataru was sitting on the bench waiting for the train to arrive. For some weird reason, there was only an elderly couple at the other end of the platform. Not alot of people at all.The sun was low and the sky was pink, mixing with the light shades of blue, giving off a hint of purple. There was hardly any clouds today, except for the soft trace in the edge of the west side of the sky. It was like an oil-painting hanging in an art museum.

He didnt tell anyone about going to Tokyo to collect the books and DVD's he ordered from the bookstore. Delivery would cost more money and he didnt want that, so he had to go get it himself in person. Actually, he only told his mum that he would be home late and the team that he had to leave early and could not make it to evening practise. Somehow, he wanted to surprise the team.

Or was it because he didnt want to lose his 'cool' side and show his softer side to everyone else. For one thing, yankees do not want to look weak.

There was certainly a hint of excitement in Wataru which also sparked his determination to help improve the team's techniques and ideas. Maybe he could drop by some CD shops to check out music aswell. Music that would work with their routine. The thought of it made it hard for Wataru to contain his grin.

Another thing he wanted to do was to buy the yakisoba bread near the tokyo station. That place was very famous for their bread and yakisoba bread for Wataru's tummy? Yes please!

He glanced at his watch to find that the train wasnt going to come for another 16 minutes. Wow, he was early. And he was usually not an early person. Then, turning to the elderly couple, he saw their lovey-dovey-ness as the old man handed his wife a small bottle of water while the old woman wiped the sweat off her husband's forehead. The were going on a journey, it seemed. It was almost cute to Wataru.

Taking out the hand drawn map of where to go in Tokyo, he grabbed it from his pocket. Yep, it was drawn really crappily. Well, he didnt have 1% of artistic gene in him. The pencil drawn map could past as a 8 year old's work. He squinted at the paper. "Uh oh" He frowned. The lead markings smudged a little and now, it was even more hard to read than before.

Should he just go another day to collect the book and redo his map?

No, decided Wataru. It has to be done today. He wanted to get it over and done with and also, he notified the people that he was going to collect his orders today.

Ah, I got it! Wataru held the piece of map up and let some of the sunlight pass through, hoping it to make it clearer...somehow. Unfortunately, it didnt seem to work, so he tried holding it at different angles and tilting it.

Then, out of no where, a strong gust of wind blew the paper out from his grasp and over to the far far right side of him, still fluttering a little.

Sighing, he got up and took one step to the map, only to see someone had violently stomped their foot directly on it.

[Mizusawa Taku]

Mizusawa hadn't been feeling well. That was why he'd left practice a little earlier. Generally, sick or not, he would stay the entire time, but today he just hadn't had the willpower to stay. Plus, Wataru hadn't even come to practice--he'd let Yuuta know ahead of time, of course, but his absence still meant a lot to the team.

So, dressed in his school uniform, Mizusawa had left to trudge home, his messenger bag weighed down by all the books he he'd crammed in there for homework that night. His house wasn't very far from the school, but even so, he'd missed the bus that would get him nearer home, and walking as tired as he was with a tummy ache this bad felt pretty awful.

That was when he'd seen the bus approaching. Confused, he'd looked at his wristwatch and saw that the time was far later than the bus usually arrived. That, and he had conveniently wound up in front of another bus stop, in time for the bus to make a clean stop in front of him and allow him to board.

But he wasn't complaining, because he was suddenly feeling extra tired and extra sick. He'd paid the fare and taken a seat at the back of the bus, by a window, hoping to stay clear of other people on the off-chance that he got sick before getting home.

He didn't realize he was dozing off until it was too late.

By the time he woke up, they had already passed his house. Only a few minutes had gone by, maybe 10 at most, but it had been enough. He was no longer near his house--probably the same distance away as he had been before getting on the bus, only in the opposite direction.

Waking up to the bus coasting to a stop once more, Mizusawa jumped awake, looked out the window, and blanched. The sun was already beginning to set, and the area around him was nowhere he recognized right away. This was bad! Getting quickly out of his seat and momentarily forgetting his stomach ache, he rushed to the doors of the bus to get off, hopping out in time to realize that he had taken the bus all the way to the train station.

And his stomach still hurt pretty bad. Groaning and clutching his stomach, he knew he wasn't going to be able to go all the way home on his own now. He was less tired, sure, but he just wasn't up to walking. Looking around, he didn't see any benches he could rest on, but he knew there had to be some in the station. And so, hoisting up his schoolbag, he headed into the station.

There were only a few other people there, but no one was occupying the bench nearest him. He rushed over to it and sat down, sighing a little. The pain in his stomach disappeared a little when he was resting. Now, if he called his family, maybe his father was already home and could give him a ride back--although that was unlikely. His dad was usually out until late at night. He'd be lucky to be home in time for dinner.

Still, Mizusawa reached for his phone, glancing at the people around him again, and the surprisingly calming surrounding area.

And that was when he noticed it. The bright red hair. Wataru. Sitting on a bench not too far away, perusing a piece of paper with a serious look on his face.

Mizusawa stopped reaching for his phone, his mouth falling open in surprise at the realization of who was before him. Wataru had not gone to practice, but he hadn't told them why. But this...this had to have something to do with it. He hadn't really thought much about it before, but suddenly, Mizusawa found himself curious to know why exactly Wataru had not shown up.

Getting to his feet, and momentarily forgetting all about his stomach ache again, Mizusawa moved towards Wataru and the bench he was perched on.

