The Chikamori Selfacy (A Reboot)
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Generation One
Chapter Five
A Day of Respite (Part One)
At the triplex
The week flew by, filled with cramming, late night studying on River's family's side of the triplex. Fiona was more than happy to host Haruo for the afternoon and evening as both River and Haruo industriously studied for their provincial finals.
During the days, they headed to school armed with knowledge for River to ace her exams and Haruo to somehow manage to flounder through. In any case they felt relieved; provincials were nearly over and Haruo and River would have the rest of their lives together.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HIrsOtlEcd4/X_T9gnfLPgI/AAAAAAAAlno/dmgPLpVKMhc9oFB1zUWrDwoA2_P6BA-IwCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-72.jpg
River felt relieved now that every thing was out in the open with her and Haruo. The relationship had been cemented into an official boyfriend/girlfriend status and it appeared as though there was an unspoken agreement that they were committed to each other as if eighteen years of being each other's best friend wasn't proof enough.
Her friend, Bebe, was one of the first she told and Bebe was surprised, "You mean he actually told you that he wanted to go out with you? I never thought he'd work up the courage to do so. That's so like totally rad.., River. So do you guys, like..." nudge "y'know...".
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RbWc_4yvyKo/X_T6W6gTbLI/AAAAAAAAlmw/GXJwuDdHECQx7oLZBtrnv7jfjxraLzm5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-42.jpg
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"What?!" River flushed; embarrassed, "No...I'd be grounded for life by my mom and Haruo's mom would kill him!" They both laughed. "I'm not some prude but I do prefer to wait at least until, y'know..."
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GHTf7aAKLZE/X_T7NaxjBiI/AAAAAAAAlnA/0X4B5G55FSg4ICcC_6QXBlU8sg8wcjOlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-59.jpg
"You think he will, soon? Or do you think he'll wait another eighteen years." Bebe asked.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R74iJJZU824/X_T7gylbvqI/AAAAAAAAlnI/zfu_qQRljSM3VrM3b1-McBHJscrBGdJDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-51.jpg
"I hope not."
"You really are in love with him, River, aren't you?" Bebe asked, " you look glassy-eyed every time you talk about him."
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VdpCT5Obb2U/X_T7ygDz1zI/AAAAAAAAlnQ/Jhp3EM0yyOowohVAdZ7BWg3q8xUdMZNJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-57.jpg
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River didn't deny it. She was indeed in love with Haruo. They had talked about travel, about the fact that they wanted to do the things that River wanted to do - painting landscapes in every corner of the world. Seeing new sights and enjoying every moment. And River smiled as she realized that she would be sharing these experiences with her best friend the one who'd been by her side for as long as she could remember.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W3VwZi7hntw/X_UAsvPqVnI/AAAAAAAAln0/gE-WmqhhPecEVLyhSLfwHspUlMRezp_CACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-73.jpg
When River and Haruo came home from school they immediately sat down at the kitchen table and did their cram-study session quietly with a minimal amount of fuss. Next exam was biology for River and English for Haruo. Haruo still studied that as he wanted nothing more than to at least have one subject he could ace.
After studying for several hours until their heads started to hurt, they grabbed Pepsi from the fridge got two glasses and several ice cubes and poured two glasses of Pepsi and went to sit on the chesterfield (couch for all you Americans). This was the last week of finals and they were two days into it. Tomorrow was Wednesday the eighth and they knew they had the subject matter down tight.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MFiRUXh32c0/X_UBqpVLo4I/AAAAAAAAloA/slolNiaTD5gCBtPfsDl0bNAtNd3J8VrNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-75.jpg
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-we4EjwXnvAU/X_UBqsLoqLI/AAAAAAAAln8/x0aW9tQy9iYHAiS_B6HgzmsTDX9DMLB5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-77.jpg
Haruo put his arm around River and looked at her, "I wish I'd told you sooner..." he trailed off as they looked out the bay window. "We could have had this earlier..."
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2AokWjwfFKs/X_UCEJeCa4I/AAAAAAAAloI/gA45kkucEG8bI2ciCpllJGbXa-ROixqfACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-78.jpg
"Well, I'm glad we did have the conversation...eventually." River told him. "At least we know where we stand as a couple. And it means that we'll be a couple when we travel." She gave him a naughty look that clearly projected what was on her mind. Only a blind man would fail to recognize it.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UBMoPTfG5fc/X_UCPyXEeBI/AAAAAAAAloM/-S7Mo4RY8ZYVdI98Errlw5RbwCXutgAsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-79.jpg
Haruo looked at her with deliberately exaggerated surprise, "Why...River, I didn't know you were interested like that?" And smirked irrepressibly which earned him a smack on the arm.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3uMzunO7k_Y/X_UCl45M4-I/AAAAAAAAloU/s-wFdJsm_3kR0QC5GmBoo8ZV6ltYq-pWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-84.jpg
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After the gauntlet of exams, they would be able to enjoy their freedom from scholastic endeavours. And Leisure Day was just around the corner. Everybody was on edge due to anticipation because of the impending holiday as students looked forward to being free of exams and adults were looking forward to a day off work.
