Time has moved forward since we came back from Puerto Rico. That time was one filled with fun, site seeing, note-taking, and romantic developments for some of my friends.

   After we returned home, it took some time to return to our routine. John, Panchikikku, and I had to spend three weeks in detention. Them for their stunt at the Arecibo Observatory, which they ditched in favor of going someplace even I don’t know about. And me, for getting lost again and boarding the plane from the All-Girls High school. It seems their teacher wasn’t the only one who suspected that I had done it on purpose, even if I had not. At least Sanagi, Gita, and their friends believed me, and so did John, Ao-sen, and the four girls crushing on him.

   Despite being back home, the routine has changed quite a bit. John and Panchikikku are still on awkward terms, and none of the girls have asked for any plans. But that makes sense, working on those essays took a while, and as third years, John and the others have more to worry about.

   It is December, and finals are in sight, and even if this causes dread and pressure on every student, no matter what grade or year they are in. But for the third years, they are of utmost importance. Throughout my mission I have made the oversight that this will be their final year in high school, after this they might go separate ways to fulfill their dreams.

   As the New Year keeps approaching, and their final semester glares at them from the other side, the threat of college entrance exams looming from beyond, I am reminded that time is running out. My mission won't last forever, it will come to an end.

   But on a more positive note: this free no shipping time has allowed me to work on other areas of my life, and help in other ways as well, also giving me some downtime that I needed and wanted.

   I’ve been able to keep up with work more regularly, instead of cramming impossible hours whenever I’m free. I was even able to have a shift with John, something that NEVER happens. We were scolded by our boss though, then again work is not for goofing around.

   I’ve also had anime-watching sessions with Gita and watched confidence-boosting videos with her, as she continues to better herself in confidence, for self-improvement. As well as guitar practice sessions, to which I accompany her.

   I haven’t been able to see Sanagi or Fasshon since the plane, but we have made movie-watching sessions on Thursdays through group calls. What started as a fun idea of watching an anime this way with Sanagi, became a tradition, in which Fasshon was eventually invited to participate. Next time I’ll ask if I can invite John too.

   I’ve also had some chats with Mattari, and how the roles have inversed as she, much like Sanagi, reminds me I can call her by her first name. At least she is becoming more open about how she feels, even if her face remains unreadable. We’ve had chats to help her p[practice her verbal expression, since overly emotional facial, or physical expressions, go against her ‘kuudereness’. She also asked me if I wanted to become a school patrol member, since the previous guy transferred out, given my community service I see why she’d ask, and I told her I’d give my answer next week.

   Panchikikku and I talk more often now, about things unrelated to John. We’ve also continued to work on trying to control her explosiveness, without losing who she is. She is very tenacious; I’ll give her that.

   And well Kiken is still Kiken. When we got back to Japan, the first two nights were ones of break-ins to acquire my shipping notebook and all its secrets. Thankfully my defense system handled them. What did surprise me, was her apology, as she explained she was pissed off at Panchikikku and John’s development, and that is why she went for the notebook. This of course didn’t mean she wouldn’t return, as next week she broke in again, but what surprised me, is that she broke in for no reason. She said she just found it fun to try to outsmart my traps even if she always failed, I don’t know if I should be more, or less worried that she broke in because it was fun.

   Ao-sen and I have also had interaction, mostly battles as she tries to rid Sen-sen out of me. But we’ve had emotional contemplation moments. For a girl with Delusions of Grandeur, she is surprisingly wise, and a good listener.

   Who would have thought that in less than a year, I went from having no close friends, to having this many?

…

- “See you later boss.”

- “Sure, thing Nio. Don’t overdo it ok? You have tests coming soon, make sure to make studying time.”

- “Understood have a good day.”

   Finals are next week, I’m ready for all except history. My most dreadful subject… I really don’t see its use in life. But I don’t have time to worry about that now. My supplies are running a bit low, so it’s supermarket time. I want some rice balls; I should learn how to make them.

New Mission: Operation Rice Ball.

I smile, as I see my objective in my head.

- “Hey, Rei… Isn’t that the kid from the school trip?”

- “Yeah, the one with the funny hat.”

Huh?

I decide to look in the direction of the voice, and get surprised by what I see, but not at the same time.

Fasshon was shopping with some of her ‘gyaru’ friends. But what really surprised me, was that it was her friends that noticed me first.

- “Like, you’re right. Hey Nio.”

- “Hey, Fasshon. Hey, Fasshon’s friends. How are you?”

- “Like we are super good…”

- “That’s good to hear.”