Then, the paper went flying out of Wataru's hands, sailing away on the unseen breeze, right towards Mizusawa. It landed for a moment, a few paces away, and he quickly rushed up to it, stamping down with his foot to keep it from getting away again.

"Azuma," Mizusawa spoke breathlessly, staring at Wataru for a moment, before reaching down to grab the paper. He stared at it for a moment, recognizing it as some kind of makeshift map. Something Wataru had clearly done on his own--though Mizusawa couldn't quite tell what it was a map of.

Handing the paper back to Wataru, he stared the other boy in the eye. Even though Wataru was a yankee, he trusted the red-haired boy, enough so that he could be honest with him. And show when he was concerned. "What's going on, Azuma? Where are you going?"

[Azuma Wataru]

Looking at who stamped their foot on the map, Wataru felt a slightly pissed off at the rudeness, but when he recognised the figure, surprise took over. It was Mizusawa. Wataru was pretty sure his face showed just what he was thinking and feeling.
"Mizusawa..?" He didnt have to squash the map to death, thought Wataru. Couldnt he just have bent over and picked it up?

"Azuma," Mizusawa spoke breathlessly, staring at Wataru for a moment, before reaching down to grab the paper. . Oh no.. Mizusawa was was looking at the hand drawn map and have seemed to recognise that it was drawn by Wataru. It was embarrasing. Really embarrasing and Wataru started to blush just a slight tint of pink on his cheeks.

"What's going on, Azuma? Where are you going?" Should he tell him where he was going? Mizusawa was a nice guy and Wataru respected him because of his tumbling skills and nature that seemed to get along with everyone easily. Actually, Wataru enjoyed hanging out with Mizusawa. He seemed to have a 'calming' atmosphere around him.

To be honest, Wataru thought that it was Mizusawa and Yuuta were the ones that kept the tumbling team together. Most of the times, Mizusawa was quite and kept his cool. He was the type to do the supporting in the shadows.

Grabbing the map from Mizusawa's hand, he hastily replied " Um, I'm just going out of town to buy some DVDs" carefully not to mention how it was actually things for the team. Wataru didnt want to tell him.. not yet, maybe later.

Or, he should ask Mizusawa to tag along so Wataru wouldnt be so bored. It was also more easier to go with someone else as the chance of getting lost in the streets would minimize that chance.

But on second thought, he didnt want to trouble Mizusawa. AND it was embarassing... yankees werent supposed to act or think like that. They were supposed to be tough and hard to get along with.

Then, he asked "Why are you here? Isnt there practise on?" Wataru wanted to shift the attention away from himself.

Sometimes, Mizusawa was like a mystery too, Wataru didnt know much about him, where he lived, what his hobbies were. But Wataru never really payed attention to these things. Mizusawa seemed like the typical 'goody-goody' so Wataru thought it was surprising that Mizusawa was missing out on practise.

Wataru walked back over on the bench and sat back down. "It's late, you shouldnt be here right?" What Wataru meant was that he didnt think Mizusawa lived near this area but for some reason, it sounded a little funny. Correcting it, he added " I mean, you dont live near here right?"

[Mizusawa Taku]

"Mizusawa..?"

There was a look of surprise on the other boy's face, which Mizusawa only saw for a moment before looking down at the paper in his hands. When he handed the paper to Wataru, he didn't notice the boy's blush.

Grabbing the map from Mizusawa's hand, he hastily replied " Um, I'm just going out of town to buy some DVDs" carefully not to mention how it was actually things for the team.

Mizusawa gave him a sideways glance. "...You can't check the local stores? I'm sure they'd have whatever it is you're looking for." He wasn't going to pry, especially if Wataru didn't want to tell him anything more than that. But it did seem weird that Wataru was making this sound so secretive, just to get some DVDs. Or maybe it was just him reading into things too much.

Then, he asked "Why are you here? Isnt there practise on?" Wataru wanted to shift the attention away from himself.

Mizusawa nodded, heaving a big sigh. "I left early, because I wasn't feeling well." He ran a hand through his hair, feeling very tired after a long school day. And his stomach ache...He'd forgotten about that. Ugh.

At that moment, Wataru had walked back over to the bench to sit down. Mizusawa, welcoming the comfort of sitting down, joined the other boy.

"It's late, you shouldnt be here right?" What Wataru meant was that he didnt think Mizusawa lived near this area but for some reason, it sounded a little funny. Correcting it, he added " I mean, you dont live near here right?"

Mizusawa nodded, not sure if what had really happened was even interesting enough for Wataru to want to listen to. "Yeah. I just missed my stop on the bus is all. I fell asleep during the ride." He decided he wouldn't trouble Wataru with the fact that he was now stranded here, until his father was done working.

Looking out at the twilight a moment longer, he paused before speaking again. "...Are you okay, Azuma? I mean, you didn't just skip out on rehearsal for this, did you?" Realizing how rude that might sound, he added, "Sorry, for prying, I mean. You don't really have to answer that."

Suddenly, another sharp pang ran through his stomach, and he winced, reaching up to clutch his stomach tightly.

[Azuma Wataru]

"It's late, you shouldnt be here right?" What Wataru meant was that he didnt think Mizusawa lived near this area but for some reason, it sounded a little funny. Correcting it, he added " I mean, you dont live near here right?"

"Yeah. I just missed my stop on the bus is all. I fell asleep during the ride." He decided he wouldn't trouble Wataru with the fact that he was now stranded here, until his father was done working.

