#fujiyama express

[icleanedthisplate]

Assorted Sushi Rolls (Rainbow, California, etc.). Fujiyama Express. North Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.19.2024.

NOTE TO SELF: First experience here. I don't remember what we ordered, but all of it was solid and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Currently ranked 8th of 22 January meals.

[ravenclawwitchc]

初恋のにおい

How will it end? Sachiko sipped her ice-cold juice, savoring the cool air from the car's AC. The pink peach flavor tasted like summer and love. Her mom was across the street buying cigarettes, ready to dash off to her next date. Dad's party raged on halfway around the world, never-ending.

A 7 PM flight, a 4 PM pause. Miura sat beside her, holding hands in the car, watching the sunset paint the sky. It was almost time to say goodbye - her fleeting youth and the boy who knew every secret of it...

The boy turned to look at her, his eyes clear and bright, a hint of sadness on his still boyish face. Like the little mermaid who couldn't speak, he didn't want to let go of her hand. Instead, he mouthed the words slowly: "僕のことを忘れないでね(Don't forget me)…"

"Cut!"

The set burst into noise. Crew members pushed equipment back and forth while the director and writer whispered instructions behind the camera.

Ran quickly tore her gaze away from the boy's pink tongue. Darn it—she'd forgotten she was supposed to kiss him mid-"sentence". This first kiss was the movie's big scene, with a rare on-location shoot: the harbor, sunset, shadowy car windows, and a girl's unspoken feelings. Too bad they messed up the first take. Dejected, she pushed the door open and got out, allowing her assistant to shove the marked-up script into her arms.

"Read it over and try to nail it next time," the director urged.

Or maybe it was, "It's Ran-chan's first on-screen kiss. Don't put too much pressure on the kid," from the actress playing her mom.

Or even, "Come take a break! I brought bubble tea," from Aunt Yukiko who'd stopped by to visit.

In the end, it was Shinichi, getting out from the other side, who came around and led the embarrassed Ran to Yukiko. The famous actress effortlessly flashed a dazzling smile, offering bubble tea to every crew member who passed by calling her "Fujiyama" or "Yukiko".

Time was ticking, and clear days were rare. In this mother-daughter parallel love story, while things weren't going smoothly on Ran's end, the cigarette-buying mom was already becoming the focus in front of the camera.

Another bubble tea was pushed into her hands as the bustling crew moved across the street. They were left leaning against the hot railings of the harbor bridge, watching Yukiko freely mingle on set. Ran awkwardly swirled her cold bubble tea, her stomach too full of juice to fit another 500cc. She passed it to Shinichi, watching him gulp it down and stumble from the heat.

During this summer break of her third year in middle school, she'd landed this role. It all started when a visiting director spotted her at the Kudo house and asked her to cameo. Now it was her first movie as a main character. Finish shooting quickly, then off to New York with Shinichi - the perfect plan, but...

"It's all Shinichi's fault," she grumbled, setting aside her prop juice. "Why did you have to play Miura?"

Shinichi tugged at his sweat-soaked collar. Before the car kiss scene, there was what he called an "awkward" drama-style chase scene: An anxious boy, unable to call out, his words trapped inside, running with all his might. Only Sachiko's chance glance in the rearview mirror, their eyes meeting, gave him this last moment with his first love.

"Didn't you say you wanted to wrap this up quickly so we could go to New York?" he asked.

"Well, yes, but... kissing you is just too weird!"

Ran covered her face, feeling somewhat flustered. When she first read the script with intimate scenes, she thought it was no big deal. It was just a pure, lips-touching kiss. When the crew couldn't find a suitable male actor, she could still laugh off Sonoko's wild guesses. But when Yukiko whispered that "the director thinks Shin-chan would be perfect," and Sonoko's expression went from shocked to knowing, Ran's instincts tingled. A very, very strange feeling... What was it? Too many hand-holding scenes, too many gazing into each other's eyes. Her heart was a mess.

"Kissing a stranger would be weirder," Shinichi said confidently.

Could that be true? Ran hesitantly recalled how distracted she'd been during filming. Every detail magnified - Shinichi's face, his expression as he seriously mouthed "Don't forget me." It was as if... that's what Shinichi really wanted to say to Ran.

It must be the heat.

The unbearable warmth from head to toe, her young heart beating vigorously, the blush on her cheeks in the makeup mirror - it was definitely because of the heat. Damn summer.

Shinichi sipped his bubble tea, seemingly relaxed, staring absent-mindedly at Ran's face in the mirror. Sachiko was a girl who grew up by the sea, with wind-tousled hair and sun-kissed skin. To fit the character, he'd dutifully suffered with Ran under the seaside sun for two weeks. He ended up matching the script's description of Miura, but Ran's skin remained fair as ever. Illogical. The makeup artist, finding a moment to touch up, applied foundation and surveyed her blusher for a while. In the end, she just wiped the sweat off Ran's forehead and giggled, "Looks like we won't need this," making the girl in the mirror blush even deeper. Hmm... Shinichi raised an eyebrow, feeling pleased. Logical.

He just wondered if this girl understood why he'd snatched the role of Miura.

They sat back in the car parked by the harbor bridge, waiting for the cameras to turn their way. In the script, Sachiko's mom got a call from her husband while buying cigarettes, leading to an argument. Crying, she bumped into her first love on his day off, whose sailboat was named after the flowers blooming when they first met. The adults' complicated entanglements didn't affect the pure yet ambiguous love of the young ones, but Sachiko would experience separations and reunions with her first love as she drifted with her mother.

"So why doesn't Miura confess to Sachiko at this point?" Ran asked, flipping through the script.

Shinichi leaned in close, almost touching heads as they shared the script. "Maybe he's not sure if he can make Sachiko happy?"

Ran turned to him, surprised. "Just because of that? But they've already kissed."

Shinichi pretended to think hard for a while, then said, "I think Miura's a bit insecure. He can't speak, so facing the healthy, bright Sachiko, he wants to leave her more options..." As Ran gave him a slightly shocked "since when are you so insightful" look, he grinned confidently. "If it were me, I wouldn't let the person I like get away so easily."

The sunset outlined his long eyelashes. The boy's soft features were sharpening as he grew, his jawline becoming more defined in the slanting sunlight - that tricky adolescence bridging boy and man. Ran's gaze lingered on him intently. Just as he was about to show a smug expression, she looked back down at the script. "Easily? But Miura chased the car for ages."

Ah—if chasing a girl you like was as simple as running, what challenge would any distance pose?

Shinichi Kudo turned away in frustration, taking another swig of bubble tea, missing Ran's hidden smile as she looked down.

In the distance, the director called for Take 2. The bubble tea was whisked away, replaced by the chilled juice in Ran's hand. Yukiko watched excitedly from beside the camera. The young couple in the car exchanged a glance, then looked away in unison.

Ran gazed at the sunset outside—perfect timing. The sparkling waves matched the overture of youthful love, a wavering, flowing mood ideal for Sachiko and Miura's first kiss. She clenched her fist, determined. Shinichi turned to catch Yukiko winking and giving him a "go for it" gesture. He blushed, remembering how he'd pleaded with his mom for a chance to audition, acting childish after so long.

In this blushing atmosphere, the second take began.

Sipping the chilled juice... A breezy summer evening, not too hot in the air-conditioned car. So Sachiko must be nervous, right? Ran's fingers twitched slightly, her heart racing in sympathy with Sachiko, feeling both happy and bittersweet. The warmth of their hands was undeniable, the person beside her had a vivid presence even in silence. Their last journey together, right after that crazy romantic chase—why the silence? Sachiko couldn't know they'd end up together, so was this first kiss her secret farewell? A bitter kiss, then?

The boy turned to look at her. In the car window, she saw the beautiful sunset and those equally beautiful, sad eyes...

"僕のことを忘れないでね(Don't forget me)..."

This time, she reacted as the script described, leaning in to silence him with a kiss as his lips were still forming the words.

Soft, sweet, tasting of bubble tea.

Wait, that wet, slippery feeling... was it his tongue? Of course, even if the script said just lips touching, kissing suddenly while someone's talking meant tongues would meet. She never knew lips could be so sensitive - this was way more than she'd imagined. Ran's pupils dilated, frozen in place. Her thoughts turned to mush, emotions completely mixed up. It wasn't the bitterness she was supposed to express, but... oh no, she was breaking character.

Oddly enough, they hadn't closed their eyes while kissing. She could see Shinichi's deep blue eyes and her own panic reflected in them. The girl's face flushed like the sunset, her eyes pleading. Thankfully, years of understanding between childhood friends let Shinichi catch her SOS. He covered her eyes with his hand, shielding them from the camera.

Almost out of breath, their lips parted briefly. Her heart raced chaotically. The cameras and crew outside seemed to vanish, leaving them to elope to the ends of the earth. As she gasped for air, he instinctively, recklessly kissed her again.

A second kiss, not in the script.

Then Shinichi felt wetness between his fingers.

Oh no, he'd gone too far. Shinichi pulled back his hand as if burned, waving it awkwardly before wiping away Ran's tears. "I'm sorry, don't cry..." his voice soft and husky. Ran seemed startled by her own tears, letting Shinichi's hand roam her face.

"Cut!"

The lead actress was hurriedly escorted off, meeting tissues for her tears. The makeup artist examined her face, leaving her reddened eyes uncovered. The male actor looked dejected, sneaking glances at his co-star, clearly worried about something.

The director approached, his scrutinizing gaze sweeping over Shinichi and Ran before breaking into a smile, cutting off Ran's attempt to apologize. "That was great this time - I was worried you'd play it too sad. It's Sachiko and Miura's first kiss after all. First kisses are mostly impulse and mutual attraction, not meant to be too rational."

The phrase "mutual attraction" left Shinichi dazed and Ran almost burying her face in the script.

The sun was setting perfectly, golden scales of light dividing the sky into shades of color, their blushing faces nearly melting into the sunset. The director discussed making the little mermaid's lines silent in post-production, but keeping the spontaneous second kiss as Miura's excited response to being kissed by his secret crush was a worthy highlight. Shinichi and Ran leaned against the hot bridge railing again, one staring at the ground, the other gazing at the sky, both hesitant to speak first. Yukiko had disappeared somewhere, and the crew tactfully discussed upcoming scenes, giving them ample space.

"Shinichi, you went too far," Ran finally said, pouting.

"I'm sorry," Shinichi apologized sincerely. He'd just realized Ran's tears might not have meant rejection, but he couldn't tell if the girl was embarrassed or annoyed. Better to apologize first.

"Geez," Ran turned away, smiling. "I just thought, first kisses are a bit..." She turned back seriously, "I mean on-screen first kisses. Kissing you is just too weird."

Ah... Shinichi thought. He finally understood everything that had happened and was yet to happen. It didn't matter if he couldn't always guess his crush's thoughts because someone always smuggled him the answers. He cleared his throat and, under the sunset, gave his first direct response: "I promise I'll do better next time... When we get to New York, can we still ride in the same car?"

This was the summer of their fifteenth year, an ambiguous age where questions and guesses intertwined. So Ran blushed and replied noncommittally, "I'll give you my answer when Sachiko tells Miura hers."

What would the ending be?

Perhaps the journey waiting for that ending was what mattered most. The sea breeze felt so nice. Shinichi smiled, cherishing the certainty amidst all the possibilities, looking forward as never before: Wait a little longer, be patient, until they go to New York together. Then, under the sunset—that "first kiss" would need careful planning. But no matter what happened, he was certain of one thing: as long as he was with Ran, everything would be perfect.

FIN.

[namine-mixi]

Sayaka never once loses her composure, reciting her day's progress with practiced ease. She ticks off the tasks she still needs to do next, along with her expected timeline. 

The CEO merely nods his head at her, and she understands, turning on her heels to exit the expansive office.

Fujiyama, meanwhile, stutters and trips on his words. You wince, but at the same time you totally understand how intimidating it is to be stared down by the famed Kaiba Corp Dragon himself. He somehow gets through his report, his shoulders dropping as he reports a timeline much later than Sayaka’s. You keep your eyelids low, but you peer at him from the side the best you can, curious to see how this will turn out for him. 

“I expect better next time, if you don't want to suddenly find yourself jobless.”

Your eyes widen in surprise, your gaze whipping up to him before you even knew it. 

Fujiyama stutters out a “T-thank you so m-much, sir!” as he practically sprints out, leaving you alone in the Dragon’s lair. The Dragon… Who was making direct eye contact with you. 

Was he waiting for me to look at him? 

You furrow your brows, but you're fairly confident your progress and your projected timeline were leagues ahead of Fujiyama’s. You've got nothing to be afraid of. 

“I'll be expecting overtime for making faces at me. Is that any way to act around your boss?”

“H-huh?”

“‘Huh?’ Is that any way to talk to your boss?”

You grip at your notes, trying to get your expressions under control because— is he smirking right now?? 

“Sir, I… I've scheduled your allotted personal time off around your tournament appearances and board meetings,” you've decided to stumble through your report regardless, “making sure to include at least 6 hours off at the minimum for rest—”

Kaiba steeples his fingers and rests his chin over them, “Did I ask you to do that?”

“Well, no, but—”

“But?”

“Surely everyone sleeps, sir!”

His smirk widens, looking almost slightly evil, “So you're saying I'm just like everyone else?”

You are this close to baring your teeth at him, “No. I will cut down on rest time and coordinate with the secretary team to reschedule your itineraries to start earlier in the day, if that's amenable, sir.”

He leans back in his high leather chair, clearly pleased with himself, “It is.”

“With the change in plans I project your adjusted schedule will be available the day after tomorrow.”

Kaiba opens his laptop and starts presumably working, you quietly sigh in relief, figuring this was all over. 

“No. I expect the new schedule effective immediately. Take charge. Coordinate with your staff.”

Your smile, fake as it already was, starts quivering, “Yes, sir.”

“Oh, and,” You pause, already a few paces closer to the door. Kaiba glances at you, nonchalant, “I expect you in this office when I am, early as it may be. Understood?”

How is this fair? Not to throw him under the bus but wasn't Fujiyama far more deserving of having to render overtime until he gets his act together?”

You turn your head instead, throwing him the sweetest, saccharine smile you could muster, “My pleasure, sir!”

You stomp away, your heels barely clicking on the carpet, unknowingly leaving Seto Kaiba mildly stunned. 

[pikatrainer99]

(SPOILER WARNING! GO WATCH ON NETFLIX FIRST IF YOU DON'T WANT SPOILERS!) So I watched an anime movie called Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop...

...And the male lead, Cherry, is SO AUTISTIC CODED and I relate to him so much!

This is him...first off, the headphones around his neck aren't used AT ALL for listening to music. He uses them SOLELY for blocking out loud noises and to give himself the APPEARANCE of listening to music just so people don't talk to him. I do this often as well, though I do also use mine for music if too much noise gets through. He gets visibly overwhelmed and is quick to put on his headphones when it gets too loud (so am I), like in this scene where Mr. Fujiyama is talking too loud for him.