Awkward.

   The conversation grew stale. It’s not that I didn’t like talking to Fasshon, and it’s not that I couldn’t. It’s that I’ve never done it when she is around friends that are not Sanagi or Jinna. I didn’t know what to talk about now.

- “Like what are you doing here Nio? Came to have fun in the city as well?”

- “Not really. I’m just on my way to buy some stuff. I really want to learn to make some rice balls.”

   I don’t know why, but after that, Fasshon and her friends decided to make a group circle. Fasshon was the one talking, and the other gals answered or nodded in response. I had no idea what was going on. Even if I couldn’t hear anything, it would be rude to leave now.

- “Hey Nio, Like, do you want to have fun with us?”

- “Excuse me?”

- “You see today is my birthday, so we were going to have some fun in the city and then head for Karaoke.”

- “It’s your birthday. I didn’t know that. I’m sorry.”

- “Like, don’t worry about that. I didn’t tell you anyways. And sorry for not inviting you or anything earlier. It’s just that I didn’t know, like, how busy your school was with tests and stuff, so I only invited friends from my school. But if you’re not busy, you could like, totally join us.”

- “Are you sure? I don’t want to interfere with your fun.”

- “Of course, not little guy, we’d love to have you.”

- “Yeah, what she said.”

- “But, like, we don’t want to impose or anything…”

- “No, I don’t have a problem with joining you. But… Is it going to be an all-girls thin? (Conflicted). I really don’t want to get in trouble with my school if they were to find out, they kind off suspect me now.”

They all laughed at that, I couldn’t help but feel awkward about it, but I was glad they were willing to invite me as well.

- “No, like don’t worry. My boyfriend and his friends are gonna be there. Plus, Cho said she would join us as well, so I’m not the only one you’ll know there.”

- (Shock and guilt). “Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you had a boyfriend. I’m sorry.” (Bows profusely).

- (Awkward). “It’s fine… You don’t have to do that.”

   Her friends giggled in secret. They were most likely thinking that I may have hit on her without knowing she had a boyfriend. They had no idea, that my apology was because I had tried to sell her the idea of shipping her with my friend. Fasshon however understood and accepted my apology. That must have been super awkward for her. (Note to self, do not attempt to ship someone, without knowing more about them first, Dang it Nio, didn’t you learn from your 6th-grade mistake?).

- “So… Where are we going?”

- “Oh, so You are joining us, great. You said you wanted to learn how to make rice balls right?”

- “Yes, but what does this have to do with… Please don’t change your plans because of me… (Shaking hands profusely).

- “No… You see, Kei here, had the idea to make our snacks before the party."

- “Really?”

- “Yeah, she said it would be a new experience. So, we’ll head for her boyfriend’s chef college, and use the kitchen there to make the snacks.”

- “Wait… Is that ok? Won’t we, or he, get in trouble?”

- “Like, students have access to the training kitchen 24/7, so like we’ll be fine.”

- “But, that applies to him, we aren’t students there…”

- “Nio guy, live a little. What is life if you don’t break some rules every once in a while? It’s part of life. Come on, have fun with us. You wouldn't want to make Kei sad on her birthday would you?”

Fasshon pouts playfully, as her friends smile at me.

Are they delinquents as well? I don’t think I can. I didn’t see this development coming.

- “Come. Let’s have fun together… Hehe.”

- “Hey… Wait… I don’t…”

- “Don’t struggle little guy, it’ll be fun you’ll see…”

- “Just go with the flow.”

Fasshon was just smiling as I was dragged by peer pressure. WAS I WRONG ABOUT HER THE WHOLE TIME?!

…

   Turns out they just wanted to see my flustered worried face. Mark’s college provided kitchen access to outsiders, provided a student was in supervision. It was an extra credit thing for students. They could teach people how to make simple things.

   They laughed so hard at my sigh of relief when I saw the kitchen was full of people of all ages, even police officers were there to learn stuff.

   Fasshon went to her boyfriend Mark and suggested rice balls as a simple thing to make. I know my eyes sparkled. Mark was a cool dude. He was American and moved to Japan for the specific reason of one day being able to attend this college, once he finished his third year in Japan to adjust to the place. For some reason, I expected him to be this nerdy otaku, with glasses, you know like those stereotypical stories of the nerd ending up with the gal, with my life filled with so many rom-com stereotypes, I wouldn’t have been surprised if that was the case, but it wasn’t, and that is what surprised me.