Mizusawa falling asleep on the bus would have been an interesting sight, decided Wataru. He must have been really tired since he dozed off. Wataru would love to see the lazy side Mizusawa had, if he had any, snoring during his sleep like a pig, and maybe even drooling a little. It would be so funny.

Then, Mizusawa interrupted Wataru's silly imagination "...Are you okay, Azuma? I mean, you didn't just skip out on rehearsal for this, did you?" Realizing how rude that might sound, he added, "Sorry, for prying, I mean. You don't really have to answer that."

Wataru was glad that Mizusawa was considering him to be such an important presence in the team. It wasnt particularly normal that an academic young teenage boy would easily befriend a yankee and be so kind to them. Usually, people would avoid yankees at all cost, at all times, as if they were some kind of deadly plague. Especially this red haired, bad tempered Azuma Wataru who was worse than a trouble maker. But yet, once he joined the tumbling team, Mizusawa was once of the earliest who stuck out his hand willingly to help him. One of the earliest to become friends with him other than Ryosuke and Nippori. Mizusawa taught him many things.

Deciding that he didn't want Mizusawa to worry about him anymore, finally, Wataru told him the truth "Actually... I'm going out of town to get some tumbling resources.. like DVD's, books and stuff.." He didnt need to say anymore because he knew that Mizusawa would understand that it was embarassing for a yankee to admit this. But Wataru knew it was better to be honest, for the good of himself and his friend. "I had to skip rehearsals for this y'know? It's important" Smiling, Wataru gave Mizusawa the 'thumbs up' sign.

"Now that I think about it, I've never been to your house before. It must be far eh?" It should be far, thought Wataru, since he seemed to be taking the train home and the stations here were spaced pretty far apart from each other. "You guys always come for omelette rice and all that but I've never been to yours or Yuuta's house. Oh or Hino's one. Or Satoshi's....So many! Thats so not fair!" Wataru pouted as he thought of all the times the team would frequently dine at his place, not bothered to pay. Specifically, his mum wouldnt let them pay. And they ate alot. Many tonnes of rice gone. Into the stomach of the team.

Wataru wondered if Mizusawa's house would be a big, classy, white european styled house. It seemed to fit the picture and style of the boy sitting next to him. Mizusawa looked like he came from a pretty rich family so it must be atleast a one storey house. Well, not rich, but he seemed to have more than enough money compared to the other guys. Wataru managed to realise this point through his observations of Mizusawa's clothing and bags. They were well branded and always new and clean.

Then, the yankee noticed the awkard movement of Mizusawa as he clutched his stomach. His face already showing pain and discomfort.

"Oi, Daijobu ka? What's wrong?" Now it was Wataru's turn to be concerned. He placed his hand on Mizusawa's shoulder and slightly shook him to see if he was alright.

"What's wrong?" Wataru asked again, his eyebrows showing his angst. This was his pea sized brain could process into words. He was scared that something was seriously harming Mizusawa, maybe an appendix attack or something.


OOC: sorry for the super late reply alex ><

[Mizusawa Taku]

ooc: I have even more cause to apologize, because I took so much longer to reply!

ic:
"Actually... I'm going out of town to get some tumbling resources.. like DVD's, books and stuff.." There was a pause, before the other boy spoke again. "I had to skip rehearsals for this y'know? It's important" Smiling, Wataru gave Mizusawa the 'thumbs up' sign.

Mizusawa stared at Wataru for a moment, realization dawning on him. So...Wataru really hadn't skipped out on practice. It sounded more like he'd taken one for the team by missing some very important training just to pick up tumbling resources for everyone to use. Mizusawa felt something like a surge of pride for the Yankee, at his show of obvious dedication. Despite his stomach ache, he smiled back at the other boy.

"Now that I think about it, I've never been to your house before. It must be far eh? You guys always come for omelette rice and all that but I've never been to yours or Yuuta's house. Oh or Hino's one. Or Satoshi's....So many! Thats so not fair!"

At Wataru's pout, Mizusawa started laughing. Wataru was a funny guy, hard to miss with his bright red hair, and hard not to care about once you got to know him. He might be brash, but it was clear he was a good guy deep down.

"No, no," Mizusawa explained, waving his hands to show Wataru had it wrong. "I actually live pretty close to the school--maybe a 25 minute walk at most. I just didn't feel like walking today...But, anyway..." He smiled up at Wataru, the pain in his feature dissipating for a moment. "You're welcome to come over at some point. Maybe we can watch some of those Tumbling DVDs together and come up with something to show Yuuta." He laughed for a moment, then tried to consider what Yankees liked to do. What did they like to do, aside from fighting and all that? "Of course, I have video games too, if that's more like something you'd want to do," he added as another offer. He wasn't quite sure what his mother would think when he first brought Wataru over, but eventually she'd get to like him too, he was sure of it.

That was when another wave of pain coursed through his stomach, and he doubled over again, the pained look on his face returning. Dammit...This was embarrassing...

"Oi, Daijobu ka? What's wrong?" Now it was Wataru's turn to be concerned. He placed his hand on Mizusawa's shoulder and slightly shook him to see if he was alright. "What's wrong?" Wataru asked again, his eyebrows showing his angst.

Mizusawa didn't answer right away, shutting his eyes tight in hopes of better coping with the pain. What kind of stomach ache was this anyway? He'd never had one this bad before.

"I'm okay," Mizusawa responded quietly, still not meeting Wataru's eye. He sighed, feeling stupid. "Really, it's okay. I probably ate the wrong thing at lunch--I had to buy lunch today, that's why."