You can see that he's clearly distressed by this, and when it happens again later, he even TELLS Mr. Fujiyama that he's too loud after he quickly puts his headphones back on. When he meets Smile, he bluntly points out her braces (I watched the sub, and he just stares at her braces and says the word 'braces', I don't know about the dub), which causes Smile to run away since she is self-conscious about her buck teeth and braces. Cherry also doesn't make eye contact as much as a "normal" person would, speaks with a quieter, more monotone voice than the other characters, and talks as little as he possibly can, because he is not good at talking and gets extremely anxious when he has to talk to people he isn't comfortable with. When Smile calls him to find her phone after their phones accidentally get switched, Cherry freezes up and can't speak, he can't even ANSWER the call because of his anxiety, leaving his friends to do it for him. This is just like me, I freeze up in social situations all the time, and I am physically incapable of talking on the phone without freezing up to anyone but my grandma and my mom, my mom has to do all the phone stuff for me because I have panic attacks over making phone calls.

(He's so anxious about the call, just look at him freaking out...he's seriously just like me, I freeze up on the phone too.)

When he has to recite his haiku in front of everyone, he also freezes up and takes several deep breaths before reading it as quickly as possible and then saying that haiku is a WRITTEN art form, and that it shouldn't have to be read out loud, before putting his headphones back on and sitting down, clearly embarrassed...and that's only two situations where he gets anxious. Also, when he's nervous/embarrassed, his WHOLE BODY turns tomato red.

(You can't see it in this image, but he is actually red like this ALL THE WAY DOWN TO HIS FEET!)

Speaking of haiku, Cherry writes haiku in order to better express himself, and it seems to be his special interest, as he is knowledgeable of haiku poets and their work, and lights up when he talks about it in a scene where Mr. Fujiyama recites random haiku to kinda quiz Cherry...? At least, that's how I interpreted that scene, and Cherry was correct in his answers. He keeps a haiku dictionary in his phone case, which makes it look like a brick in comparison to everyone else's, and the dictionary belonged to his dad originally, but, because his dad supports Cherry's love for haiku, he gave it to him. His mom also supports his haiku writing, and even likes all the haiku he posts online, much to his embarrassment. He also uses it to confess to Smile at the end of the movie, while still being incredibly anxious and his whole body still being that same tomato red color, it is a very sweet scene and for me personally, it was cuteness overload. He confessed to her in a very socially awkward way, using his special interest of haiku to recite some he made about her, and I know some people might find it a bit cringe, I thought it was adorable watching him struggle initially, but eventually build up the courage to express his love in the only way he knew how. I relate to this as I have always been much better at expressing myself and communicating through creative writing than actually speaking, I use creative writing to process basically anything...from things that happen in life to my own complicated emotions (I have alexithymia, which is sometimes referred to as emotional blindness, meaning 99% of the time, I have no idea how I'm feeling about anything, and this also extends to not knowing how other people are feeling as well...this is why I watch anime, because the expressions are much easier to read due to the much more expressive character design, particularly the eyes). Creative writing can help me figure out the emotions I'm trying to process, as well as just help me get my point across in a much clearer and easy to understand way...just like how writing haiku helps Cherry understand his feelings and express himself better.

(Look at him, he's trying his best and it's honestly adorable in my opinion.)

We see Cherry grow closer to Smile over the course of the movie, and I personally knew he was comfortable around her when he was finally able to take off his headphones when around her, because I'm very much the same way. If I take off my headphones around someone, it's a sign of trust, security, and affection, and it seems to be the same for Cherry. One day while walking with Smile, she points out that he's not wearing his headphones, and he replies that he doesn't need them anymore. I thought this was adorable and a good way to show that Cherry feels comfortable around Smile.

Throughout the movie he tries to tell her that he's moving away, but is either unable to bring himself to tell her or gets interrupted by someone or something else. Eventually, Smile finds out anyway and is very upset since she wanted to see the fireworks at the festival together with Cherry. Cherry obviously is DISTRAUGHT when Smile sadly continues the walk back home alone with only a "Take care", and as she walks away he tries to reach out one more time, but can't speak anymore and the world gets louder and louder until Cherry finally puts his headphones back on to make it all stop. He holds his hands over his headphones as he sinks to his knees right there where he's standing and completely breaks down shaking and crying...it's like he's having an implosive meltdown...and as someone who has both explosive and implosive meltdowns myself, I can definitely say that my implosive ones do at times resemble Cherry's breakdown in the movie, as I will also hold my hands over my headphones and put more pressure on them, and/or curl into myself or go completely into the fetal position and cry.

(He's trying to reach out, but can't and he's clearly frustrated with himself...)

(And here comes the breakdown...poor Cherry 🥺)

This scene broke me...hearing everything get louder and louder until Cherry put his headphones on and it all went quiet, and then hearing nothing but his cries for the rest of the scene with the volume increasing as it went on...yeah...I felt that to the core...the sensory experiences with the sound design in the movie really made me feel what Cherry was feeling, and it was so relatable too.

I think that's enough now, I've gone on long enough as it is, and even though I jumped around through the movie scenes in this post, I hope you can still understand it okay. This is my first attempt at a headcanon-supportive character analysis (and actually a character analysis in general), so I hope I did alright. I just wanted to express my love for my new comfort character, Cherry, because he's adorable and relatable and I love characters like that. Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop can be found on Netflix. Personally, I think it's really underrated and it's a very sweet slice-of-life movie about two insecure teens and how they spend their summer together. There's nothing TOO heavy in it and I like the characters, the animation, and the color palette is very interesting and fun. All in all, it's an easy one for me to watch, and having a comfort character in it in the form of Cherry just adds to its appeal for me.

I hope you don't mind how different this post is from my usual Pokemon-related stuff, but I just had to make this because I relate to Cherry so, SO much. I'll be back with more Pokemon stuff next time though, so don't worry 😅

[gurutrends]

'Damn shame': Carlos Espina explodes over plaque in school rebuilt by Shin Fujiyama

Content creator Carlos Eduardo Espina exploded on social media this Saturday after learning that the Honduran government placed a commemorative plaque on one of the schools rebuilt by philanthropist Shin Fujiyama and his donors. In a video posted on TikTok, Espina expressed his deep indignation and disappointment, as, according to him, the construction of these schools has been possible thanks to…

[fujiyama2122]

Fujiyama Electric Scooters: Join the Green Planet Mission with Style and Innovation

In the realm of urban commuting, where sustainability meets style, Fujiyama Electric Scooters stand out as a class apart combined with innovation and eco-conscious living hand in hand. As we navigate through the extravagant cityscapes, the need for cleaner, more powerful transportation has never been more obvious. There’s Fujiyama, a trailblazer in the world of innovative electric scooters, making a new trend which is followed by many smart people in the way we traverse the road to the need of meeting the never-ending demands of the blooming city streets. In this exploration, we dive into the art of problem-solving and the long-range horse in the race of life called Fujiyama, taking a closer look at the story behind their successful range of electric scooters, understanding the models in a practical sense, and the smart specifications designed for smart individuals, and why choosing Fujiyama over another contributory opponent in the collective mission of green planet i.e. electric vehicle manufacturing in taking a concrete step toward a collectively greener, more stylish future of commuting.

The Fujiyama Essence:

At the core of Fujiyama's philosophy is the commitment to transforming urban mobility. The essence lies in their understanding that a scooter is more than just a means of transportation; it's a smart lifestyle choice, a commitment to the planet’s sustainability, and an innovative expression of personal style. Let's dive right into the key aspects that make Fujiyama a smart frontrunner in the electric scooter market in India.

A Diverse Range Catering to Every Rider:

Fujiyama identifies the diverse needs of riders and has curated a range of electric scooters to cater to various preferences and requirements for delivering the best performance from any e-scooter. From the urban commuter seeking an affordable and efficient option to the thrilling adventure enthusiast craving intensely accelerating high-speed thrills, Fujiyama has a model designed to meet every need for everyone and by everyone, it means even for those who want the best of both worlds.

Low-Speed High-Performance and Budget-Friendly Models: Spectra and Thunder

For the budget-conscious commuter who wishes to travel the journey with a tension-free smooth ride, Fujiyama's low-speed models, including the Spectra and Thunder, are the perfect fit for the idea of having an e-scooter for those who have a tight budget. These models provide a cost-effective solution for the always frequent daily city travel. With improved practicality and increased affordability at the forefront, these scooters offer a justifiable and economical mode of transportation.

High-Speed Adventure: Ozone

On the other side, if you're seeking an electrifying quick acceleration high-speed experience you can find it with a push of a button, the Ozone steals the spotlight taking centre stage of the collective green planet mission. With a certified range of 140 km and a top speed of 70 km/h which it reaches effortlessly and maintains the top speed until the next turn arrives efficiently within 24 X 7 awake city lives, the Ozone combines smart features, enabled efficiency and natural exhilaration, setting a new standard for owning a high-speed electric scooter.

Innovative Features Enhancing the Riding Experience:

What sets Fujiyama apart is its dedication and ability to infuse cutting-edge technology into every scooter on the production line. These features not only elevate the riding experience but also redefine the standards for upcoming electric scooters in india

Iconic Headlamp and Seamless Design

Fujiyama scooters come equipped with an iconic headlamp design that not only enhances visibility during nighttime rides but also adds a touch of style to the overall aesthetics by enlightening your life in the traffic of life ahead. The seamless smart design and an array of stunningly attractive colours allow riders to choose a scooter that aligns with their personality with a sense of individuality.

Bluetooth Connectivity for a Well-Connected Ride

Recognizing the evolving nature of smart modern commuting, Fujiyama integrates the demand for Bluetooth connectivity to be met into one of its scooters. This allows smart individuals to connect their phones to the scooter, providing touchscreen access to essential features such as GPS navigation, live calls, and music playback. Stay connected with your world seamlessly as you navigate the valleys and hills of every beautiful landscape on the tips of your smartphones.

Battery Safety Under Stress Tests

Fujiyama prioritizes the safety of its riders by subjecting its scooter batteries to rigorous conduct stress tests to avoid any future claim of the vehicle being unsafe and unfit to serve as a revolutionary force in the Green Planet Mission. This ensures and guarantees that the batteries can withstand real-world dynamic demands, providing riders with the necessary confidence in the longevity and safety of their chosen mode of transportation.

IP67 & IP55 Dust-Proof and Water-Proof Design

Navigating through various terrains and weather conditions is a reality of urban commuting. Fujiyama scooters, engineered with an IP67 and IP55 dust-proof and water-proof rating which is the best in the market to ensure that riders can confidently venture through different environments without compromising anywhere in life with the scooter's performance.

Advantages of Choosing an Electric Scooter:

As the world gravitates towards sustainable living collectively, the need for electric scooters has emerged as a compelling alternative to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles creating pollution and unfit air to breathe for us and future generations. Let's explore the advantages that make choosing an electric scooter a more practical and decisive eco-conscious decision.

1. Environmentally Friendly:

Electric scooters produce zero emissions during operation, contributing to cleaner air and reduced carbon footprint. Choosing an electric scooter is a concrete step toward diminishing environmental impact and promoting sustainability altogether.

2. Cost-Effective:

Electric scooters are inherently more cost-effective than their gasoline counterparts figures denote a saving of ₹2,199/month by spending 17 paise/Km on your daily commute. With lower maintenance costs, zero fuel expenses, and even relieving government incentives for electric vehicles, riders can enjoy significant savings over the long term if they make a smart decision today.

3. Quieter Operation:

Electric scooters operate silently, reducing noise pollution in urban environments. This also means it not only enhances the overall performance combined with an unforgettable experience for riders but also contributes to a quieter and more peaceful world of tomorrow and today.

4. Reduced Dependency on Fossil Fuels:

Electric scooters contribute to a significant reduction in fossil fuel consumption. By opting for an electric scooter, riders play a part in decreasing the demand for non-renewable energy sources like electricity, ultimately promoting a shift toward more green and sustainable energy.

5. Convenient Charging:

Charging an electric scooter is convenient and can be done in the comfort of your home or with dedicated certified charging stations which are planned in all public places of upcoming smart cities of India. With improvements in charging infrastructure, riders can enjoy the ease of charging their scooters and recharging riders’ energy without the need to always pay visits to gas stations and their lines.

Why Choose Fujiyama Electric Scooters:

Now that we've explored the advantages of electric scooters, let's understand why choosing Fujiyama is a decision that aligns with a smarter, more sustainable, high-performance-oriented future of commuting.

1. Commitment to Sustainability:

Fujiyama's core philosophy of producing the best electric scooters for every individual of diverse India revolves around sustainable and eco-friendly mobility. By choosing a Fujiyama electric scooter, riders actively contribute to the reduction of environmental impact and the promotion of green commuting.

2. Diverse Range for Every Rider:

Fujiyama understands that every rider is unique, with specific preferences and needs that often define their individual personality. The diverse range of low-speed and high-speed models ensures that there's a Fujiyama electric scooter for everyone, regardless of budget with no compromise on performance level.

3. Innovative Features for Enhanced Experience:

Fujiyama's commitment to innovation is reflected in the features incorporated into their electric scooters. From iconic headlamps to Bluetooth connectivity, every feature is designed to enhance the rider's experience and make commuting a stylish and connected affair.

4. Rigorous Safety Standards:

Safety is the most crucial factor for Fujiyama. The stress tests conducted on scooter batteries, along with the most reliable dust-proof and water-proof expert design, exemplify Fujiyama's dedication to providing riders with a safe and reliable mode of transportation.

5. Stylish Design and Customization:

Fujiyama scooters go beyond smart functionality; they are a tangible and incredible combination of flying colours. With seamless designs and stunning colour options, riders can choose a scooter that reflects their personality like a mirror in the best manner making the commute not just practical but also achievable and fashionable.

6. Added Value with Roadside Assistance and Extended Warranty:

Fujiyama goes the extra mile to ensure a hassle-free ownership experience. With roadside assistance in case of unexpected hiccups or emergency situations, extended warranty options for lasting peace of mind, and all-inclusive scooter insurance coverage, Fujiyama provides added value to its benevolent riders.

Conclusion: Embrace the Future with Fujiyama Electric Scooters

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[fukky-fukiko]

Profile

FUKKY　

ダンスパフォー���ー。神奈川県出身。

幼少期よりピアノを習い、中学で演劇、神奈川総合高校ダンス部にてモダン・ジャズダンスを始めた後コンテンポラリーダンスと出会う。大学時代にダンス作品の創作を始め、卒業後は国内外の様々な振付・演出家の舞台作品や、MV・CMなどの広告映像などへ出演する傍ら自身のダンス作品を都内のショーケースで発表。

2021年、コロナ禍と怪我による療養のためダンサー活動を休止。

2023年より改名し活動再開。JAZZミュージシャンとのセッションライブを企画して踊るほか、詩作やエッセイを元にした映像作品のディレクション、ZINEの制作/販売など、独自の創作活動を展開中。

2011年　立教大学現代心理学部映像身体学科を２期生として卒業。

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

FUKKY　

dance performer. Born in Kanagawa.

