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Alpindale-Light-Novels-fixed-ShareGPT

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New Eden 52

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When Nagafuji had club activities to attend, the clubless Hino and I often went home by ourselves. But today, I had other business, so I bid Hino goodbye and left her standing alone at the shoe lockers.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Noooo! My inner pet rabbit is gonna starve! she wailed...whatever that was supposed to mean.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The best thing about Hino and Nagafuji? They didnt try to reform me or get involved in my life. At most, they might voice their disapproval. Otherwise, they were content to let me be.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Slipping my outdoor shoes on, I walked outside into drizzling rain.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, crap. I didnt bring an umbrella.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I started walking faster, and by the time I reached the school gates, I had broken into a run. Was Adachi out here waiting for me? Truth be told, I felt so guilty, I probably wouldve run regardless of the weather. Not out of excitement or anything. Just to be polite.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I shot past a group of guys in school uniforms. Just as I passed the gas station, Adachi came into view. My guilt was still there, but now I felt oddly relieved, too. There she was, waiting patiently with an umbrella over her head. I was admittedly surprised that shed brought one.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You didnt have to sit in the exact same place! I when she saw me, she hopped down and grabbed her bikes handlebars. I came to a stop right next to her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whew... Made it,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought, even though we werent even one-tenth of the way to my house yet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hey! Sorry about the rain.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nah, its fine. Not like you can control the weather, she grinned. Here, hold this.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At her request, I took the umbrella. With her hands free, she hopped onto her bike, kicked up the kickstand, and glanced back at me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Which way is your house?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I pointed straight down the road.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ah. Figured.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her expression clouded over, as though she was disappointed. I fixed her with an inquiring look.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, its just a pretty big detour from my house, thats all. She pointed in a 70-degree angle from where Id indicated. I wasnt surprised to learn that she lived pretty far away from me, since otherwise we wouldve gone to the same junior high school.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait, but then...why did she go out of her way to hang out on this street yesterday, if its so far from her house?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There was just so much I still didnt know about her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Which way should we go first?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now theres a bold question. Uhhh...why dont we go to your house? I answered. No matter whose house we stopped at first, the other person would have a long trek alone ahead of them, and I didnt want to inconvenience Adachi more than I already had.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She didnt argue. Instead, she climbed onto her bike. Wanna ride on the back? she offered, tapping the rear wheel with her foot. You can hold the umbrella for us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That sounded like a perfectly reasonable idea to me, but I decided to tease her anyway. Were not", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "supposed", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "to ride double, you know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Were delinquents, remember? We do all kinds of stuff were not supposed to.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, right. Well then, good thing were not honor students!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Amen to that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Without further ado, I hopped on, placing my feet on either side of the rear wheel and putting one hand on Adachis shoulder. With my free hand, I held the umbrella aloft. Okay, Im ready.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once I was in position, she started to pedal. In the beginning, she struggled with the added weight, but as the bike steadily picked up speed, she seemed to find her groove.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 15", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0014", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 16", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0015", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I looked down at the top of her head. Normally I only saw her hair as it framed her face, so the view from up there was kind of surreal. Her hair almost looked like a small, shaggy animal.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wonder if my hair looks like that from this angle, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If one of us were a goody-goody, this wouldve been the perfect moment in our friendship for the good kid to try to lead the bad kid back onto the proper path. But we were both bad kids, so it wasnt. If anything, we were both dragging each other further down.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Also, the umbrella was too high up to actually shield either of us from the rain.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didnt know you had friends, Shimamura, Adachi commented, her eyes on the road as we went back the way Id come. Her tone was casual, if a little dry, or maybe it just sounded that way from above. Either way, for some reason, I felt like things could get awkward depending on how I responded.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, you know... Cant have Shimamura without Uniqlo and H M, I joked, even though I hated my stupid last name. Then I felt Adachis shoulders shake, and knew she was laughing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought you only skipped class because you were lonely?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It wasnt often that she asked me questions about myself. Or maybe the fact that I felt that way said more about me than about her...so I decided to ask her something in return.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What about you? Any friends?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mmm...just you, really.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wow, thats pretty sad. But, actually, I was kind of happy to hear it. Not that it was a good thing...at least, not for Adachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We took a sharp turn around a corner, and for some reason-possibly my added weight-that simple movement made the bike lose its balance and nearly graze the side of a building. Once Adachi got the bike back under control, she took her eyes off the road and looked up at me instead.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wh-what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She didnt respond right away-just kept pedaling, her upper body tilted in my direction. Common sense told me that at least one of us needed to watch where we were going, and yet I couldnt tear my gaze away from hers.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You know, when you were jogging over to me, I noticed something.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youre kind of catlike, arent you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I could hear the faint whirring of the bicycle tires beneath us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Catlike?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As in, not human.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wow, rude. Do I run weird or something? Or is it my face? Do I have a catlike face?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How so?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youre just so aloof with people.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I am...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I think so.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Because you never try to connect with someone on a personal level,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "her eyes seemed to say. My fingers tightened around her shoulder.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I could admit that I wasnt a total open book, but surely", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "everyone", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "was like that to an extent, right? Or...perhaps the fact that I saw that as normal was the exact reason she considered me aloof to begin with. Even so, wasnt she the same way?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then again, Id never owned a cat, so I couldnt say for sure one way or the other.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If Im so aloof with people, then what am I doing sharing a bike with you, hmm?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe you see me as a fellow cat, she replied, and finally turned back to face the road.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I should have felt relieved that we were back to operating under safe conditions, but all I felt was unease. I", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "really", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "didnt like talking about myself. My mind evaded the topic by turning to the subject of Adachi instead. Was she catlike, too? Were we just a couple of cats, lounging in a sunbeam up in the gym loft?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The way wed swatted eagerly at those ping-pong balls, I could certainly see a resemblance.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I dont know how to get back to the school from here, I said. Draw me a map.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, right. Duh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Clearly, I hadnt thought this through. Nevertheless, Adachi easily complied with my demand; she reached into her bookbag and retrieved a notebook and pen. I half-expected them to be covered in dust, given how often she attended class. In fact, it was a miracle that she bothered to bring her bookbag at all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When we arrived at Adachis house thirty or so minutes later, I noticed that it was really white. The walls, I mean. There was a covered parking space on the left-hand side, but no car was parked there. I also glimpsed a green clothesline pole peeking out from around the side of the house.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Across from the front of the house was a long stretch of farmland-three or four different plots, all in a row. Beyond them was a single giant building...probably a mill, if I had to guess. The area around my house was like this, too. Everything about it screamed rural backwater town.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the past, there had been a lot more farmland, and houses were scarce. The smell of grass had followed you everywhere you went. But now, as the residential areas expanded, that farmland was shrinking. In grade school, Id once drawn a picture of the roadside farms I passed on my walk to and from school; today, that landscape didnt exist anymore.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay, all done, said Adachi. This is the path I take to school on my bike, so in theory, you should be fine.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In theory?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whats that supposed to mean? You think Im wider than a bike?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, I mean, if you stuck your arms out! Adachi laughed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She tore the map out of her notebook, then handed it to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why would I stretch out my arms all the way back to school, you idiot?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I looked down at the map and traced the path with my finger. Quietly, I realized that this map to school also served as a map to Adachis", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "house", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Not that I saw myself visiting anytime soon, of course. What if I showed up, and she wasnt home? Talk about awkward.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How damp are you? Adachi touched my shoulder, then my hair. Jeez, youre soaked!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, it started coming down harder on our way here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachis hair was likewise so wet that her bangs were glued to her forehead. She realized what I was looking at and raked her fingers through her hair, slicking it back and exposing her forehead. This new hairstyle gave her a slightly more mature vibe.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wanna come inside and towel off?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mmm...Im good. You wouldnt want me to drip all over your house, right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It felt as though I was asking her to give me a reason to decline. She sighed and rolled her eyes. There you go again, keeping people at arms length.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It pissed me off that she assumed that, and it made me want to lash out. Not very healthy, I know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, then I guess Ill come in.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "guess", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "? Ugh, just go home.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Exactly when I finally agree, you change your mind? Wow, rude. Fine, whatever. I wasnt that attached to the idea, anyway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But, right as I turned to leave, she stopped me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wait, Shimamura. Here. She handed me the folding umbrella wed used on our way to her house. Youre going to need this, dont you think?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, probably. Ill give it back to you tomorrow, I promise.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I go to school tomorrow, sure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Classic Adachi. Since my hands were full, I waved the umbrella at her, then started walking.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It had taken us thirty minutes to get there by bike; assuming my added weight slowed Adachi down, I estimated that it normally took her about twenty minutes. My walking speed was maybe half that, so I was looking at a forty-minute walk. And that was just to get back to the school. From there, it would take me another twenty minutes to get home. Total ETA: one hour.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ugh... This is gonna suck...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I heard Adachis voice from somewhere above me and looked upward to find her peeking out of a second-floor window. Apparently, shed run all the way up there.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What a dork,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I thought to myself with a chuckle.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whats up?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, um... First things first, heres a hand towel for you!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With that, she flung the towel from the window. Desperate to catch it before it hit the wet ground, I dropped the umbrella and held out both hands.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why would you do that...? I heard her mutter in disbelief.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whatever. At least, this way, I managed to catch it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I grabbed the umbrella off the ground and started wiping my face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The hand towel was lemon yellow. It must have been freshly washed, too, because it didnt smell like Adachi. Not that I needed it to.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thanks!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No problem.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was a long moment of silence. Adachi had prefaced the towel with first things first, so I looked up at her, waiting for whatever else she had to say. But she simply stared back, resting her elbows on the windowsill with her chin in her hands. The only sound was the pouring rain.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meanwhile, as I patted my hair dry, I contemplated returning the towel to Adachi tomorrow as well.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then, finally, she spoke. Sorry.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh? For what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For making you walk all that way. I feel bad, she explained, though she certainly wasnt showing it on her face if so. Should I just take you home?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What? No, no, no. Then youd just have to bike all the way back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why had I wanted to come here? I sincerely didnt know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, right. I guess that makes sense, Adachi nodded, her expression steely.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Another moment of silence.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The empty space between her and me drove me", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "bonkers", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". I was torn between the urge to say something-anything-and the desire to flee. Since I couldnt think of anything to say, I chose the latter.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, Id better go. See you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, see you tomorrow...probably.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If. Probably.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She refused to commit, right to the very end.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once she closed the window, I turned and headed off, towel draped around my neck as though I were a middle-aged man.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What a weird day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I carefully followed the path outlined on the map, I thought about Adachi. Why would she bother biking twenty minutes to school if she wasnt going to attend class?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Today wed talked about friends.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maybe, next time, I should ask her about school.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And so, Adachi-san turned up at school the next day like it was the most natural thing in the world.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I know, right? Im gonna make honor roll at this rate.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Give me a break,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought, shooting Adachi an icy look as I hit the ping-pong ball back in her direction.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "To us, today was just another Wednesday. Morning classes had passed, and when the bell rang, I contemplated buying lunch for the two of us after this game ended. But then I heard footsteps, and two cheerful voices entered the gym.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They were headed for the loft.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im telling you, there were sounds coming from up here, a painfully familiar voice explained as two pairs of feet thudded up the stairs. When they reached the landing, I grimaced in spite of myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ugh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Excuse me? Your friends are here to see you, and your first reaction is", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "ugh", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Carrying plastic bags from the school store, Hino and Nagafuji started to walk over to me...but then they saw Adachi and froze in their tracks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nngh... Hino looked at me and Adachi in turn. Then Adachi looked at me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Everyone", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "was looking at me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "God, I wish I could disappear right now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But I couldnt, obviously. So, instead, I set my ping-pong paddle on the table and sat down in my usual spot.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youre awfully calm about all this, Hino snarked. Regardless, she plopped down next to me, and Nagafuji took a seat on my opposite side. Meanwhile, Adachi remained standing, fiddling with a strand of hair. I beckoned her over, but she scratched her head and frowned.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Come", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "on", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", Adachi, I insisted.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At that, she finally caved. With a reluctant grimace, she walked over and sat a short distance from the rest of us, since Nagafuji was in her usual spot.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How did you find me? I asked Hino.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I remembered that you were looking at a ping-pong book in the bookstore, so I kinda put two and two together.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oops. So, it was my fault, then. Feeling guilty, I glanced at Adachi out of the corner of my eye. She observed us with her usual steely expression, and I got the distinct sense that she had no intention of joining the conversation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hino tugged on my sleeve and whispered, Is that Adachi-san?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shes right there, you know. You could just ask her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I think the answer is obvious, but yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, right! Adachi-san! Nagafuji nodded.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What, did you forget her name AGAIN?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, you guys", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "are", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "friends!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, I guess.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Cant exactly play it off this time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hino tilted her head in confusion. But then, why-well, okay. Partway through her question, she seemed to change her mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nagafuji glanced at her, then turned to Adachi. My names Nagafuji.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And Im Hino. Nice to meet you, maam, Hino chimed in.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maam? Dude, shes the same age as us. You KNOW this.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Adachi pointed at each of them in turn. Nagafuji and Hino. Ill remember that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At this, Hino shrank back a little.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why did you have to phrase it so ominously?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nice to meet you, Adachi finished curtly, then leaned back against the net and stared silently at the opposite wall. She radiated such an intense stay away vibe that neither Hino nor Nagafuji had the courage to engage with her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Instead, they both turned to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh yeah, we bought some stuff for lunch. Figured we could eat together.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, the teachers never come up here? Even during gym class? Thats amazing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I just wish they wouldnt both talk at the same time. How am I supposed to know who to respond to first? Guess Ill start with the food.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I reached into the plastic bag Hino held and pulled out the first sandwich I came into contact with. Thanks, I told her, and took a couple bites. Then, at last, I answered Nagafujis question. Whenever theres a gym class, we just sit quietly so they dont spot us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Incredible! Either theyre all a bunch of blind idiots, or they just dont care! Nagafuji exclaimed in awe. Personally, I was impressed that she managed to insult people in that upbeat tone-a contrast so glaring, it was practically perpendicular. Unlike her chest, which was more of a bell curve. But I digress.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What kind do you want, Adachi? I asked, shifting the conversation to her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whichever kind you like is fine, she replied without moving an inch.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmm...okay, then, here you go. I gently tossed her an egg sandwich.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thanks, she said to no one in particular.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meanwhile, Nagafuji and Hino each took a sandwich and a drink and started eating. They chatted mostly with each other, and occasionally with me, but never spoke directly to Adachi. Adachi showed no interest in talking to them, either. The atmosphere between the three was so strained and uncomfortable, the bread in my mouth felt like sandpaper. This was a game of tug-of-war, and I was the rope.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This really isnt helping my digestion.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once Hino finished eating, her boredom soon got the best of her. Can we play ping-pong? Cmon, lets play! she exclaimed, tugging on my arm.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I glanced at Adachi and hesitated. Were still eating, though. Maybe after.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But, when I looked over, I realized that Nagafuji had already finished her food.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Are Adachi and I slow eaters or something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay then... Nagafuji! Play with me!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Fine by me. What are we betting?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What? We have to bet something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hino and Nagafuji walked over and grabbed the ball and paddles Adachi and I had been using. As I watched them, suddenly something felt", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "wrong", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". I just wasnt sure what.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey, Shimamura, are you free Saturday? Hino asked as they played.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This Saturday?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, this-", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Saturday", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "-! Hino grunted as she lunged for the ball. She knocked it back to Nagafuji, who swatted it even harder.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure, Im not doing anything.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In that case, you should come meet my little astronaut friend! The kids a hoot!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, what youre really saying is, you want me to go fishing with you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No! I mean, yeah, but thats just a bonus, if anything! See, I told em all about you, and now they wanna meet you!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh god, what did you tell them?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My life was perfectly uneventful, so what could possibly interest this weirdo? Or was Hino just joking? She was so engrossed in the ping-pong game, it was hard to get a read on her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why not take Nagafuji?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ive got", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "club activities", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", Nagafuji replied, in a tone that seemed to say, Unlike you losers, I actually have a LIFE. If you asked me, club activities didnt seem that much more important than going fishing, but whatever.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, there you have it! Lets go fishing, Shimamura!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmm...eh, okay. Saturday it is.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Rock and roll! Hino shouted as she swung her paddle hard-and missed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once there was a lull in the conversation, I glanced at Adachi. She stared into space, holding her half-eaten sandwich. We were both the quiet type, so whenever someone else talked, we were content to simply listen. But she wasnt looking at Hino and me, so I knew something else was going on.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And, whatever it was, it wasnt good.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The next day was a Friday-my favorite day of the week, since it meant the weekend was right around the corner. Once again, as on Wednesday, Adachi didnt turn up at the loft. After yesterday, however, I had seen that coming. Somehow, I knew Hino and Nagafujis presence would deter Adachi from hanging out up here.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I got the feeling that no amount of waiting around would help me this time. Maybe Adachi would never come back to the loft ever again. And if she stopped coming up here, then we would pretty much stop hanging out completely. Worst-case scenario, it was possible that I wouldnt see her again until graduation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Worst-case scenario, huh...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In other words, my ideal scenario was to keep hanging out with her. I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "wanted", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "to see her. Nothing weird about that, obviously, since we were friends and all. It wouldve been weirder if I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "didnt", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "want to hang out with her. Especially considering how often we met up in the loft. Clearly, we enjoyed each others company. Nothing wrong with that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But whatever was between the two of us evaporated into thin air with the addition of Hino and Nagafuji.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its because Adachis so shifty-no, thats not it. Theres a better way to put it, but I just cant think of it at the moment. Yeah, thats the reason shes so quick to start avoiding me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I grasped the concept on an intuitive level, but I couldnt describe it in words. The feeling was exasperating.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sometimes it really, really bothered me just how little I knew about her. Instead, all I really understood was myself, and even then, not a whole lot.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yesterday, when I had watched Hino and Nagafuji play ping-pong, I realized:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This is not what I want.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At least, I THINK thats what I want.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Granted, I hadnt arrived at the root of the problem just yet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So far, all I knew for sure was that some part of me viscerally opposed Hino and Nagafuji coming up here.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Were meeting up at 10:00 tomorrow morning, got it? If youre late, I wont help you bait your hook!", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I hear you, I hear you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I still wasnt sure that I wanted to go fishing just so I could meet some spaceman weirdo, but whatever. Shrugging off Hinos warning, I left the classroom. Today I had declined to hang out with her and Nagafuji in favor of going home alone.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I walked down the hallway, down the stairs, and to the shoe lockers, I stared at the map to Adachis house and contemplated paying her a visit. Ultimately, however, I decided against that. Somehow, I doubted Id find her sitting around at home.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Going through the schools front gates, I turned and walked down the street. As I passed the gas station, a tiny part of me hoped Id find Adachi waiting for me on the fence again, and my pace quickened. Sadly, no such luck. All I found was an empty fence.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As an experiment, I tried sitting on the fence the same way Adachi did, with one leg up. I almost fell backward into traffic.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay, no more of that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nursing my wounded ego, I slowed my pace as I continued down the street. For a moment, I thought about going into the gas station convenience store, then decided against it. Instead, I cut across the deserted parking lot outside the opticians shop. I took a left at the cram school in the green cylindrical building, and a right as I passed the bus stop where Hino, Nagafuji, and I typically went our separate ways.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "BAM!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gah!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Someone bumped into me from behind, and I stumbled forward. At first I braced myself, thinking that maybe it was some delinquent creep about to harass me for money. Then I turned around and discovered that I was at least partially right. The delinquent part, anyway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was Adachi. Apparently, she had reached out from atop her bike and shoved me. I was just grateful that she hadnt slammed her whole bike into me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sorry about that. I didnt hit the brakes in time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Says the girl who shouted BAM! as she was doing it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She hopped off her bike and walked next to me, pushing it along. I hadnt seen her at school that day, but she was wearing her uniform, and her bookbag sat in her bike basket. Next to it was a plastic bag from god-knows-where.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I started walking again, and she followed along.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You sure?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "About what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Walking with me. Its a pretty big detour from your house, remember?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah...I guess it is.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She tilted her head down toward the ground, but kept walking. Maybe she wanted to go to my house, since wed gone to hers last time. Or maybe she was just trying to kill time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As we walked in silence, I snuck a few glances at her. In profile, her hair lay perfectly against her high cheekbones, as though she were a carefully crafted statue. After a moment, she blinked, and I was relieved to remember that she was a living, breathing human being. Then our eyes met, and I realized Id been staring for too long.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She grabbed the plastic bag out of the bike basket and offered it to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Here. This is for you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh? What is it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I peered inside to find two buns, one of which I recognized as cream bun-shaped. The other was shaped like a tartlet with something white on top-tuna or mashed potatoes, I couldnt really tell. The school store sold both buns. There was also a bottle of mineral water at the bottom of the bag, but it had clearly been in there for a while, because it wasnt remotely cold. This seemed like a lot of food for breakfast, yet not quite enough for a decent lunch.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I meant to give this to you at lunch today, she said.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lunch?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I tried to picture Adachi standing in line in the middle of the busy cafeteria, but couldnt.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No way.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then I realized what she meant.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ohhh", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", I get it. It was finally your turn today, huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was the first smile Id managed to get out of her today. The sunsets gentle rays offset her sharp gaze.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How much was it? Ill pay you back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I moved to get my wallet out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dont worry about it, she replied evasively.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If she wouldnt tell me the cost herself, I was going to have to work it out from memory. The mineral water was easy, assuming she bought it from the school vending machine. I just needed to remember the price of the tartlet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Rrgh... I furrowed my brow in intense contemplation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whats the matter with you? Adachi asked dubiously.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I ignored her and focused all my energy into digging through my memory bank.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Right", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "before I was about to pass out, I finally remembered. I took out my wallet and checked the cash I had on hand.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Perfect", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". I removed the exact amount and handed it to her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This is for the tartlet and the water. I bet I got it exactly right, didnt I? I demanded smugly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Adachi simply tilted her head in puzzlement. Actually, Im not sure. I cant remember how much it cost.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ugh. Youre no fun.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Disappointed, I cracked open the water bottle and took a swig. The lukewarm water tasted like the last dregs of a bygone summer. Personally, Id wasted that summer just lying around.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once I slaked my thirst, I offered her a sip.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Want some?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She took the bottle and chugged about a third of its contents. When she finally pulled away, she heaved a sigh of relief, staring out at the road ahead of us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im so glad you didnt walk home with your other friends. I wouldve missed my chance to give it to you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why would that have stopped you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wondered. I almost said it aloud, too. But then, I saw something in her expression, and realized the best way to describe her was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "childish", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". With her averted gaze and pout, she looked exactly like a little kid throwing a silent tantrum. She wasnt shifty-she was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "sulky", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Id gotten the two words mixed up because they sounded alike.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait, did they? Or was that just me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anyway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If I were Adachis only friend-and, according to her, I was-then clearly she was jealous. Obviously I couldnt say that to her face; shed just get mad and deny it. Maybe shed take off and go home without me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Frankly, I was just as embarrassed about it as she was. It took a lot of courage just to look at her. But, despite the emotional agony, I pressed on. It was time to set things straight-one thing, at least.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She looked at me. Holding her gaze firmly, I pointed down the street.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Youre coming with me to my house, right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was the most I could ask...and, if I had to guess, probably the most she could agree to. At least, for now. Id need a lot more practice if I wanted to put a new spin on the ping-pong ball bouncing back and forth between us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, thats the plan, she answered.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Cool. I smiled.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Swinging the plastic bag in my hand, it occurred to me that Id need to draw Adachi a map.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And so, the four of us formed a weird, tentative connection. But this wasnt a happy, harmonious circle; it was a deformed lump with me at the center.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Would Adachi ever happily agree to go fishing with Hino? I had no way of knowing what the future held. My best guess was probably not, but nevertheless, a small part of me held out hope...and that, in turn, gave wing to faint excitement.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Look at me! Im an airplane! Vrrrrmmm!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I held my arms out to my sides and wondered how many steps I could take before shame kicked in.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 17", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0016", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 2:", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Fishing for the Future", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "O", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "OH, CLASSIC!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Truly, this woman hails from the land of Shimamura!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sounds like a nice place. I should move there.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I pinched the fabric of my culottes and stared down at them. What part of this outfit gave her Shimamura Co. vibes? I hardly ever bought clothes there, but that didnt matter, apparently.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hino thinks she can treat me like their poster child, just because we have the same name.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, there I was, at the fishing hole with Hino bright and early Sunday morning. We originally made plans to fish on Saturday, but then it rained, so we postponed it. Fortunately, I didnt have plans today either, so it worked out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I hadnt brought any fishing gear, but as it turned out, Hino dressed fairly normally. I expected her to show up wearing one of those vests with all the pockets on the front, but nope-the most eye-catching thing she wore was an oversized straw hat. Smirking, she fiddled with the brim.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Call me Sanpei the Fisher Girl.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Who?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You havent heard of", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sanpei", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "? Good grief. Kids these days, she sighed. Two seconds later, her sunny smile returned in a flash of inspiration. She just dont know what Hi-knows! Get it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh my god, shut up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And so, the Punmaster led me out behind the local elementary school. Id gone to a different elementary, so I had no idea that there was a fishing hole out here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Next to the pond was a little store that sold school uniforms and whatnot. We stood beside it in the shade it afforded. Cirrocumulus clouds peppered the autumn sky, and the temperature was relatively mild, but the suns rays still retained the strength of summer. I was right to bring a parasol.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wheres Nagafuji? I know she was busy with club stuff on Saturday, but what about today?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I invited her, but she said she hates fish. This is the", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "fifth", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "time shes shot me down! Hino exclaimed gleefully, holding up her hand in a five gesture.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That made sense; Nagafuji was more of a burgers and curry kind of gal. Mild curry only, though. Absently, I wondered about Adachis preferences, thinking back to her clear skin and the way she chugged her mineral water.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now, I humbly present you with this 300-yen fishing rod I bought from a priest at the flea market.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gee, Im so...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "honored", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Thanks, I replied as I accepted the rod. It was thin and had a simple design-as though someone had just taken a tree branch they found on the ground and painted it black. I probably wouldnt have known that it was a fishing rod if no one had told me outright. Hinos rod, meanwhile, was shorter and made of bamboo.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For the record, this one is a rental. 500 yen per day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You rented it? When? From where?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its a mystery.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Apparently, that was all she had to say about it. She reached into her bag and fumbled around as though she were looking for something.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "By the way, Shimamura-chan...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Youre not gonna start chickening out about having to bait your hook, are you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She pulled out a small tackle box and opened the lid to reveal that the box was crammed full of lively little worms, wriggling and squirming and-", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I leapt back as the blood drained from my face. She grabbed one between her thumb and index finger and shot me a concerned smile.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You cant handle a few creepy-crawlies?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No way.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Noooo way", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". I held my hands up defensively. Frankly, it was a miracle I didnt scream.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Fine, fine, if you insist...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She closed the worm box and took out a different one. I braced myself for some other variety of gross, but when she opened the box, all it held was some sort of yellow putty.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Fish eat this?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I made some paste bait for us yesterday. You can have some.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Paste...? I have no idea what Im looking at, but thanks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Id take literally anything over having to touch a worm.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whats it made of?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wheat flour, water, eggs...plus a bit of my special sauce. Some people use ground-up salmon roe.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Salmon roe", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "? What a waste, I mused.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Id sooner eat it myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I also brought you a big ol bucket, so feel free to hook as many as you can catch! Arent you excited?! she shouted, shooting me a thumbs-up as she handed me the metal bucket.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is that supposed to be sarcasm?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After we baited our hooks, we positioned ourselves on one of the bamboo platforms around the pond, then cast our lines. I say pond, but really, this so-called fishing hole was more of a glorified puddle.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Seriously, Ive seen kiddie pools bigger than this.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The water was murky, its depths unknown.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I feel like itd be faster to wade in and grab the fish with our bare hands, I joked, extending my leg as though I was going to dip my toe in.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youll come out covered in leeches, but by all means, knock yourself out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I retracted my leg at the speed of light.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "On second thought, I think Ill stick to the slow method.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For a moment, I stared out at the waters surface. I was already bored of holding the parasol, so I started spinning it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Five or so minutes went by.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, whats Adachi like? Hino asked out of nowhere.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I cocked my head in confusion.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Talk about random.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uh, I dont know... Normal?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thats not much of an answer, Shima-moo.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ugh, dont give me a weird nickname. Well, anythings better than Shimamura, I guess.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why do you want to know about her?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just curious, thats all. Its not every day you get to meet a capital-D delinquent! Hino gave a goofy little laugh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi didnt strike me as a capital-D delinquent, though. All she really did was cut class, albeit to an extreme degree. Outside of that, she wasnt much different from any other girl. She didnt do anything gossip-worthy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Actually, shes even more scared of creepy-crawlies than I am.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Cmon. You know her better than anyone else, right? Hino prompted.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wouldnt say that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then again, now that I think about it, Adachi", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "did", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "say Im her only friend.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Actually, maybe so.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Make up your mind, would you?! Look...I just want to get to know your other friends, thats all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Right.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And if you like her, then she must be pretty cool.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Right...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I liked Hinos unwavering optimism, I really did, but I just wasnt sure Adachi would want to make friends with her. Adachi didnt strike me as the type to enjoy having a bunch of friends; I couldnt picture her opening up like that. Yet, for some reason, she seemed to think", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "was the antisocial one.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Me, of all people. Yeah, right.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Crawly critters aside, I enjoyed lots of things. Like staring at the sky, or eating sweets. I liked Rilakkuma and Mickey Mouse, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wait... None of those are people... Okay, forget those.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well? Whats she like?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mmm...Im not sure where to start. Honestly, I dont really know that much about her myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For example, I had no idea how Adachi spent her Sundays. I decided to stick to inoffensive subjects like her neighborhood and favorite foods.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She really likes to drink water. Especially mineral water. She doesnt seem to care what brand.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not that there were a lot of brands to choose from. The school vending machines only stocked Crystal Geyser, so thats what she drank.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I see. So, shes a Namekian.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maybe. I havent seen her regrow any arms, though. Oh, and she lives over that way.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Interesting. Hino nodded pensively.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In the interest of protecting Adachis privacy, I was making an active effort to keep things vague-so vague, in fact, that I wasnt sure they were all that useful. If Hino still found them interesting, however, then maybe I didnt need to worry after all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meh, Hino probably just wants to win Adachi over by buying treats for her. Who knows if itll work, though?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Come to think of it, the whole reason had Hino invited me out here in the first place was to meet some astronaut LARPer. The fishing part was just supposed to be a side perk. So, where was my promised weirdo? There were a few other people at the fishing hole, but they all looked like ordinary dudes in their forties or fifties. Did the spaceman have other business today? Not that I especially wanted to meet them. I was fine spending a peaceful day standing around.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But, the very next moment, a voice directly behind me asked, Anything biting?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was so startled, I almost dropped my fishing pole. Then I turned around and jumped out of my skin", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "again", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". This time, I nearly fell backward into the pond.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Standing there was a person wearing a bright-white space suit. Needless to say, they stuck out like a sore thumb.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, hey, there you are! Hino greeted the astronaut. Glad you could make it today. Otherwise, I wouldve dragged Shimamura out here for nothing!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, this is the weirdo Hino was talking about.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thats right-I think she mentioned that they wore a space suit. I wasnt really paying attention then.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Krrrssshhh...krrrssshhh... The astronaut made weird breathing sounds through their helmet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wow, you werent kidding, I said. Theyre weird, all right.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Light glinted off the space suits opaque visor, blinding me. The whole suit was rather simple in design, not unlike my fishing pole. Although the helmet succeeded in concealing the astronauts face, it was obvious from their voice that they were female. Judging from her height, she was probably a grade schooler... But, if so, I was getting a little concerned about where she was headed in life. If she was an adult, there was no hope left for her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Who might this be?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Everything from the neck up pivoted from me to Hino and back. On first glance, the total lack of exposed skin gave me the impression that the suit was bulky and restrictive, but the astronauts movements were surprisingly fluid. Maybe her space suit wasnt as heavy as a real one.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This is", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "the", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whats", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "that", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "supposed to mean...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ignoring my indignant question, Astronaut Girl stared up at me curiously. Aha... We meet at last.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didnt want to have to call her Astronaut Girl for the rest of time, so I decided to put myself out there and ask for her name directly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, uhhh...whats your name?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was a fairly mundane question, and yet her visor seemed to glint smugly in the sunlight.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Heh heh heh! Unlike my foolish compatriot, I made sure to think of a name in advance!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For some reason, she sounded very proud of this.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She put her hands on her hips and declared, You may call me Chikama Yashiro! Krrrssshhh...krrrssshhh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chikama Yashiro. What a weird name.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not that it was any weirder than her breathing noises, mind you. She had a fishing pole slung over her shoulder, so evidently she was here to fish, just like we were. The middle-aged fishermen didnt seem surprised to see her, either.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why would an astronaut have fishing gear, anyway?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Needless to say, it was pretty surreal.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ive come to Planet Earth in search of my compatriot.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Your what now?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, I get it. Her friend, in other words. Wait, did she just say Planet Earth?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My compatriot came to this planet on a mission and hasnt returned. Thus, I was dispatched as the search party, but it appears Ive landed in the wrong spot. Krrrssshhh...krrrssshhh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The longer her sentences, the heavier her breathing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You know, you wouldnt have such a hard time getting oxygen if you just took the helmet off. Is your buddy wearing the same outfit? That should make them easy to spot, at least.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Surrounded by this oppressive awkwardness, I really wasnt sure how to respond. Then Hino clapped me on the shoulder. Alrighty then! Have fun communicating with the unknown!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ooh, Im getting a reading on my fish-dar! Signs of life", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "waaaay", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "over there!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hino wandered away, babbling to herself. I was half-tempted to grab Chikama Yashiro by the scruff of the neck and shout, YOU FORGOT YOUR WEIRDO! But then I realized the real reason Hino had brought me here: she wanted me to babysit this kid.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "was the bait.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meanwhile, for some reason, Chikama Yashiro was setting up camp next to me. Her worms were so wriggly, shed probably found them on the ground right there. And, although she wore gloves as part of her costume, I was still impressed by how comfortable she was spearing the worms with her hook.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, youre Shimamura-san, eh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh? Oh, uh, yeah. I guess Hino told you about me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I hoped to find out what exactly Hino said to her, but somehow doubted Id get a straight answer.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im told the natives visit you frequently. You must be popular.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thats the other Shimamura, not me, I corrected her as I cast my line. I did", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "not", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "want her mistaking me for Shimamura Co.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No need to be modest. Oh, but just so were clear, I am not one of the natives. I came here from the future.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And I came here from the past. Nice to meet you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whatever, Im gonna roll with it. Shes not just weird, shes nuttier than a fruitcake. And theres more than one of them? Im starting to think Planet Earth is in trouble.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You appear to be an ordinary Earthling.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yep.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Krrrssshhh...krrrssshhh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You can take your helmet off, you know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But this self-proclaimed time traveler simply shook her head. My face isnt ready yet. It needs more time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What is this,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Anpanman", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was already tired of the girl. With every passing minute, I envied Hino more and more. Meanwhile, she was on the opposite bank, deftly hauling up one fish after another. She spotted me looking at her and smirked down her nose at me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "God, I want to punch you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Still, I had to hand it to her: she had turned her lame excuse into the truth through sheer talent. Somehow, she saw through these murky depths to the treasure lurking within. No amateur could manage that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I glanced out of the corner of my eye at the weirdo next to me to see how she was doing. She was enjoying a peaceful moment, waiting for the fish to bite.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait, what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dont you need to go look for your friend-I mean, compatriot? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 18", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0017", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 19", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0018", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I have grown hungry, she replied matter-of-factly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Something about it struck me as poetic. Pretty delusional of me, I know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now that I have confirmed my compatriots relative safety, I feel comfortable taking a moment to relax.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh. So, you got in touch with them? I asked casually.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was a long pause.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well... Something to that effect.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What are you trying to imply? And for that matter", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "-", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If youve already made contact with them, cant you just meet up whenever you want?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There are...extenuating circumstances, she replied quickly, then got really quiet, as though she was trying to be mysterious. Personally, I appreciated the silence, but her sudden change of attitude made me curious. That said, I strongly doubted that any further questions I asked would lead to answers that made sense. One look at the space suit, and that much was obvious.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As for my fishing line, it wasnt even twitching.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This is boring.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Seems like nothings biting, huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, thats the perfect mindset.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When nothings biting, when its not going very well, that means there is infinite potential for change, Chikama Yashiro explained. She hauled up her line, expertly cutting through the water, only to reveal a barren hook. Then she happily cast the line back into the pond.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Were you just practicing or what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meanwhile, Ms. Straw Hat on the other bank was having the time of her life, shouting FISH! with every catch.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "From there, all thats left is to cast your line and hope for a better future, the astronaut continued optimistically, gazing out at her line as her stomach rumbled. If I ignored all the nutjob comments she made earlier, that almost sounded like good advice that could apply in a lot of cases.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For example, the stuffy gym loft.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maybe I just have to put myself out there.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And thats the gist of what happened, I finished, after recounting Sundays events to Adachi at lunch on Monday.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh, she replied, sounding less than interested. Her voice was as dry as a pile of autumn leaves.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, Im sorry, was I", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "boring", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For the record, Chikama Yashiro ended up catching five, maybe six fish.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wonder if she actually ate them.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, you werent boring me. Dont be so passive-aggressive.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Youre right. Sorry.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Adachi and I were hanging out in the gym loft, as usual. No sign of Hino or Nagafuji, and I got the sense that Adachi was happy about that. For me, it was a lot easier not having to play mediator between her and the others. My friendship with Adachi was just too different from the one I shared with them.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Was it my fault, or was it Adachis fault?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I decided not to think about it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I sat with my back against the wall and my legs splayed out; she lay on the floor, using my thigh as a pillow. Supposedly things had gotten hectic at her part-time job last night, so she was exhausted. That surprised me somewhat, because I didnt know she had a part-time job at all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now I know what she gets up to on her days off.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Where do you work, anyway?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not telling, she shot back, rolling onto her side. Her cheek felt nice and cool against my skin.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Aww, why not?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Because I know youll come see me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Youre right. I totally would.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, I dont", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "want", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "you to. Its too embarrassing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She pushed her face against my leg, and her silky hair fell like a curtain, concealing most of her expression. I grabbed a lock of hair and ran it through my fingers; it slipped away so fast, it practically evaporated.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Aww, cmon! Theres nothing to be ashamed of! If anything, you should be proud to have a job! I insisted, patronizingly stroking her hair as a joke. I expected her to slap my hand away, but...she didnt. Maybe she was just too tired to fight it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her jacket hung from the ping-pong table, where shed thrown it, and her shoes lay scattered on the floor.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Absolutely no sense of decorum, this one.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She rolled over to face me, her cheek brushing my skirt. I squirmed slightly as gravity pulled her hair down onto my leg, tickling me. Meanwhile, Adachi stared blankly at my stomach area, blinking hard, as though she was trying to will away drowsiness. Her nose twitched slightly, and she smiled.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I think I like facing this way the best.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah? Personally, I figured the limited field of vision would feel claustrophobic.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Adachi leaned closer, her nose in the air. Yeah... This way I can smell your scent.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait, what? Do I stink or something? That was news to me. I felt my self-esteem getting ready to plummet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thats not what I mean... Fine, I wont do it, then.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What? Why is she pouting all of a sudden?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura, you have no class.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No class? Hmm. No ones ever said", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "that", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "to me, either.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Classiness was a concept I rarely encountered in my day-to-day life. Out in the sticks, we were about as uncultured as you could get.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi and I were twenty minutes into lunch break, and we still hadnt eaten. Even if I wanted to go grab food, Adachi was using me as a pillow, so I couldnt move. After all, she hardly ever showed affection like this; itd be cruel to shove her off, onto the floor.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I looked back at the clock, even though Id only just checked it. Somehow, I dreaded every tick of the second hand. Soon lunch would end, cleanup would begin...and then what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hey, Adachi?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmm? she responded softly, without looking up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wanna go to class with me after lunch? I asked, stroking her hair.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She raised her head, then pushed herself up off the floor. Toying with her hair, she peered into my eyes. Whered that come from?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, you need to attend class a certain number of days, or else... I mean, wouldnt it be more fun to pass our first year and be second-years together?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There was no telling whether wed end up in the same class again, but passing together would at least be less awkward than Adachi getting held back. I mean, the idea of her being junior to me was kind of funny to think about, but when I imagined myself as her senpai, it didnt feel right.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then again, I hadnt exactly kept track of her attendance, so it was possible shed already exceeded the maximum permissible absences. Still, Id meant to suggest this idea for a while.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "First I started skipping class, then I met Adachi, then I started asking her to go to class with me. Something about that felt distinctly out of order, or maybe inconsistent. But I couldnt just kick back and enjoy the status quo. Not while the threat of flunking loomed on the horizon.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I attended this school on my familys dime, not my own. If I got held back, theyd probably throw me out on the street. They were typically fairly hands-off, which is why they expected me to behave responsibly. Failure to do so would result in harsh consequences.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uhh...well...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Scratching her cheek, Adachi looked around, surveying the loft. Once shed had her fill, she collapsed back onto my leg. Apparently, she liked it there.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure... I guess it cant hurt every now and then, she conceded.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Of course, that wasnt very convincing coming from the girl sprawled out in lounge mode on the floor. But at least she hadnt said no. I knew she generally acted on a whim, and since she specified every now and then, chances were high that shed go right back to skipping class the next day. Nevertheless, something about this felt reassuring, almost like a cool breeze had blown through the stuffy loft.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In that case, we should go somewhere after class, Adachi suggested, raising her head. She sounded enthusiastic, which was a good sign. Got any plans with anyone?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nope, not today. To be honest, I almost never have plans.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gotcha. She rested her head back onto my thigh...in relief? Truth be told, my whole leg was starting to go numb, but whatever.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The idea of going somewhere with Adachi was actually kind of a novelty. After all, she was usually already gone by the time the final bell rang.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay then, how about we stop by the place where you work?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I told you, I dont want you to visit!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She turned her back to me, pouting. It reminded me of a little kid who didnt want their mom to visit them at school. I understood the feeling, though; if it were me, Id probably be just as opposed. High school was basically its own separate society, and it was always weird to see elements leak out into the real world. I could imagine why some people would want to live at school full-time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But I digress.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wanted a better future, so I cast my line in Adachis direction. Not that I was actually taking cues from that time-traveling astronaut or anything.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Looks like I landed a big one, I murmured. But the way Adachi had settled on my lap reminded me less of a fish and more of a puppy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yep, she definitely likes it there.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When we entered the classroom, we attracted a bit of attention-probably because Adachi had actually shown up for class, plus I was with her. We were both seen as bad kids, after all.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Biting back a yawn, Adachi looked around the classroom.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Did she forget where shes supposed to sit?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her desk was by the door, right at the very front. As for me, I sat over by the windows, three desks down. Because our assigned seats were so far apart, we ended up going our separate ways soon after walking in.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once I sat down, I started taking out materials for our next class. Then it hit me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did Adachi bring her textbook?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Curious, I glanced over...and saw her desk stacked high with every single textbook for every single class. Apparently, shed left them all in the classroom.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once she found the right one, she put the others back, then leaned her elbow on her desk with her face in her palm. She evidently didnt feel like getting out a pencil or anything else. She glanced over at the windows-probably at me. It was so sudden that I didnt look away in time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She seemed surprised to find me peering at her, but it was too late to look away. So, instead, we exchanged silent What? looks a dozen or so times. I was admittedly the one who started it, so logically, it was up to me to answer the question...but how? I couldnt exactly shout across the classroom at her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Instead, I pointed to her textbook. Maybe that way she would understand why I was looking at her. She lowered her gaze and stared at the book for a moment. Meanwhile, I admired the symmetrical slope of her face in profile.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She looked back at me and mouthed something I couldnt quite catch, so she repeated it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did you forget your textbook?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Much as I wanted to take offense at that, I couldnt exactly pretend that I was an honor student. To Adachi and everyone else, there was no notable difference between us. That was my fault, 100 percent.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The teacher walked in. He seemed surprised to see both me and Adachi at our desks; he shot us each a curious glance, but otherwise said nothing as he walked to the lectern and stood behind it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Class started, and I wondered just how long it had been since Adachi and I last shared a classroom. Her attendance had been a bit better during first semester, but naturally I hadnt paid attention to her then. Now, however, I was extremely, weirdly conscious of her. Terrified that she might catch me looking again, I focused all my energy into not glancing in her direction. Instead, I simply followed along with whatever the teacher wrote on the chalkboard.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As my eyes and hand moved on autopilot, my brain was left to twiddle its thumbs. In my boredom, I found myself wondering why I couldnt get a read on the emotional distance between myself and Adachi. Was it because one of us was unstable?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That was all that occupied my thoughts as I copied down my notes like a robot.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Howd it feel to be back in class after so long?", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "History class was great, but math... I have no idea how to do anything anymore.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ha ha ha... Oh, you...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didnt know how to do anything in math either, and I went to class", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "way", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "more often than she did.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maybe Im just a more right-brained person. Yeah, thats it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After school, as per our agreement, Adachi and I left together. Once again, her bookbag was practically empty.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Everybody was looking at you today, huh, Shimamura? she commented, glancing back down the hallway at the classroom door. I hadnt noticed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nah. They were probably looking at", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "you", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nope. It was you, she insisted firmly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How does she know that for a fact? I dont get it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Probably because youre so beautiful, she continued casually. I was caught so completely off-guard that I nearly walked straight into the wall ahead of me. I jumped back in the nick of time and almost lost my balance.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Having fun over there? Adachi asked dryly, one foot on the stairs.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dont you laugh at me! This is YOUR fault!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ive just...never been called beautiful before, thats all. My relatives", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "had", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "called me pretty in the past, but they were only being nice.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Really? Not even by your boyfriend?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ive never had one.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh, Adachi replied, as though she was unsure how to react to that information. She looked up, her expression stoic. I guess theyre all blind idiots, then.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Right back at you,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wanted to say, but I didnt want to shoot down her compliment.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At the bottom of the staircase, we arrived at the shoe lockers. So, where do you want to go? I asked, changing the subject.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We didnt eat lunch today, so Im kinda hungry, Adachi answered as she changed into her outdoor shoes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay then, wanna grab a bite somewhere?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She glanced around pensively, rubbing her stomach. I could go for something simple, like donuts.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Donuts, huh? Okay then, lets go. The closest place is over by the train station.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We left the school building and started walking. Although the station square was a bit far from here, I didnt mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But when we reached the school gates, and Adachi was still standing next to me, I couldnt help but ask, Uh, what about your bike?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I didnt take it to school today. Had to get it repaired. She acted as if that was no big deal, but I knew the walk from her house was pretty lengthy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whoa... Im kinda impressed that youd bother walking all this way to school. Yknow, since youre a delinquent and all. Good for you! I joked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But she didnt even crack a smile. Instead, she shrank down and mumbled, Well... I thought maybe youd be here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was practically implying that I was the entire reason she bothered to show up. Embarrassed, I fumbled for a response. Y-yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Unfortunately, my awkwardness seemed to make Adachi feel awkward, too; she turned a bit red in the face. Or maybe I was just seeing things.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What is this weird tension between us?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My whole body grew uncomfortably stiff, like a piece of beef jerky, as we walked to the station in uneasy silence. I wasnt even that tired, yet my legs felt like lead. Every now and then, I felt a gaze. When I turned to look, sure enough, our eyes would meet. Then, like clockwork, wed both immediately look away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What is this? What is happening right now?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We carried that bizarre tension all the way to the station-a shabby, two-story building frequented by students and adults alike. Once wed stepped inside, we walked straight into the Mister Donut to the left of the entrance. The shop was crammed full of train commuters both young and old, so there was nowhere for us to sit. Worse still, there was a long line at the register.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Looks like everybody wants donuts today, I mused, glancing around.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That finally got a smile out of Adachi. I love the way it smells in here. Nice and sugary. She took a big sniff of the cloying fragrance that permeated the store-so thick, it was practically a meal all on its own.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Reminds me of ants on honey.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At that, Adachi grimaced. Gross. I do", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "not", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "like that analogy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Right. I forgot how much she hates bugs. At least now were actually talking to each other, though.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Which one are you gonna get? she asked, enthusiasm steadily returning to her voice and body language. Seriously, we had both been total stone statues on the way to the train station, so it was refreshing to see her acting like a human again...not to mention a major relief.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I always have a hard time choosing, but Ill probably get an Angel French. Plus two extras to take home to my little sister.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whenever I approached the counter, I was prone to getting distracted by all the appetizing options, but ultimately I always fell back on the Angel French donut. My mom bought them for me as a treat when I was little, so at this point they were probably imprinted in my brain as a comfort food or something.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You too, huh? Adachi struck a pensive pose. Was she going to get the same donut?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whats wrong? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, I dont want to order the same thing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why not? Whats the harm?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mmmm...Ill just get this one. She took a Honey Dip donut from the lower rack as she spoke.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I guess she doesnt want to seem like a copycat.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As we waited in line, carrying our chosen donuts on a tray, she asked me, Are you going to class again tomorrow?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, probably. Wouldnt want them to think Ive given up entirely, you know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gotcha.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That wasnt to suggest that I was never going back to the loft, or anything like that; Adachi and I would have plenty more opportunities to hang out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Smirking at her curt response, I peered into her eyes. Care to", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "join", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "me, Adachi-san? I asked her in my best theatrical voice.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For a moment she seemed caught off-guard, but then she laughed. Sure, maybe just for a few more days.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Despite her surprise, she didnt put up much resistance to the proposal. She was like me; she skipped school for no deeper reason than because she felt like it. And now she simply felt like attending class for a change.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After a loooong wait, we paid for our food and left. Once we were outside, we found a free spot near the escalators and decided to eat our donuts leaning against the wall. Adachi took out my Angel French, opened the wrapper, curled a napkin underneath, and handed it to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thanks. I took the donut and immediately sank my teeth into the chocolate dip. Mmm, sugar.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I hadnt eaten anything since breakfast that morning. The donut overloaded my taste buds with an intensity only matched by sour candy-though the flavor was completely different, of course. It was", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "so", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "good. The blissful sweetness danced across my tongue and teeth.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meanwhile, Adachi ate her donut by pulling it apart one piece at a time. While her method certainly", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "looked", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "more elegant, it was an easy way to get your fingers sticky, which is why I preferred to bite the donut directly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then again, my method usually ends with me getting sugar all over my face, so I guess it evens out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That reminds me-Hino asked about you yesterday, I told her as we ate. She fell still and looked away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Which one is Hino again? The short one?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, the shorter one. She said she wants to get to know you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gotcha.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah... I figured you wouldnt be interested, I muttered under my breath. Evidently, Hino had her work cut out for her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But, then, how did I make friends with Adachi so easily?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wasnt sure what it was about me specifically that set me apart.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, you said you have a little sister?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I debated whether to let Adachi change the subject, then ultimately decided to go along with it. Yeah, I do.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How old?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shes in fourth grade. But, to me, shes just a baby.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "According to my mom, my sister acted a lot different when she wasnt at home. She was apparently a model student at school-soft-spoken and mature. That was nothing like the way she acted at our house, where she often unleashed her ultimate attacks on me mercilessly. The stark contrast actually reminded me of Adachi, in a way.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A mini-Shimamura, huh...? I bet shes cute.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She is...when shes not kicking me or being a brat, I answered absently.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lucky, Adachi murmured, smiling softly. Maybe shed always wanted a sibling or something.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I guess that means shes an only child.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She tore off another piece of her donut and offered it to me. Want some?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, um...sure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I leaned forward and bit the donut piece right out from between her fingers. The honey glazes sweetness spread across my tongue, making my teeth ache. It was even more sugary than my Angel Frenchs cream filling.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You can have some of mine, too, I said, offering her my half-eaten donut. She stared at it, unmoving.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whats the problem?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wondered, looking down at the donut with her. Then I realized. Ohhh, I get it. I took another small bite so that the cream filling was clearly visible, then offered her the donut again. This is what you wanted, right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay then...since youre offering, she replied vaguely.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She took a bite, chewed, and swallowed. It was strikingly elegant for a girl who never bothered to wear her uniform properly, and I wondered if perhaps Adachis parents were strict with her at home.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Where do you want to go after were done? I asked her, wiping the sugar from the corners of my mouth.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The train station had plenty of restaurants where businessmen could get drunk after a hard day at the office. However, not many places targeted a teenage demographic. In addition to the Mister Donut, the first floor had a grocery store, a bakery, and a MOS Burger-nothing but food, food, and more food. There was also a Matsumotokiyoshi, but I didnt really feel the need to wander through a drugstore.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not a lot of places to shop around here, huh? Adachi commented.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I know, right? This place is nothing like Nagoya.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, but Nagoyas always so crowded. I think I like it better here, she laughed. I could agree with the first half of that, at least. I popped the rest of my donut into my mouth and zoned out while I waited for Adachi to finish hers.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In elementary school, my teachers always wrote inattentive; lacks focus on my report cards. To be honest, they werent wrong. My mind", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "loved", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "to wander; whenever there was a quiet period, I always ended up lost in thought. I lived for the moment when a daydream took root, whisking me away from the five senses chaining me to reality. In that regard, maybe I preferred being alone. After all, spacing out while in another persons company was generally frowned upon.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, Im done, Adachi announced, wiping her hands with a napkin. At times like these, I envied her mostly-empty bookbag.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "All right then, uh...lets go.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We didnt have a set destination in mind, but we set off walking nonetheless. Our legs moved automatically, carrying us to the exit.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If Id come to the train station alone, I would have wandered around absently, then gone home when my feet started to hurt. But today I had Adachi with me, and that meant I had to consider her needs, in case she had a bad time. The longer I was obligated to spend time thinking about that, the more it started to feel like", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "work", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". Hanging out with people was always a little miserable for me because of that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Being considerate, dealing with problems, repairing or ending friendships... So much emotional labor. Yet I knew the key to happiness hid somewhere underneath all that misery, like a childs toy lying forgotten in the backyard.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wanted to believe that meeting Adachi had changed my future for the better.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As we walked outside the station, I felt a sudden squeeze. I couldnt speak-I was too shocked. Instead, I stopped short and turned to look.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi had grabbed me by the hand. Her gaze flitted around timidly, as though she was trying to gauge my reaction.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now, if that had happened because Id zoned out to the point that I was about to walk into traffic, it wouldve made sense. But that wasnt the case.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, uh, I can let go if it bothers you. Just let me know, Adachi blurted out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her nervous energy made", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "me", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "nervous, too. I looked from the station building to the border fence to the Under Construction sign hanging from the overpass.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It doesnt really bother me. I just wasnt expecting it, I explained.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Seriously, for a minute there Id thought it was a purse-snatcher or a really aggressive guy trying to hit on me or something. I was relieved, if anything, to find that it wasnt the work of a stranger. But, to be honest, I was resistant to the idea of holding hands with Adachi, regardless of her reasons. It kinda felt like we were flaunting our friendship for all the world to see, and that made me uncomfortable.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yet, despite that, I was somehow totally fine with her lying on my lap earlier.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 20", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0019", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 21", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0020", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Should I let go?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, its fine. Come on.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I couldnt bear to wrest my hand away; I wasnt capable of being that rude to another person. Instead, I gripped her hand back and started walking again, consciously keeping my head held high and my posture perfectly straight. If I let my guard down for even a second, I felt as though I might slouch my shoulders in shame.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It caught me by surprise, but now that I was thinking rationally, holding hands was hardly that unusual. Granted, I hadnt seen any girls at our school do it, but sometimes I glimpsed women walking arm in arm downtown. At those times, I dismissed it as something that would never happen to me-until now. It felt weird to be on the other side for a change.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Last time I held hands with someone was...Sports Day, back in grade school. Wow, that was a pretty long time ago.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachis hand was soft and squishy, if a bit fidgety.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didnt know you were such a needy little baby, I mused.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im not...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "needy", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", she replied, though I could hear uncertainty in her voice.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As we headed down the road, she gave my hand a couple tiny squeezes. The way she seemed to beg for my affection was driving me crazy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I had no idea, I repeated absently, proving how surprised I was. If someone had told me back when Adachi and I were eating donuts that this would happen, I probably wouldnt have believed them.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Is it weird? Because, to me, this is...pretty normal.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Obviously", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "you", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "think its normal, or else you wouldnt have initiated it. The problem is that I dont understand", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "why", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "you did it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As we walked, her hand was all I could think about. Did she do this with everyone? Maybe I just didnt know about it because I hadnt walked anywhere with her until today. Some people needed a little physical reassurance to combat anxiety and things like that; maybe she was one of those people. She probably wasnt a closet lesbian or anything like that...probably.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I couldnt bear to look at her, so I stared straight ahead.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She probably wasnt gay for me...but what if she was? What if she asked me out? What would I do then?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Where are we going, Shimamura?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh? Oh, I havent really decided. Any suggestions?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wherever you wanna go is fine with me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That was the least helpful answer she could have given me. When two passive people needed to make a choice, it always turned into a game of hot potato. But, in my view, Adachi was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "clearly", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "more responsible than I was. So, really, it was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "her", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "decision to make. As it stood, we were no better than two lost children wandering around without our parents. Like Hansel and Gretel or something.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I felt Adachis fingers twitching...no,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "pulsing", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". And as I concentrated on that tiny pulse, I twitched my fingers in kind. In response, she shifted slightly, and the pulse disappeared. In a way, it reminded me of fishing-each side carefully testing the waters, each side searching for something.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, what was Adachi searching for within me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "There were admittedly a lot of things we had yet to talk about, but I was pretty much an open book.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "By this point, I couldnt focus on anything else, not even the scenery around us. I needed to snap myself out of it, fast. It felt as though this information overload would give me brain freeze and make me scream my head off like a lunatic otherwise.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Where should we go? Shopping? Noooo, no, no. No way.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now that Ive got her caught on my hook...should I go ahead and reel her in all the way to my house?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just before I could suggest it to her, I heard a familiar grating...chirp?...right behind us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Krrrssshhh...krrrssshhh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whoa!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Together, Adachi and I spun around. Sure enough, there stood the astronaut from yesterday. At least, I was pretty sure it was the same person, since they were the exact same height.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Our town was kind of small, but for someone on foot, it was still a fairly big place. Yet, somehow, Id managed to encounter this girl two days in a row.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The clear sky glinted off her visor, and when her helmet wobbled, a galaxy of blue sparkles lit up like stars.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hello there, she greeted us, bowing politely.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uhhh...hey, I replied, reflexively bowing back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Saw you passing by, so I thought Id say hi. Krrrssshhh...krrrssshhh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Is...is that what the krrrsshhh sound is supposed to signify?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I felt the conversation giving me an ulcer. Then I realized that Adachi was no longer holding my hand, though I couldnt remember when shed let go. She stood a short distance away from me, cradling her hand protectively.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her nose looks a bit red-is she blushing?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She didnt seem that embarrassed walking down the street, though... I dont get it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, you walk around town in that getup, do you? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It is all I have to wear.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She doesnt have any other clothes?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The longer I talked to Chikama Yashiro, the more I felt the world around us silently judging me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh well.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Truth be told, this had actually helped me break out of the self-consciousness I felt holding hands with Adachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I reached out for the girls helmet, and she hastily shuffled backward. I wiggled my fingers at her teasingly for a moment, and when I stopped, she quietly shuffled forward again. The more she resisted, the more I wanted to snatch the helmet off her head.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then Chikama Yashiro (you know what, lets just call her Yashiro for short) brought her face-er, helmet-close to my fingers.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I smell something wonderful and sweet emanating from your fingertips.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Like ants to honey, indeed. Better Yashiro than an actual bug, though.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She pressed her visor against my hand, as if to imply that she was sniffing it, though I couldnt tell one way or the other. In fact, it was impressive that she managed to smell", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "anything", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "through that giant, heavy helmet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What if shes secretly a talking dog?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I could see the reflection of my face in her visor. Shifting my perspective, I spotted Adachis reflection, too. Her expression was decidedly unamused.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What is this lovely smell? I rather like it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Donuts, probably. We just ate some.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Donuts? Yashiro tilted her head. Then her helmet turned toward the to-go bag in my hand. I instinctively hid the bag behind my back, and a split-second later, Yashiros gloved hands closed on the empty air where it once hung.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What do you think youre doing? And how did I know you would do it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ive detected donuts on my radar.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, there are donuts in here, but theyre not for you. This isnt the fishing hole.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For that matter, Im pretty sure the fishing hole charges money to fish there. Did Yashiro even pay?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Give me a...donut?...and I shall tell you one of the secrets of the universe, she declared, holding her index finger aloft.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wow, for free? Golly, I replied dryly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why should I have to give you a donut?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I thought to myself. Then I realized:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If she eats something, then that means shell have to take her helmet off. And if Im here, THAT means Ill get to see her face!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Id been dying to know what she looked like since yesterday, so to me, that was quite the enticing bait.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Fine, you can have one. But just", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "one", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wow! The way she lifelessly raised her arms into the air, I couldnt tell if she was being sincere or sarcastic.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meh, my sister doesnt really need more than one. Besides, if I spoil her too much, she wont want to eat dinner, and Mom will get pissed at me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After a brief internal debate, I ultimately decided to hand over the Custard Cream.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, this is a donut...oh ho...oh hooOOoooh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is she trying to sound impressed? To me, she sounds like an owl.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Instead of removing her helmet like Id hoped, Yashiro raised her visor a tiny fraction and wedged the donut in like a letter through a mail slot. The loud, wet chewing sounds that followed were some of the grossest noises Id ever heard.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How does she manage to inspire repulsion AND disappointment at the same time?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This is heavenly! Its so sugary sweet!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In stark contrast to me and Adachi, Yashiro was on cloud nine, her helmet wobbling to and fro.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Normally Id say its weird that youve never had a donut before, but...in your case, thats hardly the weirdest thing about you. Still, it was nice to see her so overjoyed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Got anything sweeter?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I felt her gaze bore into me through her visor. Annoyed, I put my hand on my hip.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You want more? Go buy your own.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I dont have any money!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And youre proud of that why, exactly?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How can you possibly survive without-", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hey, Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I flinched. There was a hardness in Adachis voice as she called my name.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She slung her bookbag over her shoulder and jerked her chin down the street.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I gotta go get my bike.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But you didnt ride your bike today.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If Id been thinking clearly, I wouldve realized that she meant", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "from the repair shop", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "See you, uh, tomorrow, I guess. With a wave, she headed off down the street alone.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hey! I called after her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She glanced back, offered me another wave, and kept going.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Werent we just talking about going somewhere together? What brought this on?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Is she mad or something...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Was Adachi throwing a fit because I talked to someone else for five minutes? No, surely that couldnt be it. Maybe she was just too embarrassed to be seen with us and had to leave.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But then again... Well... But what if... Ugh! Forget it! I dont get you, Adachi!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I debated whether to go after her, Yashiro turned to me, still smacking her lips. As payment for the donut, would you like me to explain what just happened?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Knock yourself out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shes jealous that she didnt get a donut.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Go home. I flicked my hand at Yashiro in a shooing gesture.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If you were a fish, Id throw you back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now I had yet another mystery on my plate. Knowing Adachi, shed probably get over it by tomorrow, but still... I pressed a hand to my forehead and sighed. Why do interpersonal relationships have to be so complicated? Its just too much work.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I can relate.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Somehow I doubt that.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, yet another weirdo had inflicted themselves upon our town. Would this self-proclaimed time traveler change my life drastically? I had no clue. Life wasnt really something you could change in the first place.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After all, how could any of us alter the future when we didnt even know what it looked like to begin with?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 22", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0021", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 3:", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi, Questioning", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "HAD A DREAM", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "that Shimamura and I kissed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When I woke up, I was a jumbled mix of emotions. I got so mad at myself that I tousled my hair in frustration. But, eventually, I struck upon something resembling an excuse.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wasnt gay or whatever. Nor was Shimamura, as far as I knew. I felt guilty for having that kind of dream at all. If she ever found out, shed probably avoid me-so I needed to keep my mouth shut about it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When we kissed, it didnt feel like anything, probably because Id never touched her lips in real life. When our fingers intertwined, though, the dream replicated their softness with perfect accuracy. It was all so real, it felt like someone had dug up my subconscious desires and plastered them on a billboard right in front of my face. I felt sick to my stomach.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We were in Shimamuras room-a place Id never been in real life, mind you-watching TV. She sat against the wall with her legs spread apart, and I sat between them, leaning back against her. She was smiling at me with this warm, loving expression. Then I turned to her, and our faces were inches apart, and...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "AAAAHHH!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I reviewed the sequence of events, I screamed internally, and my body broke out in a cold sweat.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The dream was probably just...my brains way of expressing my desire to be closer friends with Shimamura. I wanted my relationship with her to be different compared to her other friends-but just a little. For example, maybe I could call her by her first name while everyone else called her Shimamura. That would be more than enough to make me feel special. But it was a little too late to start calling her something else; itd just be weird if I tried. And, to be honest, I couldnt remember what her first name even was.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To me, she was just...Shimamura. Something about it felt reassuring, too. Like a big, fluffy security blanket.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, yeah, I definitely wasnt gay. The kiss didnt even mean anything.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nope! Nope, nope, nope...!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I mean, I wouldnt have said that Id", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "never", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "kiss Shimamura, but I didnt actively", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "want", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "to.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe, if she were in a coma, and no one else was around within, say, a three-mile radius, and some all-powerful being told me she wouldnt wake up for a full twenty-four hours...maybe, after hour twenty-three, Id try it out of sheer boredom. That was the extent of my interest in kissing her, which is to say, basically zero. Zilch.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait... Wouldnt it be less weird if I refused to kiss her under", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "any", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "circumstances...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But, if the tables were turned, and", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "she", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "wanted to kiss", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "me", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", I probably wouldnt refuse. Maybe Id be scared or confused, but I wouldnt stop her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, maybe somethings wrong with me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I could agonize about the dream all day long, but it wouldnt solve anything. Again, to be clear, I was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "not", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "gay. That said...I could admit to feeling a certain level of possessiveness toward Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I just wanted her to prioritize me, that was all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wanted to be the first person she thought of when she heard the word friend.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For a long time, Id wondered how much Shimamura liked me. Was I on the same level as her other friends, or was I a special case? It was hard to gauge, since she hardly ever talked about other people or even herself.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She thinks she barely knows me? The door swings both ways!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When it came down to it, all I could really do was ask her. But how could I possibly look her in the eye and say, Shimamura, how much do you like me? What if she said I dont?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That was the sort of thing my brain occupied itself with as my hand moved automatically to copy down notes in class. I wasnt obsessed with her or anything-I just didnt have much else to worry about.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Third period: math class. There was no point in actually paying attention. I was rusty on the basics, and thus, absolutely none of the class made sense to me. Naturally, this made note-taking even more mind-numbing than usual. Every now and then, I", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "very briefly", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "glanced at Shimamura out of the corner of my eye; she was holding a mechanical pencil with a sleepy look on her face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didnt realize it until after I started coming back to class, but...there really werent a lot of opportunities to talk to her while school was in session.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Obviously, we couldnt talk during class, but even during break periods, her desk was too far away for me to walk over without it being awkward. It just felt too...direct. Even when we were both assigned cleanup duty, we always ended up in charge of different areas, so we barely saw each other. That left lunch and after school.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But Shimamura usually spent lunch with Hino and Nagafuji, and being around them always made me pull back. I did want to fit in with them, honestly, but I just couldnt. I wasnt the kind of person who could smile and play nice with everyone; Id sooner avoid social situations altogether.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura had figured that out about me, so she never tried to strong-arm me into it. She was perfectly fine doing her own thing without me. But sometimes...at least, in times like these...I wished she would choose me over the others.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, with lunch out of the question, all that remained was after school. Most of the time, she went straight home as quickly as possible; apparently, she was trying to make up for the classes she missed by studying extra-hard at her house. (In my opinion, she was actually a good kid at heart.) Whenever she went home to study, I did the same.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After that weird dream last night, I found myself too self-conscious to approach her. And Shimamura almost never went out of her way to invite me to anything-that was why I was so startled when she asked me to go to class with her. Thus, most days came and went without a single interaction between us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We never hung out over the weekends. I only ever saw her on campus, and if we went somewhere else together, it was after school, both of us still in uniform. That was as far as our friendship ever went.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It just felt so...I dont know...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "one-sided", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If you knocked, Shimamura would open the door...but otherwise, she never came out.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now you may be wondering, what is Neo-Chinese Cuisine? Me, I couldnt tell you. If you asked the people who run this place, I bet you they couldnt tell you, either. But thats what they put on the sign out front. An eternal mystery.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For some reason, there were a lot of Taiwanese-owned Chinese restaurants in this town-in this whole region, supposedly-and the one I worked at was no exception. The managers and employees were all Taiwanese; some of them had yet to master the Japanese language. As with any Chinese restaurant, the building exterior made ample use of the color yellow. Plus, the lunch menu was cheap, and the chicken karaage was huge.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was my part-time workplace. Why did I have a part-time job? Because it seemed like a productive use of my time. Better than sitting around twiddling my thumbs, anyway. Then again, part of me sometimes wondered whether my Sundays and weekday evenings would be better spent on some kind of social life.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mass-printed menus with photos of some other restaurants food sat on each table. Day in and day out, customers placed their orders, only to receive end products that looked nothing like the pictures the menu showed. In fact, it was practically a miracle if customers actually got what they asked for.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As with many Chinese restaurants, a bookshelf held manga for customers to read. However, since there was only a smattering of volumes, you couldnt expect to get the whole story. A cheap-looking dragon decoration hung from the ceiling, helping to create a strangely exotic atmosphere.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Granted, working there wouldnt have been so bad if it werent for the uniform. Why was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "the only one who had to wear a", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "cheongsam", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "? The ankle-length dress was bright blue, with plum-blossom and bamboo-leaf embroidery and a deep slit running up the side, exposing my bare legs. Then again, my school uniform exposed a lot more leg than that...but, for some reason, wearing the", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "cheongsam", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "was more embarrassing. Possibly because the fabric was so glossy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When I asked the boss lady why I was the only female employee expected to wear it, she replied, Because youre young. Made sense, I guess. I started the job over summer break, so by this point, I was pretty much used to the uniform...but, whenever I thought too hard about it, I kinda wanted to disappear.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A car was already waiting in the parking lot outside, but it was only 4:58, so none of the employees paid the car any mind. These Taiwanese people really seemed to like their strict timeframes. As I gazed out at the pale-white car, I prayed that the restaurant wouldnt get too busy that night.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Two minutes later, at 5:00, my older female coworker (Taiwanese, barely spoke a word of Japanese) walked outside, took down the big CLOSED sign, and switched on the neon OPEN sign. Only then did the car doors open. It was already getting dark, and naturally this backwater town couldnt afford any highfalutin streetlights, so I couldnt tell how many customers to expect.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My coworker came back inside, followed by a family of four. Before Id even stopped to look at them, I launched into my usual routine.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Welcome to-oh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When I did finally look, however, I stopped dead in my tracks. Standing behind the middle-aged couple...was Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She recognized me instantly. Oh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I had refused to tell her where I worked, and yet somehow she found me anyway. I knew it was probably just an insane coincidence, but nevertheless, I was stunned.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She gawked at my uniform. Whoaaa.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I stared at the floor, feeling like a panda on display at the zoo. If anyone else had ogled me like that, Id have torn them a new one.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then Shimamuras...mom?...turned to her and asked, Friend of yours?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, from school, Shimamura replied quickly and curtly, probably because it was her mom asking. For some reason, it delighted me to discover that tiny shift in her attitude.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Evidently, these were Shimamuras parents. Her father was on the chubby side; based on his overall vibe, he seemed like a nice guy. As for her mother, she had slender legs and broad shoulders.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She looks like she works out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Lastly, a younger girl-almost certainly the sister shed mentioned last time we hung out-stood in Shimamuras shadow. Our eyes met. She seemed shyly interested in my", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "cheongsam", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didnt know you worked here, Adachi. I like your Chinese dress.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...Table for four, right this way.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I felt my coworkers eyes on me, so for now, I led the family to a table in the corner. There, Shimamuras parents sat on the left, while Shimamura and her sister sat on the right. Little Shimamura pressed up against her big sister, reaching for the menu. They seemed close.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I brought out some water and prepared to take their orders, I noticed Shimamura looking at me. This is why I didnt want you to come, I muttered under my breath. No amount of adjusting would stop the slit from showing off my legs.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, relax. Youre totally rocking the look! she insisted, grinning in a playful, mischievous sort of way. Though it was rare to see Shimamura smile so unabashedly, that didnt actually feel like a compliment, so much as a fun thing she wanted to say out loud.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, youre Adachi-chan, I take it? Mrs. Shimamura asked. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Shimamura struggling to keep a straight face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, maam.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its nice to finally meet one of my daughters friends. Now that shes in high school, she never brings anyone home anymore. Makes me wonder who shes running around with.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, ha ha... I said reluctantly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just ignore her, Shimamura cut in, waving a dismissive hand in her mothers direction.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Relatable", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, tell me, are you two in the same class? Mrs. Shimamura asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Stop it, Shimamura snapped. She thrust her palm forward in a cease-and-desist gesture, looking irritated.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, come on! Mrs. Shimamura laughed. The way she avoided taking her daughters complaints seriously kind of reminded me of my own family. Back in junior high, I had been", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "really", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "self-conscious. It caused a lot of...problems.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But, the more Shimamura panicked, the easier it became for me to keep my composure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, uh...whats the story with...this...? I wanted to ask why they were at the restaurant, but couldnt find the words.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thankfully, Shimamura intuited what I was getting at. Oh yeah, um, we got some coupons in the mail, so we decided to give the place a try, she explained.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, gotcha. Silently I cursed the management. Their careless actions had inadvertently led to humiliation for both Shimamura and me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Today she had tied her hair back in a ponytail, affording her a more put-together vibe compared to her usual style. Or did it just seem that way because her younger sibling sat next to her?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Naturally, Little Shimamura hadnt bleached her hair, so it was much darker than her big sisters. That was the color Shimamuras hair would be if she let it grow out... It was a flattering shade, to be sure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When youre ready to order, just give me a shout.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I bolted. While talking with Mrs. Shimamura, Id temporarily forgotten that I was wearing a", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "cheongsam", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", but I couldnt bear to be Shimamuras costumed entertainer any longer. I trusted her not to tell anyone at school, of course. Still, she was the last person I wouldve wanted to discover me like this.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I walked all the way to the entrance, putting as much distance between myself and Shimamura as physically possible.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That you friend? my older coworker asked in her halting Japanese. I nodded slightly. Yes, Shimamura was my friend. That much was undeniable.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then Little Shimamura peered over at her big sisters menu, pointed, and shouted Shark fin mushrooms!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dont order that, Mr. Shimamura scolded her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Personally, I was inclined to agree, since we couldnt actually serve the dish. That was the downside to using a mass-printed menu.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I watched the Shimamuras interact at the table, I sensed that they were a happy family. I kind of envied that. As for my family, we were pretty...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "no frills", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "with each other. We didnt have much in common; we just lived together because we were blood-related. As you can imagine, my relationship with them was fairly hollow as a result.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "All envy aside, however, I did", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "not", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "want the Shimamuras to spend all night having a heartwarming family dinner. I wanted them to hurry up and get out of the restaurant. Or I wanted to go home. I tugged on my dress over and over. If only everyone else was wearing the same thing...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh god, she just looked at me!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Reflexively, I averted my gaze.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To Shimamura, it probably just seemed as though her friend from class was embarrassed about her outfit. I had more to be embarrassed about than that, though. Every time I looked at her, I remembered the dream Id had two nights earlier. Once again, I reminded myself that the dream itself was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "not", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "a product of inappropriate feelings. Rather, it was a symptom of the worry spawned from my inability to gauge our friendships depth-nothing more, nothing less.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But, if someone had asked me to look Shimamura in the eye, I wasnt sure that I could. Maybe under more normal circumstances, when Id had time to prepare.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hoping to make the moment more bearable, I attempted to convince myself that this was a little secret the two of us could share...but even that didnt hold water against the indignity of a Chinese dress. My skin felt like it was on fire.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mrs. Shimamura beckoned me over. Adachi-chan! Evidently, they were ready to order.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You go now, my coworker told me, clapping me on the shoulder as though it was no big deal.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Closing my eyes, I turned and willed my leaden legs forward. It was time to go make a fool of myself for no reason. Then again, I guess nobody humiliates themselves on purpose.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The next day, I was up in the gym loft. Naturally, I hadnt gone to class; simply put, I was playing hooky. After a week of attending class with Shimamura, I basically felt as though Id earned a day off. I sat with my back against the wall and zoned out.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When I unfocused my eyes, the world around me seemed to multiply, layering over itself. Some people preferred to keep a clear mind, but me, I enjoyed that fuzzy feeling. I would sit there and go completely zen until I forgot to blink or breathe. It was freeing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was still early morning-partway through second period, if I recalled correctly. Below me, I heard the", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "thud", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "of a ball bouncing. Rubbing my eyes, I pressed myself against the wall and peered down to the first floor. There, a group of boys were chasing a basketball. Another less-motivated group sat in the corner, talking and laughing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If I were a guy, Id probably be down there right now. Same with Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I didnt want to risk making a scene by getting myself caught, so I quickly drew back into safety. Then I put my hand into my bookbag beside me and pulled out my phone. No missed calls, no emails. I tapped around for a while, then put the phone away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was no social butterfly, and yet whenever I was bored, I somehow always found myself reaching for my phone.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Guess thats a millennial for you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I pressed the back of my head against the wall and exhaled quietly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nothing bad had happened. I wasnt upset or anything. But after yesterday, I felt lazy, and I knew that even if I went to class, I wouldnt be able to settle down into work mode. Thinking back, that was pretty close to why Id started skipping school in the first place.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It had been one full week since I last breathed in the stuffy loft air. Taking it into my lungs weighed me down, anchoring me in place; the taste of sheer indolence was strong enough to gag me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is this how a nicotine addict feels when they relapse?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didnt smoke, so I wasnt sure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Enveloped in the heat and the sounds of sneakers squeaking on the waxy gym floor, my eyelids grew heavy. As a hint of drowsiness washed over my mind, my mouth moved on its own.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe Im lying to myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I had one other hazy reason to be up here: I hoped Shimamura would notice my absence from the classroom and come looking for me. Admittedly, I felt like a little kid who had run away from home-I wanted someone to care that I was gone. Also, part of me had hoped that shed be here when I showed up. She wasnt, though.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was I the only one who cared about what happened yesterday?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I sensed a stark difference in the way she treated me versus how I treated her. No surprise there, of course. The more invested in her I became, the more I worried about my own mental health. Why was I basing every decision I made around Shimamura? Exasperated with myself, I covered my eyes with my hands.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At the rate I was going, it was starting to look as though I had a", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "crush", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "on her or something.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A few minutes after the lunch bell rang, I heard someone coming up the stairs, so I exhaled all the laziness from my system and sat up straight. Tempted as I was to look over at the landing, I forced myself to face forward. I could tell from their footsteps that it was a student. Every passing second felt like an eternity.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Adachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I flinched so hard, I felt it in my ears, and timidly turned in the direction of the voice. It was Shimamura, naturally.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whats up? I asked, trying to play it cool as I wrestled with mixed feelings of joy and guilt.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why dont we eat lunch in the cafeteria for a change?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was acting completely normal. Clearly, she wasnt hung up about yesterday. But since she came all the way to the loft to get me, she had to care about me at least a little...or so I chose to tell myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure, I dont mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I grabbed my bookbag and pushed myself up from the floor. As I dusted my skirt off, I turned in her direction.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "was the Shimamura I was used to-no street clothes, no ponytail. She waited for me to fix my uniform, and then we headed out of the gym together.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As we walked, it occurred to me that we hadnt even said hello to each other. Then again, with us, that was par for the course. Hardly ever said hello, almost never said goodbye.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just when I thought shed cleaned up her act, here we are again! Shimamura declared out of nowhere in an oddly deep voice, as though she was imitating someone.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whos that supposed to be?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Our homeroom teacher. He wanted to know why you werent in class, and I was like, How should I know? She shrugged her shoulders.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If the teacher had asked her about me, that meant he believed that it was possible she had the answer. And", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "that", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "meant he saw the two of us as close friends.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Interesting", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You enjoyed that, huh? I didnt think I nailed the impression, Shimamura commented, looking at me with surprise in her eyes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh...? What are you talking about? I asked, confused.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That look on your face, she replied, pointing at my mouth.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I poked my cheeks. Was I really smiling that hard? Yes. Yes, I was. Then I realized what had actually made me smile and low-key wanted to die.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Aw, cmon. You dont have to be embarrassed about it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Easy for you to say.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Apparently, she thought my shame stemmed from her catching me wearing my emotions on my sleeve.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She has no idea. Thank god", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Massaging my cheeks, I followed behind her as we entered the cafeteria building.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Truth be told, it was my first time setting foot in there. The older students overwhelming presence made it slightly intimidating for a first-year like me to walk in. Plus, I didnt always feel the need to eat lunch.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As we made our way inside, I hastily scanned the area so I could figure out what I was supposed to do before I made a fool of myself. Evidently the cafeteria used a meal-ticket system; a line of students had formed in front of what appeared to be a ticket machine. We joined that line. On the other side of the blue pillars, a second line led up to the register.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Was this where Shimamura always bought lunch for us? Id never tagged along with her, so I couldnt be sure, but I saw a vending machine selling mineral water. One soda flavor was sold out; a red light flashed beneath a yellow logo.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We waited in line in complete silence. Personally, I was so overwhelmed by the buzz of the students around us, I could scarcely breathe. I knew that Id probably feel better if I just thought of something to talk about, but my mind was a blank. For a moment, I stared straight ahead at the back of Shimamuras perfect, slender neck...but then, I got scared, thinking she might turn around and catch me. My only option was to face the other way.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I waited in line endlessly for my turn, I killed time by taking in the idyllic lunchtime scenery around me. Sunlight glinting sharply off the distant school-building windows. Clouds glowing in the light, with tiny glimpses of blue in the gaps between. The hustle and bustle of the people behind me. The faint smell of food.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Finally, after a long and strenuous test of my endurance, it was our turn at last. Shimamura had gotten her money out well in advance, so she popped it into the machine and promptly ordered the daily special: the Chinese rice bowl.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But you just had Chinese food last night,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought. I ordered the same thing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At the front of the second line, we traded in our meal tickets for the corresponding meals, then paused by the water cooler to grab cups of water. All that remained was to find a place to sit...but the rectangular blue tables were filled with people everywhere we looked. Food and drink in hand, we walked around the entire cafeteria until eventually, mercifully, we spotted an empty table in the corner.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When we sat down, the first thing I did was take a sip of my water. It was room temperature and tasted faintly of metal. Same with the tap water back home. That was why I generally preferred mineral water.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Next, I set my cup down and picked up my chopsticks. Then I felt Shimamuras gaze from across the table, so I looked up, and she giggled.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I froze. What?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, just remembering how cute you looked last night.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Never before had the word cute made me blush quite so quickly. I couldnt bear to look Shimamura in the eye. She wore another of those rare, genuine smiles; her teeth showed and everything. I decided my best bet was to try to get back at her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Youre pretty cute yourself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What? Isnt this how I always look?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My point exactly", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". But she didnt realize I meant it in the general sense. Instead, she took it as a joke.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For some reason, she seemed to think I was the more attractive one; but, in my opinion, she couldnt have been more wrong. I wanted to tell her that flat-out, but I sensed it would make things weird between us, so I didnt argue the point. Instead, I clicked my chopsticks idly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe we should eat there again sometime.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Stop. Dont you dare. I wasnt messing around, either. If her family started eating at my restaurant all the time, Id have to find a new job.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "kidding", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Itd be weird to come see you with my whole family.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Right? Its kinda embarrassing to have your entire family there.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Totally.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She paused to say grace, so I followed suit. Truth be told, I generally ate most of my meals alone, so I almost never remembered to do that. Once Shimamura and I started eating, the conversation died. Shed managed to talk and eat at the same time with her family the previous night, but apparently, that wasnt in the cards for us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I guess its just different when youre talking to family. I wish I had some kind of special connection with her, too. Like if I was her best friend, or her girlfriend... Okay, maybe not her girlfriend. Probably not. Definitely not.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I ate, I casually wondered what it would be like to actually date Shimamura. At our age, even if we did find boyfriends, we werent expected to marry them or start families. In that case, why stick to only dating guys? If we didnt need to get married and have kids, then this seemed like the ideal time to date girls instead. I couldnt see any problems with it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What am I thinking? Of course there are problems!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just because I was cool with it didnt mean the rest of the world would be, to say nothing of whether", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "would be. Wait", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "did that mean the problems with same-sex dating were all external? Was I sincerely fine with it on a personal level? Surely I had some objection. After a moment of contemplation, I thought of one.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If I dated women into adulthood, I would never pass on my genes. My family line would end with me. Sure, one could argue that there were plenty of other people in the world to ensure the human races overall survival, but what if same-sex dating snowballed into a larger trend? I didnt know what percentage of the population was interested in that, but if the answer was a lot, the world was in trouble.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thats the danger of being an outlier. It all makes sense now...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did I really like Shimamura that much?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I snuck a glance at her over the rim of my bowl. My eyes were drawn to her face, particularly her lips. Her bleached brown hair swayed with her every move, and she wore more layers of makeup than I did, but her eyes looked tired. She ate modestly, with tiny movements.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Before now, Id never really noticed just how cute she was-but, now that I was conscious of it, suddenly everything about her was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "adorable", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". For a moment, I found myself entranced. Then I caught myself and hastily shook the thought away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Good looks aside, what was it about her that made her so special to me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, hey! Its Shimamura and Adachi!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was so startled, I nearly spilled my food. Setting my bowl back down on the table, I looked up to find two more girls carrying the same lunch we ordered.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, hey, Shimamura replied.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At that, the girls sat down next to us at the table as if invited. As I recalled, the shorter girls name was Hino, and the taller one was Nagafuji. Hino happened to have chosen the spot beside me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didnt know you were here, she commented.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh? Oh, uh...yeah. It took me a minute to realize what she meant-I hadnt gone to class, so everyone automatically assumed that I was absent. Right. That still didnt explain why they thought they could barge in on our lunch, though.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey, you, called Nagafuji from across the table.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her names Adachi. Dont be rude, Hino shot back, pointing her chopsticks at Nagafuji.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nagafuji laughed. Oh, who cares! Anyway, Adachi-san, I wanted to tell you...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She smiled softly. Good morning!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uh...little late for that, dont you think?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then again, it was technically proper etiquette. Communication 101: start with a greeting, and go from there. Still, Nagafuji seemed a bit out of sync with the rest of us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Um...good morning.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oddly enough, I picked up distinctly ditzy vibes from her, though she seemed intelligent and mature at first glance. Then she noticed that I had my bookbag. Did you just get here?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nah, I was playing hooky, I answered honestly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whoaaaa, she and Hino murmured in unison.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not sure whats so whoa about it, but okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, what are you guys doing in here? Shimamura asked them. Normally, you both bring your own lunch, dont you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mama overslept, Hino answered, wiggling her chopsticks. She had a habit of gesturing with her hands when she talked; was she fidgety, or just overly energetic?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then it was Nagafujis turn. There wasnt a whole lot in the fridge.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At first, this seemed like a weird answer...until I realized that she probably made her own lunches.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hino turned to me. Her family runs a butcher shop, she explained, pointing her chopsticks in Nagafujis direction.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, I replied curtly, since I didnt really see what that had to do with anything.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The other day, I stopped by and asked her to sell me some titty meat. And you know what she did? She punched me! Terrible service, that butcher shop!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Papa told me Im allowed to punch people as long as they arent customers.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And they think", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "the delinquent? At least", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ive", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "never gone around punching anyone!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Say, Shima", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "moo", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "ra-san, wanna have a bite of my food? Hino asked, holding a carrot slice in her chopsticks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why would she want your food when she ordered the exact same thing as you? Youre not going to make her eat off your utensils, are you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We both got the same thing, Hino.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So what? Who cares?! Cmon! She set her carrot on top of Shimamuras bowl.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You just want me to eat your carrots, dont you? Hey! Not you too, Nagafuji!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meanwhile, Nagafuji had silently transferred all her carrots to Shimamuras bowl. For a second, I contemplated joining in myself. Then Shimamura shot me an exasperated grin, a look I returned in kind for some reason.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I didnt mind the lighthearted atmosphere Hino and Nagafuji brought whenever they showed up. In fact, it was actually kind of fun in a way that made me nostalgic for elementary school... However, part of me was decidedly not happy about them sitting down with us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura and I hadnt hung out by ourselves in a long time, and right when we finally had the chance, these two showed up to crash the party. Truth be told, their presence felt...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "wrong", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "somehow. That was probably why I grinned back at Shimamura-to hide my discomfort.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nice to see you actually smile for a change, Shimamura teased me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wow, rude.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im a human being, not a statue. And didnt you just catch me smiling earlier? Im a sunny little sunflower over here. Okay, not really.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If anything, it felt like", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "she", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "was the one who hardly ever smiled.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And Im not thinking about that fake smile you wear in social settings.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, what was it that Shimamura actually enjoyed doing? Id tried asking her flat-out a couple times in the past, but all I got was Not much or Good question as she tilted her head in contemplation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Our happy little lunchtime came to an end. Across the cafeteria, students jumped to their feet to put away their trays, and we followed suit.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whats your plan for this afternoon? Shimamura asked me as we stacked our dirty bowls on top of each other. I was in no mood to walk back to the gym by myself. Plus, I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "did", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "have my bookbag.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im going to class.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gotcha. Her voice sounded a little giddy...or was I reading too much into it? Either way, it made my heart flutter.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Side by side, she and I walked a short distance behind Hino and Nagafuji. Feeling ever-so-slightly rebellious, I lowered my voice so the other two wouldnt hear me. Hey, Shimamura?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmm?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Can I come over to your house today? I asked, mildly nervous.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She cocked her head. What for?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I dunno...because Im bored?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "From the look on her face, I could tell she wondered why I chose her house, of all places, to entertain myself when there was a whole town to explore. That dubious expression always made me a little uncomfortable-it felt as though she was judging me for being weird.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nah, Im probably just overthinking it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I dont mind, but my house isnt exactly fun or anything. Plus, my sister... Eh, I guess its fine. Evidently she didnt feel like getting into it, but I sensed that she was worried that her sister would be annoying or something. Seriously, my house is nothing to write home about.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thats okay. I nodded without looking at her. I wasnt expecting anything super special; I just wanted to be able to say that Id been there. I wanted to be one step ahead of her other friends. By no means was I just trying to get some time alone with her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamuras house. Shimamuras room.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The memory of the dream threatened to rear its ugly head. Desperately I shook it from my mind.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After school, Shimamura followed me out to the bike parking area.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, your bikes fixed?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I recalled last weeks events. Thinking of them always managed to piss me off, so Id tried my best to suppress the memories.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Somehow that astronaut girl was still a total mystery, even after I met her in person. Who", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "she? If it were me, I would have ignored her and kept walking. But Shimamura could talk to anyone as though they were normal. In that respect, she was very...neutral. The thought that I was on level footing with that freaky astronaut girl had set me off.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Fortunately, Shimamura didnt seem upset about it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Want a ride? I kicked my back wheel.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Heck yeah. Let me put this here. She set her bookbag in my basket, put a hand on my shoulder, and hopped on.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Personally, I would rather have waited until we were past the school gates, but I wasnt about to stop her, so instead I started pedaling. With the total weight now doubled, the first few seconds were pretty rough, but it got easier and easier as we picked up momentum.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You dont have work today?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nope. Not till tomorrow.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didnt want to risk a teacher flagging us down to yell at us for reckless behavior or whatever, so I pedaled as fast as I could to get us off campus ASAP. Together, Shimamura and I sailed through the gates and down the street.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My house is the other way.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Crap, thats right. Without thinking, Id automatically steered in the direction of my own house. I pulled a hard U-turn and headed back in the opposite direction, briefly passing the school gates once again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, youre really coming over to my house?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah...? Is that bad?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If she didnt want me to, then I wouldnt. But Shimamura didnt answer the question. Instead, she asked me, That Chinese dress you were wearing... Did you bring it from home?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Where did that come from? And what kind of question is it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uh, no? Obviously?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then how come no one else was wearing one?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Because... You know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, I dont know. Why?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Because Im the youngest or whatever.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That, and you look so good in it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wouldnt say that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I guess she likes my uniform... Then again, does Shimamura ever really like ANYTHING?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I pedaled down the road, I looked up at her, and our eyes met.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Stop that! You have to watch where youre going! Shimamura insisted, pointing ahead of us. But I kept looking, reminded of the other time wed done this a while back. Her expression stiffened in a way Id never seen before. Seriously, come on!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "These days she fills my every waking moment, and I dont know why.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Here we are, milady. Welcome to the House of Shimamura, I announced as we pulled up out front.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sounds like something Hino would say, Shimamura replied. Thinking back to the conversation we had over lunch, I was inclined to agree.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I locked up my bike, then turned to the house. It had a blue-tiled roof and a hardwood deck leading into the yard, though the wood had rotted in places in its old age. Clean laundry fluttered idly on the drying rack.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was my first time going over to a friends house as a high school student, and for all I knew, it was possibly the last.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura unlocked the front door, opened it, and looked down at the little shoes lined up against the inner wall. Yep, shes here, she murmured, removing her shoes and setting them next to what I suspected were her sisters. I followed suit and added mine to the procession. Then we set off down the hallway, past the stairs.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Your rooms on the first floor?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Is that weird? I guess most people have an upstairs bedroom.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I couldnt say for sure, but", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "certainly had an upstairs bedroom, as did most of the kids whose houses I visited in elementary school. Maybe that was the trend back when our houses were built.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At the end of the hall, Shimamura pointed to a door. This is my room.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She twisted the knob, and the very next instant, a little voice shouted.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oneechan! Welcome...home...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was Little Shimamura. Her enthusiasm at seeing her sister quickly petered out when she realized I was with her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She sat on the floor playing a video game, her", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "randoseru", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "backpack lying forgotten in one corner. Specifically, she was playing one of those motion-control games where you swing the controller around. Ping-pong, by the looks of it. Onscreen, a little cartoon character jumped for joy; her opponent had scored a point against her while she was distracted.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thanks, Shimamura replied curtly, then gestured to me. This is my friend. You remember that we saw her yesterday?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uh-huh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Little Shimamura turned off the game console and started to tidy up. Once she was done, she headed out of the room. It seemed an awful lot like shed been waiting for her big sister to get home so they could play together... My chest ached. She reminded me of a smaller version of myself, right down to the way she bolted at the first sign of conflict.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I feel bad for intruding.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nah, its fine. Shes just shy, thats all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Evidently, her oneechan was clueless.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If I see her again before I leave, I should apologize,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought. Then I realized I was still standing awkwardly in the doorway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was Shimamuras room.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was nothing like the room Id dreamed about... Not that I expected otherwise, obviously, because that would be stupid. The shape and size, the wall color, the view from the window-all completely different.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It occurred to me that my dream had been really detailed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Abnormally", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "detailed. Normally thered be fuzzy parts, but this one hadnt had any.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In my fantasy-I mean, my dream-Shimamuras room had pale-blue wallpaper and pastel curtains. Her bed was against the wall, next to a desk. Across from the bed was a TV, and the sunset tinted the view through the second-story window scarlet. The two of us were sitting on the bed, Shimamura with her back against the wall, me leaning up against her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In reality, her room had white walls, and instead of a bed, there were two futons on the floor. That surprised me more than anything else. The TV was next to the window, and on the TV stand beneath it was a stack of Blu-rays, as well as the game console from earlier. The bookshelf was filled with what I assumed was Little Shimamuras manga collection, but I saw a ping-pong tactics guide tucked away in the back. That put a smile on my face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lastly, two ancient study desks sat side by side. They encapsulated what my dream had gotten wrong-I never once imagined that Shimamura shared a room with her kid sister. At least, I dont think I did. But it was just a dream, so it didnt matter. It wasnt my fault.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My dream also failed to anticipate the fish tank by the door, its residents swimming around lazily.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You like fish? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hino caught them and gave them to me, but my sister likes to feed them, so theyre basically hers now. Shes the pet caretaker at school, too, Shimamura explained, grinning.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Pet caretaker", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "! That takes me back, I laughed. I didnt know they still did that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Apparently so, yeah. Anyway... She set her bookbag on her desk and plopped down on top of her futon. Then she grabbed the yellow cushion Little Shimamura had just been sitting on and tossed it at me. Here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I caught it and looked down at it. The cushion cover featured a black cat and a white cat, mascots for a delivery company, holding hands. I dropped the cushion to the floor and settled down onto it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, what now? Shimamura asked, sitting with her legs outstretched. Apparently, she wanted me to decide how we were going to kill time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Bored, she picked up the remote and turned the TV on, then navigated from the AV channel to a regular channel. A show came onscreen-a fairly old one, judging from the picture quality-and I realized that I recognized it. It was a re-run of a show I had watched maybe once a year or so back when I was little.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "They still air this?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I laughed to myself as I watched the tanned male lead perform. The show always used to air right after my favorite anime, and I watched it just because I was bored and it was on. I still remembered all the plot beats.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I cant believe they still air this, Shimamura sighed. Apparently we were of the same mind, and it comforted me to discover another thing we had in common, no matter how small.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "However, I felt my eyes wander restlessly. I lightly smacked my temple, trying to knock some sense back into myself. I knew it was stupid to conflate dreams with reality, but...we were sitting too far apart. It just didnt feel right.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hey, uh, Shimamura?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmm? Her eyes were on the TV screen. She pulled her socks off and tossed them away from the futon onto the floor.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My stomach clenched as my brain screamed at me not to say it. But then I said it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was wondering, um, if I could sit with you, like, between your legs or something.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "God, listen to me. I sound like a total weirdo.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh? Sure, I dont mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You dont mind? Yeah, right-wait, what? What? Am I dreaming again?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She agreed so readily, it threw me for a loop.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As she spread her legs, her expression didnt shift in the slightest. Hesitantly, timidly, I crawled over and settled between them.