NERDS! [AYANO/ECHIZEN]

MADE BY ★MEULK OF THQ

Ayano was alone at one of the tables in the school library. The spread across the table was completely haphazard. Homework, school notes, and story drafts were scattered across. Meanwhile, textbook and library books were mixed together in a pile. Ayano’s phone stuck out of her bag. It had been rendered completely silent, but it lit up briefly indicating a message from Sayaka that would go unanswered until later that day. Ayano was scribbling something down into one of her notebooks until she suddenly stopped, bit her lip, scanned the room, and then sat up As she lumbered through forward, making her way towards the library’s exit, she looked lifeless and exhausted with her head hung low. Beginning to pass through the door, she dug through her bag to try to find her sweet release. The carton it collapsed in on itself as soon as her hand gripped it. She audibly groaned at the realization that she was out of cigarettes. While she walked back defeated, something caught her eye that filled with her a second wind. Or rather, it was someone. Maybe it was the golden locked draped over her shoulders, those luscious lips, radiant skin, those intense eyes, or that cute little nose. Maybe it something about the refined way she carried herself. Regardless, one of the girls Ayano walked past simply captivated her. This happened sometimes. The school, of course, was full of cute girls and naturally some of them would be just Ayano’s type. However, feeling as depleted as she was at the time, any cutie would look like a goddess to her. So perhaps there was nothing really special about this girl, it was just at the right time to fill this lesbian hoodlum with thirst and vigor. She was alive again Trying to play it cool, Ayano returned back to her old table without incident. Then it was time to panic. The delinquent took a deep breath. She knew jack squat about this girl. However, the cool and mature vibe made Ayano assumed that this must be an upperclassman. That was the ticket! Eyes sparking with an idea, Ayano reached for her math homework and a pencil and became to erase a few of her correct answers with the hope that the stranger wouldn’t give the a paper a closer look. “Excuse me,” Ayano tapped on the stranger’s shoulder and spoke in a far softer, more hushed tone than one she’d normally have. She respected few things about this school, but the library was one them. “Are you busy? Could you help me with something for a second. I’d been working on something for a while but I’m just completely stumped, you know?” Ayano gave a slight smiled and looked up with wide and eager eyes to this mysterious taller girl. WORDS: 448 Echizen Hayashi

林越前
A lot could be learned from reading material outside of your own comfort zone. Theory, narrative, poetry: each stood to be improved by the others in an intrinsic balance. At least, that was the idea that Echizen was coming to understand. Critical theory had seemed a rather dense course, and potentially unnecessary to Echizen, whose only real exposure to previous literature had been rummaging through the stacks of novels and traditional poetry at home, but the works of Barthes, and the assertions of his partly structuralist ideology had left a rather striking impression on the girl. The potential insignificance of the author had never occurred to Echizen, although it seemed so obvious in retrospect. Several essays later, Echizen was jarred out of another epiphany by a touch on the shoulder. She'd never set eyes on the student in question, much less been present at Fukui long enough to be known. Still, if she was approaching a stranger for help, her situation must have been difficult. Echizen leafed through the remainder of Barthes' essay before brushing a stray lock of hair over her ear, addressing the girl. "I'm not sure if I'll be any help," Echizen whispered, "But I can try?" She paused for an instant, speaking hastily afterwards. "I'm Hayashi Echizen. I'm still new here, so I hope you'll forgive me if I make a mistake."
226 WORDS Plot NOTES AND TAGS Ayano Mizui

credit to alisha of adoxography.

