Boarders of Hinata Boardoms

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

INSERT TITLE: field trip day 1: lunch

Enoshima Iwaya Cave. This place turned out to be different from what I've expected. Yes it's a cave but it's a cave with pavements and lights and rails and vending machines and. It's a cave with thingamajigs in it. There were also candles to calm the atmosphere. I thought we were about to hike inside the cave, in the end, simple leisure walking finished the job. There wasn't anything fancy, except Shinobu-chan squeezing my arm all the way. It was kinda kawaii, so I didn't want to say ouch or anything. Besides, it's a cave, so the light was still an issue. Soueba, there were places left in the dark.

"I wonder what could be hiding within those shadows"

"Huh?" Shinobu-chan turned her worried face at me.

"Ahh, nande mo nai. It's nothing, really."

"Senpai... It's quite scary in here." She looks uneasy.

"I'm not into caves either. I'm right here, so don't worry. Just squeeeeeze my arm whenever you get scared, okay?" Yet, she has been squeezing me real hard ever since we got inside, and here I'm telling her to halt the blood flow through my arms.

"Look! We're almost out of the cave." Finally, we made it outside. It wasn't a long journey actually, compared to our last stop, Enoshima Aquarium.

Whew, all this walking sure made me hungry. Fortunately, when we've reached the cave's exit, it was almost lunchtime. Let's see... Soueba. We had lunch in Inamuragasaki Park.

"Look! Nobody's in the gazebo! Let's make a run for it." the sun was up directly above us. It was really hot! We needed some shade to eat. Her classmates had huge umbrellas and mats with them. So, there's no problem. When we made it to the gazebo... "Aachoo!"

"HUH?! Oh no! I forgot Senpai's obento!" My world came tumbling down. "Gomen nasai! Gomen! I'm sorry! Very sorry, senpai! I'm sorry. Sumi Masen."

"Hey, hey. Come on. Don't be so hard on yourself. Uhmm... Shinobu-chan, put down that fork." Before she hurts herself. What happened to the chopsticks?

"Here, you can have some of mine. Better yet, please have mine instead."

"Wow, it looks delicious!" Demo, as a man, it's not right to take her lunch away. I'm sure she's hungry too, plus her lunch is only right for her. Taking some of her delicious shrimp puffs and seafood crumble together with soy sauce and tofus... I MUST HAVE HER LUNCH. GIMME'! No... no... Keitaro, fight it. Fight it. It's not enough for Shinobu-chan and I'm sure it'll hang your appetite if both of you shared.

"Shinobu-chan, it has been a long trip. It's good for you to eat your lunch. I'm sure we'll have more sites to visit, so you need your energy."

"Demo..."

"I'll be fine, I'm sure there are lots of food stalls in here. Stay here, I'll be back okay?"

"O- okay..." she turned her face down. I stared at her face, she's sad as it may seem.

"Uh, Shinobu-chan. Can I have a bite of your Shrimp Tempura?"

There was color in her face again. "Hai!"

and a gleam of light shone upon me. "Yumai! Oishi! You're really into this, Shinobu!" It was a taste of heaven! Damn, if it's this good, I'll cry out loud on the bus!

"Senpai..."

"Dya, I'll be back, okay? Please wait for me here."

I was able to find a decent lunch and headed back to the gazebo. I found out Shinobu-chan didn't touch her food yet. Was she waiting for me?

"Ano... Gomen if you've waited for me. But you should've started eating without me, you know? I guess your food's cold by now. "

"Daijobou. You weren't out that long, Keitaro-senpai. Plus, I'm responsible for forgetting your obento. I deserve the cold treatment."

"Haha. What are you talking about? Come on! Let's eat! Ittedakimasu!"

Next stop: Lake Ashi and Mt. Komagatake

logged at 12:12 AM
SIGNED : Keitaro

INSERT TITLE: field trip day 1: as it unfolds

When we got off the tourist liner, I felt the supply of blood pouring down my feet once again. Apparently, all that sitting for too long made them sleep. I couldn't feel my other leg so I fell on one knee when we made landfall. Heck, I didn't know our trip to the Enoshima Aquarium took that long.

"Gyah! Keitaro-senpai?! Are you alright?! Senpai?" she was so worried. I have to make her calm down before she gets a heart attack.

"Keitaro-san? Are you okay?" Her teacher saw me.

"Yes sir. No problem to it." I told her teacher. "Shinobu-chan. I'm okay. I'm fine, don't worry. My leg. It just slept. That's all." after five seconds or so, I gathered my strength and momentum to stand up. "Alrighty then, let's go." I noticed Shinobu-chan carrying a heavy backpack. "Here, let me carry your bag for you, Shinobu-chan."

