After the meeting, Hanzo and I left school. We decided to get ice cream at the convenience store near the gas station. The convenience store was pretty close to the school, so we decided to walk there.
I live in a city here in Hokkaido. Rabenda City. The city has its own island, which is separated from from the rest of Hokkaido. Just as the name says, this city is known for having one of the best Lavender fields in Hokkaido. There are two lavender fields here. One near the beach and the high school area, and the other one near the elementary school. There is a city square here, where most of the buildings and establishments reside. The market and the restaurants are located in the city square. There are also three residential areas here. Beachside, Upper (Near the middle school), and lower (Near the city entrance and exit).
After grabbing some ice cream, we also decided to walk home. We live in the residential area near the city's entrance and exit. Even though it's far, Hanzo wanted to walk home. This means that he just wants to relax for a while and take a breather.
As we walk, I started a conversation. "So, Hanzo, you'll be taking culinary arts?"
He took a lick of his ice cream. "Yeah. Pretty locked on that one for sure. Mom says that my cooking is getting better and better as time goes by, so why not continue it right?"
"Yeah, and it seems like you love what you do," I replied.
"I saw how people react to my cooking, and it makes me feel good making others happy. I want to keep doing what I am doing to make others happy." He let out a cheerful smile.
I giggled. Seeing him like this makes me happy. He is always determined like this even when we were in elementary school. With his positive outlook on everything, he really can do all things.
"What about you Kazu?" He turned to me as he licks his ice cream. "Have you thought of what you want to take in college?"
"I still don't know. I want to be an author, so anything related to literary works," I took a lick of my ice cream.
"Oh yeah. I forgot that you got that scholarship for winning the writing contest last cultural festival."
Last cultural festival, I partake in the writing contest and won first place. What I didn't know is that one of the judges was the dean of the University of Rabenda, and he was impressed with my writing, so he gave me a scholarship to study there. That day, Hanzo also received a scholarship from the University of Rabenda because of how great he organized the cultural festival and that it was a success. It also helped that he was the president of the student council.
"Yeah, and since I got that scholarship because of my writing, I'll take on a literature course."
Hanzo giggles. "But man, I didn't know you were that good at writing! I read your work and it was amazing!"
I blushed. I lowered my head and licked my ice cream. "Oh come, it's not that big of a deal."
"I was completely immersed in your work, man!" He raised his arms in the air in excitement like a child. "Like, it was my first time reading a work of yours."
"Uhhh, not really...." I said.
"Hmmm? What do you mean?"
"Remember the shoujo manga that the Manga Club made when we were 2nd year?"
"Yeah. I thought it was good. What about it?"
"I wrote the plot and the chapters for that manga."
Back in 1st year, our English teacher made us wrote short stories. I wrote a romance story. Our teacher asked us to exchange with our seatmates and let them read and grade our work. My seatmate happened to be the president of the Manga club. Once she was done reading, she was moved and asked me to write for them for a project they were doing. I was not the type of guy to say no, so I agreed. I came up with the characters and how the entire story will go. Once I was done, I gave them the manuscript and they started production. Once 2nd year started, the manga was released. and a month after that, the manga became a hit and the Manga club started earning huge amounts of money. After it sold out, the money is split. 50% goes to the school, 35% to the club, and 15% for me. I end up spending all the money on video games, food, and writing equipment.
"Wha- YOU DID?!" He grabbed me by the shoulders and started shaking me violently. "Why didn't you tell me that you worked on that best-selling manga at school?! That's why it was a big thing because you were the one who wrote it!"
"Hanzo, Stop-" My ice cream fell on the ground and I began to feel dizzy from all the shaking.
We talked and laughed as we make our way home.