Chapter 8: Chapter 1.7

It was around 9 p.m., and I decided now would be the perfect time to purchase dinner. Well, more like purchasing the ingredients. I haven’t made a serious attempt to cook since I was younger, my mother would usually handle matters such as this. I had to use the campus map along with navigation once again to find my way.

Now standing in the campus supermarket. As predicted and accounted for, it wasn’t that busy. The layout of the building felt a tad complicated to me. Nevertheless, I will survive.

There were rows of shelved items ranging from cereals to drinks. It wasn’t my first rodeo when it came to solo shopping, but I am trying to limit myself to things I know I will eat.

I navigated through the first aisle and looked at the items. Its junk food—you know chips, candy bars, lollipops, and other things along those lines. I am not the biggest fan of junk, but I do have my days when I adore it. So, I managed to shove 4 bags of BBQ-flavored chips into my basket, along with some other items.

Moving on now, I should find the canned food section. It would have probably been easier looking at the signs, but they were on an electronic board that switched to the different sections too quickly.

What a drag but like a pirate after lost treasure, we’ll keep searching.

Finally! I stumbled across it after three painstaking minutes of searching. It appears that we have a wide array to choose from and I am not sure where to start.

Going into a crouching position, I grabbed several cans of beans and observed the expiration date. Canned foods have a longer shelf life, but I don’t want to be the unlucky bloke who gets the bad apple of the bunch.

After placing several cans into my basket and standing up, I looked at all my items so far.

That should last me a bit until I decide to make my next trip, considering that I already purchased my necessities beforehand and they are chilling in my dorm room.

However for some odd reason tonight I am in the mood for bacon, and within two minutes I was in front of the small chillers, which held several types of meat.

I reached in and picked up two packs which were packaged by two different brands.

Sliced or diced? I mean, it’s the same thing, am I right? I paused for a moment and thought about it.

There’s no way I can be stumped on this. What a shame

Maybe I should get the two packs, but the question is, will I use two packs? Focusing my attention on the two items, I let out a deep sigh.

"Are you seriously mentally debating about bacon? If so then I am shocked at the quality of individuals being let into the school. Maybe the enrollment committee needs their eyes and brains checked.”

That voice broke me out of my deep focus. I lightly shook my head and turned to face the person.

It belongs to Tachibana who held a basket filled with items.

Maybe she had the same idea of shopping a bit late to avoid long lines and too many people in a single area. Also it is a bit therapeutic in my humble opinion.

"No..." I replied as she approached me and then took the two packs from my hand.

"Sliced is more of a breakfast setting, and diced could be an extra additive on rice or anything along those lines."

"That’s an interesting way of putting it."

Tachibana let out a sigh of disappointment and said, "Aren’t you quite hopeless?"

I took the sliced bacon from her hand and replied, "Hopeless? No. Slightly overwhelmed? Yes."

She eyed me harshly and replied, "If something like this is overwhelming, then you’ll be useless."

"You know, if I were thinner skinned, I would probably take offense to that."

"Okay, I can officially speak my mind around you without worrying about your feelings."

"I still think that you should consider it."

She replied, "Here, hold this," as she dropped her basket into my only free hand to my surprise.

When did I become her personal basket holder?

As I was about to say something, she said, "Come on, let’s walk."

I sighed and walked forward. Honestly, I am not sure how this even happened, and I’m about to find out by asking the only viable question.

"Why am I holding your basket again?"

"It’s because my hand was beginning to feel tired, and technically, I assisted you in choosing your item, so as a favor, you’ll hold my basket."

That’s very bold of this pretty classmate but if I wasn’t technically indebted to her I would have most likely dropped the basket with a lightning speed level of quickness.

"I am not quite sure if that’s a fair or even an equivalent trade-off."

Almost as if she didn’t understand what I said, Tachibana curiously asked, "How so?"

"Uh, never mind."

I don’t think I am in the frame of mind to explain this to her.

Tachibana casually shrugged her shoulders and kept walking without a care in the world.

"I would appreciate you not side-eyeing me, Kaneko-kun," said Tachibana as she caught me observing her.

"What do you plan to do after you graduate from high school, Tachibana-san?" I was a bit curious about the topic.

She continued walking and replied, "I will be heading to university and see where it takes me after that."

It seems that she has the same amount of planning as any other teenager when asked about the future, and I respect that. Although, for some reason, I was positive that taking over the family business would follow soon after university, could it be that she has an older sibling who inherited that right? I would ask, but that would be peeping into someone’s personal life.

"That’s a pretty solid answer."

"What about you?"

The standard expected question, but I'm unable to give an honest answer. There are many paths to take in the form of university, trade school, a job, etc.

"I am unsure about it, but a choice should be clear to me before our graduation date."

"Well, based on your appearance, I expected that answer from you."

"That’s a bit rude, you know that?"

"No, it’s all in your head. I just said what’s on my mind."

"So my appearance gives you a sense of indecisiveness? Don’t you know it’s impertinent to judge a book by its cover? I am sure you heard fairy tales and got lectures from adults about the topic."

Tachibana placed the item she is holding in her hand down and turned to me in a casual manner.

"I’m sure you are aware that your appearance is the first thing people judge you by before learning about your actions, personality, and overall status in life. So I am neither socially nor morally incorrect."

"I will neither agree nor disagree on that statement."

We were now in the breakfast food aisle with Tachibana picking up two different brands of cereal and observing them.