A part of him still wanted to join Wataru to go get the Tumbling DVDs--for some reason, that sounded like a great chance to explore the city with a friend, and for something they were both interested in. But he also knew that unless he took care of this stomachache, he probably wouldn't be anything more than a burden to Wataru.

"Does the train station sell any medicine, do you know? I mean...I really want to join you, if it's okay. I'm going to be stuck here anyway," he thought, remembering how long it could take for his father to finally be able to pick him up. "But, I don't want to be a burden or anything like that..."

[Azuma Wataru]

"I'm okay," Mizusawa responded quietly, still not meeting Wataru's eye. He sighed, feeling stupid. "Really, it's okay. I probably ate the wrong thing at lunch--I had to buy lunch today, that's why."

"Are you sure you're okay? You... look like you're in alot of pain...kinda.." Wataru was still worried about the pain Mizusawa was experiencing mainly because of the awkward way the other boy bent over as his hand clutched his stomach. Mizusawa's face also seemed to give away the amount of discomfort he was feeling. But most of all, Wataru was just being an annoying, over reacting mother hen once again, pestering into other people's business. It could get really annoying at times.

"Oh, I see, it might be the cafeteria food huh?" Wataru wasn't completely surprised that the cafeteria food might not be 100% hygienic, but his stomach was pretty used to the food. As long as it filled him up and didn't taste that horrible, he wasn't very picky with what they served. Also, yankees don't really care much abut these things. You couldnt expect too much from the school... or the food there.

He has also realised that Mizusawa seemed to always bring his home-made bentos or sandwiches for lunch. The food always looked classy and scrumptious, making everyone else in the tumbling team envious. Whenever it was lunchtime and Mizusawa would be munching on his lunch, Wataru would have a strong urge to steal a bite from the food.

"Does the train station sell any medicine, do you know? I mean...I really want to join you, if it's okay. I'm going to be stuck here anyway," he thought, remembering how long it could take for his father to finally be able to pick him up.

"Hmm..." What a difficult question Mizusawa had just raised. Wataru wasn't really the type to buy medicine whenever he had a cold or was feeling unwell, especially medicine at the train station? That was kind of uncommon and unheard of.

"What about you wait here...I can go and ask the old platform man" Wataru answered Mizusawa. By 'platform man', Wataru had meant the person that works at the station who always stands on the platform, often called the station master, but for a yankee like him, he had a tremendous amount of trouble in finding the right words at times. Maybe he didnt even know the correct terminology for that occupation.

"But, I don't want to be a burden or anything like that..." Wataru let out a small half-snort, half-laugh at what Mizusawa had just said.

"You're joking right? Ofcourse you can come with me, but only if you're feeling good enough about your stomach. If you come, it might even help me stay out of trouble ne?" In truth, Wataru was also worried that he would be stranded by himself at an unfamiliar place as his sense of direction would be ranked below the zero.

Standing up from his seat, Wataru gave a slight smile to Mizusawa. "Don't worry, you're not a burden". He was just about to walk off and find the 'station man' when he realised something on the side of Mizusawa's arm, clinging to his clothing. Something brown... hair... with... lots of legs?

Wataru blinked and his eyes widened as he watched the spider climb ever so slowly up Mizusawa's arm. It was just above his elbow, taking it's time, exploring the fabric.

"Ano... Mizusawa..don't freak out, dont move... but on your arm.."Wataru pointed to Mizusawa's arm where the spided was, and continued "You have a friend.. on your arm.." Then Wataru stepped back a little, looking for a long stick or something that could get the spider off without them having to directly touch it.

God, it was just too damn big and hairy..



OOC: sorry about the randomness of the spider ><
Ashidaka gumo spider here: i56.tinypic.com/2ih8qbk.jpg

[Satonaka Mari]

Mari had her earphones in and listened to music as she walked, the volume down relatively low. She didn’t live too far from the train station, only a few streets away, but even still, listening to music on the way was relaxing, though it was only a few songs. She reached the station as “elite STAR +” by THE KIDDIE started playing into her ears.

She had arranged the previous week to meet up with one of her old friends from Tokyo today, and it had been over a year since they had seen each other. She had even got extra practice in the night before so that Shoko-sensei had let her miss practice that day in order to go. She was excited about going into Tokyo again, it had been so long now.

Before coming to Miura, Tokyo had been her favourite place she had ever lived in, but now Miura took the top spot. She wasn’t even exactly sure why, but she liked the school, the people, and she’d made a few really good friends here, despite a couple being quiet the gossipers, but that was the only thing she could fault them on. The general atmosphere of the town was nice as well, and she felt…at home here. She could only hope that her father would keep to his promise this time and let the family stay here until she graduated.

Her friend, Kokoro, was meant to be there waiting for her when she got off the train at Tokyo, but apart from that they didn’t really have anything else planned. They would probably just spend the time talking, catching up and browsing around their favourite stores. Much like they had done at weekends sometimes when Mari had lived there.

Walking onto the platform, she adjusted the scarf around her neck as a cold breeze blew past her. She was glad she had chosen to wear her jacket and not just a hoody or something. She folded her arms across her chest as she glanced around the platform, music still playing into her ears.

Then she did something of a double-take as she spotted red hair some ways along the platform. She smiled. Only one person she knew that had hair like that… Taking her earphones out and placing them and her ipod in her bag, she started heading over towards Azuma, when she realised that she recognised he other boy that was with him as well. Looked like she wasn’t the only one missing practice.