FUKKY Learned the piano from childhood, started the drama acting in junior high school, modern jazz dance and contemporary dance in Kanagawa Sogo High School, She began creating dance works during her university days, and after graduating, he appeared in stage works by various domestic and international choreographers and directors, as well as advertising videos such as music videos and commercials, while presenting her own dance works at showcases in Tokyo. In 2021, she took a break from her dance activities due to the CO-VID pandemic and medical treatment due to her injury.

In 2023, She changed her name to FUKKY and resumed her activities. Since then, he has been planning and dancing session performances with JAZZ musicians in various places, as well as directing video works, producing and selling zines containing written works such as poetry and essays.

Currently developing her own creative activities.

She graduated from Rikkyo University, Department of Body　Expression and Cinematic Arts in 2011

_____________________________________________________________

CV

FUKKY

Danceperformer

Based in Tokyo-Kanagawa

【EDUCATION】

2011 Rikkyo University of College of Contemporary Psychology，Department of Body Expression and Cinematic Arts

【WORKS】

2022 Movie direction & ZINE「Engraved Memory」

2019 Cafe Muriui / Solo Exibition「5minitues dead」

2015 theater 21 Festival 「Molt」

【STARRING】

＜STAGE＞

2018 Halasaori 「Da Dad Dada」at Kitasenjyu BUoY

2015 Shitamachi Geijyutusai Open Act at Kobe Dance Box

2015 Yappo Singers「Our Last Voices」at Architanz

2014 Fuhiyama Anette 「dance attack project」at Yokohama Zounohana Terrace　

2014 Drama Unit TTU 「Oyasumi Kafuka」at Yokohama STspot/Fukuoka Ponplazahall

2013 Fujiyama Anette 「The Absense of The city」at Shinkokuritsu Theater

2010 Gekidan Shikakoroshi 「Super Star」at Aoyama Enkei Theater

2009 Co.Yamada Un ‘Kaeru’　ー　Chigasaki Workshop Student

＜MV/CM＞

2017 DEAN FUJIOKA「Let it snow!」

2017 DAIWA - BRAIN collaboration MOVIE 「FEEL ALIVE．」

2016 WEDNESDAY CAMPANELLA「COLOR HOLIC」

2015 Rake feat.BONNIE PINK　『YaMeTa!!! MV Short Ver.』

2015 Keishi Tanaka / Floatin' Groove inc.AL”Alley"

And more..

[strykingback]

"I'm certain yer President is about ta' get a free ride on tha' ass whupping express. If yer gunna inspire change then fuckin' stop bein' some Presidents muppet then ya puppet." Susanoo said unsheathing Fujiyama and placing the large Axe on his shoulder. "After all... I'm certain Hideyoshi has that taken care of. I'm just tha' guy dealin' with the STATE ops anyways." Susanoo said stretching his neck a bit.

"Still can't believe he riled up the GDC over jus' protecting some Espers an' still is continuin' to do so." He continued.

@archivisim cont!

__________

Susanoo just hates it when someone just boasts and boasts. But at the same time. He's really had enough. Which he would walk up to the other with a look that screamed I'm not gonna listen to this bullshit any longer. As he swings a straight punch towards the other. Adding in a bit of his semblance to increase the power of the impact which he cracked his knuckles and stretched a bit with a yawn.

"Are ya gunna keep talkin or are ya gunna fight? Cuz so far, I'm gettin' tired of the boastin yer shit President is doin. So do me a favor. SHUT UP AND BOX. " He would continue looking at the other.

[streetninjart]

October 2018 - Montreuil - France

[ps1]

Fujikyu Fujiyama Express

[cardest]

Japan playlist

Are you turning Japanesa? I don’t think so! This, I believe is the ultimate Japan playlist. One of my favorite countries in the world to visit. it truly is a fascinating place in the world. The music from this region is just so. Crazy even! I have been a few times and cannot wait to get back over there again as soon as Crap-19 takes a hike and leaves this planet already. Meanwhile, here is the Japan playlist to keep us happy. Perfect for those of you out there in lock down.

I hope you dig the list of songs I put together. You can even let me know what songs or bands I forgot and let me know! 私はあなたがそれを掘ることを望みます Arrigato! Hit play right here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-iHPcxymC1_IcliLasW5eajllU8pA5Gh

JAPAN

001 Fantomas - 4-30-05 002 INXS - I Send A Message 003 LADYBABY - candy 004 Babymetal - DoKiDoKi MORNING 005 MOMOIRO CLOVER Z vs KISS - YUMENO UKIYONI SAITEMINA 006 The Cure - Kyoto Song 007  Kill Bill Vol.1 - Isaac Hayes - Run Fay Run 008 CHAI - GREAT JOB 009 Mutant Monster -  Barabara 010 Sigh - Inked in Blood 011 The Vapors - Turning Japanese 012 Fantomas - 4-7-05 013 Ocean Machine -  Night 014 Masayuki Sakamoto - Psy'chy 015 Astro Boy - 1980 English Intro Theme 016 Go Misawa - 悪魔人間 (デビルマン) - 不動明 017 Red House Painters - Japanese To English 018  八十八ヶ所巡礼「仏滅トリシュナー 019 Acid Mothers Temple - Floating Flower Shizuku No Youni 020 Ween - Japanese Cowboy 021 Otoboke Beaver - Don't light my fire 022 Gojira's Godzilla Theme Song 023 Cavalera Conspiracy -  Bonzai Kamikazee 024 Ultra Bide - DNA vs DNA 025 David Bowie - Crystal Japan 026 A Flock Of Seagulls - Tokyo 027 Sakura - Cherry blossoms 028 BON JOVI - Tokyo Road 029 Aneka - Japanese boy 030 Endon - Boy Meets Girl 031 Junko Ohashi - Dancin' 032 Ike Reiko - Yoake No Scat 033 Shohjo-Tai - Flamingo Island 034 Chthonic - Kaoru 035 Herbie Hancock - Nobu 036 Akiko Yano - Dogs Awaiting 037 Inoyama Land - Glass Chaim 038 Fantomas -  4-14-05 039 Hide - Dice 040 Japan - Talking drum 041 Sabbat - Samurai Zombies 042 Brian Ice - Tokyo 043 W.A.S.P. - Tokyos on fire 044 UHNELLYS - SWITCH 045 Boris -  LOVE 046 Kill Bill Vol. 1 - Battle Without Honor or Humanity Tomoyasu Hotei 047 eX-Girl - Pretty You Ugly 048 Gonin Ish - Shagan No Tou 049 Banana Erectors - Fed Up With Highschool Days 050 Strapping Young Lad - Japan 051 Yoshida Brothers - Ibuki 052 Zeni Geva - Total Castration 053 Flower Travellin' Band - Satori, Pt. 1 054 MOMOIRO CLOVER Z - GOUNN - 055 Tom Waits - Big In Japan 056 ABIGAIL - A Witch Named Aspilcuetta 057 Sigh - The Tombfiller 058 Marty Friedman-Dragon's Kiss-Dragon Mistress 059 RIOT - Tokyo Rose 060 Fantomas - 4-13-05 061 Guitar Wolf - High Schooler Action 062 Becoming a Geisha - Memoirs of a Geisha Soundtrack 063 Seven Samurai- Ending Theme 064 Miki Sugimoto - Rei's Ballad (Theme from Zero Woman Red Handcuffs) 065 Yoshida Brothers - Rising from Best Of Yoshida Brothers 066 Ruler - Jeanie Jeanie Jeanie 067 Kill Bill Vol. 1 OST - Twisted Nerve - Bernard Herrmann 068 Fantomas - 4-23-05 069 Shonen Knife - It's a New Find 070 Polish National Radio Symphony OrchestraKrzysztof Penderecki - Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima 071 ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE - Helen Buddha; Miss Condom X 072 Shugo Tokumaru - Decorate 073 PiGu - Bye Bye Honey 074 Hello Kitty Theme Song - Hello Kitty 075 ACUTE -  生き地獄 076 Sabbat - Karmagmassacre 077 Yellow Magic Orchestra - Tong Poo 078 Yojimbo OST -  Main Theme 079 Anpan-man (Red beans bread man)theme song 080 Ex-Girl - The Crown of Dr. Keroninstein 081 Kate Bush - [The Whole Story] Breathing 082 Coffins - Hatred Storm 083 The Books - Tokyo 084 Fantomas -  4-19-05 085 男の一生／松方弘樹 086 Azuma Kabuki Musicians - Dojoji 087 Saxon -  Walking Through Tokyo 088 Kill Bill, Vol. 1 Original Soundtrack - The Flower of Carnage - Meiko Kaji 089 Les Rallizes Denudes - Now is forever 090 G.I.S.M. - Nih Nightmare 091 Mono - Silent Flight, Sleeping Dawn 092 Deftones - Romantic Dreams 093 Strapping Young Lad - Zen 094 Dead Can Dance - Kiko 095 Kinoco Hotel - キノコホテル「キノコノトリコ」 096 Esashi Oiwake - Ensemble Nipponia 097 Naitemo idayoi - bcmomoiro clover 098 Bryan Ferry - Tokyo Joe 099 Suzuki Junzo - Crying Out Double Suicide Blues 100 Iron Maiden - Sun and Steel 101 Kikagaku Moyo - Dripping Sun 102 Fantomas -  4-3-05 103 BARBATOS - Tokyo Rock'N Roll Show 104 BABYMETAL - MEGITSUNE 105 Eternal Elysium - Shadowed Flower 106 The Erections - stupid punk 107 The Seatbelts - Cowboy Bebop (Original Soundtrack 1) 108 Rush - Manhattan Project 109 Today Is the Day - Samurai 110 Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood OST - main theme 111 Japanese War Music - Samurai Battle March 112 Steel Panther - Asian Hooker 113 The Mount Fuji Doomjazz Corporation -  A Place For Fantasies 114 Guitar Wolf - FIGHTING ROCK 115 HEAVY METAL ARMY - That's Hammurabia 116 Michale Graves -  Godzilla 117 Noriko Miyamoto - My Life 118 Loudness - Ashes in the Sky 119 Mary's Blood- Save the queen 120 Mellvins - One Fine Day 121 High On Fire - Bastard  Samurai 122 Shakuhachi - The Japanese Flute 123 Luna Sea - IN SILENCE 124 Tatsuro Yamashita - Sparkle 125 PIG DESTROYER - Kamikaze Heart 126 Tomoko Kawada - Akanegumo 127 Sodom - Kamikaze Terrorizer 128 Carlos Toshiki and Omega Tribe - Sky Surfer 129 TOKKAEBI - cheon mun 130 Pere Ubu - 30 Seconds Over Tokyo 131 Wanda Jackson - Fujiyama Mama 132 Witch Cross - Night Flight To Tokyo 133 F.O.E. - Total Eclipse 134 Coffins - The Frozen Styx 135 Sword of Doom (1966) - Main Theme OST 136 Sigh -  The Transfiguration Fear 137 Yondemasu Yo, Azazel san - Opening song 138 Thundercat - Tokyo 139 GHOST IN THE SHELL O.S.T.2 - i can't be cool 140 Japandroids - No Allegiance to the Queen 141 YAMANTAKA - SONIC TITAN - Hoshi Neko 142 Doraemon 2005 Opening - Sha La La 143 Akira Soundtrack - Kaneda's Theme 144 Anatomia - Morbid Hallucination 145 Traditional Japanese music - Honno-ji 146 Kodo - Lion 147 Tomita Planets - Mercury, The Winged Messenger 148 Yuji Ohno - Lupin The Third Theme '78 149 Ninja Scroll TV Series Soundtrack - Jubei's Theme 150 OKAWARI_BOY show me your space 151 Boris - The Woman on the Screen 152 Sepultura - Kamaitachi 153 X Japan - X 154 L'Acephale - Hitori Bon Odori 155 Zilch (hide) - Inside the Pervert Mound 156 Fantomas -  4-12-05 157 Kodo - Akatsuki 158 Sigh - Hunters not horned 159 Pucca Theme song 160 Tujiko Noriko - Solo - Magic 161 MYSTERY KINDAICHI BAND - THEME OF KOSUKE KINDAICHI 162 Akiko Yano -  クマ 163 Sooo Baad Revue - バッド・レビュ 164 Pharoahe Monch - Simon Says (instrumental) 165 Imaginary Flying Machines - Sanpo (My Neighbor Totoro) (feat. Living Corpse & Yoko Hallelujah) 166 Mutant Monster - kamisama o negai - pv with romaji lyrics 167 Mount Fuji - Neun 168 Kumi Sasaki - Tanchame Bushi 169 Yakuza - Yama 170 Chai - Choose go! 171 Goto Mariko – Drone 172 Blue Oyster Cult  - Godzilla 173 Kinoco hotel –  F No Junkai 174 ASS BABOONS OF VENUS - Jet Unchi 175 James Bond you only live twice OST - Aki, Tiger and Osato 176 PJ Harvey -  Kamikaze 177 BABYMETAL - Awadama Fever 178 Alcatrazz - Hiroshima Mon Amour 179 Tokyo Blade - Warrior of the Rising Sun 180 TIK & TOK - TOKYO GIRLS 181 Queen - Hammer To Fall 182 Nana Kitade - Kibou No Kakera 183 Gallhammer - Blind my eyes 184 Yellow Magic Orchestra - Kai-Koh 185 Chikyuu Kyoumei  Resonance of the Earth 186 Hoodoo Gurus -  Tojo 187 John Waite - Euroshima 188 Tommy Snyder / Yuji Ohno) - ザ・マリン・エクスプレス (The Marine Express) 189 Boris - Riot Sugar 190 Yellow Machinegun - Again 191 Kill Bill, Vol. 1 Original Soundtrack - The Lonely Shepherd 192 Church of Misery - Chilly Grave 193 Jimmy Takeuchi  - Yasuki bushi (Shimane) 194 Yuji Ohno "Andromeda no kanata ni" - (OST - Captain Future) 195 Bo Ningen - Henkan 196 Blood Stain Child - Electricity 197 Crime - Yakuza 198 Tatsuya Yoshida & Satoko Fujii - Feirsttix 199 Ike Reiko - Kokotsu No Sekai 200 Fantomas -  4-9-05 201 David Bowie - It's no game 202 Manon - xxFANCYPOOLxx 203 Sparks - Here In Heaven 204 MAD SPYAIR - samurai heart Gintama 205 Terror Squad - Nightmare Rider 206 Fantomas -  4-6-05 207 Mutant Monster - Hanabi 208 Jimmy Takeuchi - Akita obako 209 NAKED CITY - OSAKA BONDAGE 210 Death Panda theme 211 Crossfaith -  Monolith 212  OMD - Enola Gay 213 Dir en Grey - Obscure 214 LADYBABY Age-Age Money 215 Fantomas -  4-17-05 216 S.O.B. - Deceiver (Napalm Death cover) 217 Jimmy Takeuchi - Time Of The Season 218 Dark Mirror Ov Tragedy - Thy Sarcophagus & Unwritten Symphony 219 Laurie Anderson -  Kokoku 220 THOMPSON TWINS  - TOKIO 221 Electric Eel Shock - Killer killer 222 Kodo - Nanafushi 223 Ningen Isu - Heartless Scat 224 Amachi Shigeru – Showa Blues 225 BlackLab - Insanity 226 TENGGER - achime 227  Riot - Narita 228 Martin Denny - Japanese Farewell Song (Sayonara) 229 LADYBABY - Renge Chance 230 Tokyo Electron  - She Keeps Me Shut 231 Kan Mikami - Anata Mo Star Ni Nareru 232 Kraftwerk - Radioactivity 233 CHAI - N.E.O. 234 Fantomas - 4-27-05 235 Gacharic Spin - Next Stage 236 Loudness -  Crazy Nights 237 David Bowie - Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence 238 The Presidents of the USA -  Japan 239 Fantomas -  4-4-05 240 Kyary Pamyu P - Fashion Monster 241 Wagakki Band - Senbonzakura 242 Deep Purple - Woman From Tokyo 243 Krokus - Tokyo Nights 244 Kyoto - Venetian Blinds 245 Happy End - Natsu nandesu 246 Motohiko Hamase - Plateau 247 Boris - Tokyo Wonder Land 248 Asia - Countdown to Zero 249 Hiiragi Fukuda - Me And My Marshall Amp 250 Marty Friedman -  Ai Takkatta 251 Kodo -  O-Daiko (japanese drummers - Taiko - tambours geants Japon) 252 Sonic Youth - Tokyo Eye 253 Otoboke Beaver - Anata Watashi Daita Ato Yome No Meshi 254 Y&T - Midnight in Tokyo 255 Metalucifer -  Heavy Metal Samurai 256 Urami Bushi - Meiko Kaji 257 Alphaville -  Big in Japan 258 M.O.D. - Godzula 259 Akiko Yano - Hitotsudake 260 Japan - Life in Tokyo (Giorgio Moroder Version) 261 Boris with Merzbow - Sometimes 262 Dragonforce - Power Of The Ninja Sword 263 Fantomas -  4-10-05 264 The Guyver Dark hero Theme song 265 Minami Deutsch / 南ドイツ - Futsu Ni Ikirenai 266 Yukihiro Takahashi - Drip Dry Eyes 267 ZooBOMBS - Doo Bee 268 SIGH -  Shingontachikawa 269 Burt Bacharach - Me Japanese Boy I Love You 270 Kay Cee Jones - Japanese Farewell Song 271 Dhidalah - GRB 272 Kikagaku Moyo - tree smoke 273 The Fall - I Am Damo Suzuki 274 Ryuichi Sakamoto - Thousand Knives 275 Yasuaki Shimizu - kakshi 333 Godiego - The Birth of the Odyssey (Monkey Magic) 666 BABYMETAL -Headbanger