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I looked down and saw her legs right there. Suddenly I was lightheaded and dizzy. But I knew I couldnt just throw myself against her, so instead I stayed perfectly upright, sitting with my legs crossed, keeping a bit of distance between us. However, resting my full weight on my hips made my tailbone hurt...and then my whole body started to shake.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What are you doing?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I struggled to voice my discomfort, she fixed me with a suspicious look. My sister does this all the time. Its not weird, right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Apparently, she had no qualms treating me the exact same way as her little sister. I wasnt sure whether that was a good thing or a bad thing, but I felt something hot welling in my chest.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, of course not... I lied, afraid that she would kick me away if I said otherwise. Was I taking advantage of her? Or was it actually not that weird? I had no idea.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If I turned my head even slightly, Shimamuras face would come into view. Merely imagining it was enough to make my ears burn red.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What is", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "wrong", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "with me? Why am I so self-conscious?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I scarcely heard the TV over my own internal screaming. My ears felt as though they were literally", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "on fire", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "-and I was terrified that Shimamura would notice.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gotcha!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whoa!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She must have sensed how uncomfortable I was, because she grabbed my shoulders and pulled me backward. That caught me completely off-guard, and I slumped against her with my entire weight, swinging my arms as I fell. She was shorter than me, and yet somehow, we fit perfectly together-almost like Id actually become her little sister. Now her face was directly above mine; she looked down at me with a blank expression, as though it was totally fine.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I straightened up slightly, and she disappeared behind me. Rrgh, she growled, seemingly annoyed at my superior height.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Frankly, it was a huge relief to have something to lean against. I relaxed, splaying my legs out atop the blanket, and exhaled. The more closely my reality approached my dream, the more vertigo I felt. Drawing my knees to my chest, I felt Shimamuras presence behind me, separated by the insurmountable wall known as my back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Do you have a...boyfriend or whatever?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My lips puckered slightly. For some reason I felt", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "compelled", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "to ask her. Looking back, I think this was when I started acting on autopilot.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What do you think? she retorted cynically. I knew she didnt mean anything by it, but it still irked me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Bingo. Didnt we just have this conversation the other day?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Did we...? My brain wasnt functioning properly, so I couldnt remember.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What about you? No boyfriend?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nope. Same as you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gotcha, she replied offhandedly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 23", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0022", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 24", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0023", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She probably just asked because it was the polite thing to do.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, thats gotta be it. Thats just how she is.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No matter how random the question, she would give me her answer, and then the conversation would end. She never felt the need to talk about anything more than strictly necessary. At least, not with me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If the average friendship was a staircase, then ours was an M.C. Escher painting. I couldnt help but wonder if Id be climbing those stairs forever.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At that thought, I turned slightly, and Shimamura entered my field of vision, her face mere inches from mine. Just like in the dream. Then our eyes met.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What? she asked. By this point, even she was starting to think I was acting strange. She was right, of course. I was being an extreme weirdo about the whole thing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My collarbone ached. Normally people would say their chest or something ached, but for me, it was the bone itself. I could feel it creaking as though it wanted to pop right out of my body. Why? Probably because I was holding my neck at a weird angle. It hurt so bad, it felt like my whole head might fall off.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What can I do to remedy this situation?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I asked myself. Then an idea came to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I really like you, you know?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait, what? Hold the phone-what? What did I almost say just now? Wait-did I say it for real? I didnt, did I? But what would she do if I did? What would happen?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmm? Shimamura cocked her head at me. Apparently, she hadnt heard anything. My throat felt like it was closing up. The corners of my eyes burned.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I...I think I like you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But the only sound I produced was a rasping breath, like a chill wind passing through a dark and dreary tunnel. I couldnt speak. My whole ribcage throbbed painfully in time with my heart, almost as though my entire body was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "begging", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "me not to say it. Unable to blink, my eyes started to ache in my skull as they stared back at Shimamura, who looked at me dubiously. Every movement made me flinch.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I...I think maybe I have feelings for you. But its just a maybe. It feels like...like I love you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why do I keep trying to say it?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I felt my whole jaw quiver as self-loathing washed over me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This is so stupid. I cant do this. Im an idiot.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My memories and my consciousness wriggled like two separate worms until finally, after an eternity, their paths crossed at last.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This is...this is the dumbest thing Ive ever done in my life.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dumbfounded, Shimamura stared at me for a moment. Then her mouth began to move-slowly, hesitantly, as though it were her first time using it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uhhh...you okay...? Are you still breathing? Your face is, like,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "really", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "red.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then she reached for my lips...and that was the final straw that set me off. A flood of bright-white light blurred my vision-and the next thing I knew, I was on my feet and bolting for the door. Meanwhile, for some reason, I calmly noted my creaking arms and aching head with the clinical interest of an outside observer.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wait, dont go...! Shimamura called. But she showed no sign of actually coming after me, so I left her behind, stumbling on legs so numb that I wasnt confident Id even be able to ride my bike.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At home, I slammed my face into my pillow and writhed, clutching my head. My memory of the ride home was so vague, it felt as though Id simply teleported here...but from the intense pain in my legs, I knew I mustve pedaled like mad the entire time.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Id accidentally left my bookbag back in Shimamuras room, but I was in no mood to retrieve it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hnnnnn...!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Facedown in the pillow, I let out a long groan. Every bead of sweat that trickled down my face seemed to ask, Whats gotten into you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whimpering like a baby, I paused to pull off my uniform jacket. Then it was right back to whimpering.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whaddafa...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "whaddafaaa", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was so distressed, I was inventing new words. Every time I tried to remember what Id said, I started shrieking. My head felt like it was splitting apart at the scalp. My breath hitched as tears pricked at the corners of my eyes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When I finally lifted my head again, there was still plenty of daylight left. As despair dug into my eye sockets, I cursed the sun for being so slow.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hnnnnn...my neck hurts... Owww...!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Something fluttered around in my chest, shadowy and scorching hot. Something I couldnt force back down. I was awash in a waterfall of emotional torment-I wanted it to end, and yet at the same time, I desperately", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "didnt", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I could only pray that the world wouldnt come to an end when the sun rose tomorrow.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 25", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0024", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 4:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The Isosceles Triangle", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "T WAS THE FIRST TIME", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Id ever made someone run away at full speed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After Adachi was gone, I turned back to the TV. There was a small indentation in the blanket between my legs where shed been sitting. Puzzled, I thought back over the events leading up to her departure-the way her face grew more and more flushed until she was redder than a tomato, followed by the moment right at the end when the color gradually drained again. What", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "was", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "that? It seemed as though she was struggling to say something...but what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What if...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, that cant be it...can it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then my eight-year-old sister entered the room.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shabadaba!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If I had been born male, my parents would have given me my own room by now, but because my sister and I were both girls, they shrugged their shoulders and left us as-is. Granted, they put a heater and a fan in the storage room next door in case I ever needed to stay up late to study, but those didnt exactly make the storage room any less dusty.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shes gone, huh? my sister asked, glancing around the room. Once she confirmed that Adachi was nowhere to be seen, she plopped down in front of the TV in the corner and grabbed a Wii controller.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Video games AGAIN?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought as I watched her. But then she turned to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Play with me,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Neechan", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ugh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She loved to play those games, even though she totally sucked at them. But I knew shed get pissy with me if she lost, so whenever I played against her, I always had to make sure I didnt really try. Hence, I was never particularly enthusiastic about playing...but I was especially unenthusiastic after what just happened.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lets do it!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Without even waiting for a response, she switched on the TV, navigated to the AV channel, and powered on the console. Evidently, she was raring to go. I grabbed the second controller reluctantly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At that, my sister moved to sit right between my legs, resting her back against me. Before today, I wouldnt have thought anything of it, but now it reminded me of Adachi. My heart ached.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Was it weird to sit like this? Why else would Adachi act the way she did?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Your friend sure went home quick, my sister commented.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yep, I replied offhandedly, resting my chin on top of her head. Adachis visit was so brief, it was like,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "why even bother?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Did you guys have a fight?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Umm...actually, Im not sure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Today my sister chose a competitive puzzle game-one where brightly colored bead-looking things descended from the top of the screen, and you had to group them by color to make them disappear. The ideal strategy was to trigger a big chain reaction, but usually we could get a chain of two or three without much forethought.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Belatedly, I realized I should have suggested that Adachi play something like this with me instead. Story of my life-hindsight always loved to kick me when I was down. My problem was, I never bothered to put those late realizations to good use. Even if the exact same scenario happened a second time, Id probably do the same things all over again. I just didnt care enough to try to learn from my mistakes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When Adachi asked how I spent my weekends, Id struggled to give her an answer. I didnt really have many responses available to me-I never played video games by myself, nor did I read many books, nor did I go see movies. Whenever I went shopping, it was only to buy seasonal clothes. Most of the time, I just sat around and spaced out. That was it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Every now and then, Id look down at my hands and realize,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My fingers are so thin and flimsy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It always made me feel sick to my stomach. What about now, though? Had they tapered off and atrophied?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi was so freaking", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "opaque", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". I couldnt work up the willpower to figure her out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "By the time I realized I was supposed to be", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "using", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "my fingers, not staring at them, my sister had already beaten me. I felt her jubilation under my chin.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nows the time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I pulled away for a moment and readied my index finger. Hey, I said.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She turned to look-and bumped straight into my finger. Id meant to do this to Adachi, but she never got distracted enough for me to try. Nevertheless, I needed to do it to", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "somebody", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...and my kid sister was the perfect schmuck.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Way to go, dummy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Headbutt attack! she roared, slamming her skull into my chin.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gah! Pain shot up to my temples as my whole jaw went numb.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Naturally, that transgression did", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "not", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "go unpunished.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After what had happened the previous day, I had a feeling Adachi would come to the gym loft...so thats where I went, hoping to beat her to the punch. I waited and waited, and then the bell for first period rang.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wait, what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No sign of her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I gazed at the clock for a while, its hour and minute hands pointing right at 9:00 while the second hand carried on. Eventually, I came to the conclusion that Adachi had chosen to sleep in.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We hadnt explicitly agreed to meet up here today, so why was I so shocked by her absence? I pondered this question as I curled into a ball and rolled around the floor. It was starting to feel like she really wasnt going to show.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What did I ever do to piss you off? God, youre so dramatic.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I sat up, grabbed my bookbag, and pulled out my phone. I was going to email her about it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wed exchanged contact info way back when we first met, but we hardly ever went out of our way to get in touch. After all, our conversations never lasted very long in person, so how could we possibly have anything to call or message each other about? Well, now I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "did", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "have something to say. But how to phrase it? My fingers fell still as I brainstormed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why did you leave yesterday?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Too direct. Over text, it would read like I was angry with her. I needed something softer-something shed be more inclined to actually respond to.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Something told me that all I really needed to do was get a conversation going, and the whole issue would clear itself up. Anything would work. In the end, I went with", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hows it going, friendo?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At least I sounded happy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Aaaand sent! Now we wait.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I placed my phone on top of my bag-then remembered that I hadnt set it on vibrate, so I fixed that. Somehow, Id completely forgotten that I was supposed to be skipping class.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gotta stay quiet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I ran my fingers through my hair, I pursed my lips.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What if Adachi stops coming to school? Would that be my fault? What did I even do to set her off in the first place?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It felt as though my pet cat had gotten herself stuck in a tree. I never prompted her to do it, and it was entirely her responsibility, but that didnt change the fact that she was trapped. If I cared about helping her, then I needed to forego the blame game and get up there.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If I couldve gotten one message to Adachi, it wouldve been, Dont give up on your whole life over this one tiny conflict. But I could almost hear her asking, Well then, what", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "am", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I allowed to give up over?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Beats me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dont be a coward, Adachi, I whispered.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But, in the end, that coward didnt reply to me all morning...and then lunch rolled around.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Partway through lunch break, I wandered into the classroom. I wasnt strutting or anything, just walking normally, but nevertheless I somehow attracted a bit of attention from my classmates. Anyone I made eye contact with quickly averted their gaze.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Really? Youre scared of", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Pathetic.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Of course, you might wonder if this meant my sister was right to try to walk all over me, but thats a question for another time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Spotting the only two people who reliably werent afraid of me, I made a beeline for them.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh ho ho, Hino smirked. I didnt know you were here! Wait... Isnt that the exact same thing I said yesterday? Pinching a piece of onion between her chopsticks, she tilted her head pensively.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It sure is, I replied, availing myself of the closest empty chair and taking a seat. Today, Hino and Nagafuji had once again brought lunches from home; their bento boxes were open on the desk in front of them. Hinos lunch consisted mostly of stewed meat and potatoes with rice-probably just leftovers from dinner the previous night. As for Nagafuji, her lunchbox was packed full of rolled omelet. It looked delicious.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gimme some, I begged.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im ignoring you, she replied with a straight face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wow, rude! You gave me your carrots yesterday!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then again, knowing her, shed probably already forgotten about that by now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maybe she washes her hair so hard, she gives herself short-term memory loss. Whatever.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I glanced over at the door, where Adachis empty seat stood out like a sore thumb.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachis not here, huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nope. Shes absent today, Hino answered.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She is? Nagafuji cocked her head in confusion-no surprise there. But, as it turned out, there was more to the story.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Apparently, shes got a bad cold.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Aha! So, shes having a fake sick day!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What a relief.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Id been a tiny bit worried that Adachi might have gotten into a terrible accident on her way home from my house or something. Evidently not.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I saw you both absent and figured you two were up in the gym loft again, Hino commented.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nope, just one of us, I replied, holding up my index finger. Were not attached at the hip, you know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youre not? Because you sure seem like youre all over each other constantly, Nagafuji remarked, her phrasing extremely questionable.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, we arent, I insisted. Meanwhile, the idea that these outside observers saw Adachi and me that way had me panicking internally. To be fair, wed had our share of physical interactions. Holding hands, sitting together... Maybe we werent all over each other, but we were certainly intimate.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im only doing it because Adachi wants to,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I thought, before catching myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If Im letting her do it, then clearly I dont have a problem with it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Have you eaten, Shimaa-chan?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im not your Shimaa-chan. Anyway...come to think of it, no, I havent.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My mother didnt make lunch for me. She knew I always skipped class, so if Id asked her, shed probably have laughed in my face. But it was entirely my fault for slacking off, so I couldnt exactly complain. As for Adachi, shed never brought lunch to school, either. Shed mentioned previously that she didnt really get along with her parents, so maybe that made sense.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Back when we first met, I thought she was a lot more aloof and serious. I soon learned that wasnt the case. Still, every now and then, I caught glimpses of her pessimistic side-her dark side, perhaps I should say.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gotcha, Hino replied. Well, I bet youre hungry... Here, say ahh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once again, as with yesterday, it was carrots.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maybe you should just tell your parents you dont like carrots... On second thought, youve probably already tried that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meanwhile, Nagafuji stared down at her bento box, biting her lip, her chopsticks hovering timidly over each dish in turn. I cant do it... Theres nothing I hate in here!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What am I, your human garbage disposal?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Noooo, we love you! Here, have an omelet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yay!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I decided that this made up for everything else they put me through on a regular basis.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Cleanup time rolled around. I stood in the hallway, broom in hand, just staring into space. Every now and then, when nobody was looking, I checked my phone notifications. No email from Adachi. But I was getting bored of waiting, so I decided to send her another one.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wanna come over to your house after school today. Is that cool?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No reply...but I trusted that Adachi would be nice enough to let me in once I got there. Probably.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After lunch, I sat in class, wondering why Adachi hadnt replied.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Possibility #1: she was straight-up ignoring me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Possibility #2: she was really struggling to decide what to say in her reply.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lastly, possibility #3: she hadnt checked her inbox yet. This possibility seemed the most likely of the three.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I generally didnt care about most things, but even I wouldve been a little offended by #1. Then after a few days, Id get over myself, and itd be back to business as usual. I knew itd repulse people to know that about me, though, so I didnt intend on ever telling anyone.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I still had the little map Adachi had drawn for me last time; it was folded up and tucked away in my bookbag. I reached in and found it almost immediately. It would be a long walk, but if she wasnt going to answer my emails, then she hadnt really left me any other option. I was sure we could work it all out once we started talking.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Something told me that it was stupid to put in so much effort for something that was supposed to come naturally. This felt like too much work. But after the final bell rang, and I passed through the school gates, I found myself walking in the opposite direction from my house. Knowing me, Id probably stop caring after a few minutes. It wasnt like I had anything better to do with my time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At some point during this objective self-analysis, I looked up at the blanket of clouds above me. Not a single patch of blue sky was to be seen. It was colder today, too. Maybe now, at the end of October, the weather was finally synchronizing with the season.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The summer heat had", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "really", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "worn out its welcome this year. Every day we spent in the gym loft was sweaty and miserable. But as the temperature steadily sank, I had to wonder-would we ever go back? Or was it time for us to leave the nest?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I walked through a residential neighborhood, I passed a group of grade school kids, their shrill little voices screaming and laughing without a care in the world. At least one of them was blowing into a recorder-maybe a music test was coming up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Must be nice,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought as I watched them, though I wasnt actually all that jealous. You know me-I was too much of a good kid for that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Greetings.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh? Wha-? I turned in the direction of the sudden voice-and jumped backward, my eyes nearly bulging out of my skull.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Standing beside me was a small girl. A weird one. How could I tell, you ask? Her hair. Her hair was", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "sky blue", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". It startled me so badly, I froze like a statue.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Blue hair", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". No, I wasnt hallucinating, and no, it wasnt a trick of the light. It was her natural hair color. Its strands were floating of their own accord, and radiating little blue...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "particles", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". And, for some reason, their owner had chosen to interact with", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "me", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "WHY?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uh...have we met? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whats this? You dont recognize me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She tilted her head back and forth. Then, after a moment, she took off running down the street. She disappeared around the corner of a distant house...and, a few minutes later, she reappeared. This time she wore a helmet, its visor reflecting daylight directly into my eyes. Now I understood. It was Yashiro. She just wasnt wearing her space suit.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This is what you look like?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 26", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0025", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 27", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0026", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Krrrssshhh...krrsshh...krrrssshhh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Apparently, all that running had left her out of breath. Unable to stand the helmet for a moment longer, she pulled it off again, and the crazy blue hair made its return.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once again, her hair threw me for a loop. It was so conspicuous, it seemed to have its own distinct outline, like it existed on another plane of reality. Upon further inspection, Yashiro had a very pretty face, too. Her eyes and eyelashes were the same brilliant blue shade, almost as though the particles in her hair circulated through her entire body, painting it all with the same brush. The particles seemed fragile, yet magical-strong and weak at the same time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wouldve liked it if youd recognized me from my voice. That way I wouldnt have needed this thing. She gave the helmet a pat as she cradled it under one arm. Frankly, her voice sounded a lot different now that it wasnt so muffled.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In place of her space suit, she wore a sleeveless dress that accentuated her pale, petite body, and sneakers with a logo I couldnt identify. No socks. Oh, and she stood with her hand on her hip.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At her age, she wouldve looked right at home with a", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "randoseru", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "backpack slung over her shoulders, but she wasnt carrying one.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now that my face is ready, I wanted to show you. Thoughts?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dont ask me, I replied evasively.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Upon even further scrutiny, I realized that her lips sparkled ever-so-faintly blue-the kind of color that couldnt possibly be lipstick. I pressed a finger to them experimentally.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mm?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I pulled back and looked down at my finger. Nothing. All that remained were little floating sparkles...but they quickly faded away. I stared in disbelief, my eyes as wide as saucers. Now I was really,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "really", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "tempted to grab her by the hair and demand some answers.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I designed it to resemble an Earthlings.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Should I be offended? Also, uh...what happened to your space suit?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And where did you go get your helmet from?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmmm... She pressed a finger to her forehead. Im afraid so. I had imagined everyone on Earth would wear a space suit, but thus far, I havent seen any.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, youre not going to see one anytime soon.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Except maybe on TV.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, thats why-uh oh!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She clapped a hand to her mouth and jumped up and down on the spot. Then she reached out her free hand and patted me on the cheek.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What are you doing?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We cant let anyone overhear us, so I need you to lend me your ear.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ooookay...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Apparently, she was reaching for my", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "ear", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", not my cheek.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What was she going to do, grab it and pull? What a goblin.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I squatted down to Yashiros eye level. As she leaned in, her particles enveloped my nose, carrying her scent toward me almost visibly. Up close, her face dazzled me, as though every inch glowed somehow. The longer I looked at it, the more drawn in I felt...and the more fearful I became that it would consume me entirely.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She drew her lips to my ear. Im going to whisper now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I didnt need the warning, but okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The truth is, Im an alien from the future.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, I know. You told me your little story last time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That at least explained why she didnt want anyone to overhear-theyd probably think she was a few corn dogs shy of a picnic. But, considering her ethereal appearance, I was starting to believe her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If the Earthlings find out Im an alien, they will surely dissect me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thats a little presumptuous, dont you think?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Back when I was really little, my mom and I watched this TV show where NASA or whoever revealed some alien dissection footage. My mom was laughing hard the whole time. Now I understand why, of course, but at the time I was convinced that she had to be psychotic.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thus, I decided my mission required different clothes in order for me to avoid attracting attention.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Having explained fully, Yashiro stepped backward, out of my bubble.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, yeah, cool story. Now wipe that smug smirk off your face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I hate to break it to you, but you still attract", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "plenty", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "of attention.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Unsurprisingly, almost every grade schooler in our vicinity stared at her as they walked past. She stuck out so badly, she looked as though shed been Photoshopped into reality.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then I noticed her unusual hairstyle-a bow tied without the help of any hair accessories. It was gorgeous, reminiscent of running water shaped perfectly into a ribbon, or perhaps a butterfly from a magical kingdom.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hold on a minute. Is it SUPPOSED to be that tight?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Doesnt that hurt your scalp?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I inadvertently tied it so tightly that Im unable to loosen it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I attempted to pick at the knot. She yelped in pain.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yashiro might have looked like an otherworldly entity on the outside, but on the inside, she wasnt much different from my little sister. They were the same height, too, come to think of it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maybe theyd be good friends... On second thought, maybe not. My sister would probably take one look at Yashiros hair and run for the hills.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She grabbed me by the sleeve and lifted my hand to her nose. You must be on your way home from school. You dont smell quite so wonderful today.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "By wonderful, I assumed she referred to the donut smell from last time. She was pulling my cuff so hard, my blazer threatened to slip down my shoulder. Unhand me, wench! I demanded in a theatrical voice as I extricated myself from her grip.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Noooo! she wailed feebly, spinning like a top as she whirled away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What a good sport. You know, Im starting to think shes not actually an alien.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When she returned, she began to scrutinize me from every angle-circling me like a hyena, even getting up on tiptoe. Meanwhile, all the little kids continued to stare at us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sorry, little alien, but you couldnt be inconspicuous if you tried.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She scattered particles with every step, like a river of stars or the tail of a comet. Then she stopped directly in front of me...and smiled widely, innocently, flashing her pearly whites.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You know, I must say...ho ho...something about you feels like", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "destiny", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh really, I replied offhandedly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "From her looks alone, Yashiro seemed more than capable of affecting a destiny or two. Me, though? As far as I knew, I was just an ordinary teenage girl. Granted, whenever I bleached my hair, my sister shouted Bad student! Bad student! and my mom called me a", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "gyaru", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", though I wasnt sure if that was supposed to be an insult or what. But yeah, other than that, I was really pretty normal.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I think perhaps you were born to meet me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I certainly hadnt expected anyone to drop that line on me. As I reeled from the impact, I ruminated for a moment, then ultimately asked, Isnt it supposed to be the other way around?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Even the other way around, the statement still didnt make sense coming from what appeared to be a small child.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, no. I was born to carry out a", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "multitude", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "of other tasks, she replied, unsmiling. Apparently, the implication was that", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "had nothing better to do.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This pissed me off, so I pinched her cheeks with both hands and tugged.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Heh heh heh... Youre only wasting your time, she smirked as I squished her face in every direction. She didnt even bat a lash when I puffed her cheeks out like a squirrel. Then I spotted a lock of her butterfly hair poking up from the back of her head and gave that a tug instead.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gyaaahhh!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Super-effective-no squishy cheeks to save her this time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once Id had my fun, I let her go. I looked down at my hands, where a smattering of tiny particles danced in my palm. This time, my first reaction wasnt", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What the heck?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "but", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wow, pretty", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh dear. I forgot I was on my way to acquire my dinner for tonight, Yashiro mused, gazing up at the sky as though checking the time. I wasnt sure how she gauged the suns position through the sheet of clouds, but okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Also, acquire her dinner?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im starting to worry about this kid. But shes probably not sleeping on the street, since she looks like she took a shower today.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I imagine we will meet again. Until then, ta-ta and talk to you later. With a curt wave, Yashiro dashed off down the street, the wings of her butterfly hair flapping with her movements, scattering a trail of particles in her wake. Watching her, I found myself mesmerized. She reminded me of that one fairy, Tinkle-bell or whatever her name was. Except less dainty and more food-obsessed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Every last detail about Yashiro was a mystery, to the point that it was hard to believe we were residents of the same town.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now then, where was I...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Right-on my way to Adachis.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was trying to cast my line in Adachis direction, but somehow, it felt as though Id reeled in something entirely different along the way.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The rest of the walk was mostly uneventful. Once I arrived outside Adachis house, I took out my phone to check my notifications one last time. Nothing.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All right, here we go.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I rang the doorbell. Next, I considered using the intercom to let her know that it was me, but then I heard the bolt unlock. The door swung open.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Who is it...? Adachi asked in a dull, sleepy voice, rubbing her eyes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Girl, you need to check who it is BEFORE you open the door.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey, I replied, raising my hand in greeting. She froze.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Judging from her messy, unbrushed hair and the ratty old T-shirt she wore, Id caught her in the middle of a nap.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "God, I wish that was me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her eyes widened and widened-and then, without another word, she closed the door just as quickly as shed opened it, like a video on rewind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey! Wait!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Give me fifteen minutes!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What? Thats way too long!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "On the other side of the door, I heard the", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "thump, thump, thump", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "of footsteps racing down a hallway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youre seriously going to make me wait out here for fifteen whole minutes? What if your neighbors think Im casing the joint?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I glanced around at the other houses.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Help! Open up! I shouted jokingly, pounding on the door. No answer. Defeated, I pressed my back against the door and slid down into a crouch. With nothing else to do, I took out my phone and discovered that it was already past 4:00. As Id suspected, walking to Adachis house took quite a long time, especially taking into account a certain glittery alien distraction.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I checked my hands, but the particles had long since faded away. Apparently, the magic wasnt contagious. At first I thought,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Man, if only I could sparkle like that, maybe I wouldnt need to wear makeup.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But then it occurred to me that not everything was", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "meant", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "to sparkle. Sure, it looked nice on something inherently beautiful, but on something like...I dont know, a bag of rancid garbage...those same sparkles wouldnt really help much. Not to compare myself to a bag of rancid garbage, obviously.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What exactly was Adachi going to spend those fifteen minutes doing, anyway? Changing out of her pajamas and brushing her hair? Surely she didnt need to dress up fancy just to have a conversation with me. Then again, I understood her not wanting someone she knew to see her looking like a total mess, lest they never look at her the same way again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "To kill time, I alternated between single-player rock-paper-scissors and single-player tic-tac-toe. Really fun, as you can imagine. A while later, the door pressed against my back, so I jumped to my feet and stepped away. This time the door opened slowly, timidly, as Adachi peeked out through the gap.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her breathing was labored-as though shed dashed around the house at the speed of light-and her newly-brushed hair was messy again. It seemed to me that it wouldve been more efficient for Adachi to have me wait longer, or not at all, rather than forcing herself to rush. Furthermore, there was now a new mystery at hand.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whyd you put on your uniform?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uh...force of habit, she replied awkwardly, running a hand through her hair. Her flushed cheeks reminded me of what had happened yesterday.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I hate to break it to you, but youre a little late for school. With this, I finally got a slight smile out of her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, shut up. She pushed the door open further, then lowered her hand back to her side, grinning sheepishly. Man, you cant just randomly show up at my house! You almost gave me a heart attack.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It wasnt random. I emailed you in advance, didnt I?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh my god, you seriously havent checked your inbox? You dork! I gave her a playful smack over the head.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She glanced around nervously. Well... I kinda left my bag in your room.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ohhh", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", that explains it! In other words, her lonely little phone had been beeping to itself in an empty room the whole time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah. I figured, you know, I could go without checking it for a day or so, since I dont get a lot of emails, she shrugged. Then, suddenly, her eyes flew open as a lightbulb clicked on in her mind. She took a hasty step forward, slamming her knee into the door. Did you look around in there?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dude, I forgot your bag was even in my room until literally just now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh. Okay. She heaved a sigh of relief. Exactly how much private stuff did she keep in there? Now I was starting to get curious.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait a minute... Oh, that explains it! Is", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "that", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "why you stayed home today? Because you didnt have your bag?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, I was just sleeping...but it was kinda, maybe, a tiny bit your fault.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait, really?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I glanced at her. She seemed to realize something, and averted her gaze. Her ears looked ever-so-faintly pink.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im sorry. I shouldve thought to bring it to you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, no, thats okay. Ill be at school tomorrow, so just bring it then.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "All right, will do. And dont worry. I wont try to read your diary or whatever!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I laughed at my own unfunny joke. Adachi didnt.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You better not, she insisted sharply, her expression dead serious.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wont.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What did you email me about, anyway?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, you know, just Hows it going, friendo?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay, well... Im doing just peachy, friendo! She raised her arm and flexed her bicep...then quickly got too embarrassed and had to stop.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I pointed my phone camera at her. Do it again!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Darn", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". So, can I come in, or are we going to stand in the doorway the whole time?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, um...actually, I have work today, she explained sadly. Apparently, she was fine with skipping school, but not work.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How very responsible of you...kinda.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmm...well, okay. Guess Ill go home. After all, Id already accomplished what I came here for: saw her, talked to her, cleared up the email thing. Yep, I was basically done.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But, right as I turned to go, Adachi asked, Wait, what? Youre leaving?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I blinked at her, wondering,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dont you have to go to work or whatever?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I mean, we could talk for a few minutes, she explained quickly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmm...what would we talk about, though?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At times like these, we always defaulted to sitting around in silence. We didnt have any hobbies in common-more specifically, I didnt have any hobbies", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "at all", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "-and neither of us attended school regularly enough to vent about class.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Go on, Adachi. Start a conversation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was the one whod told me to stay, so in my opinion, it was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "her", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "responsibility to get the ball rolling. Her face froze in a stiff smile while her eyes screamed, Oh god, help me!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uhh...hows it going, friendo?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just peachy, friendo.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But I didnt flex my bicep. Instead of returning her serve, I caught the ball and put it in my pocket.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Silence.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ultimately, I was forced to think of a topic myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So...I guess you slept in today, huh? I asked, pointing at her now-nonexistent bedhead.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She averted her gaze. It just kinda happened.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It just happened, huh? Lucky you. I had to force myself to stay awake all through class.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Seriously, I had been so drowsy, it sounded as though everyone was speaking a foreign language-and not just in English class, either. By this point, I was", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "really", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "lagging behind...and Id need more than just a few minutes of studying each night to catch up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, are you over your cold now? I teased.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She started fake-coughing. It gets worse every time someone asks me about it. Must be a really bad strain.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yikes! Well, Im sure youd feel just", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "awful", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "if I caught it from you, so Id better go!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Noooo! Im joking! Im over it!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wait, so she", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "did", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "have a cold?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As we grinned at each other, the conversation slowly died again. Normally that was totally fine, but today, for some reason, we were obliged to keep talking at any cost.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Come on, Adachi. Next topic, I said, prompting her with a lets-hear-it", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "hand gesture. She opened her mouth to speak, and I noticed her eyes dart back and forth nervously.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Say, uh, Shimamura?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmm? I wasnt expecting her to actually think of anything to say, so I was kind of curious.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She hesitated, and then asked, Would you want to go on a dat-day trip with me somewhere? Like, on Saturday or something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Day trip? Like where? I asked. I could think of a dozen more questions, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uhh...anywhere? Adachi mumbled.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You dont have work on Saturday?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not till late, so I could hang out during the day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay, well... Sure, I dont mind. But", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "you", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "have to decide where were going. I hate planning stuff.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, she replied, nodding. A smile crept onto her face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay, cool... Well, Id better go now. Have fun at work.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Only a few minutes had passed since Id last tried to leave, but we were well and truly out of topics. This time, however, Adachi let me go without complaint; she seemed satisfied, I guess. Her hand was already reaching for the doorknob.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The day trip would be my first time hanging out with Adachi on a weekend. Then again, perhaps today counted as a weekend, too. For her, anyway. Heh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh yeah-whered you get that cool shirt you were wearing? The one with the elephant?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shut up!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With that parting comment, I walked out to the street and headed on my way.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Five minutes later, I found myself murmuring aloud, Was I hearing things, or...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Did she almost say go on a date with me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nah, couldnt be.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We agreed to meet up inside a huge shopping mall, in an area with benches and a giant tree. I suggested meeting outside Shimamura Co. for maximum irony, but Adachi didnt really laugh.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Never mind, then.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When I got there, a group of six elderly men were sitting on the benches, relaxing and sipping cups of coffee as though they lived here. Idly, I wondered what they were up to that day. Then I overheard parts of their conversation and learned that they were headed to the on-site bowling alley afterward. Id gone there one time with my little sister, back when they first opened. From what I remembered, the place had pool tables and darts and all kinds of cool stuff.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I reminisced, I snuck another glance to my left. Sure enough,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "she", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "was still there.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What are", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "you", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "doing here? I finally asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh! Destiny! Yashiro exclaimed. The way she said it made it sound like Destiny was my name or something.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, you read correctly. Inexplicably, Yashiro was at the meetup spot. In fact, when she spotted me, she walked right up and plopped down next to me on the bench. She wasnt wearing her space suit or helmet, but she sat with her arms folded for some reason.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Neither of us knew the other would be here today, and yet we found each other regardless. Surely it must be destiny. She snickered to herself, puffing her cheeks out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "There you go, tossing that word around again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Where do you get your lines from? You know, your...dialogue?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Extensive study of the media known as television shows.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I knew it. All this destiny talk sounded", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "way", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "too dramatic to be real.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Looking at her little baby face, I got the distinct feeling she had", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "no idea", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "what destiny really meant.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She once again wore her hair in that same butterfly style, but this time, it didnt look quite so tight. Clearly, she was at least capable of learning from her mistakes. Her clothes were different, too; she was wearing a blue skirt paired with a shirt that read", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "FLAT BUTTE", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "on the front.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What are you, a tourist?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, Im an alien. From the future.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She puffed out her chest, emphasizing her", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "FLAT BUTTE", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". The more I looked at the shirt, the more impressed I became. Believe it or not, Flat Butte was the name of a real, actual place, which meant the people who lived there had to write Flat Butte on their envelopes whenever they sent a letter. They probably thought nothing of it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its amazing what people can grow accustomed to over time. Its only been five minutes, and Im already getting over it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, what brings you here today? Yashiro asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hah! Id like to ask you the same thing. Anyway, Im meeting a friend.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "ho", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". She nodded as though she didnt know what else to say. I wasnt sure that she was even listening to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What about you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I just came here on a whim. Spotted you purely by chance.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh really?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Destiny, wouldnt you say?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, yeah, whatever, I shrugged.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then Adachi turned up. This mall was quite a distance from her house, so I was expecting her to take the bus, but she slumped forward, hands on her knees, clearly out of breath. Apparently, shed biked here. After a few seconds, she looked up at me and smiled.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But then she noticed who I was sitting next to, and her face froze.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I saw you two together the other day, correct? Greetings. Yashiro bowed deeply.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gee, how polite of you. Just try not to get your glitter everywhere.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uh, what? Who are you? Adachi blinked, baffled. No surprise there. I imagined that she was confused for a myriad of reasons.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Go get your you-know-what, I told Yashiro.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ah! Just a moment.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Clearly, Yashiro knew exactly what I meant by this, because she dashed off around the corner. When she returned, she was wearing her helmet again, just like last time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How does she do that?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wondered. I decided to stop thinking about it before I fried my brain.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "See? I said to Adachi. Its the little space alien from last time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its me! Yashiro shouted through the helmet, cheerfully raising both arms into the air. But she was starting to look creepy with the helmet on, so I pulled it off again. If I could touch it, which I could, and it had weight, which it did, then it couldnt have been a mere illusion.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmm.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Curious, I put it on. Instantly, everything went pitch black except for the visor directly in front of my eyes. Not only was the helmet really heavy, it was also extremely hard to breathe in.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I turned to Adachi. How do I look?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She hastily took a step backward. Like a worse version of Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She snatched the helmet off my head, then looked at me as though she didnt know what she was supposed to do with it. Apparently, she didnt want to try it on. I flicked my gaze at Yashiro, as if to say, Well, give it back, then. Timidly, Adachi held the helmet in Yashiros direction.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yashiro took it and tucked it under her arm. What is your name?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachis lips moved hesitantly. Uh...A-Adachi. And...who are you? She looked from Yashiro to me, her eyes silently asking me to explain our relationship.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To me, Yashiro was...an acquaintance, I guess? I couldnt really call her a friend.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Put simply, said Yashiro, I am an alien from the future.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Translation...? Adachi asked me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Eh, just think of her as the local weird kid, I shrugged.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didnt know Yashiros real identity, and I wasnt ditzy enough to accept her little story at face value. But, at the same time, Id have to be a blind idiot to ignore the fact that she", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "radiated blue sparkles", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". As in, literally right at that moment. They floated in the air around her like phosphorus.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The only thing I knew for sure about Yashiro was that she liked sweets...and", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "me,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "for some reason, although Id barely spoken to her and definitely hadnt done anything to earn her affection. Or was it because I gave her that donut?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sadly, while Yashiro might have sensed destiny between us, the feeling wasnt mutual. Why would it have been? She was an astronaut on the outside and a little fairy freak on the inside. It was kind of a lot, if that makes sense.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is this the friend you were waiting for? Yashiro asked, pointing to Adachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then lets be on our way.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She started walking.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I stared after her. She turned back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its time I repaid you for the donut you gave me. I shall treat you to a meal.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Adachi shot me a look like, Shes coming with us?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I turned back to Yashiro. Youre coming with us?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I smell something delicious in that direction, she announced, completely ignoring me. Seriously, she was so self-centered, she gave my sister a run for her money.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi furrowed her brow. Whats going on?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Apparently, this turn of events had thrown her for a loop. Well, she wasnt the only one. All I knew for certain was that Adachi was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "not", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "happy about it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Meanwhile, Yashiro was now several steps away. She turned back again, beckoning us. Youd better hurry and catch up before you get lost!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If anyones going to get lost in here, its you,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I thought, but shrugged it off and started walking. Then I remembered something, and grabbed Adachi by the wrist. She flinched as though Id zapped her with a jolt of electricity, then looked at me with eyes as wide as saucers. Evidently, she hadnt expected me to do that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wh-what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, I just dont want you running away this time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh? Oh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She seemed to realize what I was referring to: the day wed hung out at the station square. Once again, it was me, her, and Yashiro.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 28", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0027", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 29", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0028", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Adachi looked away awkwardly, but I pretended I didnt see it. Instead, I smiled. Itd be a real shame if you came all this way only to turn around and leave again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If she went home now, what would I even do with the rest of my afternoon?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Adachi rubbed her cheek, her expression still dismal. Maybe she had an itch or something.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im not gonna run away, but...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I know youre not happy about this. Im not exactly excited myself. But for now, lets just humor her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dragging Adachi along, I made a beeline for Yashiro. I couldnt think of any real reason why I shouldnt let her treat us to a meal, after all. If anything, I was surprised she had the money for it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh yeah, and good morning, I said to Adachi as we walked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She wasnt sure how to process that at first. She blinked once, twice, then smiled vaguely. Morning, she replied. At last, she started walking with us of her own volition.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And so, the two of us followed the little blue fairy. With her bright sparkles serving as a beacon to guide us, I couldnt help but wonder if we were on our way to a fairytale world.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In the end, Yashiro led us to a restaurant right next to the on-site grocery store. Judging from the sign, the place served pizza, pasta, and an omelet souffl dish. The restaurant was a surprisingly competent choice, actually.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I bet if Yashiro knew there was a donut shop near the entrance, shed turn around and run all the way there.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, good!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Drawn in by the scrumptious scent, Yashiro staggered headfirst into the restaurant. Naturally, the hostess was somewhat startled to encounter a little fairy-looking girl, but she quickly recovered and greeted Yashiro with a smile.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Table for three, Yashiro announced before the hostess could get a word in.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Inside, the restaurant clientele was predominantly middle-aged women. The hostess seated us at a booth between two full tables.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yashiro slid in first; naturally, my gaze shifted to the opposite side of the table. But before I could sit down, Yashiro waved me over.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Come, join me!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh? Oh, okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At her prompting, I slid in next to her. Her little grin was so cute and innocent, I reached out and stroked her hair purely on instinct, as though she were my sister or something. Blue sparkles spilled out from under my palm.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I sat, my other hand brushed against Adachis wrist. I realized I was still holding onto her like a vise, preventing her from sitting down.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ack! Sorry!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I hastily let go. Surely, she wouldnt run out of the restaurant, right? Shed told me she wouldnt, anyway. But Adachi didnt move; she looked at Yashiro with a pout on her lips, like a grumpy little kid. Then she pushed lightly against my shoulder. Scoot in, Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh? Oh, okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I sound like a broken record.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once I did as requested, Adachi sat down next to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait, what...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why would we all sit on the same side? Its not like were waiting for more people to join us!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Even the hostess looked a little confused as she set a glass of water down in front of each of us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Stuck in the middle, it would be kind of a hassle for me to try to move to the other side...but Adachi seemingly had no intention of moving, either. She kept shooting me awkward, furtive glances.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, you think this is awkward for you? Try being me!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meanwhile, Yashiro downed her water as though everything was perfectly normal.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay, well... Let me know when youre ready to order, said the hostess. She set a menu down on the table and hurried away. Clearly, she sensed the weirdness between the three of us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Some people were gifted with almost supernatural intuition.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maybe, through evolution, well be able to see ghosts someday.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This was decidedly not the sort of thing that should have occupied my mind at a restaurant.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yashiro set her empty glass down onto the table and pointed at an item near the top of the menu. Ive already decided that Im going to have this wonderful, fluffy omelet souffl, she announced. In the photo, a miniature griddle cradled a perfectly browned rolled omelet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It looked really good. I was tempted to order it for myself, but then I glanced around at the other tables and saw their brightly colored pizzas.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I could go for that, too. Or the pasta.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In other words, I was hungry for basically the entire menu.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What are you getting, Adachi?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You can order whatever you like, Yashiro added with a smug grin.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi glanced at us, then reached for the menu.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Can I grab that real quick? Its hard to see from here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure thing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I handed the menu to her. She unfolded it and held it up around herself like a shield, preventing anyone else from reading it. Not that Yashiro needed to, of course. Shed already decided, and now she was kicking her legs back and forth under the table like a little kid on a sugar high.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi tugged my sleeve. What are you getting, Shimamura?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At her prompting, I leaned in close to look at the menu with her. Hmm...not sure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I watched as a pizza arrived for a table near us. It was", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "way", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "too much for a single person to eat by themselves.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What if we ordered a pizza and a pasta dish and went halfsies? I suggested.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure. Adachi nodded cheerfully.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just then, Yashiro poked my side. I yelped and whirled around to find her prodding me all over.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hey! I reached out and pinched her cheeks. Whats the big idea, missy?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yashiro let out a muffled giggle through her contorted lips. I was bored, she declared.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, I see. So, whenever you get bored, you violate peoples personal space?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Apparently, shes a lot more dangerous than she looks", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". I squished and stretched her face in all different directions to idle away the time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Suddenly, I felt Adachi grab my", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "other", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "side, and I let out a second yelp.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What is it with you people and touching my sides? Im not a huge fan of it!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With my hands still grasping Yashiros face, I turned in Adachis direction. She glared down at the menu.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Seriously, just use your words and tell me what you want from me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You choose the pizza, and Ill choose the pasta, Adachi suggested offhandedly, still grasping my shirt.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Pffggehh, Yashiro whimpered. She, likewise, was still trapped in my grasp.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ugh, whatever. I dont care.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay, I choose this one. It was the bacon-zucchini pizza.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Cool, then Ill get this, Adachi replied, pointing at the sun-ripened tomato pasta.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "With our orders decided, we flagged down the hostess. She walked up with a barely suppressed smile on her face, almost as though she was biting back a laugh. Probably because I was squishing Yashiros cheeks, although I doubted that Yashiro and I looked remotely like siblings.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Adachi ordered for us, since she was nearest to the hostess. In sharp contrast to Yashiro and I, her voice was flat and emotionless; it caught me by surprise, and I relinquished my grip on Yashiro, who let out a sigh of relief and rubbed her cheeks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You can order more than that, you know, she added a moment later, once she regained her usual swagger. Adachi met this with a dry laugh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once the hostess left with our orders, there was a long silence. Yashiro folded her paper napkin into some sort of origami while Adachi and I just sat there as usual.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Actually, it felt like Adachi was in a bad mood for some reason. Did she have some kind of problem with Yashiro? If so, what was it about the girl that Adachi didnt like?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I glanced over at Yashiro.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She stood out in sharp contrast against the white walls behind her. In motion or at rest, something about her", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "commanded", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "attention. With her oddly colored hair and perfect, symmetrical face, she seemed like the kind of person who could change the world-like a superhero capable of piloting a giant mech or something. But in reality...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Heh heh heh. Its a grasshopper. What do you think? she asked with a smirk.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I think it looks more like a chopstick rest. Even I could do better than that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I grabbed a napkin and started folding.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What is that, a chopstick rest?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its a grasshopper, exactly like yours.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But that looks nothing like mine. She frowned, tilting her head in innocent confusion.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "God, she pisses me off.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whose origami looks more like a grasshopper? Mine, right? I asked Adachi. She sat with her elbow on the table and her chin in her hand, looking annoyed for some reason. She glanced at me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Neither", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "of them look like a grasshopper, she replied.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Grrr, youre no fun.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You Earthlings are completely blind, arent you? Poor things, the obnoxious alien lamented behind me. I ignored her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I put my hand on Adachis shoulder to draw her attention-and, as soon as she turned to look, I grabbed her by the cheeks. She didnt expect it at all, so I pulled it off on the first try. Initially, her face froze, but then blood steadily rushed to her head, and her cheeks burned pink.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whats up, buttercup? I asked, cupping her face in my hands and forcing her to look at me. Against my palms, I felt her bad mood seemingly fade as confusion settled in instead. I gave her cheeks a squish, and her whole expression softened, even her eyes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nnn...nuffinghphh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay then, lets hear your favorite catchphrase. And dont forget to smile.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "? What catchphrase?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You remember, dont you? First I start by asking, Hows it going, friendo? Now its your turn!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At this, Adachi put two and two together. Ugh, cmon, she growled, looking away. But in the end she relented, donning the best smile she could manage through squished cheeks, her gaze still averted.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Doing just peachy, friendo.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She even remembered to flex her bicep, but this time, she dropped the pose just as quickly as she struck it. I wasnt complaining, though.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It occurred to me that Yashiro had been quiet for quite some time. When I turned to check on her, I found her in the middle of crafting her second grasshopper, while her first sat side by side with mine. Did she plan to make a little tabletop grasshopper kingdom or what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Eh, shes not hurting anybody, I guess.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I decided to leave Yashiro to her own devices; I let go of Adachi while I was at it. Adachi reached up to clutch her head, possibly out of embarrassment, so I went ahead and told her what was on my mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Look... Im not a mind reader, but now that were here, we should at least", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "try", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "to have fun, dont you think?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I felt Adachi peek at me through her fingers. She didnt respond verbally, but I saw her nod slightly. Feeling weirdly satisfied, I continued to twiddle my thumbs and wait for our food to arrive.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, its coming! Hey, over here! Yashiro shouted, waving her hands at the hostess like a lunatic. I cringed internally. It wasnt like I could chastise her for drawing attention to herself when her outward appearance already did that in spades.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The hostess set down a miniature griddle in front of Yashiro. Unlike the menu picture, however, the omelet on the griddle wasnt very puffy at all. Yashiro looked at it for a moment, then reached out and dumped an unreasonable amount of maple syrup all over it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sploosh!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Without so much as a glance at the tomato sauce that came with the omelet, she stabbed her fork into the dish and took a bite. Inside the omelet, I saw what looked like pieces of French bread mixed into the egg... Admittedly, I was curious to try it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, its so moist! Wow! Very moist! Yashiro exclaimed as she continued to cut up her omelet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, yes, we heard you the first time", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Considering the amount of syrup shed poured onto the dish, I wouldnt have expected anything else. I found myself staring at it, wondering how much syrup had seeped in.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Next, she moved on to the souffl, which she ate with such gusto that it piqued my interest even further. Once shed swallowed her current mouthful, I spoke up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Can I get a bite of that?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Certainly. She cut off a chunk and scooped it onto her fork. Here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wha...?! Adachi exclaimed, before I even had time to react. I turned to find her visibly scandalized.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whats the matter? Did you want some?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not really. She shifted her gaze, and I sensed that she had more to say, but then I caught her glancing furtively at Yashiros fork.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She totally wants a bite, I just know it. Wait... But then, why didnt she speak up when I first asked?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hurry it along, lass, Yashiro urged.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, yeah... Wait, whats with the accent all of a sudden?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now youre a", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Scottish", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "time-traveling alien?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I turned back to her. Oh, no, I dont want that part. I want the part with French bread.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Very demanding, arent we, Shimamura-san?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, I get that a lot.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yashiro put the current forkful into her own mouth, then scooped up another piece in line with my request and brought it right to my lips. I bent forward slightly and took the bite into my mouth.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Instantly, before I even started chewing, overwhelming sweetness seeped into my gums. It felt as though my teeth were all going to fall out simultaneously. There wasnt much depth to the flavor, either-just", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "sweet, sweet, sweet", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". It was hard to tell whether I actually liked it or not.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gah! Sugar overload! I think you put", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "way", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "too much maple syrup on.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Too much...? She frowned slightly, as if to suggest it wasnt nearly enough.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Good grief.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I smiled at her. Just then, something touched my side again, and I felt another tug on my shirt. This time, Adachi had seized not just the fabric, but my body along with it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You know, Adachi, its not nice to grab somebodys love handles like that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Right, sorry. Here, you can have a bite of this.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Where did", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "that", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "come from?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I turned to find that Adachis pasta had arrived.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wait... Werent we going halfsies on this anyway?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, but...um...Ill give you an extra bite for free.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She hastily twirled a strand of pasta onto her fork and held it to my mouth.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Youre not trying to fatten me up, are you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For a moment I hesitated, but ultimately decided that it would be rude to reject her kind offer, so I put her fork in my mouth. The taste of tomato and olive oil danced across my tongue.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yashiro with her sweet dish versus Adachi with savory. Somehow the flavors seemed to match them perfectly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I savored my bite of pasta, Adachi stared at Yashiro, whose entire chin was now sticky with sauce. Yashiro was so focused on eating, she didnt notice Adachi watching her. Adachi didnt seem actively hostile toward Yashiro, but she did strike me as recalcitrant, like a little kid with her new stepmother. Yeah, she could be really immature sometimes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After I returned the fork to Adachi, she stared down at it, then shook her head.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Seriously, whats going on with her?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was exhausting, having to play mediator between these two. If one of them asked me, Where to after this? my response would be, The pharmacy, because I probably had an ulcer by now. As one might imagine, that made for a less-than-enjoyable mealtime experience.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When I asked myself how wed gotten here, I knew that deep down, I had an inkling. Instead of actually examining it, though, I dodged the question and looked in the direction of the kitchen.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wheres that pizza?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A pleasant, slightly burnt smell wafted from the kiln.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "However, this day was far from over, and things were about to get a whole lot worse for the three of us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thats what Destiny was telling me, anyway.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I once read somewhere that a bowling ball weighs the same as a human head. No idea whether thats true, but it would certainly explain where neck pain comes from.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This item is heavy, Yashiro complained as she held her ball in both hands.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She stumbled in my direction-I wasnt about to let her drop that thing on my foot, so I took a hasty step back. Unfortunately, she followed me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A skillful move. Truly the work of destiny.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why is it always about destiny with you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After we finished eating, we figured itd be a waste to go straight home. Adachi and I debated window shopping, but then a certain alien child spotted the on-site amusement center and started babbling excitedly. Since Adachi and I were both generally passive in social situations, we found ourselves dragged along.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mind you, the facility had a lot more to offer than just bowling-karaoke, billiards, darts, and ping-pong too. Naturally I suggested ping-pong, since it was kind of our thing, but we quickly realized thatd get complicated with an odd number of players.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A bunch of creepy older guys were hogging the darts area, and Yashiro wasnt tall enough to lean over the pool table. Thus, through the process of elimination, we ended up at the bowling alley-690 yen per game. Yashiro didnt want to foot the bill this time, so we split it between us instead.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi paid her share without complaint, but she hadnt joined the conversation in quite a while. Every now and then, I felt her gaze on me and turned to look, only for her to shake her head and say Its nothing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You sure about that?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Honestly, perhaps it was for the best that Yashiro took charge. Who knew what Adachi and I would have ended up doing otherwise.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, what do I do with this? Yashiro asked me, still cradling her blue bowling ball.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You dont know how to play? But", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "youre", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "the one who wanted to go bowling!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I can always tell when something will be entertaining. Impressive, right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not really. I grabbed her by the head and turned her to face the lanes. See those pins? You roll the ball and try to knock them down.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "On the back wall, above the pins, hung a large monitor that displayed feeds of all the lanes. Precisely at that moment, a guy from the family next to us (the dad, I assume) was taking his turn, so I adjusted Yashiros view accordingly. He wore what looked like pro bowling gloves, but it quickly became apparent that his skill level was anything but pro.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Early into his throw, the ball deviated from the center and careened toward the gutter. Luckily for him, the family was playing with bumpers, so the ball bounced back toward the middle and slowly took down pin after pin. In the end, the throw was deemed a strike, and the dad jumped for joy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, yeah, thats the gist of it. Got it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tricked you! I actually", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "knew", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "how to play the whole time. Ha ha! You fell for my ninjutsu!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I gave her a little smack on the cheek to set her straight. The impact scattered light particles everywhere. They floated toward my hand, which startled me so badly I nearly fell backward. It seemed as though each particle had a mind of its own.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "are", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "you, Yashiro?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nevertheless, she remained at my side like a faithful puppy, speaking only to me and never to Adachi. As for Adachi, she willingly interacted with me, but obviously she had zero intention of playing nice with Yashiro.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I know I cant expect you to be best friends, but have either of you thought about what it feels like for me? To be stuck in the middle like this?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was by no means a talkative person, and I was dying for something to drink.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After watching the family next to us for a moment, Yashiro turned back to me. Shimamura-san! she called gleefully. Can I go first?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She tried to lift her bowling ball and staggered again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im really starting to worry about you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure, why not?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Heh heh heh... I have a brilliant plan. From the way her eyes gleamed, I could tell she was up to no good.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then I noticed Adachi intently staring off in a different direction, so I decided to approach her. You better not run away, I warned her-in a playful way, of course, not a mean way.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I told you, I wont, she replied, pouting like a little kid. Then her expression softened slightly. Youre a total mom friend, arent you, Shimamura?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ive tolerated my kid sister for half my life, so...I guess you could say I know how to deal with little goblins.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, this girls like a second sister? What about me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You can call me Oneechan if you want, I joked, expecting Adachi to laugh and shoot me down. Instead there was a pause, and then...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait, are you-", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Oneechan.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh god, she went there. And with a straight face. And what was that awkward pause?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wh-whats up, my sweet little sister? I asked, playing along, although deep down I wasnt really looking to adopt any more goblins.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just then, Adachi looked up. The blood drained from her face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uh, Shimamura?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She pointed over at the lanes. Curious, I turned...and saw Yashiro, ball in hand, walking down our assigned lane as though it were the most natural thing in the world.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wait, where are your shoes?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Everyone stared at her. I heard whispers from the other bowlers around us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Obviously I couldnt just let her cause a scene, so I dashed over to stop her, sighing internally.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What am I, her babysitter?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once I caught up, I grabbed her by the scruff of the neck.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hm? She turned to face me, puzzled. But I wanted answers.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Excuse me, little missy! What the heck do you think youre doing?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I observed the other players, I realized that theres a distinct disadvantage to throwing the ball from a distance.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "From up close, however, anyone can easily knock down all the pins! Dont you see? She smirked at me as she explained her", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "brilliant plan", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". Listening to her nearly sapped me of the will to live.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wow. Youre so smart.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I know, right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "unfortunately for you, this is a bowling alley, so youre going to have to play by the rules. I dragged her back down the lane, away from the pins.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If you want to put your own spin on bowling, go do that at home.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Noooo! Its not fair!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youre", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "the one not playing fair. Now stand at the end of the lane, and roll the ball like youre supposed to.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She cocked her head at me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Do you seriously not know how to play...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We dont have this game back on my home planet, she replied offhandedly. It didnt appear to be an act, either. Was she raised in some remote foreign country? If so, then her Japanese was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "ridiculously", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "good for a non-native speaker. She was a walking mystery I couldnt begin to solve.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whats the deal with your hair, anyway? Thats your natural color? I asked finally.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yashiro grabbed a handful of her own hair. What, this?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "that", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". Last I checked, nobody on Earth has naturally blue hair.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Stylish, isnt it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was thinking", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "bizarre", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", but sure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I intended to model myself after my compatriot, you see, but I inadvertently chose the girl next to her instead.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What are you", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "talking", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "about?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I attempted to translate Yashiros make-believe into reality. Maybe she had wanted the same hairstyle as one of her...relatives? But she found herself mimicking their friend? No, that didnt make sense...unless her relative had a blue-haired friend, in which case that person was almost certainly an alien. And in", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "that", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "case...what did that make Yashiro?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Meh...I guess I shouldnt think about it too hard. All right, lets see you do a normal throw this time. I gave her a little push.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Very well, if you insist. She toddled up to the start of the lane.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Finally, a return to normalcy,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, how wrong I was.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yashiro launched into a full-body dive and released the ball while sliding on her stomach. Her form was so sloppy, it almost looked as though shed simply tripped at the starting line. Id never seen anyone bowl like that in my entire life. Still, I imagined it was fun to watch the ball roll down the lane from that angle.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The ball crashed into the bumper and bounced off, flying directly into the pins and mowing them all down at the speed of light. A perfect strike.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Naturally, Yashiros abnormal throw style garnered even more attention from the rest of the alley, but she didnt move a muscle. I walked over, put my hands under her tummy, and hoisted her up. She turned to look at me. Was that good?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uh...sure, I guess, but what the heck was that dive?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I figured it would be advantageous to get as close as possible.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "On second thought...maybe your blue hair is the least of my concerns.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If Nagafuji tried the same stunt, I bet itd be painful. For her boobs, I mean.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sliding on the ground had gotten the front of Yashiros clothes all dirty, so I dusted her off.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "am", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "the mom friend... Isnt this pretty normal, though?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I headed back to Adachi with the alien cradled in my arms. Her little legs swayed with every step, and I found myself sorely wishing she would walk on her own two feet already. Still, her body was abnormally lightweight, so I couldnt really complain.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe shes made of Styrofoam on the inside. Or maybe her whole body is one big fusion of light particles.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For some stupid reason, I found myself picturing this.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All alien speculation aside, I had a feeling Adachi would be in a bad mood when we returned, and sure enough, she was. I sighed and shook my head.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Man, its hard work having a little sister my own age.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once I sat down, Yashiro shifted onto my lap like a dog. She didnt seem to want to move, either. I didnt mind much, since she was so light, but I felt like I was going to choke on all the sparkles.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wanna go next, Adachi?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No thanks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Too bad, I insisted, and handed her the bowling ball sitting ready nearby. By that point, Id learned that bossiness was the most effective strategy for dealing with Adachi when she threw a tantrum.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure enough, her bad attitude faded as she reluctantly took the ball. Evidently, she caved quickly to peer pressure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Same, TBH.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, is there a point to winning? Yashiro asked me. She didnt seem to be gloating about her strike, either; her voice was perfectly level. Perhaps she genuinely didnt see the value in victory for victorys sake. When she looked at me with her innocent eyes, I hesitated. I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "really", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "wasnt sure what to tell her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I dont know... Doesnt it feel good to outdo everyone else?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not when Im competing against someone I love. And I love you, Shimamura-san.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At this, my heart nearly stopped. That kind of thing always tended to put me on edge. A split-second later, there was a dull", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "THUD", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "as Adachi dropped her bowling ball. I turned and watched as she chased after it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Such a child.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, uh...cool. Thanks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I kept my gaze averted. As you might expect, it was kind of awkward to make eye contact with somebody who had just professed their love for me. Especially for someone like me. I had notoriously struggled with expressing my feelings since I was a kid.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once Adachi recovered her ball, she walked back over and stood in front of us-but her gaze was fixed on Yashiro, not me. There was a palpable hostility in the air.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How about you compete with me? she demanded, holding her ball aloft. It was hard to tell from her poker face, but I sensed that she was actually upset about something.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whatsa matter, little Adachi-chan?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh ho... You think you can beat a pro bowlinger such as myself?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im pretty sure the word youre looking for is bowler. Then again, youre also lying through your teeth, so I guess its a wash.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You bet I do, Adachi shot back, lightly stroking her bowling balls smooth surface in much the same way a supervillain would pet their cat. If I win...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She immediately stopped short and looked at me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What? If you win, you want me to do something? Im not Yashiros mom, so you can go ahead and leave me out of it!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Let me borrow you for a minute.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Taking Yashiro by the hand, Adachi pulled her down from my lap and led her to a distant corner of the bowling alley. Holding hands, youd think theyd come off as siblings. Instead, their short walk more closely resembled an attempted kidnapping. Probably because they looked nothing alike.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi crouched down to Yashiros eye level and whispered in her ear. The little alien put a hand to her chin in contemplation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once Adachi finished speaking, Yashiro replied, Hmmm. No thanks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wow, that was blunt.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She bounced all the way back like a little rabbit. I found myself impressed at how she seemed to exude energy. In contrast, Adachi trudged back with slumped shoulders, probably because Yashiro had shot her down point-blank.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi took her ball and lobbed it from the end of the lane like a normal person; it took down six pins. On one hand, it was nice to see that at least one of us knew how to bowl correctly, but on the other hand, I wasnt really sure how to react. Should I compliment Adachi or console her?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Silently, she attempted her second throw. In the end, however, she failed to take down the last two pins. Scratching her head, she returned to her seat next to me. Since she was technically losing, I decided to comfort her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That was close.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I dont have a lot of experience with this game, she explained. Since shed mentioned previously that her relationship with her family wasnt great, I could tell that she wasnt just making excuses for her poor performance. After all, she wasnt the type of person to plan a bowling night with friends. Anyway, its your turn, Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, yeah... I shifted Yashiro to the empty seat on my other side, then reluctantly got to my feet. Id already paid for the right to play...but I wasnt sure I had any business butting in on their little competition.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe itd be more considerate to drop out?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I turned around to shoot them an inquiring look.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hurry up, Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh...uh...okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At Adachis prompting, I decided to just throw the ball and get it over with.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hyah! There, all done.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didnt even care how many pins I hit-it didnt matter to me. After all, there were more important things in life than winning or losing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When I returned to my seat, my little lapdog crawled right back into her usual spot. Apparently, she enjoyed using other people as chairs.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I beg your pardon? Its", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "your", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "turn, remember?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ah, yes, of course.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She jumped down from my lap, and I found myself wondering what had happened to her astronaut helmet. The more I thought about that, the more it threatened to fry my brain.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now then, pardon me while the pro bowlinger takes her second turn.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "BOWLER, not bowlinger. That sounds like a type of airplane.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As she jogged over to grab her ball, blue sparkles scattered in a stream behind her, drawing the attention of a nearby family and a group of teenage boys. Not that I blamed them for staring, since she immediately followed up with her ridiculous diving-throw technique. Meanwhile, I wondered if it hurt to bend her neck at that angle.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her dives didnt cross the foul line, so they were probably valid throws-not that an amateur like me would have known. Once again, the ball sped down the lane at a weird angle, bounced around, and ultimately upheld its end of the bargain, toppling pin after pin until not a single one was left standing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wowie.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Bumper handicap aside, whod have thought that her insane throw style would net her two strikes in a row? Certainly not me. In fact, I was starting to suspect that she might have some kind of weird alien superpower to go with her weird alien hair. Frankly, it wouldnt have surprised me if she did.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then again, if she had superpowers, I guess she wouldnt need to do these wacky dive throws.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And what a great second turn it was! Yashiro exclaimed, dashing back to me with both hands outstretched in front of her for some reason. More concerning, however, was the fact that her legs were all pink. Sighing internally, I resigned myself to my mom-friend duties.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You havent scraped your knees, have you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I reached out and touched them to be sure. Nope, no scrapes. She didnt wince in pain or anything, either. Somehow, touching her little legs made me realize just how", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "small", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "she was. The thought that this tiny child had bought me lunch made me low-key hate myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Meanwhile, Adachi had a big scowl on her face. No surprise there, of course. At the rate she was going, Yashiro would keep getting strike after strike, which meant Adachi didnt stand a chance.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Good thing you guys didnt make that bet after all, huh? It was the most consolation I could offer Adachi at this point. She growled quietly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Heh heh heh! You know, youre free to copy me if you like, Yashiro announced with a smug smirk.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Adachi glanced at her, but otherwise said nothing, though she had Thanks for the unwanted advice written all over her face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Or", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "you", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "could just throw the ball like a normal person, I retorted. It was hard to deny the efficacy of Yashiros dive throw, though, especially since I couldnt be sure whether it was against the rules.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Add it to the pile of other Yashiro mysteries, I guess.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi got up and grabbed her ball. Personally, I was impressed that she had the courage to keep going.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Holding the ball in front of her face, she walked toward me, gaze averted, and asked, So, uh, who are you rooting for?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uhhhh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Man, dont ask me that. What a pain.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, yes, do tell! Yashiro chimed in cheerfully.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ugh...I wish you wouldnt make me pick.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At first glance, I might have seemed like a mom friend or whatever. However, I was actually as lazy as the next girl. No amount of effort or experience could change that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whenever someone came to me for attention, assistance, or affection, some part of me felt...resistant. I was always struck by the urge to shrink myself down as small as possible and slink away quietly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "To everyone else, this was probably", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "hilarious", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". I could imagine they enjoyed tormenting me. No point in chasing without something to chase, after all. Conversely, if I leaned into it and actively", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "tried", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "to get their attention, theyd lose all interest. At least, thats how it seemed like to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Since I had that attitude toward other people, deep down, I knew I was honestly better off going through life alone...and yet here I was.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura-san!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, yes, I hear you, I replied quickly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Somehow, I felt like the main character in a romcom...and I was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "exhausted", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ".", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Following this fairly tumultuous day out, I came home to find that it was still only three oclock. Admittedly, I wasnt expecting to be home quite that early...but after wed bowled our ten frames, we all sort of awkwardly went our separate ways. (Ill spare you the details of who won and who was a sore loser, but Im sure you can guess.)", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I walked into my room and immediately collapsed onto my futon. Man, Im beat. That was the only sentiment I expressed aloud. Truth be told, I wanted nothing more than to fuse with the floor and take a six-hour nap, but for some reason my mind was still wide awake. After about ten minutes of lying there motionlessly, I got bored and opened my eyes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I spotted a manga volume lying nearby. Apparently, my sister had been reading it before bed last night. I picked it up and opened to a random page, where the protagonist was making excuses about something or other.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Heh heh heh. With a goofy laugh, I closed the book, put it back, and rolled over. Ugh... I should", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "not", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "be this tired on a weekend.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Making new friends, hanging out, trying my best to make it work. Was it...hurting me? No, not quite. It was just", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "exhausting", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". I was being worn down, bit by bit. I mean, I was twisting myself into knots trying to avoid stepping on any toes, so of course I ended up overexerting myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sometimes I contemplated whether itd be easier to give up and ghost them entirely. In fact, I actually gave it a try one time-and that was when I met Adachi. Was that a good thing? I wouldve said yes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The thing about being alone is that its", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "boring", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "-an affliction far harder to cure than any simple loneliness. The only treatment for its debilitating malignancy is human connection. That was why I subjected myself to this steady erosion. I needed to wear myself down if I wanted to keep myself going.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Under my breath, I recited a line from the manga aloud, as if savoring every word.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dont blame me if it doesnt work out. I wasnt trying to hurt anyone.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 30", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0029", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 5:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Girls Day Out", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "WAS LYING IN BED", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "after work on a weekday when my phone suddenly started ringing. It was Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Would you rather do karaoke, go to a restaurant, or go to the river?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was the first thing she said to me during our first-ever phone call. What kind of question was this? Was she trying to ask me on a date? No, probably not.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Where did that come from? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Karaoke was my idea, Nagafuji suggested the restaurant, and Hino suggested the river.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, this", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "was", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "some kind of outing. Evidently my guess wasnt far off...except that I didnt expect other people to be involved.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hino asked me to hang out this Sunday, and I figured Id invite you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh. Gotcha. I dont know... I feel like itd just be awkward if I went.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whoa... I didnt realize you cared about that stuff, Shimamura gasped, feigning shock.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, come on.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I laughed slightly. What kind of jerk do you take me for?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A big-uh-proponent of not sweating the small stuff, thats all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Were you about to call me a big jerk? Because thats a pretty jerk move, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im really not. Believe it or not, I care a lot about what other people think.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Especially you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But I couldnt bring myself to say that part.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmm. She didnt sound convinced. Well, Ill just assume youre coming.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I hesitated for a moment, but ultimately gave in. Uh...sure, why not.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After all, I hardly ever got the opportunity to hang out with her on a weekend. If I turned her down, Id just end up spending the whole day in my room while she went off and had fun without me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, where would you like to go? You can suggest somewhere else if you want.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait, so...Im the one who gets to decide where were all going?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Probably.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But I wasnt even originally invited... Now I feel bad.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im pretty sure Hino wouldve invited you herself if she couldve. She just doesnt have your number. At that, a smile crept onto my lips. Somehow, the fact that only Shimamura knew my number made me feel...secure. But I wasnt brave enough to follow that feeling to its logical conclusion, so I ignored it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I dont know... What would we do at the river?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Probably go fishing, since thats what Hino likes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Fishing...hmm.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I tried to imagine it, but it didnt feel right. Would the four of us just stand in a row, ankle-deep in ice-cold river water, waiting for something to bite while direct sunlight beat down on us? (Not that November weather was all that hot, but still.)", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Personally, my family had never taken me on any nature trips as a kid, so when it came to the wild outdoors, the whole concept seemed joyless and tiring.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The restaurant option would probably see us spending a few hours at a Dennys or a McDonalds, eating and chatting. Would I be able to fit in? I couldnt think of any common ground between the four of us, which meant there wouldnt be much for me to talk about. In fact, I could easily picture myself sitting there in tedious silence for hours on end.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Lets do karaoke, then.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Using the process of elimination, that seemed like the safest choice. We wouldnt need to talk much, and if there was a lull in the conversation, we could just focus on whoever was singing. Plus, it was Shimamuras idea, and I wanted to support it, even if it was something she chose at random.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay! Ill let them know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hearing her voice on the other end of the line grow distant, I realized she was probably about to hang up, so I hastily called out to her. Hey, uh, Shimamura?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmm?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure enough, her voice was quieter now, as though shed already pulled her phone away from her face. I knew that if I hesitated for even a moment, she would end the call.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, I summoned all my courage and blurted out, Would you wanna sing something together?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure, but what? I dont actually know what kind of music you listen to.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It took everything Id had to ask that question, and yet she made it sound like no big deal.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wait", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". Hadnt we talked about music before? Going back through my memories, it felt as though we definitely had. Most likely shed simply forgotten.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Id say I have pretty normal taste.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay then, whats a normal song to you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uhhh...Im sure whatever you like is fine, I replied, after trying and failing to think of a specific example.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ugh, why am I like this?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wouldnt be so sure... I like a lot of oldies and stuff.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How old are we talking? Old as in music from before we were born?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Stuff from the nineties. You know, like", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Robinson", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "by Spitz?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, okay. I could probably sing that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In fact, I didnt know that", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Robinson", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "was a nineties song at all. I heard it every now and then on the radio, and it really didnt sound that old. That said, I didnt have the lyrics memorized, so I would need to look them up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once Hino decides on the details, Ill let you know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If Shimamura had given Hino my number, then she wouldnt have needed to call me back. Thus, it was a good thing that she hadnt. To me, anyway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anyway, see you Sunday!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Getting a little ahead of ourselves, are we?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uh...you know we have school tomorrow, right? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, right. Okay, see you tomorrow!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At times like these, I never knew exactly when to end the call, so often the other person and I would sit in awkward silence for a while until one of us figured it out. Not Shimamura, though-she hung up straight away. In a way, that really demonstrated who she was as a person.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I set my phone down, sat up, and looked at the calendar hanging on the wall. It was the first week of November, and today was Wednesday. There was still quite a while to go until Sunday.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At that point, I was attending class every day-and eating lunch with Shimamura once every three days. Nothing else worth mentioning. At my part-time job, Id started to pay more attention to the parking lots contents, since I was terrified Shimamuras family would come back for dinner again. But, other than that, nothing had really changed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For the record, the family hadnt returned since the first time, probably because Shimamura didnt want her mom asking me any invasive questions. Youd think adults would still remember what it was like to be a teenager, yet they always seemed to forget after enough years passed. Was that just another part of growing up?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I let out what felt like my umpteenth sigh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At least my life is less boring now, I guess.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "While I appreciated Shimamuras invite, I wasnt crazy about the prospect of her other friends being there. I knew I was being unreasonable, but I was still really frustrated.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Knowing Shimamura, shed only invited me because Hino told her to. Obviously she wouldnt say it to my face, though, because she wanted to be polite. I appreciated that, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But it didnt change the fact that I was an afterthought.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Later that night, in bed, I thought back to the day wed first met.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When I arrived at the gym loft, Shimamura was already there-sitting cross-legged on the floor on top of some green netting, as I recall. This was back when we were still wearing our summer uniforms, and I remember seeing a faint tan line on her arm.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She turned and noticed me, and our eyes met. She still carried that telltale junior-high vibe, which meant she was probably a first-year like me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I didnt know her name, but it quickly became apparent that she knew mine.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Adachi, right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uh...yeah?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Were in the same class.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She waved at me. Naturally, I didnt recognize her at all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The second semester had just started, and compared to October, the temperature was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "sweltering", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". At least when you were outside, there was some small chance of a breeze, but in the loft? It felt like walking into an oven. As such, it didnt strike me as an ideal hideout in the least, especially since someone else had beaten me to it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But I couldnt exactly respond to her enthusiastic Hey, I know you! with Cool story, bye. We were in the same boat-both cutting class. And I was a tiny bit curious about what her reasons were.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With nowhere better to go, I sat down on the edge of a dusty old ping-pong table. When she introduced herself, she joked, They call me Shimamura Co., and just like that, I couldnt unsee it. Whenever I thought about her, I envisioned the store logo.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You come here often?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nah. Just felt like it today. I had been on my way to my usual spot when I noticed a teacher out on patrol, so I snuck into the loft to hide. Luckily, none of the classes were using the gym at the moment. What about you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Likewise.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Id later learn that this was the first day Shimamura ever skipped class. She explained to me that she couldnt get in the right headspace for class after being away from school for so long, but I had no way of knowing if that was the truth. Maybe she was running from something. Maybe something had happened over summer break. But I didnt care as much back then, so I just let it go.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I sat a reasonable distance from Shimamura. The conversation had died, and all that flowed between us was our own sweat. She dabbed hers with a handkerchief; I took out a hand towel and wiped off whatever remained of my makeup.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In my boredom, I played around on my cell phone for a minute, but there wasnt much to do except check the time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ugh, why is lunch so far away?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I glanced at Shimamura and saw her staring blankly up at the window. At the time, I wondered what she was thinking about. Later, Id learn that the answer was nothing much.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Alone, the silence was tolerable. With someone else present, however, I was obliged to worry about whether silence made them uncomfortable, and I found that emotional labor needlessly exhausting.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Right around the time I started contemplating whether I should make an excuse to leave, however, I heard a loud chirping sound. Startled, I looked up...and realized a cicada clung to the window outside.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was screaming with so much energy, youd think this was still the height of August. Shimamura and I exchanged a glance, almost reflexively. We smiled awkwardly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So obnoxious.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Totally.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She pushed herself to her feet, walked over to the window, and tapped on the glass. The cicada fell, possibly knocked loose by the vibration-I saw it try to flap its wings, and yet it plummeted straight down regardless. Shimamura hastily retracted her hand, then turned to look at me with an expression that said, Oh crap.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At the time, I hoped desperately that she wasnt about to drag me into something. Sadly, I would", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "not", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "prove fortunate.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The cicada had fallen silent. For a while, Shimamura just stared out the window. Then, eventually, she turned and pointed to the stairs with the same finger that had just sent an annoying bug to its doom.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wanna go check on him? she asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Evidently, she felt guilty for inadvertently causing the cicadas demise.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure, I agreed, since I didnt have anything better to do. Maybe, once we were outside, I would find an excuse to part ways.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We headed down the stairs and walked out to the athletic field, where a group of male students unenthusiastically ran laps. Taking care to stay out of sight, we snuck around to the back of the building. There, growing all by itself in the shaded space between the gym and the martial-arts dojo, a single tall tree reached up to the loft window. At the base of its trunk was the cicada from earlier.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It lay on its back, frantically flapping its wings, but to no avail. Evidently this little bug was on its last legs and lacked the strength to right itself. I heard more cicadas above us in the tree, but they didnt seem to care that their friend had fallen. As a truant student, I found that I could relate.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura crouched down and reached out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ew, youre gonna touch it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "These arent that gross. But if it was a worm or a roly-poly, no way.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I didnt understand her benchmark for what made a cicada any less gross. Was it because they could fly? After a moment of contemplation, I decided that made sense. After all, I could see myself touching a ladybug, but not a centipede.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura picked up the cicada hesitantly. Naturally, it started squirming like crazy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gah!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She squirmed in kind, trying to put some distance between herself and the bug, but because she was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "holding", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "it, that was obviously kind of impossible.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dont you dare bring that thing over here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Eventually the two of them wore each other out, and they both calmed down. Shimamura paused, shook her head, and approached the tree.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Climb on, little guy!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She held the cicada to the tree trunk, and its legs began to flail again. But, when she let go, the bug had firmly attached itself to the bark and was screaming away once more. With our mission accomplished, we returned to the gym.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At some point Id forgotten to make an excuse to slip away, but oh well. I didnt feel like it anymore.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As we climbed the loft stairs, Shimamura asked me, How many more days do you think hell live for?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No clue, I answered honestly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, me neither, she replied.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was a brief pause as we arrived at the landing. Then I asked her, How long would you", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "want", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "it to live?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She stopped to consider this. Ill say...fifteen more days.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure enough, fifteen days later, she came to the loft with dirt on her palms. If I had to guess, she was probably out digging a grave for the cicada.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That was the story of how Shimamura and I first met...back when I didnt yet consider her a friend.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As was typically the case whenever I met up with Shimamura, I was nervous for a variety of reasons.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "On my bike, I passed through a shopping district (mostly dead, save for a confectionery store and a bike repair shop), crossed over the long-disused railroad tracks, and made a left. There, I spotted our meetup location just ahead.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure enough, once I passed the bank and the bus stop, I noticed Shimamura leaning against the post office sign out front. Come to think of it, she was oddly diligent about these things. Why else was she always the first to arrive whenever we met up?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She waved at me, and I waved back shyly as I rolled toward her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You know, for a girl whos always late to class, you sure are punctual when it comes to hanging out!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Pot, meet kettle, I replied.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Personally, I was just relieved to see that the sparkly girl wasnt with her this time. I wouldnt put it past Shimamura to randomly encounter her in the street and bring her along for fun. Who", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "she, anyway? I knew Shimamura was probably just being nice and humoring her, but...I mean, the hair? The eyes? Clearly, she had to come from another planet, right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Cool clothes-whered you get them? Shimamura Co.?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gee, Ive never heard that one before, Shimamura replied, pinching the hem of her white knitted sweater with a scowl.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Instantly I regretted what Id said. Apparently, her other friends had already made that joke, and I did", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "not", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "want to be like them.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im surprised you didnt wear your Chinese dress.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, shut up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura didnt have a bike with her; evidently, shed walked here. As we waited for the others, she wandered in circles around the parking lot, and I watched her from a distance. I was tempted to strike up a conversation...but I couldnt think of a topic.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I never used to pay so much attention to Shimamura before, but now I hyper-fixated on her every move. Lately I noticed her appearance a lot more often, too. She was just", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "really", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "pretty.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hey, so...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmm? She turned in my direction as she walked around and around in a figure-eight shape.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I memorized those lyrics.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh? What lyrics...? Oh, right! For our duet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For a second there, I was scared shed forgotten, so those last few words came as an immense relief.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If we have any other songs in common, we should sing those, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There was still no sign of the other two girls...and I was tempted to steal Shimamura and go somewhere else. But just then, almost as if karma read my mind, I spotted Hino and Nagafuji on the bridge to our right, riding tandem on a bicycle. The short one did the pedaling, and the tall one sat there idly with her hands resting on the other girls shoulders. It looked so backward, I couldnt help but laugh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, hey, theyre here!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura stepped out into the street to flag them down, and they each responded by waving both hands.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait, dont do that! Thats dangerous!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With no grip on the handlebars, the girls rolled down the bridges slope and coasted right over to us, using the soles of their shoes to brake.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Weirdos", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Hino grinned at me like she could hear what I was thinking.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Meanwhile, Nagafuji leapt off the bike.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You still dont know how to ride a bike? Shimamura asked her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Of course not, she replied coolly, and it was then that I realized she wasnt wearing her glasses today. As a result, her almond-shaped eyes were more pronounced. Oddly enough, the lack of glasses actually", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "increased", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "her usual intellectual vibe, something I didnt know was possible.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Isnt it usually the other way around?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nagafuji and Hino approached me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey there, Ada-chee! Hino greeted me casually. That was actually the same nickname Id had in grade school. Truth be told, I didnt really see the point in a nickname that sounded identical to my actual last name.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hiya, Ada-chee! Nagafuji repeated playfully.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ada-chee! Shimamura chimed in with a grin. Reflexively I looked away, fighting the impulse to pull my cardigan hood over my face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hino and Nagafuji aside, I was viscerally opposed to Shimamura calling me that for some reason. Well...okay, not opposed, per se. Just...self-conscious...? In other words, I was embarrassed. To distract myself, I turned and straddled my bike.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Which way to the karaoke place? I asked, hoping a little bike ride would cool my burning cheeks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That way, said Hino, pointing in the direction from which Id come, toward a building just across the street.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The sign out front, which read something-I-couldnt-make-out Village, advertised BBQ, BUFFET, KARAOKE, AND CHILDCARE. That struck me as an incongruent mess, and yet the parking lot was packed full of cars.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Also...if the building was ten seconds away on foot, then why did we bother meeting up at the post office at all? With a sigh, I hopped off my bike and decided to push it along instead.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ugh, I look like a loser.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im surprised you actually showed up, Hino mused.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I know, right? Shimamura agreed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Both of them were looking at me, so I knew they were talking about me. But what I didnt understand was why they seemed to want me to explain why Id showed up. If I told them my real reason for coming, theyd think I was a total creep. I could only imagine the weird looks theyd give me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didnt have anything better to do, I lied. Thinking about it, that was probably the reason why people saw me as aloof and bitchy. Admittedly, I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "did", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "have trouble fitting into social situations... Maybe I just hadnt had enough experience, in which case today would serve as good practice for me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Aha. Because I was bored-the ultimate motivation for any Shinigami. Excellent. Hino nodded to herself. Was she referencing something? I didnt get it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The karaoke parlors interior was dimly lit, decorated with pumpkins and metallic black curtains. Halloween had been weeks ago, but apparently this place didnt get the memo. On the right was a sofa set, where two elderly men sat playing a leisurely game of Othello. In fact, there were groups of old people everywhere I looked, and by contrast, the four of us stuck out like a sore thumb. The old people didnt seem suspicious of us, probably because we were just kids in their eyes, but I didnt enjoy getting stared at, regardless of the reason.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "On the wall was a sign with the price breakdown. Weekends cost 180 yen per thirty minutes, or 360 yen for an hour. That was a lot cheaper than the karaoke place at the station square. The sign also advertised something called the Nine-Hour Special, but I couldnt say I was interested. If we spent nine hours here, we wouldnt leave until really late, and I had work tonight.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Should we do four hours to start? Hino asked us. To me, that still seemed like an excessive amount of time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That makes sense, Nagafuji replied.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Does it? I guess it does.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As for Shimamura, she stayed silent, toying with a strand of her hair.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hino went ahead and paid for four hours. As it turned out, the employees were all elderly, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why did she bring us here, of all places? I guess thats Hino for you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Next, she led us to a room at the end of the hall. Maybe this part was no big deal for everyone else, but for me, it was nerve-wracking. Having to decide where to sit always stressed me out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The room was fairly cramped, with white walls and two black sofas. I saw Shimamura head for the sofa on the right-hand side, so I casually followed. My legs felt a little stiff and robotic, but in the end, I succeeded in sitting next to her. Hino and Nagafuji sat down on the opposite sofa.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe this seating arrangement wouldve happened regardless, but for me, it was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "essential", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Can I put our bags here? asked Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure, I nodded, biting back a grin as I triumphantly reveled in my accomplishment. It wasnt like Id need my phone for anything, much less any of the other stuff in my bag. Plus, my bike key was safely in my pocket.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I reached for the menu on the table. I wasnt especially hungry, but I wanted something to look at while I waited. Unfortunately, Nagafuji grabbed it a split-second ahead of me. I shrank back; she gave me a look that said, You sure you dont want it? I held up a hand in a no, you keep it gesture.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meanwhile, Hino struck a dramatic pose as she turned the mic on. All right, Ill go first!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The vortex of tiiiime", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "-", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Stop that. Nagafuji promptly confiscated the mic from Hino, which I appreciated. Why sing without actually inputting the song into the system?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, fine! Ill sing something else, Hino conceded, and the mic was swiftly returned. Uhhhh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She punched her song of choice into the remote-a childrens song, for some reason. As she sang, she peered down at the menu lying open in Nagafujis lap. Then she pointed at an item.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If were getting a pitcher, get green tea-its better for your throat, compared to oolong. At least, thats what my favorite teacher told me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Who are you talking about? asked Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mr. S, the karaoke lover.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That still sounds like youre dodging the question. Annoyed, Shimamura scowled. Our homeroom teachers last name started with a T, so it had to be someone else.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After Hino finished her childrens song, she held the mic up. Whos next?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced at Shimamura, who was reading the leaflets on the table. Before long, she sensed my gaze and looked up. Our eyes met, and then she gave me a look that asked, Wanna sing together?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I hastily shook my head.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not yet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, my turn! Nagafuji announced as she took the mic.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hino put a hand on her hip. Do you even know the words to any songs?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uhhhh...ummmm... Nagafuji hesitated. Somehow she still looked dignified, even when she stared at the floor. Ill just have you sing all the parts I dont know!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, you want me to sing", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "another", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "song by myself? Its turning into a one-woman show over here!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Despite that statements implication, Nagafuji didnt seem offended in the least. Apparently she had some sort of memory problem; she couldnt even remember my name unless someone reminded her. She opened the song book and started to hunt through it for a song number, and it occurred to me that Hino must have put a number in completely at random.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A short while later, our pitcher of green tea arrived, delivered to us by-you guessed it-another elderly man. Absently, I wondered exactly how old all the staff were. We poured four cups of tea, and after we shared a formal toast, Nagafuji added her song to the system: a slightly older tune by an artist named Nijou Owari.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The song itself was too upbeat for my taste, but I liked the piano accompaniment, as well as the person playing it, who was known for only ever wearing kimonos. I once read an interview shed done in a magazine; she and the singer spent the whole thing talking about some dog. And, when someone asked her about music, she started talking about a diner she went to.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Do you know this one? Shimamura asked me between sips of tea.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I nodded. I dont know the lyrics, but yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh. Ive never heard it before, she replied, seemingly uninterested, and took another sip.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was really going hard on the tea-not because she was actually thirsty, but purely out of restless anxiety. That much was obvious, even to an outside observer like me. Try as she might to act as though she was right at home in this environment, I could tell she was forcing it-especially compared to her usual behavior in the gym loft. Like it or not, this was outside her comfort zone.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Perhaps she and I actually approached social situations with a similar mindset, but she was simply better at hiding it. Maybe that was why I found myself drawn to her-because we were birds of a feather. Whenever we were in a group of four, it became painfully apparent how much better-off Shimamura and I were when it was just the two of us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the end, Hino ended up taking over most of the second song, too. Afterward, she held the mic in our direction. Your turn! she grinned.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura and I exchanged a glance...and what followed was the worlds shortest game of hot potato.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If were going clockwise, then its", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "your", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "turn.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmmm...okay, I know what were doing. Shimamura took the mic. Could you get us another one? she asked Hino. Then she grabbed me by the arm and pulled me to my feet. Were doing a duet!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As we scooted around the table to the front of the room, I hesitated. This was happening way too soon. Still, I could tell Shimamura wasnt serious about forcing me into it-just guiding me along.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She grabbed the remote and punched in the number. Apparently, shed looked it up in advance. My heart thumped in my chest, begging her to slow down. It felt as though a hand pressed my back, pushing me forward against my will.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was never great at singing in front of an audience, and I always hated graded performances in music class. But today I would be singing with Shimamura. Simple stage fright was the", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "least", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "of my worries now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We stood side by side, almost like we were standing at a teachers podium to give a class presentation. I was so nervous, my stomach was in knots...and, as the opening notes played, I started to feel lightheaded. But right as I began to worry that I was going to pass out, Shimamura spoke suddenly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I actually really appreciate you coming up to sing with me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh? Where had", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "that", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "come from?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Smiling, she switched on her mic. Im not great at singing in front of people, you know?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dont make excuses, you wet blanket! Just do it! Hino jeered playfully from her seat. Meanwhile, Nagafuji was busy ordering something else off the menu.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As for me, well... Shimamuras little confession brought a smile to my face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shes the same way!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My heart fluttered with joy. It felt as though wed grown that much closer.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Same, actually. Im glad youre up here with me, I her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then the prelude ended, and it was time to sing...so I poured my heart into it.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once our allotted four hours were up, we wound up getting an extension. In the end, we left after five hours of singing. The others made me get up and sing by myself several times, and I had to fight the urge to crawl in a hole and die...but Shimamura told me I did great, so maybe it was all worth it.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now I was starting to understand exactly what it was I wanted from her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "By the time we left the karaoke parlor, it was already three oclock. The sun was out, but the temperature was notably milder compared to the previous months weather. Winter was on the way, and soon this year would come to an end. Functionally speaking, however, January wasnt", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "that", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "much different from December. The numbers on the calendar would change, but that was about it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did you have a good time, my dear Ada-chee? asked Hino.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wish she wouldnt go out of her way to ask me my opinion-it makes me feel like an outsider. Which I am, technically, but still. And I notice shes still calling me Ada-chee.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, it was fun, I replied, glancing at Shimamura out of the corner of my eye. She looked back at me with a patronizing smile, as if to say Good for you! It was almost like she was my mom or something.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If anyone else tried to act like that, I wouldve ripped them a new one...but, because it was her, I was fine with it. Happy, even.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Glad to hear it! Well be sure to invite you again sometime. And by we, I mean Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why me? I mean...not that I mind. For a split-second, she made a face like, Why dont", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "you", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "do it? Classic Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then Hino patted me on the shoulder and hopped onto her bike, a knowing grin on her face. Welp, see you folks tomorrow!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What had", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "that", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "been about?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hino waved at us; I waved back slightly. Then Nagafuji walked up to her. Are you sure you know where I live?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Do you think Im stupid or something? Remind me again who picked your ass up this morning?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Bickering, they sped off down the street toward the bridge. They were nothing if not close friends, but I didnt appreciate their overly familiar attitude toward me. Id intentionally kept a respectable distance from them, but nevertheless, they were starting to treat me like their little buddy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not that I hated them, per se... I just wasnt used to that sort of personality. None of my other friends were ever quite that forward with me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, now that Im done entertaining", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "them", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", I guess its time to go home and entertain my sister! Shimamura joked with a giggle. With that, our fun little moment finished; she turned and started walking. To me, it felt like she was hanging up on me all over again. She was always so quick to end things-I wished she would give me enough time to properly articulate my thoughts. Instead, I blurted them out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Want me to...take you home?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She stopped short. My hand slipped off the brake, and I slid a bit too far forward.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its not that far from here, right? And, uh...I wouldnt want you to have to walk all that way.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Belatedly I realized the contradiction in what I had just said. Shimamura looked confused, too. Maybe I shouldnt have tried to come up with an excuse.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She glanced over at Hino and Nagafujis figures steadily retreating into the distance, then donned a smile. Sure, Ill catch a ride with you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What a relief.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She placed her bookbag into my bike basket, put her hand on my shoulder, and hopped on.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Take me away, Ada-chee!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay, no.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "have to call me by my actual name, I insisted, glancing at her over my shoulder.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She looked at me in surprise, her eyes wide. Its not that drastically different, is it? Do you not like nicknames or something? And why am I the only one not allowed?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its not that. I dont have anything against you in particular...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But if you wanted to come up with your own unique nickname for me, Id be okay with that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Instead of finishing my thought, however, I started pedaling-slowly at first, as I struggled with the added weight, then gradually faster and faster over time. Although I enjoyed the thrill of the escalating speed, I didnt want to get there", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "too", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "quickly, so I kept my pace in check.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The mere thought of going to Shimamuras house made me dizzy. No way could I go back in there today-maybe not ever. I was still traumatized from last time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Make a right here, then go straight for a while.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I took a right turn, as requested. We sailed down the footpath that crossed the abandoned railroad tracks, then headed through the shopping district on a path so narrow, I could only hope we wouldnt encounter anyone else headed in our direction.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For real, though, did you have fun? Shimamura asked me after a few minutes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Kinda, I replied honestly, since it was just the two of us. I didnt exactly have the time of my life, and if Shimamura hadnt been there, I wouldve found an excuse to leave early.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After spending the day in a group setting, I was once again viscerally reminded that my feelings for Shimamura were different.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I didnt mind the prospect of being friends with Hino and Nagafuji-but", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "only", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "friends. I was fine hanging out with them over the weekend, but not on a special holiday like Christmas. That was how I knew I only thought of them as friends.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura, though? I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "did", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "want to spend Christmas with her. And not just Christmas, either-New Years, and Valentines Day, and all the holidays after that. I wanted to be close to her...and now, I was starting to understand why.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Most likely, what I wanted from Shimamura was the familial affection of a sister or a mom. It was hard to put into words, but basically, I wanted someone to hold me...to protect me...to", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "accept", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "me. Probably because my relationship with my real family left a lot to be desired.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If I ever admitted that, though, I knew Id sound like a total child. And Id sooner have died than told Shimamura that I wanted her to be my oneechan.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, actually, could you make a left here? she asked suddenly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Intrigued, I did as she requested. Up ahead, I spotted a deserted plot of land, covered in a fine layer of sand and dotted with childrens play equipment-a park, in other words. Back in preschool, I used to", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "love", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "playing around on the jungle gym.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wow. Your house looks really different from the last time I visited, I joked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I know, right? Who needs walls or indoor plumbing? Ha ha ha. Anyway, shut up and pull over, would you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I slowed to a stop next to the playground. Shimamura hopped off and headed across the sandy ground to the vending machine nearby. As I locked up my bike, she called out to me, I was thirsty, so I wanted to stop for a drink real quick. What kind would you like? My treat!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Something about her offer reminded me of our lunch conversations back when we used to cut class.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Do they have mineral water?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nope, just canned drinks. Is Pocari Sweat okay?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uhhhh...sure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She returned carrying two cans, and together we walked through the playground. There were plenty of benches to sit on, but instead we headed for the swing set, where we each took a seat. Her swing was yellow and mine was red, though the paint was peeling; when I touched the chains, rust residue got all over my fingers. When I wiped it away, it crumbled into nothing, just like old memories. But only the good ones; the bad memories liked to stick around.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thanks for hanging in there, she said as she handed me my drink.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, please, I laughed, shaking my head. We were just hanging out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But its still out of your comfort zone, right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well... Maybe...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If you dont want me to invite you anymore, Ill stop.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There she goes, treating me like a little kid.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I shook my head slightly. After all, if Shimamura was the person inviting me, then that meant shed be going, too. Thats okay. I really dont mind it, so feel free to keep inviting me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You sure? she replied, then sipped her drink. A moment later, she started to sway back and forth on her swing, and I sensed that she was bored. I stared down at my can of Pocari, then took a tiny sip.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For a Sunday afternoon, this place was", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "really", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "deserted. Here I was, alone with Shimamura...but I couldnt afford to let my guard down. Somehow it felt like that glitter-girl was going to pop out right when I least expected it, like a ghost. A sparkly blue ghost.