That freedom of being able to enjoy the holiday was catalyst enough for them to have plowed through their study materials for their final exam and get it completely done.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3eJbZoFX9hM/X_UDpLlPhCI/AAAAAAAAlok/O_4g0GM5r-8NlididN4BaW8WRbMrwLzOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-88.jpg
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River nestled into Haruo's arms. Was there any feeling more right than this? She couldn't remember exactly when her feelings towards Haruo had changed from a deep friendship to love but she knew it had and the simple act of his having his arm around her shoulders was enough to let her know that he felt the same way about her. And when he leaned in to cover her lips with his own in a tender kiss, everything was right in River's world.
Haruo felt the same way as he looked into River's green eyes; her eyelids partly closed, her mouth meeting his. Ever since he'd admitted his growing feelings for her; it had been reciprocated ten-fold by River whether it was at school where they held hands in the hall or a brush of her fingers on the back of his neck as she slipped by him to take her seat at the desk beside him and a smile for him when he looked up at her.
River's smile brightened the whole room and Haruo loved seeing her smile and the affirmation that they were an item was all that it took to see River smile more often.
Guys like Parker and Ethan were quick to notice that Haruo had done what they failed to do, which was treat River with a modicum of respect for her as a person and not as their next conquest or treat her like she should be glad to have them date her. With that, they had truly lost one of the truly beautiful young women; both inside and out. They would never have a chance to rectify that with River. And Haruo with a plan in mind intended to take River completely off the market entirely. He would not have Ethan or Parker try to make a play for River at all.
Generation One
Chapter Five
A Day of Respite (Part One)
At the triplex
The week flew by, filled with cramming, late night studying on River's family's side of the triplex. Fiona was more than happy to host Haruo for the afternoon and evening as both River and Haruo industriously studied for their provincial finals.
During the days, they headed to school armed with knowledge for River to ace her exams and Haruo to somehow manage to flounder through. In any case they felt relieved; provincials were nearly over and Haruo and River would have the rest of their lives together.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HIrsOtlEcd4/X_T9gnfLPgI/AAAAAAAAlno/dmgPLpVKMhc9oFB1zUWrDwoA2_P6BA-IwCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-72.jpg
River felt relieved now that every thing was out in the open with her and Haruo. The relationship had been cemented into an official boyfriend/girlfriend status and it appeared as though there was an unspoken agreement that they were committed to each other as if eighteen years of being each other's best friend wasn't proof enough.
Her friend, Bebe, was one of the first she told and Bebe was surprised, "You mean he actually told you that he wanted to go out with you? I never thought he'd work up the courage to do so. That's so like totally rad.., River. So do you guys, like..." nudge "y'know...".
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RbWc_4yvyKo/X_T6W6gTbLI/AAAAAAAAlmw/GXJwuDdHECQx7oLZBtrnv7jfjxraLzm5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-42.jpg
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zkL6Q5Mys0s/X_T6sxkRaRI/AAAAAAAAlm4/ksvkW6nJRcM211j8eM37KIxqnCAnPKEMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-46.jpg
"What?!" River flushed; embarrassed, "No...I'd be grounded for life by my mom and Haruo's mom would kill him!" They both laughed. "I'm not some prude but I do prefer to wait at least until, y'know..."
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GHTf7aAKLZE/X_T7NaxjBiI/AAAAAAAAlnA/0X4B5G55FSg4ICcC_6QXBlU8sg8wcjOlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-59.jpg
"You think he will, soon? Or do you think he'll wait another eighteen years." Bebe asked.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R74iJJZU824/X_T7gylbvqI/AAAAAAAAlnI/zfu_qQRljSM3VrM3b1-McBHJscrBGdJDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-51.jpg
"I hope not."
"You really are in love with him, River, aren't you?" Bebe asked, " you look glassy-eyed every time you talk about him."