“Azuma-kun, Mizusawa-kun,” she said, smiling at them both brightly and giving a small wave of her hand. She was glad that there were people that she knew on the platform. She just wondered if they were going to be on the same train as her or not, but either way, at least she now had people to talk to, to pass the remaining time. That is, if they didn’t mind her talking to them, of course.

It was only then as she came up beside them that she spotted the spider on Mizusawa’s arm and Azuma’s expression. “Oh,” she said shortly as she looked at the large spider. She had seen those types plenty of times before in the various houses she had been in over the years, so it wasn’t like she was scared. Stepping over to Mizusawa, she put her hand in front of the spider, so that it gradually crawled onto it.

Removing her hand with the spider now on it, she looked around for somewhere to put the spider so that it wouldn’t get hurt. “Hmm, where should I put him…” she said, pursing her lips slightly and putting her other hand in front of the one holding the large spider as it started to crawl forward again so that it wouldn’t fall to the ground.

For the moment though, as she held onto the spider until she spotted a place to put it, she looked at her two classmates again. “So, where are you headed?” she asked, before a thought occurred to her. “Oh…I’m not being intrusive, am I?” Her teeth worried over her bottom lip slightly, wondering if she came off as rude for just coming right up to them. It wouldn’t be the first time that someone had thought she was kind of rude for doing so, if they did.



((ooc - randomness is good in rping XD And I just had to enter with Mari here~ hahaha XD outfit here~))

[Mizusawa Taku]

ooc: Oh gosh, the spider is so gross!!!!!! And sorry I call "Mari" as "Mari-san." It's just that since Mizu is in the same level class as her and doesn't know her well, he calls her with a "san".

ic:

"Oh, I see, it might be the cafeteria food huh?"

Mizusawa had nodded, not really sure if that was the case or not. The stomachache had hit him very suddenly at the end of the day--usually if he got sick from something he'd eaten, it was right after eating, not a few hours later. But hey, if the food hadn't been digested, then maybe all the jumping and flipping from practice was what had triggered this.

In which case, it really was his own fault, and he should probably stop pestering Wataru about it. Though it was really true that he wanted to join the Yankee on his trip to Tokyo. Mizusawa rarely went, but he thought this could be a really pleasant trip. Wataru was a good enough guy, and if they were searching for tumbling stuff, how bad could it be? Sounded like something of a business venture, but a fun one.

"Hmm...What about you wait here...I can go and ask the old platform man."

Mizusawa immediately knew what Wataru meant, but felt bad. If anyone should go ask, he could do it. He was the one begging to come along, wasn't he?

But at his next words, Wataru just snorted.

"You're joking right? Ofcourse you can come with me, but only if you're feeling good enough about your stomach. If you come, it might even help me stay out of trouble ne?"

Mizusawa stared at Wataru for a moment, a smile tugging at his lips from the boy's honesty. Wataru really was just a genuine guy. The type who said what he meant and meant what he said. But in a good way.

Standing up from his seat, Wataru gave a slight smile to Mizusawa. "Don't worry, you're not a burden".

Mizusawa saw the other boy getting to his feet and almost arose to his feet too, thinking he ought to tell Wataru that he could talk with the "platform man" himself, rather than making Wataru go all the way on his own.

But he was stopped by the shocked look on Wataru's face, staring at him...Why?

"Ano... Mizusawa..don't freak out, dont move... but on your arm.."Wataru pointed to Mizusawa's arm where the spided was, and continued "You have a friend.. on your arm.."

Mizusawa, puzzled, followed Wataru's gaze down to his arm--

And froze.

He wasn't the type to get squeamish over bugs, generally, but this one was huge. A massive, hairy spider...crawling up his arm. And now that he finally saw it, he could feel the eight long legs digging into the material of his shirt, tapping lightly through the material against his skin. He inhaled sharply, then froze again, not wanting to move too much. Another sharp pang ran through his stomach, and he squeezed his eyes shut, trying to prevent himself from moving too much.

"A...Azuma...?" he breathed quietly, completely unsure what to do now that his arm was being molested by the biggest spider he'd ever seen in his life.

His mind had just begun conjuring up all kinds of things he could do to get out of this situation--run away and hope the spider would fly off (likely not), pick up the spider and fling it (would definitely not happen), or squash the big thing on his arm (never in his life)--when suddenly a familiar female voice rang out.

“Azuma-kun, Mizusawa-kun.”

Mizusawa looked up in time to see his classmate and Wataru's crush, Mari-san, waving at them from a small distance away. As she began approaching them, Mizusawa felt the spider careening over his bicep, and he shuddered. The feeling of all those legs on his arm had to be one of the most disgusting feelings he'd ever had. A little spider was one thing, but this one was the King Kong of the spider world.

“Oh."

Mizusawa heard Mari-san speaking, but he didn't know what was going on until he saw her reach out a hand towards the spider. He froze and quickly looked up at her in shock, wondering what she was doing. If she provoked it, one of them could easily get bit!

This horrid thought lingered in his mind, even as he watched the spider slowly climb off of his shoulder and onto Mari-san's hand. Though he felt his entire body sigh with relief, he still couldn't help staring at Mari-san with a mix of admiration and fear for her.

But she didn't even seem to notice. At this point, she was looking around for a place to drop the spider off.

“Hmm, where should I put him…” she said, pursing her lips slightly and putting her other hand in front of the one holding the large spider as it started to crawl forward again so that it wouldn’t fall to the ground.

But before putting it down, she turned to speak to the boys. “So, where are you headed?” she asked, before a thought occurred to her. “Oh…I’m not being intrusive, am I?” Her teeth worried over her bottom lip slightly, wondering if she came off as rude for just coming right up to them.