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, whats up? Shimamura asked out of the blue, peering at me as the swings creaked under our weight. I didnt know what she was talking about, so I gave her a funny look. Oh... Well... She paused for a moment. You were looking at me an awful lot during karaoke, so I thought maybe there was something you wanted to talk about.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I nearly jumped out of my skin. She was on to me. Admittedly, yes, we had made eye contact numerous times in the karaoke room, but I didnt realize she noticed me looking all the other times, too. My spike in tension radiated through my body to the swing, and the chains rattled in response-a reflection of my own internal panic.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I averted my eyes. The blood rushed to my head as I contemplated how to respond.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For starters, Ill play dumb and see where that gets me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was I?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, she nodded. I shrank down slightly, but continued to feign innocence.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Are you sure youre not just paranoid?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I literally", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "saw", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "you looking at me. Multiple times.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Indeed she had. Each time she caught me, Id tried to play it off by smiling vaguely, but apparently that didnt work. I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye, hoping to gauge her reaction.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "There! You just did it again!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Guilty as charged.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I hastily averted my gaze.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did I actually want to talk to her about something? Plenty of things, sure. But I knew that the second I tried, shed get weirded out and run away, so I hesitated. Faltered. Festered.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My feelings built and built inside my chest, blossoming, ripening-but fragile. After enough time, they would rot on the vine and fall forgotten to the ground. A tiny sapling had sprouted up from my heart to my mouth, climbing like ivy in search of the sun. I tried to hold it back, but couldnt stop myself in time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My breathing grew so labored, I sounded like a panting dog. I lowered my head in Shimamuras direction.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Could you...pet me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All I could say to myself in response to that was...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wow", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". I understood", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "why", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Id said it, but that didnt make it any less cringeworthy. I was terrified to see the look on her face. I got the feeling I would plummet face-first into the sand if I let go of my swing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmm.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her response was curt and detached, like a scientist observing her lab rat. Meanwhile, I could feel her looking at my head. I started to sweat. My throat trembled with the impulse to scream, Just kidding! The vibrations traveled to my arms.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I take it back. I take it back. I take it back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For a long, agonizing moment, I found myself torn between regret, despair, and something else entirely. Then-right as I gave in and looked up-I felt a tiny fingertip brush my bowed head, light as a feather.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whoa, I murmured reflexively. My heart lit up like fireworks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At first, she tapped me lightly on the scalp as though testing the water. Then her small, dainty hand cupped my head and slowly stroked my hair. Were her fingers running through my hair, or was my hair running through her fingers? After a while, I couldnt tell.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Youre such a needy baby.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I seemed to remember her making a similar comment at some point in the past. As with the last time, I was too shy to look at her, so I couldnt see her expression. Was she exasperated with me, or merely amused? There was no loud gust of wind to interrupt us-almost as though the planet itself was frozen in time, just for this single moment.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My heart pounded like crazy, but my mind was mournfully calm-a striking contrast that made it clear to me just how separate those things were. I could tell that my head was leaning into her palm, silently imploring her to continue.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "More?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her palm brushed over my bangs. I nodded wordlessly, and she ran her hand gently over my head. Every time her fingers slid through my hair, my mind went blank. If Id had a tail, I wouldve been wagging it like crazy right about now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 31", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0030", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 32", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0031", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Clearly, something was deeply wrong with me. Was I stupid, or merely some kind of freak? Probably both. Maybe Id be better off wondering what the stupid-to-freak ratio looked like.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is that enough?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I felt myself wanting to ask for more, so I pursed my lips and nodded instead. Mm-hmm.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She pulled her hand away, and I summoned all the courage I could find to raise my head and look at her. She was smiling and rubbing her fingers together.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youd better not start calling me Oneechan at school, she warned jokingly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No promises, I replied with a self-deprecating laugh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She must have felt as awkward as I did, because she started to chug her drink. Once the can was empty, she held out her free hand in my direction. Here, Ill go throw them away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, uh...Im not done with mine. Im gonna take it home and finish it later.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She got up and walked to the trash to dispose of her can. Once Id made sure she wasnt watching, I tilted my can upside-down. Bone dry. I was a liar.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Truthfully, I planned to take it home and decorate my room with it. Was that creepy? Maybe so. But I knew Shimamura would never see my room... So, if it didnt hurt anyone, and it made me happy, then where was the harm?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "One girls trash is another girls treasure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My scalp continued to tingle long after the head pats stopped. I got up and carefully set my empty can into my bike basket. Then Shimamura returned, and we got ready to take off.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once Id unlocked the bicycle chain and straddled the seat, she climbed on behind me. The feeling of her hand on my shoulder made me nervous. I thought back to the time Id held that hand in mine, and my cheeks flushed. I started to pedal, keeping my head tilted down. After all, sunset was still a few hours away, so I couldnt blame any redness on a mere trick of the light.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Together on my bicycle, Shimamura and I left the park. Ten minutes from now, as with all good things, this private moment wed shared would come to an end.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But hey, that rarity is part of what makes it so special, right? Its fun to go diving, but eventually you have to come up for air. Then, once youve caught your breath, you can go back under and keep searching for more buried treasure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wanted my relationship with Shimamura to be special. Not necessarily in a weird way-no, really. But then again, I wasnt opposed to that, either...which meant that I was probably in love with her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 33", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0032", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Afterword", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "D", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "ONT WORRY", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "-nobody dies in this one.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anyway, hello. My editor asked me to write something like", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "YuruYuri", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", so here it is. Looking back, I think the title I referenced was one letter off...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nothing else to write!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I saw a zashiki-warashi! Walked right past my bedroom door in the middle of the night! It wore a red kimono and everything!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, Dad-that was me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To my poor, delusional father, my", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "[redacted]", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "mother, and all the readers out there, no matter how you came across this book: thank you so much.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "-Hitoma Iruma", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 34", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0033", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thank you for reading!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Get the latest news about your favorite Seven Seas books and brand-new licenses delivered to your inbox every week:", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sign up for our newsletter!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Or visit us online:", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "newsletter", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 34", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0033", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thank you for reading!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Get the latest news about your favorite Seven Seas books and brand-new licenses delivered to your inbox every week:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sign up for our newsletter!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Or visit us online:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "newsletter", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 1", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Cover Page", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "@page { margin: 0; padding: 0; }", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "body { margin: 0; padding: 0; oeb-column-number: 1; }", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "div.ImageContainer { width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center; }", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "img.CoverImage { height: 100%; max-width: 100%; max-height: 100%; padding: 0; margin: 0; }", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 2", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Color Inserts", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 3", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Table of Contents Page", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 4", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Title Page", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 5", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Copyrights and Credits", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 6", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 1: Shimamura Goes to the Gym", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 1:Shimamura Goes to the Gym", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "CAN YOU DO a sit-up?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "About two minutes after I sent this email, right as I was getting ready to leave, I got a call from Adachi, the recipient of said email. I peered out of my room and down the hall to find that my mother was still wandering around the house. Evidently, I still had a few minutes to spare. Adjusting the strap of my gym bag, I picked up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Care to explain this email you sent me? she demanded.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What? I was just curious if you could do a sit-up, thats all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I leaned against the wall near the door. Frankly, I hadnt expected her to call me, and now I didnt really know what to say-my usual reaction to phone calls.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Someone once told me it wasnt normal to be so self-conscious about it. Maybe they were right.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, lets see... Her voice grew faint; then, after a few moments, she returned. Did it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How very dutiful of you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uh, hello? I did it...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Way to go. Cradling my phone against my shoulder, I gave her a round of applause, but deep down I was kind of hoping shed suck at it like I did. Misery loves company, after all. To be honest, I cant do sit-ups unless someone else is around to hold my feet down, I confessed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Really?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Really really.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I stroked my stomach. I wasnt overweight, but I wasnt exactly toned, either. Wait, but then how do I get out of bed in the morning? Weird. Incidentally, my little sister could do sit-ups just fine. Probably the boobs weighing me down, if anything.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, well...is that all?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yep, thats all I wanted to know! See ya.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I hung up the phone, then shook my head in exasperation. What was the point of that call? Maybe I shouldve thought of something else to say...but what? And even if I did have more to say, would she have anything to say in response? Probably not. She was generally the quiet type, like me. Plus, I was already on my way out the door.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Somehow it felt like I was making excuses for something, but I couldnt quite tell what it was I felt so guilty about. Or maybe I was just overthinking it. Why do I always get so worked up over nothing?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Were leaving! my mother called.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And so I accompanied my mother to the gym that afternoon-willfully, but not enthusiastically, if that makes sense.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Our local sports gym was only open to members eighteen and older. That said, minors could get in if they had a free one-day trial voucher. And since my mother was a member, she could purchase these vouchers at a discount, which she did. Then she gave one to me for some reason, so I figured Eh, why not? Ill give it a try.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I had no real reason for doing it; I simply had nothing better to do, and I was bored. If I stayed at home, I knew Id end up either studying or dealing with my sister. Hence, I decided maybe my time was better spent getting a little exercise instead of sitting around and zoning out. Not that a single day of working out would do much in the long run, of course.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Our family only had one bicycle, and my mother didnt approve of riding double, so instead we had my father drop us off in his car. Once we crossed the big bridge in the shopping district and passed the public sports field, a pale off-white sign came into view, its color reminiscent of Pocari Sweat, announcing the name of the gym in English rather than Japanese.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There were two parking lots: one on the left-hand side across the street from the gym, and another located to the right of the entrance. Both were absolutely brimming with cars. I guess a lot of people are bored today.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My father pulled up to the entrance and stopped the car. Once my mother and I hopped out, he drove off without even saying goodbye. My mother had invited him to join us, but apparently he had no intention of taking her up on that. Supposedly his companys yearly physical exam had given him a clean bill of health, so he didnt need to exercise. Im pretty sure youre supposed to exercise no matter what, Dad.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Come on! Lets go! my mother called as she stretched her shoulders in a circular motion.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Coming, I replied as I followed after her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My gym bag was a hand-me-down from my mom, and it was downright riddled with holes and dirt stains. One end sagged lower than the other, its corresponding strap completely stretched out. I held it up with one hand as we entered.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The automatic doors slid open to reveal a lobby with a reception desk. Seated there were two female employees, each wearing a white track jacket. My mother approached one of them and handed over her membership card; likewise, I approached the other one and showed her my voucher. In return, she gave me a blue wristband with a numbered key attached. My number (locker number, maybe?) was 83-I paused for a moment to contemplate whether 83 held any significance to me, but it didnt. Nor could I think of any numbers that did mean something to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Would you like an overview of our facilities? the receptionist asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No thank you, I answered. I wasnt exactly eager to stand around and listen to her talk for however long.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Instead, we walked around to the glass door on the left side of the reception desk. On the other side, in the distance, I could see a tennis court filled with middle-aged women batting a bright yellow tennis ball back and forth, as well as even more women sitting on the sidelines to watch. Did they all know each other? Was this some kind of exclusive forty-somethings womens tennis team?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nearby, I noticed a series of round sofa seats, all of them occupied by other middle-aged adults, and it was then that I noticed the weird age demographic. Sure, I wasnt expecting any fellow minors to be here, given the membership age requirement, but where were all the twenty- or thirty-somethings? My mother was right-almost everyone here was forty-plus. I wonder what the age statistics look like for this place.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We passed by a little sporting goods shop on our way to the shoe lockers, where we took off our outdoor shoes. As for my mother, she left without me and never looked back. This encapsulated my mother in a nutshell.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I walked over to locker #83 on the left-hand side, opened it, and stored my shoes inside. Then I headed up the stairs to the second floor, where I found myself surrounded by gym equipment of all different kinds, all of it raven-black in color. Now this was my idea of a gym.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There were ten treadmills lined up in a row along the wall, each operating at a different speed and incline as determined by their (middle-aged) users. Each one had a mini-TV built into it, and everyone was tuned in to the same daytime soap opera. Inside a different room on the far side, I could see a group of older ladies doing aerobics.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I turned and headed for the womens locker room. Then I felt the treadmill grandpas all turn to look at me, and I bit back the urge to snap at them.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Inside the locker room, I stuffed my gym bag into my assigned locker, changed into my workout clothes, and tied my hair back in a lazy ponytail. Somehow I managed to get dressed faster than my mother, despite her sizeable head start, so I stopped by to let her know where I was headed before I left. Some other guests had lined up to weigh themselves on the scale by the door, but I ignored it and speed-walked out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Returning to the equipment room on the second floor, I noticed a large mat laid out on the floor in the far right-hand corner, where a small group of women were lying on their backs, legs swinging in the air, inflatable plastic balls of varying sizes clutched between their thighs. I could already feel the ab workout from here. For some reason it struck me as the sort of exercise Hino would be good at.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As with the first floor, the second floor had its own sporting goods shop selling shirts and yoga mats and anything else anyone could possibly want to buy at a gym. Frankly, I respected the hustle. If only I could be as passionate about something as these people were about selling me stuff... I just couldnt imagine what that would look like.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I stood around contemplating my next move, one of the treadmill people stopped their machine and hopped off. Out of sheer curiosity, I decided to give it a try. I picked the settings at random and started running.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Naturally, this only lasted for about thirty seconds, at which point I slowed the pace to a walk. That lasted for a good five or so minutes, then I stopped the machine and stepped off. My sides were killing me, but I made sure not to let it show on my face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whew! What a workout.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lazybones!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Out of nowhere, my mother smacked me upside the head. When did she get here? Her wrist snap technique was on point. Ow. Must be all the sports.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now I understand why your grades are so bad...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She proceeded to pretend-cry, even going so far as to wipe her tears with the sleeve of her workout shirt. Personally, I didnt see what being out of shape had to do with my grades at all. I guess she wants me to put in more effort?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Do try to set a good example, all right? Youre one of the very few young people to ever visit this place.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whats my age have to do with anything? Were surrounded by a bunch of elderly men who can bench-press, for Gods sake.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youve been such a sloth from the day you were born...or were you? No, I think you were, my mother nodded to herself. How do you not remember what I was like as a child? Youre my mom!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then again, even I couldnt really remember what I used to be like. Not to the point that I could explain it to someone else, at least-just bits and pieces here and there. One thing I could remember for sure, however, was that my teachers never wrote anything interesting on my report cards. For our graduation essays we had to go around asking our teachers for comments about us, and hoo boy, was that ever awkward. Come to think of it, I cant even remember what they said.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now heres how youre supposed to use this thing!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My mother stepped onto the treadmill, set the pace and incline ridiculously high, and started running at full speed. Amused, I decided to watch and see how long shed last.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So tell me, little sloth, are you actually going to school? she asked me as she ran. Meanwhile, she tapped around on the mini-TV. Always the multi-tasker, this one. Personally, I wasnt excited to be having this conversation right now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What are you talking about? Youve seen me put on my uniform every morning.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So? That doesnt mean anything.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her eyes narrowed sharply as her gaze bored mercilessly into my skull. The more she looked at me, the guiltier I felt, even though I literally hadnt done anything wrong-I honestly did go to school every day! I guess moms are just that intimidating.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, Im going to school, okay? Leaning up against the treadmill handlebars, I pretended to get distracted by the show on her TV.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My mother and I hardly ever talked one-on-one, not that I particularly lamented that fact. I was now so uncomfortable, I was starting to wish I hadnt come with her. The quintessential teenage experience, I supposed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meanwhile, she was still running at a steady, vigorous pace-perfect posture, perfect form. Way to make me look like a loser, Mom.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If you dont stay in school, youll ruin your life. Plus the lives of everyone around you. Apparently she didnt believe a word I said. Classic mom stuff. Didnt I raise you not to be a burden on other people?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, Mom, I know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Great, now shes lecturing me. Was that why she brought me here? I thought back to the time I heard her jokingly tell my sister Dont end up like your onee-chan. The memory made me laugh in spite of myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In my head, I knew she was only worried about me because she cared about me...but I wasnt yet mature enough to admit that she was right. I pushed myself away from the treadmill.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Where are you going?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gonna go do some other exercise, then hang out in the pool for a while.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wimp.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She kept on running, so I waved goodbye to her and got out of there. After all, the prospect of lounging in the pool was, in fact, my entire motivation for coming here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once I finished what I felt was a reasonable amount of exercise, I returned to the womens locker room.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I hadnt even been trying all that hard, but somehow my face and back were both dripping with sweat, and my upper arms hurt. I had intentionally chosen abdominal workouts-in the hopes of getting myself to the point where I could do sit-ups unassisted-and as a result, my sides ached, too. Maybe I did too much of that thigh-ball thing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I hadnt done any warmup stretches beforehand, so I already knew I was going to be sore tomorrow. Or maybe Id get lucky and my young teenage body would bounce back from it! I decided to stay optimistic.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Back at my locker, I dug around in my gym bag, retrieved my swimsuit, and changed into it. Nothing special, of course, just your standard-issue school swim uniform. For a high-schooler like me who no longer had free time for beach vacations with the family, it was the best I had on hand.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Next I put on my swim cap, which proved to be more of a struggle than Id anticipated. Ugh, my hairs getting long again. On my way out of the locker room, I passed a group of older women on their way in. I left through the other door and headed for the pool.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Instantly, the pungent smell of chlorine greeted me-so overwhelming, in fact, it made my high school pool seem like tap water by comparison. Even in November, the scent never failed to remind me of summer. Groaning in pain, I eased myself down the dimly lit stairs until I reached the door at the bottom, where the light from the pool room was shining in.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I slid the door open, and right as I stepped inside, they stopped me to spray my feet with disinfectant. I was expecting it to be cold, like it was at school, but instead it was room-temperature. That caught me off-guard, actually. After a quick shower, I wandered over to the pool.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im so glad I joined... Heh heh heh... Sometimes I surprise myself with my own brilliance.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The sudden voice made me jump. I peered down over the cinder-block wall to find a twenty-something guy sitting there. He had blond hair, a smattering of freckles across the bridge of his nose, and a big goofy grin on his face...as he watched the young girls learning to swim in the far right-hand lane of the pool.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yikes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was by no means ugly, but he had a creepy vibe. By which I mean he was smiling wistfully at a swimming class for children. Then he noticed me looking at him and met my gaze.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yikes!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "His affectionate expression vanished in an instant, replaced by a blank canvas, like someone who had grown bored of staring out the window. Judging from the conspicuous contrast in his enthusiasm levels, he was either a big fan of kids in general or a sex pervert. Not sure which.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whoops.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "With that, he turned back to the swim class like he was unwilling to miss even a single second. Okay, yeah, this guys a pervert. Id better keep my distance. I promptly walked off.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Using the set of stairs and the handrail provided in the left corner of the pool, I stepped down into the water. The far-left lane was apparently reserved for water walking exercises: A bunch of old people were wading back and forth in a perfect circuit, like the worlds weirdest parade. I joined the procession.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was a heated pool, and considering I had just worked up a sweat with all that exercise, I found myself wishing the water was a bit colder. The smell of chlorine intensified as I lowered myself down to my chin.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once again, as with earlier, everyone was staring at me-and no, I wasnt imagining it. Was it because I was wearing a school swimsuit? Or just because I was a high-schooler in general? Maybe some people enjoyed this sort of attention, but I was not one of them. If anything, I only cursed myself for being nave enough to join in. They were staring at me because I stuck out. I didnt belong here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Crouched down with my chin in the water, I toddled along sluggishly. In the next lane over, an elderly man swam past me; the ripples from his motions sent water into my nose and mouth. Wiping my face, I straightened my posture. There was no point in trying to hide.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Part of me wished I could have invited Adachi along, but on the other hand, I knew she wasnt the type to have fun at a place like this. As far as I could remember, Id never seen Adachi enjoy herself in a setting as public as this one. And I dont think shes ever attended pool day in gym class, either.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I shuffled along with the grandmas and grandpas, I suddenly spotted the pedophile from earlier diving into the lane immediately adjacent to the swim class on the far right-hand side. Compared to the beginner swimmers, he seemed far more skilled, or perhaps just comfortable in the water. He was even wearing goggles. Not only that, but this pedo was pretty darn fast, too. Or maybe he just seemed fast by comparison, considering the competition in these parts.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He swam front crawl style, zipping over to the far end of the pool. There, he flipped his feet up, kicked off from the wall, and headed back in the opposite direction. It was pretty entertaining, actually.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The more I watched, however, the more I started to notice something...weird...with his form. Specifically his neck. Hmm. I slid my goggles on and peered under the water to observe him. That was where I determined the problem: he wasnt rotating his head at all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, I get it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "He was still watching the girls. Constantly. Even while swimming at full speed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, this guy is a pedo with a capital P. Seriously, bro, do us all a favor and at least pretend to be normal, would you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then again, perhaps an outside observer would see me as every bit as strange as I saw him. Maybe it was all a matter of perspective...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But on second thought, at least Im not a pedophile. Yeah, Id better give him a wide berth.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I waded along, I noticed that one of the other lanes had become available, so I decided to retreat there. It was labeled sprint training and was clearly meant for competitive swim practice, but I ignored that detail and floated out on my back, my arms and legs spread wide like I was making a snow angel.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then I slid my goggles onto my forehead-not like I was actually planning to swim, after all. Looking up at the ceiling, I could almost pretend they werent all staring at me. But the fluorescent lights were too bright, so I squeezed my eyes shut, redirecting my focus to the gentle rocking of the waves. With my eyes closed, it felt more like I was floating in an empty void.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Over the waves, I could hear my mothers voice: Dont cause trouble. This was the one lesson she ingrained in me more than any other, because she knew any trouble I did cause would find its way back to the rest of the family.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was I causing trouble for anyone by floating here? Just by enjoying a brief escape from gravity? Same thing with all the classes I skipped-after suffocating for so long, was it such a crime to come up for air every now and then? My presence in the classroom was hardly mandatory; class would simply go on without me. As such, I personally didnt see the harm in it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But my mother, on the other hand, was afraid it meant Id grow up to be a loser. To her, this was unacceptable. She very much wanted me to leave the nest when the time came. In that regard, I had absolutely no freedom to decide my own path.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I generally saw myself as a decent student, but apparently I was still nothing more than an irresponsible child-to the adults, at least.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I opened my eyes and slid my goggles back on. Then I relaxed even more, letting my body sink beneath the waves as I exhaled all the breath in my lungs. Now I was free from the natural buoy that tethered me to the surface. Watching the bubbles float up in my wake, I descended further and further until my back touched the pool floor-a wide expanse of aqua blue to match the wall of water above me. The shade reminded me of the label on Adachis favorite mineral water.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Here I was, alone in a world of color and refracted light. Coupled with the peaceful sounds of the waves, I was in heaven. My goggles were watertight, and yet my eyes felt a little damp.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The only downside to this paradise was that I could only visit by emptying my lungs, and my lungs were not generally a fan of being empty. Reluctantly, I heeded the discomfort in my chest and rose back to the surface. Right as I took a breath, however, I felt a sudden shove against my stomach, pushing the air right back out again. Down to the bottom I went.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This time, however, I landed on my feet and kicked back up to the surface. There, I witnessed the culprit: my own mother, laughing like a woman crazed as she dashed away from the scene of her crime, kicking up water as she ran like some kind of kappa monster. Not that Id actually seen a kappa, but you get what I mean. Like a comedic antagonist in a gag manga.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, grow up, I grumbled, but otherwise kept my opinion of her behavior to myself. I followed her out of the pool, pulled off my swim cap, and contemplated my next move. Maybe Ill go see whats on the other side.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As it turned out, the opposite end of the pool room was home to the mens and womens shower rooms as well as an indoor Jacuzzi, which was currently exuding steam like some kind of hot spring. The sign on the door nearby indicated there was another separate Jacuzzi outside, but when I peeked out there I found my mother lounging in it, so I decided to go somewhere else.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adjacent to the outdoor Jacuzzi door were two different types of sauna: a mist sauna and a steam room. I could feel considerable heat radiating from both. Since I was here, I figured I may as well try one of them out-I just wasnt sure which one. Not like Id ever been in a sauna before.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I stood around cradling my newly acquired blue seat cushion, a middle-aged woman passed by me on her way into the steam room. As I glanced at her, I was struck with a bizarrely gripping sense of dj vu. Suddenly I couldnt tear my eyes away. Then she noticed me looking at her and stopped short for some reason.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She wasnt wearing a swim cap. Evidently, she was just here for the sauna. Her hair was dark, and her features suggested she was about my moms age. Who does she remind me of?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then she spoke.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I dont like this.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Contrary to what her words suggested, her tone was playful, but this didnt ring any particular bells.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You want to know why I come to this gym full of old fogies? To feel young by comparison! Ignoring the little kids who come here for tennis or swim lessons, obviously. But now youre here, stealing my spotlight? How am I supposed to gloat now?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I laughed awkwardly. Apparently she was jealous of my youth or something. No one had ever complained to my face about my age before, so that was...refreshing? Kind of?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, Im just messing with you. Its just not often we see any teenagers around here, thats all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, I bet, I replied. Then I gasped slightly as the realization hit me. Looking at her face in profile, I knew exactly who she reminded me of.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just then, another older woman walked out of the sauna and called out to her, instantly confirming my suspicions.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey there, Adachi-san! Didnt know you were here. You know, you can hang out in the sauna all you want, but you wont lose any weight!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, mind your own business!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now there was a name I recognized all too well. And as Yashiro would put it, this felt like destiny.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Never had I imagined I would encounter Adachis mother in a place like this. Small world, indeed-or was it fate?", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I sat hunched over in the steam room, eyeing Mrs. Adachi and ruminating on how awkward it was to interact with mothers in general.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi never liked to talk about her parents. She always clammed up the second the topic arose. That much wasnt all that unusual for people my age, but in her case, I could tell there was a bit more going on than your usual teenage rebellion. While the rest of us could admit to caring about our families at least a little, Adachi regarded hers with icy contempt. What she didnt seem to realize, however, was that the smallest spark of emotion would heat things right back up again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...and I tell you, that other coach is a terrible teacher!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I know, right? I like the other one. He has a nice voice.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mrs. Adachi was now sitting with some other lady, both of them sweating up a storm as they chatted away. As they compared the male tennis instructors, I was reminded of the way the girls at my school talked about boys. Also similar to teenage girls was the way they bad-mouthed other women.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Unlike her daughter, Mrs. Adachi was sociable and chatty. Other than her wrinkles, she was nearly identical to her offspring, especially the curve of her jaw and the color of her hair. In fact, if I hadnt seen her up close, I might have mistaken her for Adachi with a different hairstyle.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Come to think of it, their house was pretty far from here. At least shes motivated to work out, I guess, I scoffed to myself, without thinking too hard about what exactly I was implying she didnt have motivation for. Man, its hot in here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It felt like an August afternoon, and I was starting to get dizzy. I was never a fan of warm temperatures to begin with, but Mrs. Adachi had held the door open for me on her way in, so it would have been rude not to follow her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Good grief... That reminds me, how olds your daughter now?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Fifteen. Just started high school, Mrs. Adachi answered. Interesting. Most people in our grade had already turned sixteen; apparently Adachis birthday hadnt rolled around yet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, thats great! Must be a relief not to have to study for entrance exams anymore.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mm-hmm.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mines gearing up to apply to college this year.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Idly, I wondered if my mom ever had this conversation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "While Id like to say things are easier with exams out of the way...with my daughter, things are never easy. Shes so difficult! Mrs. Adachi explained with a dry laugh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This caught my attention-specifically the word difficult.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She never communicates with me, so I can never tell what shes thinking. And shes so gloomy-always keeps to herself! I just dont understand her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her tone was so light and airy, she barely seemed to skim the surface of the topic. In fact, she didnt sound like a mother at all-not if she treated her own child like some indecipherable alien creature. Adults were always so quick to forget that they were teenagers too, once upon a time. So I spoke up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Excuse me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Every now and then I found myself cutting into conversations purely on impulse.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I admit I dont know all the details about Ada-er, your daughter-but I dont think you should talk about her like that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I dont know why I lied. Then again, maybe in a certain sense I hadnt. After all, I couldnt exactly claim to know everything about Adachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My heart thumped in my chest as a wave of panic settled over my eyeballs. It took a lot of courage to speak out against an adult-courage that I didnt have-and I was scared out of my wits. Now I was really sweating, and not from the heat.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mrs. Adachi looked at me dubiously. Clearly she hadnt anticipated me butting into her conversation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How are you going to understand her if you dont ever try?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She glared back at me. What? Am I really that off-base?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My mom was a total nag, but at least she understood her daughters. And she only understood us because she actively tried to connect with us. Wasnt it a bit unfair to dump the blame entirely in Adachis lap? It takes two to tango, you know!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, but just to be clear, Im not trying to start an argument, I added hastily, before she could start shouting at me in her shrill mom voice. I wasnt stupid enough to think I could win a debate against someone twice my age. And even if I could, it wouldnt accomplish anything. I couldnt be sure she would even listen to my advice.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Are you here with your parents? Mrs. Adachi asked, her voice a lot calmer than I was expecting.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My mom, yeah, I replied.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whats her name?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I dont see what that has to do with this. I was speaking for myself, not my mother. Before she could get another word in, I continued, Im not trying to pick a fight with you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wanted to make that clear to her-I wasnt looking to meddle in her life, just like I wasnt looking for anyone to meddle in mine. Granted, it wasnt exactly mature of me to criticize her without giving her a chance to defend herself, but teenagers werent exactly known for being mature, now were we?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "To be honest, Mrs. Adachi could have just written me off as an ignorant child who didnt know what she was talking about, but she didnt. Instead, she froze in her tracks. Judging from the look in her eye, she wasnt angry-rather, she seemed almost intrigued at the suggestion. Since I hadnt introduced myself, she had no way of knowing Adachi and I were actually friends, but...since I was the same age as her daughter, maybe that was what piqued her interest.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Perplexed, the other woman stayed silent, watching us. But Mrs. Adachi didnt say anything else. Instead, she continued to gaze at me curiously. Now the ball was in my court, and it was my move. Finally I began to see a familial resemblance.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But since we have no way of knowing whos right...Ill challenge you to a contest.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A contest?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was being ridiculously aggressive, even by my own standards. Still, I had a feeling this way would be more efficient. Talk is cheap, as they say, and I wanted to settle this once and for all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whoever can stay in here the longest wins. And if I win, you have to go home and act like a real mom to your daughter, just for one day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What was the point of making her do this? What did I even mean by real mom? I didnt have a clue. But if I won, maybe Id have something interesting to look forward to the next time I talked to Adachi. That was the closest thing I had to a motive.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Is this how kids these days get their kicks?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Something like that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wasnt doing this for Adachi-I was doing it for me. I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I could feel something dripping down my back. Whether it was pool water or sweat, I couldnt tell. Maybe this was a bad idea...but before I could change my mind, Mrs. Adachi mimicked my posture, leaning forward with her head in her hands. Apparently the battle was on. No going back now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was a little amazed, actually, that shed accept a challenge from some rando shed barely spoken to. It reminded me of when Adachi challenged Yashiro to a competition at the bowling alley. Maybe it ran in the family.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Meanwhile, the other woman tilted her head in confusion. You two are so odd, she mused.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, this was definitely a little abnormal. I wasnt trying to fix Mrs. Adachi; I just felt like someone ought to stand up for her daughter. So how did we end up here?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nevertheless, our battle of endurance continued...which is to say, we sat there in silence. Nothing much to write home about, except it felt like my soul was evaporating along with my sweat. Maybe I should have challenged her to a swimming competition instead. At least that would have been kind of fun, even if I probably wouldve lost.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then Mrs. Adachis friend left. On her way out, she warned us not to overdo it, but my ears were starting to ring, so I couldnt make out anything else she said. Idly, I wondered what Adachi would think if she knew her mom was sitting here, competing in this juvenile contest-and with me of all people.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What does it mean to be a real mother, anyway? Mrs. Adachi asked after a while, her voice dry.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I gave it some thought, but try as I might, I couldnt find the right words-just fuzzy imagery. Ugh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I dont have any kids myself, so I cant be sure, I answered finally.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay then, how about your idea of a real mother?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What, so my vision of the perfect mom? How am I supposed to describe that? I dont know... Normal?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And how does a normal mother act?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She...spends time with her kids? Eats dinner with them, I guess? How should I know?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The moment I tried to put it into words, my mental image of the perfect mother blurred even more. Be it friend or family member, no human relationship could truly exist within rigid structures. You could try to flesh it out, but no matter what you did, it would always end up hollow on the inside. If you tried to give voice to the unspoken parts, they would lose their value as unspoken and shift into something else. And once you nailed down the parts you thought you knew, youd mistakenly assume that was all there was to it, then feel disappointed that it wasnt what you originally wanted.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just as it would be a mistake to turn a blind eye to someones faults, it wasnt right to focus on them exclusively, either. A healthy relationship required the full picture.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I knew Mrs. Adachi probably wasnt satisfied with my half-assed answer, but she fell silent nonetheless. With each bead of sweat that trickled down her eyelids, she grimaced and started jiggling her leg more aggressively. I stared down at the floor and braced myself. Another ten or so minutes passed, meaning wed been in there for nearly twenty minutes now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Did you hear about the old guy who stayed in here longer than he was supposed to? I heard he got a nosebleed and passed out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was clearly trying to get under my skin. Very mature of you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Want me to let you win? she offered with a stiff smile, her face as red as a tomato.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As for me, I was too stubborn to let her hand me the victory on a silver platter. No thank you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then you should let me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No. What is this conversation were having right now? Is the heat getting to our brains?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay then, Ill let you win.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Please dont. It was getting harder and harder to keep up with her mind games.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I just...wish she would be straightforward with me about how she feels, Mrs. Adachi volunteered out of nowhere, pouting her bottom lip. No matter where I took her, she would always clam right up... I could never tell if she was having fun or if she was miserable.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Your daughter, you mean?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How long ago was this?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, she wouldve been... She paused to count on her fingers. Five...? Actually, maybe four?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Four years old... In my mind, I pictured a miniature version of Adachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Instead of getting hung up on what she was like back then, maybe you should pay attention to what shes like today.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But if I try to pry into her life, shell hate my guts. I know I was like that at her age.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure, nobody liked a nosy parent, but even that was better than being straight-up neglected. Sometimes your mom was the only person you could turn to about certain things... I just wished this woman could see that. Maybe it was hypocritical of us to push them away only to complain when they were gone, but it was their job to know how to handle that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "All right, I think its time for me to let you win.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You really dont have to...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She rose to her feet and staggered toward the door. Shes actually leaving! Apparently she couldnt stand it anymore. Right before she opened the door, however, she came to a stop and slowly, sluggishly, turned back to look at me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My daughter... Actually, you know what, never mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shaking her head, she decided not to finish that thought. Instead, she walked out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I got up and followed suit. Had I said something to offend her? I tried to remember, but it made my head hurt. Stumbling out of the steam room, I collapsed into a white chair nearby, completely exhausted.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then, belatedly, I realized I hadnt set the condition for what would happen if she won. Surely she must have noticed that, and yet she didnt point it out to me...but why? My brain was total mush, and I couldnt exactly put my finger on it, but I had a vague idea as to her reasoning: She must have decided to be the bigger person in order to maintain her dignity as a grown adult. That had to be it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meanwhile, as a teenager, I pretended to have all the answers.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I could hear my body speaking to me: You put in a lot of effort yesterday, so go ahead and take it easy today! At least, thats how I decided to interpret this muscle tenderness. Thus, Monday morning found me not in the classroom, but on the second floor of the gym, lying on the floor of the loft. The hardwood was chilly at first-a sign that winter was well and truly on its way.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "By sheer coincidence or perhaps a miracle, Adachi was there, too. Not only was she hanging out with me, but she had graciously agreed to be my pillow. I laid with my head against her thigh. Her skin was chilly at first, but as with the floor, it warmed up after a while. Unlike the floor, however, it was nice and soft.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im getting some dj vu. Didnt we do this before?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, once. But our roles were switched.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, thats right.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I rolled over onto my other side to find Adachi staring not at me, but the ceiling. Her mouth was agape, and she seemed distracted. Plus, her cheeks were flushed, and her leg muscles were...spasming?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hey, uh, your legs twitching. You okay?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uh...wha...? Oh, uh, Im fine. Its no biggie.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She didnt seem fine to me...so I gave the twitchy spot a big poke with my finger, and her entire leg jerked up reflexively. With my head on an incline, I slid down her thigh to her hip, onto her skirt. Then she lowered her leg, but moving back was too much effort, so I stayed put.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought back to the last time we did this. Back then, she mentioned smelling my scent, and now the tables were turned.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Meanwhile, she continued to stare up at the ceiling. Her mind was elsewhere, but her body was still as responsive as ever. Hmm.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought back to the conversation I had with Mrs. Adachi yesterday. Did she have anything to do with how her daughter was acting this morning? Is that why Adachi felt the need to come up here? If so, that would make it partially my fault as well.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After a long moment, Adachi found her words.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What did you do yesterday?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Me? Oh, you know. Just kinda floated around.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Floated? She quirked a brow at my word choice.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For some reason I felt compelled to conceal the fact that Id gone to the gym. Granted, it was possible she had no idea her mom even went there, but even so, there was no sense in me blabbing about it. I looked up to find her glancing around nervously.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yesterday, uh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My mom was...acting kinda weird, she mumbled.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I knew it. Great, now Ive made Adachi miss another day of class.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Weird how? I asked, playing dumb even though I could probably wager a guess as to the answer.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She ran a hand through her hair as she fumbled for the right words. She...ate dinner with me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And...thats weird?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At my house, that was pretty par for the course. My mom, dad, sister and I had always eaten our meals together ever since I could remember, so it was hard for me to put myself in her shoes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah. It was just sorta...rare? And...suffocating, she explained, fumbling for adjectives one at a time. I couldnt sense any happiness concealed in her voice, just pure confusion. Im used to her cooking for me, but she would never eat it with me usually.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interesting.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shes barely ever home anyway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Apparently shed kept her end of the bargain. Maybe she has more integrity than I gave her credit for, I thought. This was another trait she and her daughter had in common.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was it fun, at least?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not really. We didnt talk, so it was super uncomfortable. Couldnt even taste the food.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh...that sucks...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And then this morning I ate breakfast alone again, so its like...was it some kind of fluke?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmm...yeah, I couldnt tell you, I lied, hugging my knees to my chest.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her mother had probably felt just as uncomfortable as she had. But I knew this particular brand of mother-daughter relationship wasnt all that uncommon, so I didnt feel bad for either side in particular. If anything, I simply regretted the part I played in the whole debacle.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "None of it had inspired any lasting change in Adachi, but perhaps it was more important (for her, anyway) that she was able to talk to me-or anyone, really-about the way it made her feel.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You know, its funny-the two of us are almost total opposites. Our home lives... The way we interact with people... The times we need intimacy, and the times we need space... On second thought, maybe were a perfect match. The more you have, the more you take for granted, and vice versa. Maybe thats just how it works.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To be clear, I didnt particularly want to live my life alone-not that it was possible in the first place. A wise philosopher once said that any person who can fully separate themselves from society is no longer a person at all, or something like that...because the social aspect is an integral part of humanity, I guess? I could understand that for the most part.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Me, I was perfectly content staying human. Hence, there I was, lying with my head in Adachis lap.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just then, she let out a whoa, and when I looked up, I found her staring down at me. Apparently it had taken her this long to realize that I had rolled closer to her stomach. She froze, startled. I moved to lift my head, but then she hastily pressed it back down.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What the hell?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Regardless, I didnt fight it. Instead, I let her press me against her leg. The fabric of her skirt was scratchy against my face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Great, now my nose will get even flatter. Oh well. For a while I just lay there, my face buried in her thighs. Wait, no, that makes me sound like a pervert. I attempted to think of a more wholesome way to put it, but it was getting harder and harder to breathe, so I gave up. Fine, pervert it is.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At last she pulled her hand away and I was free to roll onto my side, where I sucked in a breath like a swimmer coming up for air. It tasted different over here, and the thought made me smile. You were right.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I can really smell your scent down here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Instantly her face flushed, almost like Id flipped a switch in her cheeks. It was mildly reminiscent of Mrs. Adachi in the steam room, except the color was different-her mothers face was beet red, but hers was pink. Much cuter. At last, Id found something that set the two of them apart.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey Adachi, could I watch you do a sit-up? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What for...? What is with you and sit-ups lately?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I dont know. I just want to see, I answered vaguely.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She paused for a minute, then started moving. Maybe she was hoping she could hide her blushing this way. Too late for that, Im afraid.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She crawled on her hands and knees to an open space. Then she sat down with her legs pointed in my direction, lay down on her back, and did a series of sit-ups with no trouble at all. Her movements were slow, but she kept it up without pause. After her fifth one, she lay back on the floor and fell still.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Somehow, it felt like she was showing off as the cooler delinquent.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Grrrr... I stared at her. She seemed to sense my gaze.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What? she asked, looking up at me. She had such an innocent look on her face... It made me want to tease her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You know I can see up your skirt, right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I didnt actually look, for the record. I was just messing with her. But she bolted upright in terror like my sister whenever she saw a cockroach. Pressing her skirt down, she adjusted her sitting position, then glared at me. Paired with her pink cheeks, she was the perfect picture of a bullied child...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wait, does that make me a bully?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hold on-are you actually mad at me? I was just warning you!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This is sexual harassment!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Never in my life had I been accused of sexually harassing someone, probably because I was a girl.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, come on! No ones looking except me!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Technically not even I was looking, but whatever. Meanwhile, Adachi scratched her flushed cheek. That kinda makes it worse...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Worse?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wouldve liked more of an explanation, but apparently she didnt feel the need to clarify. I gave her a minute to calm down, then attempted to steer the conversation back on track.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Anyway, its really cool that you can do sit-ups! Maybe its all that bike riding you do.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You sure you cant do it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hah...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I could feel my muscles screaming at me as I moved my body, shifting onto my back. I could smell the dust that coated the floor of the loft, and I wasnt excited about getting it in my hair, but then the high ceiling came into view, and I gradually stopped caring.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I cupped a hand under my head, bent my knees, and inhaled. Then, exhaling, I lifted my neck. My shoulders rose a few centimeters off the floor, followed by my back. I could feel my neck cramping already. But my stomach had no muscle to support my weight, and thus any further progress was rendered impossible. Eventually I ran out of breath in my lungs and gave up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was that...supposed to be a sit-up? Adachi asked, and I could hear the silent implication that I had barely moved at all. Yeah, I know-there was no sitting up involved. I get that, I thought to myself, arguing with the Adachi in my head.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Grinning bashfully-or trying to, at least, assuming my facial muscles were willing to cooperate-I used my hands to push myself up into a sitting position. Id given it my best shot, but...you know, my post-workout soreness had gotten in the way, thats all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I guess I cant expect anything to change after just one day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi cocked her head and stared at me. Evidently she didnt understand what I was talking about...but things would get more complicated if she did, so I could live with that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What are you talking about?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, just a random observation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I pushed myself to my feet, dusted my butt off, and headed for the stairs. It was nearly lunch, and I was planning to camp out here for a while yet, so I figured I might as well go buy something to eat. For both of us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That way at least some things could remain unspoken.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 7", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Interlude: Yashiro Comes Calling, Part 1", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude:Yashiro Comes CallingPart 1", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I MOVE TO THE RIGHT-whoosh-she moves to the right. I move to the left-whoosh-she moves to the left. Then I decide to make a full-on run for it-zoom! She chases after me. Argh!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Fortunately, Im close to home, so I run inside. I check to make sure my big sisters shoes are by the front door, then dash down the hallway. Nee-chan! Nee-chaaaan! I wail as I run into our bedroom.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Inside, I find my sister watching TV. She leans back in her floor chair and looks at me upside-down, her long hair hanging down limply, like the creepy girl in that movie Im not allowed to watch. She rolls her upside-down eyes at me. Yeah, yeah, welcome home.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, you dont understand! Theres a weirdo!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What? A weirdo?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah! Even weirder than you! Shes got this hair thats like bwaahhh! And she chased me!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I move my hands to demonstrate. She gets to her feet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Was it a stranger? Are you okay? Did this person do anything to you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She crouches down in front of me and looks at me all worried. Whoa...she hardly ever does that. Now she almost looks like a grown-up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She, um, she tried to block me when I was walking.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anything else? Did she touch you, or ask you to go with her somewhere?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Umm...no...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, good.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She heaves a sigh of relief and loosens her stiff shoulders. Then she stands up straight and leaves the room. I guess shes gonna go check for the weirdo. I follow after her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You can stay right where you are, she says, and for a minute I think about staying, but then I remember shell need me to point out who the weirdo is, so I follow anyway. Shes supposed to put her shoes on at the entryway, but she doesnt.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nee-chans breaking the rules!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shhhh! She crouches down and peers outside through the mail slot. Then she lets out a big sigh. Yeah, youre right. Theres a weirdo out there.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She straightens up again, then...opens the door?! Why?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey, you! Little mystery girl! Maybe dont be a creep in front of someone elses house! she calls, and the weirdo turns to look.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shes the same size as me, all bundled up in lots of layers, her hat sagging down. Whats so weird about her, you ask? Shes got blue hair! Its tied up like a butterfly, and its got these sparklies that hover around it! Oh, and shes got a container full of croquettes. Why? Dont know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh! Destiny!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait, what? Is she friends with my sister? She runs over gleefully, her beach sandals clacking against the sidewalk. Arent your feet cold? When she comes to a stop, her sparklies fly forward with the momentum. So pretty.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh ho! So this is where you live.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dont try to play dumb with me. Nee-chan reaches out and pinches the weirdos cheek until it stretches like mochi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mggghh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My little sister says some weirdo was chasing her around. Was it you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She puts a hand behind my back and pushes me forward.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mmhhnn, the weirdo replies with her cheek stretched out. My sister pulls her hand away. The other girl shakes off the pain, then nods.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I sensed her signal was the same as yours. So shes your sister... I see now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What signal? I dont get it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nee-chan puts a hand on the girls head and turns to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This little weirdo is Yashiro. Weird as she may be, Im pretty sure shes not scary. Shes my friend... No, shes my...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Destiny.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What? And her name is Yashiro? That sounds hard to say, so Im gonna call her Yachi. Wait, I get it! Shes a bad kid like Nee-chan! Shes got dyed hair and everything!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, did you need something from me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, not at all. Although I do have these croquettes. She beams and holds up her container.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ever since Nee-chan started high school, shes brought home nothing but weirdos. Im starting to get real worried about her. Oh, but the other girl didnt have dyed hair, so maybe that ones okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I try to hide behind my sister, but Yachi walks around her. Argh! I move around to the opposite side-whoosh. She follows me. Why does she keep chasing me? Shes like one of those dogs that likes to bully scared little kids.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The two of us run in circles around my sister. For a while she whips her head around to watch us, but then she gets bored of it or something and puts a hand on each of our heads to stop us. Then she turns and starts walking.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You kids have fun. Im gonna go study.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Noooo! Dont leave me here with her! I run after her and grab her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hey! Let go of my skirt! She puts a hand to my forehead and pushes me off.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meanwhile, Yachi puts a hand on her hip and gets all smug for some reason. I am not a kid, Shimamura-san.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nee-chan turns to look at Yachi. How old are you, then?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lets see here... She starts counting, finger by finger. Once she gets to ten, she closes her fists and starts over. She does this again...and again...and again...and again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At first my sister watches her in silence, but after a while she gets annoyed. Hurry up already.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then, finally, Yachi turns to her and says, Im about 670 years old.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So youve been alive since what, the Middle Ages? Thats cool, Nee-chan jokes, her shoulders shaking with her giggles.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yachi, on the other hand, is totally serious about it. Im speaking in Earth years, of course. For the record, I believe my compatriot is about 800 years old.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My sister rolls her eyes and rubs her forehead in exasperation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What do you mean, Earth years? I ask, cuz nothing she said makes any sense to me. She walks right up to me, and before I can back away, she leans close to my ear and whispers.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dont tell anyone, but Im an alien.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...What?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dont listen to her, my sister warns me. Awww, how come? Shes got weird blue hair, doesnt she? How can you act like its no big deal?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then Yachi pulls the red rubber band off of her container and opens the lid to reveal three croquettes inside. She takes one and offers it to me. Looking at her, it kinda feels like somebody on the internet pasted a croquette picture on top of another picture.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This is a symbol of our new friendship. Want it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uh...okay. I take the croquette, tear off a piece, and hand it to my sister. She pops it in her mouth.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tastes familiar, she comments after a second. I try a bite, too. Yeah, this tastes like a croquette from the butchers shop! Our mom brings them home whenever she cant be bothered to cook, whatever that means. The butcher shop croquettes are made with lots of potato and a little bit of meat. I like them a lot.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Destiny, Yachi says again, but this time I guess shes talking about the croquettes? I dont really get it, but she seems to think theyre tasty, at least. My sister laughs and shakes her head.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then Yachi grins at me, and now that I know her name, suddenly she doesnt seem all that weird anymore. Instead, shes just...pretty. Her eyes and hair settle into my heart like magic. Shes the same size as me, but Ive never seen anyone like her at my elementary school.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In my mind, shes a fairy-with wings and everything-filling my mind with blue, blue, blue.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And that was the day I met Yachi, my weirdo friend.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 8", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 2: Adachis Question", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 2:Adachis Question", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "WOULD IT BE WEIRD to walk around town with Shimamura on Christmas Day?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was the question that plagued my mind over the past few days while I was supposed to be studying for finals. The warm air from the heater didnt reach my feet. I jiggled them impatiently as I sat with my elbow on the desk, staring down at my textbook as I pretended to study.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Eventually, I decided to drop the act and just flop down on my bed. My ceiling light was brighter than I expected, since we just changed the bulb recently. Rubbing my cheek, I rolled on my side and looked over at the window. The air was getting dry in here, and I knew I wouldnt be able to sleep.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was the first Friday of December. This upcoming Monday marked the start of finals week. With the added misery of winters chill, this was the most stressful time of year for us high-schoolers. Obviously I couldnt cut class during the exams. Besides, the gym loft was getting so cold, I couldnt even touch my bare feet to the floor without flinching back. Somehow I had lost the motivation to go up there anymore.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "From spring to fall, that loft was our little hideaway...but where would we migrate for the winter?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That question was what led me to my current conundrum: Christmas.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The year was full of holidays, but hardly any of them were safe to celebrate with another girl. I mean, I could celebrate them with another girl, but for the most part it would be kinda weird. Not like the two of us had any special anniversary or anything to commemorate, so Christmas was the closest thing I had to a viable pretext.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I could try to hang out with her on New Years, but that was more of a family sort of holiday. After that would be Valentines Day, but I couldnt imagine us casually giving gifts of chocolate to each other. Did I even have the courage to try? Somehow I could already see myself freaking her out with my nervous energy. Knowing her, she wouldnt have a return gift prepared, and no matter how firmly I insisted I didnt need one, shed feel obligated to go and buy me something anyway. Yeah, I didnt want to put her through all that effort.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Since Valentines Day was starting to sound complicated, I decided to put it on the back burner for now. Instead, I attempted to picture us meeting up on Christmas Day and walking around town...only to find that I kind of couldnt picture it at all. I had no experience walking around anywhere on Christmas, since school was closed for winter break, plus it was always freezing cold outside. Hence, I had no idea if it was even remotely common for girls to hang out around town together on Christmas Day. Instead, all I could do was fill in the blanks with my own imagination.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "On bad days I would decide the idea was too weird and get bummed out about it, but on good days it would start to feel like no big deal. My outlook kept flip-flopping, and it was driving me insane. I would argue with myself back and forth and back and forth until I was completely exhausted-sometimes even to the point of a migraine-and tonight was no exception. Seriously, how many days have I spent tearing myself apart over this?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Suddenly I couldnt bear to lie still for a moment longer. I jumped out of bed and returned to my desk. There, I opened my textbook to a random page and started flipping through it, although I wasnt really reading any of it. This book didnt have the answer to my question. And even if it did, I wasnt inclined to accept it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Am I overthinking this? I asked myself aloud.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It felt like Id backed myself into a corner and up a tree, and now I couldnt find my way back down again. Maybe I was making it harder than it needed to be. Maybe putting it into words was all I would need to find the answer.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I mean, all I want to do is hang out with her, right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The problem, however, was that I wanted to hang out specifically on Christmas Day. Would Shimamura think that was weird? Or would she shrug her shoulders and say sure? I kept waffling back and forth between the two possibilities.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As a test, I scribbled Shimamura in the corner of my notebook. Sure enough, seeing it written out made me think of the Shimamura Co. logo.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Come to think of it, what was Shimamuras first name, anyway? I could remember her joking that she tended to forget it half the time, and now Id forgotten it, too. Did anyone ever address her by it? If not, maybe I could be the first. After all, that was precisely the sort of special privilege I wanted our friendship to have. But then again...I couldnt really imagine myself calling her anything other than Shimamura. If I did, I wouldnt really be the same person anymore, in my opinion.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah... Shell always be Shimamura, I thought to myself as I stared down at her name in my handwriting. Then the shame set in as I realized-God, Im completely obsessed with her. Cringe. I hastily erased what Id written, but even then, a faint outline remained.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was the perfect metaphor for the way I woke up every morning still thinking of her.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How far would I go for Shimamura, if she asked me?", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not in the would I carry her bookbag sense-more of a would I give her a piggyback ride sort of thing. For the record, I think I would. If she asked me to go shopping with her, Id happily go, and if she asked me to take a nap with her... No, no, no! She wouldnt ask me these things! Its supposed to be a what-if scenario, not a fantasy!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "There I was, yet again, thinking about Shimamura during class. At this rate, I probably thought about her more than she did. That didnt mean I understood her, however. I could walk along the lakeshore all I wanted, but Id never discover its chill, nor its depths.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Every now and then I would get so hung up on the idea of social interaction that I couldnt actually bring myself to go through with it. Instead, Id just watch as my friendships slowly petered out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My parents were convinced something was wrong with me. This was something Id known for a while now. Personally, I would say I expressed my emotions a fair bit, but apparently they werent able to pick up on them for whatever reason. I wasnt sure what exactly I was doing wrong-I was just imitating what everybody else did, or so I thought. Was it just a matter of interpersonal compatibility?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They say blood is thicker than water, but in my experience, blood was nothing more than a bodily fluid. There were no ties to be had, no bonds, nothing keeping it from running down the drain...and so, down the drain it went.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But when it came to Shimamura, I could tell my intentions were plainly obvious. To an embarrassing degree, actually. Fortunately Shimamura didnt seem to notice most of the time, probably because she sincerely didnt care. For me, this was both a blessing and a curse.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Objectively speaking, our friendship was imbalanced. I clearly cared more about her than she did about me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For example, I liked to have phone calls with her, but she preferred to stick to email. You could chalk this up to a difference in our personalities or attitudes or whatever, but for me, waiting for a response to my emails always stressed me out. It was easier to just call her, get my answer, and be done with it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Of course, I couldnt exactly call her during class. We were both right there in the same room, but we were too far apart to have an in-person conversation. All I could do was shoot her furtive glances, though our eyes almost never met. She was a surprisingly diligent student when she put her mind to it. Not me, though, I guess. I cupped my chin in my hand and stared down at my desk.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I agonized ad infinitum, the bell rang. Fortunately, I had long since given up on finishing my test.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After school, I finally made my move. I hadnt spoken with Shimamura for nearly two full days, and my ears were crying... Wait, what? I pictured salty fluid leaking from my ear holes. Gross. Never mind.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I closed my textbook, stuffed it into my bookbag, and rose from my desk. It was going to take a hefty chunk of courage to go talk to Shimamura. I wasnt planning to say anything untoward, and yet for some reason I felt disinclined to approach her in public. Was I just paranoid?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My brain only generated a small amount of courage per day-just enough for me to survive at school-so I couldnt really save any up. Maybe it was odd that I needed any at all, but hey, at least I wasnt using it for anything weird, right? Right.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just as I approached her desk, however, Hino and Nagafuji walked up. Reflexively I backed away...and there went my chance to speak to Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its scarf season again! Hino announced.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Where did that come from? Shimamura retorted. Hino wasnt even wearing a scarf. What a weirdo.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So tell me, Shimako-chan, have you been studying for finals?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe. What about you guys?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As if you even need to ask! Hino folded her arms smugly. Is that a yes or a no?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I dont even know what a test is! Nagafuji declared.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When you say it, it doesnt sound like a joke anymore, Shimamura sighed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmmm, she replied pensively, lifting her glasses to rub at her eyes. Oh god, shes not denying it!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, did you need something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not really! Cant I just say hi to my pal? Hino asked, still posing haughtily for some reason.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura set her bookbag on her desk. No, I dont think so.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I agree, nodded Nagafuji, who clearly wasnt paying attention to the actual conversation. Shimamura looked at her and laughed...but there was a restlessness in her gaze that suggested she wasnt exactly enthused. Probably because Shimamura didnt really do small talk.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In that case, Ill make something up! Lets see...I need to...say goodbye to everyone! You know, like in elementary school?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh yeah. Wed all be like Goodbye, everybody! Goodbye, Sensei!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamuras gaze grew wistful, like she was thinking back to a time long forgotten. Then she slowly raised her hand and waved goodbye.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In response, Hino waved back. Then she turned, took a step toward me, and stared me right in the eye.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hey there, Ada-cheechee! Have you been studying?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Another day, another new nickname. I assume she just makes them up on the spot. Sure, a decent amount.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whoa, really? Look at you, Miss Goody-Two-Shoes! Shimamura exclaimed, looking at me in mild surprise as she tucked her textbook into her bag. Apparently shed given up on me ever turning over a new leaf. She knows me too well.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Good for you! I should take a page out of your book, Nagafuji mused.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What? Why arent you studying?! Hino demanded, smacking her lightly over the head. Nagafuji even crouched down so she could reach. Why would you do that?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then I realized neither of them had invited Shimamura to hang out. Evidently they were both going straight home today. This came as a bit of a relief.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Alrighty! Today I think Ill hang out at your place, Nagafuji!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You do that every day. I always see you lounging by the kotatsu.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What? Nahhh! Dont be silly! See? Youre just being silly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youre right... I guess I was wrong.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, no, you were right! See? Doesnt it feel like you were right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wow, youre right! So that means...I do see you every day!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And so Hino and Nagafuji filed out of the classroom, taking their idiotic conversation with them. I didnt know them very well, but I already had a pretty good idea of who they were as people. Hino was a what you see is what you get sort of girl, but when it came to Nagafuji, you were better off not judging that book by its cover.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Man, theyre such good friends. I never saw one without the other. Kind of like me and Shimamura, except they hung out wayyyy more often. That, and Shimamura would sometimes spend time with other friends. Every now and then Id see her with them and my throat would get all tight.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once they were gone, Shimamuras probing gaze settled on me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did you need-no, scratch that! I shouldnt talk to people like that. Im sorry.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She rubbed her forehead. Apparently her conversation with Hino had convinced her to mend her ways. She grabbed her bookbag and rose to her feet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, whats up? Oh, I guess thats not much better. Ugh, what am I supposed to say? Frowning, she adjusted her scarf. Apparently she was taking this very seriously. Help me out here!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It doesnt matter, I replied. Who wouldnt react with Whats up? when they saw a friend approach? It didnt bother me. If anything, I actually appreciated having someone else initiate the conversation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, well come back to that subject later. All right, so, what do you need?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Apparently shed decided to put it off. Good. Maybe now I could get the ball rolling. Ugh, why did I always get cold feet inviting her somewhere? Probably because I was scared of rejection, I guess. Scared of making people feel uncomfortable.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was wondering if youd maybe want to...study together?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, a study session? Surprised, she tapped her bookbag.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Admittedly, yes, I was a total delinquent who never went to class, but during finals week, this was the best excuse I was going to get if I wanted to spend time with her. I knew she wasnt going to want to goof off downtown.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well now! Youre a regular honors student!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, please. Everybody studies before finals. Its common sense.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maybe Im rubbing off on you, she joked, smiling playfully.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But to be honest, she was completely right. If it wasnt for her, I wouldnt have come to class at all. I was tempted to thank her outright, but I had a feeling shed just look at me weird, so I kept it to myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wish youd said something sooner. We couldve invited the others.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "They may act like a couple of clowns, but their grades are better than ours.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her gaze shifted to the door. If I didnt act quickly, I knew she might just dash out into the hall to call them back. Personally, I wanted it to be just the two of us-but I stopped myself before I could admit it out loud. No, I needed a different reason.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Theyre...too smart for us! I mean, we could try to study with them, but, uh...they wouldnt get anything out of it, so...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, I get it! You think Im stupid!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Out of nowhere, Shimamura pointed an accusatory finger in my face, grinning at me like a bratty child. Just because we have the same grades, you think Im a total moron, dont you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What? No! Not at all!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wait... Is she implying Im stupid, too...? But before I could ask...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Honestly, youre not wrong. Okay then, just the two of us it is.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Instantly, I no longer cared how stupid she thought I was. I felt something creep up the back of my neck-faint hope, perhaps.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Where would we do it? I think theres a library somewhere in the neighborhood... Oh, wait, theres a library right here at school. Duh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, no, no! I wanted it to happen somewhere more private. Somewhere we could relax. Cant we just do it at...your house or whatever?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What? But itll be dusty!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She seemed reluctant. Wait, what? Dusty? I didnt remember her room being very dusty at all. Then I remembered everything else about my last visit and screamed internally. Fortunately Shimamura appeared to have forgotten about it, but to me, my behavior that day was humiliating and objectively creepy. It was a miracle I didnt crash my bike on the way home from that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What about your house? Shimamura asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mine?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Before I could reject the suggestion by insisting my house was too far from hers, I remembered the empty Pocari can sitting in my room. If she were to recognize it as the one I took home from our trip to the park that one day, Id be forced to make another run for it-and this time, Id have to run out of my own house. No way.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That...wouldnt be a good idea.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Actually, youre right. Things could get awkward, Shimamura muttered, her eyes wide in some sort of realization.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But she ignored me. Sure, we can do it at my house. Just be warned: Its really dusty.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why was she so hung up on the dust factor? Was her house really that old? Because I was pretty sure it wasnt.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Together, we left the classroom-something that was still fresh and novel to me at this point. As we stepped out into the hallway, I felt a strange weight on my shoulders...or maybe it was just the weight of my self-conscious mind, which is to say, maybe I was just really nervous.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was walking on Shimamuras left side, next to her free hand. Not that I really cared or anything.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I glanced down at it. It was just dangling there, bored. I started to reach for it...but then I stopped myself and glanced around. We were at school, in the middle of the hallway, surrounded by people we knew. If I grabbed her hand right now, shed probably pull away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was easy to forget, but Shimamura wasnt an especially warmhearted person; she was just very tolerant. But even she wouldnt tolerate me trying to hold her hand at school.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So instead, I pretended I was just stretching my arms.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Together, we rode on my bike all the way to her house. In winter, the sun was quick to vanish beneath the horizon, and the garden lamps were flickering to life on the lawn by the time we arrived. I could already tell it would be pitch-black outside by the time I headed home... What time would that be, anyway? How long could I stay without it being weird? I dont remember how this is supposed to work.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I encountered this problem a lot when it came to Shimamura. I knew the rules of normal friendship, but I didnt want to be a normal friend-I wanted to be special. I did not, however, know the rules of special friendship. Here in the dark, recklessness looked an awful lot like courage, and as a result, I frequently made an ass of myself. Afterwards I would scream into my pillow and...you know...whaddafaaa about it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Here I was, cognizant of all this, yet still unable to do a single thing about it. This crush is terminal.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh god, shes home, Shimamura groaned as she peered through the gap between her house and the garage, where a bright orange bicycle was currently parked. Apparently that was the one her mother supposedly rode everywhere-which was why she couldnt take it to school, or so shed explained to me a while back. Im hoooome! she called out as she pounded on the front door.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A few moments later, I heard footsteps thumping in our direction from inside. Then the lock clicked, and the door opened to reveal...Mrs. Shimamura. Her skin was faintly flushed, and her hair was damp. Evidently she was fresh out of the tub.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Welcome home... Oh! Friend! Oh! Visit!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She reacted with surprise not once, but twice. The first time made sense, but the second I didnt really get. Was it supposed to be like, Oh, your friend is here to visit?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura scowled and walked past her into the entryway to take her shoes off. Were gonna study, so dont bother us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Youre Adachi-chan, right? Mrs. Shimamura asked, casually ignoring her daughter.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hello again, I greeted her, inclining my head slightly as I removed my shoes and set them neatly next to Shimamuras. Meanwhile, Shimamuras scowl deepened. It was rare to see her so sulky, and I couldnt help but stare. In my experience, she almost never wore her emotions on her sleeve like that... Clearly her family members had special access to the real her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Lucky, I thought to myself. I envied her for having such a nice family...and I envied her family for having her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Satisfied? Now go away!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, dont be such a hormonal teenager.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just then, I felt someones gaze on me and turned my head. There, at the end of the hall, Little Shimamura was peeking out from behind her bedroom door, watching me. When we made eye contact, however, she hastily disappeared inside. According to her older sister, she was a total brat, but in my eyes, she really didnt look the part. She just seemed shy, the same way I was at her age.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Did her little school friends call her Shimamura, too?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Come on, lets just go. Shoo! Shimamura shouted, waving her mother away as she climbed the stairs to the right of the hallway... Wait, what? I thought your room was on the first floor! I stood there, confused, until she gestured for me to follow her, at which point I gave up wondering and went up after her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The stairs were a bit steeper than I was expecting. At the top was a short hallway with bare walls, save for a single door at the end. Shimamura led me inside. As I crossed the threshold, I instantly felt the lack of humidity in the air, and a moment later I noticed the dust floating around right in front of my face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Coughing, Shimamura tugged on the lamp cord. After two flickers, it clicked on, illuminating the room. An assortment of miscellaneous furniture and old, frayed cardboard boxes came into view. In the far corner, a beat-up leather chair lay in pieces, missing its screws. The window was concealed behind some old, moth-eaten curtains. Maybe the lack of natural light explained why the rooms interior felt even gloomier than the empty hallway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For some reason, this storage room was outfitted with both a kotatsu table and an electric fan, like they were trying to cover all the basic necessities with the bare minimum. I got the sense this rooms only real purpose was to enable Shimamura to stay up late studying whenever the necessity arose.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "See? Told you it was dusty. She set her bookbag down and switched on the kotatsu heater. I heard it groan to life a moment later. Brrrr! she murmured as she slid in under the blanket.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once she was settled, I walked over and sat opposite her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Need me to go get you a cushion? she asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nah, Im good, I replied, waving my hand dismissively.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There was no carpet or rug, just ice-cold hardwood, and my thighs were freezing, but I didnt want to make her get back up again. Then I noticed a blue happi coat lying folded on the floor nearby. Curious, I picked it up, and Shimamura looked over at me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, I keep that around just in case my back gets cold, she explained.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gotcha.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For now, lets hang out for a bit until we warm up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Using her bookbag as a pillow, Shimamura laid herself down on the floor and wriggled even deeper under the blanket. Shouldnt you change out of your uniform first? At this point, I wasnt really sure what to do. I didnt feel like hitting the books without her, but the kotatsu was too small to accommodate more than one sleeper. Her feet were already touching mine.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You know...maybe this place isnt so bad. The room was dusty and cluttered and quiet, reminiscent of a secret hideaway untouched by any intruders. This might just be the perfect place to migrate for the winter, I thought to myself as I shivered, waiting patiently for the table heater to do its job.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Do you listen to music when you study? Shimamura asked without looking at me. I thought for a moment.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, usually.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now that I actually stopped to think about it, it occurred to me that I put music on almost every time I broke out my textbooks-including yesterday, where I lasted for about thirty minutes before I got distracted and started agonizing over Christmas to the point of having a migraine. Of course, I could already picture what would happen if I told her that: Shed look away awkwardly and say Oh...that sucks. End of conversation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thats cool. I hear thats really common.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, probably.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her interest was starting to fade, and if I did nothing, the conversation would peter out like usual. But today I decided to be a little more persistent.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What were you like as a kid? I asked-a question Id been contemplating since yesterday. This was one of the potential topics of conversation Id come up with for whenever we ran out of things to talk about.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I dunno... Normal? Probably the same as I am now, she shrugged.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In my mind, I envisioned a miniature version of Shimamura. Then I imagined myself taking her by the hand and walking down the street. It didnt really fit. Yeah, it only makes sense the other way around.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was never the star athlete or the class president. The most I did was school lunch committee. Thats all I can really remember.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She talked about herself the same way one would try to remember a classmate they never spoke to.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, but my hair was shorter back then. And I didnt bleach it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She picked idly at her chestnut-colored bangs. In other words, her hair wouldve looked like her sisters, I imagined her with shorter hair, then imagined her with darker hair.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What about you? she asked, though I got the sense she only asked out of obligation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, same as I am now, I think, I replied vaguely.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Same as now, hmm? Shimamura closed her eyes. I bet you always wanted the preschool teacher to hold your hand, she teased, a mischievous smile playing at her lips. Apparently she was utterly convinced that I was some kind of needy little baby.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im not like that, you know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Like what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You know...um...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I stopped short. Unexpectedly, I was too embarrassed to say the word needy out loud. Considering I had both grabbed her hand and asked her to pet me within the past couple of months, perhaps I couldnt exactly deny it. It didnt sound convincing in my head.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I dont...I dont act that way with just anyone.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As soon as the words left my lips, I realized the implication: that I wanted her, and only her, to hold hands with me and pet me. I may as well have confessed my love-No! No, no, no!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmmm...why me? Shimamura wondered quietly. Did the thought bother her? Her voice sounded sort of...feeble.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The answer was simple, of course. Because youre you. Thats how love works. At least, I remembered someone once said something along those lines. Or maybe I read it in a book. Or maybe I spontaneously came up with it just now as an excuse.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I couldnt bring myself to look up from the floor. If I told her the truth, itd come off the exact same as if I were to hold up a giant sign that read IM NUTS ABOUT YOU. I groaned under my breath, conflicted. The silence was killing me. No matter what you have to say, I can take it. Please, just say something!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Finally, once Id summoned all my courage, I looked up. There, across the table, I found her lying still...a peaceful expression on her face...her eyes closed...her breathing slow and rhythmic. I stared at her for a moment.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She was asleep.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was that why her voice had sounded so feeble? Because she was sleepy? Careful not to make a sound, I slid out from under the blanket and snuck around to the other side of the table. First, I knelt beside her...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait, what? First? What am I getting ready to do?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hesitantly, I peered down at her. Her pleasant smile had faded; her expression was now blissfully unguarded in her slumber. The more I looked at her, the more restless I felt. My whole face felt like it was on fire. This was a rare opportunity to see Shimamura at her most vulnerable-almost like there was a little hole in the walls she built around herself, and now I could see through to the inside. I felt guilty for peeking, but at the same time, I couldnt tear my eyes away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What do I do now?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We were supposed to be studying. Of course, no amount of studying would help us now-it was just a convenient excuse to hang out. But sitting here staring at her felt like kind of a waste. A waste? Of what? Am I supposed to prank her or something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Suddenly, I became very conscious of her lips. They were a little chapped, probably from the dry winter air. I bit.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We were alone, and Shimamura was asleep. This was the perfect opportunity to kiss her...if I wanted to...you know, as an experiment... My head began to spin as my mind filled with static. I could feel a headache coming on.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, no, no! Snap out of it! I smacked myself hard on the forehead. There was no guarantee shed stay asleep for the next twenty-four hours! If she woke up while I was kissing her, my whole life would be over! Besides, it wasnt like I wanted to kiss her; I was just willing to consider the idea-you know, if she asked. And those were very different things. I didnt want to put my lips on hers. I wanted her to want me to do it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I waffled back and forth, Shimamura opened her eyes slightly and looked at me. I stiffened. Was she wondering what I was doing, kneeling next to her?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then she grabbed my thighs and wriggled her body over in my direction. What?! Whats going on?! I shrieked internally. Then she laid her head down on my lap, shifted around slightly, and closed her eyes once more.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "There we go. Much comfier. She smiled sleepily. Apparently she wanted a pillow.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wanted to casually brush it off with something like Oh, okay, thats cool, but my mouth wouldnt work. My cheeks were so hot, youd think Id pressed them directly against the heater.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You, uh, you must be pretty sleepy, huh? I stammered.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mmm...no... Im not sleepy... Im awake, she murmured, her voice muffled by my thigh. To her credit, her eyes were open, at least. You sure youre not cold? she asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nah, Im fine.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh yeah. Want my coat?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Without getting up, Shimamura felt around on the floor for the blue happi coat. Once she found it, she lifted it up, and since she was offering, I figured sure, why not.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I took it and pulled it on over my uniform. With all the layers I was wearing, I felt like a marshmallow. Plus, I could feel myself starting to sweat, but that was probably from nerves more than anything.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So tell me, uh, what do you usually do for Christmas? I asked casually. My voice nearly cracked, but I continued to play it cool.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She turned her head, her squished cheek shifting back to its normal position, and looked up at me sleepily. We have chicken karaage for dinner, then cake for dessert. No candles, though.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gotcha. Sounds like pretty standard stuff.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not that Id tallied up the statistics or anything, but it struck me as the most traditional way to celebrate Christmas in Japan. Whether it was homemade karaage or takeout from KFC or Mos Burger, everybody ate chicken in some form or another. Other countries ate turkey, but not us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My sister still believes in Santa Claus, and she still gets Christmas presents.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Awww, thats cute! Man, that takes me back. Sounds like Nee-chans not a believer, though. How old were you when you found out he wasnt real?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I never thought he was real, she replied curtly. I mean, what kind of jolly old man travels around the world to give out free stuff? You know?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Classic Shimamura-tolerant, but not warmhearted. This sure is a productive study session were having.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What about you? she asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I thought Santa worked at my preschool.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What? Why?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Probably because the teachers there were the only grown-ups who ever talked about him.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My mom sure as hell didnt talk about Santa Claus. One year, she asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I had lots of ideas, but I couldnt decide on one specific thing, so I didnt answer...and after that, she never asked me again. I guess she assumed I just didnt want anything.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We both had kinda crappy childhoods, huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, maybe, I agreed. Technically we were still children, but whatever.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At least back then I didnt have to use my brain, you know? I could just live my life however I wanted... Honestly, its a miracle I survived this long. Those were the days...back when back pain was just a thing grown-ups had...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She closed her eyes and reminisced, smiling faintly as she enjoyed my thighs. Her wording suggested she wished she could go back, and for once, it felt like she had revealed her more childish side. Was this a side effect of lounging in my lap? Apparently I was just as comfortable as a kotatsu.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Before I knew it, my nerves had faded and my body had gotten my temperature under control. It was like we were back in the gym loft, except the usual lethargy I felt was nowhere to be seen...and I wished we could stay like this forever.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Forget it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My plan was to ease into the topic of Christmas, then ask her to hang out...but I decided it could wait until some other time. For now, I just wanted to cherish this moment while it lasted.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was the mother robin, keeping watch over my nest.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 9", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude: A Visit to the Butchers Shop, Part 1", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Interlude:A Visit to the Butchers ShopPart 1", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "GROWING UP, I was taught to always be honest. So when a customer walked in looking to buy menchi-katsu, I told them the grocery store across the street was selling the same product at half-price for their night market event. Id seen an ad for it in the paper. But when my dad overheard me telling them, he smacked me over the head. That was how I learned that no good deed goes unpunished.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Honestly, its his fault for making me run the store in the first place. I swear, he never learns.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Youd think my parents would give me a day off now that finals were coming up, but alas. That said, if they had given me the day off, I cant guarantee I wouldve spent it studying. Nah, I probably wouldve crawled under the kotatsu to take a nap. Maybe they knew me too well. I looked out the window.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, here she comes again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Across the street, I saw a small figure dart out from between the closed-down cigarette shop and the building next to it-a weird little girl with bright blue hair. She waved at us gleefully with both hands as she ran over to the store. Lately she came by every evening, always to buy the same thing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure enough, she walked into the store, stood on her tiptoes, and held up three stubby little fingers.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Id like three croquettes, please.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The usual? Coming right up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This time I didnt mention the night market. Instead, I passed the order on to the kitchen, where my dad dished up three croquettes fresh out of the fryer. I took them, nestled them into a to-go container, and handed them to the girl in exchange for her coins. Without missing a beat, she opened the lid and devoured one right there on the spot.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sho good!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Satisfied, she walked out, crossed the street, and disappeared between the buildings once more. Idly, I wondered to myself whether she came here for fun, or if her parents had sent her. But no matter how many times she came by, my poor dad could never quite get used to seeing her around. He always froze up like a deer in headlights.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Apparently she was friends with Hino. No surprise there-Hino had a lot of weird friends. Not me, though. I was normal.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once my mom finished her chores, she walked out to the counter and told me shed take over for me, so I was free to go back into the house. And since I was an honest girl living an honest life, I did as I was told.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Before I left, however, I looked up at the sign hanging overhead: NAGAFUJIS MEATS. Always made me hungry just looking at it-especially the MEATS part. I liked to look at it every time I came home. Come to think of it, maybe this sign was what inspired my childhood nickname, Beefuji. The longer I gazed at it, the hungrier I got, so I decided to hurry on inside.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once I passed through the threshold in the back of the store, I kicked off my shoes and stepped into the living room. After the lunch rush, the whole house would always smell like fryer oil. Since I lived here, I never really noticed it, but one of my friends would always say it made her hungry. As it happened, that friend-Hino-was currently lounging under our kotatsu table, eating kidney beans and watching TV.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I entered, she turned and looked at me. Then she grinned and handed me her empty Styrofoam container.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gimme a refill!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Go home.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I ignored her demand, walked around to the other side of the table, and slid in. Hino turned back to the TV. Why does she spend so much time at my house? One minute we were just two kids who went to the same preschool, and then she came over to my house one day and ate croquettes with me. I dont remember how we met, but I remember we used to call each other by our first names. Then at some point early on in elementary school, we switched to last names and kept it that way.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hino was really short back then. Not once did she ever outgrow me in terms of height.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How come you never get any taller, anyway? I mused aloud, gazing at her pensively.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You wanna go, punk?! She reached out for my chest, but I smacked her hand away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Come to think of it, she preferred fish over red meat-could that be it? Was it the fish? Thats hilarious. Then again, my mom loved fish too, and she was huge. Maybe Hino just wasnt trying hard enough. Not like it really mattered how tall she was, anyway. She was always somewhere nearby, so I didnt have to search for her too hard.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then it occurred to me: Looking back, Id managed to memorize Hinos name really quickly, hadnt I? Maybe I was just excited to make my very first friend. Now, though? Now I was used to her the same way I was used to the smell of fryer oil-her presence was a given. Not like anybody ever really paid attention to the air they were breathing, you know?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Have you ever forgotten what my name is? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...You seriously think Im stupid, dont you? She sat up, leaned forward, and rested her chin on the table, all the while glaring at me. For some reason she kept arriving at this same conclusion, even though it wasnt my intention at all. Better question: Why did everyone seem to think I was stupid? It was a total mystery.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh yeah, and there was that other thing, I mused to myself as I reminisced. Gosh, that takes me back. I couldnt remember why we used to do it, but oh well. I decided to give it a try.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I slid out from under the kotatsu and beckoned to her. Come here for a sec. Then I took my glasses off. Back in those days, my eyesight was a lot better.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What do you want? You gonna give me something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ooh, really? She crawled on all fours in my direction. Was she hoping for more kidney beans? What a little scamp. I reached out to her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wha-?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then I lifted up her bangs and pressed my lips to her little forehead. Sure enough, it was every bit as firm as it was back then. A little chilly, though. Tis the season and all that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hino froze for a moment. Then I gave her a lick, and she jumped backwards, leaning her entire upper body away from me. Eyes wide, she reached up and touched her forehead. This wasnt the reaction I was expecting. Back in the day, shed always get her revenge by doing it right back. Wed spend the whole day doing it, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wh-where did that come from?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, I was just thinking about how we used to do that all the time when we were little.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hinos eyes darted around nervously. Oh...right...gotcha. But were not kids anymore, yknow? Were...uhh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So? Has anything really changed? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She fell silent, glanced around a bit more, then slumped her shoulders in defeat. Not really, no.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Were the same as ever, I agreed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She grinned, still holding her bangs up. And as I looked back at her, it all clicked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure, maybe nobody ever paid attention to the air...but you could still feel it against your skin.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 10", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 3: Abnormal Adachi", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 3:Abnormal Adachi", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "MY NAME IS Shima-chan, and when I grow up, Im gonna get real big!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That was what I always used to tell people when I was little. It was my dream, I guess. Back then, all the other kids called me Shima-chan, and I loved it so much, I started referring to myself like that, too. Looking back, it was totally cringey.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Anyway, back on topic. At some point during the later years of preschool, they asked us all what we wanted to be when we grew up, and that was my answer. I dont remember what I meant by big, either. Maybe I wanted to be really tall.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How did I see the world back then?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Everything was so far above me-the sky, the grown-ups, all of it. I could run at full speed without needing to", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "stop and catch my breath, and I always made a beeline for anything that caught my interest. If something made me feel bad, all I needed was to eat some candy, and my worries would melt away with the sugar. Back then, I never got bogged down in the intricacies of complicated social interactions. Either we were friends or we werent-end of story.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hard to believe I ever used to follow my heart and wear my emotions on my sleeve, but here we are.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi was acting strange lately. I mean, sure, shed always been a little odd at times, but this was a bird of an entirely different feather.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For starters, I caught her looking at me more often. Id feel someones gaze on me in the middle of class, look over, and sure enough, our eyes would meet. Then shed hastily stare down at her desk and open her textbook. Youd think she wouldve opened it at the start of the lecture, but whatever. Anyway, that was Weird Thing #1.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Weird Thing #2: Whenever we talked, shed start shaking. Her bottom lip would tremble, and her shoulders would get all jittery, almost like she was struggling to endure something...or hold something in. Seriously, youd think her lips would get sore from that after a while. Wait-no you wouldnt. That would be stupid. Never mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Weird Thing #3: She scored higher than me on our English final. Guess I know who to ask if I ever need an interpreter. (Thats a joke.)", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If I had to guess, there was probably something on her mind-something she wanted to say or ask. Knowing that, I could always throw her a bone by asking her flat-out, but...part of me was scared I wouldnt like what came next. She had to be hesitating for a reason, after all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Instead, I continued to watch and wait...but after three days, it was impossible to keep pretending not to see it. So I decided I would talk to her about it at lunch after class let out. Maybe it would turn out that my brain had hyped it up to be a lot more serious than it actually was. It felt like that was usually the case-not that Id tallied up the statistics or anything.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So I decided that was what I would tell myself.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once history class was over, the mood in the room softened significantly. Wed handed in our exams and answer sheets, and now the rest was out of our hands. All that remained was the closing ceremony, and then winter break would be upon us. This was the tiny lantern light at the end of the dark, chilly tunnel, and spirits were high.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Some people were laughing about how theyd bombed the test, while others were gushing about their Christmas plans with their special someone. Christmas, huh... In just ten days, we were due for another visit from everyones favorite jolly old man.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My sister still seemed to believe he existed, and so she would inevitably get another gift from him. I, however, would receive nothing. Then my sister would gloat about how I was on Santas naughty list. This happened every year without fail. Personally, I liked to think I was actually really nice for letting her off easy without any retaliation, but I digress.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I tucked my textbook back into my bag, then took out my wallet and rose to my feet. I could see Hino and Nagafuji opening their bento boxes out of the corner of my eye, but I ignored them and headed over to Adachi, who sat staring into space, her chin propped up on her elbow.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She was so lost in thought, she didnt even notice me approaching. This struck me as the perfect opportunity. I moved around behind her, then leaned down and rested my chin on her scalp. The next thing I knew, she bolted upright, slamming her skull into my jaw.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was so startled, she tumbled to the floor. Pushing herself up with one hand, she whirled around to look up at me. Holding my chin, I met her gaze, tears welling in my eyes from the pain of having bitten my tongue.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, its just you. That scared me... She clutched at her chest and heaved a sigh of relief...except she didnt look very relieved at all. Her eyes kept darting around nervously. Whatd you do that for?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was just messing with you! Agh...that hurt...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Youd think I wouldve learned my lesson after my sister did the same thing to me just the other day, but apparently not. I helped her to her feet, only to find that her dramatic reaction had drawn everyones attention right to us. She noticed this, too, and shifted awkwardly. Since this was obviously at least partially my fault, I decided I would escort her out of here. Leading her by the hand, I dragged her out into the hallway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What? Wh-what is it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her gaze wandered, and her cheeks seemed flushed-probably from the sudden scare. I let go of her hand and clapped her on the shoulder. Deep breaths.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Leaning against the wall, she did as I suggested, her chest rising and falling as she inhaled and exhaled. But her gaze was still flitting around, so evidently it wasnt having the desired effect on her. I decided to give her a few more minutes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "With each breath, her face seemed to burn brighter and brighter. Was it fanning the fire in there? Thatd be pretty cool.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The longer we stood there with my hand on her shoulder, the more noticeable it became just how much taller she was compared to me. Id known this for a while, of course, but part of me was hoping Id close the gap over time. Not that I felt threatened and wanted to compete with her or anything like that. It just felt weird to have this much taller girl calling me onee-chan and asking me to pet her. Seriously, our whole friendship was so bizarre.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Since the deep breathing didnt seem to be helping her, I pulled my hand away and casually contemplated some other way to calm her down. But before I could think of anything, Adachis panic seemed to abate. Her gaze stopped wandering, and the blush faded from her cheeks. There we go. Now we could finally have a conversation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If only I hadnt spooked her, we wouldnt have wasted all this time, but oh well.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hey there, Ada-cheechee, I said, putting on my best Hino impression to lighten the mood.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Cant you just call me by my name? she grumbled, and I seemed to remember her making this request of me in the past, too. Or maybe not.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Relax. Im probably not going to make a habit of it. Anyway...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I started to invite her to lunch, but then I thought about the current state of my tongue and thought better of it. Id already suffered enough. In my mind, I could hear my moms voice: Thats what you get for messing around!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My mouth still tasted of copper, and I got the feeling this extra seasoning wouldnt improve the flavor of my lunch.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was just wondering whats going on with you lately.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What do you mean?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Instead of beating around the bush, I decided to cut to the chase. Well, um...you seem to be looking at me an awful lot.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She averted her gaze. Her expression didnt shift a fraction, but her eyes gave it all away. Do I really?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, you do, I insisted.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I circled around and positioned myself within her line of sight. Startled, she turned in the opposite direction, so I moved again. This process repeated for a good three or so times before I gave up and moved on to my next question.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Is there something youd like to say to me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her tightly pursed lips twitched stiffly. Well...maybe...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Out with it, then.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was dying to get this over with. My best guess was that she had a bone to pick with me-in which case it didnt really make sense that I was encouraging her to complain to me, but whatever.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then she startled to mumble to herself. I cant hear you! Speak up!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its just, um...I was thinking...maybe sometime this winter...like, next week...or more like...ten days from now...um...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Fidgeting, she rambled under her breath. Then she stopped to cough, and pounded herself hard on the chest, almost like the words were stuck in her throat. The girl was a total mess, reminiscent of a flustered little chicken who needed to get a running start before achieving liftoff. Except chickens couldnt actually fly. Sad.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She turned to face me, her gaze pointed in an entirely different direction, and announced, I just need a little more courage-I mean, time to think it through. Then Ill say it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Apparently those words in her throat werent getting unstuck anytime soon. Oh well, I guess. Now I was starting to get kind of worried. What if whatever she had to say was really heartbreaking? Then again, was my heart even fragile enough to break?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then she started shuffling her feet like she wanted to get going, so I stepped out of her way, and sure enough, she walked-no, jogged-right back into the classroom. Belatedly, I noticed the chill in the hallway and shivered slightly. This shook something loose in my mind-a fuzzy little memory of brighter days.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That was the moment I remembered an old friend I used to have.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In preschool, back when I was pure and innocent, I had this one really close friend. Put simply, she was a lot like Adachi-and no, this isnt the setup to a big reveal where it turns out she was Adachi. For one thing, her name was different, and for another thing, there was no star-crossed destiny that brought me and Adachi together.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In those days, I was ridiculously proactive and completely unguarded. The word wait didnt exist in my vocabulary. My friend, on the other hand, would always follow along right behind me-always behind me, never beside me-like she was my shadow. Looking back, maybe she was trying to hide back there. She was really shy, and on the first day of preschool, I remember seeing her near the front gates, clinging to her mother and sobbing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I passed by, I stopped and walked right up to her for some reason. Then I took her by the hand and led her to the shoe lockers, and thats how we first met. These days, though, Id probably walk right on by without a second glance.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then I introduced myself, and she started calling me Shima-chan. From there, the nickname spread around to the other kids. I can still remember the way she pouted when she found out other people were using it. That was the sort of thing that reminded me of Adachi. Then again, since I met her first, perhaps it was Adachi who reminded me of her. But these days, Adachi came to mind much more readily than she did. My preschool friend was just that: an old friend from preschool.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Back then, I loved having a little wallflower follow me around. It made me feel like an intrepid explorer leading an expedition. Stupid, I know. I was completely full of myself. To me, the neighborhood around the preschool was uncharted territory, full of traps and pitfalls we needed to avoid. A rational person might ask, why would there be traps in uncharted territory? Couldnt tell you. Little me didnt think too hard about it. All I cared about was running around the playground with my friend in tow.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My friend, however, did not enjoy running around. In fact, she downright hated it. But at the time, I was too focused on myself to notice. Looking back, I was a really selfish kid... Then again, maybe I still am. My outlook may have changed, but I still always put myself first.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My friend wasnt the most expressive or assertive, but she did have hobbies and interests of her own. I remember she loved beads, marbles, and anything sparkly. Anytime she spotted something that fit the bill, shed dash out from under my shadow and make a beeline right to it. Then Id end up chasing after her instead. Part of me would always get mad at her and think, Im sparkly too, yknow! No idea why I felt this way, but I did.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When we started elementary school, however, the two of us ended up assigned to different classes, and after that, we never saw each other again. We didnt have a fight or anything; our friendship just couldnt survive the distance. In my case, I quickly forgot about her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Years later, I heard through the grapevine that shed turned into a total delinquent in junior high. Not some wannabe like me or Adachi-a real, bona fide delinquent. Wed long since gone our separate ways, of course, but I couldnt help but be a tiny bit curious...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What sort of sparkle caught your eye, the day your path branched off from mine?", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mehhhh...", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Collapsed on the kitchen table, I wrestled with my drowsiness.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I sure dont see any wrestling, my mother commented, prodding my head. Reluctantly, I sat up straight.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Winter made it impossibly difficult for me to wake up in the mornings. Maybe my body wants to hibernate, I thought to myself as I shivered. Fortunately the heater was on, but every now and then a gust of cold air would weasel its way under my PJs.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My cheek had left an imprint on the table. Idly, I erased it with my finger, and before Id finished, breakfast was ready: miso stir-fry with pollock roe, konnyaku noodles, and bell peppers-leftovers from last nights dinner-plus some seasoned rice on the side. My father was worried that he would gain some weight over the winter holidays, so our meals had gotten healthier lately as a preventative measure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The only person in our family who complained about it was my sister, since she was still a child and didnt understand diet culture. She had long since finished her food; now she was brushing her teeth in the bathroom. Apparently, her class was going to run a marathon first thing that morning. The mere thought exhausted me. Frankly, she deserved an award for putting up with that nonsense.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Look at her, ready for school and everything... Such a good girl... Im proud...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Quit chewing your cud and hurry up so I can take your plate!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My mother tapped the dishwasher impatiently. When I was little, it was always slow down and chew your food before you swallow, but now this? Make up your mind. Youre sending your child mixed messages.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then my sister peeked into the kitchen, wearing her bright yellow elementary school hat. Im going to school, Mom!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "All right, sweetheart. Be safe, my mother replied. Then she turned and smirked at me. You run along too, Nee-chan.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ugh, shut up. Im not a kid-I dont have to be there until after sunrise.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Says who? You can pretend youre in college all you want, missy, but youve still got three more years to go.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She gave me another prod. Ultimately my epic comeback only backfired, and now my sister was laughing at me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After she left, my mother took a seat across the table from me and groaned down at her grocery list. In order to plan what to buy at the store, she first had to plan out all of our meals. This was the part she was struggling with. She set down her ballpoint pen and let out a sigh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meal planning is so much work. I hate having to do it every single day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, I bet. Good luck with that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anything specific you want to have for dinner?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Even if I answered this question, I knew my chances of it actually happening were slim. My mother liked to wander around the grocery store and change her meal plans on a whim, hence I didnt bother actually getting my hopes up for anything.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just stick to curry or whatever.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmmm...maybe I could grab something from the butchers shop?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure. Knock yourself out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This conversation was a waste of my time. By butchers shop, I assume she meant Nagafujis Meats. Supposedly Nagafuji had to work the counter there from time to time... No idea if she was actually good at her job, though.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Suddenly, my sister came rushing back inside. Did she forget her lunch bag?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nee-chan! Nee-chan!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Apparently not. She dashed into the kitchen and looked at me. She couldnt have been outside for more than five minutes, and yet her nose was already reddened from the chilly winter air.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Your friends here!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How many years had it been since I last heard those words? The concept was so alien to me, I struggled to process it. Instead, I chewed on it for a bit.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My friend? I repeated. For a split-second I contemplated asking her one of two potential follow-up questions, and in my panic, I chose the weirder of the two: Where at?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Outside! She pointed to the front door. Duh, of course theyre outside. Probably right out front.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Who is it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That one girl who came over that one time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Adachi?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What would Adachi be doing at my house before school? Theres no way she couldve wandered here by accident, right? Shes not that ditzy. Regardless of her reasons, I knew she had to be waiting for me, so I decided to go see for myself. I left my dishes on the table, rose from my chair, and walked out of the kitchen. My sister followed along after me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Id forgotten to put my slippers back on, which meant I had to walk on icy hardwood with my bare feet. The warmth from the kitchen all but evaporated, and I could practically hear my breath freezing solid in mid-air. Worse, it clung to my face and made me even colder, a thing I didnt know was possible.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Aagaaahhh, I groaned under my breath, wrapping one arm around myself for warmth as I opened the door and stepped outside. Sure enough, Adachi was there, standing astride her blue bicycle like she was here to pick me up. She was wearing her uniform, and her bookbag was in the front basket. When she noticed me, she awkwardly waddled forward with the bike.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the mornings, our street was always chock-full of little brats, as my parents put it, and today was no exception. Out on the sidewalk, a handful of grade-schoolers were passing by on their way to school. Gripping the handlebars, Adachi shuffled along with her bike, taking care to give them as much space as possible. She stared mostly at the ground, shooting the occasional furtive glance in my direction.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, it doesnt appear to be an emergency... Wonder what she wants, I mused aloud. Then I turned to find my sister watching from a safe distance behind me, so I gestured for her to run along to school.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She walked forward reluctantly, glancing back at me multiple times, until she eventually reached the sidewalk. There, with a final parting wave, she joined the crowd of grade-schoolers and vanished down the street.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I waved back at her, and after she was gone, I waved next at my other little sister. She continued to slowly work her way towards me until we were just a few feet apart. Then I noticed that her hand was raised. Did she wave to my sister, too? Classic Adachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey there, Adachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uh...sup, dude?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why do you sound like a surfer...? Maybe that was her idea of what a cool person sounded like.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was my first time meeting up with her this early in the morning, which made for a fun change. Her hair was neatly brushed, and her uniform was picture-perfect. In contrast, I was rocking pajamas and a massive case of bedhead. Eh, who cares, I thought, rubbing my eyes. I could do what she did to me and make her wait outside for fifteen minutes while I got dressed, but in winter, thatd be downright cruel. Still, I got the feeling Adachi wouldve done it to me no matter the season.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, whats up? Arent you a little early this morning? Wait...what time did you get here? I asked, dumping all my questions on her at once.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Exhaling a little puff of white fog, Adachi looked away. One, I wanted to talk to you; two, this isnt all that early to me; and three, just now, she responded in order.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You could tell she was the responsible type deep down-after all, she always answered my questions, even weird ones like when I asked her about sit-ups. Was she telling the truth about the last one, though...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I reached out and cupped her cheek. Startled, she flinched, and her eyes widened reflexively. This, in turn, startled me right back. Regardless, I turned my attention to the temperature of her skin, which was much, much colder than my hand-probably from the wind chill during her ride over. Her nose and cheeks were so red, youd think she was smuggling tomatoes in there.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ultimately, there were parts of the human body that simply couldnt be shielded from the cold. Plus, I was cold, too. So I grabbed her by the wrist.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its freezing out here. Lets talk inside.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "W-wait!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I pulled her off her bike, leaned it up against the interior wall of the garage, then dragged her into the house. At first she seemed confused and resistant, but this quickly faded, and once we were inside, she took her shoes off by the door. Once we reached the hallway, I wasnt sure where to take her...but then I remembered that I hadnt finished my breakfast.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uh...thanks for having me, Adachi muttered in a feeble voice.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No problem. Come on in, I replied casually as we entered the kitchen. Im back! I called to my mom, who sat collapsed in her chair with her legs splayed out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That was fast... Oh, youve brought your friend! Now that she had an audience, she leapt to attention.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Adachi inclined her head in greeting. Sorry for the intrusion.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dont be! Come on in! my mother exclaimed, echoing my earlier sentiment. Ugh, dont copy me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I closed the door behind us, then returned to my seat at the dining table. Meanwhile, Adachi hovered timidly near the entrance. I gestured to the chair where my sister had been sitting. Why dont you have a seat?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure, she replied as she took me up on my suggestion, setting her bookbag down next to her on the floor.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Adachi was now sitting at my kitchen table. It felt so wrong. She looked really uncomfortable, too. The only one having a good time right now was my mother.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Say, Adachi-chan, could you help my daughter finish her food? She chews like a cow.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ugh! Dont embarrass me! Eager to rush off to my room as quickly as possible, I stuffed my mouth full of bell peppers and rice.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, no, I already had breakfast, Adachi replied politely. Just ignore her, Adachi!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Right, of course. I should have guessed. What did you have? Anything good? my mother continued, leaning forward in her chair. Why do you care, Mom? Clearly she was just messing around, but Adachi looked like she was a little freaked out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Bread, Adachi answered as she loosened her scarf.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What, like a slice of toast? Or maybe she means one of those little round buns? Either way, that was a ridiculously small breakfast. Knowing her, she washed it down with nothing but plain water, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What are you, a plant? Do you get all your nutrition from photosynthesis? Well, at least that way you can save money on food, I guess.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Come to think of it, now that I was actually going to class like a good kid, surely Id earned the privilege of having Mom make lunch for me again. My bento box was practically gathering dust up there on the shelf.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Doesnt anyone tell you youre not getting enough to eat? Surely your mother does, at least. I know its normal for a young lady to count her calories, but the less you eat, the more we moms start to worry. If anything, a little pudge lets us know youre healthy!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For some reason my mother glanced at me as she said this. Was she suggesting she was worried about my calorie intake, or was she suggesting I had a little pudge? Should I be offended? I was tempted to ask, but my mouth was full of food.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi snuck a glance at my stomach-I saw that, thank you very much!-then muttered, No, she doesnt. Shes hardly ever home, so we dont really talk.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Fortunately, even my mother could take a hint. Oh, I see. She sat back in her chair.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachis relationship with her mother had yet to show any signs of positive change. Evidently real life wasnt like the movies, where one deep conversation could have a dramatic ripple effect. Nor had my grades magically improved. And if we couldnt sprout wings and take flight, then wed just have to walk on our own two feet, even if it meant we lagged behind everyone else.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The rest of our time in the kitchen was spent in silence while I finished my food. As soon as I was done, I bolted from the room; Adachi jumped out of her chair, hastily pushed it in, then followed suit. Oh God, she really is turning into my little sister.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You better actually go to school! No playing hooky with your friend, you hear me? my mom called as I left.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, I know! I wont! Im going to school, Mom! I shouted back at her as I headed to my bedroom. I turned back to find Adachi smiling slightly. Whats so funny? I demanded, even though I had a feeling I knew the answer.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nothing, she replied, still smiling.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Inside my room, the curtains were wide open and sunlight was streaming in...but though it may have looked warm and inviting, it was still every bit as cold as the rest of the house. I debated whether to turn on the heater, then decided screw it and flipped the switch. I knew we couldnt stick around for too much longer, and the toasty warmth would only make me even less excited to go outside, but I wanted to be a hospitable hostess for my guest.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Our futons were already folded up, so I plopped down on top of them, then tossed Adachi a yellow floor cushion. I felt a tiny hint of warmth from the ray of sunlight hitting my back, but my front side was still freezing. Restless, I bounced up and down on the futons. Adachi re-wrapped her scarf around her neck and glanced nervously around the room, almost like it was her first visit all over again. Chill.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Soooo what did you want to talk about? Is it the thing from yesterday? Have you finally thought it through or whatever?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At this, Adachi looked up, one hand adjusting her bangs. Her eyes were a little bloodshot, and her complexion was pale. Had she stayed up all night thinking about it, or what? Now I was starting to feel bad for pressuring her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Would you wanna...hang out or something? She averted her gaze.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uhhh...sure...? I blinked. What? Thats it? Thats the question youve been agonizing over this whole time? What part of that was so stressful for you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was expecting something a lot worse, so this honestly kind of threw me for a loop. I mean, why not just ask me at school or over email? Why come all the way to my house to ask me in person? God, I dont understand her anymore. Then again, I guess I never have.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure, I dont mind. When? After school, or...did you wanna skip?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, um, actually, I didnt mean today, she clarified.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I waited for her to elaborate, she sat up straight on her floor cushion, so I followed suit. Then she put her hands in her lap and started to fidget. Oh, come on. It shouldnt be this hard for you to pick a day. Whats the matter with you? Rubbing my leg idly, I waited. Meanwhile, she stared at the floor and blushed beet red.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was thinking maybe...the 25th...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The 25th? Of this month? Hmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was expecting her to choose a day of the week rather than a specific date, so I didnt put two and two together at first. Instead, I was busy trying to figure out whether the 25th was a weekday or a weekend. Then I remembered what month it was, and then I remembered what December 25th signified. I looked at her, my eyes wide. The 25th?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah. She hunched over, still staring at the floor, her face half-buried in her scarf.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As in Christmas Day?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She nodded timidly, sitting perfectly still like she was bracing herself. Evidently shed chosen that day on purpose, and for a reason...but for what? Why would she invite me to hang out on Christmas? And why would she blush about it? Was she asking me on a date or something? I was baffled.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Me and Adachi, together on Christmas?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I closed my eyes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I needed to choose my words carefully for this one. If I asked her what for? I could practically see our friendship crumbling to dust right before my eyes. It would take a lot of time and effort to repair that sort of damage. And if someone were to ask me if I was willing to go that far for her...honestly, I dont think theyd like my answer. Thus, I decided not to ask why she wanted to spend time together.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Still...wasnt it kind of odd for two girls to spend time together on Christmas? Then again, I didnt really get out much, so maybe not. But I could easily understand why it had taken Adachi days to work up the courage to ask me. Regardless of her intentions, a question like that was bound to come across as really forward. So what were her intentions?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I had a feeling I knew the answer...and its intensity weighed on me like a ton of bricks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meanwhile, Adachi hung her head like she regretted the whole thing. She didnt seem like she was planning to go into any more detail, so apparently the ball was in my court. Oh, good grief. Well, if I cant ask why, maybe I could ask something else.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Where would we go?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I havent thought about it yet, she replied hastily.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What would we do?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I havent thought about it yet! she blurted out so fast, I wondered if she might actually break the sound barrier. (She didnt.) I havent gotten that far yet, but...would you...be interested?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She flicked her gaze up at me tentatively. The heater was finally running, but maybe we didnt need it anymore; I was too tense to feel the cold, and I got the sense she might feel similarly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I could feel the warmth from the window strengthen and weaken against my back as the sun briefly disappeared behind a cloud. Time was ticking by, and yet the whole room felt frozen.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi was...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For the first time in my life, my brain faltered mid-thought.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...Maybe Adachi just wanted to spend time with someone she cared about over the holidays, you know, since her family situation kind of sucked. Thats why she came to me-because I was (probably) her only friend. Yeah, maybe thats it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I knew it was weird of me to feel the need to decode her behavior, but sometimes you just need a reason. And by you, I mean me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I mean, how else was I meant to interpret her actions? Her blushing? Everything about it seemed to scream I love you. And that wasnt something I would be able to brush off casually.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ummmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "20, as they say. Now I was in an awkward position, and I didnt really know what to say.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Adachi lifted her heels slightly, like she was preparing to bolt again, and I fixed her with a look that said you better say something before you take off this time. She seemed to intuit this; faltering, she stammered out something akin to an explanation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, uh, for the record, its not a huge deal or anything. I just...you know...Id like to spend Christmas-er, the holidays-doing something fun with someone, I think... No, definitely, yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maybe my guess wasnt so far off the mark, then. Maybe she really did just want someone around. Assuming she wasnt lying, of course. But itd be rude of me to suspect a friend of lying to my face. And in this case, it would be more convenient for me if she was telling the truth, so I was inclined to believe her. Funny how that worked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Normally it was her familys job to be around for her on Christmas, but as a teenager, asking for family time was super awkward. Probably even more so if your family was anything like Adachis. Thats why the duty had fallen to me-because she really didnt have anyone else.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "See? Im just her only option. What a relief.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And if Adachi just wanted someone around, not necessarily me specifically, then maybe there wasnt any harm in indulging her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I dont mind as long as I can be home by dinnertime, I decided.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Instantly, she jumped upright and looked at me. You mean it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But you have to do all the planning stuff.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I couldnt miss out on Christmas dinner or else my sister would get bummed out. Granted, this phase of her life would only last another two or three years at best, and then she wouldnt even notice my absence anymore. Hell, maybe shed stop getting excited for Christmas altogether. But for right now, at least, it was her favorite holiday-and this was a sentiment she and Adachi seemed to have in common. Yeah, thats probably it. This interpretation made me feel much better about the whole thing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Meanwhile, Adachi was swaying giddily from side to side, almost like she was wagging her tail. Except, you know, in this case her whole body was the tail. Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle. Her expression was looking much better, too: warm and bright, like the first few rays of sun after a long, cold winter. Our frozen time was moving once more.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In fact, her eyes were so damp with emotion, I half-wondered if she might just start weeping for joy. And the happier she got, the more I started to suspect... No, no, no. I shook the thought from my mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "From my lofty position atop the piled futons, Adachi felt like my faithful canine companion. Breed name: the Adachi Inu. Nailed it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Idly, my gaze wandered to the clock. Wed have to leave for school here soon, although wed save some time if Adachi gave me another ride on the back of her bike. That said, I wasnt sure she was in any condition to ride a bike. Would she even remember to pay attention to the traffic signals? She was practically vibrating, and her lips were curled in a goofy smile. Youd think Id be tempted to slap some sense into her, but instead I wanted to poke those goofy lips. Weird, I know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh! She jumped to her feet, her face flushed bright red, like she was the very personification of a volcanic eruption. We gotta go to school!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Here she was, trying to play the good girl while her brain could barely function. I could tell because she was pointing at my sisters study desk the way a normal person would point at the clock.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, right. Wed better go.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lets... Lets hurry! Time to hurry! To school! she stammered, doing her best robot impression as she staggered stiffly down the hallway. I heard her kick her shoes on, followed by the sound of the front door whipping open. Why did she always have to dash out of my house at the speed of light? I command thee to halt! I thought to myself like I was in some Shakespearean play.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dont go! Let me ride on your bike!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And here I thought I could take it easy this morning. I turned back and peered out of my window. Sure enough, she was pedaling off at full speed like she was fleeing the scene of a crime. Standing on the pedals, too, so you knew she was serious. If I was a cop, I wouldve pulled her over in a heartbeat.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It reminded me of the last time she ran out of my house. At least this time it definitely wasnt my fault... Then again, she hadnt exactly done anything wrong, either. Maybe it was my fault.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just when my room was getting nice and toasty, she had to go and leave the front door open. Slowly but surely, the warm air drifted out-a silent suggestion for me to do the same.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I closed my eyes and mulled it over one last time...then shrugged my shoulders and let it all go.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure, there was no star-crossed destiny that brought me and her together, but we did have a sturdy foundation wed been building since day one.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And so it was decided that I would spend Christmas with Adachi this year.