Here are the songs to listen to: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-iHPcxymC1_IcliLasW5eajllU8pA5Gh

[icleanedthisplate]

Dine-Out Meals of January 2024, Ranked

I ranked the following based on taste alone. I made no consideration for ambiance or the general dining experience or whatever. I included meals I got to go. I included food trucks, catered meals, and fast food.

A solid showing by restaurants in Huntsville, Alabama and Wichita, Kansas this month.

Should you be interested in the pictures or reading the few words I had to say about each meal, click on the home page and scroll down or see the archives.

Cream of Asparagus Soup, Artisanal Cheese Platter (shared), Pan-Seared Gulf Yellowfin Tuna. The Bottle Restaurant. Huntsville, Alabama. 1.10.2024.

Combo Marino, Plantains, Flan. Gabby’s Peruvian Restaurant. Wichita, Kansas. 1.25.2024.

Italian Beef Bene, Cinnamon Roll (shared). Raduno. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.14.2023.

Beetroot Salad, Salmon, Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp. The Revivalist. Huntsville, Alabama. 1.11.2024.

Pork Ribs w/Collard Greens, Mac & Cheese, Banana Pudding. Wright’s BBQ. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.4.2024.

Jinya Bun, Jinya Tonkotsu Black. Jinya Ramen Bar. Wichita, Kansas. 1.24.2024.

Tuna Tacos, Pan Seared Black Seabass, Curry Duck Breast, Poblano Mac & Cheese Casserole, Honey Soy Brussels, Sticky Toffee Cake (shared all). Table 28. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.13.2024.

Bleu Burger w/Duck Fat Fries. Dempsey’s Burger Pub (Clifton Square). Wichita, Kansas. 1.23.2024.

Feta James, Mr. Nice Guy, Apple of My Eye (shared dessert). Leverett Lounge. Fayetteville, Arkansas. 1.17.2024.

Harissa Avocado Bowl. CAVA. Fayetteville, Arkansas. 1.17.2024.

Assorted Sushi Rolls (Rainbow, California, etc.). Fujiyama Express. North Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.19.2024.

Local Mix w/Grilled Chicken. Urban Cookhouse. Huntsville, Alabama. 1.12.2024.

Baleada Con Todo w/Carnitas. El Sur Street Food Co. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.8.2024.

BLT-AE Sandwich w/Grilled Veggies, Jolly Green Juice. HomeGrown. Wichita, Kansas. 1.26.2024.

Chicken Scratch Salad w/Rotisserie. Waldo’s Chicken & Beer. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.6.2024.

Grilled Salmon (Snappy) w/Grilled Veggies, Rice & Beans. Flying Fish. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.19.2024.

Shrimp w/rice, Steamed Veggies. La Chingada. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.5.2024.

Egg White Grill, Yogurt w/Fruit. Chick-fil-A. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.10.2024.

Petit Jean Ranch Salad (to go). Zaza Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.22.2024.

Bacon Cheeseburger w/Onions & Mushrooms, Fries. Vanilla Milkshake. CJ’s Butcher Burger Boy. Russellville, Arkansas. 1.18.2024.

Green Chile Stew, Crispy Ahi Tuna Taco. Local Lime. Rogers, Arkansas. 1.23.2024.

Tortilla Soup. Chuy’s Chuy’s. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.20.2024.

Whipped Feta & Prosciutto App (shared), Salad Lyonnaise. Wild Fork. Tulsa, Oklahoma. 1.26.2024.

Chicken Livers w/Okra, Mashed Potatoes, English Peas. Cindy’s Place. Corinth, Mississippi. 1.10.2024.

Grilled State Bird Sandwich w/Fries. Hill Station. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.31.2024.

Chicken Salad Sandwich w/Chips. McAlister’s Deli. Wichita, Kansas. 1.24.2024.

Ark-Mex Enchiladas w/Tomato-Cucumber-Mint Salad, Pinto Beans. Heights Taco & Tamale. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.30.2023.

Yogurt & Granola w/Fruit Compote. Mylo Coffee Co. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.31.2024.

Fattoush Salad w/Salmon. Meddys. Wichita, Kansas. 1.25.2024.

Green Goddess Salad. Newk’s. Fayetteville, Arkansas. 1.18.2024

Ham & Cheese Croissant. Starbucks. Conway, Arkansas. 1.17.2024.

Ham & Cheese Croissant. Starbucks. Wichita, Kansas. 1.25.2024.

Ham & Cheese Croissant. Starbucks. Fayetteville, Arkansas. 1.18.2024. (No photo)

Meat & Cheese Plate (shared), Pork Ribs w/Beans, Slaw. Charlie Vergo’s Rendezvous. Memphis, Tennessee. 1.12.2024.

Bangkok Noodles w/Shrimp. Bangkok Thai Cuisine. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.3.2024.

Ham & Cheese Croissant. Starbucks. Wichita, Kansas. 1.24.2024.

Ham & Cheese Croissant. Starbucks. Conway, Arkansas. 1.23.2024.

Red Pepper Sous Vide Egg Bites. Starbucks. Huntsville, Alabama. 1.11.2024.

[aikafuwaa]

RIGHT! LET'S GO TO FUJI-Q HIGHLAND! PART 2 Sora: If someone said Fuji-Q Highland... Everyone: THRILL ATTRACTIONS!!! Sora: That means the first one to challenge is the FUJIYAMA! Nozomu: Fuwaa—! I'm sooo excited! Kensuke: Sora and Nozomu's excitement is expectedly high, huh. Sora: But look! This is very big! I was already thrilled! Morihito: It's name is fitting for its dignity, right. Ryota: If I'm not mistaken, Ken is in charge of narrating FUJIYAMA. Kensuke: Yes! So, I am also gonna ride the FUJIYAMA, I'm already looking forward to it! If you look closely again, it is really big! Ren: Uuh...the roaring and shriek passing over the coaster gives me...too much terror...uuuh. Kouki: ...are you, okay? Ren. Ryota: It's certainly you can't possibly be with it, huh? There are still other attractions to ride on. Ren: R-right, if I could...the first one is already a little mild for my heart, an attraction graceful in the eyes wouldn't be so bad...ahaha. Morihito: Ah, to be honest me too, thrilled attractions are not my forte. How about we seperate once for the FUJIYAMA group and special attractions? We are just going to meet up once it's a good time. Sora: OK! Well, then, we are gonna climb FUJIYAMA! Let's go! Morihito: Everyone! Have fun, okay! Nozomu: Uwaah! This is super high! We are yet to go up! Sora: It's a superb view! A superb view! Kouki: Amazing. Fuji-Q Highland's view something to look at. Mamoru: Mt. Fuji is something to see, too. Kensuke: Ooh! We are about to fall—here it is!!!! Sora: Uhyaaaaaaaa!!!!! Aaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!! Soushi: Sora, you're going to destroy your throat if you scream too much~ Kensuke: ...no—! That was super thrill! Mamoru: I know! On the way, I thought my body feels like blowing away! Sora: I screamed a lot from the bottom of my stomach! Soushi: Sora shrieks a lot...no, shouted, right. Kensuke: Fuu! Sora, your hairdo becomes like that! Sora: Ueeh?! Seriously?! But...yours became hilarious! Kensuke: Eh?! Really?! Kouki: It's because of the speed and wind pressure. It's not impossible, too. That was an experience of riding in a blink of an eye to the extent that the dense was thick. Mamoru: As expected of Kou-kun. Your expression didn't even change a bit. Sora: It was like I was not screaming at all, it feels complacent. Kouki: It wasn't like that...my heart won't stop beating hard. But at the same time it feels great. Kensuke: The refreshing feeling was being remnant. Nozomu: Oh! Then, shall we continue at the thrilling machines? Soushi: Let's go for it. Where do we go? Sora: Alright! So, FUJIYAMA didn't rotate so I think the next one would be the rotating Tentekomai, how about it? Everyone: Agree!!! to be continued...

[the-letter-horror-lover]

Oh hell no!

24

"So, we're settled. What you are going to do now is relax. I will call on each pair and tell you what kind of service you will render this weekend and of course, all the details," she says and sniffs giving her nostrils some air.

She calls on the first pair and talks to them and she gives Inojin a piece of paper. Next are Chocho and Mitsuki. She sighs before standing up and I can sense the uneasiness in her aura.

"Relax," I whisper and she smiles awkwardly. I peek at Mitsuki and he was smiling as always. Both of them proceed to face our adviser and just like earlier, our adviser instructs them and gives them a piece of paper. The same goes with the next pair and the next until it's our turn.

"Kawaki and Sarada come forward," she says and I stand up from my seat. I go first and moves in front and the jerk seems uninterested. Everyone is staring at him may be wondering why he is still not moving from his chair. He just gives us a boring look but he has no choice but to come in front. He unenthusiastically stands up and comes down.

"All right, you guys listen up. You two are going to the Fujiyama residence this weekend. Here..." she lays the paper in front of us and we both grasp on it at the same time. I try to take it away from him but he is tough. He wants to play tug with me, huh? I pull it closer to me and he pulls it on his side. We are exchanging electrifying stares that give more tension to the atmosphere.

"Hey, you're going to tear it apart," she cuts us off from pulling each end. We look at her and she smirks at us.

"Give it to her," she commands and he scoffs removing his hand from the paper and putting each of them in his pockets, and walks off.

"The details are written in the paper," she says and I nod. I get back to my seat and take a look at the paper.

"Such a pain," I mumble and sigh. I keep it underneath the desk. I turn on my side and Chocho's faintly pouting. I wonder what's wrong with her. I nudge her on her side and she looks at me still has those pouting lips.

"What's wrong?" I ask while furrowing a brow. She tries to refuse to answer but I stop her already by glaring at her.

"Okay, okay! I give up," she says raising both her hands in defeat.

"Tell me what's wrong with you," I demand and she sighs. She whispers in my ear and I patiently listening to her stories.

Oh, she and Mitsuki got a messenger job this weekend. Since the postman is on sick leave.

"Well, that's good for you. You like letters, right?" I tease her and she sulks like a kid. I giggle at her expression to tease her even more.

"Well, I'm still luckier than you thought, unfortunate little girl," she counterattacks and she leaves me in awe. Oh my goodness! Now, I remember that hell awaits me this weekend. I cup my face when I realized it and she is laughing at me now and sticks her tongue out. I pout at her teasing face.

"What do you get?" she asks me. I tell her and she is happy about it.

"What's the meaning of that face anyway?" I ask her while twitching a brow.

"Well, your task is more interesting than us, to be honest," she says and closes her book and puts it under her desk.

"Is that so?" I want to confirm if it's okay.

"I worry more about the result of your task with Kawaki. I am pretty sure he will make you do all the work. He got a tramp card against you," she points at me and waves her index finger in front of me.

"That's not fair," I retaliate and pout. I know there is a high possibility that he will do that.

"He is unfair and stubborn don't forget about that," she adds and it makes me cringe.

"And a jerk," I add and shake my head in disappointment. Why do I have to be paired up with him?

"Life is so unfair. Why?" I utter and bows my head while my forehead leans against the desk and making space for my eyeglasses not to break apart.

I went to him to hand him a copy of our task right after our class and he doesn't seem to even try looking at me so I am forced to speak to him, "Hey, did you hear me?" the jerk turns to face me and replies with "Huh?" like he never heard me say a word.

"I say here's a copy of our task this weekend. Don't forget, okay? Don't let me do it alone for your sake. It's a shame if you'll make a girl do all the work," I tell him with glaring eyes and he gives me an insulting face and sharp cold eyes.

"You are being bossy again. Are you forgetting who is the real boss here?" I know he is going to bring up the letter again.

"At Kyoto Station at 8 a.m. Don't be late I won't be waiting for you," I say and leave right away before he could speak to me. I don't want to hear what he is going to say. I don't know what was his reaction and I am not interested to know. Let's see if he'll come on time.

Saturday, 7:50 a.m.