   Mark was a handsome fellow, not princely, nor perfect guy-ish, what I mean is that he seemed like he worked out and had many friends. It was obvious buy the other two students by his side. It was a cooking trio, it surprised me how similar he and Fasshon were in their way. She was here with her two friends, and he taught us with his two friends. When he spoke, I immediately was able to identify his type, he’s the ‘sup dude’ and ‘bruh’ type. Always hanging out with his bros and stuff. But by no means was he a meat head, the way he instructed the steps to make the perfect rice ball, showed he took his classes seriously, and had real knowledge, despite his simple way of speaking, and colloquial phrases.

   As we worked on the rice balls Fasshon told me how they met when she was a second year, and he was a third-year student from an all-boys high school. They met each other when she and her friends and he and her friends, just happened to meet at the mall. They exchanged numbers and it went from there.

   I really, had fun, making the rice balls. But I don’t know what surprised me more, Mark, or the fact that Mattari and a girl from my grade were here. Mattari kept her expressionless expression, completely focused on the riceball, she didn’t even notice me, and I wasn’t going o interrupt her.

However...

 Murumi, Nyo, the girl from my grade, did notice me.

   She saw me and I attempted to wave like I always do to my classmates, but she just turned in a ‘humph’ and proceeded to work on her rice ball.

   No secret that she doesn’t like me, but contrary to others, her reason has nothing to do with my hobbies, it has to do with my nickname being pronounced very similarly to her actual name, even if they are written differently. I couldn’t help but laugh at her reason, she only glared from the corner of her eye in response, but I saw red in her cheeks. She was totally embarrassed to have been caught doing this by a classmate, after all, she was the first-year’s princess, she was supposed to be perfect, the third most beautiful girl in all of Eagle High, but finding out that even she wanted to learn stuff, made me grin even more, which made her glare even more. Since she doesn’t dislike me for my hobbies, I feel more at ease, so I tease her non-verbally whenever I learn that the princess is not so high and mighty.

- “Nyo, focus.”

   Mattari decided to call her by name. I smirked as Murumi saw me raise my head in Mattari’s direction when her name was called, teasing at the pronunciation and causing her to make a low growl at me. We aren’t friends, and we don’t talk, but we are not repelled entirely from each other. I wonder what connection she has with Mattari?

…

   The rice balls were perfect, and a night of singing awaited us. It took me until this moment to realize how rude I had been in not asking the names of Fasshon’s friends, which only got the to laugh at me. After I apologized and learned their names, we made our way to the karaoke place. Fasshon was beaming with excitement, which was great since this was her birthday.

- “So what made you want to become a chef Mark?”

- “Dude, it’s the food man. I love food, and so do my bros. And one day I was like: ‘Bruh, we should totally do something food-related when we grow up.’ And Randy was like: ‘Yeah man, but like if we’re gonna do it, let's do it right.’ And Nico was like: ‘Let’s go to that famous Japanese cooking college they recently opened in Okinawa.’ And I was like: ‘Yeah bro, but we should move at least one year before we graduate…’

- “Is that so?’

- “Yeah, Mark is right, man!”

- “Hey little man. Are they your crew?”

- “No, I’m just friend’s with Fasshon and we happened to meet so she invited me to join them.”

- “She’s like that man, always having fun dude.”

   We had hit it off on our way to the Karaoke place. Mark and his pals were fun to be around, they were very tall too. From the corner of an eye, I could see Fasshon giving me a little glare, and my mind went back to Ao-sen and how I accidentally stole her best friend, so I just made an awkward wave and told Mark that Fasshon wanted to tell him something.

…

- “SURPRISE!”

   When we entered the room that Fasshon had reserved for her birthday, we were greeted by many other friends that Fasshon had, both boys and girls. Fasshon was so surprised by seeing the Karaoke room full that, she teared up a bit, but in the span of three seconds her girls' squad wiped her face and redid her makeup, leaving me flabbergasted.

   Apparently, Fasshon thought she would have to set everything up herself, but Sanagi had made sure to have everything ready beforehand as a surprise. Ad it worked.

- “Thanks, guys… (Tears in her eyes). Thank you for coming.”

- “Come on girl, let's have some fun on your birthday!

“YEAH!” everyone said at the same time.

…

- “Nio-chan, what are you doing with all that paper? Did you have homework to complete or something?”

- “No, this is my ‘Emergency Special Occasion Paper.’ Birthday dates, anniversaries, and other special occasions are dates that I tend to forget or procrastinate in addressing, even when it comes to friends and family. So, I always carry some construction paper and simple arts and crafts stuff in my backpack for such occasions. This way I can make a homemade card on the spot if needed. This time I didn’t know about her birthday, so it works just fine.”