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not like Santa Claus was bringing anything for me anyway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 11", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Interlude: A Visit to the Butchers Shop, Part 2", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude:A Visit to the Butchers ShopPart 2", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "DELI MASCOTS always made me uncomfortable. You know, like a cute little pig in a chefs uniform selling pork cutlets, or a smiling octopus cheerfully selling takoyaki.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I mean, theyre selling themselves as food! Why would they be happy about that? Like...its hard to explain, but...it feels like these mascot animals are being appropriated against their will, if that makes sense? Theyre cute and all, but it just doesnt feel right. I kind of feel...guilty? Yeah. I feel guilty for enabling it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wow, Hino. I didnt know you actually thought about that stuff.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Some of us actually use our brains, yknow.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I gestured with my hand, and Nagafuji followed it with her gaze. She looked smart at first glance, but no one had ever actually complimented her on her intelligence. One time our teacher wrote pretends to know what shes doing on her report card. Naturally, her parents got offended and came to the school to complain. It was a bit of a scandal at the time. But Nagafuji herself didnt really care-she was too busy playing Mario Kart with me for the whole spring vacation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dont worry, Hino. I understand where youre coming from. But for right now, lets try our best to come up with a cool mascot!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You dont understand a dang thing!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As usual. But I was really just talking to myself, so I wasnt expecting her to reply.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When we got home from school (not that this is actually my home, for the record), Nagafujis parents asked me to help design a mascot for the butchers shop. I dont know whose idea this was, but I was happy to pitch in. After all, if I left the task to Nagafuji, who knows what kind of bizarro mascot theyd end up with. Clearly that was why they turned to me for help. I could already picture Nagafuji trying to make their butcher shop mascot a sea urchin or something. Not to mention she just finished drawing a ridiculously good sketch of a parakeet for some reason.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The kotatsu table was covered in drawing paper and a veritable rainbow of colored markers, almost like we were kids again. Back then, Nagafuji loved to draw pictures of Salisbury steak. With mashed potatoes, of course.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Any ideas?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmmm...how about Nagafuji-chan the Cow?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lets see it, then.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait, what? Are you serious? I was joking! But there she was, peering at my drawing paper expectantly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uhhh...one sec.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I hadnt actually thought this through, but I started drawing anyway. My right hand moved on autopilot, crafting a doodle of Nagafujis face. Well, a cartoony version of it, anyway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I feel like I recognize it from somewhere, Nagafuji murmured as she stared down at it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dont you people have at least one mirror? Or are you trying to say I suck at drawing? For that matter, shouldnt the name Nagafuji-chan clue you in here?! Ugh, she always gets under my skin!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was she playing dumb, or was she really that dense?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was in junior high when I first realized there was something wrong with her-that she operated at a different speed compared to everyone else. She wasnt stupid, but she really took her time with everything. In that sense, she was a lot like Shimamura, a friend wed made earlier this year. In fact, maybe that was how we made friends with her so quickly. Unlike Shimamura, however, Nagafuji wasnt really capable of reading the room or taking hints. Yeah, she could be a real handful at times.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I glanced down at my masterpiece, then back up at the real deal, and it occurred to me that Id drawn her without her glasses. Evidently that was the normal Nagafuji in my minds eye.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When did you start wearing glasses again?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sixth grade. Thats when my eyesight took a nosedive.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wonder where it crash-landed. Maybe it slipped out one night while she was asleep, and then she rolled over and crushed it without realizing. Or maybe she yawned too hard and it all trickled out in a single tear. That sort of silly anecdote fit perfectly with her character.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sixth grade sounded about right, though. It felt like Id known No-Glasses Nagafuji a lot longer than this new, bespectacled version. But every now and then she would take her glasses off for a while, seemingly at random. I wonder what thats about.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So what does this have to do with our butcher shop?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nothing, really... Okay, how about this one?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I grabbed a blue marker and started sketching a cutesy cartoon caricature of a girl with bright blue hair, grinning and holding up a steamy croquette. Everyone always stared at her whenever she stopped by the store, so that had to count for something, right? Then again, maybe it would just be easier to hire her directly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We could call her Croquette-chan... Yeah, that sounds good. Lets go with that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Shouldnt you think it through first?! And what kind of name is that?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now then, time for your reward.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Naturally, she ignored me, but whatever. Hell yeah, I want a reward! Gimme, gimme! Wait...why does this feel so familiar?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youre not gonna kiss my forehead again, are you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You mean you dont want me to?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Does she actually think thats a reward? Weirdo. Like, does she think a kiss is more valuable than a snack or something? Ha ha ha. Seriously, what a weirdo.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, okay. Go ahead.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I had to be pretty weird myself, considering I was willing to accept her offer. Oh well. I crawled out from under the kotatsu and lifted my bangs. Then she crawled over on all fours and leaned forward. With one hand, she cupped my chin; the other, she placed on mine, sandwiching it between warm skin and the cold floor.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then she leaned in, and from the angle, I started to wonder if maybe she was planning to kiss me on the lips instead. My heart raced. But no-her chin tilted upwards, and she planted a kiss on my forehead, just as promised. Then I realized our legs were intertwined, too...almost like she might push me down to the floor and have her way with me any moment now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Several seconds ticked by as we held that position, like two marble statues or something. All I could see was the porcelain skin of her chin and throat. Uh, hello? You fall asleep up there or something? Not that I knew exactly how long a kiss was supposed to last, but still. Was she obligated to stay put for a certain length of time?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You two sure are close.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I jumped at the sudden voice-so hard, I made Nagafuji bite her lip.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gah! Clutching her mouth, she pulled away from me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was Nagafujis mom, having just stepped in from the storefront. She looked at us with a weird little smile, and I felt mortified that shed caught us in the act. But as much as I wanted to pull away, Nagafujis hand was still resting on mine, so I was stuck.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mrs. Nagafuji walked up to the kotatsu, plopped down, and turned on the TV. Her daughter turned to the TV, too. How can you people act so normal?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Be sure to tidy all this up, Mrs. Nagafuji told us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, Mom, Nagafuji replied. Then she turned to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I had so much I wanted to yell at her for, but with her mom in the same room, I knew I had to keep a lid on it. Instead, my frustration built and built until...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Do you think were close? she asked me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I dunno... Arent we just normal friends? I replied, still wrestling with my embarrassment. But for some reason...Nagafuji sorta...looked disappointed...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Man, take off those darn glasses so I can actually see your face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well...okay...sure, were close. A normal amount of close, I said, amending my previous answer.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just a couple of normal close friends. It was starting to sound like an oxymoron. I could clarify further, but I didnt see the point.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Unfortunately, I couldnt see Nagafujis reaction to this, either...all thanks to those stupid glasses.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 12", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 4: Holiday Planning with Adachi", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 4:Holiday Planning with Adachi", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "WHAT IS CHRISTMAS? What is the meaning of Christmas? Does Christmas have rules? What does a merry Christmas look like? What is Christmas magic? And how much am I supposed to agonize over this?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I decided to take a deep breath and calm down.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Two days had passed, and while I was hoping this fever would recede eventually, it had only gotten worse. Mostly I was excited to spend a major holiday with Shimamura, but also I think part of me was just overjoyed that for once in my life, something had actually gone the way I wanted it to. A tornado of emotions whirled in my chest, but I was only putting up token resistance.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Truth be told, I was enjoying the struggle...even at work.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My head was filled with snow and ornaments and lights-so much so, I even forgot to tug on the hem of my skimpy cheongsam. If I wasnt careful, I was afraid I might just start skipping around the dining area.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And when I got home, Id rotate my shoulder, then raise both hands to the ceiling, fingers splayed. Next, Id ball my hands into fists, then look up at them and feel a strange sense of accomplishment. I did this several times per night. Then Id look up at the snow falling outside my bedroom window and experience a rush of joy. Why was I so giddy? I was acting like a little kid.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Unfortunately, I had yet to find a cure for the worries that ailed me. The most immediate of those worries was the looming task of planning our schedule for the big day. I was the one who suggested we hang out, so it was my responsibility, but...I didnt actually know what people usually did on Christmas. In my experience, the answer was nothing, but that wouldnt fly. I needed to do some research.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hence, I bought a magazine with the words Christmas Date Ideas printed on the front cover. Unfortunately, it didnt have the kind of popularity statistics I was looking for. How was I meant to find out what the most popular date spots were? I mean, not that we were going on a date, per se.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "However, the magazine did suggest going to see a movie, the rationale being that it was a nonthreatening location, and afterwards wed have something in common to talk about: our opinion of said movie. Made perfectly good sense to me. My problem, however, was that I couldnt be sure if Shimamura even liked movies. She never talked about herself, so I didnt have a good sense of what she enjoyed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Honestly, it was probably weird that I fell-er, felt things-toward someone I barely knew. Then again, maybe that was part of the draw. I wanted to know more about her because I...uh...felt things.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The magazine also suggested throwing a two-person house party for a fun and relaxing dinner in a comfortable environment. That sounded more in line with our interests, but...whose house would we throw it at? I didnt want Shimamura in my room, nor did I want her family invading our party. No, we needed to go into town somewhere.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This was quite possibly the most Id ever agonized over something in my entire life. It was even more stressful than my high school entrance exams. There were a bunch of other minor worries, too, like what to wear. Should I buy a new outfit for the occasion? What would Shimamura want to see me wear?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No zone out!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just then, my manager popped out of nowhere, scolding me with a funny little dance. She always seemed to have energy to spare, that one. Unlike the chef who worked in the kitchen, however, she couldnt seem to get the hang of verb conjugation, and her accent was still thick. Somehow I got the sense that her stance on the Japanese language was as long as people can understand me, its good enough. Made sense to me, honestly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The manager and the chef were a constant presence here in this Neo-Chinese Cuisine (I dont know either) restaurant, but on days when our ads or coupons were printed in the newspaper, some on-call employees would always show up, seemingly out of nowhere, to help handle the rush. Naturally, they were all Taiwanese. And whenever some other Taiwanese restaurant needed extra hands on deck for a grand re-opening or something, these same people would turn up there, too. Apparently all the Taiwanese immigrants knew each other or something. But while it might have made sense to pool their on-call employees, I wished these restaurants didnt all have the same duplicate menu. Here, an order of gyoza did not look like the picture. Their shape was different, and it didnt come with that many.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There were no customers, so my manager kept on dancing. Then it occurred to me to ask: Is it cool if I take Christmas Day off? You know, the 25th?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Normally this woman always looked like she was half-asleep, but not this time. Her eyes sparkled. You going on date?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not...entirely...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That was a weird way to put it-was I trying to suggest it was partially a date, or what? Then again, if the point of a date was to have fun and get to know someone you were interested in, then maybe in that sense it was kind of a date.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Me and Shimamura, going on a date. The thought was enough to boil my brain. And if I was this nervous at the mere concept, then maybe it was time to admit that I did in fact see our hangout as a date.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But the more I focused on it, the more humiliated I felt...until eventually I started to wish Id never invited her.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The next day, I spaced out in class until the lunch bell rang. Next thing I knew, I was walking aimlessly down the hallway. Confused and alarmed, I turned and looked back the way Id come. Had I subconsciously followed after Shimamura like a homesick little Swiss girl yearning for the mountains? If so, I certainly didnt see her anywhere. Oh god, what if she saw me stagger out of the classroom like a zombie?", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then I wondered: What floor was I on? I glanced out the window and determined from the view that I had to be on the second floor. That left one last question: Do I go to the cafeteria or return to the classroom?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It felt like Id just caught myself sleepwalking. This was mildly concerning, considering the school building had a lot of staircases where I could fall down and break my neck. From now on I should try to restrict all zoning out to the first floor... Guess thats easier said than done.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I was debating whether to advance or retreat, a familiar face walked past me. She noticed me looking at her and turned back, her long-ish hair swaying with her movements. It was Hino.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sup, Ada-cheechee! Whatcha standing around for? Feeling lightheaded or something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, Im fine.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, are you waiting for Shimamura?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sadly, no, thats not it either. Not particularly, I muttered under my breath.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just then, it occurred to me that Hinos other half was nowhere to be seen. Id expected her to turn up by now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its not often I see you flying solo, either. Wheres, uh, Nagafuji?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Say wha...?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hino glanced around sharply. Did she not notice until just now?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Youre right... Shes not here! Normally she hardly ever loses track of me!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What are you, her guidepost? I imagined Nagafuji wandering away into the sunset. It didnt feel right. Then I imagined her wandering away into a candy store. Okay, now I see it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, Im sure shell turn up at the cafeteria eventually. Id better grab us a table.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She seemed confident in Nagafujis homing instinct, but I wasnt so sure. Right as Hino was about to walk off, however, she suddenly stopped short and beckoned to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wanna come have lunch with us, Adatsy?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Who, me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You see any other Adachi-san standing around here? Anyways, I just figured you were already headed there.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She flashed her pearly whites at me. With her short stature and frank, unreserved personality, she felt more like a little sister than a peer...but I knew shed probably get mad at me if I said that out loud, so I didnt.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay then, Ill tag along.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Seeing as she might have the answers to my questions, I decided to accompany her. Was this our first time hanging out together without Shimamura? Come to think of it, yes, it absolutely was. In fact, it was my first time hanging out at school with someone who wasnt Shimamura. Why? Because I never felt the desire to be around anyone. As for the reason behind that, well...I decided not to dig up the past. I didnt have room in my brain for more worries. Right now the right half was dedicated to Shimamura and the left half was reserved for Christmas. Fancy, I know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That reminds me... I feel like Shimamura or someone told me you get good grades in English. Is that true?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Who else would talk about me if not Shimamura? On second thought...why would Shimamura talk about my grades at all? That was the more pressing question.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wouldnt say good, per se. Just, you know, not bad. Average, I replied modestly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Interesting, she mused, almost like she was impressed for some unfathomable reason. This was followed by a cheery Hello! in English. Shouldve seen this coming.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uh... Hello, I parroted back, smiling slightly. I was 100 percent sure shed just blurted out the first English word that came to mind. She was like a little kid...in a good way, I mean. And not because of her height.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Silence fell between us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Strangely enough, whenever Shimamura wasnt around, I suddenly didnt mind Hino and Nagafuji as much. Nothing against Shimamura, of course-not like she was a hindrance or something. Actually, no, maybe I had it backwards. Whenever they were around, I felt like there was a wall between myself and Shimamura. They were the hindrance.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I knew they werent bad people, and I liked them just fine...but I wasnt capable of caring for them the same way I cared for Shimamura. What made Shimamura so special? I didnt know. But even if the answer was just because I liked her more, I still couldnt quite explain why I liked her more. Love didnt always come with rational explanations attached.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Together, Hino and I navigated around the staff room to the cafeteria entrance. The winter wind blew between the buildings, turning each covered walkway into an arctic zone. A line had formed at the meal ticket machine out front, and everyone was shivering in the cold. Youd think the school would get a lot of complaints about this particular placement, and yet they never showed any signs of relocating it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The two of us joined the end of the line and huddled together for warmth. As we waited, I took out my cell phone and checked it. Usually this was something I did more out of boredom than anything else, but this time I had a good reason: to check for any emails from Shimamura. After all, it was possible she could change her mind about hanging out at any given time. Fortunately, my inbox was empty. I heaved a sigh of relief.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nothing in life was guaranteed. Sometimes things just didnt work out. So all I could do was pray that it would all go according to plan. Was there anything I could use as a bargaining chip? I hardly ever interacted with people, so I never got the opportunity to help anyone. Maybe I should go out of my way to do at least one good deed so Santa will put me on the nice list.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Eventually I made it to the front of the line. I wanted something to warm me up, so I bought a ramen meal ticket.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I think Ill get the same thing, Hino commented to herself, and sure enough, she bought one, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The cafeteria ramen was decorated with a garnish of bright pink naruto swirls, something I didnt see too often at restaurants anymore.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Got any hobbies, Ada-chee? Hino asked as we stood in a second line inside at the counter to redeem our meal tickets.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not really. This was the same answer Id given Shimamura when she asked me, and it was still every bit as boring as it was back then. But it was the honest truth, so shed just have to accept it. No sense in making something up to try to look cool. Nor could I tell her my hobby was Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, same as Shimamura, then.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My heart skipped a beat as Hino mentioned the very person I was thinking of. Then the words sank in, and I heaved an internal sigh of relief. No, she hadnt read my mind. Slowly, I ruminated on her statement. Same as Shimamura...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh ho, whats with the smirk? Reminiscing or something? Hino asked, peering at me. Then I realized my glee mustve shown on my face and started to panic.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uh...nothing! I waved a hand dismissively.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If Shimamura had seen me grinning to myself just now, shed probably think I was a weirdo. Then again, at least that would prove I wasnt a blank slate like my mom always claimed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once we got our ramen, we sat down across from each other at the end of a nearby table. The cafeteria was packed, so there were hardly any open seats. Hino placed a handkerchief on the empty seat next to her-saving it for Nagafuji, if I had to guess. What if Shimamura shows up? I glanced beside me, but the seat was already taken.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then Hino pressed her palms together to say grace, so I followed suit. Once we were done, I watched as she picked up her chopsticks and lifted a bite of noodles out of her bowl. Now that I was paying attention, I realized she was actually very elegant in her motions. This came as a surprise, considering she had such a carefree personality. Maybe her parents were strict with her or something.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey, so...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mmm?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chewing a mouthful of bean sprouts, Hino looked up, the tip of her nose wet with broth. I paused for a beat, then asked her the question that was on my mind. Do you know what kind of stuff Shimamura likes?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Cant have Christmas without presents, after all. It was the first thing I thought of when I heard the word. Even if Shimamura didnt get me anything, I still wanted to get something for her. The desire was ingrained in me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I dunno... Im not sure she likes anything, Hino replied pensively.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Point taken. We both returned to our ramen.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After another bite of bean sprouts, Hino washed it down with a sip of water, then folded her arms in contemplation, her chopsticks still in hand. Shes not really the type to talk about herself, yknow?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, I know. Id ask her directly, but itd be weird, and she probably wouldnt tell me. Thats why Im asking you. Have you ever gone shopping with her or anything?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, sure, a few times. Weve gone to the bookstore, and... Oh, thats right. We checked out the tea shop once.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The tea shop?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah. I was running an errand, and Shimamura tagged along... Oh yeah, and I think she said one of the tea blends smelled really good. Was it black tea or green tea...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interesting. So she likes tea?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe that would make for a nice holiday gift-something practical instead of sentimental. That way Shimamura wouldnt feel awkward accepting it. But most of all, I wanted it to be something she would actually like.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Can you remember the name of the blend or anything? I pressed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hino set her chopsticks down, then re-folded her arms. Gimme a minute here... Ugh, what was it? It definitely wasnt barley tea... What shelf was it on? Dang it, I cant remember... I feel like the names right on the tip of my tongue. Maybe Id remember if I saw it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then...would you wanna...go with me to find it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didnt even know where to start looking, so she was my only hope if I wanted to track it down. Normally Id never ask this of her, since I didnt really like spending time with anyone who wasnt Shimamura, but desperate times called for desperate measures.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmmm. Hino glanced around for a bit. Shouldnt you go with Shimamura and have her pick it out for you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I fell silent. Admittedly it was the logical conclusion, but now was not the time to be asking Shimamura on yet another not-date. Besides, the second I asked her, it would become painfully obvious what I was trying to do, and the thought was humiliating.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, I get it, Hino nodded, as if shed intuited something. In that case, sure, Ill go with you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Exactly how shed chosen to interpret my silence, I wasnt sure, but either way, she must have worked out that I wanted to keep it a secret from Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay. Thanks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How about today after school? The tea shops over at the mall.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, um...sure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In a town as rural as this one, hangout spots were naturally limited. In our case, our options were either the mall or the station square. On Christmas, I had a feeling Shimamura and I would probably end up at the mall. It was the classiest place this backwater town had to offer.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Still, the thought of going into town with Hino made me nervous, albeit not in the same way that being with Shimamura did.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Is her birthday coming up or something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh? Oh, uh...I dunno. I dont think so. Shed already turned sixteen, so if anything, my birthday was probably closer.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh...so its not a birthday gift? Hino blinked in surprise.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I could see the gears turning in her head and figured shed probably put two and two together any second now, so I did my best to play it cool. Oh, you know, its that time of year! Yep! I nodded vigorously, as if this made all the sense in the world. I really didnt want her asking any follow-up questions.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then Nagafuji showed up. Honestly, her timing couldnt have been better.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ah! I found Hino!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, hey! Hino looked up with a grin, her nose still brothy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nagafuji was carrying a sandwich from the school store. Why would she buy food there, then bring it all the way here? Oh, right. Because Hinos here. Truth be told, I envied the way these two always seemed to instinctively seek each other out, even without any direct verbal communication.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, well, well. Look who it is! Youre late, my dear Nagafuji-chan! Where did you wander off to?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mmmm... Ignoring Hinos question, Nagafuji sat down next to her at the table, then placed a hand on Hinos head and patted her soft hair.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The hell, man?! Hino snapped in an affected voice like she was referencing a movie or something.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Youre bigger now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Excuse me?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, I figured the reason I lost sight of you is because you got smaller somehow.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Evidently she did in fact get lost. Rolling her eyes, Hino smacked Nagafuji over the head, producing a pleasant airy sound. Then the two of them turned to their food like nothing had ever happened.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Theyre so close... I dont think I could ever smack Shimamura like that.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sorry Im late, Adatsy! Hino called as she stood waiting for me by the school gates. I really wasnt sure how to react to that. If anything, I was late. Obviously I knew she was just joking around, but I wasnt sure how I was supposed to joke back. She froze with her hand aloft in a wave, waiting endlessly for me to finally respond.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sorry, I was just grabbing my bike, so, uh...no, youre not late... Sorry.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmmm. Youre another Shimamura-you dont know how to play along.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "While part of me enjoyed being likened to Shimamura, another part of me wasnt so sure. If Shimamura was anything like me, then I probably wouldnt have fallen in lo-in like with her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But Ill give you some pity points, since you at least tried to think of something.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Thanks. I couldnt tell if she was sincerely complimenting me or just trying to cheer me up after I put my foot in my mouth, but either way, I accepted it on reflex. Gah. Wheres Nagafuji?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Look, pal, Im not her mom, okay? Were not conjoined at the hip or anything, she scoffed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I mean, if anything shed be your mom-you know, since shes taller. But I didnt say this out loud. Oh, or they could be sisters...but even then, Nagafuji would still be the older sister. I didnt say that, either.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She said shes busy. These things happen, yknow, once every year or so.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shes only ever busy once a year? Youre joking. Actually, Hino was probably joking. But in the event she wasnt, that would make Nagafuji even more of an enigma than Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "All right, lets go!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With her hands in the air, Hino began to skip down the street. It was impressive how much energy she had to spare, considering it was just another cloudy winter day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You dont want a ride?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, no, I totally do. But not until were a little ways from campus. That way the teachers cant yell at us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura had always jokingly referred to Hino and Nagafuji as goody-goodies, but now it made sense. Unlike them, Shimamura was content to hop on at the bike parking area. I thought life as a delinquent was supposed to be harder, not easier.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whats up?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I looked up to find Hino looking over her shoulder at me. Oh, I was just thinking... Youre a model student, huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, I know. Im pretty great, arent I? she joked smugly. Once we rounded the corner, she jumped onto the back of my bike and put her hands on my shoulders.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That was how I realized hers were smaller than Shimamuras.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Fitting of a weekday afternoon, the mall parking lot was packed full of cars and bicycles alike. So much so, in fact, that I had trouble finding a place to park mine. If I rested it too heavily against another bike, I ran the risk of courting a domino-effect catastrophe whenever I or someone else needed to pull a bike out. Id experienced this numerous times at school firsthand.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We walked in through the first-floor entrance, next to the pet shop. I didnt have the first clue where we were going, so I let Hino take the lead. Currently she was on the phone with someone.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah. Im in the area, so I figured Id ask... Okay, sure. How many? Five? Got it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Based on her responses, I suspected she was probably talking to a family member. I took out my cell phone, too. Partly so I could pretend to have a social life, but mostly to check my inbox for any emails. Nope. Good. Shimamura hardly ever emailed me in the first place, and the last time she did, it was to ask me about sit-ups. What was that about, anyway? I still didnt understand.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We passed by a confectionery kiosk, then a wine kiosk. Finally the tea shop came into view, situated across from the bakery in the corner of the intersection. The words tea shop brought to mind the color green, but the store interior was actually mostly brown-shelves upon shelves of loose-leaf tea blends packed into little brown bags. Outside, the sign read Mikuniya Zangoro, almost like it was someones name.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Free samples!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When we entered, an employee standing to the side of the entrance held out a tray lined with little paper cups the size of my pinky. Reflexively, I took one. Inside was about one mouthfuls worth of tea, so I downed the whole thing...and instantly regretted it. My tongue was still chilly from biking here, and the hot liquid was a nasty surprise it wasnt expecting. My eyes bulged in my skull.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once I overcame the burning sensation, my brain set about processing the flavor. Bitter, I remarked aloud without an ounce of tact.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The employee took my empty cup with a forced smile, then looked over at Hino. Great to see you again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yep, its me! she replied, waving casually. Unlike me, she wasnt prompted to try a free sample. Instead, she stared poring through the shelves like shed done it a dozen times before.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Do you come here a lot? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Eh...often enough, I guess. My family drinks a lot of tea, you could say, Hino replied vaguely.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tea was generally not something I would go out of my way to purchase at a specialty store, so I couldnt help but wonder if her family was a bunch of stuffy rich people-or was I just uncultured? She grabbed a basket and filled it with five bags of the same ginger tea. Apparently this was what theyd asked her to pick up over the phone.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I bet a cup of that would warm you right up, I commented as I watched her. Personally, I wouldve preferred to stand there in silence, but I felt obligated to make at least a token attempt at small talk.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hino picked up one of the bags and stroked the label. It helps combat cold sensitivity...according to my family, anyway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You dont drink it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nah. I dont have cold sensitivity problems. She returned the bag to her basket. Now where was it...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She stared up at a shelf of black tea blends near the register, then glanced over at the shelf of Chinese tea blends next to it. Under each shelf, the corresponding blends were packed into little tins, enabling customers to smell the tea leaves prior to purchase. I didnt know the first thing about tea varieties, so every now and then I just grabbed a tin at random and sniffed it. Some smelled minty while others smelled astringent. But since I wasnt a tea connoisseur, I had no way of discerning good from bad.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Meanwhile, Hino sniffed each tin in turn. Is she going to recognize it by smell? I decided to sit back and let her do her thing, so I turned and looked out at the malls main walkway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I could see a little lounge area with benches situated around a giant decorative tree all wrapped up with Christmas lights. Each bulb flashed different colors: red, blue, and yellow, in sequence. It didnt stand out much here in broad daylight, but once the sun went down I was sure it would turn heads. Its branches were covered with all sorts of glittery ornaments, like apples and stars. I vaguely remembered seeing something similar in a picture book when I was little.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Christmas was on its way, and the whole town seemed abuzz with energy, people milling to and fro. I turned back to the store, then quietly hung my head.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Deep down, I knew it wasnt normal for two girls to hang out on Christmas. Nor was it normal for me to get excited about the prospect. Shimamura certainly wasnt excited for Christmas. To her, it was probably just another mundane event on the calendar.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was a stark difference between my enthusiasm level and hers. The question was, did I want her to notice that? If I didnt, then I probably wouldnt act like this, so I guess maybe I did. But what if that realization pushed her further away from me? The thought terrified me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This was the experience of having a crush in a nutshell.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ive got a question for you, Adatsy-kun.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hastily, I looked up. Hino was glancing over her shoulder at me as she reached for a bag of tea on the shelf.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whats up? I prompted.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Will you get mad at me if I tell you this is it and then it turns out to...not be it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No? I wouldnt hold that against you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, cool, because this is probably it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She grabbed the bag and handed it to me. Evidently shed tracked it down a lot more easily than I was expecting her to. The label read Legend of Africa. Not really the first thing Id think of when I thought of Shimamura, but okay. Is this black tea? From Africa? Does Africa even have tea? I guess they do.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wanna pay for these together? Hino asked, indicating her basket. I nodded and set the African tea with her other bags.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once we finished paying for our stuff, Hino pointed at a coffee shop right nearby. The store was mostly devoid of customers, and the sign out front advertising soft-serve ice cream was largely ignored by the passersby.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wanna get a drink and hang out?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure...maybe just for a bit.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wanted to repay her for tagging along with me, so we walked a handful of steps over to the empty coffee shop.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ill buy, I declared, taking a step forward and raising my wallet aloft in the air.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her eyes widened. How come?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "To thank you...for...coming with me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Aha! Now I get why Shimamura likes you!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was a rather straightforward compliment, and one that I was happy to accept.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once our coffee was ready, we chose a place to sit...and that was when I noticed the chairs. They reminded me of the sort of thing youd see in a junior high school shop class-crude, unpolished, and almost entirely made of wood. Were they someones hand-me-downs? They smelled like sawdust.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I leaned back against the backrest and it creaked like it was barely attached.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its kinda cold in here, huh? My legs are freezing! Hino exclaimed, scuffing her shoes against the floor as she cupped her fingers around her coffee.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Indeed, the warmth from the in-store heater didnt seem to reach our bare legs, where the chill of winter had seemingly taken up permanent residence. Perhaps the biggest threat to this stores success was lurking right there under the tables.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Id already been burned once-literally-so I took my time with my drink, blowing on it between small sips. But even if I were the kind of person who could chug hot beverages like a fish in water, I imagine I still wouldve paused to blow on it. That way Id have an excuse for my silence.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just then, Hino pointed at me. I bet you feel awkward cause theres nothing to talk about, huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It felt like she had read my mind. At first I was impressed, but then I realized it must have been obvious. I responded with a stiff smile, to which she smiled back. But hers was genuine and innocent, and perhaps that, more so than anything else, spoke to her true character as a human being.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Honestly, its like this with Nagafuji, too. But with her, its actually more awkward when she ta-", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She froze, her mouth hanging open, and sloooowly tilted her head to the right, peering over me at the main walkway outside the store. Following her line of sight, I looked over my shoulder-and my eyes opened so wide, they nearly shot out of my head.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura and Nagafuji were walking side by side, Shimamura affectionately resting her hand on Nagafujis shoulder.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Reflexively, Hino and I exchanged a glance.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh ho... So thats why she was busy, eh...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She nodded stiffly to herself, then put her chin in her hands and looked at me. Somehow I could sense compassion from her gaze. As for Shimamura and Nagafuji, they kept right on walking without ever noticing us; I watched them until they disappeared from sight. My eyes hurt, probably because Id forgotten to blink. Even my eyelids felt numb.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Did she tell you they were going to hang out?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "By she, Hino probably meant Shimamura. Silently, I shook my head.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Truth be told, this was actually really upsetting to me...but why? Wasnt Shimamura allowed to go shopping with a friend? Of course she was. But...something about it knocked the Christmas spirit right out of me, and the hole it left behind was palpable, like a missing block in a game of Jenga. Gone was my sense of security; now all that remained was anxiety and panic. My eyes felt dry. Yeah...I was definitely forgetting to blink.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, good grief, Hino muttered. She leaned forward and patted me on the shoulder. What am I gonna do with you, kid?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...Huh? What do you mean? I stared at her, confused. She jostled me so hard, I was seeing stars.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wanna tail them? Hino suggested, half-joking, but also half-serious.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Without thinking, I opened my mouth wide-but no words came. My lips opened and closed like a goldfish out of water. Then, finally, my brain caught up to me. The little girl inside me was telling me to go...which meant it was almost certainly the wrong thing to do.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nah, lets not. Theyre...you know...busy or whatever.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I could hear the sarcasm in my voice. Silently, I cursed myself. Shimamura was allowed to hang out with other people-if anything, the time she spent with me was the exception rather than the rule-so why did it gnaw at me like this? Right now, what I wanted more than anything was not to tail them, but to run right up to them and join them.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hino seemed to be handling it better than I was, but deep down, perhaps she felt the same way-like someone had just shone a spotlight onto our inferiority.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, Adatsy, youre such a good kid, she teased, smiling slightly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I had yet to really thank her for all her help today, but now, in more than one sense, it felt like Id let a priceless opportunity slip by.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After that incident, we downed our drinks as fast as possible, then awkwardly headed out of the mall.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did Hino walk with me back to the bike parking area?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Honestly, I dont remember.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I sat with one finger hovered over my phone screen, wavering back and forth.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why were you with Nagafuji just now?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, that sounded too aggressive. Particularly the why part. The more directly I asked, the angrier I sounded.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Given the slightest introspection, it would appear that I was jealous.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura was just innocently having a fun time with her friend, but here I was, acting like Id been betrayed or something. She hadnt done anything to warrant this sort of interrogation. I was hurt over nothing. I knew that. But I was hurt nonetheless.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was dying to ask her about it, but I couldnt decide whether I had the right to ask. Was it really any of my business?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "From her perspective, Id essentially done the same thing-hung out with Hino without her permission. Well, maybe thats a weird way of putting it. Behind her back, I guess. But even if she found out about it, she probably wouldnt care. I could picture myself telling her, only for her to reply whoa, thats weird-end of conversation. And if thats how she would look at it, then I needed to look at it that way, too...or did I?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What am I to Shimamura, anyway?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This question helped to bridle my rampant emotions, successfully preventing me from lashing out in the heat of the moment. Instead, I flung my phone down and collapsed onto my bed. My hair was still wet from the bath I took earlier, but I didnt feel like getting up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I reached out and grabbed two things: my pillow and the little brown bag of African tea. The employee at the counter had kindly gift-wrapped it for me-I guess Hino requested it or something. I gazed at it blankly until the restlessness in my chest melted away in a mass of white-hot yearning.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was just a friend to her. Nothing more, nothing less. I needed to remember that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At some point Id deluded myself into thinking I was the only person in her life, but this simply wasnt the case, and I had no right to get upset that I was wrong about it. No matter how intense my feelings got, they would only ever be one-sided.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I regret everything.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "These embers had burned in my chest all day long. Bit by bit, I crushed them between my molars until my mouth was full of bitter, pulpy ash. I hated the taste, but I knew I wasnt going to be able to sleep until the work was done.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once I swallowed the last of the filth, it was time to wipe the slate clean and start over.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Regardless of what sort of relationship I wanted with Shimamura, the fact remained that she and I were just regular friends. With this knowledge in mind, I wanted our bond to grow stronger. To that end, all I could really do was take it one day at a time. One holiday at a time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But there was one thing I needed to keep firmly in mind: The closer we got, the more easily shed feel my heat. And I couldnt let her plunge her hand into that fire-I needed to control the intensity, lest she get burned.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So what did I want her to feel from me on Christmas Day? Love? Romance? No, no, no! Why did I always come back to that?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The correct answer, of course, was affection.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My heart was filled with this red-hot magma. Would there ever come a day that shed appreciate its warmth?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I murmured her name, and my chest burned hot enough to tide me over until this long, cold winter came to an end.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 13", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude: Yashiro Comes Calling, Part 2", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Interlude:Yashiro Comes CallingPart 2", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "ONCE I GET HOME, Ill do my spelling homework, I think to myself as I walk home from school. Then Ill practice playing my recorder, and after that-", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just then, I hear a beep beep beep and glance over my shoulder.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whoa!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its Yachi. This is my second time running into her on my way home, and once again, Im completely caught off-guard. This street runs from the community center to the special education school, and there are pear orchards all around us. But a lot of other kids take this street, and they stare at Yachi whenever shes around. Its embarrassing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now that its winter, shes wearing a scarf in place of her usual hat. For some reason, the scarf seems heavier than she is. Maybe its because shes so sparkly and floaty. Her butterfly hairstyle is floaty, too. Its kinda weird.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youre Little Shimamura, correct?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Um...yeah...? And what do you mean, little?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thats too much of a mouthful. Im just going to call you Little.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thats not even my name! Oh well. At least its a fun change. Everybody at school only ever calls me Shima-chan. Are you on your way home from school, Yachi? I ask. Then I notice that shes not carrying anything-not even a pack of croquettes like last time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I do not attend school. I already graduated many years ago.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Lucky!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I know, right? She puffs out her chest proudly, not that she has much of one. I know some grown-ups can be really petite, but still...it kinda feels like shes lying.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I lean up against the fence outside the special education school. Yachi stands next to me and does the same. But unlike the chipped blue paint on the fence, Yachis sparkles are bright and shiny. Farm-fresh, as they say.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For some reason the two of us are friends now, even though she totally chased me around when we first met... Oh well. She did give me that croquette, I guess.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I have a question.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What is it? she asks politely, though her diction could use some work.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Are you really an alien?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She clucks her tongue and wags her index finger in my face. Of course I am. Ive never told a lie in my life.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Grrrr. Are you saying my sisters a liar, then?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Prove it. Prove to me that youre an alien! I cup my hands together and hold them out like shes going to pour water into them or something.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She smirks and wags her finger again. To do so would violate our code of ethics, and so I must decline.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Aww, cmon!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Intergalactic policy is very strict.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Grrrr...fine then. Rules are rules, I guess.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I feel like shes just making excuses. Maybe she is lying. But then again, shes bright blue...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh? Whats that?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yachi grabs the recorder case poking out from inside my backpack and yanks hard. The backpack straps dig into my shoulders. Meanwhile, her hair sparkles fly everywhere with the movement. Whoa.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dont you know what a recorder is?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A...recorder...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If she doesnt know what a recorder is, then theres no way she graduated from elementary school. She takes the recorder out of its case and taps on it with her fingers.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its a musical instrument. You hold it like this, and put your mouth there, and then you blow, I explain without thinking, because explaining stuff makes me feel cool.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, I see. Yachi dutifully follows my instructions.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I dont normally let other people play my recorder, but with her, I dont mind. Is it because she seems so...pure? She has this faint chill about her-not like winter wind, but more like a fresh mountain spring. Like an ice sculpture, except shes warm and alive.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She puts her mouth on the mouthpiece and goes FWEEEEoooEEEEoooEEEE-", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Aaaagh! Its so loud and shrill, I cover my ears. You dont have to blow it that hard!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oooh...oh... Yachi seems a bit dizzy herself, and I cant help but giggle.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She has this confident, can-do attitude about her, but when it comes down to it, she struggles with stuff like any normal girl. Huh...I guess that means she is a normal girl. Somehow I feel like I can relate to her more.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What an intense form of music.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Only because you blew it too hard!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I guess she really doesnt know what a recorder is. But why not? Im so curious about her life now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You have to blow out more slowly than that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, its nearly time for bargain hour. Id better be going.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yachi pushes herself off the fence and hands me my recorder back. Bargain hour? Like, at the grocery store? Or the butchers shop, maybe? Here I thought I would get to teach her how to play the recorder. Now Im a little disappointed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wait... How does she know what time it is when she didnt even look at a watch or anything?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She turns back and waves at me with a smile. But right before I can yell goodbye-", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whuh? I freeze, stunned, my eyes wide. What the heck was that sound?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whoops. Force of habit. Goodbye!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Still waving, she dances down the street, zig-zagging along until shes out of sight.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey! HEY! I shout after her, but shes too fast for me, so I give up. Nnngh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Personally, Im more curious what that sound was. Ive never heard any words like that before... On second thought, Im not sure they were words at all. It didnt sound like they came out of her mouth, but instead transmitted directly to my ears somehow.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was it English? French? Or...could it be...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Alienese?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I tilt my head in confusion, Yachis trail of sparkles float into my nose and eyes. I wipe them away with my fingers, then blow them off into the air, where they rise up and slowly disappear. Is she really an alien, or is she just playing pretend? Either way, there was something fishy about her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And by something, I mean a lot of things.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 14", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 5: Holiday Planning with Shimamura", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 5:Holiday Planning with Shimamura", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "AS SOON AS THE lunch bell rang, Adachi got up from her desk and staggered out of the classroom, leaving her textbooks and everything behind. I watched her go, wondering idly if she was feeling okay. Judging from her meandering gait, it didnt seem like she had a particular destination in mind. Did it have something to do with our Christmas plans? Probably. Hence, I decided not to go after her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi had been acting this way ever since she showed up at my house to ask me to hang out on Christmas. It seemed like her mind was busy elsewhere, and her gross motor skills suffered as a result.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sometimes, in the middle of class, Id catch her grinning to herself...and from an outsiders perspective, it was really, really weird. What happened to the icy, aloof Adachi I once knew? Did she migrate south for the winter? Then again, I guess icy and aloof was just my mental image of her, not the real her. Considering everyone liked to joke that I got all my clothes from Shimamura Co., I knew what it felt like to have other people jump to conclusions about who you were.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When Adachi didnt return to the classroom right away, I figured she mustve gone to the school store or the cafeteria or something. As I pondered my own lunch plans, I suddenly noticed Nagafuji standing all by herself-a rare sight. Normally Hino was always right there with her...or was she with Hino? Whatever.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nagafuji slid her glasses back on and started walking my way. Man, shes tall. Im kinda jealous.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Have you seen Hino?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If you dont know where she is, then no one does.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Good point, Nagafuji nodded solemnly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was mostly joking, but yeah. Compared to Nagafuji, the amount of time Id spent getting to know Hino was fairly minimal.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "One minute I was cleaning my glasses, and the next minute Hino was just gone, Nagafuji explained.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She always spoke so vaguely, it was hard to know if she was ever actually telling the truth, and youd lose brain cells trying to figure it out. Honestly, I was impressed Hino could tolerate her as much as she did. I guess friendships more important than minor annoyances.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Did you guys bring your lunch from home today? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nope. Were gonna eat in the cafeteria.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well then, thats probably where she is.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh! Nagafuji clapped like Id done a magic trick.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Frankly, there were only so many places Hino could have gone during lunch, and if shed stopped to think about it for two seconds, surely she could have figured this out on her own. Was her brain really that empty? If so, then why even bother wearing glasses in the first place?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In actuality, however, Nagafuji always aced all her tests. Not sure how, but yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Are you coming, too?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nah, I think Ill grab lunch from the school store this time. But Ill walk with you partway, at least.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I dug my wallet out of my bookbag and followed Nagafuji out of the classroom. It felt weird with just the two of us walking around.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With her considerable height, my eyes were naturally drawn to her. But while I inevitably had to tilt my head up to look at her, she hardly ever moved her head at all. Her gaze didnt shift much, either-she just stared straight ahead. With tunnel vision like that, I was starting to think she might get hit by a car one of these days. Then again, she was probably safe with Hino around to look out for her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Come to think of it, what club is she in again? Somehow I couldnt really picture her having a functional conversation with anyone who wasnt Hino. Even I couldnt understand her half the time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, I know. I should ask Nagafuji about it. Unlike Hino, she might actually give me a direct answer.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Do you do anything for Christmas? I didnt want to dump all the planning in Adachis lap, so I figured I should give it some thought myself, and I was hoping Nagafuji could offer me a useful suggestion.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She looked at me. We usually have chicken curry.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That was not the sort of answer I was hoping for.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Curry, huh? Interesting. Maybe Adachi and I could go to a curry restaurant...or make our own homemade curry together... No, that doesnt seem quite right. Is that it? You dont go anywhere with Hino, or...? Actually, you know what, never mind. Dont worry about it, I said, backtracking quickly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Part of me just wanted someone to tell me that hanging out with a girl on Christmas was a normal, common thing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nagafuji blinked. Hino? What about her?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its nothing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You sure? Hmmm... Hino... Christmas... Hino... Christmas... She ignored me and started to ponder something, tilting her head from side to side. I feel like Hinos just...always at my house.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh...uh...interesting.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then she straightened up suddenly. We used to give each other Christmas presents when we were little, now that you mention it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Presents? Thats cool.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In fact, it sounded like a pretty good idea...but I didnt feel like having a whole conversation with Adachi to plan out our gifts. Instead, Id just give her a gift without expecting anything in return. My hope was that it would give us something to talk about.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But what would she want for Christmas? What sort of things did she like? The obvious option would be to ask her outright, but...that would be kind of lame. Besides, what if she asked for some expensive name-brand shoes or something? I knew she wasnt really the type, but still.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We walked down the stairs, and at the end of the hall, we arrived at the school store-a little shop on the corner of the building run by a single middle-aged lady. Inside, the dim lighting made the white walls glow faintly yellow, neatly matching the baskets of sandwiches and buns for sale.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Compared to the cafeteria, the line here was pretty short. Once the people ahead of us had paid for their items, we were free to take our time browsing the selection.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whoa...I didnt know they sold this stuff here, Nagafuji murmured, pushing her glasses up her nose and leaning in to read the price list.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Youve never bought anything from here?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, I dont think so. Normally I either bring my own lunch or eat in the cafeteria.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gotcha.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Personally, I was a regular here. Whenever I wanted to cut class in the gym loft, Id always come here to grab lunch. As a result, the shop lady recognized me. She greeted me with a smile; I inclined my head politely. Now all I needed to do was pick a sweet roll at random and give her the money...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nagafuji, Im not trying to stop you or anything, but...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmm?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why are you buying stuff? I asked as the shop lady handed Nagafuji a plastic to-go bag containing a carton of milk, an egg sandwich, and a red bean bun.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At this, she seemed to remember her original plan to eat at the cafeteria. Her gaze lowered to the bag. Oh. Right. The bag swayed with her movements.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And for that matter, why did you walk all this way with me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, you shouldve said something sooner.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, you need to use your brain. Assuming you actually have one.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I gotta go! she shouted, and off she went in the direction of the cafeteria. I called after her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey! If youre free after school, would you wanna come shopping with me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I figured I may as well invite her...uh...because she was already here, I guess. She nodded without a shred of hesitation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure. Whatcha buying? More food?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not everything is about food, you know. Not that I was against buying something edible for Adachis gift, but I didnt really know what she liked to eat.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I want to buy a Christmas present, but I dont know what to get.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Since Nagafuji had exchanged gifts at least once in her lifetime, she was already miles ahead of me. Maybe she would know where to look. Plus, she seemed like the type to wing it and pick something without overthinking it, and that was fine by me. Otherwise, if I had to choose it myself, I wasnt confident I would make up my mind in time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A Christmas present? For who? Wait... For me?! she asked gleefully.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No. Its for...my sister, I lied reflexively. I didnt want her getting any weird ideas about me and Adachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmm? Nagafuji tilted her head, puzzled. You have a sister?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, a little sister. Plus another one thats taller than me. But I wasnt going to say that out loud.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hinos pretty small too, Nagafuji nodded proudly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uhhh...yeah... Yeah, she is. What does that have to do with anything?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, well, see you after school!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And with that, Nagafuji headed off to the cafeteria while I returned to the classroom, all the while thinking about how Id inadvertently referred to Adachi as my sister. Thats...probably weird, isnt it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then again...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She did call me onee-chan once in the past, so...maybe shes just my bigger little sister.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah...thats all it is.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Looking back, this was quite possibly the first time Id ever hung out with Nagafuji without Hino there. Occasionally I went fishing with Hino over the weekend, but Nagafuji was always busy with club activities or helping out at the butchers shop. Unlike us, she actually seemed to have a life.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You almost forgot about our plans, didnt you? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thats what happens when I forget to write it down on my palm, shrugged the girl who nearly walked out of the classroom without me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After a long walk, we had arrived at the mall parking lot. At times like these, I was really starting to miss Adachis bike. Maybe I should save up my allowance and get a cheap one.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How come you havent learned how to ride a bike, Nagafuji?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why bother when Ive got Hino?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Good point. I guess that makes sense.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We passed by the smoking area and entered the building. The plan was to walk around and brainstorm some ideas, but as I looked up at my friends pretty face, I couldnt help but worry shed already forgotten what we came here to look for.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I realize its a little late to ask, but wheres Hino? I kinda figured shed tag along.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She said she was busy...or did she? Nagafuji cocked her head, puzzled. Getting a straight answer out of her was like pulling teeth. But at the very least, this confirmed that shed remembered our plans long enough to ask Hino about her availability. Interesting. So what was it that made her forget?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ignoring the wine kiosk near the entrance, we headed to the left. There, Nagafuji caught sight of the bakery and stared at it rapturously. Her entire head pivoted in its direction while the rest of her walked briskly forward. Creepy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Couldnt you just get her a pastry?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I could, but Im not going to.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I put a hand on her shoulder and hurried her along. I needed to get her far, far away from the purple sweet potato buns.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As we passed by the tea shop, I thought back to the last time I came here. I was with Hino, and Nagafuji was there, too. Then Hino dropped more than 10,000 yen on a whole bunch of tea for the family, and I was like damn, girl.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Leaving this fond memory behind at the tea shop, we continued on to the walkway with a big, festive Christmas tree. Looking at them always filled me with nostalgia for happier times.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When I was little, Id always find myself tempted to climb to the very top of any Christmas tree I saw. Being up high offered an entirely new perspective on the world around me, and I enjoyed that contrast, so I sought it out wherever I could. Maybe part of me yearned to travel the world to distant lands. This made some amount of sense-after all, I was so adventurous by nature that I probably seemed like a total fish out of water here in Japan. Yeah...surely I must have sensed it back then.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What was it that made me give up on those dreams of a different world? I couldnt remember, but I could tell it must have hurt. Especially considering the end result was...well, me. This current version of me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not that I could do anything about it now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, now that were wandering around the mall, whats our first stop? I asked Nagafuji, since it didnt seem like she had a destination in mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Lets see... Whipping her head around dramatically, Nagafuji took stock of all the nearby display windows. Maybe she wants a boomerang.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...What? What are you, Australian?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...Wait, they sell boomerangs here? Where? With the summer appliances, or at the cell phone kiosk?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Kids love em, yknow. Theyre a lot of fun. But they break easily in the wintertime.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh...right.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Id forgotten I was using my little sister as a pretext. In her case, maybe she would actually want a boomerang. But what was the point of giving one to Adachi? What if she started throwing it at birds for fun?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I think shed like something a bit more practical. She, uh...shes very mature for her age.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Something more practical? Nagafuji repeated to herself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "On second thought, this was the same person whose first gift suggestion was a freaking boomerang, so maybe the word practical just wasnt in her vocabulary.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What if you bought her a ten-pack of croquettes from our store?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gee, why didnt I think of that? Youre such a good saleswoman.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was undeniably a practical gift, but theyd just be cold by the time I got home...uh...among other problems.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Scratching her head, Nagafuji set off walking once again. Likewise, I followed along right beside her. Boy, did I ever pick the wrong person to ask.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then she spotted a store selling kitchen equipment, and her eyes settled on a single fish-shaped cutting board. What about a fishing pole? she suggested, almost certainly inspired by the fish imagery.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This is for my sister, not Hino.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Next, her gaze wandered to the left, toward the display case at a popular confectionery kiosk. What about some okiagari wafers?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Those are more of a New Years tradition, dont you think?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Good point. She promptly shrugged off her own suggestion and kept walking. Next up, we spotted a dry cleaner store and a foot spa with a cartoon bear mascot. What about a washing machine?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wait a minute. Are you just suggesting everything within sight?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yup, Nagafuji nodded without hesitation. Then she adjusted her glasses as if to say nothing gets past these peepers. You know what they say-throw enough mud at the wall, blah blah blah. If I say a bunch of stuff out loud, maybe youll have an epiphany, or we can build on our ideas until we come up with something viable. You know, like...whats it called again? Breast-storming?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You had me in the first half, not gonna lie.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I could tell that she was genuinely trying her best to help, but I sincerely couldnt imagine her actually pausing to think critically about her own suggestions. Instead, I was 100 percent confident that she would ultimately forget what she suggested in the first place. Like a comedy bit, except in real life.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What did you and Hino get each other that one time?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thinking about it, I probably should have led with this question.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I gave her a business license.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I paused. All at once, I had so many questions: For what? For where? Unfortunately, I knew if I tried to ask them all, Id only wear myself out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Okay, and what did she get you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A Nobel peace prize.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...And you were how old at the time, exactly?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Like, five?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I never should have asked. Clearly their friendship was beyond all human understanding.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We continued walking through the first floor of the mall, with Nagafuji calling out various gift ideas as they came into view, until she suddenly came to a stop outside one particular store: ZiZ, a boutique that sold clothes, shoes, and accessories. I eyeballed it briefly, debating its potential merits, but ultimately decided against going in-it was a little too much. Granted, yes, Christmas was a special occasion, but this was supposed to be a casual gift for a friend. I needed it to be something Adachi wouldnt feel guilty about me buying.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I explained my thought process to Nagafuji, she nodded along, though I got the sense she didnt actually understand what I was getting at. Then she started to glance around. Here it comes... Any second now...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maybe you should go with the boomerang after all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Aaaand there it is.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Were looping back around to that, huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Get it? Just like a...never mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Boomerang, boomerang! Nagafuji sang to herself, flicking her wrist in an imitation throw.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im starting to think maybe you want a boomerang.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Youre not wrong.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She patted her ample chest. Ugh, dont rub it in my face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dont worry. I have a good understanding of how kids tick.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Alas, if only they could understand you, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure they can! Im a total kid at heart-I order my curry mild and everything.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Only because you cant handle anything hotter!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Boooo-merang! she shot back nonsensically, swinging her arms and hips. Her expression was still as blank as ever, but at least she was having fun. If you got her a boomerang, the two of you could play with it together, you know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thats true...I guess...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I attempted to picture it: me and Adachi at the park, throwing a boomerang around in dead silence. Oddly enough, it did seem mildly fun.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "One person throws it, and then the other can go fetch it! You know?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I think youre thinking of a Frisbee.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lets just try it out, all right? Ill buy this one, and then Ill show you how much fun it is to play with it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Are you moonlighting as a boomerang salesperson or something...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Giddy, Nagafuji took me by the hand and headed for the escalators. Meanwhile, I was utterly at her mercy. Frankly, I wasnt convinced this mall sold boomerangs at all, but then she led me to a sporting goods store on the third floor, and sure enough, there they were. She walked in, grabbed one off the shelf, then walked up to the register and bought it, all without the slightest hesitation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How long has she had her eye on this thing?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The boomerang was V-shaped (unsurprisingly), greenish-yellow in color, and made of plastic. I could feel the male clerk staring at us. What, youve never seen two teenage girls come in to buy a boomerang and nothing else? Then again, I estimated about forty percent-no, sixty percent?-of that gaze was centered on Nagafujis chest.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She was normally pretty oblivious to most things, but not this, apparently. I could tell because she was scowling slightly. Poor thing. More titty, more problems. Not that I could relate...not yet, anyway. Im just a late bloomer, thats all! As I coddled my own fragile ego, the transaction was completed, and Nagafuji took her receipt. At last, she had her precious boomerang.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The moment we stepped out of the store, she pulled her new toy out of the bag. Youre not going to walk around the mall holding that thing, are you? Ugh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now lets go test it out!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Look, uh, I think maybe youre getting a little carried away with this idea...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But Nagafuji ignored my reservations and dragged me along regardless. At first I tried to fight it, but then I saw how excited she was to play with this boomerang, and...well...I conceded defeat. In more ways than one. Sometimes you can fight the current, but other times you just have to go with the flow. Considering Nagafuji had managed to single-handedly sweep me out to sea, perhaps she was a force to be reckoned with.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We walked through the parking lot to a fountain plaza out behind the nearby beef bowl restaurant. There were no children in sight, possibly because the combination of winter plus water had kept them all at bay. There was, however, some sort of art installation(?) with three silver wires spiraling around each other.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Fortunately, the trees here were few and far between, which was perfect for our purposes. Otherwise I could already see the boomerang getting stuck or broken somehow.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nagafuji handed me her bookbag, then got ready to make her throw-not horizontally, but vertically, with most of it pointed behind her, like she was trying to touch the other end to the back of her wrist. Then she took aim and flung it hard into the distance with a whoosh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The boomerang glided smoothly to the other end of the plaza, almost like it was carried by the wind itself. By the time it had traveled as far as it could go, it had leveled itself out horizontally. Then it started its journey back home, and at that point, both my eyes and ears were completely transfixed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When Nagafuji first threw it, there was hardly any sound at all...but as it approached, slowly but surely, I could start to make out a small, arrhythmic sound as it sliced through the air: whfff, whfff, whfff. It grew closer and closer, tracing a graceful arc as it flew.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In response, Nagafuji crouched down and extended both hands. As soon as it was within her range, she clapped her hands together to catch it, like a martial artist blocking a sword. Stroking the boomerang like a faithful dog, she straightened up and turned back to me casually.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This one came back around. That means its a good one.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dont all boomerangs come back around? Isnt that the whole point?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youd be surprised. There are some real duds out there. Anyway, here you go.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She traded me the boomerang in exchange for her bookbag. I looked down at the plastic green V in my hands. God, what am I doing? I should be Christmas shopping right now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For your first time, dont throw it too super hard. Especially since youre not wearing any protective goggles.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dont worry. I wasnt planning to.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I positioned myself the same way Nagafuji had, then flung it weakly, in accordance with her instructions. Nevertheless, it flew far into the distance, curved, and flew back in my direction. I hadnt anticipated this, so when it started to approach, my fear of getting hit flared up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Eeek!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shielding my head with my arms, I crouched down low to the ground. The boomerang flew far behind me and crash-landed at the edge of the park. I jogged over to retrieve it, dusted the dirt off, and walked back. Now that I knew what to expect, I was ready to give it another try, so I flung it a second time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once again, in spite of my half-assed throw, it flew surprisingly far. Once it finished its brief excursion, it curved back rather suddenly, almost like it had changed tack on a whim. Whfff, whfff, whfff. My heart pounded in time with its soft whirring.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This time around I reached out to catch it, but it bounced off my hand and dropped to the ground. Apparently both throwing and catching took a lot of practice to master.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This is...kind of fun...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Surprisingly enough, I genuinely enjoyed watching it curve gracefully through the air. Still, I wanted to successfully catch it at least once, so I flung it a third time, much more softly than my previous attempts. But although I angled it more toward the sky, it refused to gain much height. And whereas the last few times it had whipped back fairly quickly, this time it lost its momentum and hit the ground. Evidently the angle of the throw was more important than I realized.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just like that, I was hooked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, what do you think? Nagafuji asked, putting a hand on my shoulder. I hadnt noticed her standing there until just now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its actually not as bad as I thought it would be.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yay, she replied in a deadpan voice as she wrapped her arms around me in a hug. I put a hand to her chin and pushed her off.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Meanwhile, I contemplated this potential Christmas present. Compared to a gift of food, which would only last until it was eaten, this sort of toy might actually have more practical value, since she could play with it whenever she felt like it. That said, it still didnt strike me as entirely...ideal. It felt like I was on the wrong track-like Nagafuji had led me astray, almost.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "On the horizon, the sun was setting, and the scarlet rays were slowly diffusing their color across the clear, cloudless sky. For the first time in a long time, it felt like I had reunited with my inner child. Each time the boomerang flew out, it arced back with another forgotten memory from all those years ago.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Spurred on by that nostalgia, I gripped the boomerang and let it fly...all the while hoping it would take me along for the journey.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When I got home, I opened the shopping bag and showed my little sister the brand new boomerang. What do you think?", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She blinked at me with her big, round eyes. What is that?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No excitement. I was starting to think maybe this was a bad idea after all. You tell me, I replied. Then I started humming the main jingle from a popular quiz show, implying her response time was limited.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She put a hand to her chin in contemplation. Then, once shed examined the mystery toy from every angle, she reached out and pretended to buzz in.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Bing-bong! Its...a clothes hanger without the hook part!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well...youre not wrong.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now I was really starting to think this was a bad idea.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Time flew by, and Christmas Day rolled around at last. That day found me staring up at the sky.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "People loved to talk about a white Christmas, but in my experience, it never snowed on December 25th. What good were these man-made holidays if the weather wasnt going to play along? Why bother?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But despite my skepticism, I knew full well I was in fact going to bother. In the morning I got dressed, fixed my bangs at least twice, and then around 11 AM I went to the kitchen and told my mom I was going out. There, I found my sister eating lunch.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im going out for a bit.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "All right, thanks for letting me know... Got a hot date or something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For the last time, no. How many times are you going to ask me this, Mother?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Where are you going? my sister asked, whipping her head from side to side as she looked from me to Mom and back, all the while chewing her food. Settle down, child.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im gonna go hang out with a friend.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Noooo! she whined. Then she got up from the table and walked right up to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youll be eating dinner with us, though, right? my mother asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thats the plan, I nodded. If I change my mind, Ill be sure to let you know right away, but I dont think thatll happen.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meanwhile, my bratty sister started to kick my shin. Where are you guys going? How come you have to leave?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Outside this house she was always a perfect little angel, but when it came to me, she showed no mercy. I smacked her on the forehead and glared down at her. She pouted up at me. Oho.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whats the matter? Do you want your nee-chan to stay home with you? I teased with a smirk.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She flailed her arms in front of her like she was clearing the air. Shut up! she shouted angrily.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You do, huh? I replied, ignoring her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then I slid my hands under her armpits and lifted her into the air. Man, shes gotten heavy. Or maybe its just the flailing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didnt realize you liked me so much. Thats cute, I continued.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Put me down! she yelled, kicking her little bare feet out. I didnt know how she could possibly survive in this house without socks, but more power to her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sorry, kid, but Ive got my own life to live.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ill be back before dinner, and then well have cake for dessert, alright?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I set her down, she turned away sulkily. Maybe she was mad at me for treating her like a child, but considering she literally was a child, there wasnt much I could do about that. I gave her a quick pat on the head, then headed for the door.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Given her usual bratty behavior, it was nice to be reminded that she still admired her big sister. Would it last, though? Probably not. I give it another three or four years.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Still, I appreciated this quick pick-me-up right before I stepped out. Like putting a hand warmer right on my heart to keep me going through the chilly winter. I slipped on my shoes and let out a sigh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I still didnt know what our plans were for today. What did Adachi have in store for me? She did come up with something, right? On second thought, she had the tendency to overthink things... She didnt get any weird ideas, did she...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Upon further reflection, the latter was looking increasingly more likely.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ill just have to wing it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At the very least, I was planning to eat dinner at home, so I had an idea of what not to get for lunch. That was all the information I had to work with.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Christmas, here I come.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 15", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Interlude: A Visit to the Butchers Shop, Part 3", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude:A Visit to the Butchers ShopPart 3", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "AT MY HOUSE, we always had chicken curry for Christmas dinner. Guaranteed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why curry, of all things...? Hino wondered aloud, tilting her head pensively as we ate. Despite the holiday, she had once again turned up at my house, just like she did every other day, and my parents welcomed her in like she was family.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Because they asked me what I wanted to eat, and I said curry.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And then they made it with chicken because its Christmas. Clever.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her cheeks swelled as she stuffed them full of mashed potatoes. The sight of it made me hungry. For curry, I mean, not her cheeks. But Id be fine with those, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gimme a bite.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, good grief. You get one bite, got it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Excuse you? Its my curry! Worse still, she offered me a bite with carrots in it. But I ate it anyway. Yummy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tomorrow we would eat this curry for breakfast. And probably dinner, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Your currys really good, maam! Hino shouted to my mom, who was running the fryer for the store.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thank you, dear, she answered. The heat was making her sweat, even in the middle of winter. But Im sure I cant compete with the food at your house.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hino laughed awkwardly. We only ever have Japanese food, she explained.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Id forgotten about that, actually. One time, when I went over to her house, they offered me chickpeas and kelp as a snack. I was expecting junk food, so it was pretty wild.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But on the rare occasion they do make curry, they always put freeze-dried tofu in it. I cant eat that stuff.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hino glanced up at the calendar as she ate. The box for the 25th featured one word, written in my handwriting: CURRY. Why did I write that? I couldnt remember.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just one week left, and this year will be over. Isnt that right, Grandma? she teased.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Right you are, Grandpa, I nodded, looking up at the calendar with her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As a kid I used to get some spending money each year on New Years, but that stopped after I graduated from junior high, so I no longer had all that much to look forward to. I bet Hinos family still gives her spending money, I thought to myself enviously. Just then, she turned to look at me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey Nagafuji, do you ever think about the future and stuff?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was an unexpectedly complicated question. How far are we talking? Tomorrow? Next week?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thats what the future is to you? Seven days from now?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Having finished her food, Hino set down her spoon and took a sip of tea. Then she set her cup back down onto the table and put her chin in her hand.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Say ten years from now, for example. Do you think well still be sitting around, eating curry at 3 PM on a weekday? No way. Well both have jobs-well be too busy. We might not even be friends still. And whenever I think about that stuff...I start feeling like maybe Im running out of time, yknow?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maybe complicated was an understatement. Me personally, I couldnt possibly imagine what my life would be like ten whole years from now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wow...even you have your deep moments, huh, Hino?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Excuse me? I feel like I should be offended. Care to explain yourself, missy?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmmm. I paused to think about it. Something about this conversation offended me, too-the part where she said we might not still be friends. I couldnt really speak to the rest of the things she said, but I probably had a response to that part, at least.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Digging through my fuzzy memory-according to Hino, anyway; I could remember one instance of her complaining about it, though she insisted shed said the same thing at least two other times-I attempted to think of something. Faintly, I could make out a vague idea of a reply. Okay, got it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im sure itll be fine.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh? Whats fine? Whered that come from?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well be friends forever. Thats what you told me that one time on our way home from the movie theater, remember?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That was back in second grade, if memory served, though I couldnt remember what movie.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hino glanced around nervously, almost like shed forgotten the whole concept of human speech for a minute. Um...did I?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yup. And I was like we sure will.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So Im pretty sure well still be friends in ten years time. As long as its what both of us want.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hino froze for a moment, scratching her cheek. Then she burst out laughing. Whats the matter with you? Weirdo.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, weve lasted ten years thus far, so I guess another ten wont be too hard!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmm?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, nothing! Anyway, I want seconds!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And I want you to go home.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Our friendship had long since outgrown the usual seasonal formalities...but even if neither of us expressed it out loud, I knew wed have another fun year together ahead of us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 16", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 6: White Christmas", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 6:White Christmas", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "ON THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS...I couldnt sleep, so instead I was hunched over on my bed, cell phone in hand, searching myself for the courage to press the Send button on this email. Exasperated, I swept the hair out of my face and looked up at the clock to check the time. My panic intensified. I couldnt really afford to wait much longer.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Looking forward to tomorrow!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was it too much? Would Shimamura feel pressured reading it, or think it was weird? These were the concerns that kept my finger firmly aloft...but if I was going to send this email, then I needed to do it before she went to bed. Otherwise, there was no point in sending it at all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I tapped four or five times in quick succession, none of them quite firm enough to actually press the button. God, what is wrong with me?! I writhed back and forth on my bed, muffling my face in my sheets. I needed to get to bed soon or else Id end up with bags under my eyes tomorrow, and I did not want that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just send it already!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If I sent it, there was a chance I might not regret it, but if I didnt send it, I would definitely regret it. The choice was easy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Rolling onto my side, I reached out with one finger and hit the Send button like I was unsubscribing from a newsletter. I pressed down on the screen until I saw the button depress. This was followed by a little paper airplane animation: Message Sent.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Immediately, I put some distance between myself and my phone. Leaning against the wall, I let out a hollow laugh. Then I sprang up off my bed and pretended to be lost in thought about something else. In my mind, it felt like Shimamura would only reply if I wasnt watching my phone, so I kept my back firmly turned. Go ahead and write me back-see if I care.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I sat down at my desk, opened my textbook, read approximately none of it, and closed it again. Then I put my head on my arms and closed my eyes. My legs jiggled restlessly as a haze descended over my heart and brain-a haze inspired directly by having witnessed Shimamura and Nagafuji hanging out together; a haze of frustration and self-loathing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I hated the way I always got this sinking feeling in my stomach whenever I was waiting for a reply. I wasnt even that worried about what she was going to say; if anything, I was more worried that she wouldnt answer at all, especially since I knew she wasnt an avid emailer to begin with. Regardless, as I fidgeted with my bangs, I found myself wishing desperately that she would hurry up and write me back already.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then my phone beeped, and I fell out of my chair.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Scrambling to my feet, I leapt onto my bed and snatched up my phone. Holding it aloft, I rolled onto my back and navigated to Shimamuras reply. I was so nervous, the room was spinning.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That was it. That was her whole reply.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How am I supposed to interpret this? Is it a heck yeah kind of yeah, or a yeah, I bet, you loser kind of yeah? This is exactly why I hate sending emails. Theyre so cryptic.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "To be fair, it wasnt Shimamuras fault. Regardless of who sent me this yeah, I still wouldnt be able to tell what it was supposed to mean. Text simply didnt convey the same emotional information a human voice did...and I wanted that information. I wanted to know more about her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At least Ill get to hear her voice tomorrow.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was getting way ahead of myself. I wasnt even at the starting line yet. At least, thats what I told myself as I climbed under the covers.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A web of feverish heat settled over my skull. Naturally, on the one night I wanted to hurry up and fall asleep so I could fast-forward to tomorrow, my brain was wide awake.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sometimes I sincerely despise being human.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thinking back, Id actually met up with Shimamura here once before, back in October. Id stayed up all night with insomnia, only to finally start nodding off in the morning, and as a result, I showed up late.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This time around? Well, I wasnt late, so that was something. I was, however, yawning five times a minute. Plus, I was shivering. I knew I was limited on time this morning, but I decided to take a shower anyway in the hopes that it would wake me up. That was a mistake, however. I didnt have enough time to dry my hair completely, so I ended up leaving the house with a damp head. In the middle of winter. Yeah. So much for my plans to get extra dressed-up today.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was the one who chose our meetup spot: the information center inside the mall building. This wasnt the same mall I bought the tea from, mind you, but this one had its own giant, conspicuous Christmas tree. It wouldve been all too easy to tell her to meet me there, of course, but that was where everyone was meeting up. I went the long way around to sneak a peek in advance, and sure enough, there were a lot of couples. Almost like Id stumbled upon Gods personal collection. Unfortunately, none of them were same-sex pairs...but maybe that was to be expected. Yeah, probably.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once again, I became painfully aware of how abnormal our friendship was. Did it make Shimamura uncomfortable? Did she only agree to hang out with me because she felt obligated? Whenever my mind started to wander, I quickly found myself in a negative spiral for some reason. Maybe it was the lack of sleep. I shook the thoughts away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Anyway, I chose to put some distance between us and the couples mainly so we wouldnt draw as much attention when we met up...but deep down, I was also kind of hoping a more private setting would make it easier to hold hands. Contradictory, I know. Sometimes it felt like my heart and brain were completely at odds with each other.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I yawned for the umpteenth time, I thought back to the time we met up in October. Back then, that little blue-haired girl had crashed our date, but today I was crossing my fingers that Shimamura would show up without any additional baggage. It had taken an incredible amount of courage to make today happen, and I did not want to share it with a third party.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I checked the time on my phone. I hadnt received any other emails since yeah last night, which actually came as a relief, since it meant she hadnt canceled. Our scheduled meetup time of 11 AM was now just five minutes away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And when I looked up from my phone, I spotted the very girl I was waiting for.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, shes here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The instant I laid eyes on her, my heart fluttered ever so slightly in my chest. It was Shimamura, alright-on time and without any third wheels, thank god.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She waved at me. Relieved, I waved back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey there! Were you waiting long?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nah, I just got here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Liar! she shot back, pointing at me. I know youve been standing here for at least the last five minutes. I saw you!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Busted. Shed seen right through me. Truth be told, five minutes was a lowball estimate-my actual wait time was closer to fifteen.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then she broke into a grin, probably enjoying the abject terror on my face. Relax! Im joking. Anyway, sorry I took so long.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She was wearing a jacket with a fur-lined hood over a black flower-print dress and brown boots, and she was carrying her usual bookbag. Her hair was neatly styled, but her roots were starting to show.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Any way you sliced it, this was your average weekend-wear Shimamura-and for some reason, I found it a reassuring sight.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The conversation ended, and we set off together, side by side. A few steps in, however, I was viscerally reminded of the time Id seen her walking with Nagafuji. By this point it had happened nearly an eternity ago, and yet my mind kept drifting back to it. Ugh. I pressed a hand to my forehead.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then Shimamura turned to me, and I knew it was probably too late to play it cool, but I hastily forced a smile regardless. A very stiff smile.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Real quick, I have a question I want to ask.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh? Wh-whats up?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her preamble had me on edge, but I had a feeling I knew what she was going to say next. A smile played at her lips as her gaze lingered on the clothing concealed under my coat.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why are you wearing your China dress?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh. Right. I get why that might...make you curious.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nervously, I tugged the hem down. I had gone out of my way to borrow it from the restaurant where I worked, and although I had it mostly covered with a heavy coat, the edges still peeked out-shiny, bright blue fabric with plum blossoms and bamboo leaves embroidered onto it. Worse, I had paired this eye-catching dress with boring flats. Overall, my outfit was a mess from head to toe, and I couldnt blame her for commenting on it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Over the past few days, I had torn myself apart agonizing over what to wear. I even bought new clothes for the occasion, only to decide I hated all of them. But in the end, for some reason, I kept defaulting back to this option. And even if I were to fully comprehend what had led me to this choice, it was too late to turn back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I organized my thought process from last night, however, I hit upon one potential reason: because Shimamura had complimented me last time she saw me wearing it. Apparently that was what had tipped the scales... Evidently I trusted Shimamuras taste more than my own.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I mean, its kinda weird...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was already worried about people staring at us, and now this? Kill me now! If she would give me fifteen minutes or so, I could run into the nearest clothing store and buy something else!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Meanwhile, Shimamura scratched her neck lightly. I mean, people might think youre some kind of poster girl... Oh, but I dont mind it, personally. I think its cute.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nnn...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Must be nice to be so pretty, she continued in a teasing tone. I sure wish I could rock that look.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She probably didnt mean it, of course, but regardless, I never knew how to react whenever she called me pretty. Still, I knew it would look weird if she saw me blushing about it, so I decided to hide it. How was I going to accomplish this? No idea. I gritted my teeth to keep my cheeks taut, but it most likely didnt help.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I mean, youre, like...way prettier than me, so...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This was the best reply I could think of. I meant it as a sincere compliment, but it came out sounding like a protest.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ha ha, very funny, Shimamura replied, and right away it was clear she hadnt taken me seriously.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the end, all other comments aside, she ultimately approved of my outfit. And if she approved, then that was enough for me. All at once, the lead left my legs, and if I wasnt careful, I felt like I might just skip off into the sunset. Dont get hasty, I cautioned myself. The days only just getting started.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, where are you taking me? she asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, for starters...the second floor, I replied, and pointed in the direction of the escalators, located behind the information center. Over the past three days spent scoping the place out and putting together an itinerary of events, I had almost completely memorized the malls layout.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As we approached the escalators, my gaze drifted to Shimamuras free hand, hanging idly at her side. The back of her hand looked pale and cold, but her palm looked soft and inviting...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I glanced around like I was about to shoplift something. Then, once I made sure nobody was looking at us, I lunged for her hand at the speed of light. Meanwhile, the rest of my body froze in position, and my vision went white as my cowardly brain tried its best to disconnect itself from what my body had done. As a result, I grabbed her a little too hard, accidentally bending her thumb the wrong way.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gah! she yelped.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hastily, I adjusted my grip...but the damage was done. Shimamura scowled at me. Oh god, I didnt give her a sprain, did I?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im sorry!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She wiggled and bent her thumb experimentally, but no pain manifested in her expression, so I took this to mean she was fine...but right as I heaved a sigh of relief, she shot me an angry look, and I shrank away slightly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Looking back, this was quite possibly my first time making Shimamura mad. After all, she was usually tolerant of all my odd behavior. She was not, however, tolerant of me hurting her. This was perfectly understandable, of course, but...I was terrified of making her hate me. It was the one thing I feared above all else.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As she looked at me, standing there petrified with my shoulders hunched up around my ears, her expression suddenly softened in an unspoken oh, you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, thank God.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then she took me by the hand and pulled me over by the wall, probably so we wouldnt block access to the escalator by standing around. The wall was so polished, I could see our reflections, surrounded by fancy stores decked out in all their Christmas finery.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Look, uh...please dont snatch my hand like that, okay?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay. Im really sorry. But not sorry enough to let go.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She stared down at our joined hands. Meanwhile, I stared at the floor, terrified to see the look on her face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You want to hold hands?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I nodded. If thats cool, I added. Translation: yes, please.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Didnt something like this happen a while back?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I nodded again. I think so, I added. Translation: yep, it sure did.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmmm... Hmmmmmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She began to mull it over. Clearly she knew the significance of the holiday, and now it was giving her pause. Meanwhile, my brain wrestled with itself, debating whether to retract my request and let go. But if I wanted to be special to her, then I wasnt going to make that happen by doing nothing and staying quiet. My only option was to take action.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My problem, of course, was that I had no way of knowing whether my approach was the right one.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If sending a single email is all it takes to twist me into knots, then maybe holding hands is out of my league, suggested my superego. But it was too late. Even if I pulled my hand away now, it wouldnt change the fact that I had tried in the first place.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We stood there for what felt like an eternity. My ears were getting cold, as were my bare legs under my coat; I cursed myself for wearing a dress with such a high slit. My only source of warmth was Shimamuras hand.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then her fingers slowly curled around mine.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Eh, sure, why not.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Something about this reciprocal gesture hit me hard. I looked up at her, my mouth agape. Then, with her free hand, she pointed her index finger directly in my face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But next time, I want you to ask first.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Guweegh?! Theres going to be a next time?! She doesnt mind?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What was that? Can humans even make that sound?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She looked at me, her eyes wide. Ugh, why do I always act so weird around her? Its gotta be her fault somehow.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Kinda sounded like you said green or something...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Will you drop it already?! Look, um...from now on, Ill ask first. I promise.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "To be honest, it was a lot less stressful not having to ask, so this new requirement was only going to make it harder on me...but on the other hand, it felt like she was implicitly saying I dont mind you doing it as long as you let me know in advance, which came as a huge relief.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The one downside, however, was that it suggested she had no intention of ever initiating it herself. In my mind, we were like two parallel lines, and I was flailing around as hard as I could, trying my best to intersect with hers.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Good. She lifted our joined hands. Trust me, no one else is going to try to steal my hand away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She smiled softly, and I blushed furiously. She had a way of dropping these lines like it was no big deal, and it just...ugh, it drove me crazy! It almost felt like she was rubbing my feelings in my face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But...I wasnt the only person in Shimamuras life. There were others. People like Nagafuji. And yeah, that made me want to get a little bit aggressive in my approach. For a moment, I considered explaining this, but thought better of it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We walked back to the escalator and stepped on. I was immediately glad we didnt have to climb the stairs manually, because my legs were now so numb from the cold that I wasnt confident they would work properly. Shimamura stepped onto the stair below mine, but nevertheless continued to hold my hand.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When we walked off, however, I felt like I could sense the opposite-sex couples staring at our joined hands as they passed. Shimamura didnt really seem to notice or care, but I sure did. My shoulders stiffened. The more attention we drew, the more it hit home that the two of us were holding hands.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My mind went white. We had now made it to the second floor, but...where was I supposed to take her? My mental notes were a total blank, all my painstaking reconnaissance tossed right out the window. Awkwardly, I dragged Shimamura down the walkway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now where was it...? Oh! It was right there, to the right of the escalator landing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I...I was thinking we could hang out here...if you want, I stammered.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was the same amusement center where the three of us had gone bowling. As soon as we stepped inside, the Christmas music playing over the mall speakers was promptly drowned out by an even louder buzz.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Are we going bowling again?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If we went to the bowling alley, I was terrified wed run into that little blue-haired girl again. Hard pass. Instead, I led her past the ping-pong and pool tables to the loudest part of the facility: the arcade.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We entered to find that the place was practically deserted. So what was causing all the racket, you ask? It was the games-the go-kart track, the electronic bingo cabinet, all beeping and blaring loudly to no one in particular. The coin pusher game was decorated in grinning cartoon characters. The sight made my heart ache, the way it did whenever I thought back to all the characters I fell in love with once upon a time, only to watch them slowly fall into obscurity.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We passed by the coin pusher and walked around behind the bingo cabinet to my chosen destination: an air hockey table near the back of the room. It was a bit outdated compared to the other games, and there was another, newer table next to it that offered a multi-puck mode, but I purposely chose the vanilla version.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How about some air hockey?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Air hockey had a lot in common with our favorite pastime, ping-pong, so I figured it would be more fun than watching a movie...but now that I thought about it, if we sat still in a dark room for two hours, Id doze off for sure. I needed to keep my body moving to stay awake.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ooh, air hockey. Makes sense.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Truth be told...Id only ever played this game maybe once before. Wanna play?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure. She started to take off her jacket, but once the cold air reached her bare shoulders, she shivered and pulled it back on. Brrrr! On second thought, maybe Ill keep this on until after Ive warmed up a bit.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then she grabbed the orange...racket, mallet, whatever it is...out of the little basket and walked over to the opposite end of the table. Naturally, this meant she needed to let go of my hand. I knew this was coming, and yet I still found myself disappointed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This air hockey table cost 200 yen per game, so we each put in a 100-yen coin. The puck popped out, and I put my mallet on it to hold it still. Then the scoreboard reset back to 0-0.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura chuckled smugly. Go ahead and serve.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thats awfully generous of her... Maybe shes really good at this game. Taking her up on her offer, I reached out and slid the puck over to my side.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And so our game began, here in this empty arcade. Truth be told, Id scoped the place out in advance to make sure wed have some privacy...but I wasnt about to tell her that, of course.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I decided to test things out with a light serve-and flinched in surprise when the puck suddenly bleeped at me. Since when do the pucks bleep like that?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Naturally, this moment of trepidation didnt get past Shimamura. There was a pleasant, airy clack as she knocked the puck back at full speed, hoping to take advantage of my delayed reaction. Unfortunately it missed my goal by an inch and bounced back, positioning itself for a return serve. This time, I sent it back hard; it ricocheted off the side and slid right into Shimamuras goal like Id planned the whole thing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What the...? she murmured as she leaned down and peered into her goal, her hair bouncing with her movements. Her gaze shifted to her mallet, and she cocked her head pensively. Weird... This game doesnt work like I remember.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What do you mean?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I play this game with my sister sometimes. But we have the Mario one, and I think maybe the setups different.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She tapped the mallet against her forehead. Evidently she was well-versed in air hockey, hence that smug chuckle from earlier.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This time it was her turn to serve. The puck flew out in a straight line. I swung out to send it back, but my mallet failed to connect, instead sliding across empty space. Luckily the puck had missed my goal and bounced back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meanwhile, Shimamura stared in surprise at my failed swing-so surprised, in fact, that when I sent the puck back, it slammed right into her goal before she could react. Now Id scored against her twice in a row. She smiled stiffly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I cant believe you distracted me with that feint. Not bad, Adachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Heh...yeah...pro strats, I replied in an attempt at showboating...but it was obvious from my voice that I wasnt really feeling it. She laughed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wish I knew what Hino would do in times like these.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then again, itd probably be really weird if I suddenly put on some chipper persona. I wasnt deluded enough to believe I could pull it off. With a self-deprecating laugh, I hit the puck once more. And as we engrossed ourselves in this halfway-serious game of air hockey, my mind slowly wandered away, leaving my arm to swing on autopilot.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Who was my first crush again? I couldnt remember, but I was pretty sure it wasnt a girl. Regardless, in a lot of ways Shimamura was my first.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe I had simply stopped caring about gender when it came to my interpersonal relationships...but that was my own personal choice. To Shimamura and the rest of the world, gender was still very, very important. I had the sense to recognize that. Likewise, I understood (albeit reluctantly) that I needed to be discreet whenever my behavior defied societal norms.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But while part of me wished the world would change, another part of me was grateful for the series of circumstances that brought the two of us together. If it hadnt been so hot during the summer...if summer vacation hadnt lasted as long as it had...if we hadnt bumped into each other up in the gym loft...if we hadnt enrolled into the same high school...if we both werent so bored of class...then she and I never would have met. But we did. And that meant it was fate.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Behind every new encounter were hundreds, thousands, millions of tiny choices leading up to that moment. One wrong step and our paths never would have crossed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But thankfully, I made all the right choices...and for that, I would love myself forever.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You lied to me, didnt you?", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didnt, I swear!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After six games of air hockey, we moved the party to the Freshness Burger on the first floor, where we grabbed a late lunch. At no point had I planned to choose a fancy restaurant in honor of the holiday or anything like that. It would be awkward to get a table with just the two of us, and if we were splitting the bill, then Id feel like a jerk dragging Shimamura somewhere expensive.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To be clear, I had money saved up from my part-time job, so I could pay for the entire meal, but knowing Shimamura, she wouldnt feel comfortable with it. It was the sort of kindness that was only kind if both people actively wanted it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You totally creamed me, Shimamura grinned as she nibbled on the French fries that came with her combo meal.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the end, I won 4-2. But I wasnt especially skilled; Shimamura was just really bad. Evidently her past experience hadnt helped much. I wasnt about to say this out loud, of course.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You know, its not nice to bully a beginner who doesnt stand a chance against you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wasnt bullying you! I insisted, flailing my hands. But I knew she wasnt actually mad at me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Eh, it was still fun, she shrugged. You always beat me at ping-pong, too, now that I think of it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You think so? I paused to think back, since I hadnt actually been keeping score.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "On second thought, maybe I had more wins, she replied jokingly, pretending to mull it over a bit more.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey! Just because I dont remember doesnt mean you can make stuff up!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I pretended to pout, then laughed to myself. Now that we were joking around, my unruly nerves had started to relax. I hadnt entirely brought them under my control, and I didnt really know what it was that set them off, but for the time being, all was well. If I had to guess, Id probably tense up again if I started looking around the restaurant any more than absolutely necessary, but I wasnt about to test this theory. All I knew was that most of the other tables had opposite-sex couples sitting at them.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You people must really like Christmas, I thought to myself like a hypocrite.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura sipped her coffee through her straw and glanced out the window at the parking lot. Feels like it was only yesterday... Four months isnt really all that long, you know?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was inclined to agree. In a way, it felt like wed never really left the gym loft-I could imagine it clear as day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once were second-years... Once spring rolls around, and the weather warms up...do you think youll go back up there? she asked me probingly, gazing deep into my eyes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To tell the truth, whenever I was up in that loft with her, I felt perfectly at peace. And if I was completely honest with myself, I didnt want us to fry up there during the summer heat-I wanted us to kick back and relax during the mild spring sunshine.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But that was what I wanted, not what Shimamura wanted.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nah, Ill just go to class, I told her. Then after school we can come here and play ping-pong upstairs.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You get a gold star, she replied, smiling in satisfaction as she graded my answer. Youve turned into such a goody-goody!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sad to say, she had misread me. Honestly, I was just taking cues from her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Man, were gonna be second-years... That means well get assigned to a new homeroom class... Shimamura mused aloud to herself. She didnt seem too worried about it, but for me, it was a major crisis.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Starting today, Im gonna pray to God to put me in the same class as Shimamura again...and in the meantime, Ill try to brace myself in the event it doesnt happen.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not that the two of us talked much during class-or, you know, at all. Still, it was reassuring, having her there within my line of sight.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The two of us were just friends, and yet the thought of Shimamura making other friends behind my back made me sick to my stomach. I hadnt thought about it until just now, but apparently I was quite the jealous type. Especially since I was still annoyed about the Nagafuji thing. And if we ended up in different classes, Shimamura would start hanging out with other friends more and more... This didnt anger me so much as frighten me; I was terrified that we would start to drift apart.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We downed the rest of our coffee, then headed out of the restaurant. From there, we returned to the second floor, then sat down at a two-person table near the escalator landing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura never did take her jacket off-I guess she never fully warmed up. Now she sat staring into space, idly watching the passersby, her legs stretched out slightly. Every now and then shed wiggle her feet, and for some reason I found this adorable. There were these fleeting moments in which Shimamura revealed her more childish side, and it captivated me every time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then I decided this was as good a time as any, so I took her Christmas gift out from inside my bookbag.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This is for you, Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I offered her the bag of tea leaves, gift-wrapped in traditional Japanese style. Curiously, she accepted it, then fixed me with a look that said whats this about?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its...you know...your Christmas present or whatever.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whoaaa. She stared at it in over-exaggerated surprise. Blinking, she held the bag aloft and peered at it from every angle. Gosh, thank you! Seriously, Im really touched.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She scratched her cheek in a rare display of embarrassment, her expression warm and affectionate, then hugged the tea to her chest. Somehow this reminded me of the time I sat between her legs, and the embarrassment spread to me, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, this is that one blend that smells really good! Ive been wanting to try it, she exclaimed, beaming, as she read the label. Evidently Hino was right on the money. How did you know?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh. Right. Come to think of it, I wasnt technically supposed to know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Was it a lucky guess or something? she asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...No, I answered honestly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She pressed a finger to her forehead and murmured in contemplation as she glanced around, like she was trying to remember something. I know! Did Hino tell you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, uh...yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Look at you, Little Miss Thoughtful, she teased, playfully stroking my hair. To me, this was the best return gift I could have possibly received.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I leaned against her hand for more, but she quickly pulled away. Darn.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whod have thought wed both have the same idea, huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wait, what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Since youve been such a good girl this year, your onee-chan got you a present.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura pulled something out of her bookbag...but my excitement at the word present swiftly died once I saw what it was. I froze.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "St. Shimamura has some interesting taste in gifts, thats for sure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What is this?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A boomerang.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At first glance I thought it was a broken clothes hanger. Confused, I took the blue, V-shaped object from her... Now what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And heres your protective goggles.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Next, I took the goggles... Seriously, now what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Am I supposed to wear these when I play with it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah. Oh, but just so you know, I tried it out ahead of time to make sure it was actually fun before I gave it to you, and it definitely is.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Cool...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wasnt sure what else to say. Not only was I stunned that she gave me a boomerang of all things, I was stunned that she gave me anything at all. I stared down at the boomerang and tried to decide whether I should feel touched.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im really bad at choosing gifts, so I asked Nagafuji to help me...and for some reason, this is what we ended up with. I asked the complete wrong person for advice, huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nagafu-oh!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then...that explained why I saw them hanging out together at the other mall! Shimamura was going gift shopping for me! Her choice of gift aside, I was honestly flattered-and relieved, now that I knew the truth-and ashamed of myself for getting so jealous in the first place. Sometimes I could be so self-centered.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Staring at the floor, I reached out and put a hand on Shimamuras shoulder, creating a shaky bridge between us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi? I heard her ask, her tone dubious.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For a moment, I was overcome with the impulse to pull her into a tight hug, just to see what would happen if I reduced our physical distance to zero. Unfortunately, I had a feeling that doing so would only push her away emotionally. So instead I held back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I could feel my cheeks burning; they were probably bright red. Slowly, I looked up at her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thank you, Shimamura. I love it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I knew she wanted me to actually use it, but I planned to take it home and hang it up on my wall as a decoration. Even if-on the off chance-we stopped being friends someday...I would never, ever take it down.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im just glad you like it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Truth be told, no, I didnt like it. But I did like that she gave me a gift at all. Especially on Christmas. That was enough for me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anyways, Shimamura continued in her usual tone, scratching her cheek, wanna go outside and throw it around?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...What?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, I just figured Id teach you how to throw it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "N-", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "On reflex I was going to say No thanks, Ill pass, but I couldnt bear to wipe the smile off her face. Before I could mentally reshuffle the rest of my plans for the day, however, she set off in the direction of the descending escalator. She was 100 percent serious about playing with this stupid boomerang.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At the end of the day, no one could deny that Shimamura was weird in her own way. But it was that weirdness that brought us together, and that made me happy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Perhaps that interpretation in turn proved that I, too, was every bit as weird.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I hurried after her and reached for her hand.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Can I? I blurted quickly. Then, with her blessing, I grabbed it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This way Ill stay warm.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "On the opposite side of the street across from the mall, next to the driving school, was a little park devoid of visitors-aside from us, of course. It was winter break, so all the little kids were probably at home playing video games. The rusty playground equipment creaked in the winter wind, half-peeled paint fluttering slightly.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I had never visited a park during the winter, not even as a child.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Per Shimamuras instructions, I took the boomerang out of its bag. Fortunately, by this point my hair had long since dried, and now it billowed in the breeze along with Shimamuras. I watched as she combed her bangs up out of her face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "First, you position the boomerang backwards, Shimamura explained less-than-confidently, like shed only heard it secondhand. Then my heart skipped a beat as she took my hand and adjusted my grip.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This boomerang was proving pretty useful already.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You want to throw it vertically-not upwards, but straight ahead.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then she stepped away to give me some room, and I wondered idly if I could get away with asking her to come back and explain it all one more time. Probably not.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Belatedly I realized I hadnt slung my goggles on, but it was too late-I had already made my throw.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The blue boomerang took off toward the equally blue sky. For a split-second it seemed to melt into the atmosphere and vanish from sight, but then it seemed to bounce off an invisible wall and spin back my way, making a loud whirring sound as it approached. I reached out to catch it, but it flew right around behind me, landing by the metal climbing dome. I jogged over, picked it up, and dusted it off.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Is this supposed to be fun?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It takes some practice, Shimamura commented like she was suddenly the worlds premier boomerang expert.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Can you catch this thing?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It takes some practice, she repeated. Sounds like a no.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was there something wrong with my form or my angle or something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I gotta say, its pretty surreal to watch a girl in a China dress throw a boomerang, she continued, and once again I became conscious of my chosen outfit. For a while there Id forgotten I was wearing my cheongsam at all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I looked down at myself and discovered that my legs were totally showing through the high slits up the sides. Hastily, I straightened my posture and flung the boomerang to distract from my shame. It followed about the same trajectory as last time, landing behind me once again. I picked it up and stared at it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Throw, catch, throw, catch. Thats all it was to me. Personally, I wouldve had more fun playing another round of air hockey. Maybe boomerang throwing just wasnt for me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not having fun? Shimamura asked me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not really, I admitted sheepishly. But she didnt seem all that disappointed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh well, she muttered. Wanna go back inside, and Ill buy you something else?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, no, thats okay, I stammered, gesturing with the boomerang. After all, it still had value to me, though not in the way she intended.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her eyes followed the boomerang as it waved back and forth in my hand. All right then, she shrugged with a tiny satisfied grin, like a proud older sister. But we should probably go back inside. Its cold out here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At her suggestion, we headed back to the mall...but something inside me was holding me back, almost like it had me in a chokehold. She wont open up to you once youre in public again, it warned me. And it was right, of course. No way could I talk to Shimamura about love or romance when we were surrounded by couples...so its now or never. I wasnt prepared, but Id just have to wing it and try not to stumble over myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey, um...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I took a step forward, and she turned back to look at me. Then I took her hand, palm up, and cradled it between my own, linking our fingers.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She looked at me in confusion, probably because she wasnt used to someone cherishing her like this. Whats up?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The significance of the holiday served as a convenient excuse, egging me on. I moved my finger along the lines of her palm like I was searching for something.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey, that tickles, she scolded me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sorry. I just...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Love you. I love you, Shimamura. I love you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My throat tightened until I could scarcely breathe. My lips trembled.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I just want to be your, um...friend.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was the most I could manage with my current level of courage, and I was going to have to settle for it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You are my friend, she replied with a baffled smile.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, I know. But thats not what I mean.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I dont want to be just a regular friend, I explained. Then I realized the implication of what I said and started screaming internally. My sight blurred.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I knew it wasnt right to try to measure our friendship, but there was no going back now. Id just have to try to explain to her what I wanted. I took another step forward.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I want to be your best friend.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Promise me youll always come back to me, no matter how far you fly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My best friend? she repeated, brow furrowed, like she didnt quite understand. The longer I looked at her, the more I felt myself getting cold feet, so I decided to blurt it all out and get it over with.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, so...uh...whatever I need to do to get there, Ill do it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh...okay, she replied vaguely. Hmm. She frowned.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then she started to shiver in the cold. She pulled her hood up over her head, probably to keep her ears warm, and for some reason this one tiny (albeit adorable) gesture had me captivated.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im not sure I understand, but...I think its good to put in your best effort, so yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She definitely didnt understand; that much was clear. And yet...as I stared down at the ground, Shimamura reached out and stroked my hair. To grant her easier access, I reflexively crouched down-to the point that our faces nearly touched. Wordlessly, she rested my head against her shoulder.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I reached up and clutched the elbow of her jacket like I never wanted to let her go. Then I closed my eyes and leaned my full weight against her. For a moment, it felt like the boomerang in my hand was carrying us up into the sky. I could still picture it vanishing into the wild blue yonder.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We stood there in silence-two girls alone in a park, embracing, shivering in the cold. It was the perfect moment...to me, at least. Sure, it was no Christmas miracle, but I couldnt possibly ask for more.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Deep down, all I ever wanted was to spend time with Shimamura on Christmas, and that wish was granted hours ago. Today was already perfect right from the start; the rest of the time was simply spent admiring the view from cloud nine. The air hockey, the coffee, the gifts... These were all small steps on the way back down to reality. Granted, I nearly stumbled over the whole boomerang thing, but for the most part, it all went off without a hitch. The day wasnt quite over yet, but I was already confident that it would remain a total success, right to the very end.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As Shimamura ran her fingers through my hair, it occurred to me that my mind was too blank to commit this day to memory. Instead, it would be lost to the snowy haze that had settled over my brain.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A white Christmas, indeed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 17", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Interlude: Yashiro Comes Calling, Part 3", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude:Yashiro Comes CallingPart 3", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "TO THE RIGHT!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Rolling, rolling, rolling...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To the left!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Rolling, rolling, rolling!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey, Ms. Allegedly 600 Years Old, thats my blanket, my sister scowls as she watches us. Oops.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its another cold day in the house, and the two of us are all rolled up like a burrito with just our heads peeking out from opposite ends of my sisters comforter. I dont remember exactly when Yachi got here, and I probably wont notice when she leaves, but for now, were playing some kind of rolling-around game.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Is that fun? my sister asks dubiously.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It warms the body, Yachi explains, flopping around", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "on the ground. She keeps kicking me in the stomach, and it hurts.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Rolling her eyes, my sister turns back to the TV. Cool.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Care to join us, Shimamura-san?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I may not look it, but Im actually really busy, she replies, reclining in her floor chair and staring at the TV screen.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, well, were really busy, too! Unlike you, were not just lying around! But I have to match Yachis moves pretty carefully, or else we wont roll very much. When you roll, you have to start from one end and work your way down the burrito. Then do it in reverse to go back. Thats the trick.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Rolling, rolling, rolling. Rolling behind my sister. Then we change directions and roll over to the wall. Rolling, rolling, rolling. Then we roll over to the window...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh my God, will you knock it off?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My sister gets up and puts her foot down-literally. The two of us try to wriggle free. No luck.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whats your problem? Yachi demands.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, whats your problem? my sister shoots back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We are simply keeping ourselves warm.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh yes, quite simply, I join in, mimicking Yachis voice. My sister sighs, slumping her shoulders in defeat.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then a sound rings out from high above us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, thats my phone!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My sister crawls on her hands and knees to her study desk, where she grabs her cell phone. She briefly checks the screen to see who the caller is, then answers. Hello?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then she waddles on her knees right out of the room.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmph!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With my sister gone, I slide out of the burrito, and Yachi follows suit. Together, we sit down on the empty comforter. Meanwhile, Yachi pulls off her scarf-I guess she got overheated.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Scarves are warm, but rather itchy against my neck.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh yeah? I glance over to find that her neck looks a little pink. Maybe she has sensitive skin.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The air is filled with dust and blue sparklies, probably from all the flopping around. As always, Yachis bright blue hair is covered in these sparklies. I reach out my hand, and one of them alights on my finger like its a little blue bug. I slowly lower my hand so it doesnt fall off, but a few moments later, it disappears...so I reach out and scoop up another one.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meanwhile, Yachi watches my finger go back and forth, her eyes as wide as saucers.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What are these things, Yachi? I ask as I stare down at the little speck. She cocks her head as it melts away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I couldnt tell you. Youd have to ask the person I got my hair from.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Every now and then Yachi said some really confusing things. Maybe she meant ask her parents?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Does your dad have the same hair as you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "He doesnt have any hair at all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh...? Like a monk?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Apparently thats a no. Is he just bald, then? What about your mom?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Your moms bald, too?! Okay, no, that cant be right. Hmmm...Yachis such a mystery. She doesnt look like shes lying or anything, but I just dont understand her... Is it because shes an alien? But shes right here on Planet Earth! Whats not to understand?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Very well. I shall reveal my secret to you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Your secret?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She shook her head vigorously, shaking out more sparklies. Allow me to investigate the mystery of the glowing lights, she declares, proudly thumping her chest. Then she coughs-I guess she smacked herself a little too hard-and shakes her head.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "With each movement, more and more sparklies fly out. I glance left and right, left and right... Theres no end to them!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After a while she stops and folds her arms smugly. Impressive, is it not?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "One time I got 100 out of 100 on my cooking test.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Outstanding, Yachi nods, but it kinda seems like she doesnt understand what that means. Or maybe Im just biased because she has blue hair. In that case, allow me to offer you this... Ouch!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She whimpers as she pulls out two long strands of glossy, silky hair; they rustle slightly in the heaters warm breeze. Then she takes my hand, extends my index finger, and wraps the strands around it in a gentle bow knot, like her hairstyle. I wiggle my finger, and it flaps its wings like a butterfly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then she points at the bow. Guess what? That wont come off until the mystery is solved.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No kidding?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hee hee hee! she giggles mischievously.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For a moment Im tempted to test this by tugging on one end of the bow...but then I lower my hand. If it comes undone, Im scared itll be gone forever. I should enjoy it for a little while first.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The butterflys wings flap merrily, almost like it read my mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh well... I wouldnt want to loosen it too quick, or else itll disappear! I point my finger in Yachis face, and the little winter butterfly bobs along with me, its sparklies the same color as her eyes. So I hope youre prepared to stick around, Yachi!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ho ho ho... By the way, who is this Yachi of which you speak?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And so my competition with Yachi began...but to be honest, it was a competition I wasnt really sure I could win.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 18", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 7: Flawless Thighs", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 7:Flawless Thighs", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "STRETCHING, I looked up at the clock and discovered that the year would end in just ten minutes. I I just figured I should probably head to bed soon.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The longer I kept my head raised, the more it felt like the dust would fly in my nose or mouth, so I tilted my head back down.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Up on the second floor, the storage-closet-turned-study-room was so cold it was practically a refrigerator, and it took an incredible amount of willpower to keep sitting here. I was really tempted to curl up under the kotatsu, but at that point I was better off just packing up my textbooks and going back to my room to sleep in my actual bed. Man, it sucks having to play catch-up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Silently I cursed myself for being such a lazy little sloth, like the hare from that one fable. But the one silver linen or whatever was that I didnt have too many hobbies to distract me from studying.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Cant believe Im studying on New Years Eve. Im such a goody-goody.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yawn.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Somehow it really didnt feel like the year was actually ending-possibly because the third semester didnt start until about a week into January. If anything, it generally didnt feel like a new year had started until about April, when the new school year began. Maybe that would change after I graduated from school altogether.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once it hits midnight, Ill pack up and go to bed, I decided. But right as I picked up my mechanical pencil, my cell phone started to ring. I flinched as the sudden loud noise broke the long silence. Judging from the rotary phone sound effect, there was a new email in my inbox.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I dropped my pencil back onto the table and picked up my phone to check the notification. It was from Adachi. Odd. She didnt usually email me-if she had something to say, she preferred to say it via phone call.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Are you still awake?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That was the full content of her message. At this, I remembered what time it was. That probably explained why she chose to send an email; she didnt want to run the risk of waking me up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, Im up. Aaaand send.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I probably didnt need to clarify that, since any reply to her email would inherently suggest I was awake, but whatever. I moved to set my phone down, but then it jingled again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Can I call?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shouldve seen that coming. Why didnt you just call me to start with? I thought to myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I started to write her a reply to let her know I didnt mind, but then it occurred to me that I could just skip that part and call her myself. I closed the email draft and navigated to my contact list to look for her number. Naturally, I found it pretty swiftly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I hit the Call button and began to wait.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I listened to the ringing, I could feel my upper body going numb from the cold, so I slid in deeper under the kotatsu. Adachi picked up by the time my shoulders slipped under the blanket.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey, its me. Sure, you can call, I said before she could get a word in edgewise.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After a beat, she laughed. This is weird. You dont normally call me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, and you dont normally send emails, but here we are. Anyway, whats up? Something urgent?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, no, nothing like that. I just, uh, wanted to chat.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just wanted to chat, huh? I rolled onto my right side and laid my phone over my left ear. I could hear the TV on downstairs-apparently my parents were still awake.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Were you watching TV or something? she asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What do you mean, maybe?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For some reason, I didnt want to tell her that I was studying. I guess I didnt want her to think I was a goody-goody. Stupid, I know, but a lot of the kids at my school were like that. Maybe it was just one of those being a teenager things. For some reason the concept of trying hard was majorly uncool. By contrast, effortless accomplishment was way more impressive.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hey, so, guess what, I told her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What? she asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The years ending in, like, ten minutes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, yeah, I know. Does your family do stuff for New Years? Go see your relatives or anything?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We usually visit my grandparents for a bit, but thats about it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Do you get New Years money?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh yeah, that... Yeah, I think so.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I rolled over again-I just couldnt seem to get my head in a comfortable position. I needed something bigger and firmer than this wimpy cushion...something like... Yeah, something like Adachis thighs.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, sorry. I was just thinking about your thighs.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wh...what? My...thighs...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What can I say? Theyre really nice.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh...uh...cool? Yeah, thats cool... Ha ha...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anyway, back to what you were saying about New Years money-hello? Adachi? Are you there?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I could hear this weird thumping on the other end of the line, like she was punching a pillow. Or was she flailing around on her bed like a beached fish? Before I could stop myself, my mind conjured an image of Adachi with fins and gills.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whats going on?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, I mean...you...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She fell silent right before she got to the good part. Quit groaning under your breath and just tell me!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah? What about me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You... Youre the one making inappropriate comments about my body!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What? How was any part of that inappropriate? I was just telling it like it is. Trust me, anyone would compliment your thighs. So anyway, you were saying? About New Years money?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, that... Nah, dont worry about it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, okay... Then what do you want to talk about?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Silence fell between us, and all I could hear was the sound of Adachi breathing. This was what I hated most about phone calls-the awkward transition period of trying to figure out what to talk about, or else forcing the other person to pick up the slack. It just wasnt fun for me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...What made you think of my thighs?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, were going back to that now?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Youre the one who brought it up out of nowhere!