MADE BY ★MEULK OF THQ

Ayano seemed to have had interrupted the other girl’s reading. Instinctively, the delinquent gazed over the stranger’s shoulder but the only words from the page she could make out before having to shift her attention to the girl were ‘the most repugnant bastard there is: the bastard-octopus”. Without context there was nothing that could give her a clue about what the mysterious girl was reading. In the back of her mind, Ayano was worried about how rude it might be to tear the girl away from her octopus book on a lie. However, she seemed okay with it. Immediately afterwards, however, it became clear that Ayano done goofed. And her shock at mistaking Echizen for her senior was very plainly evident on her face. Her eyes widened as she raised her brow. And for an instant she was worried she had ruined everything until Echizen continued to say she still didn’t mind and just didn’t know much help she’d be. She breathed out a sigh of relief, regained her composure and then shook her head. “Nah. Don’t worry about.” Ayano tried to reassure her but continued in the hushed tone. “It’s not like I need anybody answering questions for me. I just need a second pair of eyes to help me confirm things. I always just second guess myself, you know how that is?” Ayano did an about face, and waved backed to Echizen to motion her to follow back to Ayano’s table. “So Hayashi Echizen, huh?” Ayano kept on talking as she lead Echizen onwards. Her smile from just a moment ago had returned. She could put a name to the cute face now. “That has a good ring to it. Nice to meet ya, Hayashi-san. Mizui Ayano. I’m a second year, so I’d be happy to show you the ropes around here later.” WORDS: 305 Echizen Hayashi

林越前
Once Ayano's back was turned, a sigh fell from between Echizen's parted lips accompanied by an exasperated roll of the eyes. Four times today she had been mistaken for an upperclassman, and each time showed a similar level of shock. She was unsure whether to feel flattered or annoyed. It could perhaps just be that she looked mature and, if so, she should be happy to receive such a compliment, but the fact of the matter was that people had kept asking her for help getting around, and she was getting tired of giving the same answer with the same smile every time. "I really should take you up on your offer, Mizui-senpai. I keep getting asked questions about where things are, or if I can help someone find a classroom." She shoulders her book bag, shrugging in resignation, "It's getting to be rather frustrating at this point. Besides, if you're a second year, I sincerely doubt I could help you with anything that isn't related to literature." She pauses briefly, her stomach interrupting the silence with a growl. ".... Or perhaps getting something to eat would be a higher priority."
190 WORDS Plot NOTES AND TAGS Ayano Mizui

credit to alisha of adoxography.

MADE BY ★MEULK OF THQ

Ayano could really only dig the hole deeper. The delinquent maintained a neutral expession as she listening try to mask her disappointment. Ayano had just yet another person just annoying Echizen. And despite the stranger’s continued politeness, it still had to be a bad impression. She pondered over what she could do to save face until she heard the word literature, which sparked a gleam into her eyes. “Of course we can grab a bite, Echizen-chan! Let’s grab something from the vending machine and sit outside.” Ayano cheerfully chimed in, just barely staying within acceptable levels for where she was. She also made a dismissive wave with one of her hands towards her desk, wordlessly trying to bury her lie. She began to try to lead Echizen around yet again, this time out of the building and outside. The two passed a row of several vending machines almost instantly after exiting. Curiously among them was one for crepes: cheese, fruit, chocolate, etc. the works. Ayano however, ignored it entirely. She simply inserted her coin, hit one of the red labeled, buttons, and grabbed her canned coffee after the proceeding mechanical rumbling. She only took a quick swig, ignoring the sour aftertaste of the bad brew before moving on. She then she gazed back towards Echizen, bright eyed and intently. “So, where were we!? Right! Literature! Literature!” It was clear that Ayano’s interest was piqued, ow speaking with pep and a sudden rise in volume she’d been holding back indoors. “Oh, please tell me that means you’re taking creative writing too, Echizen-chan!” She then rolled her eyes and groaned as she began to vent to the freshman. “My usual group of friends are great gals and all, but every time I bring up how I want to be an author or show them my stories it just bores them to tears!” WORDS: 310 Echizen Hayashi