- “Nio-chan, all you’ve done so far is do that and eat rice balls. Why don’t you sing with us?”

- Sanagi, you say that, but if you knew how I sound like you wouldn’t. I only sing anime theme songs, and even then, I sound like I’m about to die on the spot. I normally wouldn’t care, but this is Fasshon’s birthday, I don’t want to ruin it.”

- “Oh come on, it’ll be fun no one will judge you. I mean, you did listen to Mark singing right?”

- “I don’t know… I need to finish thiiiiiiii-”

I was pulled by Sanagi and put on the spot. At least I thought Sanagi would stay by my side and sing with me, but no...

- “I’ll sing with you later, but I’m sure everyone wants to see what you can do first. Nio! NIO! NIO! NIO! NIO! NIO! …”

- “NIO! …”

- “NIO! …”

- “NIO! …”

- “NIO! …”

- “NIO! …”

- “NIO! …”

They cheered for me, which honestly made me feel happy. But I am sure they will regret it later.

…

   They regrated it. I promise I saw one of Fasshon’s friends at the brink of convulsion, but still, they all clapped and cheered afterward. Some of them cheered because it was over, Mark cheered because he for the first time he wasn’t the worst singer, while Sanagi, Fasshon, her friends, and Mark’s friends, cheered simply because I decided to have fun with everyone else.

- “Sanagi, come sing with me.”

- “Now?!”

- “Yes! You did say you would.”

- “Ok.”

   She took my side, and I gestured for her to lower to my size, so I could whisper in her ear. She probably thought I was going to suggest a song, oh how wrong she was.

- (Whisper). “I think they need a break from my voice don’t you…”

- (Whisper). “What do you mean?”

<BOOP>

I pressed a random song and ditched her.

- “Nio-chan, you betray me?”

- “You did it first. But don’t worry, I’ll sing with you later, but I’m sure everyone wants to see what you can do first.”

- “Nio-chan, you meanie.”

- “Cho! … CHO! … CHO! … CHO! …”

- "CHO!”

- "CHO!”

…

   After everyone cheered for Sanagi, she graced our ears with her voice. An upbeat song and everyone clapped and cheered in complete attention to her. I am a bit surprised to see Sanagi glancing at me while she sings, but contrary to the pout I expect all I see is a wider smile for some reason.

{The small shipper didn’t know how happy it had made the blonde social butterfly, to hear her first name coming out of his mouth, even if it was just at that moment}.

Fasshon decided to seat next to me, while Sanagi sang.

- “Here Fasshon, this is for you. Happy birthday.”

- “Like, thank you Nio. Love the color, it really, like, matches me.”

- “No problem, I’m happy you invited me, I don’t remember the last time, if ever, that I did this karaoke thing.”

- “Ha… You don’t know what you’re missing.”

- “You might be right.”

- “…”

- “…”

- “…”

- “…”

   We stayed in silence for some seconds. I didn’t know how Sanagi was able to be so masterful in a song I pressed at random.

- “Like, I know you promised a song with Sanagi, but like, do you mind doing one with me as well? I want to have a duet with everyone here, and I’m just missing you, and Cho.”

- “If you don’t mind my voice then sure.”

- “Like, I do mind, but I’ll ignore it for the sake of fun.”

Ouch… Ha-ha…

- “Hey, Nio…”

- “Yeah Fasshon… Take care of Cho?”

- (Confused). "What do you mean?”

- “Like, she’s been my best friend for two years, but I am currently a third-year, this is my last year of high school. We will always be friends, but I know it will be complicated for us to meet up as regularly as we currently do. She has many friends, but I can see that for some reason, you are among the closest to her. Only behind me and Jinna.”

- “You think so?”

- “Yes, so as the last one of her closest friends to remain in high school, make sure to stick by her. When she arrived at our school, she wasn’t the overly cheerful girl you see today, she spent most of her time alone. I know this because I saw her seating on her own at lunchtime in the cafeteria. For months I did nothing. We were in different grades, so it didn’t seem like my place. She always had a study book with her whenever I saw her, buried in it while she ate. I saw how other girls from her class came to her, and like, I overheard them talking. All they did was ask questions regarding class materials and then leave. Like, they just came for schoolwork help and left. I felt bad for her, why would they only come to her for that? But then I saw her smile. She was smiling larger than I had ever seen her smile. While she read those schoolbooks, she was always smiling, but when people in her class looked for her help, her smile grew and her eyes sparkled. She wanted friends, and this was the only way she knew how to get them.”