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, I guess I did. And to be fair, if Adachi suddenly started to...I dont know, recite a poem extolling the virtues of my thighs, Id probably be a little freaked, too. I wonder what sort of poem she would write, though. Knowing her, itd probably be really cutesy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was just laying here, wishing I could use your thighs as a pillow again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh...uh...you were?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was, yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I got the sense she wasnt really sure what to say to that. Fair enough.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I slid the cushion out from under my head and pressed my cheek directly to the cold floor. The temperature difference was nice and refreshing. Then I stared at the strands of long hair splayed out around me and contemplated bleaching it again, because lately my roots were starting to show. Alternatively, I could let them grow out, since my family hated my bleached hair...but then Id look like an overcooked flan.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Which do you prefer: soft or firm? Adachi asked suddenly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh? What kind of question is that?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im talking about thighs. Do you like soft thighs or firm thighs?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If I tell you, will you change yours to match? Is that even possible? Why would you do that for me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It felt like I was at a ramen restaurant and they wanted me to choose what kind of noodle I wanted: regular or extra-thick? Then I pictured what Adachi would look like if she skipped everything except leg day. Barbie from the waist up, Hulk Hogan from the waist down. Okay, no, thats too mean. I shook the image from my mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I had to be careful what I told her, or else she might take it to its logical extreme.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Umm...I think yours are fine just the way they are.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And so I chose to uphold the status quo.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There was a pause, and then...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay. Ill try not to gain any weight.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I dont think you have to worry about that. If anything, youre too skinny. I was totally jealous, to be honest. Maybe I should skip the rice cakes this New Years. Oh yeah, and thank you for the tea! Im really enjoying it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Cool, cool. Ive been, uh, using my gift, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What was that pause? Using it how? To hunt stuff, or what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh hey, its midnight!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At this, I looked up at the clock. Sure enough, it was midnight-almost exactly midnight, in fact. The second hand was only two or three notches in. Wow, that was perfect timing, I thought. Or was she simply watching the clock the whole time?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shall we do the honors?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I crawled out from under the kotatsu and shifted into a formal kneeling position. Meanwhile, Adachi got started ahead of me:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Happy New Year, Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Likewise. Happy New Year, Adachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I bowed to the empty space in front of me, and if I had to guess, Adachi was probably doing the same thing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "With this New Years tradition now complete, I slid right back under the kotatsu without missing a beat. At this point, I wasnt confident I could make it all the way back to my bed on the first floor. The whole house was freezing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Heres to another year and all that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The conversation died again. Then I heard the TV switch off downstairs-my parents were probably heading to bed. Now I was engulfed in silence from every direction.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay, well, Im gonna head to bed, Adachi announced, and I found myself mildly grateful that the call was coming to an end. Soon I would be free from this discomfort.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah? All right, cool. Sweet dreams, Adachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sweet dreams... I like that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Like what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, uh, nothing!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just like that, her voice retreated into the distance, and the call ended.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Lately Adachi seemed really restless for some reason. Settle down before they write fidgety on your report card, I joked to myself silently. Then I set my phone down.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe she just wanted to wish me a happy new year, I mused aloud, contemplating her motives...then thought better of it. Why do I always have to psychoanalyze her every move? I should really try to stop doing that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Was this what she meant by being my best friend? Going out of her way to be the first person to wish me a happy new year? Or just putting me first in general? What was a best friend, anyway?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youd think itd be more straightforward...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After all, it wasnt like I had a whole wealth of friends to choose from. She could be my best friend without even trying. Then again, if I tried to tell her that, I got the feeling she wouldnt be too happy about it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe her idea of best friends was on an entirely different scale from mine.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "To me, your best friend was someone who would walk with you to the local mini-mart or something-a pretty low bar, in other words. By comparison, I got the feeling hers was astronomically high. Maybe that was why some of her behavior struck me as odd-because she was aiming for a goalpost that was entirely beyond me. Ugh. Exactly what sort of lofty expectations did she have for me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That said, our friendship was a step beyond normal, and it wasnt about to change anytime soon. If we couldnt sprout wings and take flight, then wed just have to walk on our own two feet, no matter whether the road ahead was familiar or foreboding. And if the path was too treacherous to walk alone, then at least we had each other. Misery loves company, and all that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Lets work hard to make this year the best one yet, I muttered aloud, though the call had long since ended. Filled with a strange sense of satisfaction, I closed my textbook. Or not.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Evidently my level of motivation was dubious at best.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 19", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 8: Chest Contemplation", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 8:Chest Contemplation", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "THE WAY I FELT ABOUT Shimamuras chest was a surprisingly good litmus test for my feelings toward her in general.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ten minutes into the new year and the first thing I found myself thinking about was Shimamuras boobs. It sounded like a joke on paper, but it was actually a lot deeper than you might expect.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The question was: Did I want to see her boobs?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Obviously I had never seen her naked, or even in a swimsuit, since I hadnt taken part in swimming lessons at school...but did I want to?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Kneeling on my bed, I pressed a finger to my temple and ruminated on this. Ten minutes ago we were talking on the phone. I bet shed never guess Id be thinking about her boobs right now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I could hear the clock ticking loudly with each passing second-the same clock Id watched like a hawk during the minutes leading up to midnight.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In my minds eye, I imagined Shimamura in her school uniform. Then I imagined her without her jacket. At this point I already felt like a creep, and I despised myself for it, but kept going regardless. Next, I imagined her without her shirt on-just a bra.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Come to think of it, in the locker room Id once caught a glimpse of her wearing a green... Look, it doesnt need to be that accurate!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But this next step was where the trouble started. Did I want to see what she looked like without her bra on? If yes, then I was almost certainly in love with her...which was a problem in and of itself. A big problem, maybe, if our parents found out. And if I told Shimamura I wanted to touch her boobs, then shed get super creeped out, and I really wanted to avoid that if possible. Hence, here I was, up to my eyeballs in introspection.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Believe it or not, so far I was actually surprisingly level-headed about this. It was a little anticlimactic.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I could confirm that I didnt feel any disgust or revulsion toward the idea of seeing her boobs, but at the same time, I couldnt detect any active enthusiasm, either. Admittedly I hadnt paid a lot of attention to them thus far. That seemed like a pretty good indicator of my relative interest level.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I probably just wasnt interested in her in that way. Yeah, definitely not. Weird... I guess Im just a normal girl after all. This came as a huge relief, actually, because for a while there it really didnt look like that was the case.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I collapsed back on my bed and stretched out. Nah, I dont see her that way. I smiled as I stared up at the boomerang on my wall. This revelation was so freeing. Now I could rest easy knowing my feelings for Shimamura were pure and platonic. I had nothing to be ashamed of.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I thought back over tonights phone call, a stupid smirk plastered on my face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sweet dreams... I really like that...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I didnt really have a reason why. It just warmed my heart, thats all. I found myself wishing I could hear it every night.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When she brought up my thighs out of nowhere, however, my heart nearly stopped. At the time, I immediately sat up in bed and started feeling up my own legs through my pajamas. And if she liked them the way they were, then Id just have to make sure they didnt change-no additions, no subtractions. But how would I manage that? Measure them regularly or something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I rolled over onto my stomach and buried my face into my pillow. Yeah, I could do this to Shimamuras chest, no problem. After all, I was just a...normal...girl...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Bury my face...into her chest...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I jumped up. The room was spinning. Oh god, why do I feel so humiliated? My cheeks were so hot, it made my head hurt. I didnt even know that was possible.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wha...wha...?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Clutching my face, I struggled to process this. Why am I burning up like a furnace?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once more, I envisioned Shimamura in my minds eye-not naked, but dressed in her winter uniform. Then I focused on the modest swell of her breasts beneath her clothes...and imagined leaning my face close...until I was right up against her cleavage.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then I recoiled-both in my mind and in real life. I sat back on my rear as my face boiled beet red. If this was a cartoon, Id probably have steam gushing from every orifice.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That cant be right...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Naturally, I didnt know what her boobs felt like. I knew what mine felt like, you know, washing them in the shower and all that, but they werent anything special. And yet here I was, freaking out over the mere thought of touching someone elses? What happened to being a normal girl?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This time I imagined myself reaching out with my hand. Reflexively, I squeezed my eyes shut...which didnt change anything, since this was taking place in my mind. Pursing my lips, I envisioned pressing my hand against Shimamuras chest. Instantly, I bolted upright.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was jumping around so much, there was dust flying everywhere. As I gazed up at it, I slowly realized that this was more than just a burying my face thing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I couldnt touch her at all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not literally couldnt, but shouldnt. If I was overreacting this badly, then clearly I...wanted to touch them? Even though I didnt care about looking at them? How does that work?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh god, what? Whats wrong with me?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I clutched my hair. This wasnt normal at all. This was a problem. A huge problem!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I should have quit while I was ahead. Why in Gods name did I keep digging? Now Ive made a discovery I can never take back!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay, calm down. I just need to sleep on it. Come tomorrow morning, Ill realize I dont actually feel that way at all...right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just when I was finally starting to feel normal, my stupid brain yanked the rug right out from under me, and now I was getting all worked up over nothing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, that totally backfired. Great.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I had dug my way out of prison, only to wind up in a different, worse prison.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It seemed I would be agonizing over Shimamura for another year to come.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 20", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Afterword", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Afterword", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "OKAY, I JUST DECIDED: If this was Shounen Ashibe, Adachi would be Goma-chan. Now read the rest of the series imagining a tiny Adachi tucked under Shimamuras arm.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Honestly, Goma-chans still really cute after all these years, so I totally understand how Sakata feels.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now that I think about it, which one of these girls is the protagonist?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ahem! Hello there, Iruma here. No relation to Iruma City, though. Sorry if you were hoping I was the town mascot or something.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lately Ive been playing a lot of Minecraft for the Xbox 360. Right now Im thinking about crafting a giant statue of a girl wrapped up in a futon-say, who does that remind you of?-so Ive been collecting a lot of blue and purple wool. This game is great-it lets you explore underground ravines, seafloor caves, all the sorts of places adventurers dream of. (Though, I admit the graphics made me motion sick at first.)", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Also, completely unrelated, but Ive been getting back into Nier lately, and I finally realized that Yonahs voice actress also voiced Touwa Meme. Crazy, right? Not sure what the connection is there... Theyre both little sisters, I guess!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Id like to thank my father-a delusional man who thinks my autobiographical essays will make him famous, something Im not sure is possible considering I havent written any. Id also like to thank my mother-a kindhearted woman who yells at her kindhearted son, Dont you dare write about me!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "To my readers: thank you for sticking around for Volume 2. Not sure if there will be a Volume 3, but if so, I hope to see you there.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "-Hitoma Iruma", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 21", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Newsletter", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thank you for reading!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Get the latest news about your favorite Seven Seas books and brand-new licenses delivered to your inbox every week:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sign up for our newsletter!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Or visit us online:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "newsletter", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 22", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Table of Contents", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Table of Contents", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Color Inserts", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Table of Contents Page", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Title Page", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Copyrights and Credits", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 1: Shimamura Goes to the Gym", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Interlude: Yashiro Comes Calling, Part 1", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 2: Adachis Question", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Interlude: A Visit to the Butchers Shop, Part 1", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 3: Abnormal Adachi", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Interlude: A Visit to the Butchers Shop, Part 2", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 4: Holiday Planning with Adachi", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Interlude: Yashiro Comes Calling, Part 2", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 5: Holiday Planning with Shimamura", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Interlude: A Visit to the Butchers Shop, Part 3", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 6: White Christmas", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Interlude: Yashiro Comes Calling, Part 3", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 7: Flawless Thighs", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 8: Chest Contemplation", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Afterword", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Newsletter", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 22", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Table of Contents", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Table of Contents", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Color Inserts", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Table of Contents Page", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Title Page", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Copyrights and Credits", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 1: Shimamura Goes to the Gym", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude: Yashiro Comes Calling, Part 1", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 2: Adachis Question", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude: A Visit to the Butchers Shop, Part 1", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 3: Abnormal Adachi", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude: A Visit to the Butchers Shop, Part 2", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 4: Holiday Planning with Adachi", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude: Yashiro Comes Calling, Part 2", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 5: Holiday Planning with Shimamura", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude: A Visit to the Butchers Shop, Part 3", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 6: White Christmas", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude: Yashiro Comes Calling, Part 3", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 7: Flawless Thighs", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 8: Chest Contemplation", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Afterword", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Newsletter", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 1", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0000", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 2", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0001", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Table of Contents", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Color Inserts", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Table of Contents Page", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Title Page", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Copyrights and Credits", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 1: Choose My Chocolate", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude: A Visit to the Butchers Shop, Part 4", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 2: Heliotrope (Seeking the Suns Sparkle)", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude: Yashiro Comes Calling, Part 4", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 3: Old Rose (Thorns of the Past)", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude: A Visit to the Butchers Shop, Part 5", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 4: Marigold (A Saints Loving Embrace)", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude: Yashiro Comes Calling, Part 5", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 5: Sakura (Make a Wish)", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Afterword", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Newsletter", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 3", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0002", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 4", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0003", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 5", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0004", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 6", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0005", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 7", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0006", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 8", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0007", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 9", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0008", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 10", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0009", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 11", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0010", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 1:", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Choose My Chocolate", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "T", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "O ME,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "it was still winter, regardless of what anyone else had to say. The signs were everywhere-in the air, in the clouds. I could tell by the way my nose was so quick to get cold, and the way my eyelids started to droop in class... Okay, maybe that last one was less of a seasonal event and more of a year-round staple. Even so, there was something about winter that made me prone to habitually dozing off, regardless of how much sleep I got the night before. Maybe my body just wanted to hibernate. Would if I could.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was February 4-just another ordinary afternoon. Classes were finally over, and the mood in the room was light and cheerful. The instant the bell rang, a handful of people jumped to their feet and dashed off to their club activities or whatever. As I watched them go, I thought, Ah, the quintessential high-school experience", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". At the same time, however, I didnt enjoy the rush of cold air that replaced the students as they ran into the hall. Brrr", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". I could never imagine myself eagerly skipping out into that", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now that winter vacation was over, our seating arrangement changed, just as it had six months prior at the end of summer break. As a result, I was shuffled from the center of the room to the back, near the door. Personally, I was happy to have some added distance between me and the podium; maybe now the teachers wouldnt glare at me every time I yawned. Unfortunately, this freedom came at a price: an icy gust every time the door opened. That kept me on my toes a bit more than I wouldve liked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now then...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What were my after-school plans? Go straight home? Or find out if Adachi needed to talk to me about something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Here we were at the start of a new month, and Adachi was still acting weird. Then again, I only remembered her acting normal for approximately the first month or so after I met her. So, for all I knew, maybe this weirdness was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "her acting normal. Or maybe shed chill out again once summer rolled around. Oh, Adachi, what am I going to do", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "with you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She looked over her shoulder, and our eyes met. She froze; I stared back like a deer in headlights, my textbook hovering awkwardly over my open bookbag. We were a bit too far apart to hold a conversation, but this staring contest wasnt exactly a great alternative. Then, before I could recover, Adachi averted her gaze and started fidgeting with her bangs, so I went back to packing my bag.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "These days, I found that it was actually really difficult to get a solid grasp of my friendship with her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She often shot me these furtive glances during lunch or after school. Never during class, though, since everyone wouldve seen her doing it. Instead, shed seemingly have the worlds quietest fit. One minute shed blush like crazy out of the blue, and the next, shed bury her face in her textbook, or restlessly pat her hair down. Absolutely zero chill. Naturally, this all took place right within my line of sight, because her desk had been shuffled into the center of the room where mine used to be. Since she kept wiggling from side to side, I could only imagine the struggle the girl who sat behind her went through just to copy down notes from the blackboard.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gday, Shee-ma", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "! Its me, Hee-no", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "! called a sunny voice with sunny skin to match-which is to say, majorly sunburnt.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure enough, it was definitely Hino, except she sounded as if she was trying (and failing) to do some kind of foreign accent. Come to think of it, I seemed to recall that shed gone abroad with her family for New Years. While the rest of us shivered in the winter cold, she looked like shed stepped right off the beach.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was that supposed to be Australian? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maybe Hino had come back to Japan with more than just a deep tan.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You ever notice how you can make your name sound more like a brand name if you pronounce it like an English speaker? asked Hino. We were just talking about it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Beside her, Nagafuji nodded sagely. Idly, I wondered how on earth the two of them ever managed to arrive at that conclusion.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, but then again, Shimamura is already a brand name, huh? Written the same way and everything.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No it isnt, actually!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nagafuji kept nodding, but I had no idea who she was agreeing with.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Anyways, I just wanted to say hi. See ya!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With a wave, Hino left the classroom, her tanned arms contrasting sharply with this snowy-white Japanese winter. Nagafuji started after her, then stopped short and turned back as though shed just thought of something. Unlike her other half, she was ghostly pale.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thrown it around lately? she asked, sliding her glasses up her nose.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She swung her arm downward in a throwing motion, though I found myself more distracted by the jiggle of her chest. What on earth is she...? Ohhhh, the boomerang. Right.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, yeah, totally, I said. My sister, uh...she loves it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Or so she claimed, anyway. Never mind the fact that I could feel said sister staring at me right this very moment.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tell her we can have a throwing competition once she practices enough.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, uh...sure, I said.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With that, Nagafuji headed off after Hino, leaving me with a promise I couldnt quite keep. I really", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "couldnt imagine Adachi signing up for any sort of throwing competition, so if Nagafuji was looking for a boomerang buddy, she was better off asking Hino.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That said, I sensed that Hino probably wouldnt oblige, in the same way that Nagafuji never went fishing. But they were still good friends, even if they didnt share 100 percent of their lives. I liked that about them. It was healthy to have a little distance.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Australia, huh...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Admittedly, I was a bit jealous. Not only had I never set foot outside Japan, Id never even been on an airplane. Id at least ridden a bullet train, obviously, but that was different to me. Im not sure why.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once the classroom door shut and I no longer felt the frigid hallway air blowing in, I decided it was about time I headed home", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "myself. Right as I started to rise from my seat, however, I noticed someone hovering near my desk. Frozen in place with my knees half-bent, I looked up to find Adachi standing there.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sup? I asked awkwardly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uh...hey yo, she replied, equally awkward.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Since Id eaten lunch with Hino and Nagafuji, this was my first time hearing Adachis voice today. Mind you, Id tried to invite her to join us, but she ran off. Evidently, she wasnt comfortable around them.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not that I couldnt understand that, of course. Just because they were my friends didnt automatically make them hers, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Are you...free today? she asked me hesitantly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmm?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Would you wanna maybe go on a trip-no, I mean, like, an outing or whatever?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why did she always have to cushion her words with maybe or whatever? And why did she sound so panicked?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, basically, you want to hang out somewhere?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Adachi nodded slightly, and for a moment I considered saying, No thanks, its too cold. Then it occurred to me that I might come off as rude, so I thought better of it. For me, the most exhausting part of any relationship was having to choose my words. I was nowhere near eloquent enough to rephrase my sentences on the fly, so it took me a while. If only I could just choose a dialogue option from a predetermined list like in a video game.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, but if youre busy, its cool. It totally doesnt matter or whatever, Adachi added, waving her hands as though putting up a preemptive barrier. This defensive gesture was a telltale sign of someone who lacked confidence in how the other person would respond. That fear of rejection would inevitably push the first person to assume the worst and jump the gun. Relatable", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In my case, however, Adachis gesture just made me want to mess with her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, yes. Super", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "busy. Im so glad you understand, I joked affably.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Unfortunately, this joke didnt land. At all. Not only did she not laugh, she completely wilted. One more push, and I felt like she might just burst into tears. Panicking internally, I hastily changed tack.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Come on, you should know the answer to that by now. Dont make me look like a loser, I laughed, hoping to smooth things over.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sorry, she mumbled awkwardly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ugh, now I made her apologize.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Guilt slowly crept over me. At this point, I couldnt possibly turn her down without doing some serious damage.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay, look-that was a joke. A bad joke. Im sorry for screwing with you like that, because I do actually want to go.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All at once, Adachis stiff expression softened, as though her whole body had turned to jelly. She was the type of girl who always wore her emotions on her sleeve, and I for one appreciated the lack of ambiguity.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As for me, Id only grown more and more complicated as I got older. Probably something I should work on.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anywhere in particular you wanted to go? I asked, knowing full well the answer would be no.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not really, but...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But? I prompted, since it sounded like she had more to say.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I kinda want something sweet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Adachi stared down at the floor, burying her chin in her scarf. Her faces upper and lower halves moved in two directions; her gaze pointed right, while her lips curled upward in a stiff half-smile. A hell of a feat, to say the least. I wasnt sure I could replicate it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, you wanna get some kind of sugary snack? I asked. Would sugar fix whatevers going on with your face?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For some reason, her shoulders flinched in response. Uhh...yeah. A snack.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What, so a non-sugary snack?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, no, sugarys good, she answered in a tiny voice that I could barely make out through her pouted lips.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For some reason, it felt like I was missing something, but, eh, at", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "least I had a general idea of what she wanted. If we went to the mall, we could buy all kinds of junk food-a lot of it sugary, some of it savory. Ooh, or we could get donuts again. That sounds pretty good, actually.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was nice to be able to think back to decent memories for a change. Id left lots of stuff in the past thus far, and that wasnt about to stop anytime soon. However, as long as I had some small amount of enjoyable times to look back on, that was good enough for me. To facilitate that, Id have to create the memories myself. Throw enough spaghetti at the wall, blah blah blah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I decided to spend my afternoon with Adachi, who was still acting as bizarre as ever.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yep, just another ordinary afternoon.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Judging by my tendency to ride double on Adachis bike, maybe I was still technically a bad kid on the inside. Granted, according to my little sister, I would always be a bad kid as long as my hair was bleached... But, lately, I wasnt sure what to do with it anymore. My hair, I mean. With my dark roots starting to show, I looked like a burnt flan.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Should I re-bleach it, or let it grow out?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Either way, I needed to pick one and commit to it. I couldnt keep waffling forever.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 12", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0011", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 13", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0012", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A little under twenty minutes later, we arrived at Adachis chosen destination: the large mall wed visited together on Christmas. Its vast, sprawling parking lot was dimly lit under the setting sun.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi and I werent the only teenagers around, either. Plenty of people milled about wearing uniforms from other schools, all of them exhaling white fog. The sight reminded me of just how cold it was outside, which in turn sent a shiver down my spine. How I yearned to reunite with the toasty-warm kotatsu", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "table back at home. But thatll be hours from now at this rate,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I thought as I watched Adachi lock up her bike.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A few steps inside the mall, she reached out and pinched my index finger between hers, hesitantly holding it aloft. Her skin was about as warm as the mall itself, which is to say, very", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". Warmer than outside, anyway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Can we...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Apparently, she wanted to hold hands. Well, at least shes started asking permission first. Thats an improvement...I guess.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A pink flush ran across her cheeks in a straight line, possibly from the stark temperature change.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Go for it, I nodded, and a moment later, she clamped down on my hand like a vise. She gazed at our intertwined fingers for a moment, then hastily lowered our arms back to our sides.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I really didnt mind holding hands with her, but it bothered me the way she always got so tense about it. She faced straight forward, almost as if everything from the neck up was frozen in place. If I knocked on her cheek, would I hear an echo? Is she still human? Shes not even blinking!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, what are we doing? Getting something sugary?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, Adachi nodded stiffly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay, well, theres a donut shop right over there, I suggested, since it was entirely possible she couldnt turn her head to see it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It wasnt the same chain we went to at the train station, but it was still pretty decent, in my opinion. And, since donuts were like 90 percent sugar, the shop struck me as a satisfying solution for her craving. Still, I had the feeling that, if we went inside, Yashiro would show up out of nowhere and get in line behind us...or would she?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi stopped short, turned, and peered into the donut shop-on her tiptoes, no less. What on earth is she doing?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I watched her for a moment, then followed suit, turning toward the front of the store. This donut shop was right near the main mall entrance, and it had very few walls, enabling passersby to see clear through to the counter display.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Of course, this meant the employees could see us", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", too. I felt them looking at us-the awkward weirdo, and the curious girl holding her hand. Or maybe it was just the hand-holding thing. Is it really that weird? Hmm. I guess it is.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I averted my gaze.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Diagonally behind us was an info board with movie times listed on it. An opposite-sex couple stood in front of it, holding hands as they scanned it up and down. Pretty normal stuff. Likewise, a mom held hands with her young son as they walked into a nearby EDION. The mom bent over slightly to accommodate this, and she looked tired, but otherwise, yep, seemed pretty normal. Then there was me and Adachi... Werent we a little too old to be holding hands?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nngh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I groaned before I could stop myself. It felt like the malls entire natural ecosystem had taken one look at us and come crashing to a halt. All eyes were on our limp, tepid hands.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Unfortunately, it was too late to take it back and pretend it never happened. That applied to a lot of things, actually. When it came to relationships, ending things was always a thousand times harder than starting them. Take this very moment, for example: could I pull my hand away right here and now? No. My life had led me into this situation, and all I could do was keep going with the flow to see where it took me next.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It would take a great deal of courage and conviction to derail this train-and those were luxuries I simply didnt have.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nope, Adachi muttered in a small voice, then looked back at me anxiously, as she often did these days. Back when we first met, she used to be a lot more relaxed, but alas. Sorry, but Im not really...feeling it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay. I didnt know what that was supposed to mean, but I decided to accept it regardless. You do you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In the mood for something more Japanese?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not...exactly... She tilted her head at me, puzzled.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You think YOURE confused? Try being me right now!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anything you have in mind?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh? Oh, uh, no...yeah, no. She shook her head. Wait, but then, how do you know you dont want Japanese sweets?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My little friend was acting especially finicky today, and I found myself wishing she would just be straightforward with me for a change. I envisioned it in my minds eye: Adachi, perfectly eloquent at all times.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, no, thats not Adachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This trembling baby fawn I saw before me? That", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "was my Adachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With no clear destination in mind (as far as I knew, anyway), she started walking, and I followed. That reminds me-I wanted to ask you...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah? said Adachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Do you think I should bleach my hair again? Or go back to my natural color? I asked, toying with a random strand. If I couldnt decide on my own, then clearly I needed an outsiders perspective to help me make the final call.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At my question, Adachi ran her gaze over me-from my scalp to my shoes. Not sure what my shoes have to do with it, but okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe she was taking my overall aesthetic into account before she answered. After a long and thorough examination, she closed her eyes, as if pausing to imagine my two hair options.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You know its not that serious, right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With her eyes closed, she was perfectly unguarded. I couldnt help but think about all the pranks I could pull on her right now. I could pinch her lips until they puffed out like sausages, or stretch her cheeks until she looked like a squirrel... Ugh, I sound like a little kid. Cringe.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then Adachi opened her eyes, and I officially lost my chance to mess with her. She stared at my roots and furrowed her brow.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ive never seen dark Shimamura, so its hard to say for sure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, I keep my dark side safely locked away! Heh heh heh! I", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "joked after a pause.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "To be honest, I didnt really like the sound of dark Shimamura, but whatever. Admittedly, if you asked me to choose between dark Shimamura and light Shimamura, the first one did", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "sound cooler. But I digress.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "See, Im kinda caught in the middle right now, so I gotta make a decision soon, I explained, running a hand through my hair to show her. For some reason, as the strands slipped through my fingers, Adachi reached out and caught them-as if she was the other half of an hourglass, and my hair was the sand.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Speaking of which, Id wanted to get an hourglass for a while. I would try to remind myself to buy one, only to inevitably forget later on. The plan always slipped away from me...like sand. Poetic.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi stared at the hair in her palm. Her gaze was so impassioned, I had to wonder if she had a personal opinion to offer on the subject.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whats wrong? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She immediately flung my hair away. Nothing, she blurted out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Doesnt really SEEM like nothing,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I thought as I smoothed my hair, but I held my tongue.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the end, I never got a clear answer out of her about my hair. Instead, she simply started walking. We passed KFC, then OOTOYA, then Shabu Sai, until we reached a branching walkway. There, on the right-hand side, was a Western-style cake shop.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What about this one? I suggested. Once again, Adachi craned her neck to peer inside. Whats the matter with you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, this one looks good, she replied. Finally", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". I was dying to know what her lofty standards were, but the squirrely look on her face suggested that she wasnt about to tell me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The yellow store sign was adorned with a cartoon of an old man named...Beard? Really? Gee, how creative.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A delicious, doughy scent wafted from inside, drifting up my nostrils and tickling the back of my throat. From the looks of it, the stores main products were cream croissants, choux au craquelin", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", and cheesecakes. Definitely sugary, and definitely not Japanese. This would surely meet Adachis", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "requirements, right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The cake shop offered limited-edition chocolate cream puffs, too. But, honestly, I couldnt really tell them apart from the dark-brown deep-fried cream puffs next to them. I glanced over Adachis shoulder at the poster behind her and realized what the limited-edition chocolate pastries were for: Valentines Day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, right. I forgot that was around the corner.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Id need to pick up something for my bratty sister, or else shed never let me hear the end of it. And this year, I could already foresee Yashiro standing right next to her, holding her little hands out expectantly. I heaved a small sigh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "With long, awkward strides, Adachi stumbled around me until she reached my opposite side-still holding my hand, mind you. Naturally, this forced me to spin in a circle to accommodate her. Her palm was getting sweaty, and she was doing the neck-craning thing again, peering behind me as nonchalantly as possible.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I turned to follow her gaze. Only one thing of interest was behind me: the Valentines Day poster featuring limited-edition products.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Valentines, Adachi murmured. Her voice cracked a bit as she read the rest of the advertisement aloud, her eyes glazed over slightly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yep, thats what it says, I agreed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She started to hiccup, her gaze flitting restlessly to and fro. Dude. Chill", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its already that...hic", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...time of year, huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As you can imagine, having the hiccups made it impossible for Adachi to play it cool, no matter how hard she tried. Fortunately, even I wasnt that", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "oblivious.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What about it? I pressed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Instantly, Adachi grew visibly flustered. Huh? Oh, well, nothi-hic", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "-nothing much, really, she stammered. Her eyes darted around in all directions as if she was drawing a spiral with her gaze, her face a kaleidoscope of colorful expressions, her words punctuated by the occasional hiccup.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did she bring me to the cake shop to strike up a conversation about Valentines Day? That would certainly explain why shed passed on getting donuts. Man, talk about convoluted.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Or perhaps beating around the bush was more apt than convoluted, considering the lap shed done around me just now. Guess that makes me the bush.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did Adachi want gift advice? If so, then who the hell was the recipient? Did she have some secret boyfriend I didnt know about? No way. Not possible. If she did, then surely", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wouldve noticed hints by now, and rest assured, I hadnt. In fact, Id never seen her spend time with anyone,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "besides...well...me", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Which would mean...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is it me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That was the answer I arrived at via the process of elimination.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi flinched and staggered backward until it looked like she was about to fall over. Thinking quickly, I tugged her by the hand I already held-but then she stumbled forward with the momentum, her face crashing into my chest. End result: a surprise hug I didnt know I wanted. Now I could smell her scent mixed with the pastries sugary fragrance.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Adachi froze, hunched over against me, and at that point I wasnt really sure what to do next. Considering our height difference, it wasnt exactly the most natural position to stand in, and I wasnt easily able to support her weight.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her eyes were still wide open, frozen in shock. I watched as-right before my eyes-the blood rushed to her head, starting from her neck and slowly working its way up to her scalp. Meanwhile, her gaze flew around at a speed I didnt know was humanly possible. Id never seen anything like it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gripped with emotion, she slowly pushed herself back to her feet, using my shoulders for support. Then, a beat later, she seemed to snap back to reality. The blood drained from her face, and she clutched at her hair. Then she started shaking her head vigorously in denial. Denial of what, I didnt know, but she was bouncing all over the place like one of those spring-loaded toys. Suffice it to say, it was...kind of freaking me out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I couldnt just let her have this meltdown right in front of the store, lest we cause a disturbance. I pulled her away, taking wide, awkward steps as I physically dragged her off. On the other side of the", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "walkway was a Japanese restaurant, its display window all decked out with...tuna. Romantic", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". Fortunately, this increased distance from the Valentines Day poster seemed to help Adachi calm down.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Considering the contrived way in which shed attempted to start this conversation, I wasnt really sure what she was about to say, but I decided to give her a minute. Finally, she asked, Do you have any...plans...for the fourteenth?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nope.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure enough, I was right. It was like the Christmas thing all over again. Apparently, Adachis bizarre antics were a reliable precursor to some kind of invitation. Feels like Ive learned something new about her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then...would you want to...hang out that day?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She spoke haltingly, like shed given up on playing it cool. Probably for the best. Her mouth opened and closed wordlessly as her eyes looked to me for help. Her ears, her nose, and even the backs of her hands flushed bright red until she nearly matched the tuna display behind her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi tuna... That almost sounds like it could be a real species. Bluefin tuna, bigeye tuna, Adachi tuna...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I hastily derailed this idiotic train of thought. We werent going to get anywhere unless I said something. Fast.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, uh...do you want me to get you", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "chocolate, or do you want to get me", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "chocolate?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I had a feeling this wasnt the right question to be asking, but I couldnt stop myself. Staring blankly, Adachi twirled her index fingers around each other in a little circle.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I want you to-well, actually, either way-I mean, like, an exchange sort of thing?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Both of us, huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was more than I expected her to ask for. Still, at least now I could see what she was getting at.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Id bought chocolate for my sister before, but never for a friend, and the two werent exactly the same thing. Of course, Hino and Nagafuji did it every year, supposedly...but me and Adachi?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I imagined the two of us in their shoes-me as Hino and Adachi as Nagafuji. Nope. No way.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Their friendship was in a whole different league; my friendship with Adachi couldnt possibly last as long as theirs. How many years did Adachi and I have left, anyway? Would we make it to the end of high school? Or would we end up in different classes next year and gradually drift apart? Wouldnt be the first time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In elementary school, you couldnt have paid me to go into any other classrooms. Probably because there were usually teachers in there. Or perhaps it was because I knew I didnt belong in there, so I didnt feel comfortable trespassing. Once upon a time, Id lost a friend because of that...and now I couldnt even remember her name.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Plus, now that I was in high school, that just felt like way", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "too much effort. I couldnt imagine myself ever wanting to go to all the trouble of-wait a minute", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now that I thought about it, the chances were high that Adachi would simply track me down herself. Maybe a class change wouldnt be enough to end our friendship. The thought felt reassuring somehow.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At this point, Id known Adachi long enough to have an idea of who she was as a person, and this chocolate-exchange idea was so very her", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Considering the way she always jumped at any opportunity to hold my hand, I could tell that she was starved for human connection. Maybe she longed to create the sort of idealized friendship shed never had. Far be it from me to blame every little thing on her family situation, but I was pretty sure her frosty relationship with her mother was at least partially to blame.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not that I had any intention of being Adachis surrogate mom, of course.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dont you think it kind of ruins the fun, planning this out in advance? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was like if Santa sent me a letter telling me he was coming to my house and detailing exactly what he was bringing me. To me, it didnt matter whether I actually liked the gift itself; the mystery", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "was the fun part. Maybe that was because Id spent my life never really yearning for any specific thing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi considered my opinion for a moment, then slowly shook her head. Surprises are overrated; Id rather know. That way, I dont", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "get my hopes up over nothing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Really...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She nodded slightly. Apparently, she sincerely felt this way. Personally, I had trouble grasping it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Besides, therere still a hundred other problems, she added.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I heard her mutter something under her breath, but she was all hunched over, so I could barely make it out. Problems, huh? Yeah, well, for every one of your problems, Ive got a hundred questions to go along with it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Still, instead of just going with the flow, Adachi was trying to fight against the current. She had the courage and conviction I lacked, and I could respect that...even if I did", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "sometimes feel as if she was using me as a stepping stone.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, this is what I told her: Sounds good. I guess you can be my Valentine this year.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The way I saw it, my life was one long, unending gray blur...but the events of today, February 4, sprinkled a tiny bit of color into the ten days that followed.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 14", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0013", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A Visit to the Butchers Shop", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Part 4", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "C", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "AN I LIFT YOU", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "real quick?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was at Nagafujis house after school, lounging around under the kotatsu", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "table, when Nagafuji asked me her most bizarre question yet. Shed been staring at me-or, rather, zoning out in my direction-for a while now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Can you what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lift you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What for?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To see if I can, she explained dutifully. I couldnt begin to fathom how her brain came up with this idea.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay, well, Im too tired to get up. Drag me out, I groaned, reaching out to her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure enough, she responded by grabbing my hand and literally", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "dragging me from under the kotatsu", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Fortunately, the heater was on, so the room was by no means chilly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nevertheless, the cold air always seemed to settle near the floor, like hoarfrost.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Help me up!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wiggled my hand until Nagafuji hoisted me upward and to the side. Eventually, through a series of adjustments on the X and Y axes and absolutely no effort on my part, I successfully reached a standing position.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, Im up! Oof-now I feel dizzy. And my ears are ringing like crazy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Here I was, lamenting my suffering, and yet Nagafuji ignored me completely. She put her hands under my armpits. Oh my god, shes actually doing it", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Startled, I flailed my dangling feet. Meanwhile, she lifted me higher and higher until I hung there like the lion cub in that", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "one movie. Now I was taller than she was.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "While it was refreshing to see from a different viewpoint for a change, it kinda made me want to pass out, coupled with the ringing ears and vertigo. Nagafujis arms started to shake harder and harder, until eventually she hit her limit and was forced to set me back down.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Youre heavier than I thought, she commented as she massaged her bicep.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "! Rude much?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Id rather die than be short AND heavy! If I were heavy, I wouldve sounded like a sack of potatoes when I hit the ground! But I didnt! So there!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What was the point of that, anyway?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I just figured I could probably lift you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ugh, forget it. Knowing Nagafuji, that really was her only reason. There were never any hidden depths with her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I slid back under the kotatsu", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", and this time she joined me. Then she took her glasses off. Why does it feel as if she always takes her glasses off whenever shes with me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Id never bothered to ask her about it, because I knew Id only get an ambiguous answer, like the one shed given me just now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I collapsed forward onto the table, I exhaled and watched as my breath made the desk calendars pages flutter slightly. I blew on it again, for fun this time. Then I noticed the holiday coming up ten days from now: Valentines Day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That reminds me-do you want chocolates again this year?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wed exchanged gifts on Valentines since I was a kid, so by now it was kind of a tradition. At one point, it turned into this crazy competition in which we tried to one-up each other with the weirdest chocolate we could find, but lately wed gone back to tamer gifts. You see, when it came to food, dear sweet Nagafuji-chan only liked normal stuff, like curry and Salisbury steak. If I was getting her a gift, I figured I might as well make it something I knew she would like.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure, she said. I like candy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "All right, then, I guess thats a yes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Of course, we never did anything super special-we just went to the store together, picked out our chocolate together, and ate it together. End of story.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But, to us, that was Valentines Day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 15", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0014", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "~", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Todays Adachi Forecast~", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ada-chee!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I imagined Shimamuras voice pronouncing my name with extra emphasis on the last syllable. It was pretty cute.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "God...I really shouldnt be thinking about this stuff in the middle of class.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 16", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0015", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 2:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Heliotrope", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(Seeking the Suns Sparkle)", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "S SOON AS I GOT HOME,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I went straight to my room, collapsed onto my bed, and slammed my face into my pillow. I remembered taking Shimamura home, but everything after that was a blur of colors, like a sunset. Frankly, it was a miracle I made it home safely at all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "All day, my face had burned white-hot, to the point that I questioned whether maybe summer had come early this year. My ears itched, too. Then the pillow dust slowly settled around my head, and the color filtering in through the window made me realize that the sun was", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", in fact, setting. Knowing me, my face was probably every bit as red as that sky right now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Every time the memory flashed through my head, I writhed thinking about all the cringey things I did and said, kicking my feet and slamming my face repeatedly against the bed. Once I got it all out of my system, I raised my head and contemplated getting up. My back was still twisted around awkwardly, so I lowered my head once more. Guess Ill give it another five minutes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A low whine escaped my lips. My parents generally never offered me so much as a passing glance, but if they saw the way I was acting right now, maybe theyd actually pay attention for a change.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "God, I acted like such a freak...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At least things had worked out in my favor.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Last month, I was sure God wasnt real, but maybe I was wrong. Maybe he was simply a giant bully who liked to stress me out. And now that Id officially made plans with Shimamura, I had even more", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "to worry about.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chocolate, I muttered aloud, naming the snack that was surely going to melt my brain into fondue. The faint smell of fabric softener descended as I pulled my blanket over my head.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This would be my first time ever giving anyone a Valentines gift, as well as my first time receiving one. Well, unless you counted the", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "chocolate my parents gave me when I was a kid. Personally, I chose not to. It wasnt like it mattered either way. It didnt change the fact that this was the first time I actually wanted", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "a Valentines gift.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Valentines Day was more than a week away, and yet... Well, actually, considering all the planning ahead of me, maybe I had less time than I thought. Was I going to make this chocolate myself? No, thatd be too intense...or would it? No, yeah, definitely.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How could I make chocolate without any prior experience in the kitchen? Was that something I could get good at with a little research and practice? Even then, it would still be too intense for a casual gift.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I should do what I did for Christmas and buy her something shell like. Yeah, thatd be good... Yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But then again...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was my first-and quite possibly last-experience with Valentines Day chocolate, and I wanted to make the most of it. Unfortunately, I had no surefire way of accomplishing that. The second I attempted to figure out the right move, my head started to ache. At the rate I was going, I really", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "wasnt sure that I was going to survive the next ten days. By the time the big day rolls around, Ill be an empty husk.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Homemade...homemade... First things first, Ill have to find out what she likes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I doubted that anyone but Shimamura herself would know the answer, so Id have to ask her directly. But if I was too gung-ho about it, then Id come off as overeager, so Id have to strike some sort of balance. That", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "was the tricky part, as Id proved earlier today with my cringey behavior. The mere memory made my nose burn.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Relax. Its no big deal,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I lied to myself in order to calm down. Its just a platonic...you know...friendly gift exchange or whatever.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Which meant that-barring some kind of weird baking competition-a handmade gift would be wayyyy", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "too much.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Of course, if she", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "had made me", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "something, I wouldve absolutely loved", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "that. I wouldve killed", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "for that. If I could have wished on a shooting star for anything", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", it wouldve been that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wanted to be just as special to Shimamura as she was to me; I wanted to have a unique connection no one else could replicate. But I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "didnt know how to achieve that, and if I asked her for it flat-out, then it would lose all meaning. I needed Shimamura to be a willing, enthusiastic participant...and thus, I would need to nonchalantly guide her in that direction.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ha, good one", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". After all the humiliation Id caused myself, I knew full well that there was nothing nonchalant about me. Id tried dozens of times to casually steer the conversation, only to end up in a panic-I just wasnt capable of keeping my cool. Instead, I shook like a leaf until my desired topic shot out of my mouth at 100 miles per hour.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "God, Im pathetic.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At this stage, it was a little too late to curse my idiocy...but still, sometimes I really hated my own guts.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I shook my head and rolled onto my side, my motions kicking up dust and detritus.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What I really wanted was far, far softer than chocolate-so soft, it kept slipping through my fingers. Valentines Day was merely a conduit through which I could just barely graze it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "~Wednesday, February 5~", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "All through class, I slipped in and out of countless daydreams about Shimamura and chocolate. Maybe Im a little obsessed. Yeah, just a little.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To be fair, these classes were frequently boring. Since the seating arrangement prevented me from looking at Shimamura, the best I could do was use my imagination to while away my free time-and sometimes my non-free time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In a blink, school was over for the day, and the rapid passage of time made my blood run cold. What if all ten days went by as fast as this one? In the past, I wouldve loved nothing more than to speed through my dull everyday life on fast-forward, but now I felt a bit differently. For the first time in my life, I had gained something truly important...and, as a result, I was constantly stressed out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I tidied up my desk drawers contents, I glanced backward to see a summery, sunburnt Hino and a very sleepy-looking Nagafuji at Shimamuras desk. After a brief farewell, the two headed out of the classroom. Would Shimamura give them", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "chocolate, too? Knowing her,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "shed gladly return the favor for any gift she received, but she would never initiate gift-giving of her own accord.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then, for some reason, I thought about the little alien girl. I hadnt really seen her around Shimamura much lately...at least, not that I could remember. Who was", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "she, anyway? What", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "was she?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "On top of that, it was possible that Shimamura had made similar plans to exchange chocolates with other friends Id never met. I only knew one small side of her, after all-no, even less than that. She was notoriously", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "hard to read. She wasnt conflict-averse; she just sincerely didnt care about a lot of things. If I tried to hold on to her, Id slide right off, like water off a ducks back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not that I especially cared if Shimamura wanted to exchange chocolates with other girls. Or rather, it wasnt any of my business, so did I really have any say in the matter? No, I didnt. I knew that. Yet...I realized that if I witnessed it happening right in front of me, I probably couldnt just shrug it off.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I felt myself get dizzy, so I paused to take a deep breath. I was freaking myself out over nothing, and if a single thought could send me into a panic attack, then maybe my condition was more serious than I thought. Maybe now I understood what it felt like to procrastinate on treating an illness until it was too late.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Deep down, under all my denial and bravado, it would really crush me to witness Shimamura give chocolates to someone else. Knowing me, I might even cry. In other words, I didnt want", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "her to.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The more honest I was with myself, the more it felt like I was hauling all my worst traits up to the surface. I needed to scoop them out of the water, or else no one would want to be around me anymore. I could only pray that I was keeping my water clean enough. If possible, I wanted to be the one to help purify Shimamuras water, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I glanced back over my shoulder, and this time, Shimamuras desk was completely empty. Evidently, shed already gone home for the day. Oh no.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I stuffed the rest of my books into my bag hastily.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sometimes, I really wished she would stop by my desk before she headed out, but she never did. It was kind of frustrating.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Bookbag in hand, I hurried into the hall and looked around for Shimamura, but couldnt see her. I started running. Then, belatedly,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "my legs registered the chilly hallway air. Shimamura apparently took priority over my five senses.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Finally, at the bottom of the staircase, I spotted her. She was hunched over, probably from the cold. Her sleeves were tugged down over her fingers, exposing her shoulders. As I approached, she mustve heard my footsteps, because she turned in my direction.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, hey, Adachi. Her eyes asked, Whats up?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Slowly, carefully, consciously, I opened my mouth to speak. Thinking about it, this was quite possibly the first time Id spoken all day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was wondering what your favorite kind of chocolate is.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There we go. That sounded pretty casual. Yeah, not bad.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I never used to police my own behavior like this, but perhaps that was proof of just how bizarre I was acting lately. My lips were still a little stiff, but overall my question was an improvement.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My favorite", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "? Hmmm...I dont really eat it that often, but lets see...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She gazed down to the end of the hall as she ruminated on my question. Fortunately, she didnt seem uncomfortable answering. Thats a relief.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, lets not go there, she muttered to herself under her breath, but I didnt know what she was talking about. Then she looked back at me. Honestly, Ill eat anything sweet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Right.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As far as I knew, most chocolate was sweet. Should I press for more details, or just accept that shes easy to please?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I think I like milk chocolate the best, since the flavors not too overpowering, she added, almost as an afterthought.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gotcha.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In my minds eye, I pictured milk chocolate-its color reminiscent of Shimamuras soft brown hair.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It felt as if this was the first time on record that shed ever admitted to liking", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "something...and, for some reason, I found it really touching.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Was that all you wanted? she asked, after a long moment of awkward silence.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "More silence. All around us, other students walked past on their way out of the building.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Cool.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All right then, time to head home! she announced, her tone decidedly lets get this show on the road. She was probably eager to get out of the cold, and I didnt blame her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I walked with her to the school gates, where we peaceably went our separate ways. When I reached the street corner, I realized I was still on foot, so I ran back to school to get my bike.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It stuck out like a sore thumb, yet I couldnt bring myself to hide it away.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The boomerang, I mean.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Late that night, I grabbed it off the shelf where it served as a decoration. To be clear, I didnt want", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "to let my Christmas gift from Shimamura collect dust up there, but at the same time, I wasnt about to actually play", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "with it. Did she really expect me to go outside and throw it around for fun? I didnt believe-didnt want", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "to believe-that shed misjudged me quite that hard. I agonized over the boomerang for a moment, then lazily flung it. It soared directly into my closet, where it hit the wall and fell to the floor with a soft thump", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Bleh", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Right as I bent down to retrieve it, however, I caught sight of the TV screen out of the corner of my eye and nearly jumped out of my skin.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A woman with heavy makeup, referred to as Shaman Taoka, was dancing in time to music. By dancing, I mean she swung her hair in a circle like she was in a kabuki lion dance. Her movements were so", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "violent, I half-expected her hair to whip right out of the screen. Other actors stood on the sidelines, waiting for their entrance, but this woman kept them all at bay. It was impressive the way she seemed to command their attention.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once her dance finished, Shaman So-and-So stood there, shoulders heaving as she gasped for breath. Youd think that the camera wouldve cut away from that part. Meanwhile, I was still frozen mid-stoop, trying to figure out what the hell this TV show was supposed to be.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I soon discovered that it was some sort of horoscope show. Romantic horoscopes, specifically. Not sure what that kabuki dance had to do with anything, but okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Still, the word romantic made my ears perk up a bit. Not that my relationship with Shimamura is romantic or anything. Because it isnt.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yet...I still wanted to watch the show.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Judging from the Tomorrows Horoscope section, this show aired every day of the week. The show went down the list of astrological signs, starting with Capricorn, then Aquarius, then Pisces, and so on. Even as I rolled my eyes and wondered how much they got paid to write this rubbish, I waited patiently for my star sign to come up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meanwhile, the Shaman was dripping with sweat to the point that it completely ruined her heavy makeup. Dont quit your day job.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Next up, Libra! Your love life is headed into a stormy patch, so dont forget to monitor your surroundings!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As a Libra, this was a horoscope I wasnt exactly excited to receive. I always considered my love life dead in the water, but...I mean...if it was alive and kicking, then I certainly didnt want it to get stormy. Which one of us would the waves hit? Me or Shimamura?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And another thing: monitor my surroundings? The word monitor made it all sound so creepy. What do you think I am, a stalker? Because Im not. Far from it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Of course, I hadnt expected the horoscope to be accurate in the first place, so there was no sense in me worrying about it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After the show read through all the star signs, they launched into their advertising segment. Our Valentines promotion is ongoing! During the promotion, listen for the clue at the end of each episode. Collect them all for a very special prize! Todays clue is D!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "D. Got it. Cool.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But it wasnt quite the end of the episode yet, so it felt as though theyd jumped the gun on that announcement. Whatever", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After that, for some reason, they showed compatibility charts between each of the star signs. According to the charts, Libra was strongly compatible with Gemini and Aquarius, but most", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "compatible with Aries (of the opposite sex, specifically; Aries of the same sex were the most incompatible, apparently). Of course, I wasnt sure how they decided all this, so I certainly wasnt about to buy into it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And yet...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whens Shimamuras birthday?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not that I planned to take this TV show as gospel, but it did make me a little curious.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gemini or Aquarius. Gemini or Aquarius. Worst-case scenario, anything but Aries,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I prayed silently, over and over, even though I knew (based on the results of the seating-arrangement shuffle) that my prayers were worthless.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After the show finished, I regained my composure and shook my head at my own idiocy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As if this rubbish would actually be accurate.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "~Thursday, February 6~", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uhh...Adachi?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura looked up at me as I stood next to her desk, but I couldnt take it anymore.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its nothing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "With that, I hastily returned to my seat. Then the teacher walked in. Whew. Made it by the skin of my teeth.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Later, at lunch...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once again, I was right next to Shimamura, gazing at her. I was so out of it, however, I couldnt even taste my sandwich. I hadnt noticed anything stormy thus far...except maybe the dubious look Shimamura was fixing me with.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Did you want something? she prompted, gesturing at her sandwich and drink. Wrapped around her wrist was a blue friendship bracelet, which caught my attention, since she didnt generally wear a lot of accessories. Anyway, I wasnt trying", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "to give her a puppy-dog look or anything, but evidently she misread me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, Im okay, I mumbled, holding up my sandwich. Then I decided to ask her the question Id promised myself I would pose today at lunchtime. Not that I bought into that horoscope nonsense, but... Shimamura, whats your sign?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Belatedly, I realized that it wouldve been more natural to just ask her birthday. Then it hit me-on the off-chance Shimamura watched the same TV show, she might mistakenly think...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, it wouldnt exactly be a mistake, would it? Wait, no! Yes, it would!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meanwhile, ignorant of my inner turmoil, Shimamura tilted her head and mused to herself. My sign...? Im not sure which one I am, to be honest. I was born in April, though. April 10.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I felt all the joy melt out of my body. Dont get me wrong, I was excited to learn a new fact about her, but...if she was born on April 10, then she was an Aries. And an Aries had the worst possible", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "compatibility", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "with a same-sex Libra.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Adachi? Helloooo?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For the record, Im a Taurus! Hino announced unprompted, popping up out of nowhere right next to Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whoa! Shimamura recoiled reflexively, her eyes wide in shock.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Behind Hino stood Nagafuji, swaying ever-so-casually from side to side with a look on her face that said she was dying", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "for someone to ask her what her", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "sign was.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once Shimamura recovered from the surprise, she swiftly picked up on this body language. What about you, Nagafuji-chan?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What you see is what you get! Virgo, the virgin! she declared proudly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I feel like we should switch. Youre way more of a cow than I am, Hino remarked, reaching out to prod Nagafujis ample udders. Nagafuji naturally swatted her hand away, as per usual.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I seemed to recall Taurus and Virgo having strong compatibility. Maybe the chart was accurate after all. Wait, no! That would mean that Shimamura and I are completely incompatible! No, no, no! That cant be right! We wouldnt be such good friends!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why did you ask about my sign, anyway? Shimamura asked me. Are you into astrology or something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh? Oh...uhhhh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I struggled to think of a response, however, assistance arrived from the most unlikely of places.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, I get it. If your star signs are compatible, it improves the success rate for support magic, Nagafuji volunteered out of nowhere.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What on earth are you talking about? Hino murmured, baffled.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Fortunately, that distracted Shimamura long enough for me to evade her question...which meant that, whether she realized it or not, Nagafuji had ultimately helped me. For that, I was sincerely grateful.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I continued to monitor-er, observe", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "-the situation until the end of the school day, but Shimamura and I were both the same as usual. The way we were headed, I didnt see any stormy waves on the horizon whatsoever. The seas were peaceful.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just as I thought, horoscopes were nothing more than suggestions. It wasnt even clear whod originally come up with this rubbish, and I was perfectly content to take it all with a grain of salt. That said, I didnt want to write astrology off completely. I could simply choose to believe the predictions I liked and safely ignore all the rest.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In the end, Nagafuji was right. Horoscopes were a form of support magic, helping you to look on the bright side.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I couldnt choose chocolates for Shimamura without a thorough understanding of what shed be eating. So, once I got home, I changed into my street clothes and headed to the grocery store. I admittedly felt a little hesitant to enter, probably because I didnt generally have the opportunity to go there. Did normal families usually take their kids to look at the candy aisle? If so, I certainly hadnt experienced that myself. I couldnt even remember what I used to snack on. All I remembered was a lot of cold, crisp water.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I took my wallet out to check the contents. Once I made sure I was equipped with enough money, I headed for the chocolate section. Fortunately, despite this particular stores formidable size, I didnt have to search long; there was a large Valentines Day display right within my line of sight.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "On the same shelf, theyd also stocked some pale-pastel rice puffs for Girls Day on March 3. Sadly, I wasnt confident that this was an effective sales tactic.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Since Shimamura had specified milk chocolate, I went through and picked out all the milk-chocolate varieties available. There was some white chocolate, too, but I wasnt sure she would like it. After an internal debate, I decided to email her to ask. Restless, I stood there, praying to God that Shimamura would answer me quickly so I wouldnt be trapped here forever. Mercifully, she did.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her answer: White chocolates pretty good.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Evidently, she liked it. But, for some reason, she doesnt like to say", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "that she likes things.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It almost felt as if she didnt want other people...including me...to learn more about her. Disheartened, I let out a sigh. Guess Ill throw in the white chocolate, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now I was up to a sizeable number of items in my cart. I didnt mind shelling out the money to buy all this, but...could I really eat all of it? All", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "of it? On my own? Diabetes, here I come.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wrestled with myself for a while longer, until eventually I decided to keep everything. From there, I took my stack of snacks and headed for the register. Just then, I crossed paths with a tall girl from another school. Honestly, I was impressed that she had the nerve to go to the grocery store in her uniform. Plus, she was walking around with a big grin on her face. I couldnt help but stare after her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There but for the grace of God go I.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Did I ever grin like that during class? No, probably not. Im probably fine,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I told myself, rubbing my cheek. But I wasnt entirely convinced.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If Id ever started giggling to myself in class, people wouldve thought I was a psycho. Actually, no-Id literally be", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "a psycho. But if Shimamura", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "ever started giggling in class, Id just wonder what had put her in such a good mood.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uh, brain? This is me were talking about, not Shimamura... Right. Anyway. Lets just keep that in mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I gave myself a light slap on the cheek, then continued to the checkout. I hadnt given it much thought when I was carrying everything in my cart, but once I paid for my items and picked up my grocery bag, I realized exactly how heavy", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "they all were. Staring down at my chocolate haul, I scratched my cheek.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im really not sure I can eat this whole mountain of chocolate.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What if I gave the entire bag to Shimamura? No, no, no. She wouldnt want that!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The mere thought", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "of her rejection was enough to crush my spirit. I wanted her to be happy. I wanted her to think of me as special.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But while my aspirations were as lofty as a mountain peak, miles upon miles of flat, empty desert surrounded me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 17", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0016", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 18", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0017", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I swear, I wasnt planning this on purpose. But when I checked my clock, I realized it was time for that horoscope show again. So, I figured Id hate-watch it and tear them a new one for how inaccurate todays horoscope had been.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Id left the TV on the same channel. When I powered it on, sure enough, the first thing I saw was the Shamans long hair flying in all directions. I guess were starting with that again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just so you know, todays horoscope couldnt have been more wrong, I complained aloud, but naturally, the Shaman couldnt hear me. Come to think of it, shed never said a word during the last episode-maybe she was just the opening act.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once her Bon Festival-esque performance ended, it was time for the main show. Since I didnt have anything better to do, I decided Id once again watch it all the way to the end.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For Aries, Shimamuras sign, tomorrows horoscope was, Be true to yourself, and pursue your desires. Libras horoscope, however, was written in big bubble letters for some reason. It read, Change up your hairstyle for a day! Reinvent yourself, and catch that special someones eye!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Change my hairstyle...? How?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I grabbed a chunk of my hair and stared at it. Normally, I just let it all hang down without doing anything particularly special. If I changed my style and reinvented myself for a day, would Shimamura notice? Idly, I rubbed my toes together. It wasnt that I really bought into this horoscope nonsense, obviously.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This time, the clue was A. Last time was D. Not exactly complicated enough to need to write it down. The show hadnt revealed what exactly the special prize was, but given the blatant advertising throughout the show, I deduced that it would most likely be leftover stock of something they couldnt sell. A friendship bracelet, or a necklace, or something. Did anyone", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "out there still pay money for this snake-oil? Somehow I doubted it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yet I understood how it felt to cling to any ray of hope...no matter how small. Desperation tinged my feelings for Shimamura; deep", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "down, I was terrified that, barring some sort of divine intervention, I might never bridge the gap between us. Perhaps I was precisely", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "the sort of sucker who would fall for this nonsense.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I clapped myself lightly on the cheek and sat up a little straighter. Id better keep my wits about me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "~Friday, February 7~", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Surely this is drastic enough to get her to notice.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I nodded to myself as I admired my painstaking handiwork in the mirror. Id tried all sorts of hair clips, ribbons, and other accessories, but they all looked either way too stupid or way too ridiculous. Thus, after a series of attempts at slight curls, changing my part, and other minor adjustments, I eventually settled on a plain ponytail. I tied it up using a scrunchie I found lying around-I couldnt remember when or where I bought it, but it certainly came in handy-then shifted its position to my liking. Once I was done, I gazed at myself in the mirror from every angle.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Honestly, Id rather see Shimamura in a new hairstyle instead.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The thought made me blush, and I hastily left the bathroom. Time to go to school.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Truth be told, I was a little embarrassed to leave my house like this. It felt as if this drastic hairstyle change announced to the world, HEY EVERYONE, LOOK AT ME! IM TRYING TO BE DIFFERENT NOW! Or was I just being paranoid? Id need to think of what to tell Shimamura in the event that she asked me about it. After all, I was well aware of just how weird Id acted lately.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I steered my bike along, I racked my brain, trying to think of a plausible explanation. Maybe I could say I just felt like changing my hair? I seemed to recall that that was Shimamuras reasoning for bleaching her hair, so maybe shed relate to it. Question was, could I get the words out without stammering? That was something I continually struggled with lately.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once I arrived at my desk, I sat down and put my chin in my hands. My ponytail swayed with every tiny movement, and it drove me nuts. Plus, with all my hair tied behind my head, my ears were now", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "extra-sensitive to the cold air. This, too, put me on edge.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Seriously, this had better be worth it,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought as I eyed the classroom door, waiting for Shimamura to walk in.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Unfortunately, she didnt arrive until right before the bell rang, and she went straight to her seat without so much as a single glance in my direction. Given that I sat between her and the blackboard, I was sure shed notice my ponytail eventually. Seeing as we couldnt exactly have a conversation in the middle of class, however, Id need to wait patiently until lunchtime to find out what she thought of it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Somehow, this was both reassuring and frustrating at the same time.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Normally, I spent my break periods just sitting at my desk and waiting for the break to end. Today, though, I used my free time to look at photos of chocolate online. I was so obsessed, I was pretty sure Id dreamed of chocolate last night. At this point, my whole brain was one creamy brown blob.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Id made the executive decision to bring my mountain of chocolate to school with me to eat for lunch for the next few days. Id specifically bought it so I could learn what it tasted like, which meant I needed to eat all the chocolate myself. Fortunately, I wasnt the sort of person who got bored of eating the same thing over and over, so I was confident I could handle it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once Id tasted all this chocolate, I would know exactly what to give Shimamura. That was the most I could hope to accomplish within the week I had left. Id halfway given up on actually impressing her with my gift; if anything, Id consider myself fortunate if I managed to get her a gift at all. I mean, that simple act was still pretty special in and of itself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I couldnt deny that part of me wanted Shimamura to treat me differently than everyone else. At the same time, though, I knew that I couldnt keep demanding more and more of her, or shed get sick of me. If I wanted this friendship to be a two-way street, then I needed to act like it. As for how I would go about doing that, my mind found its", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "way back to the idea of homemade chocolates.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When it came to expressing our feelings, we humans really only had two options: create something or buy something. Spend effort or spend money. In my case, I had the cash to spare, since I hadnt touched my earnings from my part-time job. But if I gave Shimamura expensive name-brand chocolates, there was a chance it might make her uncomfortable.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Purely out of curiosity, or so I told myself, I did an internet search for handmade chocolates next. Naturally, there were about a million different results-all sorts of recipe sites and how-to guides. Tis the season, I guess.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I tapped around a fair few of them, and since (obviously) chocolate didnt require any knifework, I started to think maybe it wouldnt be that hard to make. With a little practice, maybe even I could create something halfway respectable...appearance-wise, anyway. Whether it would actually be edible was an entirely different story.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Knowing Shimamura, however, shed probably prefer mass-produced grocery-store chocolate to the questionable, misshapen lumps I could create on my own. Granted, that would be true of just about anybody...unless the lumps came from someone special, of course. Ugh, then theres no point!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I reached up to clutch my head in frustration, a sudden voice in my ear made me reflexively recoil.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Playing some vidya or something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was Nagafuji, crouching so that she could read my phone screen over my shoulder, squinting and blinking. I thought that her glasses were supposed to help her see better, but maybe not. Startled, I slid down in my seat until my butt was halfway off the chair.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How would she react, seeing photos of chocolate on my screen? Why had she even come to my desk? I didnt think we were that close of friends...or were we?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She straightened up. Hmmm, she murmured to herself, tilting her head in contemplation. This only confused me more. I sat there and waited for her to say something. Finally she asked, Do people not say vidya anymore?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How the hell should I know?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well...I dont hear it much these days, I answered.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, me neither.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She hung her head in...guilt? Ill never understand her for as long as I live.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My only option was to summon her babysitter to come get her. Wheres Hino?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Asleep.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I turned my gaze in the direction Nagafuji indicated. Sure enough, Hino was collapsed forward, her cheek pressed against her desk, her arms dangling off its sides, sound asleep for all the world to see. It was very...unique", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", to say the least. But, hey, she seemed to be making the most of her limited free time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Next, I glanced over my shoulder to see what Shimamura was up to. Like me, she stared down at her phone screen. Perhaps she was planning for Valentines Day, too... Maybe not to the same obsessive extent that I was, but still.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then again, knowing her, shed probably wait until the fourteenth, go buy chocolate from whatever store, then hand it over with a shrug. End of story.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Although part of me cautioned myself not to get my hopes up for anything special, another part of me was keen to point out that Shimamura had, in fact, chosen my Christmas present in advance...and I wanted to believe that lightning would strike twice. But it wasnt every day that Shimamura went out of her way for me, and it was entirely possible that the Christmas gift was the last present Id ever get from her. The more time I spent with her, the more I understood just how grand these gestures were. Coming from her, anyway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That said, I really", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "didnt understand why she ever thought to give me a boomerang.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Still squinting, Nagafuji glanced over in Shimamuras direction, then back at me. She clapped me on the shoulder. Good luck. With that, she returned to her desk.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "There wasnt much palpable sincerity in her tone. For that matter, I wasnt even sure what this good luck was for", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", exactly, since I strongly doubted that Nagafuji knew about my Valentines Day plans. Still...if I was honest with myself, I needed all the luck I could get. The second I let my guard down, time would fly by on fast-forward, and Id", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "miss my chance to have a special day with Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In a blink, Id gone from having ten days left to having just seven...and I suspected that it was Shimamura stealing all my time away.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Back at home, I zoned out for a while. Every time I thought back to lunchtime, the next thing I knew, my lips would smile of their own accord. Then Id cover my mouth with both hands as I took deep breaths and tried not to scream.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Here in the darkness, my body was full of so much warmth and light.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura had commented on my hair earlier that day at lunch. Of course, it was a small part of a longer conversation, but it was the only part I remembered. First, she touched my ponytail and said, This is cute. Then she added, But, then again, your hairs always cute. After that, the rest was a blur.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It wasnt the first time shed complimented me on my appearance, but this time it felt more real. The cheongsam", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "was only a dress, but my hair", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "was an inescapable part of who I was. In other words, she called me", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "cute. Always cute", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Who wouldnt be over the moon about that?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe those horoscopes werent all that bad. I was starting to think more highly of this Shaman So-and-So. Not that she really had anything to do with this, probably.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was time for the horoscope show.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Aries horoscope was, Tomorrow theyll play you like a fiddle-so make some sweet music!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Libras horoscope was, Take a day to relax and appreciate how far youve come.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Neither seemed relevant to romance in any way, but then again, everybody needed a quiet day now and then. If each horoscope was something crazy every day, there was no way anyone would believe a word they said.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Todays clue was N.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im back in action, baby! the Shaman shouted right before the episode ended.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maybe all that dancing had helped her get into her groove.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "~Saturday, February 8~", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "On Saturdays, I usually worked the lunch shift at the Chinese restaurant, and today was no exception. Not that I minded that, but I wasnt crazy about wearing a dress with a slit up the side in the middle of winter. It made me look like some kind of bimbo who prioritized flaunting her legs over more sensible clothing options. Personally, I was tempted to take a needle and thread to the dress and sew the stupid slit right up. Why was I the only person forced to wear that gaudy thing? The restaurant didnt even pay me extra for it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I carried dirty plates from the dining area to the kitchen, I questioned what I was doing with my life. Obviously, it couldnt hurt to have an income, but...what was I planning to do", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "with it? I had nothing to spend it on. That was better than wasting it, I supposed, but there was no point in earning this money if I couldnt put it to use.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ultimately, however, Id signed up for this job out of a need to occupy my time with something productive, and I couldnt find it in me to quit.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Shimamura family hadnt been back since their first visit. That was both a relief and a disappointment. Internally I was plagued by two warring attitudes: the part of me that didnt want to humiliate myself in front of Shimamura, and the part of me that didnt mind sharing this secret with her. I knew I couldnt have it both ways, and yet I was still so greedy. Reflexively, I tugged my skirt hem down.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did this cheongsam", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "help draw in customers?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I ran around the busy dining hall during the height of the lunch rush, I tried my best not to think about that too deeply. After all, if the answer was yes, I would feel obligated to keep wearing the dress.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once the restaurant closed to prep for dinner, I sat down at the nearest table and stared blankly into space. All that remained was to", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "do some light cleaning, and then I could change out of this stupid dress and go home. Once again, this came as both a relief and a disappointment. Deep down, I wasnt eager to go back to that house and be around my family.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How did Shimamura spend her weekends? The last time Id asked her about it, her response was vague. Sleeping, usually. Or dealing with my kid sister. Stuff like that. Which meant she was probably spending today just sitting around, bored.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe I could go see her after work. I could sit between her legs and watch TV with her in her room, like last time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "or scrambling away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Speaking of more recent close encounters, there was that time Id slipped and stumbled into her chest. What a waste of an opportunity. To this day, I sorely regretted my decision to back away from her so quickly. Id also regretted it at the cake shop, of course, but that feeling only grew more pronounced over time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Id practically buried my nose in her chest...my eyes, too...and my forehead. Basically, my entire face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I thought back over the memory, I felt my whole head warm up like a hot air balloon, so I flailed my legs under the table where no one could see.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "~Sunday, February 9~", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When I walked into my kitchen, my intention was simply to give this a fair shake. As on weekdays, my parents were rarely home on weekends, so I didnt have to worry about any prying eyes. That was something I deeply appreciated. I couldnt stand the thought of them judging me, be it silently or right to my face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was my first time using the kitchen for anything other than filling a glass of water, and certainly my first time handling cookware. My plan: to try to make some chocolates. I was inclined to believe that it was a worthwhile use of my Sunday. Or maybe I was just a tiny", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "bit", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "influenced by my horoscope, which said, Libras, you need to hurry up and make some chocolates for you-know-who! Just do it!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, and for the record, the clue was C.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is it still a horoscope if its just some lady telling you what to do...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I hadnt even started making the chocolates yet, and already I was beginning to have second thoughts.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "According to the internet, the chocolate-making process was fairly simple. First you broke chocolate into little pieces, then you melted those pieces, and then you reshaped them using a mold. Pretty foolproof, right? Wrong. Problem was, it was sort of like constructing the foundation of a house; the final steps were the most critical. That was the part I had absolutely zero confidence in.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Quietly I cursed my own laziness. Anytime there wasnt food to eat, I simply chose not to eat. Plus, I never really paid attention in Home Ec. All in all, I was a total cooking noob. Still, I wanted to experiment and play around with a few ideas; after all, this was possibly my only chance to do so.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I worked, I kept my phone handy so I could refer back to the recipe. I put the chocolate onto the cutting board and chopped it up. Then I put it in a bowl and melted it over a pot of boiling water. So far, these steps were identical to the Valentines Day scenes in all the shoujo manga Id ever read. In manga, the girl usually sucked at baking. However, she was inevitably head over heels for some guy, so despite all her frustration she gave it her best effort nonetheless, and the end result was a finished batch of (ugly-looking) chocolates. At least, that was how the story usually went as far as I remembered. As for me, well... No, I couldnt relate. I wasnt...you know...in love", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "with Shimamura. Nope, not possible. So yeah, obviously, this was just...chocolate. Just chocolate, plain and simple.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Considering my lack of skill and experience, I needed to pay attention to making the chocolates, or else my end result would look like total garbage. Shaking the stray thoughts from my mind, I focused on keeping my clumsy hands moving.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Supposing-and, for the record, this was completely hypothetical, since I was nowhere near good enough to actually make", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "it happen, but anyway-supposing I crafted professional-quality chocolates, would Shimamura get excited and say, Youre amazing, Adachi! and give me a hug? No, she wouldnt. In what situation would she ever react that way? That version of Shimamura existed solely in my mind-and, frankly, I couldnt let her stay there. Otherwise, the second I let my guard down, shed tumble out of my mouth and expose me for the freak I truly was. Id embarrassed myself quite frequently as of late, so I didnt need her help. What I needed was to get my act together.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thats close enough, right? I stared down at the bowl of chocolate as I stirred it with my rubber spatula, feeling validated by its color and fragrance. This was quite possibly the first time Id ever (seemingly?) succeeded in creating something on my own. Now I just need to put it in the fridge for a while, right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I decided to Google it. The results: something about tempering.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, right. I forgot I bought the powder for that. Pour it in, put in the rest of the chocolate, let it cool, stir it... Wait, what? Check the temperature? But I dont have a thermometer... Meh, forget it. Its not like anyone else is going to eat this anyway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once I finished stirring the chocolate, I poured it into the molds. Then, right before I popped it into the fridge, I grabbed my phone and snapped a couple pics just for fun. Not that this chocolate was my magnum opus or anything, but it was still my first time...cooking...all by myself. I decided to take one more photo, just to be safe. When I reviewed my shots, though, I noticed that the only real difference between them was the angle-no improvement in composition. These look kinda stupid,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought, my enthusiasm cooling rapidly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, what would make the photos a little more entertaining? The answer, of course, was Shimamura. I decided Id email them to her, followed by a brief message: What do you think?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was actually kind of excited to see what her response would be, so I waited.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ten minutes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I sat, vibrating in my chair.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Twenty minutes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I pressed my forehead against the table.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thirty minutes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No response. I took a deep breath and concluded that I shouldve expected this. If I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "was on the receiving end of those photos, I wouldnt have known what to say, either.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Minutes ticked by as my overeager brain cooled off with the chocolate. As penance for my idiocy, I sat on the floor in the corner of the kitchen, my knees tucked up to my chin. In the middle of winter, youd have thought that the linoleum would be freezing cold. But if it was, I couldnt feel that through the heat flaring up periodically in my face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I retrieved the fruits of my labor, which had long since hardened by this point.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uhhh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thinking about it, all Id really done was melt the chocolate down and reshape it. I hadnt added any icing or decorations, nor did I have any on hand, so there was nothing more I could do to improve what Id made. You could tell how much of an amateur I was based on my total lack of creativity. When it came to making chocolates, my brain had decided that chocolate was the only ingredient I needed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I decided to try one. Yep, thats chocolate, all right.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Except it was somehow even less", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "palatable than grocery-store chocolate. The end result, as predicted, was ugly, bad-tasting chocolates. The added ingredient of love had brought about no miraculous chemical reaction. It just didnt work that way in real life.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Even if I practiced chocolate-making every day until the fourteenth, I had zero confidence that I could produce something better in time for Valentines. Nor did I want my parents watching. Maybe I couldve talked myself into it if I had my own apartment, but alas.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the end, I concluded that Id be better off just giving Shimamura store-bought chocolates. Sure, maybe it was the boring option. But in my view, if I wanted a professional-quality gift that she was sure to actually enjoy, Id have to set my creative expression aside and get it from a professional-quality manufacturer. Yes, it was a predictable choice, but when it came down to it, taste mattered. And my chocolates tasted terrible.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "With that decided, my next move would be to find a highly-rated chocolatier and buy something. If I bought the gift online, I wasnt confident that it would arrive at my house before the fourteenth, so my best bet would be to visit a brick-and-mortar store in the Nagoya area and buy it in person. I could take Shimamura with me. No, maybe I should go by myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After all, she implied that she wanted her gift to be a surprise.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, this was a bust.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Today was my last day off before Valentines. Starting tomorrow, Id be stuck at school all the way to Friday. Granted, I only needed to take one train to Nagoya, but getting there and back would use up a decent chunk of time. Plus, Id need to factor in time to browse the stores and decide...which meant that, if I was smart, I wouldve gone today.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I should never have wasted my day off screwing around like this. Now what? Skip school to go to Nagoya? Wait... Maybe itd be more casual to buy chocolate on the day of, and give it to Shimamura right then and there? Yes? No?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Unfortunately, despite all my contemplation, I hadnt answered the question of what Id do with the rest of my chocolate mountain.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Looks like Ive got another week of choco-lunches ahead of me.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No horoscope could ever be 100 percent accurate. Otherwise, itd be a prophecy. I, for one, didnt have such lofty expectations. Rather, I was more interested in seeing just how much of the horoscope came true each day. So far, the results were about fifty-fifty. Granted, 50 percent accuracy was still pretty amazing for a horoscope, but itd be far too hasty to conclude my study with such a small sample size. Thus, I decided to watch tonights episode, too.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "However, Shaman So-and-So did not", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "make an appearance. Id assumed she was a regular part of the show, but maybe not. Instead, the opening three-ish minutes were filled by some other person giving a monologue, though it didnt sound rehearsed. Did they film these episodes live or something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I sat cross-legged in front of the TV, waiting to discover my horoscope for tomorrow. Shimamuras was, A surprise encounter will make your heart race! and mine was, You only live once, so tell them whats really on your mind!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Never mind the fact that the screen faded to black as if the TV was consuming the presenter-I was too distracted by my horoscope. Tell them whats really on my mind... Whats really on my mind...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I imagined myself actually doing that, my heart raced like a dozen red roses had bloomed in perfect sync all around me. When I imagined Shimamuras response, my face flushed beet red.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I scratched my knee through my pajamas, though I couldnt tell which part of my body actually itched.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In the back of my mind, I felt my rational side-or perhaps the version of me that existed before Shimamura-silently judge me for my pathetic fantasies. After all, I was no longer anything like the person I used to be.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, maybe that wasnt quite true. I was still bad at social interaction, still distant with my family-still as bland as ever. But when it came to Shimamura, another version of me rose to the surface and took over. She was restless, fidgety, and a total screw-up. It was painful to watch; still, I couldnt bring myself to resent her for it. In a way, it was kind of precious.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anyway, back to the horoscope show-the clue was O. Considering all the other letters, I tried to find a connection that tied them back to Valentines Day, but ultimately couldnt think of anything. Maybe there was no deeper meaning behind them at all. The special prize was probably just some random junk anyway, so I decided to stop keeping track. Instead, I crawled under my blanket and agonized for hours and hours over telling Shimamura what was really on my mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Naturally, there was a lot I wanted to say. A lot.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yet life was full of walls, thick and impenetrable, dividing us-and it would take more than courage to get my message across.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "~Monday, February 10~", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After I met Shimamura, my life changed for the better. That much was simple fact, or so I chose to believe. At the very least, I became a more optimistic person (maybe a little too", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "optimistic, if were being honest) and my days felt a bit brighter.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura was my sunshine.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ugh. Cringe.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Still, when it came to surviving on this sad earth, it was fairly important to have some small ray of hope to live for. At the very least, if Shimamura made me happy in some form or another, then what more could I really ask?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "These were the thoughts that had kept me up last night.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Get too close to the sun, and it burns and blinds; no matter how hard you try, you can never truly reach it. Nevertheless, all the creatures who walk this earth still seek its warmth.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Personally, I was glad I finally found the light...and I wanted to take a moment to thank Shimamura for everything shed done for me. That was what was on my mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, really... Its not a copout, I swear.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sleep-deprived, I waited at the classroom door for Shimamura to arrive. Naturally, today of all days, she just had", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "to be running late. Not that she was usually early, mind you-quite the opposite, really-but every minute she failed to arrive was another minute spent on the receiving end of countless weird looks from my classmates. Fortunately, all I had to do was meet their gaze, and they shrank back. For once, the delinquent label actually worked in my favor. Sadly, this didnt stop certain people", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "-namely, Hino and Nagafuji-from striking up a conversation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whatcha doin, Ada-chee?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What are you after, Chee-chee?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not sure I appreciate the accusation in your tone, Nagafuji", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". Nor was I crazy about these goofy, impromptu nicknames. Since I didnt have an answer for the pair, all I could do was hang my head and hope like hell they let it go.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Unfortunately, they didnt.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, I get it. Waiting for Shimamura?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ah, yes, of course.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My cheeks flushed pink as they (and by they, I mean probably just Hino) saw right through me. Is it really that obvious...? Yeah, probably.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I silently regretted all my cringey antics over the past few weeks, Hino and Nagafuji headed off to their desks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Honestly, Shimamura was a saint for putting up with a total weirdo like me. Or maybe she simply didnt care one way or the other. The thought made me sad.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I waited and waited, Shimamura finally turned up right before the bell rang. She saw me standing by the door and stopped, tilting her head in confusion. Whats up, Adachi?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For once, she actually looked wide awake. No yawning, no glazed eyes. As for me, my throat was bone dry. Nevertheless, I wanted to put my best foot forward.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Good...good morning!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I tried to keep my tone as cheerful as possible, but instead, my voice cracked. A cold sweat trickled down my back. My skin felt uncomfortably taut around my cheekbones.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Morning... Did you need something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I just...wanted to talk about...sunshine...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What? Shimamura furrowed her brow as if to say, What the hell are you talking about?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Good question.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If I actually said what I was thinking, Id only humiliate myself, and Shimamura was guaranteed to get embarrassed, too. I needed to cut the poetry and just stick to the point. Now, how do I express gratitude again? Uhhh...oh, right!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Th-thank...you...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My mind was too distracted by all the sweating, and I was drawing a blank. As a result, Id skipped all the leadup and gone straight to the thanks at the end.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Aww, you dont have to thank me. Its... Shimamura got about halfway through her response before the weirdness sank in. Wait, what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She stared at me, puzzled. I needed to keep my wits about me, lest I started foaming at the mouth.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Anyway, thats all!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I hadnt even bothered to explain, yet I was already beating an awkward retreat back to my desk like the coward I was. The way the corners of my eyes burned, youd have thought I was in the middle of a nice, hot shower. Meanwhile, weird panting sounds escaped my traitorous lips.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh? What was that about? Shimamura murmured, and my ears burned to match my eyes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wanted nothing more than to turn back and explain myself, but I knew for a fact that if I caved, that would only make things a hundred times worse. Instead, I had to grit my teeth and endure the situation-sit down, face forward, and put my chin in my hands. I pressed my palms hard against my cheeks, willing them to stop twitching and lie flat. I tried to convince myself that Id successfully told Shimamura what was on my mind, but sadly that just wasnt possible.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thinking about it-the way I tripped over my own tongue, refused to make eye contact, and constantly rotated through moods like a kaleidoscope-I decided I wasnt a more positive person; I was just a dumber person.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If I glanced back to look at Shimamura, I was sure thatd be written all over her face. So, instead, I turned a blind eye.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I had failed to follow the instructions from todays horoscope, so that was on me. The memory of my awkward exit made me low-key want to die. God, why do I exist?", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Defeated, I nevertheless plopped myself down in front of the TV. It was my nightly tradition now. Besides, I didnt have any better ideas for how to approach Shimamura, so frankly I appreciated advice, no matter where it came from.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh hey, the Shamans back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Out she popped, swinging her hair energetically. Partway", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "through, however, she stopped to explain that she couldnt do her dance yesterday due to a migraine. I didnt need that information, but okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then, she immediately went back to headbanging twice", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "as hard, like she was trying to make up for lost time. You ever think maybe this is what you get migraines from?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her hair whipped all over the screen. Ugh, please just get to the horoscopes already,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I groaned internally, stomping impatiently on the floor.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ill cut to the chase; Libras horoscope was, An intimate moment with the prince of your dreams will have your pulse racing!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Prince of my dreams? Cant imagine who that might be,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I lied to myself as I fidgeted.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But by the time tonights clue (U, for the record) was onscreen, Id already come to terms with reality.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, but...Shimamuras a girl...and so am I... So, whos the prince? Is it one of us? Which one?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Going by personality, maybe Shimamura was the prince, since I wasnt very manly...or was I? No, of course not. I was a girl, after all. Well, then again, so was Shimamura-and she was a lot", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "girlier than I was, now that I thought about it. Long, soft hair, clear skin...and she had a bit of mystery about her, too. In that case, maybe she was closer to a princess, if anything.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I didnt want", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "her to be my prince, did I? No, surely not. Or was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "that a bad thing...? I started to get confused. My heart was thumping like crazy, and I hadnt even gotten to the intimate moment with my prince yet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, does that mean the horoscopes spot-on...? Or completely off?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "~Tuesday, February 11~", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anyway, would you wanna come?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "To Nagafujis house...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It took me a minute to process the sheer absurdity of Shimamura inviting me to a house that wasnt hers. Behind her, Hino and Nagafuji", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "stood with their hands on their hips, looking smug. Apparently, they wanted us to play video games together after school-at least, I assumed it was their idea.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You know Im not a huge gamer, right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We didnt have any consoles at my house, nor had I ever gone to a friends place to play theirs. But, more than anything else, I just wasnt sure Nagafuji and I were friends in the first place.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You dont have to if you dont want to, Shimamura conceded quickly. Evidently, she didnt have her heart set on me tagging along. I hadnt said no yet, but I dearly wanted to, so this came as a relief. Wait a minute. If she goes without me...what if something makes her laugh, and I miss it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, uh, on second thought, actually, I dont mind. I nearly added as long as youre there, but hastily choked it back down. Cant say that in front of the others-Id better watch my mouth.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Perfect! Thats four! Together, Hino and Nagafuji celebrated their full roster.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meanwhile, Shimamura looked at me with concern-the classic caring older sister sort of look.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You sure? she pressed, almost as though she could read my mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, Im sure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Again, I nearly named my greatest motive: as long as youre there", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once the final bell rang, the four of us headed for Nagafujis house. We rode two to a bike-Nagafuji on Hinos, and Shimamura on mine. No matter how many times I saw it, I would never get over how ridiculous Nagafuji looked clinging to tiny little Hinos shoulders. In my case, I was taller than my passenger, so the pairing looked a lot more natural...probably.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamuras hands always felt so big and warm whenever I held them, and yet whenever she grasped my shoulders, they felt small and frail. Was that because I was in the supportive role for a change? The thought made me feel a bit proud...until a few moments later, when I realized how incredibly childish this was.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait a minute. An intimate moment with my prince... And now, Shimamuras hands are on my shoulders.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Seconds later, Shimamura let out a panicked yelp as I lost control of my bike. Waaagh!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure enough, Nagafujis house turned out to be a butcher shop, just as theyd all told me. A man-probably her dad-stood behind the counter out front. He took one look at his daughter and exclaimed, I see youve brought the regular, the VIP, and a newcomer to boot!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If the regular was Hino, and the newcomer was me, then that meant Shimamura was the VIP. I looked at her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My mom always sends me here to buy stuff when shes feeling lazy, Shimamura explained vaguely. Evidently, her relationship with her mom was just as healthy as the one with her little sister.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Would there ever come a day when I would join their ranks?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We walked to the back of the store and entered the Nagafujis living space; Hino strutted around like she owned the place as she set up the retro game console. There were only two controllers, so only two of us could play at a time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Although part of me was disappointed that I didnt get teamed up with Shimamura, another part was willing to let it slide-this time", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". But if I didnt get paired up with her in next years class arrangement... The thought was too bleak to even imagine.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The living room was furnished with a kotatsu", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "table, which our dear, cold-sensitive Shimamura was all too eager to sit at. Nagafuji followed suit. Meanwhile, Hino retrieved what appeared to be her own personal floor cushion and carried it over to the TV.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The video game worked a lot like The Game of Life; you rolled the dice, then moved your piece until you made it to the goal. I rolled for my starting funds: 10 million yen. What?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Who the hell gave me 10 million yen and pushed me out the door? Thats beyond generous-thats downright insane. How many hours would I have to work at my current job to make 10 million?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I did the mental math, I rolled the dice again, and my result popped up onscreen: six.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wow, youre off to a really good start! Shimamura commented,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "sitting with her legs buried all the way under the blanket and her cheek squished against the table. It was...really cute, actually.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 19", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0018", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 20", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0019", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nagafuji was similarly collapsed on the other end of the table, facing Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youre gonna flatten your boobies if you keep that up, Hino remarked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This got a rare scowl out of Nagafuji...for a few seconds, anyway, and then the expression petered out with the rest of her energy. Without moving, she fumbled lethargically for the controller. I glanced over at Shimamura and saw her doing the same thing. She looked so young and innocent; I decided to let it slide.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nnnn...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Every blue square I stopped on, I got another million. The inflation rate was so ridiculous, I started to wonder if we were playing with Zimbabwean currency instead of yen. But no one else seemed all that surprised by this element, so apparently it was par for the course. The longer I played the game, the more I lost my grip on the value of money.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The finish line was set in Niigata, not that far from Tokyo. After just three more dice rolls, the station was already within my sights. Im supposed to land directly on it, right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I started rolling more judiciously. Hoping for a four, I watched the animation onscreen.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ooh, a perfect roll.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Looks like youre first, Ada-chee! Hino teased, elbowing me in the ribs.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, do I get anything for being first? Oh...money. Shouldve known. Is this a money-saving game? I wonder what the limit is.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So far Adachis in first place, huh? Wow, Shimamura commented without lifting her head, her cheek wiggling with her mouth movements. Cutie.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Unfortunately, I still didnt have a good grasp of the rules, so being first didnt mean much to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was so much I didnt know...didnt understand...and, in my confusion, I missed my chance to feel joy. I lacked experience in general, and as a result, my end products were misshapen. That made me realize just how much I had yet to learn compared to the people around me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thankfully, at around 7 P.M., we decided to call it a night. Hino seemed like she planned to stay, so Shimamura and I ended up leaving the house just the two of us. That came as a huge relief, albeit probably just to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I glanced back at the storefront window, dimly illuminated by the light spilling out from the back, and noticed a pillar nearby covered in all sorts of flyers-world cruises, political posters, even a mildly outdated movie poster depicting a princess guiding her prince by the hand.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I stared blankly at the poster, imagining our faces superimposed over theirs. Shimamura was the princess, pulling me along. But the characters genders werent a major factor to me-I simply found myself inserting Shimamura into the leading role, whatever it might be. With her there to guide me, I could go just about anywhere. Ugh, Im such a terminal case.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just then, the icy wind brought me back to my senses, but that was probably for the best. The next thing I knew, all the warmth had evaporated, leaving behind only the bone-chilling cold and the faintest outline of Shimamura, distinct from the hazy darkness all around us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I knew she wouldnt ask me, so I would have to offer. I walked my bike in front of her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hey, um...want me to...take you home?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Idly, I wondered if it would ever be possible for me to speak with confidence instead of cowardice.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thats pretty far out of your way... Are you sure?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I nodded eagerly. After all, it was worth it if it meant I got to be with her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "All right, then, I guess Ill take you up on it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We set off in the same fashion wed arrived, with Shimamura on the back of my bike. I felt her fingers tighten around my shoulders-and the next thing I knew, she leaned over my shoulder to look at me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You know, youve really changed a lot since we first met, she murmured wistfully, her eyes wide in contemplation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ugh, dont remind me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Trust me, Im aware. And for the record, its YOUR fault.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once the Shamans dance was over, it was time for the horoscopes. That was the only part of the show I cared about.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wasnt sure if the Shamans dancing was actually relevant, but somehow it just felt fitting. Wait, what? No, thats stupid.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If you want to close that gap, then start taking action! Dont be passive!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Evidently, we Libras needed to be a bit more assertive tomorrow. It felt like the sort of tired clich youd read in a self-help book.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For the record, Shimamuras horoscope was, Dont let others take advantage of your generosity. Admittedly, she definitely had that sort of big-sister personality...but it struck me as the kind of horoscope you could find in any newspaper or magazine. Did the show have a whole different team of writers now or something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, and tonights clue was G. Apparently, tomorrows would be the last. But that meant nothing to me, since by this point, I couldnt remember what the first clue was. I tucked my hands under my feet and curled up into a ball.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Start taking action. What a joke.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If I were capable of that, then I wouldnt have needed this stupid show. Besides, I wasnt exactly sitting around twiddling my thumbs. I was trying my best, wasnt I?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What I wanted to know wasnt whether or not I should do something-it was what", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", exactly, I was supposed to be doing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "~Wednesday, February 12~", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She didnt show...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "All throughout the day, I kept periodically checking over my shoulder, but Shimamuras desk remained empty. This was one of few occasions when Id", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "showed up for class, but she", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "hadnt. It gnawed and gnawed at me until I gave in and checked my phone.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At lunchtime, Id sent her an email that read, You skipping today?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "but so far, she hadnt replied. She had seemed perfectly", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "healthy yesterday...but maybe she came down with something at the last minute. I debated whether to go check on her. After all, shed done the same for me a while back... Besides, I was supposed to take action today.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The problem was that Shimamura hadnt responded to my email, so I had no way of knowing whether she was actually at her house. Going there could very well be a waste of time. Or I might end up being forced to interact with her mom, which would be awkward.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Despite all my reservations, however, Id already made up my mind, and now my body moved on autopilot. My footsteps were light and airy, and I could tell that my feet were eager to start pedaling.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure enough, my bike sailed smoothly all the way to the Shimamura residence. Once I confirmed that she still hadnt answered my email, I rang the doorbell. A few moments later, I heard the pitter-patter of feet running down the hallway-a bit too energetically to be Shimamura herself. No offense.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Coming!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The door flew open, and out popped a head of bright-blue hair, accompanied by a gust of spores that immediately engulfed me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hello? The girl tilted her head, smiling. Oh, yes. You are Adachi-san, correct?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was the little alien girl-I couldnt remember her name off the top of my head. Today she wore a sleeveless frock, as if shed somehow forgotten that it was winter outside. What was she doing here? I peered over her head down the hallway, but no one else seemed to be coming.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wheres Shimamura?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Napping! So, you must be very quiet! Shhhh! She pressed her index finger to her lips. Uhhh, youre the one shouting about it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "From napping, I figured Shimamura must not actually be sick. That was a relief. Evidently, she just felt like staying home today. Was this blue-haired girl an influential factor in that decision? I couldnt see the correlation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Actually, this is perfect, the girl continued, then patted my leg. You see, I must go and procure dinner.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thus, I shall entrust her to you!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She proceeded to dash out the door and down the street-completely barefoot, like a total lunatic. Dumbstruck, I watched her go. What was I supposed to do now? Watch over Shimamura? I didnt need someone else to ask me to do that. Yikes, I sound like a stalker.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No...Im not. Im just...a loyal friend.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now that I think about it, I cant have you answering the door, Shimamura mumbled as she appeared at the end of the hall, rubbing her eyes. It was apparent that shed just woken up from a nap.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then her gaze met mine-and shifted from sleepy to sharp.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Likewise, I hastily shut my mouth and stood up straight.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, hey, its Adachi. She looked at me in mild surprise.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I cast my gaze downward, Shimamura followed suit, untucking her shirt and looking at it. She was still dressed in her school uniform (minus the jacket), and now it was all wrinkled. She frowned, then shrugged and kept walking toward the door.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh well, she said. Wheres Yashiro?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Should I point out the crazy bedhead shes got going on, or pretend I dont see it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She left, I replied. Said she had to go procure dinner, whatever that means.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, right. Shes such a free spirit. So, whats up? The look in Shimamuras eyes asked, Did you need something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, you didnt come to school today, so I thought maybe you were sick. I sent you a message, you know, I explained, though I heard a tiny bit of childish frustration creep into my tone.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She turned back and glanced in the direction of her room. Oh, sorry. I left my phone in my bag, so I didnt notice.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Despite her apology, I couldnt help but pout a tiny bit longer. Had she skipped school just so she could hang out with that little girl?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, anyway, I came by to make sure you were doing okay. Sorry if I woke you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Awww, youre such a sweetheart! she teased, grinning.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She reached for my head. I flinched a tiny fraction, but otherwise let her continue. First, I felt her fingers against my hair; then her big, warm palm cupped the back of my head. Why did her hands always feel so big", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "when she petted me? As her fingers combed through my hair, my heart pounded so hard, it made my gums throb.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ack, sorry, she said. Force of habit.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I sensed that she was about to pull her hand away. Thinking back to my horoscope, I took a step forward, closing the gap between us once more. With my head tilted toward the floor, I couldnt see her reaction, but she didnt say anything. I couldnt speak, either-it took everything I had just to bite my lip and endure it. We froze in place for a moment...and then, silently, Shimamura resumed stroking my hair.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This, more than anything, was my real reason for coming here. Everything else had gone out the window, retroactively rewritten by this event. The chronology of it didnt matter. Even if this wasnt the reason Id started with, I could just brute-force it later.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As the blood rushed to my head, I contemplated this moments significance. After all, if anyone else had stroked my hair, Id probably have gotten annoyed at them messing it up. So, why was I okay with Shimamura doing it? And why did it provoke such a strong reaction from me? Why did time seem to stand still?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I had a feeling the answer could be summarized in just three words.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Id come across this horoscope show entirely by chance, and now it was an integral part of my nightly routine. I couldnt speak to the shows accuracy, since Id stopped thinking too hard about that after a few episodes. Yet I knew for a fact that itd had a quantifiable effect on my day-to-day life. Perhaps a horoscopes quality was best evaluated based on how many readers actually acted on it.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thats not to say that this particular horoscope show was by any means good", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", mind you. Tonights horoscopes, for example, all read,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dont forget to buy chocolates! That didnt really count as a horoscope at all, in my opinion, but at least they didnt bother playing coy about it. Immediately afterward, they started promoting this one chocolatiers website, and I was like, Ah, yes, I see what you did there.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tonights episode featured the final clue, which was A. Then the Shaman revealed how shed chosen the secret word herself. She went on and on (and on and on) about her decision process until some staff members ran out from backstage and attempted to haul her offscreen. There was a scuffle, during which the Shaman shouted things like Its my", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "show! and You wanna take this outside, punk?! until eventually they overpowered her and, subsequently, she disappeared from sight. All that remained was her long wig, knocked to the floor during the struggle.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "One of her costars retrieved it, smiling silently at the camera, and at that point I started to question what the hell I was watching. Thus, I turned off the TV before they ever revealed what the special prize was, although I heard them mention something about a message. Personally, I couldnt remember the first few letters anymore, so I couldnt have called in even if I wanted to.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Either way, it was time to stop spending so much energy on this show. I had more important things to be worrying about, just as tonights horoscope had predicted.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "~Thursday, February 13~", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The next thing I knew, it was the day before Valentines.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I could remember making chocolates on Sunday, and Shimamura stroking my hair, but everything before and between those was a blur. Possibly for the best, since I had the feeling that Id humiliated myself a bunch...as usual.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nah, Im probably just paranoid.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The big day was now right around the corner. For once, the phrase time flies was actually applicable to my life; the clock that once ran agonizingly slowly now spun its hands at breakneck speed. It was so dizzying, I was scared I might just pass out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, and there was one other thing I forgot: I had to work tonight.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "God, what do I do?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Standing near the restaurants front entrance, I tugged the hem of my cheongsam", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "and panicked internally. I still hadnt bought any chocolates for Shimamura; Id planned to go tonight, right up until I realized I was scheduled to work. Fortunately, I managed to remember during class...but at the same time, I kind of wished I hadnt. So, there I stood, tying myself in knots, to the point that I actually forgot about how much leg I was showing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sometimes I sorely wished my stupid brain would at least try", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "to keep up with what was going on.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The only option would be to wing it on the day of. Find a store, buy something, give it to Shimamura. Actually, maybe it couldnt hurt to bring her with me. Yeah, that sounds good.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Better than an unceremonious five-minute exchange at school, anyway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My biggest worry with this plan, however, was the possibility of long lines or stock shortages. I could tolerate standing in line, of course, but if they didnt have anything for me to buy, well...Id be up the creek without a paddle. Could I give Shimamura something else instead? Surely it didnt have", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "to be chocolate. Yeah... To me, the most important part of this holiday was simply giving her a gift-any", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "gift. That allayed my fears a bit.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Right as I was on the cusp of solving one problem, another reared its head.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did Shimamura care", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "about our plans even remotely? She hadnt forgotten them, had she? It occurred to me that I hadnt actually tried to arrange anything with her yet. Still, I couldnt exactly stand here and fiddle around on my cell phone in the middle of the dining hall. Fortunately, no customers were in sight, so I hurried to the staff room in the back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There, my manager was nowhere to be seen. I peeked around and eventually saw her standing outside the side entrance; she, too, was on her phone. Without a moment to lose, I made a beeline to my bookbag, grabbed my phone, and composed an email at the speed of light:", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Are you free tomorrow would you want to go somewhere and hang out", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I knew I wouldnt be able to check for replies during my shift, so I punched in all my questions at once and hit send. Then I put my phone back and immediately walked out front. Luckily, there werent any customers waiting, but I did", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "spot my coworkers red car pulling into the staff parking lot.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I caught sight of the calendar near the front entrance and glanced up at the box for the fourteenth. There, printed in red, were the words VALENTINES DAY,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "denoting the holiday. And it was tomorrow", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". The thought made me restless, to the point that I felt my feet fidgeting.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Even if Shimamura couldnt hang out with me after school for whatever reason, it would be nice just to see her. We hadnt spent a holiday together since Christmas, and I was all kinds of excited and nervous. Or maybe I was just having a heart attack. Couldnt really tell.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To be clear, I wouldnt have felt this way about just anyone-only Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, why her?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "one part of my brain asked another.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What if Id met someone else", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "in the gym loft that day? Would I have started having feelings-er, normal friend feelings-for them instead? I let this scenario play out in my mind for a bit, but ultimately decided that the answer was no. We probably wouldnt have had much to talk about, and I wouldve made my exit at the first opportunity. From then on, I wouldve found somewhere else to sit around all day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, what made Shimamura so...comfortable to be around?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe it was because she was my...my soul mate", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...or something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I hadnt actually spoken this out loud, yet I was so embarrassed, I nearly bit my tongue anyway. Ugh, I sound like a creep!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wow! You all red! my older coworker teased in her thick accent as she walked in the door. The realization that I was blushing made my eyes burn.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It...uh...its from the cold. It happens a lot in winter.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Very hot in here. Stupid thing! she complained in the heaters direction as she pulled off her purple coat.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Apparently, it was warm in the restaurant. That would certainly explain my red-hot face. Yeah...just the heaters fault.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And so, the big day rolled around... The day that would decide it all.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 21", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0020", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yashiro Comes Calling", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Part 4", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "M HERE", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "for my chocolate.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yachis at our house yet again, except this time shes acting like we owe her something. Me and my big sister are standing at the front door, staring at her like shes cuckoo.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im told it is a common custom at this time of year! she insists, swinging her arms. Whoa... Shes so excited, her bright-blue fairy eyes are all sparkly. I almost expect them to start glowing or something. Like, literally. Because its Yachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What are you even-ohhhh", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". You mean Valentines?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, that, Yachi says, nodding like a bobblehead. I can kinda tell she doesnt actually know what Valentines is.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay, well, Valentines Day is still a ways off. Its closer to Setsubun right now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Either one is fine, Yachi shrugs with a smile. So, she doesnt care about Valentines at all?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Even my sister looks annoyed. Someone just had", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "to go and tell you about Valentines, huh? Well, lets see... I think we have some chocolate in the fridge.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She turns to go look, but then Yachi starts jumping up and down all excited, so she turns back and puts a hand on Yachis head to stop her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Calm thyself, child.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I am", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "calm! Yachi declares, straightening herself up to her full height. Satisfied, my sister heads to the kitchen.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But Yachis calm only lasts for maybe five seconds before I feel her big, round eyes on me, so I turn to look. Gosh, are her eyes pretty. Whenever I look at her-or she looks at me-my heart always starts", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "racing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Id like chocolate from you, too, Little.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Say wha...?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She cups her hands and holds them out expectantly. Shes so greedy! I stare down at them and think about it for a while. Wow, even her nails are pale blue. Is that nail polish, or...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure, Ill give you some chocolate, I say. But you have to give me some back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why is that? Yachi asks, confused. I guess she thinks all this gift-giving is one-sided. Whered she get that", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "idea?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thats how Valentines Day works.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Really?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I think so. I swing my arms.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She starts doing it, too-back and forth and back and forth. In that case, lets have our gifts ready by the next time we meet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whens that", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "gonna be?