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VdpCT5Obb2U/X_T7ygDz1zI/AAAAAAAAlnQ/Jhp3EM0yyOowohVAdZ7BWg3q8xUdMZNJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-57.jpg
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZI7HhnMzeTk/X_T8b8d0uEI/AAAAAAAAlnc/1Rq-MWIifTkPQHZiVuHWrUTUKSWU-2xlgCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-62.jpg
River didn't deny it. She was indeed in love with Haruo. They had talked about travel, about the fact that they wanted to do the things that River wanted to do - painting landscapes in every corner of the world. Seeing new sights and enjoying every moment. And River smiled as she realized that she would be sharing these experiences with her best friend the one who'd been by her side for as long as she could remember.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W3VwZi7hntw/X_UAsvPqVnI/AAAAAAAAln0/gE-WmqhhPecEVLyhSLfwHspUlMRezp_CACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-73.jpg
When River and Haruo came home from school they immediately sat down at the kitchen table and did their cram-study session quietly with a minimal amount of fuss. Next exam was biology for River and English for Haruo. Haruo still studied that as he wanted nothing more than to at least have one subject he could ace.
After studying for several hours until their heads started to hurt, they grabbed Pepsi from the fridge got two glasses and several ice cubes and poured two glasses of Pepsi and went to sit on the chesterfield (couch for all you Americans). This was the last week of finals and they were two days into it. Tomorrow was Wednesday the eighth and they knew they had the subject matter down tight.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MFiRUXh32c0/X_UBqpVLo4I/AAAAAAAAloA/slolNiaTD5gCBtPfsDl0bNAtNd3J8VrNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-75.jpg
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-we4EjwXnvAU/X_UBqsLoqLI/AAAAAAAAln8/x0aW9tQy9iYHAiS_B6HgzmsTDX9DMLB5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-77.jpg
Haruo put his arm around River and looked at her, "I wish I'd told you sooner..." he trailed off as they looked out the bay window. "We could have had this earlier..."
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2AokWjwfFKs/X_UCEJeCa4I/AAAAAAAAloI/gA45kkucEG8bI2ciCpllJGbXa-ROixqfACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-78.jpg
"Well, I'm glad we did have the conversation...eventually." River told him. "At least we know where we stand as a couple. And it means that we'll be a couple when we travel." She gave him a naughty look that clearly projected what was on her mind. Only a blind man would fail to recognize it.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UBMoPTfG5fc/X_UCPyXEeBI/AAAAAAAAloM/-S7Mo4RY8ZYVdI98Errlw5RbwCXutgAsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-79.jpg
Haruo looked at her with deliberately exaggerated surprise, "Why...River, I didn't know you were interested like that?" And smirked irrepressibly which earned him a smack on the arm.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3uMzunO7k_Y/X_UCl45M4-I/AAAAAAAAloU/s-wFdJsm_3kR0QC5GmBoo8ZV6ltYq-pWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-84.jpg
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdPZATRD8J8/X_UDYtwVJVI/AAAAAAAAloc/y2cxZrq4mhMAYd4GImtXllccID2lRY76wCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-87.jpg
After the gauntlet of exams, they would be able to enjoy their freedom from scholastic endeavours. And Leisure Day was just around the corner. Everybody was on edge due to anticipation because of the impending holiday as students looked forward to being free of exams and adults were looking forward to a day off work.
That freedom of being able to enjoy the holiday was catalyst enough for them to have plowed through their study materials for their final exam and get it completely done.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3eJbZoFX9hM/X_UDpLlPhCI/AAAAAAAAlok/O_4g0GM5r-8NlididN4BaW8WRbMrwLzOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-88.jpg
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gLUli7hUELc/X_UDpMRCIfI/AAAAAAAAloo/4Vfh8Hxkcs49rXxGtMqPp4NAJmT0PzMmQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screenshot-89.jpg
River nestled into Haruo's arms. Was there any feeling more right than this? She couldn't remember exactly when her feelings towards Haruo had changed from a deep friendship to love but she knew it had and the simple act of his having his arm around her shoulders was enough to let her know that he felt the same way about her. And when he leaned in to cover her lips with his own in a tender kiss, everything was right in River's world.
Haruo felt the same way as he looked into River's green eyes; her eyelids partly closed, her mouth meeting his. Ever since he'd admitted his growing feelings for her; it had been reciprocated ten-fold by River whether it was at school where they held hands in the hall or a brush of her fingers on the back of his neck as she slipped by him to take her seat at the desk beside him and a smile for him when he looked up at her.
River's smile brightened the whole room and Haruo loved seeing her smile and the affirmation that they were an item was all that it took to see River smile more often.
Guys like Parker and Ethan were quick to notice that Haruo had done what they failed to do, which was treat River with a modicum of respect for her as a person and not as their next conquest or treat her like she should be glad to have them date her. With that, they had truly lost one of the truly beautiful young women; both inside and out. They would never have a chance to rectify that with River. And Haruo with a plan in mind intended to take River completely off the market entirely. He would not have Ethan or Parker try to make a play for River at all.