"Ano... I'm such a bother..." her soft words.

"Iye, Iye. I insist." from the looks of it, the bag's quite heavy for Shinobu-chan. Besides, I shouldn't let her carry that so much load.

"I- if you insist, senpai. Demo, be careful."

"Do you have something fragile inside your bag? A drinking glass perhaps?" She should've brought paper cups instead. However...

"Uhm, I only have my notebook, our bento, pens, paper, pencils..." did she say pencil?

"Oh you, brought your pencil with you? That's great, that way I could sketch everything on our trip! I forgot my pencil. Can I borrow yours, later?"

"Hai." Wee!

"Still, you don't have any breakables inside your bag right?"

"Hai. Ano... Do be careful of yourself, Keitaro-senpai." she said.

"Shinobu... thanks." I was touched. "Yare, yare. Let's get going. I think we're being left behind." Aww, she's so cute. I mean... nevermind.

"Alright, people. Lineup!" yelled the teacher.

Finally, we entered the compound. One word: Sugoi! I've never seen like it before. A giant aquarium. We had stepped into another world. It's cliche and so? I've never seen anything like it. Animals of the deep of different shapes and sizes filled the aquarium with vivid colors. I was hypnotized and I had no choice but to take a closer look at the glass window. I guess I got hooked! Get it? Fish? Hooked? Oh, forget it. I have a hopeless humor.

"Just a reminder for the parents and guardians: Please stick together. It's easy to get lost inside. If someone happens to be absent, report it immediately to the teachers or staff of the Enoshima Aquarium. They have a paging system all over the compound. Even at the parking lot. We won't be able to leave unless everybody's present. Or you could call them through your cellphone if you have one..." some reminders from Shinobu's teacher.

"Ano... Senpai? Ca- Can we hold hands? That way, we won't get separated." she's right. It's common sense.

"Uhh... Okay." Wah, her hands are so soft -- and cold. "Ano... Are you nervous?"

"Betsu ni. I'm rather excited. Plus, isn't it cold inside? Ehehe."

"You're cold? That's no good. Here. You could wear my jacket. Gomen, if it wreaks or anything. At least, it'll keep you warm for the moment."

"That's no good too! You shouldn't push yourself. I'm the klutz who forgoy my own jacket. Likewise, I can handle this cold, senpai."

"Here, I dont want to see you cold. And you're already shivering. Not to worry, just take my jacket. I'm good to go. I'll just chill." -- yeah, a bit of sarcasm. No, really, I'm used to cold climates. The moment I took off my jacket, man, I did feel the chill. But, I managed.

When Shinobu-chan saw the shark swim by, her grip suddenly became stronger. Ow. Ow! It actually hurts. I can see that she's really scared.

However, not only were there fishes, there were also mammals such as seals, dolphins and whales. I love dolphins. I love to watch them propel themselves and perform sorts of flips. They're smart too, right? Maybe if I could get them to take the Toudai entrance exam... stooopid.

Two hours passed and it was time to go. The next place to visit: Enoshima Iwaya Cave.

logged at 12:11 AM
SIGNED : Keitaro

INSERT TITLE: field trip day 1: on our way to first base

"Good, she's asleep..." Since I can't sleep beside her, I guess I'll just sleep in a corner. More like sit in a corner and hope I could fall asleep. Anyway, it can't be helped. It's not her fault I forgot my sleeping bag. I knew it would happen.

"Sigh... her sleeping face is kawaii." Now, I can write on this pesky journal. I made it. So far, so good. I can't believe it.

We went to a lot of sights this day. I'm glad Shinobu-chan enjoyed each of the places we've visited. Now that I think about it, I did enjoy them too. Even if there were a lot walking, a lot of talking, a lot of hearing, a lot of looking, a lot of thinking and a lot of whatever we were doing , it makes me kinda' proud. It's exhausting but we had accomplished so much today. I'm very happy to be with Shinobu-chan on her field trip. I've never experienced this sensation in my entire life.

"Oh yeah, the field trip." I almost forgot.

It was a long trip on our way to first base We were riding on a tourist bus. I didn't notice that it was a tourist bus, until this guy picked up a mic -- and started talking by himself. I say by himself because nobody was listening to him.

It was really boring inside the bus. No radio, no tv. Everybody stayed in their seats while the tourist guide made himself busy by yammering "on your left is" "on your right is" over and over again. I really wanted to sleep to take some time off the travel, but he was too loud, I tell ya! It's as if he shared his whole life on the bus. I haven't been able to doze- off a little.