“What do you think about bran flakes Kaneko-kun?”

“I neither like nor dislike it; I’ve always preferred granola as my go to.”

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I have never looked at bran flakes and said to myself, “Dang this looks tasty or appealing.” It was more along the lines of this is mainly for senior citizens and people who require fiber.

“That’s surprising; I assumed you were the type of person who heavily indulges in unhealthy food given how your basket is filled with nothing but junk.”

Doesn’t she know it’s a bit rude to look into someone’s shopping basket?

“I have times where I like to get the best of both worlds, so junk food is a must especially during the night when I watch movies.”

She looked at me with an expression that screamed unimpressed and that’s a new one considering all I’ve seen so far from her is a scowl.

“Nights are to be spent studying, after all we at school to learn and nothing more.”

“So you don’t believe in parties and other experiences Tachibana-san?”

Well that’s how it’s always been in the movies and TV shows I’ve seen, but in my last high school I wasn’t invited to any parties. It had something to do with the fact that I kept to myself so I was branded the quiet kid.

Tachibana placed two boxes of granola in her shopping basket.

“Those things are just meaningless distractions that will keep my away from my goals. After all, I am only here for one thing and that is the same thing you should want as a person, it’s called being successful.”

“You’re a bit too determined for me; I could never match your drive or passion when it comes to having a goal.”

“So what you’re telling me is that you’re just floating around life aimlessly with no future plans. If so then I shall cast pity because everything you do will just be wasted time.”

Ouch. She is correct though, maybe I am just wasting time.

“Possibly.”

“Being around an individual such as yourself will bring about bad luck to my endeavors, so I may have to ask sensei to transfer you to another seat.”

“That’s a bit too dramatic you don’t say?”

“Nothing is too dramatic when you have your best interest in mind.”

We moved from the breakfast food section and walked about for a bit until we approached the final section in the supermarket

Silence appeared between us as we neared the entrance of the feminine products section, and I hesitated a bit.

She must have noticed me, because she asked, "Does something like this bother you. Are you 12 or something?"

How did she come to that conclusion?

I sighed, "Not necessarily." and walked into the section with her.

Normally a female would be uncertain about a random male walking in here with her, but she seems quite comfortable.

We must have spent around 10 minutes just properly looking through the various brands, and occasionally students would shoot curious stares at us. I wasn’t too sure why they did that, but I had a fair idea.

A few minutes later, we were done and moved toward the cashier. As we stood in line, I said, "I am surprised that you even interacted with me."

She walked forward as the line moved: "I just happened to see you here and took advantage of the encounter to relieve myself of the workload that is labeled "carrying the basket."

That’s not very independent of her.

"It’s pretty bold of you to just come out and say it."

"There was no point in concealing that fact any longer because the task is already accomplished."

It seems that I’ve been played; how unfortunate for me.

I kept silent as it was finally our turn to be at the front of the line when suddenly a male student cut off us, placed his items on the counter.

I am surprised that Tachibana didn’t say anything considering the type of person she portrays herself to be.

Wanting to avoid any issues, I didn’t say anything and as soon as the person left.

Slowly, approaching the register I asked. “Why didn’t you say something about that guy cutting us off?”

The male cashier answered, “He’s a second year student in the top 10 of his year group so he has perks such as cutting to the front of the line. You should know this by now.”

“…..”

Putting the two baskets, on the counter he began to bag our items separately.

We don’t have to pay anything for basic things such as food items from the supermarket; however there is a limit to how much we can take, along with a cool down period.

The medium of exchange used for other transactions on school campus is in the form of digital currency which is converted from the actual money deposited in your student account via your family on the outside. So in hindsight, we get free basic items, but activities such as restaurant trips, shopping sprees and other forms of entertainment will have to be enjoyed on your actual dime.

A strange way of doing things.

After opening the student pay application, I held my watch near the contactless scanner and after a beep; the exchange was approved, then a notification popped up.

• Purchase is successful at Saikyō Polytechnic Institute campus supermarket is successful. Nothing is deducted from your student debit account.

After wrapping up whatever other purchases we had to make, Tachibana excused herself and left.

As I walked towards the direction of the dormitories, I overheard some voices talking. They sounded like they are coming from the left of me, but that area is a bit darker compared to the other spots on campus. Curiously, I approached the source of the sound.

“I want what I am owed.”

“I don’t have it right now but, if you give me a few more days I’ll make up all the points I owe you.”

A sinister chuckled was followed by the resounding sound of a punch which is then followed by panting.

“Do you know that I can get you expelled for not owning up to your part of our personal wager? All I have to do is report this to the student council.”

“Wait, wait, please stop.”

Three more punches were thrown and connected. This almost feels like a loan shark being owed money.

I stood there with my back pressed against the wall, constantly peeking at the scene but I am unable to fully make out a face. Well not like that would do me any good considering I don’t personally know any students here besides my classmates.

The beat down continued for a few more moments before stopping.

“You better clear your debt by the end of tomorrow.”

“Yes…”

With the sound of footsteps approaching my direction, I quickly ducked down and waited for them to pass, while doing so I tried to get a peek of the said person. Unfortunately, a group of four people appeared so I was unable to identify which voice I heard.

Either way, this isn’t something I should care about right? It wasn’t me getting beat up and I would never find myself in that position.

Letting out a sigh now, I wanted to give myself a slap considering that I forgot to ask Tachibana about the inner workings of the school while we were in the supermarket.

Tomorrow is always a new day.

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