I look at my watch to see what time is it. Ten more minutes and the train is on its way. Guess what? The jerk is still not here and it's almost time for the next trip to our destination. It will take two hours to get there. I got all the things needed for the community service.

As per instruction, we are not allowed to go home until the task is over. Meaning to say, we will stay two days and one night with the Fujiyamas. Time check it's 7:55 a.m. I can see the train coming my way and the jerk is still not here yet. I will go with or without him. I give him a copy of the details of Mr. Fujiyama and I think he won't be lost.

Before the train gets to stop in front of me, I think I've sighted a familiar face walking in my direction. Mind you that person is nothing interesting. Then the train stops and passengers coming out one by one.

"So, you came," I say not looking at him. He did not respond and gets on the train without a warning.

"Hey..." I mutter and follow him while carrying my bag full of clothes and other personal belongings.

He immediately sits on and puts the earphones on his ears like a monkey-looking alien while listening to whatever he is listening from his phone. I notice that he only has a backpack with him. Does he even have clothes with him? Okay, why do you even care, by the way, Sarada? I am scolding myself like an idiot.

I sit facing him and try not to be disturbed by his presence. He is not looking at me but looking outside the window. I glance at him once in a while but he is not moving from his position. I wonder how boring his life could be. Well, it's none of your business, Sarada.

I check on my phone if there are messages and I'm glad there is one if it's not Chocho I wonder who would it be.

Well, I am right. It's from her and her message is all about, "How's the trip with Kawaki?"

Is she expecting something else besides him being a jerk to me?

I type my reply to her and it states, "Do you expect him to be nice today? Not going to happen." And she did not reply after that. Maybe they have dived into the work already. I hope her team up with Mitsuki will be a success. Oh, I must pray that for myself, right?

After two hours and five minutes, we have finally arrived! The train stops and I start to carry all my things out of the train. The jerk and I coincidentally stand in the doorway at the same time and we do not honestly fit to pass through it together and someone needs to go out first and the jerk won't let me. How rude... I pout at him and he ignores me. So I move out after him and he keeps his pace without turning his back at me.

Does he even know he has someone with him?

"Hey, are you sure you know the place?" I call out to him. It seems that he is going in the wrong direction based on where he was heading to. He did not respond to me.

I scroll through my phone and search for the location of Mr. Fujiyama's address through my phone's GPS and it's telling me to follow the jerk. Did he come here before? It's my first time here though. So I followed him.

He stops at the bus station. So, we are going for another ride? The bus stops and the jerk gets inside shortly and I'm still halfway to the station so I need to rush over to get on time. Why did I bring too many things by the way?

He sits on the vacant seat and I do sit behind him. He keeps listening to music through his earphones and he doesn't look like he cares about the world. I'm scowling behind him and he seems not to notice me.

We stop after fifteen minutes and the jerk stands up from his seat and walks his way off the bus. I look at my phone and the GPS says we're already here. I start to wonder how the jerk handily found this place.

When I finally moved down, I find a great field in front of me.

"This place is completely different from the city," I mutter and the jerk was standing beside me not uttering a single word. The place is in the countryside. The fresh air is relaxing and the view is truly beautiful. I never grow up in a place like this and it's precisely the best place I've gone to.

"Hey, who are you looking for?" an old man from the field calls out to us. He walks in our direction and removes his hat upon arriving.

"Good morning," I greet and bow my head and he replies with a greet too.

"Is Mr. Fujiyama here?" the jerk finally says. The old man furrows his brows in confusion.

"Who are you guys, by the way?" he asks and shows a suspicious face to us. Do we look like criminals or what?

"This is the first time I saw you two here. You don't live here, do you?" he continues.

"We are high school students who have a community service program as part of our curriculum. Here..." I show him the paper with the details of our task. He nods as if to say he understands what I am saying to him.

"Mr. Fujiyama seeks help on his farm because his son is sick that is according to his letter sent to our school. So, we are here to assist," I explain, and the old man looks convinced based on his reaction.

"That is true. Did you see that house over there? That's his house. Well, this is the way," he says and shows us the narrow path in the middle of the field.

"Thank you so much, old man," I say and bow my head to show my gratitude to him. The jerk just walk off without saying thanks to the old man who helped us. Can someone teach him some manners? I just smirk at his attitude towards others and later on follow him to the Fujiyama's residence.

He doorbells and waits in front of the red-painted gate. Three, four, and five seconds and the gate is still closed but I heard an indistinct sound of a child from inside. A voice of a little boy.

"Grandpa, someone's outside," finally a clear sentence echoes from the inside.

"Alright, be careful or you'll topple down," an old man's voice replies to the boy.

The gate creaks and someone is opening it. It slowly opens and reveals an old man in kimono and a little boy.

"Hey..." he utters and stops when he realizes there are two of us outside. He then glares at the jerk. He seems to be familiarizing him or something. I look at the jerk and his lips slowly open. He is going to say something.

"Long time no see, grandpa Simone,"

25

"Long time no see, grandpa Simone,"

I heard the jerk talk to the old man. So, he knew him. The old man blinks his eyes countless times and stretches his eyes to know who is the person in front of him.

"I'm afraid you are... Kawaki?!" he utters surprisingly and taps his shoulders. The little boy beside him seems confused about what is happening around him. He looks at me and I smile. He hides behind his grandpa's kimono. Even I am glad that this jerk knew Mr. Fujiyama.

"You're a grown-up now. I barely recognize you," he chuckles and moves him closer to his chest like he is going to hug him. The jerk did not complain nor object to the old man's gesture.

"By the way, who is this beautiful girl right here? Is she your girlfriend? Are you paying a visit to us together?" the old man concludes and I almost puke at his statement. His girlfriend? Why would people think that? The last time we were called boyfriend-girlfriend was when... the moment my first kiss was stolen. Argh! I hate to reminisce about that obnoxious memory of him stealing my precious first kiss.

"No, no, no! That's not it. We are here to..." I'm quick to refuse and I shudder when I utter those words to him.

"We're here because you called for our help," the jerk finally says and Mr. Fujiyama switches his gaze at him and twitches his brow in confusion.

"We are here for our community service requirement for our graduation," I add and he looks stunned.

"You mean, you are students from that school I wrote to a week ago?" he says while nodding his head.

"I'm sorry to keep you standing outside. Please come in," he invites us inside. I carry my things with me and the jerk walks straight inside the old man's house.

"I am Sarada, nice to meet you, Mr. Fujiyama," I offer my hand for a shake and he accepted it.

"No need for Kawaki to introduce himself because I already knew him," he laughs. The jerk just shakes his head. I notice that the little boy is tugging on Mr. Fujiyama's kimono and the old man finally notices him.

"By the way, this is Taki, my grandson. You haven't met him before Kawaki," he speaks to him, and the jerk looks at the kid.

"Is he Yukito's son?" he asks the old man and he nods to confirm it. I don't know what they are talking about. So I think I'll just listen to them silently.

"I see. Where's Yukito?" he asks and the old man gets inside the house and we follow him. He is leading us to his son's room. When he opened it, his sick son is lying on the mattress.

"Sarada, dear. It looks like your bag is heavy. Let me show you to your rooms while you stay here," he says and leads us to our rooms. He turns left and tells the jerk that it's his room and the right one is mine. Our rooms are facing each other.

"After you unpack your things can you proceed to the living room?" he asks and we nod as a response to him.

"Well then, see you there," he waves goodbye at us. I look around the room and it feels lovely in here. The design is simple yet elegant in the eyes. I wonder who's room is this. I unpack my things and prepare my clothes to wear when we get to work.

After I brought out the clothes, I head to the living room as per Mr. Fujiyama's instructions.

As I walk near the living room, I hear indistinct voices chattering and I figure out that they are all there talking including Taki.

"So, Taki's mom died a year ago?" I hear the jerk said. The old man nod and I can see how Taki's face gloom.

"Why don't you join us, Sarada?" Mr. Fujiyama notices my presence and I join in.

"I'm sad you haven't met her. She was as great as your mom," he laughs bitterly when he said it. I can tell. I think this is a family talk and I am not in the position to hear all about this. I noted that the jerk stays silent when Mr. Fujiyama talked about his mom.

"Well, I think let's get to work," he says while smiling at me. Taki smiles at me too. His gloomy face becomes brighter now.

"Yeah," I utter as my reply to him.

"Yukito has already planted some vegetables on the farm before he got sick. I asked for help to harvest the cabbages and lettuces to be sold in the market. I'm too old to do all the work. And if we don't harvest and sell them, we will starve to death. Taki is just three and doesn't know how to do this stuff," Mr. Fujiyama explains and we nod.

"Do you know how to farm and garden, Sarada?" he asks me and I was startled.

"Yeah, I know... a bit..." I give him an unsure laugh and the jerk scoffs.

"I taught Kawaki how to farm when he was young. I bet he still knows how right, Kawaki?" and he laughs. The jerk did not respond but smirk.

"Oh, I see," I muttered awkwardly.

"Okay, get change and I will show you how to farm," Mr. Fujiyama laughs and Taki laughs with him too. He is so cute with dent teeth.

So, I change my clothes. Mr. Fujiyama gave me a spare of his farming outfit glad that it suits me.

I went out to look for them and they are waiting for me on the farm. Taki waves at me as if to say that I should hurry up and come to them quick. I run and walk in their direction. The jerk is on his farming outfit too.

I look around the place and it's really beautiful. I wish I have family in the countryside to pay a visit during summer vacations.

"Emilia's outfit suits you," Mr. Fujiyama remarks. Is he complimenting me?

"It's flattering, Mr. Fujiyama," I reply and I think my cheeks blush.

"Just call me grandpa or Simone, that would be better," he says and sighs.

"By the way, who is Emilia?" I ask and Taki's face saddens.

"Taki's late mom, right?" the jerk confirms, and Simone nods.

"I'm sorry," I mutter and look down. I didn't intend to bring her up.

"No worries. It's okay. Let's get to work. I will teach you how to harvest the cabbages and lettuces," he says and smiles.

"Yay!" Taki jumps and yells joyously. The little boy seems to enjoy it. Simone laughs at his grandson's demeanor.

"Taki loves going here with us," he tells and I nod and smile at the young boy.

"Okay, look how I do it," he tells me and he starts to teach me how to harvest the lettuces. It's really fun to watch him do it. He let me try it and it is not that bad for a first-timer like me.

"You're doing good, Sarada," he comments and I smile at him. I glanced to my right and the jerk is effortlessly harvesting the cabbages. Wow! I can't help myself from being amazed. So, he did this before. I move closer to Mr. Fujiyama and watch him harvest some of the lettuce on his side.

"Hmm... Mr. Fujiyama," I call out to him and he stops from his work.

"Hmm," he responds to me and I clear my throat before speaking again, "You and Kawaki are relatives?" I think my curiosity will kill me in no time. He laughs before he answers my question.

"We are certainly not related," he snickers and I utter 'oh' in surprise.

"But how do you know each other?" I keep asking like a reporter and I don't know why I am asking him anyway.

"You two aren't that close, are you?" he asks with gauging eyes. I startle when he said it.

"Not really..." I stammer when I reply to his question.

"I see. I haven't seen you chat since you got here," he remarks and it makes me feel bad. I just give him an awkward smile.

"My son Yukito used to work in the city before and his apartment was right next to Kawaki's house. I met Kawaki when he was eight," he tells a story.

"I visit Yukito every once a year and I found Kawaki at his apartment and they were hanging out together. At first, I wonder why my son who is a lot older than Kawaki would hang out with him, and later on, I figured out from Yukito that he treated Kawaki as his younger brother. Yukito sometimes brings him here before and I taught him how to farm or harvest vegetables," he reminisces, and some things are clear to me now. I keep listening to him narrate the past events.

"I am relieved somehow that my son wasn't alone in the city but that boy has changed," he says and gazes at the jerk. I'm urged to look at him too while he is harvesting the cabbages. I wonder what he meant by he had changed.

"The last time I saw him was from his mother's funeral that was six years ago," he continues and I unexpectedly get goosebumps. His mother was dead?

"I didn't know about that, " I stutter and glance at the jerk.

"You sure did. Yukito told me that Kawaki has changed. He doesn't smile and laugh anymore like he used to. He isn't the boy I met years ago. I can see through it right now," he notes. He and I are kinds of missing one of our parents. It's so sad.

"It's so sad losing someone you love," I mutter unconsciously.

"Indeed," he agrees.

"I lost my dad too when I was still very young," I confess, and Mr. Fujiyama seems to be surprised.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Sarada," he apologizes and I shake my head.

"I know dad won't be pleased if I will live my life in loneliness. So I have to be happy and strong for my mom," I say filled my chest with hope and positivity.

"That's right. I know Kawaki will get through it one day," he says with high hopes in his voice.

The day ends with all the vegetables harvested. I wipe the sweats on my forehead after my gloves and boots were removed. It's getting dark too and I think we will resume by morning.

"You guys clean yourselves up and I will prepare our dinner," Mr. Fujiyama says pointing at the bathroom.

"Hey, I will help you cook our dinner," I volunteer, and he snickers.

"Are you sure? You must be tired now," he assures and I shake my head.

"No worries. I will change and clean myself up a bit and will help you in the kitchen," I say and rush towards my room and get my change of clothes. I head straight to the bathroom and start washing my face.

"Taki, after Kawaki you clean yourself up, okay?" I hear old man Simone tell Taki and the little boy nod while smiling at him. He is really cute.

"I'm done!" I say and breathe heavily.

"Get out of the way," the jerk suddenly appears and slightly moves me to the side.

"What a grumpy jerk!" I scowl and I hear old man Simone and Taki laugh.

"You seem not on good terms, huh?" he chuckles and I pout. I then change the subject real quick.

"Let's get to the kitchen and cook," I say and he nods. Taki sits on the chair waiting for his turn in the bath.

"We will prepare ichiju-sansai for tonight because we are celebrating our first day of good harvest," old man Simone says and I just nod smiling at him. So we started preparing the food. After an hour and we are finished.

"What a feast!" Taki yells when he sees the foods served in front of us.

"Sarada cooked all of them," old man Simone says and I think my cheeks flush.

"Let's dive in!" old man Simone mutters and we all say, "itadakimasu" at once and stare at the food for a second.

"I'll taste first," Taki says and picks from the plate and immediately puts the food in his mouth, he munches and stretches his eyes.

"Delicious!" he shouts. I clench my chest in relief. He liked it.

"Thank you, Taki," I say almost whispering. I'm overwhelmed by his remarks on my cooking.

The two men start picking and eating the foods I made and old man Simone seems to like it. The jerk didn't say anything and keep munching on the food.

"She's better off cooking than harvesting on the farm," he comments. Just what? I am not sure if it is a compliment or an insult.

"What did you say?" I scoff and he is not looking at me.

"Forget it," he says still munching on the food and not looking at me. I pout in disgust. Old man Simone and Taki laugh at us.

