She was 5 years old when she learned about the figure named father. It wasn't something a toddler would know about. Deiji never knew that father was someone that exists. That was until she joined her nursery and found that most people have more than one parent.
And she was the odd duckling of the brood
It never bothered her at that age. Afterall, the only thing that circulated her mind was fun and playtime. But things changed as she got older.
She noticed that she was missing on things that her classmates did when they were with their parents. The stories of their fathers teaching them how to cycle and how they went fishing. Deiji began to question her mother as to why she did not have a father.
This question was left unanswered and now she is 18 years old still pondering over the reason.
Her mother was reluctant to tell her. Deiji knew that she was hiding something from her. And she hated it.
The longer her mother avoided the question, the more their relationship began to fade. She used to be so close with her. The laughter of joy and contentment that they shared when younger.
Now Deiji doesn't even feel like she has a mother. She never sees her in the mornings and rarely sees her at night. Breakfast and lunch do not exist. And dinner has shifted from the dining table to their desks in their rooms.
Leaning forward, she placed her palms on either side of her head. The boy just observed her feeling a slight sense of guilt. Looking to the ground he sighed lightly. Then out of nowhere Deiji found him standing up before kneeling down in front of her legs.
Upon noticing how she did not tie her shoelaces per usual, he began to do it for her. "You're going to trip" he muttered under his breath. Gazing down from her seating position, Deiji silently watched without saying a word. "You need to learn how to tie shoelaces," he began the lecture.
Grumbling slightly, Deiji shrugged her shoulders and rested her cheek on her palm. "I've tried. It's so difficult" chuckling, Sungchan sat back and pushed his lunchbox towards her. She hadn't eaten anything yet. She insisted on heading to the snack store later. It's more likely to be empty without any long queues.
But it seemed like she had forgotten because of the uncomfortable topic.
Running her palm through her dyed hair, she snatched a egg roll with the chopsticks and took a bite. Staring outside the window, she gazed outside taking in all the figures running through the fields and enjoying themselves. Sighing, she drifted her sight around until a distant figure caught her attention.
Han Jiro
Tall, charming looking, sporty male senior who has his own fan club created by a large number of girls in their school.
Biting the edge of her chopsticks, Deiji observed as the older boy walked towards the water fountain. Tilting her head up, she peeked through the window curiously. Her orbs followed his movement as he lifted the hose pipe and let the water drip down his sweaty white shirt.
Drenching it, the material engraved around his defining muscles. Mesmerised she slowly blinked and found herself completely lost in his actions as he discarded the shirt off before dabbing it on his chin to remove the droplets of water.
"Fuck m-"
"Deiji!" snapping out of her trance, she darted her sight forward to find Sungchan furiously glaring at her. Fist clenching the empty juice carton he sent a blazing inferno at her directions.
Shockingly intimidated by his current presence, Deiji gulped and sent a clueless look. "What is it?" she grumbled. Unfortunate to her, Sungchan did not speak a word yet his aura gave it all.
Smirking, Deiji placed her left leg over her right and tilted her chin up with utmost confidence. "I never understood what girls see in Han Jiro but I have to admit, he is quite charming" she raised a brow with a cunning look.
Narrowing his sight, Sungchan scoffed at her comment and gritted his teeth. "You're the same as any other girl" he tutted.
Letting out a faint gasp, Deiji reflexively lifted the pen that rested on her desk. "You better take that back!" she seethed out. Backing into his seat, Sungchan gawked at her up and down. "You do realise that can't hurt me"
"Why are you so sure?" she sent a cunning smile. A spark struck through her once dark pupils. Now they were filled with a cruel glint. "If I raise my arm and stab it at your neck at high speed and-"
"Ok you need to stop with the gruesome talk. I want to eat in peace" Sungchan stretched his arms out to her in defence before snatching the item out of her palm before she had plans to do some demonstrations.
Lips etching upwards, she continued to eat feeling like she had won. Yet she couldn't settle down after hearing how the boy continued to disagree. "He isn't worth it"
Raising her sight, Deiji dropped her hands down that were about to lead another egg roll towards her lips. "I never said that I like him"
"I was just saying" he shrugged nonchalantly. Biting her bottom lip, Deiji dropped her head to the side and scanned the boy with utmost curiousity. Releasing her bottom lip from the hold of her teeth, she gently licked it before sending a teasing smile.
"You still like me"
Taken aback by her comment, Sungchan choked on his drink and slapped his chest vigorously. "What . . . no!" he coughed out. "I was - I was just saying how you are not his type" he stuttered. He seemed somewhat confident with his theory.
Offended by his comment, Deiji furrowed her brows. "What's wrong with me? I can get any guy I want" rolling his eyes the boy scoffed out a laugh of disbelief. "A lot of the guys I know seem to want the girly types. Dresses and makeup. Jewellery and heels." he rubbed his chin in thought.
Fixing his sight onto her, he let out a sneer. "You're the total opposite. No makeup, you wear baggy clothes and you love going to the skateboard park" he pointed out. "And you're not approachable"
"That's a lie!" she defensively spoke out.
"Really?" He pointed over to a classmate that was about to walk past them but halted after hearing Deiji lash out at Sungchan. Looking elsewhere, she felt exposed and targeted.
"They're scared of you because of your rebellious behaviour and especially your eyebrow piercing" he gestured over. "And let's not forget about the gangster look with the incorrect uniform and headphones," his eyes fell down to her unbuttoned school shirt that partially covered the plain dark green top she wore underneath. Continuing to examine, he noticed piercings in her ears that outnumbered how many they're allowed. Let's not forget about the school tie that she chucked away deep inside her bag.
She couldn't help it. She didn't understand what's wrong with being slightly different to other girls. Her interests are just not commonly shared that's all. And isn't it better to be different. You get your own identity. "I like who I am" she brightly spoke out.
Exhaling, Sungchan clenched his jaw to control his emotions. Everything he said was true. A lot of the boys in their class ranked the most likely and least likely girl they'd date. And the least came out to be Deiji.
Sungchan thought it was ridiculous and he was dumbfounded. Especially due to their reasoning. It was stupid. When they explained, instantly the boy thought that they were being immature. Yet he did not complain. Why?
Because he doesn't have competition.
Yes, he denied that he doesn't like her but that was a lie. The day she found out was literally his worst nightmare. Fear that their friendship may change forever. However, shockingly, it did not.
But he's unsure when is the best time to tell her. Nonetheless, deep down he believes that she actually might be aware. However, for now, he prefers it this way. Her not answering him yet.