"Tha-that's lame, g-g-guess I'll go do m-m-my homework m-m-my-s-self!" Clarence shrugs as he takes his leave; clearly disappointed at the lack of excitement that he's been excluded from. He must not be too bummed out, or else he wouldn't still be playing into Sachiko's little homework ruse.
"Farewell mate, I'll give you the summary later!" I wave my friend off in good cheer, but when I turn around; Sachiko's lavender eyes pierce me with their gaze.
"Mister Thomas, you DO know that he can't be involved in our plan, right?" She looks at me with a stone cold expression as she awaits my reply.
"Indeed, Sachiko," I answer as I pull out the scroll from my pocket. "Golden Star Sachiko," I laugh before continuing, "participants: Thomas and Sachiko."
Sachiko, now pleased; takes the paper from me, while still feeling compelled to add: "Good, you understand. You know that means no Clarence, and nobody else besides us. Including too many people in this not only complicates my plan, but also goes against the contract."
I'm quite annoyed at the excessive amount of detail this gal presents, but my curiosity is of more pressing priority.
"Smashing, smashing, yes, but Sachiko with a brain as big as yours, why do you even need my help to begin with?" I question the brainiac, which causes her to suddenly stop and ponder for a moment.
"It's not all about grades or books, even; or else you'd be right, Thomas. The answer is unmistakable, really; you know things I don't know, and I know things that you cannot know. But if we put our minds together we'll be able to achieve what we couldn't on our own; our dreams!"
Sachiko has a mysteriously intelligent, yet crafty way of speaking. She did just help me fully understand what I tried to decipher from her written contract, after so many rereads. Furthermore, at the same time, I still feel like she just called me an idiot. Hopefully my second observation is false, let's just focus on the fact that this, little miss priss needs my help.
I inhale deeply before thanking the girl for her…clarification. Her mood normalized for all but two seconds; fortunately, for me she was now raring to go to the library.
"I'm off to go make you your ever so official copy contract. Wait here, Thomas, I'll be back in a minute!"
The lass didn't disappoint in fulfilling her obligation, but what was amusing to watch was how she frolicked. Her hair flowed from left to right, like a flower blowing in the wind. When she returned, her arms matched the rhythm of her elegant, little dress. Her delight at the time was what was truly appealing, and for a gal who was quite forward about her desire to get adopted; I was oddly unsure as of why she was so satisfied, in this moment.
"Here's your contract; thus the Road to Stardom begins!" I looked at Sachiko intently, thinking that exciting conversations about what's to happen next would occur.
"On Monday." She concluded, and as much as I longed for this to be a joke; Sachiko's stern expression said otherwise. The girl clearly rained on my parade, but before disappointment could fully consume me; she continued speaking.
"I mustn't forget to attend to my actual homework, as should you; but after you're done, be sure to list some ways I can start acquiring normal stars."
She ran off before I had a chance to respond. "List? I could have simply told ya lass; guess I gotta play the game by your rules, huh?"
I make my way back to my room. There's no way I'm going to do my homework first! Catching Clarence up to speed was a blast. Each time he beat me in a game challenge, I would give him details of what Sachiko said. If I won the challenge, my friend would then give me some candy, from his secret stash. I won five games, while he won 3. When it comes to games off the playground, I have a winning chance against my friend; unfortunately 3 games is all it took for Clarence to receive the info he needed.
"H-h-hah! She ac-acts like y-y-you know a-all the ways t-t-to get stars!"
"Real wacky, that girl! I only know of," it was at that moment when I realized the truth of the matter. What I thought should have been an easy answer, instead made me silent. I then hunted through all my stars, in my nightstand.
"Clarence, mate I've only got 15 golden stars."
My friend's teeth were exposed in a real humorous grin. "Y-y-you member h-h-h-how you got th-those st-stars?" I know there's no evil bone in his body, so, there's no reason for me to feel offended by Clarence's inquiry. After thinking real hard, I tell him, "I got my first golden stars by accident, but I did notice more stars adding up as I started helping others out more!"
My face lit up in a sense similar to Sachiko's; when she first brought up her love of golden stars to me. "I get it now, Clarence," although the plan of action to take seems clear; there's still the curiosity as to why pure maiden, Sachiko isn't on my level of stars yet. "I must help the gal support others,"
Clarence finishes my thought, "just like y-y-you like to do, du-dude!" We then gave each other a high five of such intense caliber that an echo formed in the bedroom around us; causing us to rejoice. "Bro moment!!"
The weekend continued, as normal, and putting my unintentional actions into thoughts on paper was tough, but I was eager to show the brainiac what I came up with. That occasion finally arrived during breakfast, on Monday morning.
The cafeteria was bustling with eager orphans from kindergarten, up to grade three. The cafeteria crew always tells me we're the loudest bunch in the whole orphanage. "Louder than the teenagers? Rubbish!" I'd always say, in disbelief, but, I've only ever seen the older kids in passing. Despite OGO housing orphans up to age 18, the place is organized enough to not mix companies, unless necessary.
Amidst the loud chewing, and wacky necessity to yell at orphans clear across the cafeteria, I was able to spot Sachiko; like a solitary flower in a bed of cacti.
"Mornin' lass!" I call out to the girl, as I sit down across from her, at the table. She remained silent; eating her food like it was a hidden treasure meant only for her.
"Lass?" Having already sat down, and started eating; I proceed to call out a few more times. Then she quickly shot her head up to look at me causing strands of her hair to raise, like animal ears on alert. In Sachiko's case, they resembled rabbit ears!
Excitement aside, the gal announced; "Thomas, you called me lass again; don't call me that."
I then answer, "you're for serious, innit?"
"It surely sounds like something you'd call a pet, not a human." Her voice grew slightly faint; this is definitely not the time to upset my new partner. Before I could ask her what she would like to be called instead, Sachiko continued. "Lady's fitting, I'll become the best lady! Speaking of, you must be here because you made my list, correct?"
I can't help but laugh inside because Sachiko, as particular as she is; is also a walking, living, breathing host of dozens of nicknames. I'll have to refrain from calling her a rabbit, for now, but as long as I don't call her lass, either; I should be safe!
Sachiko then took the list I made as energetically as the crowd around us, but her enthusiasm would quickly diminish; as if a single sheet of paper had the power to shut off all the electricity at a radioactive plant.