"You know I haven't done farming or harvesting before. I am still learning jerk!" I retaliate.

"You know what? You remind me of Yukito and Emilia. They are like this sometimes. Fighting over silly things," old man Simone reminisces. I disregard his comment and focus on the food. I did not talk to the jerk anymore.

"Big brother Kawaki, If you will marry big sister Sarada, she will cook you delicious foods like this every day," we both puke and cough at Taki's statement. Old man Simone laughs at us and I think my entire face turns red.

"Not going to happen!" the jerk and I shout at the same time! The kid has a silly mind and they burst out laughing.

We proceed to rest after our dinner. This day was tiring as ever but I have learned a lot. I didn't notice that I was yawning countless times now. It's time to sleep.

Squawking birds wake me up. I look at my watch and it's 5:20 a.m. I get up from the bed and head straight to the bathroom to take a shower. After a few minutes and I'm done. I dress up and proceed to the kitchen to help old man Simone to cook for breakfast but when I got there, the foods were already served on the table still hot.

"You made all of these alone?" I say and he startles. "I'm sorry if I surprised you," I apologize and he shakes his head.

"Come on, sit down," he invites me and I accepted his offer. I sit on the chair facing the food he had prepared.

"They look delicious," I remark and he chuckles. "Of course, they are made by one and only me," he says then laughs.

"Good morning," Taki greets and he settles on the table. The jerk is behind him, all dressed up.

"Good morning boys," old man Simone greets back and he speaks again, "Taki, my boy, can you bring this tea to your dad's room?" The little boy nods and descends from the chair and gets the cup of tea from his grandpa and went to his dad's room right away.

"Okay, let's eat when he gets back," he says upon settling on the chair. I smile as a response to him. A few seconds later, Taki comes back and we started our breakfast. It was just a normal breakfast for normal people of course. Then after that, we get back to work.

"This part is not that broad just like yesterday. We will finish it by 10 a.m. Sarada, you will harvest the cabbages today. Kawaki, can you teach her how to do it?" old man Simone asks him and he did not answer. I just notice that he is not using his tramp card against me. Hmm... What happened?

"Watch closely," he says and he starts harvesting the cabbage.

"Hey, can you do it slowly? I can't see it properly. And can you give me the steps?" I tell him and he looks annoyed.

"Just watch, you're a fast learner, right?" he smirks and gets back to his work. He intentionally makes it fast so I can't keep up. What a dirty trick!

I follow what he was doing and I can manage somehow. Old man Simone tells me I'm fine so I guess it's okay. So I keep doing what I have started and gladly it went well.

I hear Taki laughs like he's tickled and when I glance at him, the jerk is truly tickling him. They are hanging around. The jerk chases him and when he gets a hold of him he will tickle him to his side and Taki's going to laugh. Both of them are shabby. Dirt is all over their clothes but they look happy with each other's company.

I stun when I see the jerk laugh and smile at Taki. It was the first time I saw him smile, ever. So he certainly knows how to smile but it's quite costly on his part.

"This is the first time I saw Kawaki smile after his mother's death," old man Simone suddenly appears like a mushroom beside me.

"It's my first time seeing him laugh too," I say with honesty.

"You two have the most unlikely bond but I think you will overcome it and you will become very good friends when the time comes," he says vaguely.

"I doubt it," I say pouting.

"You know what? You look adorable when you two fight," he laughs hard this time. I shake my head in disbelief. He is joking, right?

"Thank you for everything, Mr. Fujiyama," I say and bow my head.

"Come on, you don't have to be that formal, Sarada. I should thank you both for helping us out," he says and gestures in front of me like 'it's nothing' and laughs like his usual demeanor.

"Big brother Kawaki, please visit us some time," Taki tells the jerk. The jerk again smiles at him and messes with his hair.

"Taki's right, you two must come here for a vacation. I am hoping you will. And I wish by that time you are no longer fighting with each other," he laughs again and the jerk smirks. I give him an awkward laugh.

I wave goodbye at them and we wait for the bus to pass. After a few minutes, I eye on the bus coming our way. It stops in front of us and I grab my bag from the floor but before I completely get inside I unconsciously tell the jerk, "You should smile sometimes, it makes you less grumpy," then I hop inside the bus I slightly hear him say, "huh" but I ignore him. I look for a vacant seat and settle down.

This trip sure was insane, but I loved it so much...

7Chapter 26

"How's your weekend, Sarada?"

Chocho asks after we settled down. I give her pouty lips while I am taking out my things from my bag.

"Hey..." she makes it sound long to calculate my mood, I guess. I look at her with my brows raised.

"It went well if you're asking about our community service," I say and return to my work. I think I already know what she was implying about my weekend.

"Hmm..." she hums suspiciously as if she is not convinced with my response. I just focus my attention on my things.

"What about you though? How was your weekend with Mitsuki?" I ask trying not to let the conversation die.

"It was kind of busy yet great," she says casually.

"Like nothing strange happened?" I raise one of my brows and look suspiciously at her.

"What kind of strange thing are you talking about?" she asks furrowing her brows at me.

"Like... Hmm..." I mutter and then squint at her.

"Like he told you he likes you accompanying him?" I tease her and I can tell how her cheeks blush.

"Why the heck would you think that?!" she flusters and I slightly laugh.

"You are always there for him though," I shrug and she looks in his direction, and she immediately returns her gaze at me.

"We are friends, just friends, you know?" she feebles, and her face glooms.

"It's alright," I say while rubbing her back to comfort her. Chocho and I came early to school. The room isn't filled with the class yet.

"Good morning, Sarada," Sumire greets me upon entering the classroom with Boruto.

"Good morning, Sarada, Chocho," Boruto greets us as well while wearing a smiling face.

"Good morning," I greet back them and smile.

They settle down and Sumire starts to talk to him, "Our community service was one of the best. I hope there will be more before our graduation," she is smiling. She looks so beautiful when she smiles.

"Yeah, that was one of my best experiences so far," Boruto replies smiling at her.

"Aren't they lovely?" Chocho presses me on my side and I look at her. She is giving me a smirk and I look down not to look at them anymore. I decided to grab a book underneath my desk then Chocho nudges me on my side again.

"What?!" I snap. Then her lips point at the doorway and when I turn to eye what she is trying to make me see it's just the jerk walking in the room.

"Good morning, Kawaki," Yodo greets him with a smile on her lips but he ignores her miserably. I can see how she scowls at his back. I try not to have direct eye contact with him. He walks past me and I know he doesn't bother looking at me. What for though?

"What's with that face?" Chocho says and pokes my cheek.

"Hey, stop!" I respond irritably and she pouts.

"Well, based on Kawaki's reaction nothing great happened with your community service," she says. Of course, nothing great would happen if you work with a jerk.

"What did you expect about the outcome anyway?" I say and roll my eyes.

I glanced at Yodo and she crosses her arms while pouting. Tsubaki tries to talk to her but she is telling her to shut up.

"How unfortunate..." Chocho mutters and I raise one brow and she grins.

What she's thinking?

We stop from our not so important conversation when our teacher arrives.

"Let's walk together to the council's office Sumire suggests after our class this afternoon. I did not expect her to ask me.

"Is it okay? Boruto may like to accompany you going there," mind you I stutter when I said that.

"No, it's okay he is busy with his club though and I don't think he would," she says. What does she mean?

I tell myself to ignore it and did not ask her about my doubt. Lovers quarrel? It doesn't sound right but I should not mind, right? I still haven't confirmed their relationship but it's pretty obvious I just don't want to believe it.

"I see," I murmur.

"Let's go?" she says and I nod and we head to the club's office. She is talking while we are walking. She tells me about their community service and how they enjoyed it. I just listen to her. She is fun to be with, to be honest.

"What about you? How did your community service go with Kawaki?" she suddenly asks and I stammer.

"Huh?" the only thing I utter.

"What's wrong?" she asks so confusedly.

"W-Well, it went well. I enjoyed it," I say and give her a very awkward laugh. I think I look so stupid in front of her.

"I noticed that Kawaki isn't that friendly. Don't get me wrong but I never saw him socialize with others nor talk to some of our classmates," she says and puts her hands behind her.

"Well, he is a total jerk," I say boldly and immediately cover my mouth. They unexpectedly slip from my lips.

"What?" she stops walking and faces me.

"Well, he is anti-social, rude, and a jerk," I say honestly. I have no choice but to justify my former statement because she has heard about it.

"Was he rude to you during your community service?" she stretches her eyes in shock. Well, you know he was, right?

"Hmm. If not talking to you is being rude then he was," I say and she drops her jaw when she heard it and then looks ahead of us.

"He must have a problem," she utters. She sounds kind of worried about him.

"You think so?" I ask cluelessly. She might be correct or he is just a jerk. Well, it's none of my business.

"Yeah, but I think it's none of our concern anymore," we have the same thought in mind.

"Yeah," I utter and finally we have set foot. Everyone is already there and they are waiting for me to arrive and we start right away upon my arrival.

Sumire keeps her apprenticeship and slowly occupying the things she must learn. She is clapping both her hands for me. She is very supportive of everyone too.

"You guys are amazing!" she says cheerfully and then she tries to imitate me in one of my scenes. It's embarrassing seeing her do that but she is truly funny. I can't help myself from laughing. Our practice has ended and we are about to leave the room.

"You know, you did great. You have memorized that line? Cool. I think you will be part of the club in no time," I say to her and her eyes glitter upon hearing my words.

"You think so?" she asks while giggling. I nod and she smiles.

"I can't wait for that time to come," she is optimistic. Well, she will for sure. We walk off and head out of the campus separating our ways.

Well, if she's like that, I am defeated. I think I have lost the war.

"All right, listen up guys," Boruto starts. The red team assembled in a circle. We are in the field planning for our race tomorrow.

"This is our setup for tomorrow," he continues. He puts the board at the center with an oval drawing that represents the oval in the field and the points where each team member will position.

"On the first base from the starting point, it will be Iwabe. He runs fast and gets the record of second place from our last year's fifty-meter dash. I am pretty sure they will put Lee or Wasabi on the first point," he starts explaining and it looks like Iwabe agrees with him.

"On the second base, it's Shikadai. On the third base is Namida. On the fourth base is Denki. On the fifth base is Dae, he runs fast too. On the sixth base is Tsubaki. On the seventh base is Sarada and I will be on the last base. Do you have any objections?" Boruto asks and everyone shakes head to respond 'No' to him. So, we have finally settled and are ready for tomorrow's relay activity.

I turn to my right and see Mitsuki discussing with his teammates. Well, he is the only one who can lead that team. I secretly gaze at Chocho and laughs when sometimes gapes while listening to Mitsuki.

"We can't lose against them. You know it's a drag studying P.E. and still fails later on," Iwabe says and everyone laughs at him.

"Yeah, that's why we need to do our best here," Boruto encourages everyone.

"I guess we're ready for tomorrow," Tsubaki shrugs and I nod.

"And I can't lose to that girl either," she says gazing at Sumire. She then looks away and walks off. Everybody is so determined to win the match tomorrow. Well, I need to have that spirit as well.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?" I ask Chocho who is munching on her snack as we walk home.

"The relay makes me hungrier you know?" she says while chewing the food inside her mouth. I give her a wry smile.

"Well, my team is ready to beat you up though," I tease her and she narrows her eyes looking at me.

"You can't beat us. We have in our team the champion in track and field," she boasts and picks another chip from her snack and lands it in her mouth.

"But unfortunately, they have you," I tease her more and she looks sharply at me.

"Sarada!" she screaks and I burst out laughing.

"I'm sorry I was just kidding," I apologize. My hands are on my stomach because it hurts when I burst out laughing.

"Well, we can't lose. You guys are the geniuses and studying is no big deal to you," she keeps her stand and tries to explain to me.

"We can't let Iwabe down you know. Let's do our best," I say and bump her to her side. She pouts and continues to eat her snack.

7:59 a.m.

We are now in the field and waiting for our P.E. teacher to arrive. I do not feel good about this race.

"Sarada, are you okay?" Namida asks me when she notices that I'm fidgeting at the back.

"Yes," I stutter and she furrows her brows. She seems not convinced with my answer.

"Don't worry about me, okay?" I say and try to smile. She nods and walks off. We are now divided into two based on our teams.

I can't stay calm because...

Kawaki's POV

I'm walking my way inside the school building when I sight on the dork running towards the locker. I arrive there in no time and she is changing her shoes already.

She closes her locker and aims to walk off when I block her way. She looks at me with a puzzled face may be wondering why I am blocking her way.

"What?" she snaps raising one brow. That annoying face again.

"I just want to remind you that I am now collecting charges from your foolish action last time," I say while opening my locker and takes out a pair of shoes.

"Collecting what?!" her voice raises upon hearing my statement.

"So, you have forgotten how you scanned through my bag without my consent," I say while changing my shoes. She did not utter a word. I get up and face her. She's looking seriously at me.

"So, you are going to blackmail me again, huh?" she says holding her temper.

"Whatever you call that," I respond looking at her burning eyes.

"What do you want now?" she tries to stay calm despite her angered self.

"All you need to do is help me win the race or it's troublesome for you to tutor me with this subject," I say and close the locker. I give her a proposition.

"Are you for real? You know I can't do that," she refuses.

"Okay, let's see what happens after the race," I say and leave her. I know she'll do it. She will make her team lose for me.

"You're the worst monkey-faced jerk ever!" she shouts but I ignore her.

Well, let's see what she'll do...

7Chapter 27

Our P.E. teacher arrives and he gestures to assemble in front of him. Both teams fall in line. He is making an announcement.

"All right! I guess you are ready for the relay. I just want to remind everybody that this relay race is to build teamwork and connection with your teammates. I am expecting good tactics and teamwork from you all. Good luck and follow me. We will start the relay in ten minutes," he says and waves to go to the oval.

I unexpectedly glance at the jerk and he does the same at me. We look at each other's eyes and then he smirks. He walks off together with the class and I am left dumbfounded for seconds.

"Come on Sarada. We will beat your team up for sure," Chocho chuckles and pushes me to follow the crowd.

I don't feel good today. I am stuck between helping the jerk's team win and not wanting my team to lose either. I scratch my head in confusion. What should I do? I am afraid about what will happen if I let the jerk lose. Will he give the letter to Boruto? Damn it!

"All right all members of each team go to your respective positions from the first base to the last," our teacher commands, and everyone positions.

"Go Boruto! Go for the win!"

Seriously? Boruto's fangirls are here? They are everywhere and it's annoying. I look around and the field is surrounded by people. What the hell is going on?

"Go Kawaki, go! Whooo!"

Oh, he too got a cheering squad, eh?

"This is insane. These annoying fangirls again," I hear Tsubaki say. She is annoyed by them too.

"Oh my... Yodo is so damn hot in her P.E. uniform," I turn to see who's talking and Yodo got her fanboys too. Yodo flips her long blonde hair and the boys giggle. Speaking of the popular on the campus.