"Keitaro-senpai." Shinobu-chan called me. She was sitting beside me.

"Nani?"

"If you like... I can tell the the tourist guide to... keep quiet." That would be a great idea! But... no. It's embarrassing. I couldn't let her do that. I don't like anybody to feel weird including that tourist guide. So I told her...

"It's alright." No it's not! "Besides, someone might actually be enjoying the trip right now. I don't want to spoil the fun." Speak for yourself.

By the time we got to Enoshima aquarium, first base, everybody inside the bus rushed out like wild horses. I can't blame them.

TBC...

logged at 12:11 AM
SIGNED : Keitaro

Thursday, March 23, 2006

INSERT TITLE: not feeling right

"Can you be my chaperone for the field trip?" Shinobu-chan asked. She was fully equipped complete with puppy-dog eyes and a face so hard to resist.

"Uhh..." I stuttered. "Lemme' check if I'm free next monday." I just had to make an excuse. I was almost convinced to say yes. Luckily, I managed to get a grip.

What would they think of me, when I'll join Shinobu-chan on that field trip. I'm going to be stuck with her on that day! What would Narusegawa feel? Crap! But it's just Shinobu! It's just her! She's just a High School student and I'm already in College. She's young. Oh now I'm just being hysterical! What the hell am I saying?!

"...but it sounds like a... DATE!" Yes, it seems like a date! I hope we won't look like a couple. On the other hand, we might look like siblings on that trip.

Moreover, I don't want to say no. I don't want to let her down. Maybe she needs to join the field trip to earn extra points. Anyway, it's just a field trip. I think it's okay. After all, Shinobu's the one who asked me as her chaperone.

It's all coming so fast. I don't know my schedule yet for next week. Well, I don't have plans for next week but I might be expected for someone. In any rate, I could re- schedule for any unexpected appointments. Besides, it's summer break (and Shinobu-chan still has a class field trip, oh boy).

I guess I'm coming with her. I hope everything's going to be okay.

logged at 10:06 PM
SIGNED : Keitaro

Sunday, March 12, 2006

INSERT TITLE: just what I needed

Sigh. Finals week. It's just what I need for being in a miserable situation. It's just the fad for having a miserable life. Today's Sunday, the start and the critical point of the week. Panic starts now. Okay, this week's going to be one site for a fight. If I study harder, unlike before, maybe I'll be able to get over the week without any fuss. Slow but steady will do. That's it! So I'll study slow but steady. I have to discipline myself from now on. This is College after all.

"However..." I can't help thinking of what happened lately.

After all the things I've done? Some people think I'm nothing. Before their sight, I'm still a pervert or stupid or what not. I hate it, even if it's suppose to be funny. Who's laughing? I know I'm not.

In that case, it's best to stay away and be quiet. I'm waiting for the right time to spill out the beans... Make that: throw the beans at them. But frankly, I prefer not to do it -- throw the beans that is.

"Yeah, it hurts to swallow what about the ruckus. But wouldn't it hurt more if others get hurt?" Good point.

It won't help if you blame other people. Words alone will not wipe the spilled milk. It would contribute to a louder commotion.

"So what now?" Maybe -- take time?

Sheesh. I don't know. I'm not the kind of guy that they're thinking. But I do know that I have finals coming up this week and I need to hit the books. It's already past eleven. I'm not getting any better for my exam complaining about every bit of my problem.

logged at 11:11 PM
SIGNED : Keitaro

Friday, March 10, 2006

INSERT TITLE: I'm falling apart

After all the hardwork, I'm starting to realize that I'm not fit to study in Toudai. I'm beginning to doubt everything around me. Becoming manager of the inn, Narusegawa, the promise and even why I'm in this world; am I worthy of such precious moments?

I failed my College Algebra and Trigonometry exam today. Well, my paper hasn't been checked yet, but I can tell. I left half of my paper blank. Moreover, I am very unsure to my answers for the remaining questions. It's a clear sign of failure. It's a clear image of me.

"Isn't it a little too early to tell, Keitaro?" are my assumptions too soon to tell?

Even I can't answer that question. Nobody can. Even if somebody would walk through my room and read this, he / she won't help me. AND even if such a thing may happen, I prefer not to let somebody help me this time. It's now or never for me. Apparently, "never" is on the upper hand.

"I am basing my opinion on the things I'm seeing." even if these facts behold before my eyes, it's hard to swallow and accept them.

I am slowly falling apart. I can feel myself crumbling, bit by bit. It's only a manner of time, before I slit my hand.

logged at 10:23 PM
SIGNED : Keitaro