… ‘People like us, will never get the girls. That life is not for us. That is unless we change ourselves. People like us that crave love cannot go about searching for it like in your previous life. We either choose to live a life to impress the girls, like those gentlemen playing soccer; they unknowingly chose that path, whether they want to or not; or we accept our fate and find a way to alleviate the pain.’

'… I find comfort in bringing people together… Helping others find love…'

   For some reason, the words that my master taught me in the third grade resonated in my brain. And what I told Sanagi about my love for ships also came to mind. I don’t know why. Is not like it’s related right?

- “So, like, I decided to seat with her, and talk to her about things not related to school. I did that for over a month, and then I decided to invite her to the mall with my friends, and she said yes. She later asked me, how I was able to have these many friends. I just told her that I didn’t wait for them to come to me, that rather I came to them. She was confused, like, I guess after spending so much time thinking she needed to academically help people to get friends, getting told there was another way, must have been shocking. First, my friends approached her about things unrelated to school, and by the second semester of her first year, she began to approach others about things unrelated to school. She made friends and became the girl you know now.”

So, she found satisfaction in helping others through her schoolwork.

- "Like, her personality didn’t change much, she still likes what she likes. Still talks like she always has, but she changed her approach to relationships and was able to create the friendships she longed for, in a healthy way. Maybe her constant hangouts affected her grades in a little way, but she is still one of the top students.”

So, she achieved her goal in life, without changing who she was to fit in or get others to like her… The opposite of me, even if she was like me.

- “But what does this have to do with me taking care of her?”

- “Because she doesn’t want to lose important friends, and knowing your, personal, mission, I don’t want you to forget her.”

- “I won’t…”

- “Good…”

- “But know… I won’t replace you.”

Fasshon was confused for a second.

- “Just because you are leaving for college, it doesn’t mean Sanagi will forget you, and replace you with me. You are her best friend and that won't change. And know I won’t forget you either.”

All she did was smile. She knew this to be true and didn’t need a reminder, but I still wanted to give it.

- “Hey, Cho is finished… Like, come to have a duet with me, then have your moment with her.”

- “Ok…”

…

   I sang with Fasshon, her voice wasn’t the best, but it wasn’t bad either, I tried to keep my voice the lowest, as to not let others hear my singing again. Something that didn’t work when I was going to sing with Sanagi, as she went as far as pausing the song, to scold me into singing and being heard, much to the amusement of everyone watching.

   I had fun singing with everyone. I even had a duet with Mark, and if ear strokes were a thing, I am sure at least half the audience had one, despite the claps and cheers.

   It was 11 PM when the party was over. Fasshon had completely fallen asleep by the end of everything, leaving everyone else on cleaning duty. Mark decided to carry her on his back to her home, I guess she lived close by. I said goodbye to everyone thanking them for the invite. Fasshon’s friends tried teasing me with breaking the rules again, most to their amusement when I agreed and laughed it off, causing them to laugh as I passed the vibe check. Sanagi was pouting at me as I decided to say goodbye addressing her by her last name, while she expected me to keep using her first, something I only did to rile the masses into cheering for her.

   As I walked back home, the objective of getting supplies ignored in favor of sleep, I couldn’t help but think back to what Fasshon told me about Sanagi. I wouldn’t have expected it. There were some underlying similarities between her and me.

   She wanted friends; I wanted a romantic relationship. She alleviated that pain with studies, and by helping others with their studies. I alleviated my desire, with rom-com anime, and by shipping others. But she was able to achieve her goals without changing who she was but by changing her approach.

   Was there some message there for me? The question that I pondered sometimes when I was weak. Can I hope for love?

   Whatever. This was not the reason Fasshon told me that story. She told me, to let me know how much Sanagi values her friends, to make sure that despite my work as a shipper, I maintained my friendship with her, even after Fasshon went to college.

   A new mission. One that will not fail. I will take care of my friendship with Sanagi. Not that I planned on not taking care of it.

…

   So that’s a wrap. Fasshon’s birthday revealed something of Sanagi’s past and how similar yet different it is from Nio’s. This has strengthened Nio’s resolve toward this friendship.

   Next time, it is time to address the elephant in the room. They can’t keep avoiding each other. Panchikikku strengthens her resolve, and decides she needs to face the awkwardness herself, all she asks of the shipper, is to provide a chance for her to do her part. How will this play out? Find out next on “Protagonist is a Shipper” part 2.