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I dont even know where she lives or anything, so I have no way of finding her. She just sort of...appears. Maybe she really is a fairy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meanwhile, the strands of fairy hair wrapped around my finger continue to glow faintly blue. I like to look at them at nighttime when Im in bed. Somehow, I can never tear my eyes away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "God, its freezing, my sister grumbles. She walks out from the kitchen carrying a box of chocolates she got as a souvenir last month.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She hates the cold more than anybody else in our whole family. Mom says its because shes a wimp; I think so too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Here. Ive got some leftover chocolate-covered macadamia nuts for you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ooh, that sounds good! Yachi lunges for the box, snatches it, and holds it over her head triumphantly, like a video-game character. I will be sure to repay this gift sometime in the future!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait... Youre going to take the whole box?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yaaaay!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yachi toddles off at full speed without listening to a single word,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "cradling the box of chocolates like a priceless treasure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Good grief... Oh well. Only three or four were left in there, anyway. My sister shivers and rubs her arms like shes more worried about staying warm.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I guess Ill need to get Yachis gift ready for next time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Man, everybody wants chocolate from me, my sister mutters as we watch Yachi disappear into the distance.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whos everybody? I ask, confused.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She sighs and pats my head. Do you want something, too?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If youve got extra candy lying around, I could take it off your hands. I put my hands on my hips and chuckle smugly. Heh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She jabs me in the stomach, and I start coughing instead. Geh!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 22", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0021", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "~", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Todays Adachi Forecast~", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Out of nowhere, Shimamura asked to compare foot sizes with me. I was totally lost, but nevertheless, I took off my shoe and pressed the sole of my foot against hers. As it turned out, my foot was the smaller of the two.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once Shimamura had her answer(?), she nodded to herself and walked off.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What the hell was that about...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 23", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0022", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 3:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Old Rose", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(Thorns of the Past)", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "~Wednesday, February 5~", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "E", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "ACH TIME", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I looked up at the blackboard to copy down my notes, I caught sight of the back of Adachis head, swaying restlessly from side to side like a five-year-olds loose baby tooth. But since shed been acting like this for a while now, perhaps in some sense she was actually a lot more stable than I gave her credit for. Plus, she managed to be more entertaining than the lecture we were sitting through.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After school, she asked me what kind of chocolate I liked. I hadnt anticipated this question, so it took me a minute. At first, I was tempted to respond with a joke answer, like Oh, I only eat Godiva brand! or something, but it was too risky. Knowing Adachi, shed literally", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "go out and buy me Godiva chocolate. So, instead, I gave her a safe answer: milk chocolate.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Looking back, she was probably trying to gauge my preferences so that she could buy me something I would enjoy eating. But by the time I realized I ought to ask her too, she was already gone. I didnt go after her-instead, I promised myself that Id try to remember to ask tomorrow.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Still, it felt as if she was jumping the gun a tiny bit. To me, ten days was an eternity from now. Deep down, part of me wished my time could fly by as fast as hers apparently did.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Out of all the moments of my day, time always, always", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "seemed to slow to a crawl during study time. It would feel like Id sat there for hours; then Id look up at the clock and realize that only thirty minutes had gone by. This would kill my concentration, leaving me with no", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "other option but to take a break.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe that was what ultimately led to the addition of a small TV up here in the second-floor study room. Without something to keep my sense of time firmly grounded, Id only get bored and distracted and end up falling asleep half the time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not that staying up late was going to make me any smarter anyway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Leaning forward onto the table and ignoring the chill I felt against my lower back, I stared at the TV screen and watched long strands of hair whip through the air. This particular show started off with some crazy dance.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, its the Shaman.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was familiar with her. Even when she guest-starred on other shows, nothing she said ever made any sense. After performing, shed run offstage and out onto the street. That was her schtick. In these parts-by which I mean the Nagoya area-she was considered a local celebrity, so she always guested on regional shows. Fun fact: recently, shed made a stink about some blue-haired kid she saw on the street who she was convinced was an alien.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ridiculous, am I right? Who jumps to that conclusion? LMAO. Wait a minute... Why does that sound so familiar?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As the Shaman slowed to a stop, gasping for breath, her costars kept the show rolling in her place. A few minutes in, I realized it was a horoscope show. I didnt really care about astrology stuff, but I figured I might as well watch until my horoscope came up. Unfortunately, the horoscopes were listed by star sign. While I was pretty sure that I was an Aries or a Taurus, I wasnt 100 percent sure which.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Aries horoscope was Be wary of forgotten memories. Your lucky color is blue. Meanwhile, the one for Taurus was Keep your eyes peeled, and you might witness something not intended for you! As I attempted to decide which I liked better, the show continued. Once they started talking about some special clue, I hit the power button on the remote.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As much as I enjoyed the Shamans dancing, I didnt care about horoscopes, so I couldnt see myself watching it again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Probably.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "~Thursday, February 6~", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I felt Adachis gaze on me. Granted, that alone wasnt anything out of the ordinary...except we were in class, and she wasnt physically looking at me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I dont know how you do it, but dayuum, girl.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For a while I wondered if Id done something to provoke her, but I couldnt really think of anything. Yet she hadnt stopped staring at me ever since I arrived at my desk. In fact, at one point (before class started) she walked right up to me and stared at me point-blank. Clearly, something", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "was going on; I just didnt have a clue what", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Adachi walked back over at lunchtime, so I decided to grab a bite with her. Prepackaged sandwiches for both of us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Every now and then my mom packed a lunch for me-you know, whenever she could be bothered to lift a finger-but Adachi wasnt so lucky. However, I had a feeling that I knew the reason why. Whenever Adachi took a bite of something, I could tell from the way she chewed that she derived no joy from it. When I thought back to the conversation Id had with Mrs. Adachi, I started to understand how miserable it might make her feel to watch her home-cooked meal steadily vanish into that emotionless abyss.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "While Adachi had indeed acted strangely as of late, the fact remained that she was a human being with feelings. If she would only wear them more openly on her sleeve, maybe she and her mother could start to build something better.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That said, frankly, I had zero intention of trying to fix the Adachi family. If anything, I was more preoccupied with Adachi herself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She kept staring at me, and since she didnt seem to want a bite of my lunch or a sip of my drink, I wasnt really sure what else I could do. Then, finally, she asked me something.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura, whats your sign?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was an odd question, and I wasnt sure if it had anything to do", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "with the way she was acting today. Since I didnt actually know the answer, I told her my birthday instead so she could tell me which one I was. Unfortunately, her response to that was less than enthusiastic.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then Hino and Nagafuji showed up to join the conversation. Instantly I saw Adachis expression stiffen, though I wasnt about to comment on it. The look in her eyes was as hard as the bread in our store-bought sandwiches.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whenever it was just the two of us, Adachi was willing to drop her guard and let me in. But the second anyone else tried to join us-even Hino or Nagafuji-her heart went on lockdown, hidden away behind an invisible force field. Emotion-wise, she was a total shut-in, and the only thing that drew her out of her shell was...me", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", apparently. Why did she trust me so much? It was a total mystery.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At this point, it literally felt as if Adachi was my sister. After all, my actual", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "little sister was every bit as shy, except when she was with family. Or, who knew, maybe that was just my own preconceptions at work.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Either way, all this thinking made me a tiny bit curious, so I said, Why did you ask about my sign, anyway? Are you into astrology or something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh? Oh...uhhhh... Adachi fell silent and averted her eyes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I understood her asking about my birthday, but my zodiac sign? What good was that information? Did she want to check my horoscope or something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That made me think back to the horoscope show from last night. Did she watch it too? No, that cant be it", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". Why on earth would anyone care about someone elses", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "horoscope?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then Nagafuji started babbling nonsense, and the next thing I knew, Adachi was back at her desk. End of conversation. All that remained was her distant gaze.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After all that, I still", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "didnt know what my star sign was.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It happened right after I got home from school and changed out of my uniform.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Go pick up something from the butcher shop for dinner. Youre friends with their daughter, right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What does our friendship have to do with anything?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, she might give you a discount, right? my mother insisted, nudging my shoulder. Unlike her, I knew better than to expect any perks from a ditz like Nagafuji. Oh, well.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, I was forced out of the house. I say forced because I knew if I didnt go, we wouldnt have food on the table tonight. That was what set the fateful chain of events into motion.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I stepped outside with the bike key in hand, I promptly spotted my kid sister walking down the street on her way back from school. I waved at her; she noticed me taking the bike out from the garage and ran right up to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im back!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Welcome home.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She sniffled, her nose and cheeks flushed bright red like Anpanmans. Then she held her arms straight out to block my path. Are you leaving? Where are you going?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To buy dinner from the butcher shop. You wanna go instead?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, thats okay. Come home soon!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With that, she walked straight past me and into the house. Part of me wished she hadnt inherited my contempt for anything that required effort... Then again, I didnt actually", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "want her to go in my place, since there wasnt much daylight left.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For a moment, I debated whether to go back inside and put on another coat. I was already straddling the bike by that point, so I decided not to bother. I zipped down the road, past all the elementary and junior high schoolers, and headed for Nagafujis Meats.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The bike made traveling a breeze, and I arrived in no time flat. When I walked in, Mr. Nagafuji stood at the counter, serving another customer. Naturally, he recognized me. Hey there! he called. I smiled politely.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The customer at the counter turned back to look at me, her ash-brown hair swaying with her motions. She was about half a head taller than me, with cartilage piercings peeking out from under her long, soft curls. She was sloppily dressed in another schools uniform. A beat later, she turned back to the counter, and I positioned myself diagonally behind her to wait my turn.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Was she running an errand for her family, like I was? I wasnt expecting to see another teenage girl here. As I bent down and trailed my finger over the display window, pondering what to buy, the other girl suddenly whirled around to look at me, her eyes wide. This caught me off guard, and I flinched. What? What do you want from me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shima-chan? she asked incredulously.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That was my name, all right-and a rather affectionate nickname at that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My sight went blurry, and my brain numbed as it struggled to process the situation. The only people who ever called me Shima-chan were friends from elementary school. Mentally, I compared the person in front of me to the roster of kids from my past.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tarumi?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thats me. She grinned, pleased. Evidently, my guess was right on the money.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Back in elementary school, Tarumi was my best friend. To think Id reunite with her here", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", in a butcher shop of all places... Not very chic, but okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once I put in my order, I turned back to Tarumi. Never in my wildest dreams would I have guessed it was her. Then again, Id heard rumors that shed turned into a total delinquent. Maybe it was true.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shima-chan-wait, are we too old for nicknames now? Tarumi asked. Eh...probably not, right? Nicknames it is.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Seriously? Youre going to call me by my grade-school nickname?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Or would it be too weird...? she asked after a pause.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Honestly, her lack of confidence was super relatable. I for one was glad to see that she wasnt the hard-ass rebel all the rumors made her out to be. I could rest easy knowing that she wasnt about to mug", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, whatever, she said. You dont mind if I call you Shima-chan, right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nah, its fine.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This girl standing in front of me still didnt fully match the Tarumi from my memories. It had only been three years since I last saw her-how could one person have changed so drastically? Now she looked nothing like she used to.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She stared at me intently, our faces just an arms length apart. It felt as though she saw straight through me, and I nearly took a step back purely on reflex.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youve gotten really pretty, huh, Shima-chan?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uhh...I wouldnt know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What was I supposed to say to that? Yeah, totally? Id sound like a complete narcissist.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Here you go! Mr. Nagafuji called as he brought Tarumis order to the counter. She took her meat parcel, nodded to him, then glanced at me out of the corner of her eye. Her considerable height advantage made her a bit intimidating.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, see you around. With a lazy wave, she bid me farewell.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh... Yeah, see you, I replied a beat later, raising my hand slightly in a tiny wave, like the faintest rustle of a leaf.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Staring down at my hand, I gingerly flexed my fingers and contemplated what, specifically, had given me pause. Am I really going to see her again?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Would fate be that generous?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just then, Tarumi walked back into the store. Idly, I wondered if shed left her wallet by mistake...or maybe she came back to order something else. Then she walked right up to me. Evidently, she had something more to say.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Can I get your phone number while Im at it? she asked, playing with her hair.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That wasnt something I expected her to ask me. Oh, uh, sure. But, wait... I didnt bring my phone.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay, then.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tarumi opened her bookbag and took out a pen and paper. Her notebook was so pristine and unmarked, it may as well have been brand new. She carefully tore out a small section from one page, then scrawled something onto it and handed it to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Heres my number.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay. Oddly enough, I found I was impressed that she had her own phone number memorized; I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "sure didnt.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Call me when you get home.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Will do, I nodded, pocketing the scrap of paper. Meanwhile, Tarumi hastily packed away her pen and notebook.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay then...uhhh...yeah, see you around, she repeated, more awkwardly this time. Once again, she seemed convinced that there would be a next time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I hesitated, Mr. Nagafuji walked back to the counter. Order up! he called as he handed me my items wrapped in butcher paper. As I took them, I spotted someone staring at me from the back of the store.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, now", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "you notice, she said. Its freezing, you know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I squinted and realized it was Nagafuji, peering out from the back with half her body concealed behind a wall. She sidled along until she reached the front counter, where her father gave her a stern look that visibly said, Go back to wherever you came from.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I saw the whole thing, Nagafuji announced.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah? You sure about that? Because I notice youre not wearing your glasses.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did you have fun spying on me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not really.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Didnt think so.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This had just been a chance re-encounter, anyway. Tarumi-that girl just now-does she come here often?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I hardly ever work the front counter, so I wouldnt know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, because youre an active liability to the business, Mr.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nagafuji snorted.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She stared at him for a moment, then calmly turned back to me. Idly, I wondered if anything ever actually got under Nagafujis skin.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Is Hino back there, too?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Curled up under the kotatsu", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Lucky her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wanna come in for a bit?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nah, I cant. Ive got people waiting on me back home. Plus, I needed to somehow get this food back to my house without it going cold-in the middle of winter.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, thanks for your business! See you tomorrow! Nagafuji replied, possibly to spite her fathers less-than-optimal evaluation of her work ethic.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "With that, it was time for me to head home.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I paused briefly to glance in the direction Tarumi had vanished. Then, once I checked to make sure the scrap of paper with her phone number was tucked safely away, I started pedaling-slowly at first, then steadily faster and faster.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That was a surprise, I muttered quietly, my breath leaving my lips in a white fog. But once I heard the statement out loud, I questioned whether I actually meant it. Or maybe it wasnt.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With every word, I felt more cold air enter my body, freezing my heart from the inside out. I pressed my lips together to shut out the draft.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Night had fallen, and since it was the middle of winter, the only sound was my bike wheels spinning. No chirping crickets. Nothing to break the perfect silence.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I ramped up my speed, I thought back to our final words to each other: see you", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". Would Tarumi and I actually see each other again? Did we want", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "to? Maybe back then we had a reason to be friends, but what about now? Could we go from being old friends to just friends again?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Still, I had to admit, I liked the idea a lot more than the permanence of a final farewell.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When I got home, I took out my phone to call Tarumi and noticed that I had a new email in my inbox. Sender: Adachi.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Do you like white chocolate?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmm... I imagined the taste on my tongue. Its pretty good.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": " Send.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "With that out of the way, I proceeded to call Tarumi, just as promised. She answered immediately.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hello? Shima-chan?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yep, its me. Shima-chan. As it turned out, the cringey nickname was a lot more bearable over the phone. On the other end of the line, I heard the faint murmur of people in the background. Are you still out and about?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, Im at the grocery store now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The grocery store? I asked. It was a rather wholesome destination for a so-called delinquent. Or maybe wholesome wasnt the right word. Healthy, I guess?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, Im grabbing some stuff. Say, would you wanna hang out sometime?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This invitation was fairly sudden, all things considered. But she was an old friend, so I was willing to make concessions.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure, sometime in the future.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, that works. Just sometime, she replied, almost as if she was trying to convince herself more than me, and I didnt really know what to say to that. Before I thought of anything, she continued, Theres something I forgot I wanted to say earlier.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whats up?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I heard her take a deep breath, and then-Im really happy I got to see you again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My sight blurred and unfocused as my mind reeled.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thats all, she added quietly. With that, she hung up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thats all? I repeated into the dial tone, but obviously it was too", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "late. Tarumi was gone, and I didnt have the answer, either.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I set my phone down, folded my arms, and noticed that my cheeks were burning. Speaking as a teenage girl, that kind of honest sentimentality was enough to make me blush.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It made her happy, huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Evidently, Tarumi was ready to ditch the old part of old friends. But personally, I felt it was a little too soon. A little too...easy", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". Enough to give me pause.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was friendship supposed to work like this? Or was our bond always that strong, and I just never realized? No, that cant be it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Id been there. Surely I wouldve noticed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmmm...well...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "To be fair, hearing someone say Im happy to see you was...you know...not the worst thing in the world.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In fact, it was actually...pretty okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "~Friday, February 7~", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At lunch, I noticed that Adachi had actually brought something from home for a change. Originally, I thought maybe shed packed a sandwich. At that point, I figured we could eat together, so I headed over to her. She sat at her desk, chewing silently as she stared downward. At first, she didnt notice me, so I walked between her and the desk in front of hers.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whoa! I exclaimed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At that, Adachi finally looked up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Spread out on her desk was a cascade of store-bought chocolate of all different brands, spilling out of a plastic to-go bag. No sandwich or anything. Just chocolate.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Himamurhh? she asked, her mouth full. Then, a split second later, she snapped back to her senses and stuffed all the chocolate back into the bag. Admittedly, my reaction to her lunch was a little scandalized, but surely she didnt need to hide it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That said, I hadnt realized she was such a chocoholic. For that matter, what was going on with her hair?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Pony alert! Open the stables!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, I get it. You used too much brainpower during class, so now youre filling up on sugar?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uh...yeah...something like that, Adachi replied instantly-so fast, I wasnt sure shed actually listened to a word I said. As she rested her chin in her hands, I noticed a bottle of mineral water on her desk. This came as a relief. Now, thats the Adachi I know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This ponytail look, however, was an Adachi I didnt", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "know. As her head swayed from side to side, so too did her hair, attracting-no, demanding", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "-my attention. Naturally, it worked. How could I not notice when it kept bouncing around in my line of sight during class?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, what had made her change her hairstyle? Was she trying to reinvent herself? Her exposed ears trembled slightly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You know, I heard that excessive chocolate consumption can give you a nosebleed, I commented casually. Not sure if its actually true, though.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Reflexively, she reached up and touched her nose. Then she wiped it with her sleeve, and once she confirmed that she wasnt bleeding, she looked back at me. I wasnt sure what she was expecting. After a moment of extended eye contact, she averted her gaze and started to unwrap another chocolate bar. Whew", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I watched her break off each piece of chocolate one by one and pop them into her mouth, it made me want a taste. Gimme a piece.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She handed me the whole thing. I accepted it, then flipped it over and compared its calorie count with that of my croquette sandwich. I knew I shouldnt have bought this thing", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". The numbers were in the triple digits. I started to sweat.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Meanwhile, Adachi carried on eating her chocolate like shed never even heard", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "of calories. As I glanced around at the various wrappers, I realized what they had in common: they were all milk chocolate.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Milk chocolate... Feels like we had a conversation about that recently.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Could Adachis new all-chocolate diet possibly be my fault? Was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "the ponytail a symbol of her determination to commit to this lifestyle choice? If so, I really wasnt sure what to tell her, other than, Chill. Youre acting like the main character in a shoujo manga.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meanwhile, she continued to eat her chocolate in silence, occasionally stopping to shake her head or manually adjust her ponytails position-in other words, she was restless from the neck up. Did she want me to comment on the hairstyle or something? Personally, I didnt have much of an opinion either way, so I hoped to avoid a conversation about her fidgeting. Oh well.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once I finished eating my chocolate bar, I rose to my feet, reached out with one hand, and lightly clasped the tip of her ponytail. This is cute, I offered, feeling guilty that I didnt have anything more creative to say.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She turned to look at me and froze. Huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I thought back to her usual hairstyle and added, But, then again, your hairs always cute.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There was something soothing about the familiar, as opposed to the new. Actually, now that I think about it, what am I going to do with MY hair?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I picked at my bangs and contemplated this decision. Adachi started to say something, but the words wouldnt come-she simply opened and closed her mouth like a goldfish. Her forehead and ears were bright red. Was she drunk or something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whats wrong?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The instant I asked, Adachi leapt to her feet and dashed out of the classroom like a bat out of hell.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey, wait! The bells-!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "-going to ring soon... Plus, you left your chocolate all over your desk.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When she finally returned, the look on her face suggested that she was dead inside, so I kept an eye on her during our next class. I could tell just from looking at the back of her head that her mind was elsewhere. Fortunately, she showed no sign of developing a nosebleed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Either that was just an old wives tale, or she simply hadnt consumed all that much chocolate.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "~Saturday, February 8", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "~", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I heard some sort of commotion outside my room, so I wandered to the living room to investigate. There, I found that Yashiro had come over to play with my sister. The two of them were goofing off, roughhousing and running circles around each other; each movement kicked up blue sparkles like technicolor dust.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Meanwhile, my mother watched them from the hallway. Thats some wild hair, she commented under her breath before disappearing back into the kitchen. Really, Mom? Thats all you have to say?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im bored, Yashiro announced.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Me too, my sister agreed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To me, it seemed like they were having fun-they lay in a heap on the floor in a perfect X-shape. I didnt want to interrupt their playtime, but before I could sneak away, Yashiro spotted me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, well, well, if it isnt Shimamura-san. Well, well, well.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, yes, I heard you the first time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She wriggled out from under my sister and came slithering in my direction like a snake. In place of her space suit, she wore a green sweater and jeans. However, the look was a bit too tomboyish for her, and she didnt pull it off well. If anything, it felt like she was trying to imitate someone elses style. In a way, the sweater and jeans were more alien than the space suit ever was.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lets go see a movie, she suggested.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What-", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "-a good idea! my sister finished for me as she crawled over to us on her hands and knees.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You see, I wish to observe this movie phenomenon.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wanna go, too! my sister volunteered, raising her hand gleefully.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "They were already excited about this prospect, but I had yet to agree to it. I paused to think for a moment, gazing out the window. How can it still be so cold when the suns out? Ugh, I have a runny nose again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Feel free to go by yourselves, I said. Believe it or not, Ive got a lot of studying to-", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just go with them, my mother called as she passed the door, like an extra in the background. And feed them lunch while youre at it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, I get it. You just dont want to have to cook, I replied.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You better believe it, she shot back. With that, she disappeared again, carrying a bag of Mochikichi fried rice crackers-probably planning to get back in bed and watch TV. Incidentally, that was also my", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "plan.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Meanwhile, Yashiro hopped to her feet and attempted to drag me off. Now then, lets be going, Shimamura-san!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dont pull on my clothes, you moron! Are you trying to strip them off?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I put a hand to her forehead and pushed her away. I was willing to pay for one little mooch, but certainly not two.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I know you love animals, sis, but please stop bringing this creature into our home.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Fiiiine...Ill go with you, I said. Just give me a minute so I can get dressed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shall I assist you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Absolutely not, thanks!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once I successfully peeled Yashiro off, I returned to my room. Id spent the whole morning lying in bed, so I still wore my pajamas; that was how I normally spent each winter. As I folded up my futon, I silently cursed myself for ever deciding to leave the room.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After I got dressed, I took the two to the local shopping mall-the same one I visited with Adachi the other day. Out here in the sticks, there werent exactly a lot of options to choose from. Sure, we could make the trek to the theater downtown, but with half the shops closed, wed have a hell of a time trying to find a place to eat.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yashiro took my hand (well, more accurately, my fingers) and squeezed tight, looking pleased as punch as she pulled me along.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why did everyone want so badly to hold hands with me? Did it make them feel secure? Or were they afraid I might fade away entirely unless they kept me tethered to something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As we walked, I felt my sisters gaze on my free hand, so I held it out to her. Do you want to hold hands too?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Pssh! Im not a little baby! She turned away from me sulkily.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In the past shed held hands with me anytime we were in public, but okay. I retracted my hand, and we kept walking.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Put your hand out again, she demanded after a moment.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She was being a brat, so I pinched her cheek while I was at it. This time she reached out and put her hand in mine; after a beat, I tapped the back of her hand with my index finger.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What?! she snapped.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nothing, I grinned, ignoring her little red face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now I had both hands full; hopefully Adachi wouldnt show up, or else Id have to grow a third arm. Then again, knowing her, if she witnessed me in this position, her reaction would probably be a little more...you know...on the weird side.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now we just need Little to hold my other hand, Yashiro suggested, reaching across me toward my sister.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What, so we can spin around in a circle? Not happening.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Pulling her arm, I made Yashiro face forward. When had she gotten to be such good buddies with my sister, anyway?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The movie theater was on the second floor. On our way to the escalator, I smelled a sugary fragrance wafting from somewhere; I turned back to our smiling alien. So, is there any particular movie you want to see? I asked, knowing it was entirely possible that she hadnt thought that far at all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She froze, eyes wide, like Id grown a second head. I thought we were...going to see it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I mean, theres more than one movie in the world. You have to...pick one... My voice faltered as I realized she wasnt going to understand.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yashiros eyes darted all over the place until, finally, she looked", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "back at me with a smug smirk. Ah, I see. So, there are different breeds of movie! Another mystery solved, all thanks to me. Heh heh heh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Riiiight...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She didnt seem to be putting on an act, either. Maybe she really was just that ignorant. Geez, girl. You are one of many, many things beyond the scope of my mortal understanding.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, well, if it isnt a young mother hen and her two chicks! someone within earshot commented.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youve sure got me pegged,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I thought as I turned in their direction.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was Hino-or perhaps I should say, I realized belatedly", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "that it was Hino, because at first I honestly wasnt sure. If it wasnt for her sunburn, I might never have put two and two together.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She stood on the escalator, staring down at us; her hairstyle was the same as usual, but her clothes were very", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "different. By that, I mean she was decked out in a kimono. Not a cheap yukata, either-a traditional layered red kimono. After I recovered from slack-jawed shock, I remembered hearing that she wore formal Japanese attire whenever she was at home. I didnt know the details behind it or anything-just that she was allegedly from that type of traditional family. The type that serves chickpeas and kelp to children as a snack.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Is that you, Hino-san? asked Yashiro.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is she your friend, Neechan? asked my sister.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes and yes! Hino replied, with a double thumbs-up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Given her short stature, dark tan, and ostentatious getup, I couldnt help but think of Girls Day, Shichi-Go-San, and all those other traditional Japanese holidays. Hino stuck out like a sore thumb, as if she was a cosplayer outside a convention center. As much as she liked to claim she was a magnet for weirdos, today she was", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "the weirdo.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hold on a sec!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She turned and came back down the up escalator-an act so dangerous, not even a child would dare try it-until she reached the ground floor. Dang, shes gutsy. I could never do that. Well, maybe I could try going up a down escalator.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait, is this your little sister? Have we met before, kiddo? Hino", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "asked as she smoothed her kimono.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Good question. Have they?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I dont...think so...? my sister replied as she retreated behind me. Not a big fan of strangers, that one.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I cant remember, either. Oh well! Now we have. As for you, Miss Alien, you dont look very alien today, Hino continued, commenting on Yashiros choice of outfit.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not sure space suits are very alien, either.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Keh heh heh! This is my undercover disguise, Yashiro explained proudly. Too bad her cover was entirely blown by her...you know...bright-blue hair. In fact, she and Hino were both so disproportionately conspicuous, they made me and my sister look somehow out of place for wearing normal clothes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, are you having a fun little family outing with your two charges?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Kind of. This ones not family, though, I replied, ruffling Yashiros hair. She flailed and jumped away, scattering sparkles everywhere. What about you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hino followed my gaze to her kimono and pinched a bit of fabric. Oh, I just didnt want to have to change back into this thing when I got home, so I kept it on. Too much effort, yknow?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In my opinion, it would take more", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "effort just to walk around in all that, since youd have to try not to step on the hem or get the sleeves dirty. To be fair, Hino looked as if she had it under control, but still. Definitely not loungewear. And another thing-had she biked here in that? Riding a bike in a kimono was a guaranteed recipe for disaster. What if the fabric caught in the wheels and you fell over?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Are you running errands, then? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nah, I just wanted to pick up some manga.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, okay, so shes headed to the second-floor bookstore on the far side of the mall. ", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wheres Nagafuji?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We may hang out a lot, but not on weekends, Hino laughed, waving a hand dismissively. Shes got club activities or whatever.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Right... Club activities... I started to offer some vague platitude,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "like She sure is working hard, but I choked it back down. What club is she in, anyway?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No clue, Hino replied without batting a lash. I was surprised to discover that there were things about Nagafuji that Hino didnt know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I paused to imagine Nagafuji attending her club. Given her love of boomerangs, I could see her in some kind of boomerang-throwing club. Couldnt imagine anyone else joining it, but hey.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What I want to know is, why do you always ask me about Nagafuji whenever you see me, dear Shimmer?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimmer?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thats your name.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You sure about that?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yep!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This conversation wasnt making any sense to me. Probably because neither of us were actually using our brains.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, all right then! Hino declared, evidently growing bored of the gag. She was always the self-proclaimed normal one, and I wasnt about to rain on her parade...but she could be so very odd at times.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Granted, everyone had the right to their own personal values. When this concept was taken to its logical extreme, though, didnt that mean it was pointless to try at all to be considerate of other people? After all, you didnt really need", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "to try. After enough time in the other persons company, you were bound to find at least one thing in common. Perhaps that coincidental congruence was the real reward of human connection.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Anyway, Shimamura, where are you three headed now? The sauna? Hino asked after she followed us onto the up escalator. I noticed that shed immediately dropped the Shimmer thing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We are here to see a movie! Yashiro answered, standing tall and proud for some inexplicable reason. Its not that impressive, you know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh ho! A movie, eh? I, too, like to see a movie every now and then. Hino carefully adjusted her posture. Whereas shed been standing around aimlessly before, now she appeared to have a purpose in mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Are you coming with us? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A movie does sound pretty great right about now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What about your manga, though?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, I dont read that stuff. Im a bookworm-I prefer novels.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Says the girl who literally read a fishing manga just the other day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Still, in her long red kimono, Hino did have a sort of novelist vibe going on-you know, from the 1800s or something.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "By the time we arrived at the second floor, my skin had adjusted to the temperature change, and now my sisters hand was uncomfortably warm. Not Yashiros, though-hers still felt nice and cool. It was almost like I could physically feel", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "her aqua-blue aesthetic.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uh-oh, Shimamura! It appears youll need a third hand so that you can hold mine, Hino joked, smirking, as we walked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, sure, Ill just grow one for you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You want to hold hands?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, no, not at all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You can hold mine, Yashiro offered.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How very...considerate? I guess?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why, your kindness warms my heart! Hino exclaimed as she accepted. Then, three steps later, she let go again. Meh, Id rather walk at my own pace.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Classic Hino.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That was the sort of attitude Adachi used to have. When had that changed?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Meanwhile, my sister used me as a protective shield as she shot furtive glances at Hino-probably fascinated by her unusual attire. Then Hino noticed her peering and walked around me to get a look at her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My sister started to hide, but stopped. Instead, she peered up timidly at Hino and asked point-blank, Are you a princess?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Heh heh heh! Do I look like a princess? I suppose I do, Hino smirked, waving her long sleeves around.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Trust me, its just the clothes, I snarked, rolling my eyes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her gaze panned from right to left. You know, I had a dream that I was a princess.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What kind of dream?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mmm...I dont remember much, but in the end, I turned into a fungus, Hino explained, as wistfully as if it had happened in real life. The dreams details were so scarce, however, that I couldnt see how this had anything to do with princesses at all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was it a nightmare, or...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Eh, I woke up afterward, so probably not.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That was a rather generous evaluation. Most people wouldve rated a dream based on content, but apparently all Hino cared about was whether it ended.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "By the way, Hino-san, why are you grilled? Yashiro asked, peering curiously at Hinos tanned skin from up close. She meant sunburnt, but... Eh, close enough, I guess. Kind of.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hinos skin was certainly well-browned, I suppose.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, it happened when I reentered the Earths atmosphere, Hino lied.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whoa there, buddy. You need to pick your audience for jokes like that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hah! You Earthlings are such amateurs! Yashiro scoffed smugly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "See, whatd I tell you? I knew shed believe you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just so you know, shes joking", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", I warned my sister.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She scowled and pouted sulkily. I know that. Im not stupid.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I know youre not stupid, but at the same time, you still believe in Santa Claus", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...so I can never be too careful.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All right then, lets show this alien what Earthlings can really do. Prepare to have your mind blown! Hino declared, smirking, as if shed made any movies herself. Reminds me of the fable about the donkey in the lions skin... Okay, maybe not.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We passed the 300-yen store, then the shoe store, then finally arrived at our destination. Out front, a big red sign read So-and-So Cinema", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "in English for some reason. Inside, the lobby was dim and decked out in blue from top to bottom. Id passed this place countless times, but believe it or not, this was my first time actually setting foot inside.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Naturally, the kiddos couldnt read the English sign, so their only reaction was Whoaaaa! I glanced around the interior-not too much, though, just casually. Apparently, this theater had twelve screens total.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Do you know about threed, Little? Yashiro whispered to my sister.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Threed? Like for fabric? Wait, no. The hell is threed? And what kind of nickname is Little? Dont you know what my sisters name is by now?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It makes the stuff in the movie pop out, like, Zoom!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Pow!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I realized Yashiro meant 3D. Was that", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "why she wanted to see a movie? I saw her glancing furtively at the snack counter, but chose to ignore it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not only was the theater showing the latest releases, but with Valentines Day right around the corner, they also had some old romance classics on the marquee. Hino gazed at the timetable for a moment.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, thats right! She lit up suddenly. I should buy chocolate on my way home.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At first, I wondered who it was for. Then I realized I didnt need to wonder. For Nagafuji?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, but its not really a gift. Im just gonna buy some as a snack and share it with her. Same thing we do every year, Hino explained, waving both hands dismissively.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This yearly ritual piqued my interest. Oh yeah? Whys that? Is it just tradition?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Because she likes chocolate, so it makes her happy? Hino tilted her head slightly, as if she hadnt thought about it until now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her answer was immediate, with no hesitation-but not in a flippant sort of way. More like it was a gut reaction, casual and unpretentious. Point being, it was nothing like the awkward tension that hovered between me and Adachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is that all that matters? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, of course not, Hino shrugged, but my minds gears were already turning. Perhaps Adachi and I had gotten too bogged down in the formality", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "of it all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, either way, this isnt the place to be having this conversation, I said.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whys that?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Because little ants will smell sugar and come running.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I heard chocolate!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Told you so.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yashiro beamed up at Hino; Hino reached down, grabbed her head with both hands, and-Zzzt!-gently redirected her to me. Have this nice lady buy you some.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But I already gave her some!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura-saaaan!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No begging!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yashiro tried to cling to me, but I pushed her away headfirst. In response, she pushed her face against my hand. Little weirdo.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A few minutes later, I gave in to the pleading and bought caramel corn from the snack counter. Apparently, Yashiro didnt actually care if it was chocolate as long as it was sweet. While I was at it, I bought some for my sister, too. Im such a doormat.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "All right, now listen up. You have to be quiet and watch the movie, okay? No shouting, I explained as we took our seats in the theater before the show started.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yashiro, however, was already engrossed in her popcorn. Yeah, yeah, she replied offhandedly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I looked at her hands, I thought of another thing to warn her about. And no clapping, either.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, you need to take this seriously! Hino of all people chimed in. Passionately.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ish fine, I wond clab, Yashiro replied through a mouthful of popcorn. The problem was, I couldnt even trust her to follow the laws of gravity", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", much less society. My sister would probably be fine, though. I didnt want to nag needlessly and piss her off again, so I decided to have a little faith in her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The movie we chose was set in space and, as Yashiro requested, 3D. It wasnt a horror movie, but it may as well have been; it was so gripping, I could scarcely breathe. Its hard to explain, but...it made me grateful for my bodys physical weight in a way I normally never was.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After the movie ended, and we all walked out of the theater, Hino stopped and stared at me intensely-specifically, at my hands, which were once again joined with Yashiros and my sisters.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Youre a lot more sisterly than I thought.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "More than you, I guess, I replied with a shrug, lifting the kids hands up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Confused, Yashiro raised her other hand enthusiastically; in contrast, my sister grimaced bashfully.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dont you have siblings? I asked Hino. I forget.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I have four older brothers, but some of them are a lot older than me and dont live at home anymore. So, we never talk.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It seemed like kind of a lazy excuse, so I figured she probably just didnt want to go into detail about them. Hinos family situation was just so...complicated. Or at least, it seemed that way. Not that I was ever actually going to find out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Anyway, all that stuff aside...this was a real treat! she declared, putting one hand on her hip. Her smirk seemed to ask for my agreement, so I grinned and shrugged.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After that, Hino treated us all to lunch, something I appreciated greatly. Not in the financial sense-it was just a really sweet gesture.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "All in all, it was a pretty okay day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "~Sunday, February 9~", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After hours spent lying around in bed, I noticed that I hadnt", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "heard any screaming, so evidently there were no visitors today. Not that I minded the occasional lively guest, but it was exhausting to deal with day after day. I needed a lazy Sunday like this one to recover all the energy I expended.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Considering that Id spent my morning reading a textbook, of all things, I was practically an honor student. My parents would be so impressed...you know, if they conveniently forgot about all the school Id skipped before now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In just two more months, I was going to be a second-year. That was the deadline before which I needed to catch up to the rest of my peers. Id finally gained some ground over winter break, and with finals coming up, I couldnt afford to slow my pace. But the harder I pushed myself, the more I started to miss the gym loft.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As the winter melted away, and the first few rays of spring crept over the horizon, that loft would warm up once more...but would we ever go back there?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nahhh...probably not.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Given my studious behavior lately, I was pretty sure Id chosen to leave the delinquent life behind. If I wanted to hang out with Adachi, there were plenty of better places to do it. Even if we decided to play ping-pong specifically, we had other options. There was no need to commit to one place in particular. Thats why I wanted her to graduate to the next grade with me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My cell phone started to ring from somewhere in my room. I rummaged for it amid my desk clutter, but couldnt find it. It only rang the one time, so it was probably just an email-but now that Id lost my phone, I was compelled to keep looking. After I checked every conceivable spot, I stopped to think. When was the last time I remembered having it? I hadnt played with it all weekend, so maybe it was still in my bookbag. I looked, and sure enough, it was in the exact same spot Id left it on Friday.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Pretty sad that I went the whole weekend without receiving any messages. Some social life I must have.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I checked the emails sender, and unsurprisingly-though there had been one other possibility-it was Adachi. (The other possibility was that it was spam from my cell-phone provider.)", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The email had no body text-just an image attachment. Curious, I opened it and saw...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chocolate...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Brown sludge, melted and poured into metal molds.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yep, thats chocolate, all right. So...what about it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With no further details, I didnt understand what exactly I was looking at.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then another email arrived in my inbox-again from Adachi, again with an image attachment. And again, the image was of chocolate. She still hadnt sent a single word of explanation; if anything, I now had more", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "questions. Was this her idea of a Valentines Day gift? To save money or something? No, couldnt be", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I contemplated calling her to ask about it. On the other hand, it felt like that was what she wanted", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "me to do, and I refused to give in. Meanwhile, another", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "chocolate photo arrived, this one taken at a different angle. Was this some new form of bullying?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Spare me the inkblot test, okay? Im not that smart to begin with.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If only I couldve seen Adachis face right now. Maybe then Id figure it out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her final email contained a message. What do you think?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Good question.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I got the distinct sense that I was going to have to put a lot of effort in if I wanted to escape Adachis labyrinth. For a while, I ran up and down her illusory stairways and twisted purple hallways...but the further I ran, the fuzzier my mind became.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ugh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Too much effort.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "~Monday, February 10~", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, hey, its Shima-chan! someone called as I was on my way to school. Confused, I turned around, but couldnt immediately pinpoint who it was. I knew it couldnt be someone from my class, since she was running in the opposite direction. Rubbing my sleepy, Monday-", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "morning eyes, I scrutinized her appearance. She looked as though she was the same age as me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, okay. I think Ive got it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey, long time no see!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She was one of my old friends from elementary school. Her name was...uhh... It was... Oh no, I have no clue what her name is.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Panicking internally, I decided that my only option was to keep smiling.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Fortunately, my old friend didnt suspect a thing. She grinned and wheeled her bike back in my direction. Her hairstyle and clothing had changed completely from elementary-not to mention, she never used to wear makeup-so, appearance-wise, she was basically a completely different person. Weird how I somehow recognized her anyway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whoa, your hairs a lot lighter these days!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, you know how it is. Im getting on in years! I joked, laughing amiably as I gave her a playful shove on the shoulder. Cmon, dont make me sound like Im eighty.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It doesnt really suit you, huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her blunt comment hit me point-blank, as if someone had dumped a bucket of paint over my head. It doesnt?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I picked up a bleached strand and stared at it. Everyone seemed to share that opinion-even my own family-so maybe it would be best if I dyed it back to brown after all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But if I did that, well...Id have the same hair color as Adachi, you know? Then we wouldnt complement each other like we did now, and... Wait, what am I thinking? Complement each other? From whose perspective? Im not that far gone, am I?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So tell me, Shima-chan, are you still in touch with anyone?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ummm...not really...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gotcha. That makes sense.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Makes sense how?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It felt as though she was just saying things at random to keep the conversation going; I forced a smile. No matter how good an actress I was on the outside, however, I always felt uncomfortable talking to people from my past.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maybe this conversation wouldve soared like a bird back in the day, but now it landed like a wet frog on pavement. They say persistence is key in many things, and as it turned out, relationships were one of those things. Without regular upkeep, a friendship could easily run dry.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh yeah, so do you remember that one girl, Tarumi?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tarumi? Yeah, totally, I replied vaguely. Somehow, I couldnt bring myself to admit that Id bumped into her just the other day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I saw her a couple weekends ago at the train station. Shes soooo tall now!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh yeah? Thats cool.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Come to think of it, Tarumi was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "pretty tall. And she had long legs. Personally, I was jealous on both accounts.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There was a long silence, as if she interpreted my response as uninterested. Then, to escape the awkwardness, we both waved goodbye, rescued by our teenage obligation to go to school.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "See you!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Later!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And so, we parted ways. Neither of us said the word goodbye, yet I sensed that we would probably never see each other again. Shed only stopped me on the street because my presence was a rarity. If by some chance we ended up spotting each other every morning after this, wed lose any reason we had to say hi. That was the sense I got, at least.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That was how old friends worked. Where once our clocks were perfectly in sync, now their hands pointed to different times. It would take effort and adjustment to line them up again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I passed the graveyard, I gazed at the headstones and spotted the name Tarumi. I traced the letters in the air with my finger-but really, she wasnt that far beyond my reach. Shed been spotted at both the butcher shop and", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "the train station; surely, she had to live around here somewhere.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What if I met up with her again? How would I feel?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not that I really planned to go out of my way to hang out with her, but...after a moment of consideration, I decided I wouldnt mind", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "seeing her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Truth be told, I could reliably trace the majority of my behavior back to those same three words: I wouldnt mind", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". It was the place my heart always settled.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thats how it always is with me, I guess.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not that anything was wrong with that. Still, part of me hoped that someday I could graduate to Id like that instead.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "~Tuesday, February 11~", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Someone once said that humanitys biggest flaw is our tendency to decline gradually. It happens slowly, rotting us from the inside out so we dont notice until its too late.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thats what I heard, anyway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interesting...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As Nagafuji blathered away, I continued to lie sprawled out over the kotatsu", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "table. Meanwhile, Adachi reached another goal. For someone who claimed not to know the games rules, she progressed from checkpoint to checkpoint really quickly... Maybe that lack of knowledge kept her laser-focused on one specific objective. Despite her confusion, she seemed in much brighter spirits than usual, so clearly she was happy that she was winning.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As for me, Id somehow ended up in last place. Oh no", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". I pushed myself back up into a sitting position. Now was not the time for me to molder in the kotatsu.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That day found us all hanging out at Nagafujis house after school. Her family ran a butcher shop, and while Id purchased food from their store countless times, this was only my second time setting foot in their living space. The smell and crackle of the fryer oil permeated the whole building, and while I enjoyed it, it also kind of made me hungry.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Last time I was here, Id only stayed for a cup of tea, but today we were playing video games. This solicitation-Wait, am I using that word right? Whatever", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "-basically all started during lunch, when Hino and Nagafuji announced that they wanted to play Momotetsu", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meh, lets just call this a study in geography.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hino sat closest to the TV, one knee bent, intently focused on the game. Considering that this was her idea to begin with, it made sense that she was the most invested. Then again, she tended to invest in pretty much any", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "competition, no matter whose idea it was. Conversely, Nagafuji and I both zonked out at the kotatsu", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", stretching our arms out and flailing our hands, like a couple of dying bugs wiggling their legs with the last of their strength. On second thought, thats a really gross mental image.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then it was SHIMAMURA (MANAGER)s turn, so I rolled the dice without really paying attention.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Because we had to take turns using the controllers in pairs (Adachi and Hino, me and Nagafuji), we naturally had to sit in pairs too. Nagafuji and I essentially took over the kotatsu", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", though-were the others cold at all? Adachi sat diagonally to my left, and Hino sat diagonally to my right. At first, we had to teach Adachi how to play Momotetsu", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", but now that we were on our sixth year in-game, shed pretty much gotten the hang of things. She wasnt using any of her action cards, but whatever.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "They say only mean people are good at this game, so clearly you must be a saint, Shimamura, snarked HINO (PRIEST). But...going by that logic would mean that Adachi was a total monster.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Speaking of Adachi, she glanced over her shoulder at me. I, uh...I think you probably are a saint, she stammered, her eyes darting in all directions.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 24", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0023", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 25", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0024", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why, thank you, I replied offhandedly. Seriously, though, I appreciated her trying to offer me a consolation prize for being in last place. Side note: Adachis in-game job title was now CEO. And Nagafuji was...a robot. Yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Every time NAGAFUJI (ROBOT) acquired an action card, she used it on the spot with no thought given to strategy or timing. Fitting, I know. If the card in question allowed her to choose a target, she always chose Hino, and if it succeeded, Nagafuji celebrated like it was her birthday. This robot really needs to chill out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Honestly, you didnt need", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "more than two players for this game, so part of me was confused as to why they bothered inviting Adachi and me at all. I mean, sure, I was technically friends with them...but was Adachi? Somehow, I doubted that she felt any sort of kinship toward them at all. If I wasnt invited, she probably wouldnt have tagged along. She just wasnt a quantity over quality sort of girl when it came to friends. As for me, I tended to enjoy this sort of thing, so I didnt really mind hanging out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After that, I remained in last place for some reason; meanwhile, Adachi oscillated between first and second. Then, in a blink, it was 7 P.M., so we decided to call it a night.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well finish the game some other time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Unless the console gets reset.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah... Thats the scariest part of the cartridge generation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hino and Nagafuji were having some conversation about old game consoles, but personally, Id never seen one this old until today. From the yellow discoloration, you could tell the console had grown up right alongside its owners.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Did we ever have one of those when I was young?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As the years passed, we kept swapping out our old games for newer ones. Now they were probably collecting dust somewhere, along with the rest of my childhood memories. After all, I never could commit to anything for very long.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, how had I made it this far?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Outside, the chilly night air clamped painfully around my arms and legs. My breath floated out in a pale puff, as if to light up the pitch-", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "darkness.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey, um...want me to...take you home? Adachi asked suddenly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was a kind offer, of course, but we lived in two different directions. Thats pretty far out of your way... Are you sure? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She nodded eagerly, so I decided to take her up on it. Setting my bookbag in her bike cart, I hopped on the back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Honestly, Hinos full of shit. Adachis way too much of a sweetheart to be mean.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You know, youve really changed a lot since we first met, I murmured pensively, peering at her face right before we set off. The old Adachi never wouldve tagged along with me for hours. Shed been a lot quieter, and when she did speak, it was only ever a few curt words.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ugh, dont remind me, she replied in a tiny, shy voice. Evidently, she agreed with my sentiment.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not to suggest she had changed for the worse, of course-if anything, she could stand to be a little more confident. On the other hand, she was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "acting a bit weirder these days. Okay...a lot", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "weirder. But...I guess I didnt really mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At this time of year, the sun set long before 7 P.M. The darkness was different from summers; it was deeper, heavier. Out here in the countryside, there were a few sporadic streetlamps, but the street itself stretched ahead of us like a black viper. Nevertheless, with only the occasional pinprick of light to illuminate our path, we forged ahead.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did you have fun? I asked. Then I got a strange sense of dj vu", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", like maybe Id asked her that before.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, Adachi replied, staring straight ahead. Her voice was as dry as the winter wind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmmm. Well, its not like Im her mom. She can make her own decisions, I guess.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey, Shimamura? Dont forget, uh, in three days...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I really wish youd stop looking up at me while youre steering the bike!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This definitely wasnt her first time doing it, either.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chocolate, right? Dont worry, I wont forget, I replied, my smile stiff.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Come to think of it, I still havent bought any, have I? Id rather not have to rush around at the last minute, so I should go buy it tomorrow or the day after. Then all Ill have to do is give it to her, I guess.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Honestly, I was kind of worried that this wasnt going to be as fun and exciting as Adachi hoped. After all, she already knew that I was giving her something.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But chocolate was delicious and sweet-and it was precisely the foreknowledge of its taste that enabled my cravings. So maybe, in a way, Adachi had it right: sometimes surprises were", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "overrated.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "~Wednesday, February 12~", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At my current pace, I figured I was probably", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "going to make it in time for first period. So, when I passed the graveyard, I slowed to a walk. The strong winter wind brushed against my flushed skin, draining it of all the warmth Id built up running. It had started blustering around midnight last night, and it showed no sign of stopping anytime soon. The whhhsssshhh", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "sound in my ears was deafening. Fun fact: when I was little, I thought that was the sound clouds made when they rubbed against each other.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe I should get a part-time job, like Adachi, so I can save up to buy my own bike,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I thought as I caught my breath. After all, the so-called family bicycle was practically my moms personal bike at this point. I wouldve liked it if she at least let me use it on days when I was running late, but nope. Instead, she insisted that it was my fault for oversleeping in the first place-and she was right. But if you know Im going to be late, Id appreciate it if youd wake me up, you jerk!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ultimately, I guess she just wanted me to handle everything on my own. Better than her constantly micromanaging me, at least. As a result, I was responsible for leaving late...and everything it led to.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I passed the little park next to the cemetery, I noticed a conspicuous head of hair fluttering in the breeze like a butterfly, shedding sparkles instead of scales. It was Yashiro, doing calisthenics", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "of all things. Naturally, she was alone, facing the graveyard and cheerfully counting to herself as she did side stretches. Watching her, the only thing that came to mind was, God, shes so weird.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She hadnt noticed me yet, so I debated minding my own business and going to school. But I couldnt very well just leave her here, standing out in public on a weekday morning with no backpack in sight. I knew that first period was going to start soon, but I took a detour into the park regardless.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She spotted me and immediately dashed over. Well, if it isnt Shimamura-san!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How can you wear that sleeveless summer dress in the middle of winter? No leggings or anything.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I touched her shoulder curiously; it felt like ice (no surprise there). Yet it was perfectly smooth, without so much as a single goose bump.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Did you need something? she asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, not particularly. But you probably shouldnt be out here at this time of day. Not that I have any right to judge.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dont you have school today?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ha ha ha! Dont be silly. Im a grown adult, she declared smugly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Right. Experimentally, I grabbed her and lifted her high into the air.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wheeee! she squealed, flailing her limbs.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Grown adult, my ass.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If you start skipping school at your age, youll be a delinquent for life.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yashiro was even lighter than my sister; I swung her from side to side, shaking free a cascade of blue sparkles that the wind promptly carried off. It was actually kind of fun to track the air currents with the naked eye.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I am", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "680 years old, you know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, right, I totally forgot.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Didnt realize 680-year-old aliens were all as short and scrawny as my sister. Man, if I had to live that long, Id probably die of boredom.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I set her down on the ground, and she shot me a look that said, Is that all? I mouthed back, Thats all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "With a wave, I decided it was time to part ways. Anyway, I gotta go to school. See ya.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Admittedly, I wasnt fully on board with the idea of leaving a young child alone in a park, but I didnt have the free time to babysit her, either. Yet I could feel something pulling me back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I stopped near the park entrance and glanced over my shoulder. Sure enough, Yashiro was looking at me. I turned around, jogged a few steps, then stopped and glanced back again. Still looking at me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, for crying out loud.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I turned back. Must be those big-sister instincts kicking in,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I groaned to myself as I cursed my lack of commitment.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yashiro greeted my return with a smirk. It seems this ninja technique is rather convenient.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What ninja technique?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The one where I stare at you until you turn back. She struck a ninja pose.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Total grown adult over here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sorry to burst your bubble, but it wasnt your ninja skills", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "that made it happen. Im just a super", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "-nice person.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, yes, of course! You are a super-nice person!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Id meant it as a joke, but then she agreed, and I didnt really know what to say after that. In fact, I was low-key embarrassed to have said it at all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I hope youre grateful, I added.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes! Im so grateful! She dashed forward and wrapped her arms around my midsection in a hug.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didnt actually need her to thank me, but shed called me on my bluff, and now I was left without a way out of it. Then she started nuzzling her face against my stomach. She was so pure and innocent, her heart probably sparkled just as much as her hair. So, why did that kind of unabashed sincerity rub me the wrong way? Perhaps it was because, at age sixteen, I was caught halfway between childhood and", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "adulthood, and anything that wasnt buried in a thick layer of irony was hard to accept head-on. Was this just part of the territory that came with being a teenager?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, I dont think we should keep standing around here...but Im not sure where else we could really go.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was wearing a school uniform, so we couldnt exactly hang out at a caf or anything. And while Yashiro and I were technically friends, she was very visibly not related to me, and I didnt want people to think I was some kind of child kidnapper.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My first thought was to walk her to her house, but somehow I could tell without asking that I was never going to find out where she lived. Not because I genuinely believed that she was an alien, but still. Just a feeling I had.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "With nowhere else to go, my instinctive next thought was the gym loft at my school. It was what my brain defaulted to when I tried to think of a secluded little nook, which is how Id ended up hanging out there in the first place.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lets go to your house! Yashiro suggested, still persistently clinging to my midsection.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My house, huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My mother was probably gone by now, so it wasnt strictly out of the question. Still, if I went back home, it would mean forfeiting any illusion I had of actually going to school today.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is Little home?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Little? Oh, you mean my sister?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yashiro nodded eagerly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In what world would my kid sister be at home on a weekday morning?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shes at school", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Remember?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Awwww... Yashiro slumped in a dramatic display of disappointment. Fortunately, her grip on me loosened, and I found I could use my legs again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Glancing away from the graveyard in the vague direction of my high school, I scratched my head. Well...I guess it cant hurt as long as I dont make a habit of it. And so, I took responsibility and made the conscious choice to skip school.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It felt so odd, walking back down the same path Id just run-not", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "to mention with a little blue-haired gremlin in tow. I hated the cold, and I hated expending energy, so what was I even doing with my life?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yet, despite my weary sigh, I found I didnt mind it much at all.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I pulled off my jacket and crawled back into my futon, still wearing the rest of my uniform. I knew Id suffer for my transgressions, but I just couldnt be bothered. Then at some point I drifted off to sleep, and when I awoke, I found Yashiro sound asleep beside me under the blanket.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her head still rested on my arm, which was now numb from the elbow down. Was this the peaceful, sleeping face of a six-hundred-year-old? Doubtful. As I watched her, I felt my eyelids slowly grow heavier once more. Even after they shut, I still faintly saw those blue sparkles... It was so cozy and peaceful, I felt a pleasant dream waiting for me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "An unknown amount of time passed...and then my fuzzy brain faintly heard the doorbell ring. But I was in no condition to get out of bed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yashiro, however, sprang out on a hair-trigger and started spinning in place. Are you sleepy, Shimamura-san?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mnnnn...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shall I answer it for you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, please...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Leave it to me! She tottered off down the hall.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shes so much more considerate than my sister,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought, impressed. Smiling, I rolled over-but, right as I was about to drift back off to sleep, I realized my mistake.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If the person at our door was a newspaper salesman...or a neighbor...or...literally anyone, now that I thought about it...Yashiros presence would only cause more", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "problems. So, left with no other option, I forced myself out of bed and headed after her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My brain was still half asleep, and everything from my neck to", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "my lower back felt like lead. Rubbing my eyes, I stepped out of my room...and spotted Adachi standing at the threshold. From the fact that she wore her uniform, my guess was that shed decided to stop by after school let out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, hey, its Adachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Admittedly, I was kind of surprised to see her here. I looked down at my clothes, and sure enough, they were completely wrinkled, just as I feared they would be.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh well. No big deal-its just Adachi,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I figured, so I didnt bother running back into my room to get changed. Then I realized the little blue one was missing. Wheres Yashiro?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She left. Said she had to go procure dinner, whatever that means.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, right. Shes such a free spirit. So, whats up?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I gave her a look that asked, Did you need something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, you didnt come to school today, so I thought maybe you were sick. I sent you a message, you know, Adachi explained quickly, fiddling with her bangs.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 26", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0025", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 27", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0026", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At the word message, I turned back and glanced in the direction of my room. Where did I put my phone? Oh, right. Its probably still in my bookbag.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, sorry. I left my phone in my bag, so I didnt notice.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At this point, my neck and back started to feel better. Cold air blew through the open front door, clearing the fuzz from my mind. Knowing me, I give it maybe sixty seconds before the cold goes from nice to nightmare.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, why was Adachi here? She looked a bit sulky; her lips pouted slightly. Was she annoyed that I didnt respond to her message?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, anyway, I came by to make sure you were doing okay. Sorry if I woke you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Awww, youre such a sweetheart! I reached out to her completely on impulse, as if she were my little sister; my fingers combed through her hair. But the arm I used was still numb from when Yashiro slept on it, so I couldnt feel much of anything. What a waste.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Initially Adachi flinched when I touched her, but after that, she stared at the floor and let me carry on.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ack, sorry. Force of habit.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I didnt want her to yell at me for being patronizing, so I started to pull away-but she leaned forward with my retreating hand, almost as if she was drawn by magnetic force. Was this her way of saying keep going? As a test, I started petting her again; in response, she fell still. Evidently, I was right.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now I understood precisely what Adachi wanted from me; she wanted something to lean on. Something that would be there for her no matter what.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In the past, that something was the gym-loft wall. We shared that space together, watched the seasons change together, moved on together... Now I", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "was the thing holding her up. How did that happen?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, okay then.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Bashful, Adachi stared at the floor...but she didnt pull away. I didnt know what was going on with her, but at least the feeling started returning to my hand.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She was a needy baby, and Id accepted that. Our connection was", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "as real as the hair between my fingers.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "~Thursday, February 13~", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Unfortunately, after babysitting all day, I wasnt able to go shop for chocolate yesterday. (Yes, Im blaming that on Yashiro, and no, I dont feel bad about it.) Now my only option was today after school, so I spent all of gym class thinking about where to go. After all, grocery-store chocolate bars were casual snacks, not heartfelt gifts. Maybe my sister wouldnt mind if I gave her the cheap stuff, but Adachi absolutely would. At least, I was pretty sure. She seemed to care about formalities a little more than I did.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi and I sat on the sidelines, watching the volleyball sail back and forth through the air while Hino and Nagafuji ran around their half of the court. Hino was doing fine, but Nagafuji moved basically at random, and even I could tell that she was an active detriment to her team. Maybe wear your glasses next time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As the two of us sat side by side on the yellowed and slightly squeaky gym floor, I could almost hear the chirping of last summers cicadas. I glanced at Adachi out of the corner of my eye to find her staring up at the second-floor loft. Evidently, she was reminiscing too. Did some part of her still want to go back there?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sad to say, wed freeze into little ice statues if we tried to hide out up there right now. I was content to simply follow the flow of the ever-changing seasons instead, so I faced forward and pretended not to notice where she was looking. Time to figure out my after-school plans.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The candy store near the bookshop was an option. Its parking lot was always full whenever I passed by, which naturally led me to think the place must be popular. It was also, if memory served, the same place where Id bought a cake for my sisters birthday. Not that I really remembered what the cake tasted like, other than sugary.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I could take the train to Nagoya and check the underground mall-theyd probably have a lot more options there-but, given my inclination toward laziness, it was doubtful I could work up the motivation to actually go. Granted, Adachi would probably appreciate", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "it more if I did, but... Well, I mean, obviously I wanted my gift to make her happy, but... Again, the level of effort made me hesitate.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "By the time gym class ended and lunch period began, Id successfully decided I would bite the bullet and buy something from the local candy store. On to my meal-a premade sandwich Id picked up at the convenience store on my way to school this morning. Adachi also had a sandwich; she washed down each bite with a sip of mineral water. Why did her lunch seem so miserable and bland in comparison? Was it because I couldnt see her face from back here?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sometimes the two of us ate lunch together; sometimes we ate separately. Each day had a fifty-fifty chance of either outcome. But it wasnt like the days of the week were any different from each other-so what was it that inspired Adachi to come sit with me only some of the time? I was a tiny bit curious. Did she only want to eat lunch together on good days? Or was it a consolation prize reserved for bad days?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I contemplated this, my phone rang inside my bookbag. Normally I kept it turned off during school hours, but today I mustve forgotten. Who could possibly be calling me? I took it out to check.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was Tarumi. Her ash-brown hair floated to the forefront of my mind. Tarumis calling me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was something I hadnt anticipated. Since the classroom was a little too loud for a phone call, I stepped out into the hallway, walked to the end, and leaned against the wall. Then I picked up the phone.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hello?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I felt the chill of the wall through my uniform. I pressed my bare thigh against it experimentally and nearly yelped in surprise.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey, Shima-chan. You free today?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She didnt even bother saying its Tarumi-just cut straight to her question. So, was I free today? You mean after school? I was gonna go shopping real quick.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mind if I tag along? Or were you gonna go with your other friends?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The conversation was progressing pretty much the way Id expected it to-in other words, we were planning another hangout. It still felt so sudden, though. What should I say?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was an old friend. Emphasis on old", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". I didnt know this new her. At the same time, if we were friends before-and in fact, we were besties-maybe we could be friends again. Maybe that magic was still there.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nah, no one else is coming, but you can tag along if you want. Where do you wanna meet up?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How about at the station? Maybe in front of the donut shop?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mmm...sure, thatll work. Meet you there after school at like...4:30.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "With this agreement now in place, I hung up. Then I stared at the phone screen and stroked my chin in contemplation. I wasnt expecting to hear from Tarumi, much less see her again, quite so soon.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Guess I am", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "going to see her again, huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I had some faint, lingering reservations about the choice Id made.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In elementary school, Tarumi and I were practically inseparable, like Hino and Nagafuji. So, maybe it wouldnt be that weird...but on the other hand, I wasnt exactly excited, either. Wed have to make up for lost time with a lot of conversation. Granted, wed obviously have to talk about something either way, but... Well, maybe it would all work itself out. In the end, I decided to err on the side of optimism.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anyway, since I was already obligated to go to the train station, maybe it couldnt hurt to ride out to Nagoya and see what they had on offer. One reason was never quite enough to motivate me, but when there were two", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "reasons to do something, I started to delude myself into thinking it was the rational choice. Weird how my brain works.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When I stepped back into the classroom, I found Adachi looking over at me. I waved at her; she waved back stiffly. Nice. Mission accomplished.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Of course, I hadnt actually accomplished anything, but that was neither here nor there-I was now in an uncommonly good mood.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When I walked back to my desk, I found Nagafuji eating my freaking sandwich", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". She chewed slowly, pensively, as if she was ruminating on its flavor.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Little too heavy on the mayo with this one.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What gives you the right to eat my food?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "There she was, sitting at my", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "desk, eating (and critiquing) my", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "lunch. Who do you think you are? Yashiro?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I chased Nagafuji out of my chair and examined my sandwich.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ugh, you took giant", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "bites!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was almost nothing left of it. The crust formed a crescent, like the meager remains of a bombed island. Furthermore, as if in exchange, half of a ground-meat cutlet now sat on my desk.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If you add one of our signature cutlets to your sandwich, itll taste a lot better, Nagafuji explained matter-of-factly, the corners of her mouth sticky with mayonnaise.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gee, thanks for the sales pitch. Ill be sure to let my mom know. I raised a hand and shooed her away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She jogged back over to Hino...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Did you bring me some?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure did.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...and put one final bite of my sandwich into Hinos mouth. You jerks!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I contemplated a counterattack, but from the looks of it, theyd already finished their food. So, I settled for the cutlet instead. Pretty sure I ate this same thing last week, but whatever,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I thought, nibbling cautiously in case Hino and Nagafuji had put something weird inside to prank me. Nope, just ordinary minced meat. Relieved, I glanced over at them. Aaaand theyre thumb wrestling. Never a dull moment with those two.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I shook my head and laughed to myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then Adachi turned and looked back at me. I started to wave at her again, but she beat me to the punch this time. Why did she always have to make it look so awkward? Her movements were tense and jittery, almost like she wasnt sure how long to wave for. It was funny, the way the wave perfectly encapsulated her timid, anxious energy. Still, I waved back smoothly as if trying to set an example.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For once, my lunchtime wasnt quite so bland.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was fun to share a classroom with Hino, Nagafuji, and Adachi. I", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "enjoyed their silly antics. But this would only last another two months at most.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What sort of springtime was in the cards for me?", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This time of year, I always hated having to go outside. Silently, I cursed whoever decided to put Valentines Day in February. I mean, obviously there were probably legitimate cultural reasons for that. Plus, it couldnt happen in summer or else the chocolate would melt. But, in that case, why focus on chocolate at all?", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "First, I hurried home to change clothes; then I rode our family bicycle to the train station. Times like these, I was really starting to wish I had a bike of my own so I could get to and from school more easily. Maybe I could pick up a short-term part-time job during spring vacation. I should ask Adachi about it, since she knows more about this stuff than I do.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Fighting against the flow of people-students young and old, all of them heading home for the day-I soon arrived at the station. By the time I reached the donut shop, Tarumi was already waiting for me in the exact same spot where Adachi and I had eaten our donuts. She wore her school uniform, but didnt carry a bookbag; when she spotted me, she pulled her shoes on and rose to her feet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sup!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Good evening, I greeted her, then immediately realized it wasnt evening yet. But, instead of correcting myself, I fell silent.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She led me to the nearby escalator, and we hopped on. I hadnt told her about my plans, but apparently she was contemplating somewhere in the general direction of Nagoya too. As I stared at the back of Tarumis head, something felt ever-so-faintly wrong about this. Almost like I was hanging out with a stranger.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, what are you going shopping for?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chocolate.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh yeah? You got a boyfriend or something? she asked excitedly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, but Im guessing you probably do.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nah, its just for a friend, I answered.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We never would have gossiped about boys back in elementary school. I guess we really have grown up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But when comparing my memories to my reality, my memories were bound to lose. A tiny pinprick of melancholy pierced my chest.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh really?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, really.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Like a baby bird, our conversation fluttered and flopped, but never quite got off the ground. Try as we might, we couldnt spread our wings and take flight. The lost time worked against us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I bought a ticket from the ticket machine on the second floor, I thought about Adachi. If she saw me hanging out with another friend, I was pretty sure things would get...you know...weird", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Like if shed seen me holding hands with Yashiro that one time. That kind of weird.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I hardly ever took the train in general, especially not at this time of day, so it felt kind of surreal to pass through the turnstiles. On the staircase, we crossed paths with some Nagoya high-school students. Tarumi started walking faster; I picked up the pace to match. She mustve realized that the Nagoya-bound train had already pulled up to the platform.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When we reached the landing, the intercom informed us that the train would depart shortly, so we raced into the closest car. Wed only taken a few steps inside by the time the doors closed behind us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Close shave, huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, we really cut it close.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Breathing heavily, Tarumi smoothed down her hair. Meanwhile, I straightened my shirt. We turned in the direction of the trains movement. Up ahead, there was a single seat available in a cluster of four facing each other; Tarumi and I exchanged a glance, but neither of us took the initiative.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wanna sit down? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You can if you want to, she replied.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There was an awkward silence as we stood there, frozen-staring at each other, but not really seeing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I caved.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay then...I guess Ill...sit down?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Neither of us were actively trying to be polite; we were both just too reserved to make a move. Maybe if there were two free seats, this wouldve played out a little more smoothly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Even after I took the seat, however, I still felt incredibly awkward.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gripping the grab rail nearest me, Tarumi stood directly in front of me. She stooped slightly, as if to get a good look at my face. What were we supposed to talk about now? I dug through my old memories, hoping for something I could use as a reference, but nothing came to mind. Our favorite snacks? Field trips at school? Anime?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My mind was all over the place, desperately poring over anything and everything I remembered, but I couldnt concentrate on any one memory in particular. Instead, I decided my only option was to default to a safe topic: current events.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So...youre in high school now, huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, man. Check out this uniform!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She tugged her sleeve and laughed. I laughed with her. God, Im so stupid.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Youre in high school too, right, Shima-chan?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Duh. Were the same age, remember?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now that wed both stated the obvious, we fell silent. The conversation was threatening to die. This looming silence with her was different-tenser-compared to silence with Adachi. When Adachi and I ran out of things to say, the air between us grew cold...but at least we could revive it with a little warmth. With Tarumi, however, it felt like I was trying to reheat stale, month-old leftovers.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Some things were just better-off thrown out and replaced.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Are you actually going to school these days? I asked. I heard you skip.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sometimes I go, sometimes I dont. What about you? Your hair cant seem to make up its mind. She reached out and grabbed two", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "strands of my hair-one dark, one bleached. I looked at them as she held them up, suspended aloft like a bugs antennae.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Brown and black. New me, old me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Say, what was it you used to call me back in elementary school? Tarumi asked, stooping a bit lower. Her question-and her gaze-made my heart skip a beat.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As she reached out to touch the past, her hand pricked me like a tiny thorn.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dunno. I forget.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Truth be told, I still remembered...but my embarrassment won out. As a result, my reply came out a lot more flippant than I meant it to.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For a moment, Tarumi stared, eyes wide, mouth agape. My expression followed suit as I realized my error. I pursed my lips tightly together as if they were frozen stiff.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She let go of my hair and closed her eyes. Youve really changed, havent you, Shima-chan?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe that was my biggest problem. The old me was so different, she was practically another person. Cheerful, friendly, ditzy, free-spirited... Honestly, I was a lot like Yashiro back then. Was that the version of me Tarumi hoped to hang out with? I felt so awkward, almost like I was the Adachi of this friendship.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Real life just wasnt as malleable as memories were.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tarumi turned her back to me and stared out the window for a long, long moment. As that moment wore on, I started to wish the train would make a U-turn so I could go home. Fortunately(?), not long after I started bargaining with God to get me out of here, we pulled into Nagoya station.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was only a twenty-minute train ride, if that, yet somehow it had felt three times longer than my least-favorite class at school. My joints were stiff, and my body felt like lead. Evidently, stress had descended over my physical form like a light dusting of snow.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As we silently deboarded the train onto the platform, Tarumi and I encountered crowds upon crowds of people waiting in lines. While we", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "walked past, my nose picked up all sorts of smells, both good and bad. As we stepped through the turnstiles, the variety of scents only increased further.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "On our way to the department store, Tarumi looked at the stations trademark Golden Clock. Do you remember the murder that happened here a few years ago?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What? There was a murder?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didnt recollect that at all. Reflexively, I looked up at the clock, then back down at the people waiting beneath it. It was such a popular landmark, I could scarcely imagine a corpse or bloodstain under it. Time marches on, I guess.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, there was. Big cities are scary like that, huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No kidding, I nodded.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And so, the two country bumpkins entered the department store.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We passed the kiosks of hats and purses and boarded the down escalator-Tarumi in front, me behind her. Something about this felt off, but I couldnt quite put my finger on it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As with the last time Id been here, the basement floor brimmed with people. The lights were unnaturally bright to the point that they actually made me uncomfortable. At first I wandered aimlessly, but then I smelled something sugary and tracked it to the confectionery section.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Both Tarumi and I were too busy looking around to really try to have a conversation. If we put the effort in, we could surely have dug up some old anecdote to wax nostalgic about, but the winter ground was too cold and hard for those seeds of potential to take root.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It wasnt supposed to be like this. Tarumi could tell I felt that way, too. I couldnt even look her in the eye.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once we entered the confectionery section, I started to have second thoughts about shopping for chocolate. I had failed to ask Adachi what kind she liked, so I didnt have any idea what to look for. After a moment of internal debate, I decided Id buy my gift at the kiosk with the longest line at the register. After all, if a lot of people shopped there, then clearly the products had to be good stuff, right? It felt like a logical deduction, but at the same time, it also felt like the", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "easy way out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Since Tarumi wasnt planning to buy anything, I didnt really see the need for her to line up, but she joined me nonetheless. Now I felt guilty for dragging her here...but if I tried to apologize, I would come off as distant. Then again, we werent exactly best friends anymore.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Here in this warm, bustling hub of social activity, we were as cold as winter itself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After a long, long wait, I finally bought my chocolates. Tarumi and I both heaved deep sighs, as though we shared the physical strain of overexerting ourselves in an unfamiliar social setting.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, at least thats one thing we have in common,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought sadly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We walked silently to the escalator, stepped aboard, and rode back up to the ground floor. The only sound was my paper bag crinkling. Directly ahead of us, I caught sight of an LED display-used for advertising purposes, but currently deactivated-positioned outside the station. Beyond the display lay the purple sunset.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This was normally the part when I would ask where we were headed next-if there was anywhere she wanted to go. But my gaze was fixed straight ahead, and the words wouldnt come.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tarumi was waiting for me to say it...or, more accurately, waiting for the old me to step out from behind the curtain. But if so, shed be waiting a long time. The only words I could offer her were those the chilly winter air drove out of me. The words of a coward.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, well...time to go home, I guess?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Perhaps agonizing was the best way to describe this moment.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was supposed to be fun and exciting, to breathe new life into an old friendship. But in reality, there was no magic spark. The air between us was heavy, suffocating, and downright frustrating.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If I were to lay the blame at someones feet, most likely the fault was mine. I didnt know how to rekindle the fire, so instead I shuddered in the cold.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We walked all the way back to the turnstiles without any detours. Honestly speaking, I didnt expect the shopping trip to be over quite", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "this quickly. Id spent more time waiting in line than talking to my so-called friend.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Good thing I hadnt emailed my mom to tell her that I wouldnt need any dinner tonight. That wasnt a conscious choice made in anticipation of this outcome, yet it ended up working out in my favor regardless.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I turned to look at Tarumi-scratching her head, eyes closed, like she was tired. Tired of the new me. Surprisingly enough, the thought really hurt.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, I pretended not to see her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We passed through the turnstiles, up the stairs, and directly onto the crowded rush-hour train.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "To the right, night had fallen; to the left, the sunset still faintly lingered. Almost as if the train cars windows were barriers between two separate worlds. Swaying in the crowd, I let my mind float away into the darkness like a lantern set adrift.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What value did people see in the past? Was it a time when they were happier? More innocent? Back before they got hurt? If so, all these things equally applied to myself. But my past was bound in brambles, and if I tried to pull it close, the thorns would cut me deep. I didnt have the experience required to navigate around them without getting injured.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I couldnt think of any especially bad memories off the top of my head, but my past self was just so different from my current self, I didnt want to look her in the eye. Maybe, in a way, I didnt like change...or maybe I just really liked the person I was right now? Yeah, that makes sense.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wanted to stay the way I was-I didnt want to remember the version of me who never learned from her mistakes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Classic teenager nonsense,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I scoffed to myself as I pretended to be unaffected.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just then, my phone beeped. Since I was standing there in silence, I managed to hear it through the hum of noise in the train car. It was an email from Adachi. Casually shielding my phone from Tarumis view, I opened the email curiously.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Are you free tomorrow would you want to go somewhere and hang out", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The message was one big jumble with no punctuation, as if she wrote it really quickly. I pictured her typing on her phone at the speed of light and chuckled to myself; Tarumi heard and looked over at me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whats so funny?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh? Oh, uh, nothing, I replied, pressing a hand to my mouth. For some reason, I didnt want to tell her...and that felt like an indication of where things stood with our friendship. I promptly wrote back to Adachi. Sure, no problem.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This was the friendship I cherished today.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The train arrived at our little town. Tarumi got off first, and I followed after her. That was when I realized that we hadnt spent much time walking side by side. Adachi, however, always", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "wanted to walk next to me-mostly so she could hold my hand.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was a time when I used to walk shoulder to shoulder with Tarumi, but now we walked single file...and the moment we entered a crowd, we might just go our separate ways forever. That was where we stood right now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once we went through the turnstiles, my former best friend turned back to me. Strangers passed her in a steady stream on both sides, and the current was starting to pull her away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She raised a hand casually. Well...see you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There was a hesitant pause as Tarumi offered a curt goodbye. I stood there, stock-still, and watched her go.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is this what you want?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The question swayed me as if I was in the train car all over again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then I realized something. At some point Id made a mistake-some sort of stumble along the way-and Id probably have an easier time saying goodbye if I made sure to correct it first.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I couldnt change my past self, but I could change this. I could change us", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Something held me back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Something I couldnt quite define.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mmmmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I knew what I was supposed to do, yet all I could do was groan. My brain boiled.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mmmnngh...!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Figure it out already!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I smacked the back of my head. Hard. My vision swam from the impact.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then, at last, I realized what I needed to do.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Staring into the fog wouldnt get me anywhere, but if I blurred myself to match, I started to see something. I ran after it, deep into the forest. Before it disappeared completely, I reached out and seized those brambles with all my might.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For once, it wasnt the pain I was afraid of.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Taru-chaaaan!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I had no thorns in my palms-only flushed cheeks and a thumping heart.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once upon a time, she was my favorite person in the whole world. Would my voice reach her through the crowd?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No. She was fading into the distance, one step at a time. She couldnt hear me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My arms slumped to my sides-but then I decided to try again. I cupped my hands firmly around my mouth.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "IM TALKING TO YOU, TARU-CHAAAAN!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was the old me calling out to her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I couldnt turn my back on the present. For most people, change didnt come easily. So, really, this was just a tiny fraction of the old me, briefly rising to the surface.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tarumi whirled around suddenly, the same way she had at the butcher shop the day we reunited. She had a shocked look on her face; I didnt know what I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "looked like, but if I had to guess, I was probably smiling.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ill see you around!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My voice was loud and cheerful, like it used to be back in the days when I believed in forever.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If memory served, Ill see you around was the last thing Id said to her back in elementary school-a turn of phrase so casual, it didnt even count as a promise. Back then, I was so sure Id see her again soon...and then soon turned into years. Did she even remember?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The truant girl raised her hand and waved emphatically, grinning from ear to ear as if we were kids again. All these years later, we were exchanging the same unspoken vow to one day meet again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Would there even be", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "a next time? I didnt know. Our friendship had long since rusted over and fallen apart. Maybe the wreckage had simply caught the light at just the right angle.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But there was one thing I could say for sure: Tarumis smile was so electrifying, it zapped me right down to my fingertips.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And so, the fourteenth finally rolled around.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Man, that took forever.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 28", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0027", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Interlude:", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A Visit to the Butchers Shop", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Part 5", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "D", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "OES HINO", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "like my boobs?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She always seemed to find an excuse to touch them-or rather, hit them. Pretty hard, too. Sometimes it really hurt, so I always did my best to block her. So, did she like them, or what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What are you pretending to think about now, huh? Hino teased across the table from me. She was always close at hand.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The easiest option would be to ask her directly, of course, but someone once told me that I needed to think critically for myself sometimes...or did they? On second thought, maybe I read that in a manga. Regardless of where I picked it up, though, it was still an important lesson. So, I stopped eating and started thinking.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Personally, I hated", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "my boobs. They always drew attention to themselves, and it made me self-conscious. But if Hino liked them, then maybe it was time I re-evaluated how I felt about them.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mmmmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You can think about it all you want, but no matter what it is, youre just going to forget three seconds from now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Rude! Im not THAT dumb!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I looked at Hino. Her chest was...meager...and she was short. The exact opposite of me. How did we turn out so differently when wed eaten so much of the same food growing up? Note to self: ask her about it later.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Right now, I needed to think about why Hino enjoyed touching someone elses bosom. Did she like my boobs or not? Which was it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mmmnngh...!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Here, have some chocolate.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gahhh!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And so, I pretty much completely forgot whatever it was I was agonizing about.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 29", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0028", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "~", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Todays Adachi Forecast~", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How often can I email Shimamura without it being weird?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I debated the issue for days and days and days... Then I realized that two weeks had passed since my last email, so I sent another.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Two weeks it is.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 30", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0029", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 4:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Marigold", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(A Saints Loving Embrace)", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "T", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "O NO ONES SURPRISE,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "least of all my own, I didnt get any sleep that night. As I squinted against the rays of morning sun streaming in between the gaps in the curtains, I summed myself up in one sentence.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I never learn.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The slightest shake of my head resulted in throbbing pain, as if my brain was slamming against my skull. I felt like a little kid whod been too excited to sleep the night before a field trip. Lethargy weighed on my body like a ton of bricks, and I closed my eyes. In the darkness, I could focus on the sound of my own breathing and shut off my other four senses. Detached from my shoulders and my heavy head, I exhaled, then inhaled again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I repeated this process a few times until, oddly enough, the sluggish feeling began to recede. Once it was gone, I reached over and grabbed my phone beside my pillow. I checked my inbox just in case, but I hadnt received any messages since Shimamuras Sure, no problem.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I hopped out of bed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If I was going to make my ghostly pale face a little more presentable, I had to put on at least a bit of makeup. But first Id need to get dressed, maybe have some toast, wash my face... Bit by bit, I planned out my morning routine in my head.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "One silver lining-I didnt end up wearing my cheongsam", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "out of desperation this time. That said, Shimamura did", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "seem to like the dress, and if she asked me to, Id wear it for her anytime. Then again, knowing me, Id probably do anything", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Man, Im such a terminal case...or maybe its normal? No, probably not... Yeah, Ive got it pretty bad.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My head already ached, and this internal conflict only added to it. The pain made me feel sick to my stomach.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The temperature in the hallway outside my room wasnt much different. The floor felt like ice.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Am I in trouble...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Given how cold it was, I wasnt sure Shimamura would choose me over her warm kotatsu", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was only 50 percent joking about the kotatsu", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "thing, but when I saw Shimamura walk into the classroom, my worries melted away like snow under spring sun. Only in winter could I truly feel", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "her presence fill my chest with warmth. In fact, if wed been the only two people in the room, I probably wouldve waved and shouted like an excitable puppy. Suddenly, I no longer cared how sleep-deprived I was, all thanks to my sunshine.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ugh, sunshine.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I had figured Id get over my initial embarrassment after a while, but nope. Still cringey.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Instead of heading straight to her desk, Shimamura walked over to me first. Already?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Frozen in fear, I raised my arms slightly as if to brace for impact.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She smiled. Dont worry. I made sure to bring it. With that, she walked away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Right. Of course she wouldnt give it to me in public.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "By no means did that surprise me, but it felt like agony to have to wait-as if I was her dog, and shed commanded me to stay", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". Okay, maybe it wasnt quite that bad. But if I was her dog, then shed hold me in her arms and let me curl up on her lap. Now that I thought about it, being her dog sounded pretty appealing. No, no, no. No, no, no!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I dug my nails into my forehead, willing myself to come to my senses.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Previously Id wondered whether Id possibly turned into a total buffoon in recent months, and this removed all doubt from my mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A few minutes into first period, I turned around and made eye contact with Shimamura. Was this what it felt like to have your mom in the classroom with you during Bring Your Parents to School Day back in grade school? I turned and faced forward, scribbling circles in my notebook with my mechanical pencil.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If our eyes met...that meant Shimamura was looking at me, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Of course, given that I sat between her and the chalkboard, one could say that it was only natural she was looking in my direction. That would mean she constantly looked at me from behind. Did she notice me acting weird at all? What if she could secretly read minds, and she knew about all my daydreams during class? Id probably kill myself. Fortunately, I hadnt noticed her shrinking away from me in terror, so I was pretty sure she couldnt read my mind...like 95 percent sure. But if at any point that changed, and she clapped me on the shoulder and said, Puberty must be hard for you, I would literally", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "die.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "These thoughts had me so distracted, I could scarcely focus on class. I glanced around the room. No one else seemed giddy about the holiday; to them, it was apparently just another day. Was I the only person on Earth who was excited for Valentines Day? Nobody else? Really?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maybe they were all just waiting until school let out. Hell, so was I. And if I let myself get this worked up at 9 A.M., I wasnt going to last until 3. I needed to relax and outline my goals for the day: go to Nagoya, buy chocolate, and do the gift exchange. Anything else was a bonus.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe I should make a memo,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I thought. But when I looked down at my hands...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I had drawn a big circle in the center of my paper, right in the middle of my notes-so dark, I probably wouldnt be able to erase it fully. I looked at the circle, thought about it for a moment, then added petals along the outer rim.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A dark flower bloomed ominously in my hands.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I couldnt remember a thing that happened during my afternoon classes. At some point after lunch, my brain ran out of memory and shut down. As evidence of that, I had a massive headache. Clearly, this was sleep deprivation taking a toll on my body.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I still had the rest of the day to look forward to, yet my weak-", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "willed heart already yearned for my bed. I pinched my heavy eyelids; they made a pleasant popping sound as I blinked. I told myself it was the sound of my body rejuvenating, then rose to my feet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I needed to get to Shimamura before anyone else could, so I hurried to her desk. She looked up at me, her textbooks in hand, and slowly smiled. Are we still on for today?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah. If Id had a tail, it wouldve wagged like crazy right about now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anywhere in particular you want to go?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was thinking Nagoya-is that okay? Or is it too far?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nagoya? she repeated quietly, her eyes wide. Was it too much of a leap?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Before I could explain myself, she suddenly burst out laughing. Now I was worried for a different reason altogether; after all, I had no clue what she found so funny about this.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Incredible, she said. Almost like fate, isnt it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh? What are you talking about?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, nothing. If you hadnt suggested Nagoya, I was about to. Lets get going! She haphazardly stuffed her textbooks into her bag, then jumped up from her chair.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait, so...she wanted to go to Nagoya, too?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was acting so unlike herself, it gave me pause.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then she peered into my eyes. So, what do you want to do when we get to Nagoya?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Buy chocolate... I, uh, havent bought any yet, and...I thought maybe itd be fun to wait until the big day and-", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura burst out laughing once again right in the middle of my excuse. Ha ha ha ha! You wanna buy chocolate in Nagoya, huh? Sounds like a good idea!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I fell silent. What was going on with her? Was she just...in a really good mood? Something felt different about her, but I couldnt put my finger on what. It was a total mystery. Either way, I was glad to see that she was enthusiastic about hanging out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Come to think of it, she had yet to give me her gift. I glanced", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "furtively at her; she quickly sensed what was on my mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Did you want your chocolate?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I nodded three times in quick succession.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She patted her bookbag. I wanna wait until you buy mine. Otherwise its not a fair exchange, you know?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I have to wait even longer? Ugh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Still, she had a point. Apparently, I was Shimamuras dog through and through. I scratched my nose in embarrassment.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You sure you dont wanna go home and change into your Chinese dress first? she teased after we arrived at the bike-parking area.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I scowled and contemplated a witty response. If you want me to wear it so badly, then I dont mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Unfortunately, it came out as, If...you...want me to...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I stumbled over practically every word. Even the fried rice at my job could speak better Japanese than me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, no. Itd take too long, Shimamura replied. Evidently, she thought I was being serious. But for the record, no, I wasnt. Obviously.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Before I could humiliate myself further, I hopped onto my bike, and Shimamura followed suit. We hadnt even left campus yet, but oh well-I started pedaling.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura was probably the only person who would ever ride on the back of my bike for the rest of time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At least, I secretly hoped so.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When we arrived at the train station, Shimamura looked at the clock and said, Oh, we can still make the train if we run! I had no idea how shed memorized the train schedule that well, but we started running anyway. We came to a stop and caught our breath as the escalator carried us up to the second floor. Then, once we were at the landing, we took off again.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When Shimamura was the one calling the shots, even exercise could be fun. Kinda.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As we passed through the turnstiles and up to the train platform, a regular (non-express) train was waiting for us on the right-hand side, so we piled onto it. It wasnt as packed as the express train, but it was still decently full. Of all the seats in this particular car, only one was open-an end seat.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Looks like theres a free seat, Shimamura commented. Then she laughed. Again. Why dont you take it, Adachi?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im good. You can have it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, I think you should have it. You were sleeping in class.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This took the wind right out of my sails. Man, I hate our seating arrangement.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, fine...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Reluctantly, I sat on the very edge of the seat. Shimamura looked at me, and then a beat later she started laughing again. Why the heck is she so giggly today? Is she just in a good mood? Because...because shes with me? Because were hanging out? Or...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As an alternate explanation occurred to me, I reached up and touched my cheek.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hey, Shimamura?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Does my face look weird, by any chance? I asked anxiously. Maybe that was what she was laughing at.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At my question, Shimamuras eyes widened in surprise. Wait, so it doesnt? Was that question stupid?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My gaze flitted restlessly to and fro. Then Shimamura started laughing again. Seriously, what is with her today?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Still, her high spirits were like a soothing balm for my nerves.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "On a non-express train, I think it should take us, like, twenty or so minutes to get there, she said.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uh...yeah, I nodded, although I didnt actually know for sure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Holding on to the grab rail, Shimamura peered down at me. Kind of a boring ride, dont you think?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 31", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0030", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 32", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0031", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It felt as if she was telling me", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "to come up with an entertaining solution, when normally that was her job.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay then, uh...wanna play word chain or something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A split-second after I suggested it, I cursed my stupidity. What am I, five?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But Shimamura agreed without hesitation. Sure, that works.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Seriously?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Before I could recover, she started us off. Apple.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uhh...escarole.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wow, thats a curveball. Okay, something with E... Um...Easter.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Rui-be", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I dont think most people would know what that is, much less how to spell it!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We continued our quiet little game of word chain. Meanwhile, the train stopped at each station, and other passengers came and went. There were several opportunities when we couldve moved to newly vacated seats elsewhere in the train car, but we stayed right where we were, as if we were scared of losing our momentum.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then it was my turn again, and my letter was L.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A word that started with L...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Lo...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Love.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Lohhvh!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was a word I would ordinarily never say aloud, and my tongue stumbled over it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura blinked. What was that", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "supposed to be?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Louvre...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, that. Yeah, I dont know how to pronounce that, either.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She bought my lie without an ounce of doubt. Thank you, France,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought as the taste of copper spread in my mouth.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We arrived at Nagoya Station, and I found myself wishing that it had taken a little longer, since I enjoyed the feeling of being on a trip", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "with Shimamura. I wanted to go to all kinds of places with her-not just take these quick little trips-and this dream illuminated my path forward.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not that I really needed any extra light at the moment. It was blindingly bright down here on the department stores basement floor-so bright, I was afraid everyone could see my uvula every time I opened my mouth. The place was packed full of people, too. Like high school, only ten times worse. It was kind of surreal, actually.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As we entered the confectionery section, Shimamura pointed at one kiosk seemingly at random. Whoa, check out that huge line! You could probably buy it there, couldnt you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure enough, the kiosk had a very long line, which suggested that the place was popular. Everyone standing in said line was female.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But if we get in that line, youll have to wait a long time, she added.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Before I could suggest a different kiosk, Shimamura nodded pensively. Lets see... She pulled out her phone like she was checking something. Eh, were good, she murmured to herself, then looked back at me. Lets just think of something to kill time. Something that isnt word chain this time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Normally Shimamura would never", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "want to go to all this hassle, so she mustve been in a ridiculously good mood today. As happy as it made me, I was still really confused...but at the very least, I wasnt scared.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, uh...how about...thumb wrestling...? I suggested, since that would give me an excuse to hold her hand. Once again, it was something a grade-schooler would think of.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yet she agreed to it nonetheless. Sure, that works. Shes such a big-sister type.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A wave of warmth washed over me at the thought.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We were there, thumb wrestling, for nearly twenty minutes as we waited in line. Then, finally, I succeeded in buying chocolate. That said, it was just a variety pack, with no heart shapes or anything to suggest a Valentines theme...because that was the only thing they had left in stock.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With my gift now acquired, we relocated to a corner of the basement floor-the area with the elevators and some available seats.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Here, the crowds werent quite as robust. We sat down facing each other, and Shimamura grinned at me for the umpteenth time. If only she knew how badly that stressed me out every time she did it. After all, it meant I had to stay on guard to keep myself from grinning like an idiot.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, time for me to come clean. She pulled out a package from the same kiosk. I actually bought your chocolate at the exact same place yesterday.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, gotcha... Wait, what?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why would she encourage me to buy hers there if it meant wed end up giving each other the exact same thing? Did she want to try these specific chocolates or something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay, time to trade, said Shimamura. Here you go! Happy Valentines Day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was still kind of confused, but...a gift was a gift, I guess...so we exchanged the exact same box of chocolates. In a way, it felt like discarding a playing card only to draw that exact same card all over again, but in our case, it had more meaning. I exchanged chocolates with Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This alone was huge. Surely nothing else that happened today could possibly be more important than that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dont just use them for decoration, okay? Promise me youll eat them before they expire.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She probably meant this as a joke, of course, but I began to sweat internally. How did she know?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay then, uh...Ill eat them right now, I blurted to deflect my panic.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wow, you move quick. She blinked, mildly surprised.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just like that, I opened the cling wrap and lifted the lid. Sure enough, inside was a variety assortment, the exact same one Id bought for her. I grabbed a chocolate at random and popped it into my mouth. As I chewed, I discovered a tart, fruity flavor concealed beneath the milky sweetness. Very satisfying indeed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its good, I told her, predictably.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She peered up at my face from a low angle. You really think so?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uh...yeah...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She stared at me ever more curiously, leaning in closer. For some reason, she was really skeptical. Then I noticed how close we were, and I found myself thinking, You know, maybe its not so bad having my sincerity questioned.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just then, Shimamura pressed her fingers to the corner of my lips. Confused, I stared back at her as she poked at me again and again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The chocolate had long since melted in my mouth, but its sweetness lingered.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, I believe you, she said. Apparently accepting my word as true, she pulled back. Idly, I wondered if there was anything suspicious I could do to weaken my case.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why dont you have one, too? On a whim, I picked up a white chocolate and offered it to her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay then, Ill try one.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She reached out to take it-but I dodged her fingers and held it up to her mouth instead. Um...say ahh!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Silence.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uh, hello? Please say something before this chocolate melts between my fingers. Im dying.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uhh...okay... With mild reluctance in her voice, she leaned forward and took a bite of the chocolate. She chewed for a moment. Oh, wow, these are", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "good!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She patted her gift box happily. Evidently, she was looking forward to opening hers later. In that case, I was glad we both got the same thing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I figured Id save the rest of the chocolates for another time, so I carefully replaced the lid and packaging. I wanted to take my time and really savor them.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To avoid the excess crowds, we took the stairs back up to the ground floor. When we arrived at the landing, Shimamura pulled out her cell phone once again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Almost time now, she muttered to herself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For what? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She tucked her phone away. Just follow me, okay?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With that, she started walking. I followed curiously alongside her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She led me outside the train station, and as we arrived at an area with a weird silver art installation, the night wind came to greet us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Over there, she declared, pointing in the direction of the barely-sufficient shrubbery. We walked over and looked up at the LED display affixed there. It looked like a billboard, but nothing was currently displayed, and the whole thing was dark.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I noticed that, for some reason, a whole bunch of opposite-sex couples were gathered around, staring up at the LED display. What were they waiting for? I shot an inquiring look at Shimamura. She smirked at me out of the corner of her eye.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It starts at six. Oh, there it goes!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She pointed at the LED display, and I shifted my gaze in kind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There, on what was once an empty signboard, were dozens of messages-I love you, so-and-so", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": " and hugs kisses XOXO", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": " and a bunch of other cheesy stuff that gave me secondhand embarrassment. The text scrolled horizontally, like a trains announcement screen. As each new message appeared, I heard giddy shouts of That ones mine! and I wrote that! from the crowd. Evidently, these were special Valentines Day messages.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then, amid all the other messages, I saw it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "LETS KEEP ROCKIN!! Shimamura Hougetsu", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The name was written in kanji, and at first, I didnt recognize it...but then it clicked. Shimamura", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh! I did a double take. Your first name is Hougetsu?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wait, what? Why is your name up there? Confused, I looked from Shimamura to the screen and back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She grinned playfully, like a little kid. This late-night horoscope show was running a special promotion, so I entered.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Instantly, I knew exactly what she was talking about, because Id watched the exact same horoscope show myself. Wait... She watched that show every night?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This took me by surprise.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then another realization hit me-this", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "was the prize the show", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "offered?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I didnt actually think Id show up in person to see it, though, so I just wrote something generic. She turned back to the display. I followed suit, but her message had already scrolled offscreen, replaced by someone elses. Man, look at em go! she laughed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was still thinking about Shimamuras message. Was it addressed to me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But, like...what does that mean", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...? I muttered.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh? It means what it sounds like! Keep rockin! You need me to demonstrate...? She seemed to be struggling.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That only flustered me worse. I mean, like, whats the general idea behind it? Lets stay friends, or...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is that it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wondered. Is it that simple? What if she rolls her eyes at me for being stupid?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I panicked, Shimamura thrust a fist into the air. Whoooo! She lowered her arm as quickly as shed raised it. Hows that? she asked, tilting her head.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh...o-okay... That works. Likewise, I thrust my fist into the air. Whoooo.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whatever she hoped this would be like, she was probably pretty disappointed right about now. Quietly, she watched as my arm slowly sank back down to my side.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "On second thought, maybe it was the perfect message for you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When I wrote it, you were the person on my mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She let out a dopey chuckle in an exaggerated display of bashfulness...and that was what pushed me over the edge. The water level in my chest rose, and then a veritable tidal wave of joy swiftly swept me off my feet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura wanted to stay friends with me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was so consumed with emotion, my tongue numbed. My mind went blank-my vision went blank-until all I could process were bits and pieces. Scenery. Motion.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The next thing I knew, I pressed up against her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I couldnt breathe. I couldnt blink. All sound was drowned out, and I could no longer move or feel my individual body parts, not even my arms wrapped around her. In that moment, I was just one solid mass. Even my sight blurred.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But there was one thing I knew for certain-Shimamura was here in my arms, and I was in hers.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 33", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0032", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 34", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0033", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her voice rippled against my neck, diverting my attention to the ringing in my ears. My eyeballs felt as if they were boiling in my skull. When I could stand it no longer, I clapped Shimamura hard on the back. I felt my flushed ears throbbing hard.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ghhcck!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Coughing violently, Shimamura pulled away, and the feeling returned to my limbs. Then the blood drained from my face-only to come rushing back with a vengeance. Someone, please, teach my body how to relax.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Where did that come fr- Shimamura began, only to be interrupted by more coughing. I felt both guilty and embarrassed; my tongue faltered and failed to carry out an apology. My windpipe was so tight, it felt as if I was about to start coughing, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sorry, I choked, with all the strength I could muster from my throat. My neck cramped up and started to ache. The pain slowly radiated down my spine.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I just wasnt expecting it. Scratching her neck, Shimamura glanced around slightly, as though worried about drawing attention.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Granted, it was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "kinda weird...you know, hugging it out in public...especially since we were both girls. In my head, I understood that, but my body had moved on autopilot.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anyway, yeah, um...lets not do the surprise silent hug thing anymore, okay? she continued, as if gently reprimanding a child.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I nodded vigorously. Wait... Does that mean its cool as long as I say something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, youre okay with it? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I mean, as long as I...you know...ask first, or something? I gestured with my arms as though I was some kind of pincer claw.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She stared at me for a moment, and then it clicked. Huh? You want to hug me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wavered...then nodded meekly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her eyes darted around awkwardly. What for?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did...did you seriously just ask me that?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At this, I started to panic. It had just been an impulse-there was no clear reasoning behind it. I needed Shimamura...but obviously I couldnt just say that flat out! Then I saw her shivering in the wind and thought of a plausible answer.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Because...youre warm? I guess?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She looked back at me dubiously, her eyes narrowed. My first instinct was to come up with a different excuse to cover for the first one, but I could already tell that I would end up digging my own grave if I tried. I was now completely cornered. So, with no other option left, I decided to fully commit to my original answer, come hell or high water.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lets warm up! I suggested.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I could practically feel steam rising from my face and ears. Truth be told, I didnt really need any extra warmth; I felt like I was trapped in a sauna from the neck up. But that was where Shimamura came in, right?! Yes, I could foist some of this extra heat onto her instead! What a wholesome reason for a hug!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Spurred on by the momentum Id created, I opened my arms wide. Her lips twisted in an uneven frown. Then, after gazing down at her box of chocolates for a moment, she packed it into her bookbag and gave the whole thing two firm pats. She shook her head slightly, then looked back at me with a strained smile as she gave her usual answer.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uhhh...sure, why not.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Up on the display screen, dozens of messages flew by, seemingly too fast for me to read. That was probably just a hallucination on my part, though.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Meanwhile, Shimamura spread her arms out in a T-pose and waited. All right, bring it in.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This presented a problem for me, because I definitely", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "wasnt brave enough to run into her arms. Lowering mine back to my sides, I slowly approached her. But then I saw her start to shiver and felt the sudden urge to hurry, and as a result, I nearly tripped over my own two feet. Fortunately, she was there to catch me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whmmph", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oof! Shimamura let out a groan of pain as my forehead collided with her collarbone.