"Listen up! When you hear the whistle, it means that the race commences. Are you ready?" our teacher says on the megaphone and we all responded with a scream of 'YES''

"All right! On your mark, ready, set!" our teacher yells and whistles.

I can see Iwabe runs against Lee. Boruto was right. It's either Lee or Wasabi they are going to put at the first base. Lee is running ahead of Iwabe but he is coping up. What to expect from a track and field champion? Different cheers and yells echo in the field.

Members from both teams cheer for their teammates. My knees tremble. I still don't have my final decision about the jerk's proposition. Am I going to let them win?

Lee finishes ahead of Iwabe and now Chocho's in possession of the baton and is running for the next base and Inojin is waiting for her. Shikadai is now running behind Chocho and he is almost at her side. Chocho's weight is blocking her though.

"Almost there, Shikadai! Go for it Shikadai!" I hear Namida cheers for Shikadai. You know I feel so awful. I can't cheer for my best friend and I can't even decide for myself. Shikadai overcomes Chocho and is now running ahead of her. I'm sorry Chocho.

Suddenly, I am astonished at what I am seeing. The jerk is walking in my direction and stops beside me.

He is... He is on the same base as me? No way...

"So, you have decided?" he utters and looks at me. I did not respond but I gulp instead.

He looks at the running members and he seems not disturbed about the race at all.

"Your teammate is running ahead of ours now but I am sure that blonde artist will cope up," he keeps talking and I turn to see them. Namida is struggling and is running out of breath. Inojin is coping up with her. I can see how my teammates do their best to win this match. Cheers from the crowd echo. I still did not respond to him. I don't know what to say anyway.

I can see Denki cheer for Namida and Yodo is waiting for Inojin. I sigh countless times. I shake my head to make me come back to my senses but it's not working at all.

Yodo and Denki are now running for the win. Both Mitsuki and Dae are waiting for them to come at their bases. Yodo and Denki are equally running in their direction. They arrive at the same time. Mitsuki and Dae are now running towards Sumire and Tsubaki's bases. Dae runs ahead of Mitsuki. He is one of the best runners though.

"Come on, Dae. Come on," I cheer in my mind. I think I have decided. Damn you jerk! I'm not going to lose this race.

Dae comes first and Mitsuki is running behind him. Tsubaki takes the baton and runs in my direction. Sumire is running behind Tsubaki now. It's a close game. Tsubaki sure not going to lose against Sumire. Tsubaki is running as fast as she could and increasing the gap between her and Sumire.

Good job Tsubaki. We will win this! I cheer in my mind. I glance at the jerk and he is pouting in annoyance. Tsubaki is almost at my base. My teammates are now cheering on top of their lungs.

"Go for it Sarada!" Tsubaki says upon handing the baton to me. I nod and smile at her. Before I leave, I glance at the jerk and grin and run as fast as I could. His irritated face occupies my mind and it makes me want him to get more upset. I am running towards the smiling Boruto. I turn at my back and see how the jerk is coping up with me. There is no way we are going to lose this race.

I'm almost at Boruto's base when suddenly, I step on a slippery part of the oval and stumble to the ground. I hear the crowd scream "Oh..." sounds so dismayed.

"Sarada!" Boruto runs in my direction and helps me get up.

"I'm fine, Boruto. Get this and run for our win. The jerk is coping up," I stutter because the wounds on both my knees are bleeding and they are painful as hell. I got scratches on my elbows as well.

"But..." he worries but I stop him.

"It's okay just go," I say, the jerk is almost there and Kawaki arrives at the base and hands the baton over Wasabi. Boruto accepts the baton and runs after Wasabi. I squint when the wounds sting. I am sitting on the ground and I can barely move my knees.

To my surprise, the jerk kneels in front of me and takes out a handkerchief from his pocket, and tries to clean the wounded area.

"What are you doing?" I surprisingly say still not processing in my mind what he is doing to me right now.

"Just shut up. Your voice is annoying," he says and I am shocked. He is cleaning the wounded area, can you believe that?

"Hey stop, it's fine. I try to take his hand away but he spat my endeavoring hand away instead.

"If you don't want to get an infection, shut up," he says like he is scolding a stubborn child. I don't know but I let him do what he is doing right now.

Our teacher together with the class approaches us. Even though I was injured, the race went on and Wasabi won the race.

"Are you okay Sarada?" our teacher worries and the rest of the class as well.

"It feels like I broke my knees," they are shocked and I am just joking.

"I will take her to the clinic," the jerk volunteers and leaves everyone in shock. Well, that includes me of course. Wait, he said he will take me to the clinic? But it still seems not to process in my brain. He kneels facing his back at me. Does he want to carry me on his back?

"Are you sure about it Kawaki?" our teacher wants to confirm.

"Yeah, we can call the clinic and get her a stretcher," Yodo suggests.

"That will take time. Just make sure that you'll give my team a proper awarding ceremony," he says to our teacher and he gestures to me to get on his back. I hesitate at first and he whispers indistinct words.

"Okay, I'll leave Sarada in your care," our teacher sounds defeated and he lets him carry me to the clinic.

I didn't hear any objections nor any noise when he starts making steps away from them while carrying me on his back.

"Why are you doing this now?" I ask out of my curiosity. He did not respond immediately.

"I am doing you a favor," he says and I wrinkle my forehead.

"What does it mean?" I say with a puzzled mind. He scoffs and speaks, "I know you'll do it,"

He thought I helped them win the race?

Kawaki's POV

"You think I helped you win?" she snaps behind me. Didn't she though?

"That was just for show, right? You know you are a great actor," does it sound very complimenting? I am certainly grateful for that.

"It was not acting, you jerk! I truly slipped!" she yells behind me.

"You're doing me a favor because you think I helped you win, right? How ridiculous!" she starts with her annoying rants again. I thought it was just acting but this dork fooled me.

"So, I should not do this thing then?" I say and threaten to drop her to the ground. She squeaks when I did that and she spats my back.

"Hey, are you going to kill me?" she yells again. Her voice is damn annoying.

"Shut up or else I will certainly kill you," I portend to do so, and she did not make any more noise until we get to the clinic. I don't have any choice left but to bring her here. She will surely scream for help if I will leave her midway.

"Hey, what happened?" the nurse immediately approaches us. I drop her on the bed and the nurse checks on her.

"I slipped during our relay race," she says, and the nurse checks on her wounds.

"Your wounds are not bleeding anymore. Did you apply compression on them?" she asks the dork and she looks at me. The nurse turns her back at me and gestures 'Oh' like she's surprised or something.

"So, your boyfriend did?" she chuckles, and the dork stammers. Why would people think I am this dork's boyfriend?

"No, no... He is my classmate. He offers to bring me here himself," she clears the doubt and the nurse nods like she understands and apologizes.

"I got to go. Your fatso friend will come here for sure," I say and open the door to leave the place.

"Wait," she stops me from walking out.

"What?" I ask turning my head at her. She looks away when I turn to face her.

"Thank you..." she says almost whispering. I turn my back at her and completely leave the clinic.

What a dork...

I walk into the hallway and everyone is looking at me. I don't know why they are doing that. I'm heading back to the locker because I know for sure they are already there to change clothes.

"That geek was lucky. Kawaki offers to bring her to the clinic," I hear someone say from the hallway and they stop gossiping when they notice my presence.

"Look, don't you think something is going on with them?" I glance at some who are staring at their phones. Most of them are scrolling on their mobile phones and switch their gazes at me when I walk in front of them.

Just what the heck is going on with these idiots?

Before I get to enter the locker room the dork's fatso friend blocks me away.

"Hey, you look suspicious, you know. I know you did something to Sarada," she points her index finger at me. I know the dork never misses at least one word to tell her best friend about her life.

"Don't accuse me of something stupid," I tell her and completely enter the locker room. I pretend not to know anything she was saying but I am pretty sure the dork's going to tell her later. This is why girls are damn annoying.

"Hey, Kawaki. We won!" that blonde artist, Inojin cheerfully tells me.

"I know," I respond and proceed to my locker, open it and bring out my uniform.

"We all did our best," that Mitsuki says and smiles.

"And I guess everyone is okay with our win," I say and closes my locker.

"You are acting strange lately. Hey, are you guys dating? I mean you and Sarada," that moron comments. I look coldly at him and I see how he scowls at me.

"Why did you think that?" Denki asks.

"Well, these two were acting strange lately," that moron briefly explains.

"It's none of your business," I say and walk past him. The blonde idiot is in front of me and he just shrugs when he sees me. I ignore him and completely leave the room.

I head back to the class and everyone inside seems surprised when I enter the classroom and all of them are holding on to their mobile phones. That peevish blonde girl stands up from her seat holding her phone in her hand. The amateur director stops her but she ignores her gesture and walks in my direction.

"So, you two are getting into public now?" she tells me. I don't have any idea about what she is saying.

"Get out of my way," I tell her but she is persistent. She does not move.

"You two are really up for something, huh?" she keeps blabbering things I don't understand.

"I don't know what you're saying, so move. You're blocking my way," I tell her and she slightly moves to her side. She looks upset and I am clueless as to why she is acting that way.

"You can always refuse to say the truth but it will come out eventually," she says but I ignore her. She is annoying as hell.

What are they thinking? What the hell is going on?

28

I stayed for like two hours in the clinic until I can manage to walk somehow. Chocho never leaves my side. I told her to attend the class but she was persistent. She brought me food and everything else I need. I got the greatest friend ever. I'm so lucky to have her as my friend.

"You sure you are okay now, Sarada?" she's worried that I'm still not okay.

"Don't worry it's just that my wounds are slightly stinging but I can walk now," I say but she doesn't look convinced with my answer.

"Are you sure? You don't look completely fine. Why don't you go home now?" she suggests but I shake my head in disagreement.

"No way, I can't miss more classes today knowing that the pre-final examination is approaching," I did not consider her suggestion and remain stubborn.

"You are a hard-headed girl," she tells me in defeat. She helps me from getting down of the clinic's bed.

We thank the nurse and bow our heads before saying goodbye. Before we can completely leave, she gives me the list of medicines to take to immediately heal my wounds.

"Thank you so much," I say and we leave. Chocho is still in assisting mode for me. I tell her that she doesn't need to worry about me but she is sturdy and couldn't help herself from worrying.

I noticed that some of the students are staring at us and whispering to their friends while we are walking in the hallway. We are heading to the locker room for a change of clothes. I wrinkle my forehead as to why they are acting that way.

"What are they gossiping about? Do you have any idea?" I ask Chocho but she just shrugs.

"They all look weird," I remark switching my gaze from left to right. They seem to talk about me. A thought came to my mind.

"Chocho, do you have your phone with you?" I ask her and she shakes her head.

"I left it in my locker. Why?" she furrows and I grit my teeth. There must be something going on behind my back.

"Let's hurry to the locker. I feel bad about this," I tell her, and we rush to the place though my knees are still stinging.

I immediately look for my phone when I get to my locker. I scroll through one of my social media and my jaw drops at what I've seen.

"No way..." Chocho utters in disbelief as she peeks at my phone.

It was a photo of us, it's the jerk while carrying me on his back. A lot of my friends shared the post and gossip about it. What shocks me is the caption. The caption says:

"Kawaki and Sarada are dating?!"

I go to the comments and they made me feel even worse.

"They now went in public."

"No way, Kawaki is dating the geek?"

"This is a joke, right?"

"Where the hell is he taking her?"

"I think it's started from the Tournament date HAHAHA."

"Sarada you are so famous now. Can I have your autograph?" Chocho teases me and I scowl at her.

"This is not a joke!" I snap and she gestures "sorry" to me. Who the hell took the picture? Why this went viral?

"Look, Yodo commented too," Chocho tells me and she's right, Yodo commented on the post and she said, "He just volunteered to take her to the clinic. It's no big deal "

"Yodo sure has a grudge against you. My gut is telling me so," Chocho rolls her eyes, and I nudge her on her side.

"She is right though," I say and she crosses her arms.

"You know she is obsessed with Kawaki. You better be careful with her," she warns me, and I scoff.

"She has nothing to worry about. I am not interested in that jerk. She can have him all she wants. I need to do something to stop this false information from dissipating across the platform and probably the whole campus," I tell her while scrolling through my phone.

"What are you planning to do now?" she asks me. Honestly...

"I don't know. I don't have anything in mind," I say and she sighs.

"What the hell?" she utters faintly. She takes out her uniform from her locker and walks to the comfort room.

"What should I do?" I breathe heavily while scratching my head. The lock sound echoes in the entire room. Chocho is currently changing clothes and I am still troubled about my problem with this false information in front of my face.

The door creaks and shows Chocho who had changed clothes. She walks in my direction and takes my phone away when she gets near me.

"Leave the issue for a while and change. We will solve the problem once you're done," she says calmly and I feel a bit relaxed. Her voice is comforting me and I nod. I take my uniform out of the locker and proceed to change. She waits for me outside.

"Chocho!" I squeak and she panics.

"What happened?" she asks anxiously and I stop running in her direction.

"I'm sorry. I overreact," I tell her and give her an awkward laugh.

"Sarada, I'll kill you! You know you scared me. I thought something happened to you," she berates and pouts in front of me. I gesture to her like I am apologizing.

"I think I know what to do now," I feel so determined. She raises one brow as if to say I should tell her what's on my mind.

"I will talk to the jerk," I say, and both her brows rise. She is wondering by now for sure. I know that expression.

"What will you discuss with him?" she asks cluelessly.

"Well, let's see what I can do to fix this mess," I say and drags her out of the locker room.

"The way you drag me out feels like you are not injured at all," she sarcastically tells me. Well, when I am determined to do something, I forgot about something else. This issue is a lot worse than my wounds. If I don't do anything to fix this before it gets to my mother's knowledge, then I'm surely dead.

We head back to class and the moment we enter the classroom our classmates be like, "Sarada?!" They all look surprised when they saw me. I am surprised by their reactions as well. I notice that most of them are holding phones in their hands.

Darn it! I am in the headline of their feeds! Where the hell is the jerk? He must help me fix this mess.

I look around the room and the jerk is nowhere to be found.

"He is not here," I mutter and Chocho says, "Huh? Did you say something?" but I ignore her. I step back and aim to leave the room then Chocho tries to stop me but I can't right now.

"I will be back," I tell her and she keeps trying to ask me things but I am quick to move away.

"But your wounds..." the only words I hear because she is slowly fading from my sight. I must find him right away and end this idiocracy.

I look for him in the cafeteria but he wasn't there. I went to the library and he wasn't there too. I look for him at the stadium but he wasn't there either. Where the hell is he?

I glimpse above the Grade 10 building and see the water tank. At the rooftop? He must be there. So, I head straight in the direction of the water tank.

I pant as I climb upstairs. I am tired from running since earlier. I think my knees will give in any time

"Ahh!" I scoff and put my hands on my knees. My wounds are stinging again. Oh, crap! My knees are slightly trembling but I think I can still make it up there. I get up and slowly make steps upstairs until I finally reach the top.