林越前
Echizen seemed to be stuck in her own thoughts, but she kept her attention on Ayano's face. She was really learning quite a bit about this girl, even though Ayano wasn't revealing anything directly. The way her eyes had nervously darted between options. The way her placid expression wasn't able to hide the sheen of embarrassment that stained her cheeks. Ayano perhaps looked more flustered than she intended, but Echizen decided she could just be awkward. At least, that decision stood until Ayano dismissed her homework entirely. Echizen followed the girl, having deduced now that she certainly couldn't have been in dire need of actual help. If she'd really wanted the help in the first place, wouldn't she have gone to the library's help desk, or sought a tutor? She shook her head. There was certainly another reason Ayano approached her, but honestly she didn't really care. Her dry, passive-aggressive comment didn't dissuade the girl from talking to her (maybe that's why she was embarrassed?), so was she really the same as all of the others. Echizen felt her focus slip, eyeing the crepes as words fell from Ayano's mouth on deaf ears. Her eyes traced all the options before she shook her head, murmuring "not now," and purchasing a can of green tea for herself. She still hadn't processed that Ayano had even told her something when she simply decided to ask. "So why ask me for help? Was it Barthes? You could have just asked to talk about poetry. I would have gladly indulged you in that, Ayano-senpai."
260 WORDS WC Purpose NOTES AND TAGS Ayano Mizui

credit to alisha of adoxography.

水井 彩乃
Ayano couldn’t tell if Echizen was just really hungry or she didn’t care about a single word that was coming out of Ayano’s mouth. She noticed her schoolmate’s focus drifting off to one of the machines. Ayano’s head cocked to the side in an inquisitive look before quickly looking off to the side. It seemed to be the crepes, only for Echizen to instead make a bee Line for a green tea just like Ayano did earlier. But as soon as Echizen put her attention back onto Ayano, she made it clear she had caught on to the little white lie. Ayano hung her head down low and stared at the drown dejected. It only seemed like she made the worst first impression. She quickly swayed side to side for second. She raised her head, only to take another swig of her coffee to cool her nerves. And only after that did she look back towards to Echizen. “Because if I knew you liked poetry, I would have just showed you some of mine. “ Ayano spoke frankly, swaying side to slightly and with a perturbed expression. “I just saw you reading and knew I wanted to talked to you and get to know you. But I just got nervous and I lied instead of just introducing myself like a normal person. I’m sorry.” Actually putting it out like that she knew she sound like an utter dork. However, after apologizing, she seemed to regain her composure a bit. Coming clean took the weight off her shoulders. Well, mostly clean. It was best to leave out whole part about how she thought Echizen looked pretty. “Actually, let me make it up you, Echizen-chan!” There wasn’t even time to response Ayano abrublty raised her voice, this time in a fuss. “You can’t just have tea. You gotta eat something and I know you were eyeballing these!” Ayano turned her head towards the crepe machine. She didn’t even wait for a response before walking up putting in another couple coins in. The situation had to be salvaged somehow.
345 WORDS PLOT NOTES AND TAGS Echizen Hayashi

credit to alisha of adoxography.

林 越前
Echizen shook her head the second Ayano's composure plummeted. She wasn't a good liar, that was for sure, but that was probably a good thing. Either that, or Echizen had lied enough to know what a bad lie looked like. Either way, knowing this about Ayano let Echizen know that she could trust her to be honest eventually. She took a sip of her tea and set her ears to Ayano's excuse. Eventually was the right word. Echizen felt Ayano was still hiding something, but if she was as embarrassed as she was, maybe it wasn't something that was respectful to pursue right away. She let the apology be and allowed her focus to shift back to literature. Ayano was interested in poetry? And beyond that she was a poet herself? That didn't tell Echizen much. There were lots of different poets out there, and hundreds of different styles and forms and themes that an author could pursue. Two poets using the exact same style and structure could still manage to write about different things. Echizen's curiosity was starting to seize her, and she was about to ask Ayano if she could see some of her poetry when Ayano's voice suddenly careened into her train of thought. Her face turned beet red, her hands waving in a futile effort to stop Ayano before she spent any money she didn't need to. "Mi-mi-Mizui-Senpai! You don't need to get me a snack just because you started a conversation poorly!" The coins clunked into the machine and Echizen let her arms drop in exasperation, sighing. "Seriously... It's not a date. You don't need to make anything up to me. I'd rather pay for my own food and have you put that effort into digging out poetry for me to look at." Echizen rustled around in her bookbag before pulling out a small notebook, holding it out to Ayano. "Here. It's some poems I'm working on. The gimmick here is that they have to be four lines exactly. Anything else is no good."
339 WORDS PLOT NOTES AND TAGS Ayano Mizui

credit to alisha of adoxography.