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was likewise knocked dizzy by the impact. Panic made everything fly by in fast-forward, and the ringing in my ears was deafening, but at least I could still feel her collarbone this time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You know, when I said lets keep rockin, this isnt exactly what I had in mind...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I pressed my face against her chest, a small sigh ruffled my hair-a sigh that said, Oh, you. She patted me softly on the back. You call this warm? Youre all skin and bones!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I relaxed my tense body, resting my weight against her. My forehead still pressed down hard against her collarbone.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Agh! she groaned again from somewhere above me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did everyone around us think we were weird? Were they laughing at us? I didnt know-I could only see Shimamura. In that sense, it was heaven on earth. This was everything I had ever dreamed of.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But as I drifted along in a warm, blissful haze, I started to worry that perhaps it was all just a dream. I needed something to prove that it was real. So, I lifted my barely functional arms and wrapped them around her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 35", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0034", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yashiro Comes Calling", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Part 5", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "M HERE", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "for my chocolate.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whoa!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Out of nowhere, a little blue head of hair springs up at my side. Judging by the color, its Yachi. Im used to bumping into her on the street on my way home from school, but not in my own front yard! Was she waiting for me to get here?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ahem", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "! Im here for my chocolate!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She swings her arms around, so I start doing it back. Oh no. I did buy some chocolate for her at some point, but then I felt like eating it, so I did. It was so good, too. No regrets.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Valentines Day is over now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But our promise isnt, she grins.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ugh...that was a pretty cool comeback. I never knew that asking for chocolate could be so suave. Hmmmm.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just a sec! I say.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yachi stands firmly at attention; I leave her outside and dash into the house. No sign of my sisters shoes by the door, which means she isnt home yet. I drop my bag off in our room, take out my wallet, and go back outside.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There, I find Yachi jumping up and down.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Calm thyself, child, I say, imitating my sister. Then I try to put my hand on Yachis head. I reach, and reach, and reach. Ow, my sides! I cant reach!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not that Yachis super tall or anything-Im just too short. Even on my tiptoes, I cant quite reach the top of her head. Guess Ill have to jump, too! There! Now I can reach!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait, but...if Im jumping too, how am I going to hold her in place?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We jump and jump until were both sweaty and tired. Then I say, Okay, lets go buy chocolate now!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, lovely, she responds, but it doesnt quite fit her. Every now and then, theres something off about the way she talks... Maybe shes not from Japan...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To the grocery store!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, off we go to the grocery store. Its weird-by this point, Im already used to walking around with her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Next year, Ill make sure to have some chocolate ready on the fourteenth like youre supposed to, I say.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Next year? Hmmm. She falls into thought. My plan was to go home as soon as I locate my compatriot.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Compatriot?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But where could my dear friend be?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dont ask me. I dont even know what a compatriot is.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I followed the coordinates as best I could when I landed, but this planet is just so vast... Walking around on the surface, I cant tell one location from the next. This has significantly complicated my search. Hmmm...what a pickle.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didnt get most of what Yachi said just now, but I can at least tell that theres a chance she might have to leave as early as tomorrow. Shes just so fragile... It feels like she might disappear in a big poof", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "of blue sparkles any second.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No idea what youre talking about, but it cant hurt to promise for right now, right? I say. If it turns out later on that you have to break it, then just give me a heads-up!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This is what my guts telling me: a broken promise still isnt quite as sad as a promise that couldnt be made in the first place. So, I figure we may as well make the promise while we can.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yachi smiles, and sparkles fly-sparkles that perfectly match her hair. Lets do that, then.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The bright-blue sparkles gently float over to me as the two of us entwine our pinky fingers. She didnt know about Valentines Day, but she knows about pinky promises? What a weirdo.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And so, Yachi and I make a promise for the future, clear-cut and carved into stone.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 36", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0035", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "~", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Todays Adachi Forecast~", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When Shimamura said lets keep", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "rockin, it suggested that from her point of view, our friendship was successfully rockin thus far.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Heh...heh heh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Curled in a ball under the covers, I laughed quietly to myself in the darkness. The feeling of Shimamuras back was engraved into my arms.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now my brain could faithfully recreate it anytime I dreamed about her hugging me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 37", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0036", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 5:", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sakura", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(Make a Wish)", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "D", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "ID THIS WORLD", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "have a god? I didnt know who to address these prayers to, but I hoped someone out there was listening.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I hadnt watched that horoscope show in a while, and I thought of going back to it, only to find out itd gone off the air at the end of March. One fewer signpost to guide me. I turned off the TV and sat cross-legged on my bed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Since the start of April, Id spent every single day praying to whatever was out there. Anxiety had settled over my stomach like a haze; sometimes I suddenly found myself sitting on my bed, staring blankly at the clock on the wall. Anytime I let my guard down, I felt myself slump over until my forehead touched the blanket, a groan building at the back of my throat.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Six of one, half a dozen of the other. No matter what my posture was like, the clock hands refused to budge.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was the night of April 5, and spring break was officially over. Starting tomorrow, I would attend high school as a second-year student...which meant wed all be reassigned to new classes with new seating arrangements. With a new class assignment came the possibility that Shimamura and I would be separated.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To me, this was a matter of life or death. What I wanted more than anything was to be special to her, and now I was in danger of losing one of few tenable connections to her I had. It was a massive setback.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After all, generally speaking, the friends you spent the most time with were the ones who already shared a class with you. Sure, there were exceptions-like club buddies or whatever-but for the most part, that same-classroom proximity was crucial", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Not just in the physical sense, but in the emotional sense, too. Distance made bonds weaker...and considering that I couldnt even get along with the people who lived in the same house as me, I clearly needed all the help I could", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "get. That was why this mattered so much.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If we did", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "end up in separate classrooms, chances were good Shimamura would never bother to come see me. She wouldnt turn me away if I", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "came to see her", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", but she wouldnt take the initiative; she didnt need me that badly. Not that she really needed anyone", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "... But my point is, I could easily picture our friendship quickly becoming one-sided. Then Id have even more", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "trouble figuring out what to do.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "On the day of the previous seating shuffle, my prayers had gone unanswered. I had pleaded dozens of times for them to put me near Shimamura, all for naught. At this point, I was starting to think there was no value in prayer at all... Yet, at the same time, I couldnt think of anything else I could do. I wasnt a god or a teacher-I was only human.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My only option was to offer up my prayers until the day of reckoning rolled around.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My back started to hurt from sitting up straight, so I found myself slumping forward. My forehead touched the blanket, and I closed my eyes. In the darkness, all I felt was the fabric against my skin.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I thought back to the entrance ceremony last year.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At first, I struggled to remember why Id taken the entrance exam for this particular high school-what my motive was. But then I remembered that I didnt have one to begin with. Based on my test scores, this was the school recommended to me, so I just went with it. After that, I studied to the point that I was reasonably confident I would pass the entrance exam. The next thing I knew, a month after I graduated junior high, I was suddenly a high-school student, just like that.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "On the day of the entrance ceremony, as I recalled, the weather was just starting to warm up. A large crowd of new students were packed like sardines at the spot near the front entrance where the class listings were pinned. I hated having to cut through crowds, so instead I stood off to the side and waited until most of the students left.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mind you, this was a long", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "wait. Given the chill of the wind rushing between my bare legs, I had half a mind to say screw it and just go home. It wasnt like there were any classes to attend, nor would my new principal say anything drastically different from my previous principal on the last day of junior high. The thought of listening to another speech had me bored to tears already.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But I wasnt the only one avoiding the sardine situation. Another girl stood a few steps away, staring into space, keeping her distance from me and the rest of the crowd. Then our eyes met.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Looking back, that girl was Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Of course, back then I had absolutely no interest in her, so I quickly averted my gaze. I didnt want some rando staring at me. Looking back, though, I really wasted a golden opportunity then. If only Id paid a little more attention to her that day, our friendship couldve started so much sooner. But no-instead, I sidestepped away from her, and I wasnt even subtle about it. Ugh. God.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But back then, I obviously had no way of knowing how Id feel about her in the future, so to me she had been no more than a stranger. The longer I waited, the more irritated Id felt...and this was only the start", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "of my day. The thought had been enough to make me contemplate slipping away to the bike-parking area.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then, as I waited quietly in the classroom, our homeroom teacher arrived and asked us to line up in the hall in alphabetical order by last name. As luck would (unfortunately) have it, I was at the very front of the girls line. That never happened to me back in middle school, which was great, because I really wasnt the leader type. Alas, here in high school, there was no Abe-san to hide behind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I stood there against my will, our teacher casually went over our instructions. The line leaders needed to walk briskly, address the rest of the line, and do a whole bunch of other annoying stuff that I desperately didnt want to have to do. I was tired of standing around, too. So, I told the teacher I needed to use the restroom real quick...but instead of going to the restroom, I walked out of the building and didnt look back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once Id made sure no teachers were nearby giving their students the grand tour, I went to the bike-parking area. There, I unlocked my bike, hopped on, and rode off. No one was there to stop and hassle me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The perfect crime.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Id left my bookbag behind in the classroom, but there was no point in going back for it when I would have to bring it to the exact same location tomorrow anyway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The wind had been against me on my way here, but now it pushed me along for a pleasant, easy ride.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wasnt used to having people bark orders at me, probably in part because my parents never really interacted with me. They barely even commented on my post-graduation plans. But our frosty relationship was partially my fault, too. And without an existing rapport, it was hard to resent them...or feel anything toward them at all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This wasnt some teenage rebellion against authority; I just honestly didnt know how to handle it. It was too hard to figure out, so I gave up and ran away instead. Unfortunately, the trepidation lingered. Not even a deep breath was enough to clear the conflicted feelings out of my chest.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "On my way home, Id decided to stop by the park. It wasnt like there was anything fun and exciting waiting for me at home, anyway. I figured Id kill time until the guilt of skipping school faded.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In my neighborhood, nothing of note ever happened, so the cops didnt even bother patrolling there. I didnt have to worry about any truancy officers breathing down my neck. Thus, I felt comfortable parking my bike at the park entrance. I chose one of the comparatively cleaner benches and sat down. Given the time of day, the park was deserted, and I was alone. Resting my hands on the bench, I stretched my legs out and looked around at the rest of the park and the road next to it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I knew that parks like these had existed back when I was a kid, but I had no memory of ever playing in one. So, how exactly had I spent my childhood? Id never had any strong desire to go any specific place or do any specific activity.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In hindsight, I had a feeling that it all dated back to when I was really", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "little...probably that time when my parents took me to the zoo. It had this souvenir shop with rows of plush toys based on the zoo animals, and I really wanted one, but I couldnt bring myself to ask my", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "parents. They were already irritated with me; whatever reaction they hoped to get out of me by showing me these animal exhibits, Id failed to produce it, and they grew impatient with walking around. We left without any toys...and after that day, I learned to keep my desires to myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This sort of thing had happened again and again until I forgot how to want anything at all. That was how I lost interest in the world around me...and now I didnt have a clear sense of self, either.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In my view, people like me were better off averting our eyes. That way we could skate through life without ever having to get our hopes up for something more.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At school the following day, everyone treated me like a delinquent-that is to say, they avoided me and didnt speak to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But that had suited me just fine.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When I awoke, I could hear little birds chirping outside my window, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw light streaming through the gap in the curtains. Apparently, I fell asleep at some point... You would think Id remember nodding off, yet I didnt. To me, it was suddenly eight hours later, with nothing in between. That was perhaps the definition of unhealthy sleep.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Worse, Id passed out while bent over facedown on my bed, so now my neck and back ached. Did it count as restful sleep if I somehow managed to stay in the same ridiculous position the whole night? Probably not.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After eight hours of pressing right up against my blanket, my forehead felt weirdly heavy. I pushed myself upright, and my joints creaked. My mind was all fuzzy. Then my arms gave out, and I collapsed back onto my side.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I had been worried that Id be up all night with insomnia again, but evidently that was not the case. While this came partly as a relief, I was also terrified of-not to mention completely unprepared for-the day ahead of me. Not that I couldve prepared much of a defense by", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "staying up all night, I suppose. The outcome was already set in stone, and there was nothing I could do to change it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Although, if I knew for a fact that my prayers would help at all, I guarantee that I wouldve put those eight hours to far-better use.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "School...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Suddenly, my hazy, less-than-well-rested vision turned crystal clear. I needed to get up and get going. Apparently, the mere thought", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "of school was all it took to wake me. As I hopped off my bed and stood idly in the center of my room, I picked up where my mind had left off last night.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Looking back at the past... Well, the not-too-distant past, but still... Im like a whole different person now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Reflecting on the way Id acted a year ago, my past self felt like a stranger. I had gone from Ugh, dont look at me to PLEASE LOOK AT ME!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now that I was conscious of it, I kinda wanted to crawl in a hole and die.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When had I made the switch? What changed me? Thinking back, it was probably Shimamura. Meeting Shimamura, befriending Shimamura. God, how embarrassing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At the same time, I was touched. But how did Shimamura", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "feel about my switcheroo? Disappointed? Deceived?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All my life, Id simply gone with the flow and let the cards fall where they may. It was actually pretty easy to drift along without ever hitting a snag, and I liked it more than I thought I did. But now, after stumbling over every challenge Id come across, I was lumpy all over-like konpeito", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "candy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was that the right metaphor for my fateful encounter with Shimamura? Candy?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Which was the real me: the old me, or the new me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nah, thats stupid.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Obviously, they were both the real me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The real me was the person living and breathing right this very moment. Once upon a time, that person had been the old me. So, I wasnt going to disavow the changes my past self had made.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After all, I liked the new me quite a bit.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In contrast to the bright, clear weather, my bike pedals felt like lead. Here in April, the sunshine was warm, but the wind was cold and dry. Evidently the spring season had yet to fully defrost.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I hadnt ridden my bike since the end-of-year ceremony the previous month. In fact, now that I thought about it, I hadnt left my house for basically the entire spring break, nor had I hung out with Shimamura. Would I get to see her today? If so...how was I meant to act around her?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I approached the school building, my anxiety stomachache slowly intensified. The backs of my thighs twitched as if they were electrified. God, Im so nervous.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This was a thousand times worse than last years entrance ceremony.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My hands were so sweaty, they started to slip off the handlebars. Was it really that big a deal? My answer: yes. To me, this was a critical juncture.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ugh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Unfortunately, that answer didnt solve the churning in my gut. I spent the first leg of the journey terrified to go to school, but by the second leg, I was dying to hurry up and get there already. As it turned out, I wasnt the patient sort.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Right as my palms approached Niagara Falls territory, I finally reached the front gates. As with last year, a teacher was posted nearby to direct new students to the bike-parking area; I passed them and hopped off my bike, as I had all year long. This time, there were a ton more bikes in the rack, and I had a hell of a time finding a spot for myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Right as I finished locking my bike up, I suddenly realized Id parked in the first-year section. Today, however, I was officially a second-year. For a moment I debated going through the hassle of moving my bike to the correct spot, but ultimately, I decided to pretend I hadnt noticed. I had more important things to worry about.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The wind rustled the branches of the sakura trees, scattering their petals all over the place. Already I saw little green leaves sprouting. As I walked under the trees, however, I started to feel dizzy. Each step made my nausea grow.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I progressed forward in spite of my failing health, a familiar scene soon appeared before me. A giant crowd of students gathered around the main school buildings front entrance, just like last year. Unlike last year, however, I didnt have time to stand around and wait for the students to disperse. I plunged into the crowd like it was a roaring river, prepared to die.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wasnt confident that I could actually make my way through the crowd, so instead I just used my shoulder as a battering ram, pushing to the center. Now I was one of the sardines, packed in tightly from all sides. Nevertheless, I had a clear view of the classroom assignment list.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "First, I looked for my name. The list was in alphabetical order, so Id probably find myself near the top somewhere. As my eyes flicked back and forth, my heart pounded in time with each movement; I felt it throbbing all the way up to my neck, and my throat was tight.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After my gaze completed a full lap around the list, however, the blood slowly drained from my face. My eyes felt like they were going to fall out of their sockets.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nowhere?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My name wasnt on the list. Nor was Shimamuras. My eyes widened. Whats going on?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After standing there grappling with this reality for a long moment, I struck upon an explanation: this was the list for new students", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Of course Shimamura and I wouldnt be on it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I immediately turned around. I was already full of anxiety just being here, and this error was the final nail in the coffin. At last, the reality of being a second-year sank in.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, there I was, blushing in the middle of a crowd like a total weirdo.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That said, getting out", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "of the crowd proved to be a herculean task. Crouching slightly, I avoided eye contact as much as possible as I pushed past each person. Even after I was free, my visions edges were", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "still blurred, and I felt ill.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nevertheless, I somehow spotted a similar gathering of people on the school buildings opposite end. Clearly, that", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "was where I was meant to go. My supporting evidence was the fact that I saw Hino and Nagafuji walking side by side away from the crowd. I could hear them chatting happily.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im stuck with you again", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "? How many years in a row does that make this?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ten, I think?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Evidently, they were assigned to the same class. Lucky", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", I thought, watching them with envy as they disappeared into the school. Now it was time for my next challenge: another dip into the crowd.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, I get it. The second-years are all a lot taller,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I mused as I found myself practically buried in comparison. This time, Id have to fight my way to the front if I wanted to see anything. Plus, people at the front were pushing in the opposite direction to get out of the crowd, which didnt help matters. I swam through the sea of people, receiving the occasional elbow to the ribs for my trouble.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Today I wasnt going with the flow-I was forging ahead of my own volition.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This time, when I scanned the piece of paper pinned to the wall, I successfully located my own name. Just as I expected, it was right near the top and highly conspicuous. Then my eyes drifted down the list. This was the final test that would make or break my whole day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I felt my vision growing fuzzy with fear, but I snapped myself out of it and forced myself to look. My eyes drifted down...down...down. The crowds din faded out as my heartbeat grew louder and louder, reverberating in my ears. I could distinctly feel my blood pumping thickly in my veins. My nerves were at an all-time high, and my sight was blurring.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Let it be said that I was far from perfect. I didnt see myself as someone whod spent her life working hard and thus deserved to get what she wanted. I could go ahead and pray all day, but if those prayers were ultimately ignored, it was no ones fault but my own. Regardless, my eyes refused to back down-they kept searching. Searching for the truth written right in front of them.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Did this world have a god? Was someone out there listening?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I stood up straight and prayed desperately to find that name.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im always late on Mondays, arent I?", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought as I passed through the school gates...though, admittedly, I didnt actually feel guilty about it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I walked in the direction of the distant chatter, only to catch myself at the last minute before I looked at the first-years class list by mistake. Whoops", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". I spotted the second-year group and headed over there instead.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I stopped short as I came face to face with a peculiar sight.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was Adachi, leaping into the air with both arms raised in triumph, sakura petals falling all around her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 38", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0037", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 39", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0038", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Afterword", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "L", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "ATE, I KNOW,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "but...to be clear, this is another romantic comedy. Hell, everything I write is a rom-com!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Jokes aside, I dont really write anything that doesnt involve love in one form or another, you know? Love is what its all about. All you need is a little courage, and youre set.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "These days, Im thinking that maybe I dont need to write an afterword to begin with. Anyway, hi, Hitoma Iruma here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This has nothing to do with Adachi and Shimamura", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", but I wrote this essay-like thing in Dengeki no Kanzume", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "in April 2014. When they sent me the sample copy, I realized that my piece was the first one. If Id known I would be first, I wouldve written a line or two bragging about it, at least! So, here I am, bragging here instead.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That reminds me-Ive noticed a lot of my local stores closing down lately. Pork cutlet restaurants, Chinese restaurants, cafs, all places I remember from my childhood... yet, as of 2014, theyve shut their doors for good, one after another. I get that all things have to come to an end eventually, but its painful to feel the passage of time through the act of saying goodbye.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Also, this is completely off-topic, but I really love Argento Soma", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". If you havent seen it, I encourage you to change that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Id like to give thanks and whatnot to my mother, whos always doing a Funassyi impression, and my father, who doesnt have a Funassyi impression.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im also curious about that person who gives me books from time to time-my editor, whatever that is. Are they doing well? I wouldnt know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lastly, thank you for buying my book. Will there be another one, you ask? Uhhhh...no idea!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "-Hitoma Iruma", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 40", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0039", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thank you for reading!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Get the latest news about your favorite Seven Seas books and brand-new licenses delivered to your inbox every week:", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sign up for our newsletter!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Or visit us online:", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "newsletter", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 40", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0039", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thank you for reading!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Get the latest news about your favorite Seven Seas books and brand-new licenses delivered to your inbox every week:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sign up for our newsletter!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Or visit us online:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "newsletter", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 1", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0000", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 2", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0001", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Table of Contents", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Color Inserts", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Table of Contents Page", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Title Page", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Copyrights and Credits", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 1: Sakura and Spring", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Interlude: A Visit to the Hino Estate, Part 1", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 2: Spring and the Moon", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Interlude: Yashiro Comes Calling, Part 6", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 3: The Moon and Courage", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Interlude: A Visit to the Hino Estate, Part 2", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 4: Courage and Friendship", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Interlude: Yashiro Comes Calling, Part 7", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 5: Friendship and Love", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Interlude: A Visit to the Hino Estate, Part 3", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 6: Love and Sakura", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Afterword", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Newsletter", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 3", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0002", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 4", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0003", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 5", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0004", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 6", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0005", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 7", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0006", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 8", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0007", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 9", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0008", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 10", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0009", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 11", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0010", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 1:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sakura and Spring", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "S I PEERED SURREPTITIOUSLY", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "at Sakura-sans face, sure enough, it seemed to be crafted out of ice, just as everyone always said. Her eyes were empty mirrors, merely reflecting what was in front of her, no curiosity burning within.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was spring, and we had just started our final year of junior high. As a result of my utter lack of assertiveness, I ended up assigned as a library helper. The official title was Cultural Events Committee or something to that effect, but our only real task was to sit around in the library. Hence, library helper. And today was our first day on the job.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The two of us were seated at the front counter, side by side, and admittedly, I was nervous. Sakura-san and I were in the same class last year as well, but Id never spoken to last, I finally understood why people likened her to an ice sculpture.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But of course, I couldnt just sit here and admire her all day long. So I took a deep breath and summoned all my courage.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Um...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Feebly, I called out to her, and the distant look in her eyes grew sharp once more.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...What?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A beat later, she turned to look at me, fixing me with those glossy, uninterested eyes at point-blank range. Once again, I got the sense that she honestly couldnt care less about the people around her. It was probably a miracle that she was sitting here at all. What about our next shift? Would she even show up? Maybe if it was during lunch, like today, but something told me she wouldnt stick around after school.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uh, your job...? The checkout card...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There was a girl standing literally right in front of her at the counter, trying to check out a book. Shed been there for quite some time now. But Sakura-san never seemed to notice her; thus, I had no choice but to intervene.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, right. She didnt bat a lash. Instead, she handled the girls checkout card at her own pace.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The girl in question put a hand on her hip like she was ready to give her a piece of her mind...but Sakura-san didnt seem to notice that", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", either. Before the girl could find an opportunity to speak up, however, Sakura-san finished her half of the process and handed the checkout card back to its owner. Reluctantly, the girl bent over to write in her name and date. Gazing at the girls scalp, Sakura-san mumbled:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Sorry for the wait.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At first, the girl didnt realize the words were directed at her. By the time she looked up, however, Sakura-san had already averted her gaze.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uh...no problem, the girl shrugged.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Meanwhile, I sat there in stunned silence. She apologized!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I always thought she was too stuck-up, so this rare moment of humility caught me by surprise. But Sakura-san didnt seem to feel too guilty about slacking off on the clock, because she went right back to spacing out...and I went right back to admiring her face in profile.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She was like this in class, too. She never spoke with anyone, never went anywhere with anyone. But she wasnt isolated against her will; rather, she seemed to choose the loner life of her own volition. This was evidenced by the fact that she was never bullied or harassed, possibly because she had the sort of aura that suggested shed clap back without batting an eye. Thus, everyone tended to avoid her...including me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But now, my eyes were drawn to her. After all, this was a rare opportunity to get a closer look at something I could normally never approach.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sakura-san had quite a few admirers, male and female, but no one ever reached out. They could look, but they couldnt touch. After all, she was an ice sculpture-cold, sharp, and fragile.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure enough, Sakura-san didnt come back for library duty the next day, probably because it was an after-school shift. As for me, I was far from pleased that my prediction was accurate. At the counter, I sat on the edge of my chair and contemplated what to do. Should I sit here, or should I go look for her?", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was she even still on campus?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After a moment of debate in which I rose to my feet and sat back down several times in a row, I ultimately decided to go look for her. After all, the bell had only just rung, so chances were high she was still at her shoe locker.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To reduce the amount of time the library would be left unattended, I broke into a run as soon as I hit the hallway. Then I flew down the stairs. How long had it been since I ran this fast? It wouldve been autumn at the very least; winter had a way of making exercise uniquely miserable. Perhaps this was proof that spring had sprung.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Right as my legs went into high gear, I spotted her at last, pulling her outdoor shoes out of her locker. As I ran up to her, she glanced over at me, but only briefly. Evidently she didnt realize my business was with her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hold it right there! I shouted as I closed in.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At last, Sakura-san realized she was my target. She turned back, annoyed. My heart fluttered in my chest.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We have library duty today! Remember?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh...right.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Apparently she had simply forgotten about it. Her gazed flickered between me and her locker. Then she nodded to herself, and...set off for the front entrance.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wh... Hey, hey, hey! I dont think so!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Timidly, I grabbed her sleeve. She didnt shake me off, but the look on her face was far from enthusiastic. Not a trace of motivation to be seen.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Do you really need two people for that job?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In terms of excuses, unfortunately, this was actually a good one.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The library lines were never very long, and the fact of the matter was, I could probably handle it myself just fine. After all, Sakura-san had barely lifted a finger last time. Still, I couldnt accept it. Without her there, there wasnt much for me to look forward to...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Maybe not, but...its still your job!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "With no other solid argument, I was forced to appeal to her integrity.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She seemed to have trouble thinking of a counterargument, because she reluctantly returned her outdoor shoes to her locker. Once again, as with the apology from yesterday, this was more evidence that she was, in fact, a sensible person. Granted, this ran counter to her reputation, but...maybe she was more normal than people made her out to be.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once she changed back into her indoor shoes, we set off down the hallway, and I gazed down at my hand-at the fingers that had touched Sakura-san (technically just her clothes, but still). They were still faintly pink, with no sign of frostbite.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Arriving back at the library, Sakura-san took her seat at the counter without any fuss. Then, as with last time, she stared off into the distance, yawning occasionally. Was she sleepy, or just bored? She could always read books to pass the time like I did, and yet she chose not to. What was on her mind while she sat there perfectly still? Was she wishing her shift would hurry up and end already?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She was an enigma, and I found myself intrigued.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Do you like to read? I asked, after I gathered a bit of courage.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If its a book I like, then sure, Ill read it, she answered, her chin propped up on her elbow. It was a vague answer, probably because Sakura-san didnt really care whether I understood.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hoping to get to know her, I summoned what little courage I had left and offered: Would you like me to recommend you some of my favorites?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Unfortunately...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh? No, Ill pass. She waved her hand to dismiss the idea. Then she turned back and stared straight ahead once more.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was appalled. She shot me down point-blank, no sugar-coating.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And yet...she didnt seem annoyed with me, either. Her tone was flat-bland and flavorless, like she sincerely wasnt interested. But that only intrigued me more.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I snuck a furtive glance at her face. Surely there had to be something", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sakura-san would take an interest in...but what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I never imagined being a library helper would be so thought-provoking. I could scarcely concentrate on the book in my hands. Instead, I searched and searched for some sort of common ground with Sakura-san. Not that I really expected to find any.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her expression was like perfectly polished ice, its chill keeping everyone at bay. And if she wasnt going to meet me halfway, then I was going to have to be the one to reach out. The best way to get to know someone? Conversation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, um...what do you like to do on weekends?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nothing much. Sleep. Lay around in bed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Arent those the same thing?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She didnt seem to be lying, though. But while I appreciated her honesty, it wasnt very helpful for my purposes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay, umm... Do you get good grades, usually?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just average.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, okay... Cool...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At least she was willing to answer my questions. It would have been far worse if she ignored me outright...although this wasnt much better. At the rate I was headed, Id never strike upon any common ground. I needed to take this a step further. Could I break through that icy exterior? Or would I slip and fall on my face?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I contemplated my next move, my vision grew hazy and distant. And as I hung my head, the words fell from my lips like swollen tears.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Do you...have any friends?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, she replied flatly, without a single second of hesitation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her answer overwhelmed me all at once, like an avalanche. My fingers started to tremble as they clutched the edges of my book. That sucks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In that case...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My throat quavered.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Would you want to be friends with me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wanted to say it. I tried to say it. But the words wouldnt come.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I had plenty of friends here at school, but not once had I ever asked", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "someone to be friends with me outright, like I was formally applying for the position. In an instant, I was overcome with shame and fear of rejection, and I needed some time to fight through it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If only I could have said it faster, maybe things would have played out differently.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Instead, Sakura-san stared straight ahead and muttered, But Im fine with it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The ice was smooth, transparent, cold, and hard...without a single crack. And the sight of it chased away the question on the tip of my tongue.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I see, I muttered in kind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She offered no reply to this, and for the first time, I accepted defeat.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After that, I went back to just looking at her. I didnt try to make conversation with her. And on the days she forgot about library duty, I didnt chase after her. To her credit, however, she turned up for the majority of our shifts. And as for me, I spent that time admiring her face in profile while pretending to read a book. Because I knew that was the most I could ever ask for.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Each time I gazed at her pretty pink lips, I was wracked with guilt. Deep down, I felt like I had failed her somehow. But that failure never stopped me from appreciating her beauty.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "With the arrival of the second semester came a shuffling of job assignments, and my one tenuous connection to Sakura-san was unceremoniously severed. We were still classmates, of course, but I", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "could never find the opportunity to go and talk to her. Plus, she was often absent, particularly on days that involved a lot of hassle.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And so nothing ever brought us together again for the rest of the year, right up to the day of our graduation. I half-wondered if shed skip the ceremony, too, but fortunately she didnt. Honestly, she probably didnt even remember me. So I gazed at her from afar.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She stood at the front of the line, looking bored and uncomfortable, her head swaying to and fro. Once the principals speech came to an end, the procession would start moving, and Id lose sight of her...so for the first time in my life, I prayed that his dull rambling would never cease.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At the end of the ceremony, we all broke off into our own groups. Some left the gym, while others stayed behind. Following my intuition, I strayed away from my circle of friends and walked outside.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At the center of the school grounds was a single sakura tree, its blooms yet faintly budding. For now, spring was still just a whisper on the wind. As I gazed at the tiny specks of pink in the distance, I spotted a retreating figure I recognized. Instantly, my legs moved on autopilot, and I broke into a run.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sakura-san! I called as I chased after her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She slowly turned back to look at me. Even now, under the first rays of spring sun, her ice was unmelted. But her expression shifted slightly. Maybe she still recognized me after all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whats up?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sakura-san was prepared to walk off campus without saying goodbye to a single soul. This was the girl I had spent the past year admiring. And for some reason, I found I was delighted to have one more chilly moment with her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I, um...I wish you well... No, I mean, uh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was that really all I wanted to say? This was my last chance. It was now or never. All at once, I was filled with reckless courage, or desperation, or whatever you want to call it. Regardless, I spurred myself forward.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Even if my message didnt land, I still wanted to put it out there.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thank you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her eyes narrowed in confusion, as if to ask what for?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The answer, of course, was for letting me observe her during her most unguarded moments. For filling my days with something worthwhile. But even if I explained it to her in depth, I got the feeling it wouldnt resonate with her. She didnt need all the details. So instead, I smiled.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She stared at me dubiously for a moment, but eventually offered me a cold, curt Glad its over. A disinterested token response.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A sharp chill pierced my chest. Yeah...Im glad, too,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I answered silently. Then she walked off without so much as a goodbye.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Surrounded by cheers and laughter, I watched her go...and as the minutes ticked by, lukewarm water dripped down my torso as the ice in my chest started to melt.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In the future, if I ever encountered Sakura-san on the street, we probably wouldnt say a word to each other. That was why I chose to thank her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Like a petal on the breeze, she vanished into a horizon as pink as her namesake...without ever looking back.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait... Your first name is Sakura?", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yep.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi started this conversation after the opening ceremony, as we left the school building. But she wasnt looking up at the blossoms overhead-no, she was looking at the dirty petals trampled into the ground below. Kind of depressing, actually. I tried my best to avoid walking on any and ended up staggering to and fro like a sloppy drunk.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did you mention that before?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Probably, Adachi nodded.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When was that? Back in the gym loft when we first met? I couldnt remember.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I see... Well then, I muttered vaguely to fill the silence as I looked at the gym in the distance.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "During the winter, the gym floor was practically ice, but I noticed", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "it wasnt that bad during the ceremony today. As the suns rays grew stronger, the loft would steadily become more and more appealing. Granted, all we could really do up there was sit in perfect silence like a couple of meditating monks, but it was still an escape. I glanced furtively at Adachi, wondering if perhaps we had outgrown our old hiding place...but wasnt especially encouraged by the look on her face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then it occurred to me: it still hadnt been a full year since we met. Hard to believe, I know. When I stopped to think about my friendship with her, it felt like Id known her all my life, but at the same time, it also", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "kinda felt like she might disappear one day. Perhaps our foundation was shaky...but if so, I wasnt really sure how to, you know, firm it up or whatever. Hmm", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sakura-chan! I called, mostly as a joke.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At first, Adachi didnt react whatsoever...but when she realized I meant her, she whipped around and looked at me, her eyes as wide as saucers. I laughed and shrugged, and her whole face flushed pink, from her cheeks to her ears to her neck. A fitting color for a Sakura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Or would you prefer Sakura-san? I teased.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At this, her shoulders began to shake, causing her hair to flop around like dog ears. It was kind of cute, actually. She seemed to need some time to recover, so I stared straight ahead and waited. Then, once the flopping sound stopped, I glanced back over-", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmm?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was grinning. A big, toothy grin, too, like she was only barely suppressing her weird giggling. This wasnt an expression I was aware she was capable of, so I peered at her curiously for a moment. Then she snapped back to her senses and looked up like shed sensed my gaze. Her smile vanished, and her pink cheeks turned scarlet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wh-what? Adachi asked, readjusting her grip on her bookbag a dozen times as her eyes darted in all directions. Given her relative composure, maybe she wasnt aware she was grinning like a goof just now. If I told her about it, shed probably flip out... I debated it for a few seconds, then decided to keep it to myself. After all, itd be a real hassle to chase her down if she tried to bolt.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nothing. I was just looking at you, I lied.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She recoiled, bug-eyed. Then her gaze started to dart around again. Whats so weird about what I said?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh...huh... So you were... Okay then...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This time her smile was stiff, like she was forcing it too hard. Now her eyes and mouth were all shaped like apple slices. It was painful to look at.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We passed through the school gates, and as we walked alongside the farm fields, in the back of my mind, something felt vaguely off.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then I realized: it was Adachis presence.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why are you following me? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She froze, looking at me with puppy-dog eyes, like Id hurt her feelings. This, in turn, alarmed me. Whats the matter?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Didnt you bring your bike today? I pressed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The bike parking area was, obviously, on school grounds. Not only that, but she lived in the opposite direction from me. So why was she still walking with me? Where was she going?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, thats", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "what you meant? Her eyes and mouth softened, like the binds holding them in place had come undone. She seemed relieved to hear it. But I was confused-what else could I have possibly meant?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She hadnt smiled even once during the opening ceremony, so I was worried she was having a bad day, but maybe not.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Today marked the start of our second year of high school, and the seating arrangement was currently in alphabetical order by last name, so Adachi was positioned diagonally to my left. I had chatted briefly with the new classmates seated around me, but Adachi hadnt spoken to anyone at all. Occasionally she would glance over at me, then look down at the floor, but that was about it. She just sat there, like she was waiting for time to tick by. Then, once the bell rang, she made a beeline right to me, reminiscent of my little sister.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "While part of me was inclined to laugh and say Thats Adachi for you, another part of me was starting to get concerned. Not that I had any right to try to act like an older sister to someone my own age, but I couldnt help it. At this rate, she wasnt going to fit in with the rest of our new second-year class... Then again, if you asked me whether she fit in in our last", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "class, the answer was a resounding no", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ultimately, this was probably just...the sort of girl she was. But once she opened up to you, you quickly realized there was more to her than met the eye...and she had really", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "opened up to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You really enjoy using that puppy-dog look on me, dont you? I commented, casually leaving out the pathetic adjective I had in mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What? I dont have a puppy-dog look", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", Adachi objected, patting her nose and cheeks. She seemed to take offense to the mere idea.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maybe she didnt like dogs. But I did.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, uh...is this the part where you turn around and go home? Because if you keep following me, youre gonna end up at my house.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But I had lost my opportunity to point this out, and so the two of us kept walking through the petals.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With the spring sun at my back, I quietly let out a breath.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 12", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0011", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Interlude:", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A Visit to the Hino Estate", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Part 1", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "FTER SCHOOL ON FRIDAY,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nagafuji told me she wanted to hang out at my house.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I scowled. Please, no.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its been two years... No, three years... Come to think of it, what did I have for dinner three nights ago? Hmmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "See? Whatd I tell you? You cant trust your own memory! Just trust me instead!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But she didnt seem to pick up on this, so I gave up. Instead, we kept walking, following the stone walkway out of the residential district...and that was how Nagafuji ended up at my house.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its like a summer home. I like it, she commented as she gazed up at the exterior.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You think so? I tilted my head. When I heard the words summer home, I pictured a neat and tidy Western-style building, not a Japanese mansion with a giant yard, overgrown trees, and a turtle infestation. What part of this says summer home to you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The stone walkways...the pond...the smell of the trees...all of it, Nagafuji explained dutifully, pointing around at each in turn. Her nostrils flared up like she was trying to vacuum with her nose. Chill", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That said, she was right; it did smell pretty earthy out here. The residential district was surrounded with greenery to an unnatural degree, and trees were plentiful. It all reeked of old age. Theyd remodeled the place several times in the past, but chose to leave the dreary old walls intact instead of rebuilding the house from scratch. The whole family lived here, including my grandfather, who often roped me into tea ceremonies held inside the tea house right next door. Suffice it to say, I wasnt a fan.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ill never get over how huge this place is.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its not even that big. Its just wide", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", thats all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I opened the door, the housemaid looked up from her shoe-", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "polishing and smiled. Welcome home.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yep! Glad to be back!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Deep down, I was embarrassed to have anyone from school, even Nagafuji, witness what my home life was like. It was just too...grandiose", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Ever since I was a kid, whenever I brought a friend over to hang out, Id always get this weird feeling in my chest... It was impossible to describe.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thanks for having me! Nagafuji declared. Speaking of chests", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", hers was making a declaration of its own. Nagafujis Meats, indeed. Where did I go wrong?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is this a client...? No, a schoolmate?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shes a friend", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", alright? Just a friend. No need to get all ceremonious about it. Its not a big deal. Shes not the one paying your salary, anyway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ill have tea prepared at once.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, no, thats not necessary. Its just Nagafuji.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not to worry. Im all set, Nagafuji announced, pulling out a half-empty bottle from a vending machine.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You know you bought that like four hours ago, right? Its not even cold by now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The housemaid looked at the contents swaying within and smiled stiffly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "See? Shes fine. Dont worry about her, I told the maid as I pushed Nagafuji down the hall.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The hardwood flooring was so carefully polished, it was easy to slip and fall if you werent careful. No amount of past experience would keep you safe, either.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Near the front entrance, the hallway branched off. Walking straight ahead would take you deeper into the house, while making a right turn would take you down the outdoor walkway for a full view of the inner courtyard. Incidentally, the room immediately on the left was my grandmothers; she often joked that she and my grandfather were legally separated.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To get to my room, it was faster to cut through the courtyard, so", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "we made a right turn. Nagafuji followed along after me, peering curiously at the walls and ceiling. Then, a few steps later, I encountered a familiar face I hadnt seen in a while.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ugh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I had inadvertently run straight into my older brother Goushirou, the fourth son of the family, wearing his traditional kimono. He looked at me and narrowed his eyes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thats no way to say hello to me, Akira.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "He used to live here up until about two years ago, so he was the brother I saw the most. Our relationship wasnt hostile, but it wasnt comfortable, either. He was always a bit of a nag.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Rare to see you with a friend. He smiled slightly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She decided to follow me home, thats all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Greetings and hello! Nagafuji called out from behind me. Pick one of those and commit to it, damn it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im Akiras older brother Goushirou, he replied. Then he bowed deeply and solemnly, like a moron. Had he never met Nagafuji before now?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I am Nagafuji of Nagafujis Meats.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Spare us the act, for the love of god.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She tended to look intelligent on the outside, which meant he was going to think she was actually sensible and well-mannered.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I hope youll continue to guide and encourage our Akira.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, certainly. Ill whip her right into shape.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Cringe", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Nagafuji might have been joking, but Goushirou most certainly wasnt. Why on earth would someone my age need to guide and encourage me, exactly?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "He straightened back up and fixed me with a hard look. Were entertaining some important guests today, so I must ask you not to make too much noise.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Fine, fine. You go have fun with that. I waved at him and walked off. How did we end up with such wildly different personalities when we both grew up in the exact same house? He was such a hardass, youd think we found him under a rock as a baby.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gosh, that guy was like a perfect clone of you!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, he isnt. Were nothing alike.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My brothers were all very tall. When I was little, it felt like having five dads.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As we walked along past the courtyard, I ruminated on my brothers words. Important guests at the house... Hopefully they wouldnt try to drag me into it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Right! Thats right!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I heard the sound of Nagafuji clapping her hands together, so I turned to look at her. Sup?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I forgot your name was Akira!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, sure, NOW you remember. Probably because Goushirou said it out loud. Dont you remember when you used to chase me around shouting Akira-chan? How could you manage to forget?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And yet she somehow still got good grades in school. It was a total mystery to me how her brain functioned.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What are your brothers names again?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As if youll actually remember later,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought to myself, but answered anyway: The oldest is Kaiichirou, followed by Tokujirou, then Matasaburou, and lastly, Goushirou. Thats the one you just met.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Each of their names contained the corresponding kanji", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "for one, two, three, and four, in that order, so it was pretty easy for most people to remember. Fun fact: if I was born a boy, they would have named me Daigorou, with the kanji", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "for five. However, my father was overjoyed to have a daughter in the family, since it meant their compiled list of potential girl names hadnt gone to waste. Or so I was told.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I see, I see, Nagafuji nodded, with a look on her face that told me shed already forgotten them. Well, I guess the only name I really", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "need to remember is Hino.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "True.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A smart call, especially for her. Not like shed ever be in the same room with my other brothers. And besides, even if she did", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "try to memorize their names, shed probably forget all about it after a day or", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "two...but hey, at least she still remembered who I was after I came home from my overseas trip a while back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We walked all the way to the room on the far corner; I slid the door open, and we entered my bedroom. The first thing Nagafuji did was take off her glasses and set them on the desk along with her bookbag. Then she flopped down on the tatami floor and started rolling around for some reason. I watched her, puzzled.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Are you enjoying yourself down there?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mostly Im enjoying the smell of the tatami. Sure enough, she was flaring her nostrils again. Your bedrooms bigger than my whole house!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its just wider, thats all. Your house is taller.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Seriously, three whole floors! I enjoyed being way up high, so I was pretty jealous.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As she rolled, Nagafuji seemed to revel in the moment. Me personally, I was more worried that she might crush her boobs if she kept that up. Doesnt it hurt? And for that matter, why doesnt it hurt when I do it? This is injustice!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then she came to a stop near the far wall. Lying flat on her back, she used her feet to push herself toward me a bit at a time, like a caterpillar, until she slid right between my legs. Was she trying to look up my skirt?! Reflexively, I jumped backwards. Not that shed never seen my panties before, but at the same time, I didnt exactly want her looking at them, either.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nagafuji looked up at me from the floor, tilting her head. Arent you going to get changed?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Say wha?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Into your kimono! She swayed her arms as if to swing her imaginary kimono sleeves. Her boobs swayed, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I dont wear that thing for fun, you know, I scoffed. Surely she knew I didnt lounge around the house in it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But you still wear it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I mean, yeah...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She continued to swing her sleeves around, and her boobs...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, you get the idea. She was being unusually stubborn about this, which could only mean one thing...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...You want to see me wear it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wear it, wear it!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She clapped her hands together like a little sea otter. I stood there and watched her. She kept clapping. Then I remembered that my brother had warned me to keep it down.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ugh, what a hassle.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nevertheless, I flagged down a passing housemaid and asked her to fetch me a kimono. She offered to escort me to the changing room to help me put it on, but I declined. I didnt need anyones", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "help to put the damn thing on, and I didnt like the idea of her and Nagafuji both fussing over me. I couldnt stand people contrasting my home life with my school life.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I stripped off my school uniform, and as my skirt hit the floor, I turned back to find Nagafuji looking at me. What? she asked, gazing up at me with fuzzy eyes, as though she was playing innocent.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What do you mean, what? Quit looking at my butt.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I cant help it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thats a lie and you know it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I dont look at anyone elses, you know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uh...I mean, I figured, but...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What did she mean by that? Was she just speaking in general, or was she trying to make a specific point? Both possibilities seemed correct. But either way, it was still rude to ogle my body. Or was there something about my butt that drew her interest? I kinda wanted to ask, but on the other hand, I didnt want to know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I pulled on my nagajuban", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", then my kimono over it, Nagafuji commented: Youre very adept at it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, yeah. I was formally trained.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You remind me of a sales clerk wrapping up my purchase.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wasnt sure if that was supposed to be a compliment or what. Nagafuji was a mystery I always struggled to decipher.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I got dressed, I could feel her gaze on me at every moment.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Is it really that interesting to watch someone get changed? No, seriously, is it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I could feel myself start to rush as I tied my obi", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Then, at last, I was finished.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "There. Are you happy now?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I swayed my sleeves at her; she reached up from the floor like a lazybones and tried to grab them, but missed. I stepped back, willing her to give chase, and she sprang up from the ground. Then, as I was having fun luring her along, she suddenly put a hand on my shoulder...and while I was distracted looking at it, she moved in front of me and pressed her lips to my forehead.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My eyes nearly popped out of my skull, but I quickly recovered. The heck was that for? I wasnt expecting it, but at the same time, I wasnt that surprised by it, either. Now there was a wet spot on my forehead.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With her hand still on my shoulder, Nagafuji looked squarely into my eyes and declared, Youre cute, Hino.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wh...whered that", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "come from? I stammered, flummoxed. I never knew how to handle plain, direct compliments like hers.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its an observation I made just now, she replied, gazing unflinchingly into my eyes. Her shadow fell over me, as if to highlight just how much taller she was.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You twerp.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Struggling to think of a more substantial response, I looked away...and she promptly wandered off. This was what made it so hard to keep up with her at times-she was always quick to change tack. Not that I really needed", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "to keep up with her in order to hang out with her, of course; I was free to do my own thing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then she started swaying her whole body back and forth, so I shot her an inquiring look.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im thinking I might get changed, too. Not sure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh? Get changed?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Into my pajamas, silly. For the sleepover tonight.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Who said you were free to sleep here? Because you sure didnt ask ME!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I stared blankly back at her. But she ignored me and fetched her bookbag from the desk.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its a big house. They wont notice me here. Yep, yep.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She seemed proud of this for some reason. Then she opened her bag and pulled out her clothes and toiletries.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That explains why her bag was looking a little heavier than usual...but you still shouldve asked me first, damn it!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You need to warn me when youre planning these things!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But if I asked, youd just say no.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...It seems you know me well. Spend enough time with someone, and you develop an unspoken understanding, I suppose.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I know, right? Nagafuji slid her glasses back on, her expression perfectly serious, like she was trying to look cool.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Theres no arguing with this idiot.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 13", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0012", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "~Todays Adachi Forecast~", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I passed by the mirror, I was horrified to discover that I was grinning like an idiot. Slack-jawed and everything. Hastily, I attempted to press my lips and cheeks back into position.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "All because I briefly", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "remembered what happened earlier today...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whew. Good thing Shimamuras not here. If she ever saw me grin like that, Id probably die.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 14", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0013", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 2:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Spring and the Moon", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "N SUMMER,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "365. Pretty wild. Was it my bodys way of trying to occupy the time I wasted by not having any hobbies?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now that I was a second-year, I contemplated adding something new to my schedule. But I was about a year too late to join any clubs, so I figured maybe I could take a leaf out of Adachis book and get a part-time job. And yet...part of me hesitated.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I didnt have a goal in mind, nor anything I was trying to save up for. And if I wasnt going to have a use for the money, then I wasnt exactly eager to expend my labor. That said, Adachi didnt seem like the big spender type, either...so why did she", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "have a job?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was right around the time I started to contemplate taking a quick nap that someone called out to me:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Want to eat lunch together?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was the second lunch break of the new school year, and suddenly I was on the receiving end of a social invitation-not from Adachi, but a group of girls gathered nearby.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youre Shimamura-san, right? one of them asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yep, thats me, I nodded offhandedly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For some reason, every time these new people said my name, it felt like they were referring to Shimamura Co., the clothing company, instead. Was I just paranoid?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Care to join us?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The girl in the middle patted the empty seat, and on reflex, I found myself glancing diagonally to the left, at Adachis desk. Sure enough, she was looking back at me...but then she blinked in surprise and hastily averted her gaze.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Or do you have plans with someone? another girl asked with an", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "awkward smile.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nope, no plans, I answered, and since I didnt really want to rock the boat, I chose to accept their invitation. Thanks for having me! I grinned as I sat down with them. They applauded. Uh, what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then the three of them introduced themselves. They all spoke really quickly, so I couldnt quite catch their names, but it sounded like Sancho, DeLos, and Panchos...or something like that. Two of them definitely had similar-sounding names. Way to make this complicated.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The girl who first called out to me (the one with the glasses) was Sancho; DeLos had a round face; and Panchos had bleached her hair even brighter than mine. This trio had quickly formed at the start of this year, and now I was apparently being invited to join it. Did I look like that kind of social butterfly? Considering they hadnt rejected me outright for slacking on my hair care and letting my dark roots grow out, they clearly didnt care too much about keeping up appearances.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then I noticed that they all had their bento boxes out, so I rose to my feet. Actually, I didnt bring a lunch today. Ill go buy something real quick.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then I looked over at the classroom door...and found Adachi looking at me yet again, her shoulders around her ears, like a timid little dog or cat or whatever. And for some reason, I couldnt bear to turn a blind eye to her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I knew she wouldnt want to be invited, and wouldnt join us either way, but I walked up to her regardless. Then she flinched and bolted from the classroom with a look on her face like shed seen a ghost. I was pretty sure the two of us were both headed to the school store to buy a sandwich, and I was going to offer to walk with her, but when I stepped out into the hall, I spotted her running away in the total opposite direction. I knew I couldnt catch up to her, even if I speed-walked. But maybe if I ran...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Conflicted, I briefly glanced back into the classroom-but when I looked back, Adachi was already gone. If I didnt have people waiting on me, I would have been willing to wander around for a bit and search for her, but I couldnt just leave my new lunchmates hanging. Thus, I decided Id just talk to Adachi whenever she got back to the classroom.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For the time being, my destination was the school store. I didnt encounter Adachi at any point along the way. Then I bought my sandwich. And when I returned to the classroom, I found an empty seat still waiting for me. Then Sancho beckoned to me, so I had no choice but to smile and sit there. I let out a bashful laugh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Have you guys known each other long?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not at all. We just met at the start of this year, said Panchos. She glanced at the other two for confirmation, and they nodded.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gotcha.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In other words, they probably only invited me since I happened to be nearby. And as soon as there was a seating shuffle, wed never eat lunch together again. That was probably why I didnt make an effort to learn their actual names.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Are you in a club or anything, Shimamura-san? asked Panchos.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nope. I shook my head. Then, since it was the polite thing to do, I asked, What about you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Technically Im in the garage band club, but I dont attend very often.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whoa, youre in a band? Like, with instruments? I laughed at my own vapid response.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And so the conversation continued.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Honestly, looking back, Im not sure it was actually all that fun. I remember chewing and sipping and swallowing, but I dont remember what any of it tasted like. Then, right at the very end of lunch, I was finally freed-okay, I take it back. Maybe freed isnt a very nice way to put it. Not like I was held there against my will. But to be completely honest, I never asked to join them, so surely I wasnt that obligated to feel grateful about it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It all happened so quickly. First I changed classes, and then Hino and Nagafuji disappeared, and now I had some new friend-shaped people in my life. Theyd probably invite me again tomorrow, and Id wear my fake smile and pretend to be comfortable. Another day would come and go. Just a rehash of last year, but with different faces,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought to myself as I propped my chin on my elbow.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then again, Hino and Nagafuji were at least more entertaining,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "right from day one. But now that we were in different classes, I couldnt imagine myself going out of my way to hang out with them. At this rate, Id probably end up focusing my energy on new friendships instead.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Looking back over my life, nothing ever seemed to last. Especially not my interpersonal relationships. After I graduated from elementary school, I went on to make new friends in junior high. But those friends didnt follow me to high school, so I had to make friends all over again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was this just part of being human? Or was I bad at connecting with people? Was I just a cold-hearted monster?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The way I saw it, I was drifting down the river of fate. And as I spent time in the water, my bonds would eventually become waterlogged and break apart. They just werent strong enough to stay with me.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "On Monday the following week, Adachi stopped showing up to class. While I felt like I knew what had caused it, at the same time, I couldnt fully grasp it. All I knew was that we were barely a week into the new school year and there was already an empty desk in the classroom. It stood out like a sore thumb, and since the seating arrangement was still in alphabetical order, everyone could easily tell who was missing.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was raining that day, and our previously scheduled track run was hastily changed to a basketball game in the gym. As we were doing our warmup exercises, I gazed up at the second-floor loft. Was Adachi up there? Then again, given the weather, it was possible she hadnt left her house at all. But I had no way to check. Not like I could magically scan for her presence.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If she hadnt decided to skip school today-okay, maybe I shouldnt assume shes skipping", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "-if she was here right now, would she be playing basketball with the rest of us? As I caught the ball, I pictured Adachi dribbling. She was a lot better at ping-pong than I was, but when it came to basketball, I was confident I could beat her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After all, I had prior experience, whatever that was worth.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But as I passed the ball back and forth with Sancho, there was no revelatory moment in which I was praised for my exceptional skill or anything like that. I tried to throw the ball as perfectly as possible, hoping she would notice, but the ball simply flew back to me, cutting a lazy arc through the air. Maybe all that experience had lost its color and started to peel from exposure to the elements.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Every now and then, I snuck a glance up at the loft and debated whether to sneak up there to check for Adachi. Maybe she was waiting for me to come and find her. But if I wasnt careful, I might lead a teacher straight to our hiding place, and it would be such a waste if I inadvertently put it on their radar. So instead I kept looking up there, hoping maybe Adachi would peek her head out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, its Sheema!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sheema!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hino and Nagafuji were playing on the other half-court with the rest of their class. They ran past me, Nagafuji playfully pushing Hino by the shoulders, like the worlds shortest conga line. But right when I least expected it, they circled back around and ran past me again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hiya, Sheema!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shee-mama!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I see you two are the same as ever...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Especially Nagafuji. I could appreciate the way she simply spoke her mind without thinking too hard about it. If only Adachi could learn to let loose like her, instead of frowning all the time... Then again, I wouldnt want her to be quite that", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "ditzy. Maybe there was a happy medium somewhere in between.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Is Ada-chee out sick today?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just because she wasnt standing next to me, they assumed she wasnt at school.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Probably, I shrugged with a grin. I started to say were not conjoined at the hip or anything", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", but decided against it. Didnt someone say that to me a while ago? Where did I hear that?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gotcha, gotcha. Well, see ya!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hasta la vista", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", lady!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And so the train pulled out of the station, leaving me behind. I giggled to myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It felt like we were all being tested on our friendship skills. And while I was passing, Adachi was currently failing. This was...well...a bad thing, probably. The real world was a system built on interpersonal relationships, and as such, not everything was perfectly tailored to suit ones convenience at all times. But while I was capable of accepting that and adapting to it, Adachi honestly wasnt. So where would she go from here? Would she become more flexible, or...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That reminds me, Shimamura-san... Are you close with Adachi-san? asked Sancho out of nowhere. For a moment it felt like shed read my mind, and I had to struggle not to let the surprise show on my face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then, before I knew it, the other members of the Trio jogged over, basketballs in hand. Now I was surrounded on all sides, like a flower with three little petals. This was not comfortable for me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, were friends, I guess, I shrugged. Best", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "friends", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", according to Adachi. To be fair, I didnt have any particular objections to that label, but...it didnt seem like a smart move to play that card, so I kept it to myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That makes sense. I saw you talking to her a lot last year. Is she sick today?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So THATS why shes asking.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For a minute there, Id thought maybe she saw us holding hands somewhere off campus. And at that point, friends, I guess wouldnt really cut it... I chuckled internally.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I havent heard from her, but she did", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "seem kind of under the weather, last I saw, I told them, since it wouldnt be very cool of me to go around telling other people that she was skipping.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You know, she and I went to the same junior high, but it feels like shes changed a lot since those days! said Panchos, the girl on my right. This piqued my interest, and I looked at her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Really?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah! She still doesnt talk to anyone in class, but she used to be more...uptight?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She drew her arms in tightly, forming a small mountain shape", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "with her hands. The vibe I got from it was...stiff. Awkward. In which case, that part of her really hadnt changed at all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shes still like that, if you ask me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, really, she was different back then! Like, I didnt sense any peaceful intelligence", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", you know?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What does that even mean", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "? Sancho snickered, and in turn, DeLos clapped a hand over her mouth.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At first I was equally confused, but then it started to make sense. If my interpretation was correct, she was trying to say that Adachi had softened up since then. Now that", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "would make sense. After all, Adachi was never prickly with me; if anything, she just seemed meek and scared. She didnt bite back-just shrank into herself. Her walls were flimsy, yet deeply rooted.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In the end, I never did check the loft. I couldnt find it in me to swim against the tide, so instead I let it carry me away. Plus, it was nice to play basketball again. Turns out the annoying stuff can actually be kind of fun if you give it a chance,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought to myself as I let the ball fly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After gym class ended, once again, I found myself following the Trio back to the classroom. Something felt wrong, and yet my feet kept moving in time with everyone elses, my lips curling to match theirs, even though I was only half-listening. Coldly, I felt myself transform into a streamlined machine.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We stepped out of the gymnasium, and the wind carried the rain against our backs. It wasnt even all that strong, and yet I could feel the temperature difference spurring me along.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Spring has sprung, I guess.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When I got home, I sat around and watched my little sister goof off with Yashiro. As loud and annoying as it was, I never got tired of their antics. In fact, it was downright hilarious when you took into account the fact that my sister had only just declared that she didnt feel like a little kid anymore at the start of this month when she went", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "up a grade level. Evidently Yashiro brought out her inner child or something.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then a sharp electronic beep rang out over their gleeful little voices, summoning me. I had dropped my bookbag off on my desk as soon as I got home, and now my phone was ringing from inside it-Adachi, I figured. But when I opened my bag and took out my phone, I turned out to be wrong. I wouldve thought itd be one of the Trio, since I just recently exchanged contact info with them, but nope, it wasnt them either.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was Tarumi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I hadnt seen her since...what was it, February? And honestly, I was surprised she would call me again. I stepped out into the hall and picked up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hello? Uh...Taru-chan?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Id blown the dust off that nickname last time I saw her, so I figured Id toss it out again and see what happened. Nope, still awkward.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It didnt really roll off the tongue.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hey there, Shima-chan.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tarumi sounded a little stiff and awkward, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Silence.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was going to ask her, did you need something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But then I remembered someone complaining about me always asking that, so I didnt. So what was I supposed to say instead? Whats up?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Fortunately, I didnt have to think about it for long before she came to my rescue.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Would you wanna hang out again?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "On second thought, this wasnt much of a rescue at all. Now what? I already wasnt expecting this phone call, but I really", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "wasnt expecting this invitation. Last time around, things were just so awkward...and it hurt. That said, it seemed to recover right at the very end. Was she hoping for more of that?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dont hold your breath, Taru-chan.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Cmon, lets hang! Look, uh...Ill try harder this time! You know?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Like, I wont...you know...let it turn out like that again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She seemed to read my mind, because she blurted out a hasty disclaimer. What did she mean by try harder? Was she going to talk the whole time, or what? Because that sounded miserable in its own way.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its not about trying or...or...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was talking to someone who used to be my best friend, and yet somehow I couldnt find the words. I just...didnt see the need for us to go out of our way to hang out with each other. Doesnt it kind of defeat the purpose if you have to TRY to have fun together?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And yet...it didnt feel right to shoot her down, either...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uhhhh...well...okay, sure. Lets hang out or whatever.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Cool! How about this Saturday?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, this weekend? In other words, wed potentially be spending a whole day together. Sure, I dont have any plans.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay. Well then... Ahem...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmm?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I heard her clear her throat and figured something important was coming next, so I waited quietly to find out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hooray!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...Huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im soooo", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "excited! Yaaaay!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My mind reeled. Was I still talking to the same person? I could hear her breathing stiffen on the other end of the line.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Or not...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uh...you doing okay there, Taru-chan-san?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Th-that was just...an example of how hard Ill be trying!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Cringe", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". Reflexively, I took a step back-directly into the wall, where I proceeded to bump my head. Ouch", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dont you think thats maybe a bit too eager? Because I dont know if I can tolerate that for very long,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought to myself with a stiff smile.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Would you prefer something more chill?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Would I what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I guess Ill have to experiment.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And with that, she promptly ended the call. At least youre decisive about SOMETHING, I guess.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As for me, it felt like a one-sided invasion.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After the call ended, I stood there in the hallway, leaning up against the wall.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My life wasnt exactly busy", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", and yet it felt like all these changes were going to keep me on my toes. And because I was forced to move at someone elses pace, it was running me ragged.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Through the wall behind me, I could hear my sisters innocent laughter. She was always the type to play the good girl whenever she was in public, so it was rare to see her let her guard down around someone who wasnt family. Once upon a time, I was like that, too. And like her, I once had some great friends. But at some point, I ended up here", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Not that I didnt like my current self, but...I could only pray that my sister would never lose sight of her sincerity the same way I had.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then my mother peered down the hallway. What are you doing there?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nothing, I answered.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If you say so, she replied. What do you want for dinner tonight?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What kind of food would you want? Were going to go to a restaurant.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And you want ME to decide?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In terms of food we couldnt get at home, the options were conveyor belt sushi, Korean barbecue, and regular sushi. Oh, and...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay then, uh... I paused to think about Adachi. Chinese.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I didnt choose it because I was craving it-I chose it because I knew wed end up at the restaurant where Adachi worked part-time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure, I could always call or send an email. But if that was what she wanted, she wouldve reached out by now. So instead, Id be better off talking to her in person. Or so I figured, at least.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure enough, the whole family ended up at Adachis Chinese place. Yashiro was no longer with us, though I hadnt noticed her leave.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im looking forward to hearing more about your high school escapades, my mother teased me as we got out of the car. Evidently she hadnt forgotten about Adachi, either.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Somehow I dont think shell be very talkative this time,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I shot back silently.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then we walked in...and she wasnt there. Instead, a different female employee waddled up to us like a penguin. Apparently Adachi wasnt scheduled to work tonight. Once again, this proved just how little I really knew about her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What a shame, my mother muttered offhandedly when she realized Adachi wasnt here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I turned away...and quietly agreed.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "On Saturday, the sky was a single flat shade of blue with a few scant clouds. That day found me standing outside the front gates of my old elementary school. At first I was confused why we wouldnt just meet up outside the train station or something, but Tarumi insisted she was going to handle all the days planning, so I decided to just shut up and let her call the shots. We were supposed to meet up at 11 AM, but I ended up arriving ahead of schedule, so...now it was time to wait.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As it turned out, it took a lot less time to get here than I remembered. Probably because my legs had gotten so", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "much longer. Heh heh heh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For old times sake, I walked closer to the school building...and when I saw the expanded campus with my own two eyes for the first time, I could scarcely believe it. Obviously Id heard about it from my little sister, but still, I couldnt help but marvel at how much bigger it had grown. But when I walked around behind the original building, I found the same dirty old walls that were there during my own elementary school days. I could remember running around with", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tarumi out here, once upon a time...but the girl in question was still nowhere to be seen.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I checked my phone. Almost time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then I felt my stomach tense up. Admittedly part of me wasnt feeling too optimistic about this... Funny how I never felt this way whenever I hung out with Adachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "These things are complicated, I guess.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And with that, I absolved myself of any responsibility to investigate the inner workings of my own heart.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I hadnt heard Adachis voice in a while now, since she never approached me in the classroom. And now she wasnt showing up to school at all", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", for that matter. What was going on with her?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whenever I had nothing better to do, oddly enough, I frequently caught myself thinking about Adachi. Partly because I didnt have that many friends to think about, but partly because she was just so bizarre", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". She left a lasting impression, whether she meant to or not. But as I was thinking back to that weird face she had made on the day of our entrance ceremony, I heard Tarumis voice in the distance: Crap, youre early!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I looked up to find her jogging over to me, wearing a light green cardigan over a gray cotton shirt. Yep, pretty normal street clothes. Apparently Adachi was the only person I knew who would show up wearing a China dress. Not that she didnt rock the look, of course.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And so, although the days of randoseru backpacks were long past us, the two of us reunited outside our elementary school.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whats with the little smirk? Something wrong with my outfit? Tarumi asked, pulling at her clothes. Meanwhile, I touched my face. What smirk?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I couldnt really tell.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, nothings wrong. Sorry, I didnt realize I was smirking.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, maybe smirking is the wrong word. Kinda seemed like you were...smiling to yourself, I guess?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ohhhh. Now that", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "made sense. I was just remembering this stupid face one of my friends made a while back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gotcha. Im not late, am I? She looked up at the round white clock embedded into the front of the school building-the same one I", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "remembered from back in the day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, I was just really early.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I dont remember you being this punctual, Shima-chan.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What are you talking about? Ive always been punctual! I laughed dismissively, though it wasnt especially funny.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmmmm... Okay, well, lets do it!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh? Do what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tarumi hunched over like she was charging up for something. I cocked my head.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "WOOHOO! HEY, SHIMA-CHAN!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wh-whoa...!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The way she shouted and waved at me, youd think we werent standing literally right next to each other.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Alrighty then. Lets get going.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She swiftly regained her composure and turned to leave. Evidently that level of enthusiasm was hard to maintain; she had to charge up for it. Which meant Id need to stay on guard in case she sprang it on me again later.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And so, off we went. Surprisingly, we were off to a good start. Maybe smiling was more crucial than I thought.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As we walked, I looked at Tarumi. Her hair was still ash brown, and like last time, she was wearing it in loose curls draped around her neck. In the past she used to have straight bangs, but these days her hair was poofy all over.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As our legs carried us away from the elementary school, I breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Given her antics over the phone, I was terrified she was going to propose that we screw around here at our old stomping grounds to get in touch with our inner child or something. And as someone with a sibling who currently attended this school, to do so would be a death sentence. If her little friends found out she was related to me, she would never speak to me again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Where are we going? I asked as I followed after her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thats for me to know and you to find out, she answered over her shoulder. Then she pointed at my bangs. So you dyed your hair", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "back?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I pinched a random strand. Yep.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It looks a lot better.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You think so?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not good, but better. Everyone in my family said the same thing. The only person who called it pretty was my hairdresser.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then Tarumi reached out-I figured she was going for my hair, but then she touched the hand holding", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "said hair. Her fingers interlaced with mine. Then, as my eyes widened in surprise, she turned and started dragging me away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whoa!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hastily, I sped forward until we were walking shoulder to shoulder...but even then, she didnt let go. It reminded me of Adachi, except less awkward. In Adachis case, she was a little too...direct. And another thing-why was it that everyone seemed to want to hold hands with me? Were they trying to keep a leash on me so I wouldnt wander away? This struck me as an absurd misunderstanding. If anything, I was the lazy homebody type.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As we walked, Tarumi glanced over at me. Then she donned a big grin. Hows this?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In a sense, it was even more intense than the woohoo", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "shenanigans.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Please just say something, would you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, I was just remembering.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What? Her smile held firm, but her brow furrowed in confusion. Evidently her face could multi-task. I dont understand what thats supposed to mean.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You used to grin at me like that all the time, remember? And I used to not care about what other people thought of me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I could feel myself smiling slightly as I spoke. Really takes me back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then Tarumi started to look me up and down.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmm?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You know, Shima-chan, youve gotten really adult", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "... No, thats not it. Ugh, whats the word? God, Im so stupid. She combed her hair", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "to one side with her fingers as she searched for what she wanted to say. Basically, what Im trying to say is, youve really grown up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I mean, youve grown more than I have, I replied as she towered over me by half a head. Meanwhile, she maintained her jovial grin-didnt react to the intonation of my voice or anything. Frankly, it was downright unnatural. You dont have to force yourself, you know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nah, Im fine, she replied, dismissing my concern with that ever-present smile.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How can she still talk with her lips fixed in that position?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Besides, Im only half", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "-faking it, she continued.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And with that, she faced forward and started walking a tiny bit faster.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The only sound was that of sizzling. Or maybe hissing was more accurate. Either way, it smelled heavenly", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". I leaned forward slightly, gazing down at the okonomiyaki", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "pancake frying right before my eyes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hm... hm hm... hm hm hm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "On the other side of the table sat Tarumi. Her humming sounded painfully forced, and I smiled awkwardly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was her idea to come here to this okonomiyaki", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "restaurant for lunch. It was one of those places with an iron griddle at every table-in other words, a cook it yourself experience. As for the actual cooking part, Tarumi had volunteered to handle it all herself because she claimed to be, and I quote, really good at it. And as I sat there and quietly waited to be served, sure enough, she seemed quite adept... Whether she was actually", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "good at it remained to be seen, but she at least made herself look", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "good at it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Personally, my family hadnt gone out for okonomiyaki", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "in god knows how many years, so I was really enjoying the smell and sizzle. My body swayed from side to side in anticipation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was the weekend, so naturally, every other table was occupied", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "by families with kids. As far as I could see from where we were seated, we were the only all-girl group in the restaurant. What did girls usually eat instead of okonomiyaki", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "? Spaghetti or something? (Yashiro was babbling on and on about spaghetti the other day, so it was fresh in my mind.)", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My eyes met Tarumis, and she immediately flashed those pearly whites again. Granted, it was lovely to be met with a smile purely on reflex, but at the same time...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youre going to wear your face out doing that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No way. This stuff is important...uh...I mean, isnt it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She scratched her neck sheepishly. She couldnt even finish her sentence without pausing to question it. But perhaps it was admirable that she didnt let that uncertainty stop her from taking action. And since it would be rude to make her do all the heavy lifting, I decided to make an effort myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So I heard youre a delinquent now. Is that actually true?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gripping a spatula in each hand, she looked up from the okonomiyaki", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "and met my gaze. Nah, I just skip school a lot. If anything, Im a slacker.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I see... Same as me, then.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "To the teachers and everyone else in school, showing up every day was normal. If you didnt rigidly adhere to that, you got slapped with the delinquent label.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But in your case, youve turned over a new leaf, havent you? Tarumi asked as she checked the relative doneness of our pancake.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I shot her a look that said where did you hear about that?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Your mom still calls mine from time to time. Thats how I heard about it, she revealed, smoothing her hair as she spoke.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hrmmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For one thing, I had no idea they still talked to each other, and for another thing, I really", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "didnt want that woman telling everyone my business. I contemplated warning her to knock it off, but knowing the sort of person she was, shed find my embarrassment hilarious and start running her mouth even more", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "to spite me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Damned if I do, damned if I dont. And for that matter, if youre telling people I turned over a new leaf, then how about you pack me a lunch, hmm?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anyway, they dont talk every single day or anything. And obviously I realize Im not getting the full picture. So Id rather hear about it straight from the horses mouth... Er, not that youre a horse! But yeah, that was kind of my objective today. Okay, maybe not objective. Goal, maybe? Or is that still too aggressive? She folded her arms in contemplation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Id noticed this on the phone with her, too-she had the tendency to hyper-focus on her word choice. As far as I could remember, she had always been the type to shrug off those small details and just have fun.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anyway, my point is: tell me about you! Tell me about your school.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Evidently that part of her hadnt changed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My school? Uh, lets see... This time it was my turn to fold my arms in contemplation. Was there anything really worth talking about?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Are you in any clubs or anything? she asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nah. Although for a while I considered trying out for the basketball team.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was probably a safe move to start with clubs. But what is safe, anyway? And what exactly are we starting?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did you play basketball in junior high or something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah. I was usually on the bench, though. What about you, Taru-chan?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This time, the name Taru-chan sounded natural on my tongue. Then again, maybe it didnt count as natural if I was still self-conscious about it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, I mean, Im a delinquent", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", right? Wouldnt make sense if I was dedicating my time to wholesome, school-sanctioned club activities, she snarked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I giggled. Oh, so now you admit it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I mean, I didnt start skipping right from day one, Tarumi", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "continued, carefully checking the pancakes color from the side. Not like I had some kind of truant rep to maintain. And I didnt have a reason to be anywhere else.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Right.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But then I started thinking, like, what am I gonna do with the rest of my life after I graduate?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Completely getting ahead of myself, I know. But the more I thought about it, the more restless I got, until I just couldnt sit around in class anymore. I needed time to think about it. So I started walking around. Observing people around town. Its actually a lot more fun than it sounds.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Right.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Like, oh, I wonder where that middle-aged lady is headed today. I wonder what path she took to get here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When I start thinking about it, it feels like Im slowly tracing my way through the town. One person leads to another, and then to another...like dominoes, you know?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Right.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Before I knew it, I got addicted to it...and now Im a delinquent or whatever. At this point, she seemed to snap back to her senses. She glanced at me awkwardly. Sorry for rambling.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, no, I enjoyed hearing your point of view. I never knew you felt that way.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Plus, it was a lot less work to just sit here and listen.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Right. Tarumi hung her head sadly, averting her gaze. You dont know anything about me anymore. And I dont know anything about you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmm...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Basically, like...I want to know more about you, Shima-chan. And I want you to know more about me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This conversation was way too serious for a self-proclaimed delinquent like her. But hey, at least she managed to remember to flip the okonomiyaki", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". If it was Adachi, our food wouldve burned black by now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I want to share this moment with you, cause like, this moment is all we have, you know?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Every now and then, I struggled to parse the raw emotion embedded in her words. But there was something about a rough, unpolished surface that really left an impression.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then she looked up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Basically, Shima-chan, what Im saying is...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I might be an old friend...er, acquaintance? Whatever. My point is, like...Im still here, I guess?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Frustrated, Tarumi combed her hair out of her face. Meanwhile, I was waiting for a translation. Was she trying to say that...old friendships didnt stop being friendships...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "God, what am I talking about...? Tarumi muttered, furrowing her brow at her own statement.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, its fine, I replied. I think I can see what youre getting at.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She waved her spatula dismissively. Real talk, this is so embarrassing, I think Id prefer if you didnt.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Honestly, if we started having a heart-to-heart or whatever, I wasnt sure I was going to be able to handle the extreme levels of cringe, so it was probably a smart move to leave some things to the imagination.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Kssh, kssh, kssh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tarumi started singing along with the sizzling, possibly to hide her own shame. As I listened, a dorky chuckle escaped my lips. Man, Id really like the food to be ready now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once our okonomiyaki was finished, Tarumi cut me a piece and plated it for me. Then, paying no mind to her own food, she sat and watched me take my first bite.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was like lava on my tongue, but I didnt want to embarrass myself while she was watching, so I swallowed it and kept a straight face as it burned all the way down. Could she see the tears in my eyes?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 15", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0014", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 16", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0015", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How is it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, um...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There was an awkward pause in which Tarumi smiled nervously.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its really good.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I know, right? She smirked at me as she eyed my plate, reminiscent of my mother when she served up her specialty. Youve always liked this kind of thing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What kind of thing?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She pointed at the okonomiyaki", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "with her chopsticks. Remember in Girl Scouts?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure enough, a memory rose to the surface of my mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, right. I remember now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "One time, in Girl Scouts, we all went out for okonomiyaki", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "for lunch. I couldnt remember any specific details about it, but...I mustve talked about how much I liked it, I guess? And evidently she must have remembered that I liked to add cheese on top, too. Whoa.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im impressed you still remember that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Frankly, I couldnt name a single thing she", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "liked. Did that make me a bad person?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Of course I do. I remember everything about you, she shrugged, scratching her cheek. I felt that first bite of food rise like a lump in my throat-so I hastily went in for another. But instead of eating, Tarumi just watched me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Your foods gonna get cold, you know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, I know. But she simply gazed at me, chopsticks in hand.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After we finished eating and had some tea, my stomach was feeling better, so we decided to walk around town for a while. She took my hand like it was the most natural thing in the world, and I didnt stop her; instead, I just let her lead me down Memory Lane. These were the same streets we walked as kids, except now there was a convenience store on the corner, and more intersections, and more grocery stores. But the weathered old signboard with the marble-eyed cat was still there, so that was a relief, at least. Long time no see, kitty.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, hey! Theres a store there now! Tarumi exclaimed and", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "pointed at a sign in the distance. This sign was wooden, and it was all wrinkled, like an old pickle. But the store itself had a rather chic exterior, with a purple and yellow color scheme. There was even a ribbon on the door. But this was perhaps unsurprising, since the sign read Fancy Goods", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wanna check it out?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh? Okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And so Tarumi led me by the hand into its depths.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure enough, the interior was filled with cute little baubles, trinkets, and accessories-in other words, exactly what youd expect a fancy goods store to have. But considering Tarumi had allegedly only just discovered this new store, she sure seemed to know exactly where she was going. She walked straight to the back, to the phone strap section. Then she pointed at the rack.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wanna get matching straps?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh? Okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Upon further inspection, these straps were a little too big to hang from a cell phone. Bag straps, I guess. I didnt have any straps on my bookbag at present, so it worked out nicely. But if we were going to get a matching pair, then wed need to find common ground between her tastes and mine. Perhaps this wouldnt be easy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Which do you like? Tarumi asked, pointing first at a frog, then a cow, then a cat.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Of those three, I like the cat best.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At one point someone (not sure who) had even likened me to a cat. Probably because I liked to hang out under the kotatsu", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "table, I guess. Adachi was definitely more of a dog, though...but what about Tarumi?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If you wanna get the cat, then lets do that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She immediately reached for the cat straps, but I cut in hastily: What about you? We should pick something both of us like.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I like anything you like. Her eyes wandered around for a moment, then back to me. I mean, whatever you like is fine, she corrected herself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was she was trying to hint that she liked me", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "? I could feel myself getting a little bashful. Her gaze carried a heat unlike any other, and it made it hard to breathe. Desperate to get this over with, I reached for the first thing that entered my line of sight.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay then, how about this bear?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "With its oversized head and dopey smile, it was exactly the sort of thing I wouldnt mind attaching to my bookbag.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, hey, I like that one, too, Tarumi responded. Then, a beat later, she spread her arms out wide, like a ninja clinging to a giant octopus. I loooove", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "it!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Do you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, sure. Its cute enough, she shrugged, and this time she seemed sincere. So I grabbed a second bear off the rack.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just then, I noticed a man wearing a witchs hat standing next to me, holding the same item. Man, this little guy is adorable, he grinned. Next to him was a man in a green hat, staring off in a different direction with a disgruntled scowl on his face. Frankly, this didnt really strike me as the type of store a guy could visit with his best bro, but okay. Upon further inspection, I got the feeling I recognized this green hat guy from somewhere...but before I could put my finger on it, Tarumi grabbed me by the hand.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Quick, lets buy em before you change your mind!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im really not that fickle, though...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nevertheless, she dragged me to the register, where we each paid for our own bear. After that, we left the store.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now to see if youll actually put it on your bookbag, am I right? She grinned like this was some hilarious joke, but I could hear genuine concern in her voice.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, of course Im gonna put it on. What are you worried about?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, no, Im not worried, she replied, shaking her head. But her smile was unnaturally stiff. Knowing you, youll probably lose it within a week, huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wow! Why are you roasting me like this? She makes it sound like Im some kind of careless bimbo who doesnt take care of my", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "belongings, and...thats not...I mean...!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Think about it, Shima-chan. Youve never been the type to get too attached to anything, Tarumi replied vaguely, averting her eyes. In a way, it felt like she was making a moral judgment about me...but at the same time, it also felt like she was simply stating facts.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You really think so?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You know what Im talking about. Youre...unfussy", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", or whatever!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, right. Yeah...I guess so, yeah, I nodded to myself. Admittedly, that did sound like an apt description of my personality.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As for Tarumi, however...for some reason, she seemed sad. She wouldnt meet my gaze. Oh, but then again, I could see a lot of color in her cheeks. At least her complexion was healthy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im just worried that...you wont take good care of it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now it all clicked. At last, it made sense why she wanted to choose something I liked-because that way, Id be more inclined to care about it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay then, I guess Ill have to prove you wrong. I pulled the bear out of its little plastic bag and gazed down at it. It gazed back blankly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You mean it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You really dont trust me, huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, youre like a brick wall! You just dont look that serious about it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I dont?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Confused, I ran my fingers over my face, but I couldnt really tell where the problem was.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But whenever I see you with that blank look on your face, I always wonder to myself...what is she thinking about?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And at that point, you could say its both a punishment and a prize...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At this, her face froze like shed snapped back to her senses. Huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Or something like that, anyway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then she immediately averted her eyes again, like she was embarrassed. But what was so embarrassing about what she said? I tried to think back, but shed blurted it out so quickly, I couldnt", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "remember half of it. And I got the feeling no amount of ruminating would help me understand the other half.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Seriously, dont think too hard about it. Just ignore me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She shook me by the shoulders, but I didnt resist; instead, I let my head bobble around in every direction until it made me sick to my stomach. Admittedly I knew I would be better off just shrugging it off like she was asking me to, since no amount of thinking about it would help me figure it out, but...something else had given me pause. The part where she said she couldnt tell what I was thinking.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I had this one particular bad habit-well, then again, maybe everyone was like this to some extent-crap, there I go again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anyway, I had the tendency to treat my views as the default, which was probably part of the reason why I never really took an interest in the people around me. After all, I just assumed they were all the same as me, so what was the point of learning about them?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But for the most part, I was wrong. Most people werent like me at all. Take Tarumi, for example-wed spent all that time together, and yet her outlook was nothing like mine. There was a firm line between us, and it felt fresh and interesting to stop and examine it. Once again, if it wasnt for this other person in my life, I never would have realized.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We were best friends in elementary school, estranged in junior high, then reunited in high school. We had followed the same path, and yet we turned out completely different. Being human sure is wild.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But would I cross that dividing line to get a closer look at her true self? That was a different story altogether.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After that we wandered around for a while, and I told her the story of when I played with a boomerang at the park, and then I was home again before 3 PM. She walked me all the way there, just like when we were kids.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Would you wanna do this again sometime? she asked before we parted ways, her face turned away. Was she feeling bashful, or what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, sure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Meeting her had opened my eyes to a lot of new things. Besides, she was my friend. What reason did I have to say no?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She whipped her head back in my direction, her bangs fluttering", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "through the air from the momentum. And that same momentum carried her in my direction. Reminds me of Adachi,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought to myself, and before I could finish comparing the two, she took my hand in hers. The way she slid her fingers between mine made my skin tingle.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Lets be friends again, Shima-chan, she declared, raising our hands up to eye level. And judging from the heat radiating from her palm, I could tell shed been meaning to say this to me all day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Real life didnt work like it did in manga, where interpersonal relationships could coast along unspoken in the background. A friendship was like a drivers license-you had to get it renewed every now and then. Not that I knew from experience, obviously.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That was my answer to her passionate proposal. And yet...my gaze flickered to our joined hands. The way this conversation was framed, it felt like she was after something more", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "than just friendship...or was I just overthinking things?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She didnt seem to want to let go, and I couldnt shake her off, so instead I just stood there, perplexed. Minutes ticked by. Our palms were starting to sweat like summer had come early, and the weird silence was really freaking me out-", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, its Shimamura-san, a voice called offhandedly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Instantly Tarumi straightened up and whipped her hand away, hiding it behind her back. This made me feel like wed been caught doing something inappropriate, and I stared at the ground. Nevertheless, our intruder barged right in and grinned up at me. It was Yashiro, of course. Probably here to hang out with my sister.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But Tarumi didnt let the introduction of a mysterious child rattle her. It was impressive just how unruffled she was, actually-she didnt even look", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "at her. As I stared in surprise, she blurted out a quick see you and hurried away. And as she disappeared down the street, I saw the shadow of Adachi in that retreating figure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The two of them resembled each other-not in their looks, but in their behavior. Perhaps that was why they were both so aggressive in their friendships with me. Whenever I spent time with one or the other, it felt like they were constantly shaking me by the shoulders,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "jerking me around in all directions.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I heaved a sigh, Yashiro tilted her head up at me as she clung to my leg. Whats the matter?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, nothing. Im just tired.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whether it was genuine or forced, Tarumis enthusiasm was exhausting to be around for long periods of time. When we were kids, though, I managed to keep up with her just fine... Maybe I was the weirdo in this scenario.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Who am", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I, really?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was on the cusp of falling down the rabbit hole of introspection...but then I caught sight of Yashiro hopping up and down, and her bright blue hair caused other questions to plug that hole right back up again. Was I really that deep of a person? Compared to an enigma like Yashiro, the answer was decidedly no", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". And so I was successfully spared from shallow self-searching.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sometimes I really appreciate you, you know that?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As well you should!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I grabbed her by the waist, picked her up, and swung her around. She weighed practically nothing, so it was barely even a workout.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Are you here to see my sister?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im here for both of you, of course!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Aww, how sweet. Thanks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "was me: the girl standing here, living, breathing. And with that conclusion, I went on my merry way.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Incidentally, I later received three emails from Tarumi, thanking me for hanging out with her. This, too, was reminiscent of Adachi.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Two weeks into the first semester, the seating arrangement still had yet to be shuffled. Apparently it was scheduled for the end of April.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Keeping with my new routine, I went to the school store, bought", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "my lunch, and ate it with the Trio. I was starting to fit in with them, and as their conversations flew in one ear and out the other, I maintained a smile.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was a second-year now, and this was my new life. In fact, I was starting to think maybe Id gotten used to it faster than I thought I would. But then someone else called for me that day at lunch.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This was the third unexpected invitation I had received in April, following Sancho and Taru-chan. Third times the charm, as they say.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I looked in the direction of the voice...and this time, it was actually Adachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 17", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0016", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yashiro Comes Calling", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Part 6", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "O", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "N MY WAY HOME", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "from school, I bump into Yachi, same as always.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "From now on, I am Yashiemon, the town mascot, she says to me out of nowhere.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What are you talking about?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Other kids from my school turn to look at Yachi as they pass by. Not that I blame them. I mean, just look at her hair! Every time she moves, she scatters sparkles like theyre sakura petals. And her butterfly hair matches the spring season perfectly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In order to acclimate myself to this planet and this town, I must first establish myself as an idol of the people.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What? Thats kinda weird. Im confused.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After all, I mustnt let anyone discover that I am an alien.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She fixes me with a serious look. Thats funny-isnt that one of the first things you said to me when we first met?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I am not the same as my compatriot, you see. Keh heh heh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If you say so. Now be honest: do you really", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "not go to school?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I peer around behind her. No backpack hanging from her shoulders. If she lives in my neighborhood, then youd think wed go to the same school, and yet Ive never seen her there.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Are you truant? Just like my big sister, except not anymore.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ha ha ha! Dont be absurd, Little. As I told you, Ive long since graduated.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But youre smaller than me...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, I am not. It is you", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "who are small, she declares, standing on her tippy-toes until her legs start to shake. Hey, thats cheating!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I get up on my tippy-toes, too. Then my", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "legs start shaking.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We compete and compete until suddenly Yachi goes Boing! and jumps up. Her toes reach my eye level, and...wait, what the? Did I really see that? Confused, I rub my eyes. Meanwhile, she lands back down on the ground.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It appears I have won.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uhhh...okay... I bob my head up and down as I think back over what just happened. Did you just jump, like, ridiculously high?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Id say it was average at best. Anyone could do that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Anyone", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", huh? Because I dont think I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "could do that. Judging from her looks, shes not from Japan, so maybe her whole country is just really good at jumping.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now then, Little, I shall pull anything you desire out of my pocket.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She gestures to her kangaroo pocket, which looks like she sewed it on herself. I peer into it but cant see anything in there.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anything?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I ask.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anything, she nods.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay then, I want strawberry shortcake, I tell her, since its the first thing that comes to mind. Then I hold my hands out and wait. Not that I really expect it to work.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Storeberry shotcake?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, thats not what I said... Whatever. Its a type of cake, okay?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Cake? She tilts her head.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I tilt mine, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What is cake?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You dont know what cake is?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not at all, she declares proudly for some reason.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A cake is shaped like this, and its really sweet-well, most of them. My favorite is the normal kind-at least, I think its the normal kind? The kind with strawberries and buttercream frosting.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As she listens to my explanation, Yachis eyes shift from left to right. Hmmm... Ill need to see it for myself first.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You need an example? Okay, um... Oh, they might have them", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "there. I remember the convenience store thats just up ahead. Pretty sure they sell little cakes there. But first, I need to make sure: Can you really", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "pull one from your pocket?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Indeed I can.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shes talking like...like she can make it out of thin air", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And so the two of us visit the convenience store on the way home. Honestly, we should probably have a grown-up with us, but Yachi insists shes 680 years old, so we just walk in. Didnt she say a different number last time? I cant remember.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Next to the deli section is a row of baked treats. Theres a bunch of different kinds of pudding, but only two kinds of cake: mille crpe and Mont Blanc. So I take the mille crpe, since its the closest in shape to strawberry shortcake, and show it to Yachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This is what a cake looks like. This one doesnt have strawberries, though.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I see, I see. She takes it and heads for the register.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youre gonna buy it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, I need to find out what it tastes like.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Do you even have money? I ask nervously as I follow along behind her. I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "sure as heck dont have any money.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Money...? Her eyes wander. Oh, right. That.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thats not very reassuring, Yachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As we walk up to the register, I feel my whole body get stiff. Usually my mom or sister is with me whenever I need to buy something, but this time theres no grown-up to hide behind. I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "have to be the grown-up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The lady at the register looks like shes my moms age. Shes big and scary. But Yachi acts like she doesnt even notice. I would like this cake, please, she says, placing the cake in front of the lady.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then she starts digging in her pocket, and while the ladys staring at her bright blue hair, she pulls out a bear-shaped piggy bank. What the?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That thing is way", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "too big to possibly fit in her pocket! The cashier lady couldnt see it since the counter was in the way, but I", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "sure saw it! It was like a magic trick!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She dumps some 500-yen coins out, one by one.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How many of these do you need?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thats a weird question. Cant you see the price sticker right there?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just one, the lady replies stiffly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, okay. And so Yachi puts the rest of the coins back into her piggy bank...and stuffs it into her pocket like its the most normal thing ever. What the heck?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I scream silently to myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But then she walks off without taking her change, so I take the change from the cashier lady in her place. My heart is pounding like crazy. It feels like Im pretending to be a grown-up, and my face feels tingly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then I dash out of the convenience store and find Yachi. Shes already opened the little plastic container to get at the cake; she cuts off a small bite with her plastic fork and puts it in her mouth.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I never noticed til now, but Yachis lips are faintly blue. How is that possible? I forget all about giving her her change and stare at her, transfixed. Her eyebrows are really pretty, too. Does she pluck them? What about her hair-does she do anything special to take care of it? How long would it take before it ran out of little blue sparkles?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This cake is quite good. Very sweet, she declares as she chews. You should have some, too, Little.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then she cuts me a bite and holds it up to my mouth. I debate whether to take the fork, but then I notice the cake starting to slip off, so instead I lean forward real quick and take the bite. The forks pointy ends stab into my tongue slightly, but it doesnt hurt too bad, since its just plastic.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure enough, the cake is super sweet. As I chew, my heart starts fluttering again. Whenever Im with Yachi, something crazy is guaranteed to happen. Shes nuttier than a gag manga. I know Id never eat cake on my way home if it wasnt for her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Would you like another bite?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh? I mean, its your cake. You paid for it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Go on, she insists, cutting me another bite and holding it up. So I lean forward and let her feed it to me a second time. My sister used to", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "do this for me, too, until I told her to stop treating me like a baby. So why is it okay when its Yachi?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Again, the taste of sugar fills my mouth. Meanwhile, I stare at her pale, delicate fingers up close. If I licked them, would they taste like cake, too?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once I pull away, Yachi puts the fork in her own mouth to eat the rest of the bite. Including the part my lips touched. She chews and chews and chews, and then...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now that I understand the shape and flavor, I should be all set. Just a moment.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She turns her back to me and starts fumbling around in her pocket. Is this gonna be like the piggy bank moment all over again? I try to sneak a peek.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whatcha doing?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You mustnt look! she shouts, like the crane from that one fairytale, and totters away. Then she totters back and thrusts out her hands.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I stare, wide-eyed, at the thing shes holding.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Here you are, she says, offering it to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure enough, its a cake...except shes holding it directly in her hands. One wrong move and the whole thing will fall apart.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whoa, what the heck is that", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This is the storeberry shotcake you asked for, is it not?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uhhh...not quite...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I cant believe it. She really pulled a cake out of her pocket! What kind of magic trick is this? Did she secretly buy a second cake? No, that cant be possible. I was standing right there the whole time, and she only bought one! But...the cake shes holding looks picture-perfect...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmmmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I dont get it. Is it a magic trick? Or is the magic in Yachis pocket?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Heh heh heh. Now you will dedicate all your idolizing to me! she smirks. I dont think she understands how being an idol actually works.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I look down at her kangaroo pocket, I frown to myself. All shes done is make herself look suspicious...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But then again, I wouldnt want her to change her mind about giving me this cake, so I guess Ill save my opinion for after", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "we eat it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 18", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0017", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 3:", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The Moon and Courage", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "S", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "OME TOOK PITY ON ME,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "and others were kind enough to ignore me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This applied to every field trip I ever went on in elementary school. I always wandered around alone, and then when it was time for lunch, I ate my sandwich alone, too. Some teachers would feel sorry for me and offer to accompany me, while other teachers didnt seem to care. And since I had chosen solitude of my own free will, naturally, I preferred the latter. I had no trouble turning down similar offers from my peers, but when it came to authority figures, I couldnt really say no. Thus, I would inevitably end up eating lunch with them, chewing on autopilot until my jaw ached, unable to taste a single thing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was fine on my own. I simply didnt care enough about other people to put effort into reading their emotions. And if I wasnt going to offer the proper amount of respect for others, then I was better off not trying to make any connections at all. After all, I didnt want anyone to get hurt. It was easier to coast through life never causing any problems.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That said, there was", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "one time during fifth grade that I purposely went out of my way to try and make friends. I was influenced by all the information bombarding me at the time: Friends are our greatest assets. Friendship is beautiful.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Blah, blah, blah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So I did my best to smile, and ask questions about the other person, and all that. Then I learned how to spot other kids who were bad at social interactions, and if I targeted them specifically, making friends with them wasnt that hard at all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But these forced friendships weighed down on me, suppressing my emotions, erasing all my imperfections. Whenever one of them spoke to me, I had to craft a fitting response and keep the conversation going. No part of this was genuine; I just parroted whatever I heard other people saying.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Every time I repeated this process, I grew restless. And every time I gained a new friend, I boxed myself in further, closing off my", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "exits.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But then one day I threw it all in the trash and walked off without them...and that was the day I noticed just how freeing", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "it felt. All I needed was a single breath of fresh air to finally realize that I was meant to live my life alone.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "There I was, sitting in the second-floor gym loft once again. But unlike last fall, when the place felt like an oven, this time the heat was mild. That, and Shimamura wasnt here.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I sat with my knees tucked up to my chin, gazing out the window, hoping faintly that the spring sun would warm up the icy floor along with the white walls. My body felt like lead, and no matter how much time passed, the weight refused to lift. Even when I closed my eyes, I could still feel it there.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I let out a sigh for the umpteenth time. At this point, I Shimamura welcomed", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "the wall.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Long story short: now that we were second-years, Shimamura was thriving, and I...wasnt.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura wasnt like me-she never hit a dead end in her friendships with other people. Honestly, it was probably sheer coincidence that she came up to the loft back when we were first-years. Something must have pushed her here, and she simply went with it. I had skipped class to be alone, but Shimamura had skipped class out of boredom. Our motives were not the same.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Life was not comprised of neat little chapters; happiness was short-lived and fleeting, lost to the steady passage of time. And the joy I felt at being assigned to the same class as Shimamura was starting to scatter like sakura petals.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I had grown complacent. When she called me by my first name, I knew it was just a joke, but I let it go to my head. I told myself our", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "bond was as strong as an iron chain...and that was when it started to rust.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I thought back to the way Shimamura had acted in class, I hung my head until my forehead touched my knees. She had smiled at those people-a polite and vaguely friendly smile, probably reserved for anyone she didnt know well. I knew that, but the problem was...I couldnt tell the difference between that one and the one she always directed at me", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was so irrationally frustrated, both at Shimamura and", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "the girls she smiled at, that it made me want to claw my own face off. I felt so petty for feeling betrayed over this. My heart ached with despair, and I wanted to cry. I really thought we built something together...but whatever I had with Shimamura, it wasnt special or magical. It couldnt support our weight at all. Instead, it fell apart faster than a sandcastle.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And yet, in choosing to come here of all places, I was clearly hoping Shimamura would prove me wrong.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I sat up a little taller, then hunched back down, as I debated whether to sneak a peek down at the first floor. Eventually, when I decided to take a quick look, I spotted Shimamura down there. Apparently theyd decided to hold gym class indoors today, probably because of the rain. I could hear basketballs thudding against the floor. Was Shimamura throwing a ball around right about now? Did she notice I wasnt in class this morning? Was she thinking about me? Did she suspect that maybe I was up here?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought about spying on her, but if by any chance she looked up and caught me, I wouldnt know what to do. So instead I played it safe and waited. I could hear the rain drilling against the wall behind me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then I heard footsteps, and I looked up. Someone was coming up the stairs to the loft. I couldnt stop myself from smiling like an idiot as I watched to see who it was. For some reason, I wasnt remotely scared that it was a teacher coming to lecture me, either. My heart was filled with light.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But as I would quickly discover, that light would sting my eyes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It wasnt Shimamura. It was some girl I didnt recognize. When she noticed me sitting here, she reacted awkwardly, but otherwise kept", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "walking right on past me to the corner. Then she sat down, legs extended and crossed, and took out a small paperback book. Her hair was a long, dark, indistinct mass, concealing her elongated, oval-shaped face. I quickly lost interest and let out a sigh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once again, I had lost my place.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If I cant be with Shimamura, then Id rather be alone", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "-that was my entire motivation for coming here. Disappointed, I decided to make my retreat. So I grabbed my bookbag, slung it over my shoulder, and headed down the stairs.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I contemplated where to go next, I heard footsteps from above.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uh, wait! You there!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The other girl had followed after me to the landing. Clinging to the handrail, she bent forward to look down at me. I fixed her with a wordless, inquiring look. She smiled.