Mizusawa couldn't take his eyes off of the girl's hands, cupped around that massive killer spider. He rubbed his arm subconsciously, as if still feeling the prickly legs there, then realized he and Wataru had been asked a question.

"Ano..." He knew it wasn't quite his right to answer the question, since he wasn't even sure if he was going with Wataru to Tokyo just yet.

But then...that was when he realized...His stomachache was gone! Had that whole ordeal with the spider somehow scared it away? Getting to his feet slowly, he felt a small jab of pain, but it was nothing compared to how he had felt a moment before. It occurred to him that maybe he had somehow magically been bitten by the spider without realizing it and that the spider's venom had begun to numb him over before killing him, but he knew that was the stupidest thought that had ever popped into his head.

"Mari-san, the spider--" he began, staring from her hands to her expression now. The girl hardly looked scared. "...Thank you," he added, not wanting to say too much.

ooc: Hooray! Spider got rid of the stomachache!!!

[Azuma Wataru]

"A...Azuma...?" he breathed quietly, completely unsure what to do now that his arm was being molested by the biggest spider he'd ever seen in his life.
Mizusawa’s voice was hardly audible and Wataru failed in managing to pick his line up.

Wataru remembered that he had seen a spider similar to this one when he was a lot younger. It was hiding in his sport shoe which he had left outside the house absent mindedly, leaving it there for atleast a week before he had another sport lesson. He couldn’t bring himself to walk near the shoe, let alone wear it. There the spider was, resting comfortably in his white sneakers, almost able to pass being a fake model of the real thing, yet the hairy brown complexion and a closer look allowing the view of the abdomen moving as it breathed revealed it was no fake. Squirming, he yelled for his mom for help as his eyes still observed the hairy monster.

But that was years ago. He was no longer a kid.

“Azuma-kun, Mizusawa-kun,” she said, smiling at them both brightly and giving a small wave of her hand. Turning abruptly to face the speaker, Wataru instantaneously recognised the voice. Nevertheless he was too stunned by the gigantic sized brown organism to greet Mari-chan’s entrance into the situation.

“Oh,” she said shortly as she looked at the large spider. Then, Mari-chan did the most amazing thing he had ever seen a girl do infront of his eyes. Well, most amazing thing a girl has ever done to a bug. Meticulously, she led the spider onto her own hand, guiding it carefully as it crawled onto her fragile skin. Was she a spider whisperer?


“Hmm, where should I put him…” she said, pursing her lips slightly and putting her other hand in front of the one holding the large spider as it started to crawl forward again so that it wouldn’t fall to the ground.Wataru’s jaws dropped open accompanied with the widening of his eyes as he stared blankly while Mari searched for a place to place the spider down safely.

“Oh…I’m not being intrusive, am I?” Her teeth worried over her bottom lip slightly, wondering if she came off as rude for just coming right up to them. By now, Wataru’s eyes were still fixed on the spider as if it placed some curse on him, stopping him from functioning and hypnotizing his entire attention on itself. His whole back and arms seemed to be covered in goosebumps and just gazing at its hairy legs was enough to send a chill through his entire body.

Mizusawa added "Mari-san, the spider--" he began, staring from her hands to her expression now. The girl hardly looked scared. "...Thank you," he added, not wanting to say too much.


Spider. That word slapped Wataru out of his thoughts as he finally looked at Mari directly, instead of the spider and said: “Oh, Mari-chan! The spider! Hurry and put it down!”

Wataru gave her a gesture, sweeping his hand infront of himself and then to the side, indicating the immediacy. “It’s dangerous!” He was most worried about whether it was poisonous. What if it bit her? He knew more than enough than spider bites could be lethal and that she wouldn’t turn into spider woman even if she was bitten. Things aren’t always what they seem in western films.


Stepping forward to where Mari was standing, yet not too close because she was safely cupping the spider between her palms, Wataru continued “Put it over there” and pointed to a small garden patch at the edge of the platform, away from the train tracks. The patch was located just behind the seat they were sitting on, only a few steps back. That was most likely where the spider crawled out from the first place.


Now feeling a little more at ease as he found a suitable place for the spider, Wataru answered Mari “Uh, we were just hanging out. Mizusawa found some Rhythmic gymnastics goodies out of town and I’m just tagging along to go help out. Ne Mizusawa?” Turning back to face Mizusawa, he gave him a small nod, implying him the message of agreeing to what he just said.


Yet even when he gave Mizusawa the nod, he couldn’t help smiling a little due to the appearance of Mari-chan.
Spider woman, I like!

[Satonaka Mari]

Mari still didn’t even flinch as the spider continued to crawl over her hand and onto the other as she continually moved each of her hands when they were free in front of her other hand so the spider wouldn’t fall to the floor. "Ano..." Mizusawa started, making Mari turn her gaze from the spider to him instead, but he didn’t continue for a moment. "Mari-san, the spider—Thank you." She shook her head slightly as though to say not to worry about it.

“Oh, Mari-chan! The spider! Hurry and put it down! It’s dangerous!” Wataru’s almost sudden outburst startled her slightly, and she had to suppress a slight giggle at the expressions on both the boy’s faces. “This little guy – dangerous?” Okay, so maybe ‘little’ was a bit of an understatement... “No need to look so worried,” she said airily. Thankfully though, Wataru had spotted a little garden patch for her to place the spider in. However, at the frantic manner of which he gestured, she couldn’t hold back a giggle.