Air blows my hair upon opening the door but I keep making steps forward. The dazzling sunlight is blocking my eyesight as I lift my head to see if someone is on top of the tank because I have sighted someone's reflection earlier.

"Meow... Meow..."

A cat?

"What do you want, dork?"

Hey, it's him!

I can see him now. He is petting the cat on his lap. I did not know he likes cats. How surprising.

I clear my throat before speaking, "I need to talk to you. It's very important," I tell him and he lifts one brow.

"Talk about what?" he boldly asks. Didn't he know?

"About the false rumors about us," I tell him and he tilts his head a little as if to say that he doesn't know what I am saying.

"False rumors? What are you talking about?" which planet this jerk came from?

"Don't you have a phone? Don't you have social media accounts? This rumor of us dating is spreading all over the campus and it's insane. Can't you do something to stop this?" I tell him seems like he is clueless as to what is going on.

"Deal with it yourself," he says boldly. Is he for real?!

"Are you serious? Aren't you distracted by this?" I snap and he keeps petting the cat.

"Not really. I don't have a phone anyway. And I don't care," mind you I drop my jaw at the selfish and ignorant guy right there.

"You...!" I madly point at him and he only gazes at me with his usual cold eyes.

"Those stupid rumors will vanish in a blink of an eye. Throw your phone away if it's a nuisance to you," is he suggesting me something stupid?

"It's easy for you to say it, but not for me. It's better if it's just you but it includes me and that's the problem here. Did you know that you are the most insensitive person I know? Well, what to expect from a jerk like you?" I say and immediately turn my back at him.

"If you think what I said was being insensitive then you can deal with it yourself," he says before I completely leave the place.

I turn and glare at him and speak, "I hate you!" I raise my voice and turn to walk back inside the building.

"You'll regret hating me," he says but I ignore his words and keep my pace away from him.

I annoyingly pout as I walk downstairs. That jerk is getting into my nerves. To my surprise, Yodo is leaning against the wall like she's waiting for someone.

"Yodo..." I mutter.

"So, how's secretly meeting up with Kawaki turns out?" she utters and looks coldly at me.

"I wasn't secretly meeting up with him. Don't get the wrong idea," I defend. I was not though. Why would she think that?

"Stop acting like an innocent genius child. I know you are secretly crawling onto Kawaki's legs like all the other girls out there," she is spitting nonsense at me right now.

"Stop assuming things, Yodo. I went to tell him to help me end these false rumors about us dating or whatever you think we are. I am not interested in him," I want to end this conversation right away so, I walk past her. But before I can leave her she speaks to me again, "You better mark your words," it's all I've heard and it's enough to leave her alone.

I hope all these bad things will end soon.

7Chapter 29

"Leave Kawaki alone then," Yodo continues before I can completely move away from her. I stop and turn to face her, our eyes meet. "Is that an order?" I chuckle. I don't care if she has something for the jerk but I guess stopping me from something that doesn't concern me at all is pretty much of a different story and besides, I can't do it.

"Yes, it's an order from me or else," now she is portending me about something without my knowledge. "Or else what?" I raise a brow at her statement wondering what she has hidden on her sleeves. She gives me a smirk that seems like dodging my question.

"I won't tell you unless you can't comply with my only order," she says and flips her long blonde hair.

"You know I am his tutor, right? So, I can't avoid him otherwise you can fix that problem," I may sound like making suggestions to her. It sounds ridiculous, to be honest.

"I don't think our adviser would change her mind. I'll make it pass but don't cross the line, okay?" she says and it looks like she also got a trump card against me.

"Tell me what you are planning to do against me," I insist but she seems not to tell me.

"No, no, no. I am not going to tell you. It's a secret for now," she says and moves closer to me. Sweats drop on my forehead.

"Just stay away from Kawaki," she whispers in my ear. I think I stop breathing for like three seconds then finally words come to mind.

"I can't do that. That's out of my control," I say and she stares at me.

"But whatever it is, it's sure appalling and I didn't expect it to come from you. It's up to you if you still want to do it but you must be prepared for the consequences," I continue and she is left astounded. Her eyes are wide open and she then grits her teeth of anger.

I turn my back at her and walk downstairs. She doesn't make a sound until I completely vanish from her sight. I sigh in relief when her presence disappears. I leave the Grade 10 building and aims to return to our classroom.

"Sarada!" Chocho calls out to me and she runs in my direction.

"Chocho..." I mutter and she looks tired. She pants and falls to her knees.

"You know I search for you everywhere and you are just here," she says still catching her breath.

"I talked to the jerk," I say and she stands up straight and looks at me.

"So, what did you discuss?" she asks, and I pout. She wrinkles her forehead in confusion.

"He doesn't look like helping me with this," I faintly say and she gestures, 'what?' at me.

"He is not alarmed about this at all because he doesn't have a phone," I tell her and she hangs her mouth up.

"Are you serious about that? How boring his life could be?" she shrugs and smirks.

"He might be lying or something so he won't get involved in this but I don't think he was. This is driving me crazy," I take back what I said, and Chocho gives me a wry smile.

"Don't stress yourself much in this. Get some rest and heal your wounds. I think you should go home now," she suggests to me. I think she is right. I need to rest and forget about the world for now. And I am guessing that I need to skip all my subjects for today but it's not a big deal. I'll just ask for notes from Chocho.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," we both get back to our classroom and grab my bag and leave to the doorway.

"Take care," Chocho waves at me and I respond to her with, "See you tomorrow Chocho," I wave goodbye at her and leave.

I grab my phone and scroll through it. I decided to deactivate all my social media accounts so I won't get disturbed until the pre-final examination. I think I have to agree with the jerk this one time.

The next morning...

"My wounds are such a drag," I mutter as I put the bandaids on both my knees. My mom worries extremely about them. I take the medicines as prescribed by our school physician. They don't hurt much today. I can't skip school too because I am worried that my absence will affect my pre-final examination.

"I am off to school, " I tell mom and rush outside the house.

"Be careful, okay?" she says and I shout 'yes' at her as I make steps outside the gate.

I am a meter away from the corner where Chocho and I usually meet.

"She's late," I comment. She is usually early and waits for me here.

"Sorry, I am late," she yells running in my direction. She breathes quickly upon her arrival.

"What happened?" I ask so confusedly.

"What do you mean?" she asks still gasping for air.

"It's strange for you to be late," I tell her and her head tilts a little to the side. She gives me an unsure smile and scratches the back of her head.

"I woke up late today," she laughs awkwardly.

"Now it makes me wonder why," I sound suspicious to this one so I can catch her off-guard. I know she will tell me the reason.

"I stayed up late last night," she admits and I narrow my eyes. I think I knew it already.

[hirokkie]

View of Mt.Fuji from Shinkansen express On the way back to Tokyo. #mtfuji #fujisan #富士山 #新幹線からの富士山 #mtfujifromshinkansen #backtotokyo #fujiyama #japan #discoverjapan #japanesscenery #beautifulscenery #富士山はいつも美しい #instafuji #fujiofinstagram (東海道新幹線 富士川橋梁) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWP2wCRvGd4/?utm_medium=tumblr

[exactlydeafeningdeer]

A review on the durability of PVC sewer pipes

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has become one of the dominant construction materials for sewer systems over the past decades, as a result of its reputed merits. However, since PVC sewer pipes have operated for decades in a hostile environment, concern over their longevity has been lately raised by sewer managers in the Netherlands. Towards that direction, the main factors and mechanisms that affect a PVC pipe’s lifetime are discussed in this article, along with the current lifetime prediction methods and their limitations. The review of relevant case studies indicates that material degradation, if any, occurs slowly. However, inspection (CCTV) data of three Dutch municipalities reveals that severe defects have already surfaced and degradation evolves at an unexpected fast rate. A main reason of this gap between literature and practice is the fact that comprehensive material testing of PVC sewer pipes is rarely found in the literature although it proves to be essential in order to trustfully assess the level of degradation and its origins.

Plastics are used for a wide range of commercial and industrial piping applications. The most known are polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS), polybutylene (PB) and glass–fibre-reinforced polyester (GRP or FRP). Concerning piping systems for drinking water supply, gas distribution and sewage disposal, PVC, PE and PP are the most popular polymer materials (PlasticsEurope, 2017). Especially for gravity sewer pipes, PVC has been extensively used over the past decades and has become the dominant construction material. Cost efficiency, ease of installation, range of available diameters (40–630 mm) and its reputed chemical resistance favour its wide acceptance by decision makers in urban drainage (Davidovski, 2016).

Since there are PVC sewer pipes in operation for at least four decades, concern over their longevity has been lately raised in the Netherlands. It is still unknown whether the expectations of long-lasting PVC pipes (Folkman, 2014) will prove realistic or new asset management strategies should be established in the near future. Knowledge of the current structural integrity of sewer systems is a key issue for establishing successful asset management strategies, leading to better decision making and more affordable investments. In practice, sewer managers currently base their strategies mainly on visual (CCTV) inspections (Van Riel, Langeveld, Herder, & Clemens, 2014). Subsequently, decisions are taken whether replacement, rehabilitation or a near future inspection should take place. However, linking the observed defects in CCTV to the actual physical state of a pipe is challenging (Van Riel, 2017). A necessary condition for achieving this is comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms that affect a PVC pipe’s lifetime, their combined effects and eventually their results, which are the defects found in practice. An overview of these mechanisms and their origins is included in this article. Lifetime prediction methods for UPVC pipes are also utilised to describe specific types of failure, while their ability to provide trustful lifetime prediction is discussed.

The main aim of this article is to present case studies of PVC sewer pipes found in the literature and to compare the derived conclusions on PVC durability with findings in inspection (CCTV) data. Emphasis is given on the studies that investigate the properties that define the structural integrity and overall performance of a sewer system. The inspection data concerns three different municipalities in The Netherlands: Almere, Amstelveen and Breda. The main discrepancies between literature and inspection data are discussed, as a step towards bridging results from scientific research and observations from practice.

Suspension polymerisation is the most applied process for PVC particles production (80%), whereas emulsion and mass polymerisation provide 12 and 8% of the world production, respectively (Fischer, Schmitt, Porth, Allsopp, & Vianello, 2014). Although the specific details of the PVC particles size slightly differ in the literature (Benjamin, 1980; Butters, 1982; Faulkner, 1975), the microstructure follows the same pattern. This can be described in three stages (Butters, 1982): the stage III-PVC particle (∼100–150 μm), the stage II-primary particle (∼0.1–2 μm) and the stage I particle (∼10 nm). The conversion of the material to a homogeneous product requires that the boundaries of the primary particles disappear and a new continuous entanglement network is developed (Visser, 2009). This procedure is known as the gelation process and its quality is expressed by the gelation level. There are several methods to obtain information about the gelation level (Castillo, 2016; Choi, Lynch, Rudin, Teh, & Batiste, 1992; Fillot, Hajji, Gauthier, & Masenelli-Varlot, 2006; Gilbert & Vyvoda, 1981; Gramann, Cruz, & Ralston, 2010; Johansson & Törnell, 1986; Kim, Cotterell, & Mai, 1987; Marshall & Birch, 1982; Real, João, Pimenta, & Diogo, 2018; Terselius, Jansson, & Bystedt, 1981; Van der Heuvel, 1982).

A general accepted opinion suggests optimum gelation levels of 60–85% (Benjamin, 1980; Breen, 2006). A temperature of >250 °C is needed for this purpose (Guerrero & Keller, 1981), much higher than the degradation temperature of PVC which is ∼205 °C (Wypych, 2015). Due to this fact, thermal energy is complemented with mechanical energy (high shear stresses) by the use of twin rotating screws, so as to accelerate this process without extensive exposure of the material to high temperatures (Visser, 2009). Subsequently, the molten material is introduced in a die so that the final pipe is shaped and cooled. This manufacturing technique is called extrusion and is extensively used to form pipes. Fittings, such as joints, are formed by the injection moulding technique. In the injection moulding process, the melted plastic is injected in a mould, which gives the desired form to the PVC fitting, and after cooling the product is ejected.

During the production process, several additives and fillers may be incorporated in the polymers structure in order to enhance its chemical and physical properties, respectively. Plasticisers and stabilisers are the main additives as they affect the behaviour and degradation rate of the material through its lifecycle. Plasticisers are utilised in order to replace some monomers of the polymer chain, offering a higher degree of mobility and, hence, more flexibility. For sewer applications unplasticised rigid PVC pipes are used. Stabilisers are added for increased resistance to e.g.: UV rays, chemical attack and other relevant external factors (Cardarelli, 2008). For pvc pipework in Europe, lead has been used until the early 2000s, when it was replaced by calcium-based stabilisers in most countries (Anders, 2014).

Every step within the production of PVC pipes and furniture PVC fittings can have an effect on the long-term performance of the final product. The levels of water and oxygen during polymerisation could influence the formation and quality of the produced PVC particles (Butters, 1982). Subsequently, the gelation process, already affected by the degree of polymerisation (Fujiyama & Kondou, 2004), plays a major role in the mechanical properties (Mandell, Darwish, & McGarry, 1982; Moghri, Garmabi, & Akbarian, 2003; Truss, 1985; Van der Heuvel, 1982). These properties are determined by the morphology of the material (Benjamin, 1980; Kuriyama, Narisawa, Shina, & Kotaki, 1998) and by the polymer’s orientation and molecular mobility (Fillot, Hajji, Gauthier, & Masenelli-Varlot, 2007). Additionally, impurities and voids in the polymer structure, frequently referred to as inherent defects, are introduced during production, resulting in crack initiators, and their presence seems to be inevitable (Johansson & Törnell, 1987). The wear observed at the polymer pipes extruders (Gladchenko, Shevelya, Kiyanitsa, & Derkach, 1997) might also contribute to the occurrence of inherent defects.

Residual stresses are also introduced during production, as a result of different cooling rates between the inner and the outer pipe surface (Siegmann, Buchman, & Kenig, 1981), and constitute another parameter that affects the mechanical properties of the produced pipe (Siegmann, Buchman, & Kenig, 1982). Relevant research on residual stresses in PVC pipes (Breen, 2006; Meerman, 2008; Scholten, van der Stok, Gerets, Wenzel, & Boege, 2016) has revealed that their magnitude is in a range of 0.9–4.8 MPa for tensile and 3.9–9.4 for compressive stresses (Table 1). In principle, a faster cooling rate or a thicker pipe wall thickness will lead to higher levels of residual stresses (Janson, 2003; Scholten et al., 2016). However, irrespective of their magnitude, residual stresses affect the crack propagation as they change the stress profile through the pipe (Burn, 1992; Chaoui, Chudnovsky, & Moet, 1987), increase the brittle–ductile temperature (Scholten et al., 2016), and, consequently, they seem to have a tremendous effect on the lifetime of pressurised plastic pipes (Hutař et al., 2013; Poduška et al., 2016).