“It’s harmless!” she said, still giggling slightly. “It’s an ashidaka gumo – it’s not dangerous to humans.” She went to place the spider in amongst the leaves, before deciding she should explain a little more as to why she knew about the spider. “My little brother is obsessed with insects, and he loves to tell anyone that will listen to him about every insect he finds. We’ve had these in the house a few times and every single time he’s begged to keep them,” she laughed. “Though, he already has two tarantulas, so I don’t think anymore spiders are necessary.”

After placing the spider in amongst the leaves of the small garden patch, Mari turned back to look at the two boys just as Wataru spoke again. “Uh, we were just hanging out. Mizusawa found some Rhythmic gymnastics goodies out of town and I’m just tagging along to go help out. Ne Mizusawa?” he said, looking to Mizusawa.

The smile on Mari’s lips went from amused to happy. She was still glad that Wataru had stuck it out at the beginning and joined the rhythmic gymnastics team. Although, she still didn’t know exactly why he had picked that out of all the other clubs in the school.

“So, where exactly ‘out of town’ are you heading? I’m going to Tokyo to meet up with some old friends,” she said, hoping that Kokoro wouldn’t cancel on her. The girl was forgetful, and didn’t always remember when she had other things planned, so a lot of the time things she had arranged overlapped with each other. Mari had gotten her a diary once so she could write down when she made plans, but...she forgot to use that too.



((ooc - ...I don’t like this XD I apologise if there’s...not a lot to work with.))

[Mizusawa Taku]

It was clear that Wataru had been doubly-stunned by this situation, by both spider and Mari. If it weren't for the fact that Mizusawa was still a little rattled by having the spider on him only moments before, he would have found Wataru's expression and reaction hilarious.

“Oh, Mari-chan! The spider! Hurry and put it down!” Wataru spoke as though he had not just watched Mari pick the spider up off of Mizusawa only moments ago, a smile on her face. Mizusawa stared at the other boy, confused, watching as Wataru indicated frantically that Mari should get rid of the spider as soon as possible. “It’s dangerous!”

Although she seemed to have some sort of way with the creature, Mizusawa did agree with Wataru on this one. The faster she got rid of it, the safer they would all be. But he didn't say that, only watched as Wataru moved closer to Mari, telling her and indicating to where he thought she could safely place it.

“This little guy – dangerous?” Okay, so maybe ‘little’ was a bit of an understatement... “No need to look so worried,” she said airily. She seemed to stare from Wataru to him and back to Wataru, before giggling, probably finding their reactions amusing, considering how easily she--a girl--had picked up the spider.

“It’s harmless!” she said, still giggling slightly, though Mizusawa still wasn't sure he was convinced on this one. “It’s an ashidaka gumo – it’s not dangerous to humans.” She went to place the spider in amongst the leaves, before deciding she should explain a little more as to why she knew about the spider. “My little brother is obsessed with insects, and he loves to tell anyone that will listen to him about every insect he finds. We’ve had these in the house a few times and every single time he’s begged to keep them,” she laughed. “Though, he already has two tarantulas, so I don’t think anymore spiders are necessary.”

Mizusawa blanched. Two tarantulas? That was far more spiders than he ever wanted to see in his lifetime. He shuddered at the thought of having something like that sleeping in the same room, though he wouldn't admit that openly to Mari. Instead, he nodded in response to her explanation, as though that were sufficient enough evidence.

“Uh, we were just hanging out. Mizusawa found some Rhythmic gymnastics goodies out of town and I’m just tagging along to go help out. Ne Mizusawa?” Turning back to face Mizusawa, he gave him a small nod, implying him the message of agreeing to what he just said.

Mizusawa, still considering the implications of owning two large, hairy tarantulas, did not immediately hear what Wataru had said. He had already begun nodding in response, however, until he realized that Wataru had somehow changed the scenario--that Mizusawa had found the DVDs in Tokyo and not him? Why?

Giving Wataru a confused look, he realized he was supposed to just nod and go along with it, so he quickly turned to Mari, a strained smile on his face. "Uh, haha, yeah," he responded quickly. He ran a hand through his hair. Why was Wataru lying to Mari?

Maybe he's just really nervous, he thought to himself, deciding not to press the topic.

Mari didn't seem to notice though, despite his moment of confusion. There was a happy look on her face, a smile that he was sure had gone straight to Wataru's heart.

“So, where exactly ‘out of town’ are you heading? I’m going to Tokyo to meet up with some old friends,” she said, hoping that Kokoro wouldn’t cancel on her.

Mizusawa had planned to let Wataru answer this one, since he really had no idea, but now he realized he was going to have to answer her, since he was now the one who had planned for them to go out of town. Maybe this was what it was all about. Wataru didn't want to talk in front of Mari.

"Uhh..." He paused, trying to recall if Wataru had named any specific place in Tokyo that he had planned to go to. Wait...were they even going to Tokyo? Wataru had only said he'd been going "out of town" for tumbling stuff. Well, there had to be more things in Tokyo...right?

Mizusawa bit his lip. "I think...we're also going to Tokyo?" He gave Wataru a sideways look, wondering if this was true or not. And even if it wasn't, Wataru would probably want to ride the train all the way to Tokyo with Mari, right? Suddenly, Mizusawa wondered what he had gotten himself caught up in.

Though there wasn't much time to wonder, because at that moment, the train began to pull in.

[Azuma Wataru]

Wataru gave her a gesture, sweeping his hand infront of himself and then to the side, indicating the immediacy. “It’s dangerous!”

“This little guy – dangerous?” Okay, so maybe ‘little’ was a bit of an understatement... “No need to look so worried,” she said airily.
“It’s harmless!” she said, still giggling slightly. “It’s an ashidaka gumo – it’s not dangerous to humans.” She went to place the spider in amongst the leaves, before deciding she should explain a little more as to why she knew about the spider. “My little brother is obsessed with insects, and he loves to tell anyone that will listen to him about every insect he finds. We’ve had these in the house a few times and every single time he’s begged to keep them,” she laughed. “Though, he already has two tarantulas, so I don’t think anymore spiders are necessary.”

Ash..Ashi wha? Wataru didn’t even want to try repeating or pronouncing the spider breed name. Especially not infront of the other two. It was a weird name, never heard of and absolutely foreign. He had had enough of the spider adventure already .

Although Mari-chan reassured them that the spider was harmless, the size and hairy-ness said otherwise, not being able to convince Wataru. And did his ears just hear wrong? Mari-chan’s family have 2 tarantulas ? One was already more than enough and her younger brother already kept 2, yet still wanting to have more of those absurd, crawly creatures. The sight of seeing spiders were already enough for a red head yankee. Wataru couldn’t understand how some children loved these organisms and how on earth Mari-chan got to like them too.

She really was not just an ordinary girl.

Wataru spoke again. “Uh, we were just hanging out. Mizusawa found some Rhythmic gymnastics goodies out of town and I’m just tagging along to go help out. Ne Mizusawa?” he said, looking to Mizusawa.

"Uh, haha, yeah," he responded quickly. Mizusawa looked more than confused, yet he was alert enough to answer Wataru back almost immediately. Wataru hoped Mari-chan didn’t think of any of this being suspicious.

“So, where exactly ‘out of town’ are you heading? I’m going to Tokyo to meet up with some old friends,” she said, hoping that Kokoro wouldn’t cancel on her.

Wataru was lost. Lost in thought and lost for words. He didn’t know what to say to answer Mari-chan. Luckily, it was Mizusawa who continued to speak.

"Uhh..." He paused, trying to recall if Wataru had named any specific place in Tokyo that he had planned to go to.
Mizusawa bit his lip. "I think...we're also going to Tokyo?" He gave Wataru a sideways look, wondering if this was true or not.

Then, through the distance, Wataru spotted the train begin to approach.

“Uh yeh, we’re going to Tokyo aswell…well in that direction too, I think.” Unsure of the way he answered, he questioned Mizusawa again “Are we Mizusawa?”

Wataru didn’t want to leave Mari-chan alone on the train all by herself. The truth was that the store in which he ordered the tumbling resources was just one stop away from the station they were at. But he figured they could just go Tokyo anyways. There would be even more goodies…but it would just be a matter of not getting lost in the crowd on the streets.

It should be alright… since Mizusawa was here, thought Wataru. He was more than glad and relieved that Mizusawa was with him here because Wataru knew how awkward and shy he can become whenever Mari-chan was nearby. He knew Mizusawa would help him out if things were to get awfully quiet or awkward.

But Wataru was also feeling really bad for not telling Mizusawa exactly where they were supposed to go. On top of that, Wataru was now irresponsibly dragging him onto a trip towards Tokyo.
By now, the train doors were beginning to open.




ooc: oh gawd...it was horrible >O<

[Satonaka Mari]

Mari’s fingers fiddled absently with the ring on her finger. She had noticed the look of slight confusion on Mizusawa’s face, but she didn’t think much of it. She had to wonder again though...was she intruding? Something about the two boys gave off an air of slight awkwardness. Would she be better sitting somewhere else on the train, instead of near them...? Although, if she was intruding, it would only be for the train journey, because they were sure to be going different places in Tokyo.

She was feeling a little awkward herself now, but the only outward sign she gave was the fiddling with the ring on her finger, but that could also be taken as having nothing else to do with her hands. She looked up at Mizusawa when he started to answer her question. “Uhh... I think...we’re also going to Tokyo?” he said, not sounding entirely sure, and Mari wondered why.

Before she could ponder it too much, however, the train was beginning to pull into the station. She turned her head to glance at it, before looking back at the boys in front of her as Wataru also began to speak.

“Uh, yeh, we’re going to Tokyo as well...well in that direction too, I think. Are we, Mizusawa?” the red-head said. Although there was still a smile on Mari’s lips, she couldn’t help but feel slightly...left out. She knew that was fair enough, considering these two had plans of their own and she had hers, but she felt like she was missing something. Something kind of important.

She glanced back at the train again, as it pulled up and the doors began to open. People on the platform were beginning to board the train now, so she looked back around at Azuma and Mizusawa. “Shall we?” she said, smiling still but a little brighter now, as she waved a hand in the direction of the train, before turning to head towards it.

People had said to her before that it was a wonder that she never got sore cheeks or a sore jaw from smiling so much. It was just a natural thing for her. Her younger brother was exactly the same. The two of them got it from their mother, who, like Mari, had always been known to be smiling or saying something positive and looking on the brighter side of things. Her little sister, Emi, was a bit more like their father though, not very much different, but a little bit more serious.



((ooc - yo, aniki, you said in your first post that it was Tokyo you were going to! XD But, anyway, I don’t like this post =/ also, sorry this took me so long (I’ve been saying that a lot lately... -___-) and that this is so wonderfully craptastic ><;; On a side note though, I feel sorry for Mizu XD))