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sorry I stole your spot.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Its fine.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I tried my best not to be rude, in case she was an older student. So I inclined my head slightly and hurried out of the gym before anyone in my class could spot me...and before I had to look at Shimamura having fun with people who werent me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Outside the gym, there were no teachers-just the faint patter of rain. As I tried my best to stay dry, I found myself steadily moving away from the school building. Then I felt the weight of my bookbag against my shoulder and decided it was too much effort to turn back...so I didnt.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not like Id left anything behind.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I biked along down the street, I gazed around at the scenery and wondered to myself: Where am I going?", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I left campus on autopilot in the exact opposite direction of my house. Belatedly, I realized I didnt want to risk encountering my mom", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "back at home, since shed probably chew me out. But biking around town didnt exactly make the time fly by; I was fully conscious of every agonizing second that passed. The vague warmth of spring mixed with the rain to create a state of torpor that slowly engulfed me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I passed by the driving school and cut through the parking lot of the mens clothing store until I arrived at the same shopping mall Id visited with Shimamura a handful of times in the past. I didnt have anywhere else to be, so perhaps this would suit my purposes just fine. I parked my bike and hurried inside, out of the rain.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The interior had been remodeled at some point last year to add new stores. As I walked along, the scent in the air shifted to something sweet. Someone once told me about how malls in other countries all smell the exact same way. Then, as I passed by the electronics store, I picked up the scent of maple syrup.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If Shimamura was here with me, which stores would she want to visit? I contemplated this question as I walked. We didnt have any plans to come here together, and yet I couldnt help but think about it anyway. Honestly, I still didnt have a firm grasp of her likes and dislikes. How could I get her to enjoy herself with wild abandon? She had zero hobbies-she literally said as much to my face-so it was kind of impossible. Not like there was a boomerang store here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wanted to know everything", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "about Shimamura...well, unless she secretly hated me or something, in which case I didnt want to know about it. But if I did", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "know about it, then maybe I could figure out a way to change her mind, so maybe I did", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "want to know about it. So yeah, I wanted to know everything about Shimamura. Everything", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But now we were second-years, and Id scarcely heard her voice at all. Well, okay, technically Id heard it a lot. But it was in the background, not directed at me. Sure, I could just call her up on my cell phone, but that wasnt the issue. So what do I actually DO about this? What is it that I want to change?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wanted...to be with Shimamura. I wanted to hear her voice. I wanted her attention. That was the honest truth of how I felt, and I wasnt trying to turn a blind eye to it. But there was one thing I could say for sure: I wasnt going to fix anything by wandering around the mall on a weekday afternoon. So what was I doing here?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There were twenty-four miserable hours in a day, and I hadnt", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "spent a single one of them doing anything productive. I could sum up the entire days events in a single breath. How did each day manage to be both long and short at the same time?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It felt like I was living in monochrome. Everything was so dull without Shimamura. God, Im such a boring person.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I walked along the far edge of the mall, I picked up the sounds of chatter-animal chatter, to be specific. I glanced around and swiftly spotted what appeared to be a brand-new pet shop with not only puppies and kittens, but fish and...even sheep? At least, according to the sign outside.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This could work.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Maybe there was a chance Shimamura would take an interest in this kind of store.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I examined it further, I noticed another teenage girl standing out front, scanning the store, almost like she, too, was scoping the place out. Toying with one of her long, loose curls, she peered in through the open door. She was a bit taller than me, and she radiated an aura of maturity that suggested she was older than me, too. Then she sensed me staring, glanced at me, and moved to walk away-but she was apparently so startled, she slammed her bookbag right into mine.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sorry!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The impact knocked something loose, and it fell to the floor. I caught sight of it, stopped short, and bent down to pick it up. It was a little bear strap. But its owner didnt seem to notice that shed dropped it; she was still walking. Conflicted, I debated what to do about it, but ultimately decided itd be a real jerk move to let her walk off without her bear...so I gave chase.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hey, um, wait, I called timidly after her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She turned back, her bangs fluttering with the motion.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You dropped this. I held out the bear strap.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She took it and looked down at it. Oh, thanks. Then she did a double-take. Oh!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh my god! Thank you so much!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Apparently it meant a lot to her, in which case I was glad I plucked up the courage to get it back to its owner. But if she was at the", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "mall on a weekday afternoon, then she was probably a delinquent... Not that I", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "had any right to judge her, obviously.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I mustve been fidgeting with it too much... Ugh, I need to be more careful... Seriously...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And so she walked off, petting the bear. She was actually friendlier than I was expecting based on her looks. I guess she must really love that little thing", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". I was never interested in bag straps, so I didnt have any, but...maybe if me and Shimamura had matching ones...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That sounds nice...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Specifically the part where no one else was involved. That part was crucial. Mandatory, even. Very important. Because other people loved", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "to butt in on my time with Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Since I was already standing in front of the pet store, I decided to have a look inside. The entrance I chose apparently led to the back of the store, because the first thing I encountered was the aquarium section. The air in here was uncomfortably humid; I scanned around, then moved on to the next room, where I found...the insect and reptile section. I decided to give it a passing glance and move on.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The next room was narrower, and by far the most deafening-the bird section. A parrot beat its wings against the confines of its cramped cage, using its beak to struggle valiantly with the door lock. It was so aggressive, I was half-afraid it might actually get it open. The next few minutes were spent watching with bated breath; then I slipped out of the bird section to the front of the store.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Here, puppies and kittens were relegated to their own separate glass cases, with separate beds for each of them to sleep in, surrounded on all sides by uncomfortably pristine white walls. Surely this was no way for an animal to live.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then, as I passed by, one of the puppies woke up and rushed over to me. Startled, I recoiled slightly. Standing on its hind legs with its front paws propped up against the glass, it wagged its tail at me, tongue lolling. Almost like it was trained to do this to tug at my heartstrings...and it was working", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". I could feel tears start to prick at the corners of my eyes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I felt no sadness looking at the birds in their cages or the fish in", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "their tanks, and yet these glass cases provoked an emotional response from me. Why? As I gazed down at the little white puppy, I realized: because it felt like looking in a mirror.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I, too, was a puppy on display. Even worse, Id basically put myself in the glass case on purpose. But instead of trying to act cute, I just sat there.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now that I was faced with a perfect mirror image of myself, it shook me to my core. The root of my sadness was self-pity.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Never mind. This place sucks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And so I decided against bringing Shimamura here. Wiping at my damp eyes before the tears could fall, I hurried away from the metaphorical mirror in the direction of the nearest exit.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once I made it outside, my plan was to walk around the perimeter to the bike parking area. But as I walked, I spotted some sort of attraction set up against the wall near a different mall entrance.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A woman was seated at a long table decorated with a banner that read: Get Advice For Love, Money, Marriage, and More!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She looked to be in her late twenties, though her face was concealed behind a purple veil. Classic mysterious fortune-teller aesthetic. Her skin was as pale as plaster, throwing her crimson cheeks into sharp relief. But with her visible lack of makeup, she struck me as somewhat unsophisticated. Her setup was first-rate, but she seemed like a total amateur.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Welcome, welcome! Have a seat, she called, gesturing to the chair in front of her, even though we hadnt so much as made eye contact. I tried to pretend she wasnt talking to me, but before I could walk by, she continued, You can go ahead and take your worries home with you, but your tomorrow will be just as ugly as today.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Reflexively, I stopped short.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then I heard her pat the table. Come, come.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I turned back to look at the fortune-teller(?), unsmiling. In contrast to her singsong voice, her expression was dead serious.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hurry on over, now, she pressed, beckoning to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The banner shifted slightly. My eyes settled on the first half: Get Advice For Love.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not that my worries were all that love-related", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Well, not really. I was pretty sure it was something else. But the more I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "thought about it, the more I risked setting my cheeks ablaze in public, so I timidly walked over.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Admittedly, part of me was concerned that this was a scam. But the fact of the matter was, I was in a vulnerable state of mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Before I sat down, I took another look at the fortune-teller. Her expression remained gravely serious. At the very least, she seemed more trustworthy than the headbanger swinging her hair around on that one horoscope TV show.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Are you a real fortune-teller? I asked, comparing the person in front of me with her somewhat professional setup.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, I suppose so. A fortune-shaman, if you will.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Okay...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Id never heard of that job title in my life, and it kinda sounded like she just invented it. Also, upon further inspection, her crystal ball had a crack in it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I can divine anything. For example...lets see...I can tell you where those tears came from, she declared, pointing at my eyes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I straightened up sharply.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At this, she grabbed her crystal ball, set it in her palm, and gazed at me through it. Yes, I see it... Youre lovesick.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Again, I flinched, shrinking into myself slightly. This, I believe, was my downfall.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youre so easy to read. What a sucker-I mean, what a sweetheart! Ahem!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She started fake-coughing, but I was too flustered to care. She hadnt even looked at my palm yet...so how could she tell? Er, not that I was lovesick for Shimamura", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "or anything. That would just be weird.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Heh. With a tiny chuckle, the fortune-shaman gently held out her hand, palm up. One thousand yen.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Normally this would cost at least three thousand, but you teenagers are too cheap-I mean-Ill offer you a student discount.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her expression was firm, and yet her lips were loose enough to make wildly unnecessary comments.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I have to pay a thousand yen for this?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Frankly, youre getting a real bargain.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She held out her hand once more. But the word bargain only made me more", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "suspicious. Not that I expected her to do her job for free or anything, but I innately questioned the value of anything priced above 500 yen. Maybe it was just human nature.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That said, I was already sitting here, and I got the feeling this lady wasnt about to just let me walk away. Her fingers wiggled impatiently. So I took out my wallet, and as I pulled out a one thousand yen bill, my brain calculated the cost equivalent at my workplace: two lunch specials. As I placed the bill into her palm, she snatched it up like a vacuum and tucked it away into her pocket.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thank you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Evidently she took better care of her money than she did her equipment. This was not very reassuring.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "First the horoscope show, and now this. Am I just drawn to this stuff? I really need to make sure I dont get duped into wasting my money.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But at the same time, it felt like it was probably too late.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After that, the fortune-shaman seemed to grow tired of holding up the crystal ball, so she set it back down and scrutinized me directly. I could practically feel", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "her gaze sliding over every inch of my body...over my uniform... All at once, I was overcome with deep regret. I wanted nothing more than to get out of here and go home. So I decided I would count to five, and if she was still ogling me, I would grab my bag and run.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But the fortune-shaman seemed to read my mind. I do have one question about this person: is their hair longer than yours?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What person?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Your beloved.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The word beloved", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "made me think of Shimamura, and that", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "made me blush furiously.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Be-love-d. Love.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was the kind of thing I could never say aloud, but at the very least, it felt more accurate than trying to say I was in love", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "with her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, which of us had longer hair? Honestly, I had never thought to", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "directly compare my hair to Shimamuras. I thought back to all my most recent memories of her. Usually I was looking at her from the side rather than the front, which was depressing. From what I could recall, she hadnt given me even a passing glance these days. And of the times she did", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "look at me, she usually had an awkward smile on her face...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh ho. That bad, hmm?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...What?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once again, I hadnt said a word, and yet she was already smirking.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If you cant even answer that question, then I already have all the information I need.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...You do?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I couldnt believe it. Oh god, what if she read my mind?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "One minute all the blood had drained from my face, and the next minute I was blushing all over again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I see what it is you lack. And what you lack is courage", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", she declared in the midst of my panic. Its as plain as the nose on your face! Youre hiding because youre afraid of what others will think.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She was completely right. I stared back, stunned. Was it really that obvious at a glance? At this point, I was genuinely concerned that this woman might be able to read minds. She was a fortune-teller, after all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But for as impressive as it was, something felt off.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I shall teach you an easy way to gain the courage you need. Go stand over there and start shouting.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was pointing at the mall interior, at a passageway just a few feet away. Granted, it wasnt the most populated area, but we werent exactly alone out here, either. I could easily imagine the sorts of weird looks I would get if I started screaming for no reason.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dubiously, I looked back at the fortune-shaman, but she simply picked up her crystal ball and smiled calmly. You can choose not to, of course, if thats your preference. All youll lose is the thousand yen you paid.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now I deeply regretted paying up front.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If you want to get your moneys worth, then get out there.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I flinched, and my chair creaked. Again, it was as if she had read my mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Every now and then, I thought back to this one time in junior high when I worked as a library assistant. There was this girl-I couldnt remember her name or even what she looked like, but she asked me if I had any friends. At the time, I told her I didnt, and that I was fine with it...but looking back, I couldnt help but wonder why she asked me that. Was she going to offer to be my friend?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Even then, my answer would have remained the same. I would have told her I didnt need any friends. But part of me regretted how that interaction played out. Part of me felt that we should have talked it out first, like actual human beings, instead of me one-sidedly slamming her with rejection.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "With that in mind, I didnt want to add to my list of regrets. I couldnt keep sticking my head in the sand. No, I was going to take action. And if I ended up regretting that", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", then so be it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I rose to my feet, my sight went black, as though Id closed my eyes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Raise your fists and make your declaration. Its the only way to carve it deep into your heart.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I started to raise my arms, it occurred to me that this lady seemed less like a fortune-teller and more like a life coach.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I...I can do this, I said aloud in a barely audible whisper as I glanced around at the people nearby.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Meanwhile, the fortune-shaman sat at her table and critiqued my attempt, her chin resting in her palm. Your voice is too quiet, your statement is too vague, and youre not raising your fists. Whats the matter?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If I-", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If you had that kind of courage, you wouldnt need advice, is that it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My arms flinched as she read my mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Heh. Another tiny chuckle. Think about it in reverse: with enough courage, you can solve any problem. Now then, lets see you try again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her words swayed me. At her insistence, I straightened up. Im gonna...do my best!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This is your best? I dont think so. Try again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, come on! Uhhh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I raised my arms, then retracted them again. I couldnt think of anything else to shout, so I looked to the fortune-shaman for help.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No backing down, she cautioned me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No backing down. No running.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...I wont back down from this.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What was that?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I...I...I wont...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wont...back...down...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Three, two, one-", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I WONT BACK DOWN!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The next thing I knew, my arms were in the air. My mind went blank. My vision went white. Beside me, I could hear applause.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, thats wonderful! One more time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I! WONT! BACK! DOWN! I yelled at the top of my lungs.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 19", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0018", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 20", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0019", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My eyes felt like they were bursting. Something shot up from the soles of my feet all the way to my skull, and by the time my ears stopped ringing, all that remained was an almost drunken lightheadedness. I staggered back to my chair and took a seat.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wonderful, the fortune-shaman repeated, chin in hand. I didnt think youd actually do it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thanks, I guess...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "People dont need to know", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "the future. They only need to want", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The way she spoke, it felt like shed dropped the fortune-teller pretense in order to level with me. For once, her words struck me as sincere. I, um...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But just then, her gaze shifted to the right. Oh dear, dear, dear.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I retracted what I was about to say and instead followed suit.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Someone was running in our direction...someone wearing a navy-blue uniform... Belatedly, I realized it was a mall cop. My eyes flew open, and the blood drained from my face. Why was a mall cop barreling towards us?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Looks like we made too much noise.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The fortune-shaman clucked her tongue in annoyance. Without wasting a single moment, she yanked up her banner and used it to wrap up everything on her desk in a single bundle. Then she leapt to her feet, knocking her chair over. She was moving so quickly, my brain couldnt keep up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yet again, she let out a tiny chuckle. Well then, Ill be going now. May your future be bright. And with that, she slung her bundle over her shoulder and took off running like a real class act. Something told me this was how her crystal ball got cracked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The mall cop ignored me and went after the fortune-shaman. Part of me was relieved, but the panic was still there. Was she some kind of unlicensed fraud fortune-teller? If so, I was apparently a terrible", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "judge of character.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then again, being unlicensed didnt necessarily make you a fraud, did it? Maybe it was just bureaucracy keeping her down. Sure, she took one look at my uniform and assumed Id run away from school, and", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "the rest of her observations were shallow at best, but in the end, her advice was the real deal.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Something had quietly taken root inside me, convincing me that the thousand yen I paid was worth it. All I could do now was take a deep breath and wait for it to bloom.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The next day at school, I spent the morning hiding up in the gym loft. Quietly, I exhaled. Without any hobbies of my own, I was an empty void, filled halfway with thoughts of Shimamura. Without her, what would I have left? I would probably just sit around and stare into space, like I was doing right now.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Down on the first floor, I could hear lots of voices. Apparently the first-years were having gym class; I could feel the vibrations from their footsteps through the floor, and it almost felt like the sounds filled the room all the way up to the roof.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dazedly, I bobbed my head up and down. This was a big, fat waste of my time. The seed planted in me yesterday was still smoldering weakly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But as I craned my neck around, suddenly, I spotted something lying on a dusty ping-pong table-something that wasnt there last time. And by this point, I was bored enough that this tiny change drew my interest.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Carefully, to avoid being seen, I crawled over to the table. Resting directly on one corner of the table was a small paperback book with a bookmark sticking out of it. Was this the same one that girl from yesterday was reading? It was placed too perfectly to have been carelessly forgotten... Maybe it was her way of saying this space is reserved.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Casually, I picked up the book and looked at it. It was missing its dust jacket, but the title and author were still listed on the front cover. Apparently it was written by someone named Kitsukawa Eiji; I wasnt a bookworm, so I didnt know who that was.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I flipped to the page where the bookmark was placed and started", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "reading. Obviously I wasnt expecting anything to make sense, since I was starting partway through, but one passage in particular drew my attention:", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why did I keep running away, you ask? The answer was simple: because I was afraid. Day in and day out, I was terrified to think that my future was going to leave me behind. So, rather than let things change without me, I chose to take the initiative myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was a rather abstract piece of writing, and I didnt fully grasp what it was getting at. Not that I was expecting this single passage to single-handedly explain the main characters motivations, of course. That said, the words leave me behind rendered me dizzy. I read the passage again and again and again. Then I put the book back where I found it and sat down on the spot.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I stared up at the lights on the ceiling as though I was gazing up at the soul leaving my body. This random nobody author had somehow picked the exact combination of words necessary to ignite the seed inside me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura and I both shared the same classroom, but only she was functioning as a second-year. Meanwhile, I was stuck in the past.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My mind reeled. My body", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "reeled. It felt like my eyes were rolling around in their sockets, and it frightened me. Times like these, thinking about Shimamura was the only thing that helped me keep it together...on the outside, anyway. On the inside, my heart was a total mess.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In the end, it was safe to say that Shimamura was my entire life. She was the basis for all my decisions. So, seeing as Shimamura was on my mind, what was my next move?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then the bell rang to signal the end of class and the start of lunch break. Girls would flock to Shimamura, and she would sit in the classroom and eat her lunch.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I pinched my bicep, willing myself to stop holding out hope. She wont come up here. You know that. You know for a fact that she wont, so give up already.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I could feel my jaw slacken from zoning out, so I pursed my lips tightly together as I pushed my daydreams away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How long was I going to waste my time entertaining this delusion that if I sulked for long enough, Shimamura would come check on me? Something spurred me forward, warning me that I needed to act", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "before it was too late.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Too late for what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This thought dragged up the fear buried deep inside me. What if Shimamura and I actually stopped being friends because of this? What if our friendship died because I sat around up here for no reason?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I stared, wide-eyed, unblinking. Lukewarm tears filled my vision as my eyes attempted to lubricate themselves. There was no emotion behind them; if I wiped them away, no more would take their place. These tears operated independent of sadness.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Theres still time,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "something whispered.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But what could I do? Could I join the group of other second-years gathered around Shimamura? Objectively speaking, it would probably make everything really awkward, if I was being completely honest with myself. But while I understood that...there was still a tiny chance that I could fit in with them. Maybe that option was available to me, and I just hadnt noticed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But if I took that route, I would stop being myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wasnt perfect; I couldnt predict the future. I knew that. So what kind of person was I? What was I afraid of losing?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Right now, I was empty, but stable. In spite of the nerve-wracking impatience I felt, deep down, part of me was comfortable-content with being alone. When it came down to it, I was naturally disposed to solitude...but that didnt mean it was what I wanted.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In a sense, making an attempt was always the correct choice over the alternative, but this way of thinking had the tendency to forego actual personal growth. After all, you could justify any meager effort as an attempt and simply give up afterwards, leading to a slow decline. If I wanted to better myself, then I needed to do the impossible.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I rose to my feet and started walking. I could feel my back threatening to hunch over, so I stood up straight and faced forward.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Honestly, it was stupid of me to expect anything of other people. Well, okay, maybe that was an exaggeration. But there was no point in making other people solve my problems for me-it was my", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "responsibility. Other people couldnt feel my emotions; only I could locate the pain. Thus, it was up to me", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "to do something about it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Without any hobbies of my own, I was an empty void, filled halfway with thoughts of Shimamura. Without her, this", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "was all I would have left...so the solution was simple.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I hurried down the stairs, I thought back to yesterday.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I can do it, I can do it, I can do it...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My heart trembled as I gave myself a running start. Then I threw my arms into the air and shouted the magic words:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I WONT BACK DOWN!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And then I immediately bolted from the gym. Apparently the fortune-teller had rubbed off on me in more ways than one.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I went to the school store, bought whatever looked appetizing, and headed to the classroom. There she was, surrounded with people, smiling faintly, looking at someone who wasnt me, just like any other day. Each of these things served as a strong deterrent. There was no space for me there.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But as it turned out, I could always just make my own.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This time, I didnt let the presence of other people stop me from calling out to her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And that was the moment I truly became a second-year.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 21", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0020", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Interlude:", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A Visit to the Hino Estate", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Part 2", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "KIRA,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "can we talk?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We had set up Hinos shogi board and were in the middle of a game when her mom walked in. I hadnt seen Hinos mom since Bring Your Parents to School Day back in sixth grade, but she was wearing a fancy kimono at the time, so I recognized her right away. Well, okay...I recognized the kimono. Her face, not so much.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, hello there, erm...Tae-chan, was it? she asked tentatively. But although she didnt sound too confident, she was more or less correct, since Tae-chan was what Hino called me when we were little. I considered telling her my actual name was Taeko, but instead I just nodded.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yep, thats me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, of course, Mrs. Hino nodded in kind. Then she immediately turned back to her daughter.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Clutching my lance piece in her hand, Hino donned her Im annoyed with you scowl and glanced over her shoulder. What do you want?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Perfect, youre already dressed. Id like you to say a few words to our guests, please.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What? Why should I have to talk to them?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Because youre a member of this family.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Great", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". Fine, Ill be right there. Gimme a minute. She set her captured piece down, then turned to me. We gotta put the game on pause. But Ill be right back as soon as I get it over with.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh? Okay. I nodded firmly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She pressed a finger against my forehead. Behave yourself", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Of course I will! Im an expert at that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You liar. Youve got troublemaker written all over your", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "boobies.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She reached out to grab my chest, so I karate-chopped her hand away and smirked. Nice try.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "These days I had a preternatural sense for when she was about to do it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With a stiff smile, she rose to her feet...but by the time she took her first step, that smile was gone. This is why I try to stay out as late as I can. To avoid", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "this crap, she muttered. And with that, she and her mother left the room.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now I was alone.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "First things first...I looked down at the shogi board and stole a few things I was confident Hino wouldnt notice were missing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now then...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I glanced around Hinos room, but Id already combed through it to my hearts content, so there was nothing left to entertain me. I crouched down and scanned the manga on her bookshelf, but even then, nothing grabbed me; Id already borrowed every one of these from her at some point in the past. The rest of the bookshelf was filled with books about fishing, and I had zero", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "interest in those. How long was she going to waste her time fishing when the rest of the world had moved on to boomerang throwing? Get with the times.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I stepped away from the bookshelf and wandered aimlessly around the room for a while until I completely ran out of things to hold my interest. Hino still wasnt back...so I decided to step out into the courtyard for a while.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I just have to behave myself while I walk, thats all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But how would I go about achieving that? The best compromise I could think of would be to keep my upper body as still as possible while I moved.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sounds complicated, but I guess I can give it a try.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "With my posture perfectly straight, I stepped out into the hall. Already the pressure on my shoulders was more intense than I had anticipated.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, Im gonna regret this in the morning.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I gazed out at the sunlit courtyard, a breeze blew by, rustling the branches of the trees. Todays weather: sunny, yet windy. Beyond", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "the tall surrounding fence, beyond the fast-moving clouds, I could see patches of bright blue sky.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I took a deep breath, then exhaled. Hinos house felt like a samurai estate, or a ryokan, or a summer home-quiet and peaceful, like we were out in the middle of nowhere. It felt like I was on vacation somewhere far away, and to me, it was a lot of fun.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wanted to walk out into the yard, but then I remembered I was in my socks. I thought about it for a little while, then decided to take em off. Problem solved.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I stepped down onto the gravel. If this was summertime, the rocks would burn the soles of my feet, and if it was wintertime, theyd feel like ice cubes. Fortunately for me, it was springtime, so instead it felt like a nice foot massage.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Idly, I wondered what Hino was up to right about now. Was she kneeling formally in front of some bigwig? I was tempted to sneak a peek, but I knew it wouldnt be easy. After all, Hino was really", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "good at catching me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Hmm?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Right as I was making a flute out of a leaf I found, a small girl walked out from inside the house. She was wearing some kind of kimono, so at first I thought maybe it was Hino. I squinted through my glasses. Nope, not her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was a little girl, even younger than Hino by the looks of it, wearing a scarlet yukata with a green obi", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". Pinned in her long black hair was an ornament with a bell; under her arm, she carried a yellow helmet, like the kind youd see at a construction site. Was she on a walk, too? Her behavior was really inconsistent; one minute she was peering into the courtyard pond, and the next minute she was playing with the cobblestones at her feet. Oh, now shes coming this way!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Despite her short legs and zori", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "sandals, she was pretty speedy. She slid right up to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Aha. Heres a big girl.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She smirked up at me. Like with Hino, I could sense you-know-what", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "about to happen, so I swiftly recoiled. Sure enough, her little hand closed on empty air mere inches from my chest. That was how I knew Id made the right call.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh ho. Not bad.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The girl retracted her hand, then looked me up and down. I didnt enjoy being ogled, but I was supposed to be behaving myself", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", so I couldnt really protest too much.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You dont appear to be a child of this family.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, I am the child of a butcher.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I swayed my body in a suitably humble manner. She swayed back. So far, she seemed like an alright kid...except she talked down to me like she was older than me, and for some reason I just went with it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The butchers daughter, eh? Does that mean you can eat all the meat you want?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its hard to say.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She tilted her head sadly. Sounds like a no, then.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thinking back, the first time I spent the night at Hinos house, it was because Id eaten some of our products without permission. My parents had launched into this giant lecture, and I wasnt about to stick around for that. Back then, Hino was excited", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "to have me over.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmm? Why are you barefoot? the girl asked, staring at my feet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, my shoes are by the front door, I explained, lifting a foot and spreading my toes. And I was wearing socks earlier, but I didnt want to get them dirty. See?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I had tucked them into the hem of my skirt for safekeeping, so I pulled one out. After all, I didnt want her to think I was some kind of uncivilized barbarian. But for some reason, the little girl tilted her head back and let loose a roaring laugh. Every place has its weirdos, I guess!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why does everyone think Im weird? Even Hino calls me weird. What did I ever do wrong?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now then, Ive had my fill of tea and snacks, and Im getting bored, so I think its time I hit the road.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She actually ate that crap? None of the snacks they served here were remotely sweet, so I didnt care for them. Did they serve her the good stuff or what? Who even was", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "she?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Earthlings are so fascinating. Some hate being big, and others", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "hate being small.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Cackling, she turned to leave. The way she spoke, she made it sound as if she was an alien or something. And youre calling ME the weirdo here?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She donned her yellow safety helmet, hopped onto the moped parked out back, and drove off.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "On second thought, if she has a drivers license, then maybe she IS older than me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I guess you cant judge a book by its cover.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Take Hino, for example. Despite her small size, she was actually pretty mature.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After that, I went back to playing with my leaf flute. Unfortunately, no amount of practice made it sound like a real flute.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What the...? What are you doing out here?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just then, Hino spotted me and came barreling towards me nearly as fast as the other girl. When she reached me, I scooped her up in my arms. She started to flail.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hey! Put me down!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Back on the ground, she put a hand on her hip and glared at me. Listen here, you little twerp!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whats up?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I told you to behave yourself", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", dang it!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I did. It gave me a neck cramp.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now that she was back, I decided it was finally safe for me to relax my shoulders. Agh, my neck.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I turned my head from side to side, stretching it. Meanwhile, Hino let out a sigh...but thankfully, by the time she looked up, she was smiling again. This was a welcome sight.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Are you done talking to your guests? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, one of them ran off somewhere, so I lied and said I would go look for her. Now lets go back to my room!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Glancing nervously over her shoulder, she pushed me down the hall. Was she referring to that girl in the red kimono? If so, she really did me a solid by giving Hino back to me so quickly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When we stepped back into Hinos room, she scanned around. I see you havent been up to any mischief in here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Of course not! How rude!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I can never be too sure with you. Thats all Im saying. As she spoke, she went back to her side of the shogi board. Then she looked down at it...and her expression hardened. Uh, hello? Care to explain this mass exodus?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its a wage strike.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Youre telling me my king", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "went on wage strike?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait, what? Maybe I took one too many.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Fine, whatever. Lets just keep playing and see what happens.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Instead of putting the pieces back the way they were, Hino gave up and decided to resume the game.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youre going to have to put in a lot more effort than that if you want to beat me,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I smirked to myself as I moved a piece. Then she moved a piece. Then I... Uh oh, Im stuck. I think the game got harder somehow.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I notice your mom hasnt come after you, I commented.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mmm... My family doesnt expect much of me. And I mean that in a good way.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I see. Well, okay then. Anyway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im looking forward to lounging in your giant bathtub later tonight.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Good to know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You could even join me! Yeah, lets take a bath together!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wha?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The silver general slipped out of her hand. I tried to catch it but missed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The bathtub at my house would be way too cramped, but here at Hinos house, we could both fit-just like old times.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "See? Your house is the best, I told her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How old are we again...? she muttered as she picked up her general. Then she scratched her head. Let me guess. This is the real reason you came over, isnt it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Correct.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thats my Hino. She knows me well.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Likewise, I knew she would burst out laughing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 22", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0021", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 4:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Courage and Friendship", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "H", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "OW LONG HAD IT BEEN", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "since I last heard Adachis voice? This was quite possibly the first time shed spoken aloud in the classroom since we moved up a grade.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At the sound of my name, I looked up to find her standing next to me, her nose and lips looking tense and rigid. As usual, she moved like a rusty robot in need of grease, to the point that I wondered whether her joints creaked. Just looking at her made me uncomfortable.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So you WERE at school today. Ill bet you were in the loft, like I suspected.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Next to me, the Trio all stopped eating and stared up in confusion at the intruder.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Can I sit next to you? she asked me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I didnt mind, of course, but what about the others? I looked around at them. They looked back at me blankly, their eyes wandering timidly. No one spoke. Then again, the question was posed to me, so perhaps it was my call to make.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Go for it, I answered.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That said, we didnt exactly have an empty chair ready for her. As I craned my neck, scanning the room for one I could borrow, Adachi knelt down beside me. Problem solved, I guess. Then she set a to-go bag from the school store on my desk with a loud thud", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "that caught my attention.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Isnt that kind of a lot?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She had three...no, four", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "different sandwiches? Who are you, Yashiro? You sure you can eat all that?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You can have some if you want.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She opened the bag to show me its contents. Granted, I already had a sandwich of my own, but hey-free food is free food, right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So I figured Id take a look. Honestly, it was a pretty generous gesture, coming from the same girl who used to make me buy her lunch for her", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "all the time. Of the items inside, the jam bun appealed to me the most, but...I hesitated to take it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I stared down at my stomach. Obviously I couldnt exactly pinch it in front of everyone... That said, I knew for a fact that Adachi wasnt going to be able to eat all this on her own. Thus, I ultimately decided to help myself to the jam bun.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If you want a second one, go for it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, thats okay. I cant eat three. Thanks, though.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At this, her expression finally softened, and her lips curled in a faint smile. The tip of her nose was red, possibly from all the effort it took to hold her face in that position.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once she started unwrapping a sandwich, the rest of us took that as our cue to go back to our food. But while all of us kept looking at Adachi, she only ever looked at me. She didnt acknowledge the Trio at all, as if they didnt exist to her. Uncomfortable with her presence, the three of them ate their food in total silence.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She was a meteor that had broken through our tepid, laid-back atmosphere, tearing a hole in the ozone layer, letting all the air escape. And I couldnt think of a single way to patch things up again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meanwhile, she sat at my feet like a guard dog. Looking at her made me restless. Are there really no empty chairs?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I glanced around again, and this time I spotted one, so I rose to my feet and walked over. Then, with permission from the other people nearby, I dragged it back over and offered it to Adachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, thanks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She got up and sat down on it. Satisfied with my solution, I returned to my seat.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But, as it turned out, this fixed nothing. Her focus was still entirely on me, to the point that I could practically feel", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "her gaze. Our eyes met; she looked up at me with her usual puppy-dog eyes as she took tiny, unenthusiastic bites of her sandwich. With her eyes so full of emotion, she was utterly unlike her robotic classroom persona, and it felt like she was probing me for something... I gazed back, trying to figure her out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I could sense the Trio giving us weird looks, but it didnt bother me much. Honestly, maybe it was for the best that Adachi came back before I managed to get too emotionally invested.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The silence lingered. And it would continue to do so unless Adachi took a different stance. But I knew she wouldnt, and so nothing would change. She had zero intention of fitting in with everyone; as far as I could tell, she literally didnt care about anything except being with me. She came back to the classroom with the express purpose of sitting here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "While part of me had reservations about this no one else matters attitude of hers, another part of me shrugged it off as just Adachi being Adachi. Nothing she did fazed me anymore. And while I didnt know exactly what influenced her to come back, I understood what kind of person she was, and therefore I understood that it must have taken her a great deal of courage and willpower. This was probably why my reaction to her was so different compared to the Trios.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Out went the warm spring air, and in came chilly tension. Couldnt she feel their pointed stares? Didnt it bother her? Honestly, if Id been in her shoes, I would have kept my distance. Not to say that she made the wrong choice. To each their own,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought to myself, knowing full well it was a convenient shield for my own cowardice.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For some people, it was impossible to have too many friends; for others, one was enough. Everyone had their own individual needs, and...well...at the risk of sounding totally full of myself, Adachi seemed to have decided that I was the only one she needed. But if that was what made her happy, then there was nothing wrong with that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As for me, I sometimes wondered whether I needed any friends at all. And I had yet to find my answer. All I knew for sure was that the hole in the ozone would come at a price...and at this rate, my friendship with the Trio most likely wouldnt even hold out until the next seating shuffle.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After school, Adachi sped over to my desk like it was lunchtime", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "all over again. Maybe she wanted to make sure she was the first person to get there this time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Lets, uh, walk home together!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I looked up at her wordlessly. After a beat, she blinked and furrowed her brow anxiously, which made me laugh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure, I grinned. At this, Adachi realized I was being a bully.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Were you being mean on purpose? she asked, pouting slightly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nahhhh, of course not!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dismissing her concern, I grabbed my bookbag and rose from my chair. I could feel someone looking at us, but I decided not to find out who it was. Not like that knowledge would really change anything.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That said, we couldnt really walk home together when we lived in two different directions. Wed only get as far as the front gates before wed be forced to part ways. Of course, there was that one time on the day of the opening ceremony where she came with me all the way to my house, then walked home from there, but I was pretty sure she wouldnt make that same mistake again anytime soon. Hopefully.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As we left the classroom, I gazed at her face in profile. Sure enough, her gaze was flickering to and fro, just as Id anticipated. For some reason her eyes were always damp and emotional, like the protagonist of some vintage shoujo manga. Then we headed down the stairs, and she caught sight of the bear strap hanging from my bag. Her eyes moved back and forth in time with its movements.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Since she seemed so captivated by it, I held it up for her to see.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Is... Is that bear trendy right now? she mumbled awkwardly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I dont know about trendy, but hes definitely popular, I replied.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As far as I was aware, he was one of those classic cartoon characters everybody knew about, on par with Anpanman. At the very least, they were literally hanging on the same rack at that one store. And considering those two guys were looking to buy one, he clearly appealed to a wide demographic.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Pretty cute, dont you think?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Id promised Tarumi I would take good care of the little guy, and", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I liked to think Id kept my word thus far. Incidentally, my little sister mustve been really envious, because she took one look at him and immediately made plans with Yashiro to get matching straps of their own. At one point Yashiro said, I didnt realize such a creature inhabited this planet. Ha, I wish.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Where did you buy it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You want to get one?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uh, y-yeah...I wouldnt mind having a bag strap, I guess.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interesting. Honestly, its not that hard to find a store that sells bag straps,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought to myself. But maybe Adachi really liked this particular character.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Th-then we...we could...match... Ha ha heh... A clumsy laugh left her lips. Kinda like an airplane that failed to achieve liftoff.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So THATS what she wants, huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I didnt see the appeal of it myself, but oh well. Classic Adachi. Oh, but if she bought the same bear as Tarumi and I, wouldnt that make the three of us a matching trio?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, maybe not.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once we left the school building, I figured Id walk with her to the bike parking area...but then she reached out and took my index finger in hers. Hanging her head, she looked up at me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Can... can we hold hands?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As she spoke, she clenched her hand into a fist around my finger, and at that point, my answer didnt really matter.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure, go for it, I shrugged, and a split second later, she engulfed my entire hand. Whereas Tarumi had consistently gone for my left hand, Adachi always went for my right.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Come to think of it, Adachi didnt know about Tarumi at all. No surprise there, since their paths never crossed. But if they ever did...somehow I had a feeling that things would get complicated", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". After all, Adachi didnt really seem like the type who was good at sharing her toys.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As we held hands, she used her free hand to unlock her bike and pull it out of the rack. From my perspective, it seemed a lot more efficient to hold hands after", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "she retrieved her bike, but she had different priorities, apparently. She dragged both me and her bike all", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "the way to the front gates.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This was as far as we could go together.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "See you later, Adachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Right.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As we said our goodbyes, she looked at me longingly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, come on. Well see each other again tomorrow, wont we?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youre coming to school, right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She muttered something else under her breath; I couldnt quite catch it, but I thought I heard my name somewhere in there. Something about coming to see me? If I was her whole reason for going to school, well...thatd be flattering.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Anyway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uh, hello? Earth to Adachi-san?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I kinda need you to let go now? So I can go home?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I raised our joined hands to eye level. After all, I couldnt exactly pull myself free when she had the added weight of a bicycle on her side.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, right!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hastily, she moved to let go of me...then stopped short. Her cheeks and nose flushed pink as the corner of her lips twitched.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I...I wont let you go.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She blushed even redder, and her lower lip started to quiver. Uh, you okay there?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wont let you go!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, you said that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Go...go...go... She wilted rapidly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Evidently she was trying to make a joke and it fell spectacularly", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "flat. She stared at the ground with a look that I remember previously referring to as her pathetic puppy-dog look. Her hair drooped down her shoulders like dog ears.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 23", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0022", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 24", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0023", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not to be a total jerk or anything, but...this was a lot funnier than her actual joke.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I stood there grinning at her, she looked up, blushing. Uh...c-come with me real quick.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She started to drag me away, and sure enough, I didnt stand a chance against her added weight. As she led me in the opposite direction of my house, I found myself passively hoping we werent going too far, but otherwise didnt protest. Thankfully, however, she came to a stop just around the corner from the school-out back, across the street from the farm fields.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then I remembered: Adachi was technically a delinquent. Maybe shes about to show her true colors and steal my lunch money,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I joked to myself. But then she stepped right up to me-", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wh-whoa.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "-and wrapped her arms around me in a hug. One arm around my back, one around my neck. She pressed her slender frame against mine.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I... You see, I...!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dont shout in my ear!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was so sudden and loud, I reflexively recoiled.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I...I like you...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was just like Adachi to start off at full volume only to immediately peter out. Apparently she liked me, but didnt say how much or in what way, so I wasnt really sure if I should be flattered or overjoyed or what. There was no further explanation; all she did was squirm nervously against me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her face was buried against my shoulder, and I could feel its heat. If I waited a few minutes, would smoke pour out of her ears? The girl was so flammable, she was practically made of straw. Maybe its safe to start asking questions now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, uh, why did you...hug me all of a sudden?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I started to say pounce on me, but it felt a little too critical in my head, so I went with something else. I couldnt see her expression, but I could feel her breath against my neck.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Because...its been forever since...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Since we hung out?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Since anything", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". Youre always with those...those other girls.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I felt her fingers dig into my back. At the surface level, her answer didnt make sense, and yet...amid the forlorn sadness, there was a tiny barb mixed in. And once it fully wedged itself into my ear, it all clicked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ohhhh. I patted her lightly on the back as vague understanding settled in. So basically, you were jealous?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her neck stiffened, and that was all the answer I needed. I shook my head and smiled.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You hopeless dork, I sighed, my breath gently ruffling the hair near her ear. Then I reached out and smoothed the strands back into place.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Evidently Adachi saw me not as a big sister, but as a mom. Thinking back to the one encounter I had with Mrs. Adachi, it made sense why her daughter might look for that kind of affection elsewhere. That said, it was a lot to ask of a fellow teenager.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Smiling stiffly, I averted my gaze. If the Trio or someone else from our class were to see us right now, theyd totally think something else was happening, and thered be all kinds of rumors flying by tomorrow morning. It was hard to say whether Adachi ever took those sorts of concerns into consideration, though. Maybe she simply didnt care.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I pondered this, I continued to rub her back. Then, once it felt like enough time had passed, I asked, Are you better now?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Slowly, Adachi pulled away-so gradually, it almost looked like she was floating away in a zero-gravity zone. Her face was so flushed, youd think it was wintertime all over again. Like wed gone back in time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But thats just Adachi for you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Here on the soil of our second year, we had built for ourselves a flimsy straw house. Now it had burned to the ground, leaving only an empty meadow...and Adachi was the one who struck the match.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Alright, kiddo, its time for everybody to go home! That includes", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "you, Sakura-chan! I told her, patting her head.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why are you talking to me like Im five? she protested, looking up at me, her ears pink.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I think youll find the answer if you pause to reflect on the way youve been acting.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im gonna need you to let go of my hand now, okay?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shoulders shaking and eyes narrowed, she slowly let go. We were both so slick with sweat, I half-expected our hands to pull apart like half-dried glue. I gazed down at my now empty palm. I could still feel her warmth... What are we doing?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay then, can I...call you later? Adachi asked, as if in exchange for my freedom. Evidently she still needed more attention.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure, I dont mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Although I had to wonder if there was really anything worth talking about. Would we just sit there in silence, like always? Awkward phone calls were already hard enough for me as it was. Add in Adachi as the other participant, and the onus would fall on me", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "to keep the conversation going. That was what I hated more than anything. Maybe someday I would have enough social graces to be able to simply enjoy the silence, but today was not that day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Still, my response had made Adachi smile...and maybe that was all that mattered.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay, Ill call you at like...seven-ish, so...yeah. With that, she leapt onto her bike and sped off down the street like a madwoman.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Seven?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But thats dinnertime...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Guess she cant hear me,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I thought to myself with a shrug. So I gave up on trying to reschedule and decided to head home. As I walked, I smoothed my uniform back into place and scratched my itchy neck.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I had kind of assumed most people ate dinner somewhere between 6 and 7 PM, but evidently Adachis household operated differently. Admittedly, I couldnt really picture her eating dinner at a set time each day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She and I were the same age, but our different childhood environments-the homes we grew up in, the people who raised us, the things we experienced, the things that stayed with us-had made us into two very different people. And I found that sort of thing really interesting.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Can we have dinner early tonight? Im starving, I lied to my mother, so I wouldnt have to go to the effort of explaining to her the real reason.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I beg your pardon? Annoyed, she turned back to look at me. Im making it right now, she shot back flatly. Yeah, I know, but that doesnt answer my question.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Would you like some egg bolo cookies? Yashiro asked, offering me the whole bag. Lately it felt like shed become something of a regular here at the Shimamura house... Nevertheless, I took one, and was relieved to find that they still tasted the same way they used to when I was a kid.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How about I serve you first? my mother asked me. Evidently she hadnt ignored her daughters request after all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, please, I answered, and took a seat at the dinner table. Something told me my little sister was going to throw a fit about it later, but oh well. What are we having?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Store-bought roast chicken.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If its already cooked, then what are you hacking it up for, lady?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im looking forward to it, the little blue gremlin announced as she sat down next to me. I looked at her dubiously, and in response, she...held up the cookie bag again. Want another bolo?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No thank you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And so I ate my dinner ahead of the others, then returned to my room. Knowing Adachi, I figured she might lose patience and call me a good thirty minutes early, but then 6:30 rolled around and there was still no sign of her. So I switched on the TV, set my phone down next to me, and waited.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thinking about it, Id dedicated basically the entire second half of my day to Adachi. The dam had burst, and her feelings had rushed out in a mighty torrent that swept me off my feet. Not only that, but it had washed away the past two weeks of lead-up into the new semester at school. Starting tomorrow, I anticipated that my daily routine would look completely different... Yeah, its gonna get busy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Was Adachi sitting by the phone, counting down the minutes until 7 PM? I could picture her sitting cross-legged on her bed, hunched forward, peering down at her phone. I adopted a similar position; yep, this feels about right.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then my sister came in to complain about me eating dinner without her, and Yashiro came in to deliver me more bolos, and before I knew it, my phone rang at exactly 7:00 on the dot. Her timing was so accurate, she was like a human cuckoo clock. I switched off the TV and answered the phone.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Shimamura?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She didnt even bother to say hello first. Why would you need to make sure its me? Youre the one who called!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its me, alright! Good evening!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, uh...g-good evening...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Are your legs going numb?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh?! Wait, what? How did you know?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ill take that as a yes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I burst out laughing. And as I laughed, Adachis panic intensified. I could hear her moving on the other end of the line, like she was glancing around... What, did she think I installed some hidden cameras in her room or something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just thought Id ask. So anyway, whats up?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What do you mean, whats up?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought you wanted to talk about something, I pressed, though my hopes werent too high.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uhh...not really.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Knew it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its just been a long time since we talked on the phone, thats all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She made it sound as though we used to have regular phone conversations, but that couldnt be further from the truth. We had no interests or club activities in common, so what were we supposed to talk about? We didnt even have any independent hobbies-nothing", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". Honestly, it was a miracle that a pair of oddballs like us had managed to stay friends for six whole months now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dont you want to have friends, Adachi? I asked, thinking back to earlier at lunch. Once again, I ended up in charge of picking the topic.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh? Uh...not really. Im not super interested, she replied curtly. Talking to her on the phone always seemed to bring out her more introverted side. It was hard to believe this was the same girl who would aggressively hug me or try to hold my hand.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I mean, I... she began, tripping over her own words. Then she fell silent.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You what? I asked, helping her up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I have you, so...yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What does THAT have to do with anything?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It took me a minute to realize that this was her excuse for not needing friends.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Honestly, this wasnt quite the answer I was expecting to get. I had anticipated something more along the lines of Youre", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "my friend, Shimamura. And sure, she had essentially said the same thing using different words, but...man, Adachi was subverting my expectations like crazy today. Looks like I might be in it for the long haul with this one,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I thought, and adjusted my sitting position. Using my folded futon as a cushion, I stretched my legs out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Do you talk on the phone with other people, too? Adachi asked suddenly. Or maybe it wasnt really that sudden, but it certainly felt that way. I just didnt really get why she was asking.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sure, sometimes, I replied, thinking of Tarumi. If shes Taru-chan, and Im Shima-chan, what would that make Adachi? Ada-chan? Nah, thatd be weird.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You do?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her voice was as hard as diamonds. Either she was actively upset", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "about this, or she was simply matter-of-factly confirming my statement. Zero enthusiasm.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is that a bad thing?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, I was kinda hoping it was just a you-and-me thing...since I dont talk to anyone but you...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What was that? I couldnt hear you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I could, actually, but it didnt really feel like I was supposed to. If you want to mutter to yourself, then save it for after the call, please.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...Its nothing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Didnt really seem like nothing, but okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I didnt really want to press her on it, so I decided to drop the subject. If you say so.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once again, the conversation died. I checked the time. Not even five minutes had passed. Bored, I rubbed my big toes together and contemplated what to do. Adachi was the last person to ask a question, so maybe it was my turn... Yeah, that seemed about right. Not sure why I felt so honor-bound to take my turn, but at the very least, it seemed like a fair solution.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To skirt around the awkward tension, I decided to offer my belated gratitude:", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, right. Thanks for the jam bun, by the way.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh... Sure, no problem.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shouldve known better than to expect a conversation out of that,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought to myself with a wry grin. But believe it or not, Adachi actually did have a follow-up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So you like sweets?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This was such a normal question, it actually caught me off guard. I thought back over our days in the gym loft. Had the topic never come up before? Apparently not. Back then we werent trying to build anything with each other; all we did was exist.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, I love sweets. Is there anyone in the world who doesnt?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Granted, I didnt love them quite as much as my kid sister. Seriously, if you saw how much she ate, youd think she was the Princess of Candyland.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then...would you want to go out for sweets sometime...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh? Sure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Donuts? Souffls? Maybe crpes this time?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, uh...c-cool.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If she was trying to sound excited, she failed completely. Her voice was so stiff, I could picture her shoulders hunched up around her ears.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once again, we had descended into the valley of silence, and it was getting to be a real hassle hauling both of us out each and every time. Or maybe I was just out of shape, so to speak.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Alright, well, should we hang up now?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What?! Her voice was so panicked, I could practically hear a dramatic echo behind it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I mean, were running up your phone bill just sitting here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, dont worry. Ive got plenty of money for it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Isnt it kind of a waste to spend money on silence", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Especially since she earned that money by running around in a China dress. It was the kind of thing a girl like me could never wear; only a pretty girl like Adachi could make it work. But I digress.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not at all! I mean, if you think about it, uh...this way I get to...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Get to what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I heard a restless tapping sound on the other end of the line, like a sugar addict waiting on their next fix. Then the sound stopped, and there was a pause...and then...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As long as I have you on the phone, I...get to have you all to myself...so yeah, she finished clumsily.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For a minute, I was rendered speechless. It was just so...intense", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". But looking back over the course of our friendship thus far, it wasnt really a surprise.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You know, Adachi...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...Yeah?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You can be pretty possessive sometimes, you know that?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Considering what went down at lunch, she really", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "seemed like a little kid who couldnt share her toys.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uhh...I mean, just a normal amount, Id say...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thats a bit of an understatement, if you ask me!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, really! Im... Im completely normal!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Judging from the way she repeated the word normal over and over, it sounded like she was fairly flustered. I could picture her eyes darting nervously in all directions...and the mental image spurred me to continue.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, just relax. Its nice to know you love me, regardless of how you choose to express it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As soon as the words left my mouth, the embarrassment kicked in, and I started laughing to play it off.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh god, what if she can tell that Im embarrassed? Kill me now!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I listened with bated breath, trying to gauge her reaction...but I couldnt hear anything. Usually I could at least hear her breathing on the other end, but this time there was actual genuine silence", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". I checked my phone; the call was still connected. Confused, I froze.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then, out of nowhere, Adachi started gasping and coughing, like shed come up for air after holding her breath. (For her sake, I wont describe the exact sounds she was making.) Anyway, once she collected herself, I could tell she was going through some kind of teary-eyed self-loathing, so I spent a good chunk of time cheering her up, or smoothing things over, or whatever you want to call it. But at least it gave us something to talk about, so in a way, I kind of...appreciated it, I guess?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once the call started to wind down, I checked the time to find that approximately thirty minutes had passed. Granted, most of it was silence, but still, it was one of the most successful phone calls Id ever had.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, Ill see you tomorrow at school. Dont skip, okay?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I what? Why is it that she can never finish her sentences?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You...you better not skip either...so there!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her weird mid-sentence pauses made me laugh. For some reason, she and Tarumi both kept defaulting to some cheerful persona with me, and it never really worked out for either of them.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait...does that make it MY fault?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After that, Adachi seemed reluctant to actually hang up, so I counted down from three and hit the End Call button.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whenever we were together, I always ended up having to take charge, and honestly, it was exhausting. I just wasnt the leader type... Now that the call was over, I drew my knees up and hugged them to my chest.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nnnngh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A low groan escaped my throat. Was tomorrow going to be like this, too? Or did Adachi get it all out of her system today? Maybe shed be a little more relaxed by tomorrow. But then again...relaxed or not, I was pretty sure shed still make a repeat attempt. Shed approach me, and everyone else would withdraw, creating an isolated bubble with just me and her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Being with Adachi limited my possibilities. After all, the fewer people in my life, the fewer opportunities I would have. As I examined this fact without weighing its relative pros and cons, I thought to myself: well, obviously I should choose whats best for me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi had committed herself to a path without other people. Well, okay-maybe committed herself was a bit of an exaggeration. For a teenager, though, it was a pretty significant move.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But the path I choose is...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I slowly closed my eyes, hoping someday Id find the words to finish that sentence.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 25", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0024", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yashiro Comes Calling", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Part 7", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "M", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "MNNN...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It occurs to me that Im basically just pretending to do my homework.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I glance over at Yachi. Shes watching TV with my big sister, sitting between her legs and leaning up against her. Now my sisters got blue sparklies all over her neck and chin. But she doesnt notice, cuz shes starting to fall asleep. Shes always so sleepy in the springtime. I wish shed at least change out of her uniform when she gets home from school. Meanwhile, Yachis grinning and eating her egg bolo cookies.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Looking at them all cuddled up together, I cant focus on my homework at all. But which one am I mad at? Theres this fuzzy feeling in my tummy, and it wont go away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmm?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Neechan catches me looking at her and glances over at me, her gaze unfocused. Our eyes meet, and for some reason I start feeling kinda awkward.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Are we being too loud? Want me to mute it? she asks, putting a hand on Yachis head as if shes", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "the problem. But Yachi keeps grinning.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You should join us, Little.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For some reason, her innocent invitation makes me super mad. Wh... No way! I dont... I dont even want to! And Ive got homework, anyway!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What a good little student.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Good on you!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "They start praising me, but I know they dont actually care. Frustrated, I scratch my head. Then I go back to my homework, do one or two more problems...and stop again. Secretly, I shoot another glance in their direction. Once again, Neechan is nodding off while Yachi grins.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mmnnnn...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Invite me again, dang it! Silently, I curse my stubbornness. And some other stuff.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hey, uh, Yachi? Come here for a sec, I called, since I knew for a fact that Nee-chan was too lazy to get up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeeees? Yachi answers, slowly turning in my direction.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I think I need help with my homework.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I dont actually", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "need help, but Yachi doesnt question me for a second. Instead, she smirks. Keh heh heh! Youve come to the right place.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then she runs right over to me. On one hand, its a relief...but on the other hand, I kinda feel like a jerk for lying. The two feelings swirl inside me like a storm.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After all, I am the great Yashiemon.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Youre still talking about that? Really?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Behind her, Neechan sprawls out on the floor, limbs splayed in every direction.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, whats this? she asks, peering at the textbook lying open on my desk.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uh...math...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I thought itd be obvious, considering all the pluses and minuses and stuff, but the look on Yachis face suggests she honestly has no idea. Shes clueless about a lot", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "of stuff... Reminds me of the cake incident from the other day. How can she claim to have graduated school when she doesnt even know what math is?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ah...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I sit in silence and wait for her to finish mulling over whatever it is shes thinking about. She keeps murmuring and looking at the textbook.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then, suddenly, she slams it shut, looks at me, and says,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": " ##$%.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I repeat: ##$%.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...I really cant understand what shes saying, so I mimic the sound back to her. Oraaha?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yes, precisely. She nods, satisfied, her arms folded smugly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What language is that?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Alienese.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Alienese?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It is some kind of slang from before I was born. I dont know what it means.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What happened to yes, precisely?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Would you like me to tell you about outer space?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uhhhh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Where shall I start? You see, my tribe has an average lifespan of approximately 800 million years, which is comparatively longer than most others...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gleefully, she launches into a tangent. I cant tell whether shes telling the truth or making it all up. For that matter, I never said I wanted to hear all this, but now Im stuck listening to it. She keeps tossing out these giant", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "numbers, the likes of which youd never, ever see in a math textbook, and it feels like Im totally trapped.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But my sister doesnt come to save me. Instead, she rolls over onto her side and keeps on sleeping.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Meanwhile, I shoot a glance at my textbook.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Dont tell Yachi, but...Im starting to think she cant do math.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 26", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0025", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "~", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Todays Adachi Forecast~", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What if Shimamura was a cat?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimeow...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What if I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "was a cat?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimeow!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...Not sure why, but something tells me wed both have the same meow.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 27", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0026", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 5:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Friendship and Love", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "F", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "OR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was a fairly normal person.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure, I had a few quirks to my personality. But overall, I had nothing special going for me. No magic powers, no sixth sense; I could only interact with what was directly in front of me. And my biggest fear was that Shimamura might change into someone I didnt recognize while decided the solution was to keep my eye on her as much as possible.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And thats exactly what I did.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Um...Adachi? Shimamura called, smiling awkwardly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I turned and looked at her-and accidentally bumped her shoulder. Oops", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Maybe I was sitting a little too close.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She glanced around for a moment, then exhaled. Never mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura was always quick to shrug off a lot of stuff-quick to compartmentalize and accept things as they were. But unlike me, she never tripped over her own tongue.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That morning, first period was gym class. Back when I was a first-year, I could never be bothered to change into my gym clothes, so Id just skip class altogether. These days, however, I didnt want to let Shimamura out of my sight, so from now on, I pledged to attend every single class.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Today, all the second-years were gathered outside for a physical fitness test. They divided us into groups and made us run laps on the track, one group at a time, while everyone else sat and waited for their turn.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura was busy watching the other students run in circles, but I", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "was busy watching her", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". This was my first time seeing her in a tracksuit, but somehow it didnt change her aesthetic at all. In fact, I was starting to think she could wear just about anything and it wouldnt matter. Right as I was searching for the words to describe", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "said aesthetic, however, a shadow fell over us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ooh, I found Ada-cheechee!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Cheechee!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hino and Nagafuji ran up to us, Hino pushing Nagafuji along like they were pretending to be a train.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I see you switched it up this time, Shimamura commented quietly, but I had no idea what she was referring to. Youre looking a little damp there, Nagafuji.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Upon further inspection, sure enough, Nagafujis hair was wet. She smirked and flipped her hair (although it was too short to really go anywhere). Yeah, Im fresh out of the tub.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You nearly made us late for school. I couldnt even dry my hair all the way, thanks to you, Hino grumbled, scowling. I could see water dripping from Nagafujis hair onto Hinos scalp.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You should see Hinos bathtub. Its huge", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "! Nagafuji boasted.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait...Hinos bathtub?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then, as if shed read my mind, Shimamura asked, Why would you take a bath at Hinos house?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, we had a sleepover last night, Nagafuji replied offhandedly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "To me, this came as something of a shock. She spent the night at Hinos house, then went directly to school the next day? Not only that, but Hino made it sound like they took a bath together", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh, Shimamura replied, mildly disinterested. But Hino looked flustered. She hastily started steering Nagafuji away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We can talk about it another time. We gotta go!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And off they went to rejoin the rest of their group.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Never a dull moment with those two, Shimamura commented as she watched them go. Then she turned back and gazed out at the athletic field. But I had to put all that stuff on pause for a minute to think. My brain was still processing Nagafuji and Hinos shocking revelation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A sleepover!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Part of me was scandalized, but another part of me was inspired", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". I looked at Shimamura as she stared out at the track. She glanced over.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Can...can we have one, too? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What? Her eyes widened, but I kept going.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A sleepover, I mean?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Huh? At Hinos house?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, no, no! I shook my head a dozen times. At...at your", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "house!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her face froze. Was it really such an absurd request? I could feel myself getting dizzy as I waited for her response. Then she tilted her head. What for?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What do you mean, what for???", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Our bathtubs not that big.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thats not...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not important? Really?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, on second thought, maybe I did", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "care a little. But this was no time to get hung up on small details. It was way", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "too early for that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...I dont care about the size of your bathtub. I just want to sleep over.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmmmm... Shimamura closed her eyes and pressed a finger to her forehead. How come?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her question had remained functionally the same, just phrased more gently this time. Granted, I could see how it might be alarming for your friend to spontaneously suggest a sleepover, so I understood why she wasnt very enthusiastic about it...but now that Id put the idea out there, I couldnt afford to walk it back. There was just no telling when the next opportunity would roll around, and the wait would be agony.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Opportunities are like ice cubes floating in the soda of life. You may think you want a lot of them, but the more you try to add in, the more watered down everything else gets.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Because...I want to...be friends with you, I admitted. It was a spur-of-the-moment idea, so I sincerely had no other underlying motivations. And now that I had choked out all my Shimamura-related", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "hopes and dreams, sure enough, I was well and truly empty inside.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Arent we already friends? She looked at me wide-eyed, as if to say this is news to me, pal.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uhh...n-no, yeah, totally! I just...want to be better", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "friends, I stammered, averting my eyes. My field of vision narrowed like I was wearing a veil.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For some reason, I just couldnt seem to keep my composure around her...and lately it was getting worse and worse. I want to be friends with you", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "-what did that even mean", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "? I had no idea, and I was the one who said it!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So well be better friends if you sleep at my house? Is that...how that works?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura tilted her head skeptically. But the words were too heavy to take back on a whim. After all, she had a point; even I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "didnt think there was any single prescribed method to deepen a friendship.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmmmm... She stared out at the athletic field, lost in thought.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Was it simply too soon for us to progress to the Hino-and-Nagafuji stage? One could argue that we needed to work on our friendship a little more first, but at the same time, I didnt think friendship was something you were supposed to grind, like experience points in an RPG. If there was a checklist of quests to complete to unlock each level, then no one would ever have any problems making friends. But on the other hand, I had to admit, it did", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "seem a little absurd to call myself her best friend without putting in the time. So what was I supposed to do?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If only we lived in a world where a single hug was all it took to make someone love you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Those two are really rubbing off on you, arent they? Shimamura said suddenly, turning back to face me. And embarrassingly enough, she was completely right. I buried my chin between my knees and looked up at her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is that a bad thing?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its just super obvious.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That didnt answer my question. Ashamed and anxious, I waited with bated breath for her to make her decision. I sat there, restless,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "counting the seconds. And then, finally...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Eh, sure, why not.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Voil", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". Just like that, the magic words made all my worries disappear. I was so relieved to hear it, I collapsed forward, slamming my forehead against my kneecaps.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Later that day, after school...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So, wanna come over at some point this weekend, or...? Shimamura asked tentatively, checking the calendar app on her phone. I nodded instantly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We were at the donut shop at the mall, sitting at a table by the window. As it turned out, a fun side perk of sleepover planning was that I got to use it as an excuse to hang out with her after school, too. This was already proving to be such", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "a good idea.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wanna stay both nights, so...I guess the whole weekend...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Two nights", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "? My house isnt a ryokan, you know, Shimamura laughed. Unlike, say, Hinos place.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is Hinos house really that big?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She hasnt spent the night there before, has she?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "According to Nagafuji, its a freaking mansion", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". I havent seen it for myself, though.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Apparently not. Whew. What a relief.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Frankly, I had no interest in Hinos mansion whatsoever. I didnt care how big anyones house was; I only cared about whether Shimamura was in it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Id just be sitting around at home either way, so...I figured I may as well spend the weekend with you instead, I explained.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What about your job?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ill still go to work, uh...from your house, I guess.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For some reason, this made Shimamura laugh. What? Whats so funny?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Other peoples laughter made me anxious, especially if I didnt know the reason behind it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Lets see here...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She set her phone down and took a bite of her donut; likewise, I", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "took a bite of mine. She had bought three in total-one for herself and the rest for her sister, or so I had assumed, but...wasnt that kind of a lot for one little girl?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then she noticed me frowning at her donuts. I figure therell be a second one pestering me when I get home, she explained with a self-deprecating laugh. What is it with me and little sisters? Im practically starting a collection.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She gazed into the distance, absently wiping off her sugary fingers with a napkin. Then I realized her eyes were fixed on me. Blinking dubiously, I pointed at myself. Am I one of them?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ha ha ha!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She laughed at me!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her playful grin seemed to say well-spotted, genius.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Normally her smile was only warm enough to get her through the social interaction, but this time I could see it in her eyes, too. It was a heartwarming sight, except...you know...she was still making fun of me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Glaring down at the table, I ruminated on this.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamuras little sister... Shimamura Sakura... Nice alliteration, I guess.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In a way, it felt like a promotion from ordinary friendship, which was great...but at the same time, if I got too", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "close, I had a feeling shed start to look past me.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I sat cross-legged in the center of my room, gazing around and wondering what to pack first. After all, it couldnt hurt to prepare in advance, right? And besides, I wanted to make sure I had everything I could possibly need so I could avoid any last-minute panicking. Nothing weird about that. Yep, pretty normal.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Honestly, I was just trying to distract myself from my restlessness.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Clean clothes were a must. I counted the number of times I expected to change clothes, then looked down at my splayed fingers", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "and grimaced.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I only had two or three different lounging at home shirts, and worse, they were all just color variations of the same shirt. Technically I did", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "have some other clothes-the stuff I bought in anticipation of my Christmas date with Shimamura, none of which I ended up wearing, currently gathering dust in the back of my closet. But those were winter", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "clothes, so I couldnt really get away with wearing them in the springtime.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im gonna have to go shopping again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "On my memo pad, I wrote down: buy new clothes", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Next, I wrote down toiletries, underwear, socks, wallet,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "and phone, just in case", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Should I bring a blanket? I didnt know if her house had extra sleeping supplies, but in the worst-case scenario, it was warm enough that I could probably sleep without one. Plus, it would take up too much room in my bag. I crossed it off the list.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I stared down at my memo pad. Did I forget anything? The more I wrote, the more it started to look like a vacation checklist. Was this too much? My bag was so full, youd think I was planning to move in. I folded my arms in contemplation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There was no point in going to Shimamuras house just", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "to sleep. I mean, sure, I would obviously enjoy getting to spend time with her in her natural environment, but I wouldnt want her to get bored. I needed to plan some kind of activity for us, lest we end up sitting there in silence, like that last phone call we had.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What if I packed a game or something? Or a deck of cards? Now it was really", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "starting to feel like a vacation. That said, I couldnt think of any two-player card games. What about some other kind of two-player game? Shogi? Othello? I didnt know how to play shogi, but Othello could work. In the corner of the page, I wrote Othello", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then I looked up, and my gaze drifted to the boomerang on display on my shelf. Not that I had any plans of bringing it, but then I thought about ping-pong, and it occurred to me that maybe Shimamura preferred her activities on the physical side. Come to think of it, we went bowling at one point, too. Honestly, I wouldnt mind going again-without", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "the little weirdo this time. But if the whole day was spent hanging out downtown, then was there really any point in me sleeping over?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...Of course there is.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wouldnt it be fun to leave the house together? To come home together? It sounded so magical. I added bowling", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "to my memo.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, what next?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Unfortunately, that was where my momentum came to a halt. What did normal people do with their friends for fun? For a moment, I considered asking Hino or Nagafuji, but something told me they wouldnt be of much help. After all, neither of them could really be described as normal. Especially Nagafuji. Whatever answer she gave, it probably wouldnt make a lick of sense.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Man, this is complicated.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I set my pen down and folded my arms again. It felt like I was trying to solve a paradox.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Knowing Shimamura, she probably wasnt worried about it at all. Sometimes she could be so cold, it made me shiver.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura... Shimamuras house... Just me and Shimamura...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If we really had no better options, we could always watch TV together. I could sit between her legs, like last time...and then Id look over my shoulder, and...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I pressed both hands to the floor, hung my head, and waited for the fever to subside. Then, once I regained my composure, I folded my arms again, closed my eyes, and asked myself: would I really be able to stand my ground this time? Could I meet her gaze?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, I can do it. I wont back down,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "said a voice in my head. But I knew this was easier said than done. After all, if I paused to imagine what not backing down would entail...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "All the blood rushed to my head as something inside me came to life.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I wont back down!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was surprisingly easy to shout inside my own house when my parents werent home. Maybe shouting it had unlocked something in my brain. The words practically rolled off my tongue.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I couldnt stay a coward forever. Going forward, my intention was to be more direct with Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once I decided I was done packing, I looked up at the clock. Now", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "what? The day was still far from over; in fact, time seemed to pass even more slowly than it had back when I was a loner. But on the upside, I was actually looking forward to the future for a change.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My right leg jiggled impatiently as I implored the clock: Please hurry!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then, after a beat, I remembered I needed to go clothes shopping.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Jeez, how much stuff did you bring?", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This was the first thing Shimamura said to me when she answered the door. I had one bag slung over my left shoulder, one on my right shoulder, and a backpack on my back. Surely three wasnt that", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "many...right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Are you sure youre not planning to move in? she laughed, and I got the sense she was wondering what exactly I had brought.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 28", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0027", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 29", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0028", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After giving it a lot of thought, I decided it would be rude to rely on her family too much, so I brought my own shampoo and conditioner, plus enough food for four days so her parents wouldnt have to cook for me, as well as a blanket. My anxiety refused to be quelled until I accounted for every little possibility, which is how I ended up with bag #2. Then, since I was planning to sleep over Sunday night and walk to school with Shimamura on Monday morning, I realized I needed to pack my textbooks and uniform, hence bag #3.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Also, arent you kind of early?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Rubbing her eyes, she squinted against the morning sun, which illuminated the post-yawn tear tracks on her cheeks. Current time: 8:00 AM.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, sorry. Were you still asleep?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Personally, I hadnt been able to get a wink of sleep last night. I laid there for hours. And then the next thing I knew, I was here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Mm-hmm. You woke me up. Oh, but Im not mad or anything. I know youre the super-punctual type! Im proud of you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uhh...yeah...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Truth be told, I actually got here at about 7:00, but I figured that was way too early, so instead I rode my bike around the neighborhood for an hour. Fortunately, since it was springtime, I could safely kill time outside without freezing to death. And since it was the weekend, there were no grade-schoolers around to give me funny looks, thank god.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura ran a hand through her disheveled bangs. Okay, I think thats all the questions I had, she shrugged, now sounding fully awake. Then she smiled. Well, come on in!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And so, like a dog on command, I entered my owners house. As I took off my shoes, I glanced up-and made eye contact with Shimamuras little sister, standing at the opposite end of the hall. She flinched. I flinched, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This is my friend. Do you remember her? Shimamura called, introducing me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I bowed my head. Th-thanks for having me over.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hi, said a tiny voice in reply.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I seemed to remember Shimamura telling me her sister was shy around strangers-same as me. I felt a slight kinship with her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then it hit me: was that", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "why Shimamura saw me as a little sister?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Meanwhile, Little Shimamura ran off into another room-probably the kitchen.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As usual, shes pretending to behave herself, Shimamura laughed as she watched her sibling disappear. Then she looked back at me. Wanna put your stuff upstairs? Its basically the only room thats free.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She pointed at the stairs, and I nearly nodded...but then I remembered: Shimamuras room was on the first floor.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This discontentment must have shown on my face, because she tilted her head and asked, Do you not like that room?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, no, Im fine with it... My eyes (and heart) went back and forth as I debated whether to be honest with her. In the end, the words came out anyway: I just...thought Id be sleeping in your room.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im scared of being alone at night,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "my brain suggested as an excuse. But if she stopped to consider my family situation, the lie would become all too obvious. She would see right through it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So you want to sleep in our room with us? she asked, without being coy or beating around the bush.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If I was being honest, the answer was yes, please.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I shot her a hopeful look. But Shimamura smiled sadly, like she was conflicted.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As much as Id love that, I dont think my sister would be cool with it. Sorry.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, no worries. Its cool, I blurted out reflexively, forcing a laugh in the hopes that it would keep the massive devastation from showing on my face. No matter how many times life showed me that I couldnt expect to get every single thing I wanted, somehow my heart never got the memo.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "First things first, Shimamura sent me upstairs to drop my stuff off...in the same room where we had previously studied together. Now that winter was over, the kotatsu table had been packed away, and in its place was a single futon, all laid out for me. I set my bags down, then plopped down cross-legged in the middle of the room and", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "reflected on the conversation we just had.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Id love that,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "she said.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shed love that...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Suddenly, the whole world felt a tiny bit brighter. Maybe I was more of a natural optimist than I realized. I took a big, cheerful lungful of air-and it was so dusty, it dried out my sinuses instantly, just like last time. Maybe I should open the curtains.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I started to get up, then changed my mind and stopped halfway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just then, the door opened slightly, and Shimamura peeked in through the gap.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Do you want breakfast, or did you already eat?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, dont worry about me. I packed my own food. I dug through my blue bag and pulled out a package of breadsticks. Id packed them near the top, so they were only slightly crushed. Perfect", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". See?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This way, my presence wouldnt be too much of a burden on her family.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, really...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I blinked, confused, at the awkward pause this seemed to create. Then, right as I went to open the package, Shimamuras eyes widened. Wait...youre going to eat them up here?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was thinking maybe youd come eat with me, like, in the kitchen? Because Im about to have breakfast right now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ohhhh", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". It all clicked. Yeah, thats a much better idea.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, no, yeah, totally.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Breadsticks in hand, I hastily got to my feet, and Shimamura laughed at me for being clueless. Story of my life.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She led me back downstairs to the kitchen, where both her sister and", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "her mother were seated at the table.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Come on in, Mrs. Shimamura greeted me, using the exact same words as her daughter and nearly the exact same voice, too. You can", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "sit right there.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I did as requested, while Shimamura took a seat next to her sister on a different side of the table. In a way, it felt like I was filling in for Shimamuras dad.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You know, this is the first time weve ever had a sleepover at the house! Mrs. Shimamura remarked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her gaze made me shrink back, but on the inside, I was excited to be the first. Joy welled up inside me. The first!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Too bad its not a study party, though. Oh, if only, she sighed dramatically, though the grin on her face told me she wasnt actually disappointed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Granted, a study party would probably make more sense for students our age, since we were generally more focused on school. For a minute I was scared she was going to ask me what our plans were, since I had no idea how to answer that, but luckily she didnt.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I glanced over to find Little Shimamura poking at her omelet and looking vaguely uncomfortable, with her shoulders hunched around her ears. The culprit? My presence. I stared down at the table and opened my package of breadsticks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now, now, Adachi-chan, I made enough for you, too, you know! Mrs. Shimamura told me as she cheerfully scooted a plate in my direction. Scrambled eggs with toast. Or is my cooking beneath you, princess?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, no, not at all! Thank you very much!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I quickly set aside my breadsticks and accepted the plate. It was the first time someone had ever playfully pressured me into eating their food.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I took a tiny nibble of toast and glanced back at Little Shimamura. She, too, was nibbling. Then our eyes met, and I hastily stared down at the table. Unlike her mother, Little Shimamura didnt seem too keen on welcoming me into the house. Honestly, the feeling was relatable. She and I were clearly cut from the same cloth.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After all, we both wanted her big sister all to ourselves.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So tell me, Adachi-chan. Im guessing youre a more competent student than my daughter, is that right? Mrs. Shimamura asked me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I glanced at Shimamura and hesitated. No, I, uh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shes like me, Mom, Shimamura answered in my place.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, Im like her. Actually, if anything, Im probably worse.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Really? But you seem like such a good girl! More so than this delinquent", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", anyway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Will you shut up? Shimamura snapped, looking uncomfortable. Then she started wolfing down her food, as if to suggest that she didnt want to be in the room for a single moment longer than necessary. Her mother noticed this but didnt seem to care...so I decided to vouch for her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If anyones a good girl, its Shimamura. Shes way, way", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "better than me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It felt a little patronizing to call her a good girl", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", but I couldnt think of any other way to put it. Good student", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "? Good person", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "? Nothing sounded right in my head.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ha ha ha! Oh, I get it! You see her as your little sister, is that it? Mrs. Shimamura clapped her hands together in complete misunderstanding.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, she does not", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", Shimamura hissed, but her mother was laughing too hard to hear her. Apparently my attempt to correct the record had completely backfired.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She stuffed her toast into her mouth, let out a muffled thanksh for breakfasht with her cheeks puffed out, and stormed out of the kitchen. Was she mad at me? Feeling guilty, I raced through the rest of my food, chewing at lightning speed and swallowing faster than I probably should have.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thank you for the food, maam. When was the last time I actually thanked the person who cooked for me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At this, Mrs. Shimamura started laughing again. Youre like two peas in a pod!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Next, I carried my dirty plate to the sink to wash it, but she hurried after me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Dont worry about it, she told me. Though I wish that lazy daughter of mine would take a leaf out of your book, she added with a sigh. I didnt know how to respond to that, so I nodded vaguely. Then I", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "waved goodbye, left the kitchen, and chased after Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Are you mad? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh? About what? She turned back to face me. Her expression was no longer sulky, and her voice was back to normal. Oh, you mean just now? My moms always", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "like that. Getting mad at her is just a waste of time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She laughed and waved a hand dismissively, not a trace of resentment to be seen.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "To me, their mother-daughter relationship was a complicated one, and I couldnt relate whatsoever. But part of me found it fascinating, so I did my best to try to understand it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anyway, more importantly... Shimamura stared directly into my eyes, cradling her arm and smiling faintly. Whats on the agenda for today?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her voice tickled my ears as the curtain officially rose on our weekend plans. A muddled mixture of hope and panic spurred me onward.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How long had it been since I last looked forward to the weekend?", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait, what the?", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was bedtime, and as I stared up at the ceiling, a question suddenly came to me:", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What on earth did we do all day long?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There really wasnt much worth mentioning. I spent the day hovering over Shimamura, just like always, except this time I got to do it for a lot longer than usual. We played Othello...then we watched TV (sitting side by side on our knees for some reason)...then I showed Shimamura everything Id brought with me, and she laughed and shook her head at me. I was overly enthusiastic, but she was not; she simply let things happen, same as any other day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Every now and then Id catch her staring into space, her eyes drooping lethargically. Then shed notice me looking at her, and a", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "smile would slowly creep up onto her face. Her delayed reactions made some part of me seize up internally, and until I figured out what part it was, I got the feeling it would haunt me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Long story short, it was just an ordinary day like any other.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In a sense, just being together for no reason was what I wanted more than anything, but another part of me had hoped that something dramatic would happen, and I still needed some time before I could bridge the gap between the two.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Had I really wasted the entire day doing nothing?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well...if I had to say...there was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "this one thing that happened...", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once you finish eating, get your butt in the tub. You always fall into a food coma right after dinner, Mrs. Shimamura told her daughter at the dinner table.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, Moooom, Shimamura replied offhandedly. Then she shot me a quick glance, like she was embarrassed that I had to witness the exchange. Normally I", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "was the one who was constantly embarrassed, so for me, this was a fun change of pace.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After that, I was surprised to learn that Mrs. Shimamura had made enough food for me, too, without me even having to ask.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was also the point at which I encountered Shimamuras dad for the first time since I got there. He fixed me with a winning smile and said, A charming young lady like you would brighten up any dinner table. At this, Shimamura cringed, but I figured it was some kind of dad joke. Either that, or I had just discovered where his daughter got her natural charm.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After dinner, instead of retreating to her own room, Shimamura automatically followed me upstairs. The gesture warmed my heart and filled me with a strange sense of superiority-over whom, I couldnt say, but I felt like a god.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Newly emboldened, I asked her: Can I, um, sit between your legs?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How had I asked this question last time around? Had I gotten a little more confident since then? Granted, I had no memory of what happened last time, so I couldnt say for sure, but I somehow doubted Id made any progress.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Meanwhile, Shimamuras lips curled in a devilish smirk. Only if you promise not to run away this time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oof", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She spread her legs for me in a V-shape. Timidly, I sat down cross-legged between them, gazing at them all the while. Her legs were really beautiful; honestly, shed probably look better in my cheongsam", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "than I did. Now theres something Id like to see.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Arent you going to lean up against me? Shimamura asked, patting her chest invitingly, just like last time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay then, if you dont mind...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hesitantly, I leaned back against her. My eyes flew open.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Aaaa...whaaa...eeee...!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Times like these, I was honestly such a creep. Or maybe I was just plain stupid. My face flushed beet red as I felt...you know, her boobs...press up against my back. Now that we were in T-shirts instead of our stiff, starchy uniforms, I could feel them a lot more clearly...especially when she leaned forward to match my posture... My pulse raced and my eyes darted in all directions as I tried desperately to keep myself from babbling.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why? Why do I always end up like this?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I just couldnt understand it. Shimamura and I were both girls. Why would I care if her boobs were pressed up against me? My hands fidgeted restlessly atop my thighs.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I sat there and screamed internally, it wasnt long before I heard what sounded like faint, rhythmic snoring. Was she asleep? I wanted to glance over my shoulder and check, but what if I woke her up? I froze more stiffly than ever before as I held my breath. Apparently Shimamura wasnt kidding when she said she spent her weekends sleeping.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then I felt her lie down onto her back on the floor, and as her warmth was replaced with cold, empty air, I felt my spirits deflate somewhat. That said, I was acting like a total freak.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its probably for the best,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I told myself, forcing myself to accept it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So there we were, Shimamura sprawled out on the floor with her legs splayed, and me sitting criss-cross applesauce in between them. Kind of surreal. As I gazed down at her, I remembered Mrs. Shimamuras comment from earlier and chuckled to myself. She knew her daughter all too well... Classic mom stuff.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thinking about it, my mom was no exception, either. She at least knew me well enough to know that I was indecipherable.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just then, the door opened, and a little head peeked in. This seemed to wake Shimamura, because I felt her legs twitch.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was her sister, of course. She looked at us and narrowed her eyes. In her little hands was a change of clothes-pajamas, if I had to guess. Shimamura took one look at her and somehow intuited that she was going to take a shower.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You dont normally take your bath so early, she commented to her younger sibling, who ignored her and walked into the room.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then she turned her little face away and announced, I want you to come with me, Nee-chan.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I beg your pardon?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At this, Shimamura sat upright. Likewise, I wasnt expecting this, either.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Where did that come from? I thought you said you were too old to take a bath with me anymore.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We can still do it sometimes", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". Now come on!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Little Shimamura took her nee-chan by the hand. Reluctantly, Shimamura pushed herself onto her feet, stooped over slightly, as Little Shimamura dragged her away. She glanced back at me. I...uh...Ill be back in a bit, apparently!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And with that, she left the room. With my back support now gone, I wrapped my arms around my bent knees and rolled over onto my side like a Daruma doll.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Right before they left the room, Little Shimamura had shot me a look over her shoulder. A very pronounced scowl, to be specific. And I knew exactly", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "what had caused that scowl and why. Thus, I couldnt", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "bring myself to stop them, nor could I join them. It was like she had held up a mirror, and Id lost myself in its reflection.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So yeah, that happened.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The two of us were similar, right down to our faults, so it was only natural that we wouldnt get along without some fine-tuning. And for the record, I did", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "want to get along with her, if possible. But if that meant I had to sacrifice certain things regarding her big sister, then it wasnt the right move, and I was only interested in making the right moves. I already screw up enough as it is, thanks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "First she gets to take a bath with her, and then they get to sleep in the same bed... Okay, maybe not the same bed, but definitely the same room...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I couldnt help but feel somewhat jealous of her. After all, her status as blood-related little sister meant she was fully allowed to be needy and demanding, no questions asked. She was practically invincible.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I stared up into the darkness, wide awake. Tonight, the usual veil of drowsiness was nowhere to be found.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, this is gonna be a long night.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then, as I was lying there, it belatedly occurred to me: nighttime took up more than 50 percent of each day. What was the point in me spending more than half the weekend all alone? Shimamura-wise, it just didnt make sense. (Not that Shimamura-wise makes a lot of sense either, but lets not worry about that.)", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "20 came to mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was why I decided to take action while there was still time. Tomorrow was another day, after all. But this was the part I needed to change about myself. This was the part I needed to work on. And with", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "conviction thus renewed in my heart-", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...Nnngh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "-there was no way I was falling asleep anytime soon.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Regret set in.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I really shouldve saved this revelation for the morning instead.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As anyone whos ever had a job could tell you, you dont exactly get to pick your days off...and the next day, I was scheduled to work the lunch shift. Yes, it would eat into my time with Shimamura, but it wasnt all bad.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Have fun at work, a very bed-headed Shimamura mumbled sleepily as she saw me off. Instantly, what was once an ordinary front door was now a powerful portal. Somehow it filled me with both courage and reluctance simultaneously. A slight warmth descended into my stomach.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Um...Ill be back soon.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The warmth rained down on me from behind, soaking me gently.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I...I got this!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I raised both fists in the air. At first Shimamuras eyes widened, but then she covered her mouth and giggled. It was rare for my jokes to actually land, so perhaps this was a sign that today was going to be a good day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "With a spring in my step, I strolled down the street. A cloudless blue sky hung above me. Yep, todays a good day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Meanwhile, I thought about what had put that spring in my step to begin with.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why had that little exchange felt so thrilling? Well, probably because I didnt have the best relationship with my family. But if I put in the effort, could things be different? Part of me figured it was probably too late, but another part of me had watched the Shimamura family and come away inspired to try.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And so I arrived at work, where absolutely nothing had changed with the passing of the seasons. Same coworkers, same stupid cheongsam", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". But ever since Shimamura told me I looked good in it, I found I didnt really mind wearing it anymore.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I waited for customers to arrive, I tugged the hem down. Sure, I didnt mind", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "wearing the dress, but I wasnt comfortable", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "in it. It was hard to explain, but...even though my school uniform revealed a lot more leg, comparatively speaking, somehow it was still preferable to this cheongsam", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". Not sure why.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Fifteen minutes after we opened for the lunch rush, the first group of customers arrived, followed by another customer on her own. My body moved on autopilot. Preparing the oshibori towels, filling the water cups-it was all mindless busywork to me. I had no motive to keep going, but no reason to stop, either. And so it continued ad nauseum.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I set a glass of water down on the solo customers table. I recited my stock line: Let me know when youre ready to order.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But right as I turned to leave...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The girl looked up from her menu and stared at me, but not in a ready to order sort of way. I froze, unsure what to do. Then she smiled.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I knew it! It is", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "you! Youre the girl who found my strap for me!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She hoisted her bookbag up and flipped it over to show me the little cartoon bear hanging from it. Sure enough, I recognized it as the same strap I rescued at the mall that one day...and incidentally, it was the very same strap Shimamura had as well.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then I realized: it was the girl from the pet shop.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That was really cool of you, by the way. Thanks again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, uh, no problem.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just then, I remembered Id been wanting to get a matching set of...something...for me and Shimamura. Maybe we could go shopping together after I got back... Somehow it felt like I was full of good ideas today. Perhaps it was a side benefit of sleeping over at the Shimamura house. Yeah, thats gotta be it,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "my brain decided optimistically.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh my god", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", your face!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I snapped back to my senses to find the girl staring at me slack-jawed. Hastily, I pressed my face back into position with my hands. What? Whats wrong with it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Terrified, my gaze darted in all directions.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought maybe you had resting bitch face, but clearly I was wrong! she laughed, rubbing it in further.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Part of me was scared to ask, but at the same time, not knowing was far scarier. Wh-what was wrong with it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Umm...it looked kinda...melty?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Like it was falling apart, like... She tugged the bottom half of her face downwards until her mouth looked...well...melty.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...Really?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...Let me know when youre ready to order, I choked, clinging to the last scraps of my professionalism. Then I hurried away as fast as my legs could carry me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My ears were ringing as I grabbed a plate and started polishing. Like a mirror, it reflected my shame right back at me.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After work, I stood at the door to Shimamuras house and contemplated what to say as I walked inside. I didnt live here, so it would be weird to say Im home. Granted, whenever I returned to my actual house, I never said anything at all, since no one was ever home around that timeframe. Ultimately, I decided to go with the same thing Id said last time I entered, even if it was kind of odd to repeat.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thanks for having me...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, welcome home.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As it happened, Mrs. Shimamura was kneeling right there in the", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "entryway, cleaning the floor. The instantaneous reply shocked me. Welcome home,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "she said. My throat tightened. Then she gave me a funny look, and I knew I needed to say something.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Th-thank you very much.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Like an idiot, I thanked her again", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". But she didnt really seem to notice.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hougetsus not home at the moment. I think she said she was going shopping.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, I see...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For a moment, I wasnt sure who she was talking about, but then I remembered. That was Shimamuras first name-and what a name it was, too. It was so dignified, it was almost impossible to make it sound cute. Hougetsu-chan? Hou-chan?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shell be home soon. Shes lazy, so shell want to get it over with as fast as possible.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Right...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shes always been an oversleeper, right from birth. I swear, she sleeps like a koala, Mrs. Shimamura sighed wistfully. Meanwhile, I nodded along awkwardly. Without Shimamura here, I felt extremely out of place.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Please come home now. Please, please, please.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whats she like at school? Mrs. Shimamura continued.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What do you mean?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She looked up from scrubbing the floor. Does she go to class?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, maam.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, alright then. She was so quick to shrug off the conversation-just like her daughter. It must be a struggle, trying to get that lazybones to keep up with you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, no, not at all. If anything, um, its the other way around.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamuras always guiding me along, you know, like a...like a leash. That was probably a weird metaphor, but I couldnt think of", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "anything better.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mrs. Shimamura laughed like I was joking. Now theres", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "a surprise! Her smile was nearly identical to her daughters.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just then, as if on cue, the door opened. Speak of the devil and she doth appear.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im hoooome! Shimamura called. Then she spotted me and immediately changed tack. Oh, hey, Adachi. Welcome back. A small paper shopping bag hung from her hand.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thanks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youre welcome. Then she spotted her mother in the entryway. She looked back at me. You guys werent talking about me, were you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Keh heh heh! Mrs. Shimamura cackled.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura narrowed her eyes but didnt press further. Instead, she took her shoes off.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmm... She looked down the hallway, then at the staircase. Eh, upstairs it is. And so she headed up the stairs.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Naturally, I followed after her. Maybe my leash metaphor was more accurate than I realized, because I felt like a puppy chasing after my owner.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Once we stepped into the study room, Shimamura let out a sigh. Ugh. God. Right as she started to play with her hair, however, she seemed to remember something. Oh, thats right! She turned to me and smiled brightly. Adachi, bend down for a sec!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh...? Okay...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I crouched down as requested, and a shadow fell over my eyes as Shimamura reached out and touched my hair. What the?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There we go.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She had taken something out of her shopping bag and now she was affixing it to my head. Once she was all done, she took a step back to admire her handiwork.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There! Now we have the same hairstyle.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 30", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0029", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 31", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0030", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura grabbed a hand mirror and held it up so I could see. Reflected back at me was a girl with pink cheeks-that part was nothing new-and a flower hairpin on the right side of my bangs. Sure enough, our hairstyles now matched. Was this what she went out to buy?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now that my hairs almost as dark as yours, Ive been wanting to try matching hairstyles with you, but... Hmm. I guess its not quite the same.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She peered at my face so intently, I couldnt help but stare at the floor in embarrassment. Where did this come from? Times like these, she really reminded me of her dad.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Regardless of her motive, however, I was touched that she would go out of her way to buy me a gift. It was a gesture that took effort-effort that Shimamura didnt always want to put in-and that was why it meant so much.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I ran a finger over this new symbol of our friendship, Shimamura looked up suddenly. Oh, right. So, I actually bought two of those. One for you, and one for me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...Huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura had bought herself the same hairpin? So...we could match? Was it because Id asked about it? She sounded pretty casual about it, so maybe she wasnt all that invested. Or maybe she didnt even remember me saying I wanted to match with her at all. Still...that was all it took to set off fireworks inside my brain. Glittering sparks flew in every direction, making me lightheaded. And yet at the same time, I was filled with an indescribable sense of euphoria. I trembled internally.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sh-Shimamura...!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Grrk!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I threw myself onto her so fast, I nearly knocked her head clean off her shoulders. But I couldnt stop myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youre just so...!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmm, this feels familiar.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So grape", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Right as I attempted to profess my feelings, however, I accidentally bit my tongue.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im so...grape? Yum. Is that your favorite flavor?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The only flavor I could taste right now was my own blood. I composed myself, then tried again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Youre so great", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Somehow my tongue was never there for me when I needed it most.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "We already did this little joke before, remember?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I gave her one final squeeze, then let go. Shimamura was smiling, but it wasnt a warm or gentle smile-more like she was trying desperately not to laugh. Then she put her hand to her chin and scrutinized me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmmm. Nice.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I like that look on your face. She was now the second person to comment on my face today. My confusion mustve been obvious, because she continued, Its kinda stretched out, you know?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, I dont know, actually", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". I couldnt picture this at all. Stretched in what direction? And for that matter, why did everyone keep critiquing(?) my face lately? Was it really that weird-looking at all hours of the day? If so, this was news to me. Unfortunately, I had no way of checking for myself... Then again, maybe I didnt need to. After all, Shimamura probably wouldnt comment on it if it wasnt true.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Well, whatever. Dont worry about it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You sure?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura tilted her head curiously as I grabbed her by the shoulders and sat her down with me. Thinking about the flower in my hair warmed my heart, but at the same time I was scared my face would melt again, and I needed my expression to be serious for the request I was about to make of her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...Whats up, Adachi?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Today, I had vowed to spend more of the day with Shimamura-but it was already nighttime. The sun had started to set, and naturally, it would be a long time before it rose again. And last night, I had", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "discovered that the most important part of spending the night together...was spending the night together", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Would you wanna sleep together this time? My molars throbbed painfully. My eyes stung, and I realized I was forgetting to blink again. Just... wondering...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then I shrank into my shoulders like a scolded child and timidly awaited her answer.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was constantly torn between my fear of rejection and my desperate need to get the words out at any cost. And in the tug-of-war between optimism and pessimism, optimism generally prevailed. But by no means did this mean I had defeated my own shortcomings-not by a long shot. The only winner here was Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure, I dont mind, she shrugged casually.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For a minute I questioned whether I was dreaming, but the pin swaying with my bangs informed me otherwise. But there was no rush of joy, no feeling of accomplishment. Somehow it didnt even register that shed said yes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I mean, if it was that", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "easy", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", then...then...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I shouldve...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shouldve what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I shouldve suggested it last night!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A whirlwind of regret whipped around me. I never imagined she would agree to it so readily... Sometimes she could be bizarrely accepting of the strangest things. Like me sitting between her legs. Was she like this with everyone? She was impossible to read, which was why I screwed up so much.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But sometimes, right when I least expected it, she would be there to catch me when I stumbled. And those moments were pure bliss.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That night, I scrubbed my body so thoroughly, youd think I was trying to physically erase myself. By the end, my skin was practically raw.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It feels like I always screw something up...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I sat cross-legged on my futon, burning with self-loathing and cursing my idiocy, Shimamura walked in...carrying a second futon.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wait, what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait, what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oops. Said it out loud.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whats up? Shimamura asked curiously as she laid out her bedding next to mine.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In a way, it added to the vacation feel of the sleepover, but, uh...I kinda thought we were going to be sharing the same futon. I couldnt bring myself to say it out loud, however.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I shook my head. Nothing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Clearly I was getting too greedy. I tucked my knees up to my shin in shame. Meanwhile, Shimamura flopped down onto her futon with her limbs splayed in every direction. Her skin was faintly flushed, suggesting she was fresh out of the tub herself. Did her little sister join her again? The thought made me feel almost...defeated", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", in a way.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Could Shimamura and I ever get to the point where we could take a bath together? How long would it take for her to feel that comfortable with me? The road ahead felt long and narrow and treacherous.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...To be clear, I didnt want to see her naked or anything like that. Obviously. I wasnt a creep. But my desires were complicated. While my need for physical affection was driven purely by a lack of emotional fulfillment, ultimately it was still physical... Ugh, what am I even talking about right now?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye. So, uh, is she okay with it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She looked over at me without sitting up. Is who okay with what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Your sister. Is she cool with you sleeping up here? Admittedly, I felt a little guilty for essentially stealing Shimamura away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ohhhh", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Yeah, shes fine, she replied with a knowing smile. Shes got a little sleepover of her own going on down there.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "With who? The little blue-haired girl?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Supposedly she came over to the Shimamura house all the time these days. Who even was", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "she, anyway? No one in the Shimamura family seemed to find her odd, so I shrugged it off, but...how could she possibly have blue hair", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Considering Little Shimamura was so buddy-buddy with her, perhaps it was proof that she was just as weird as her nee-chan.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I snuck a furtive glance at Shimamura lying unguarded on her futon. Not that I had any room to talk, but...man, she could be really odd sometimes. Maybe sharing a room with her little sister had trained her in the ways of weirdos... Was that", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "why she saw me as a little sister?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If it really, truly made me special to her, then I could accept it. But Shimamura already had", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "a little sister, and I couldnt possibly compete with the real deal. I knew I couldnt stay complacent forever...but tonight, I was going to make the most of it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, uh, Shimamura...w-wanna call it a night? I suggested, still sitting upright, without even looking at the clock.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Already?! Shimamura asked, surprised. But its only 8!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh? Oh...youre right...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I checked the time, and sure enough, it was 7:50. To me, it felt like it was practically midnight. I was ready to hit the sack.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Work really wore me out today, and I cant stop yawning, so I guess I just figured Im probably sleepy, so I thought it was time for bed! Oh, and we have school tomorrow, so we dont want to oversleep!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I tried to argue my case, I got a bit worked up. And if I had to guess, this probably backfired on me. She gave me a funny look. You sound like youre wide awake.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I slumped my shoulders. I couldnt argue with that. And after that panic, I was actually tired now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That said, I could probably fall asleep just fine. She squeezed her eyes shut, and her face relaxed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This was quite possibly my first time bearing witness to Shimamuras favorite hobby: sleeping. On the one hand, I was happy", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "to learn more about her, but on the other hand...how would this information help me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Alright, time for bed! she shrugged. I glanced over to find her halfway to her feet. Not like theres anything better to do, anyway. With that, she reached up and grabbed the ceiling light cord. Ready for lights out? Need to use the restroom or anything?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uh...nah, Im set...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay then, good night! The light clicked off, and Shimamura slid under the covers.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Good night, I mumbled back, but I wasnt sure she heard me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The conversation ended there, and after a long moment, I found myself wondering: Wait...are we really going to sleep?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I felt like a disembodied head, keenly conscious of everything from the neck up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then I laid myself down...and started rolling.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Could I excuse it away by claiming I rolled around a lot in my sleep? I seriously considered this option, but...the answer was no, probably not", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". I could try it, but I wouldnt get away with it...and for a variety of reasons.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Was this the most I could reasonably expect? Was I meant to be satisfied by merely lying next", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "to her? Obviously I couldnt bridge these gaps immediately... The words lets be realistic came to mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But I shook them away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There was nothing wrong with taking a realistic approach, per se, but it was silly to throw your dreams away in pursuit of 100 percent realism. Whats the point of living, if not for your dreams? Thats not living at all-thats just inertia.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I sat up slightly and looked over at Shimamura. She was breathing rhythmically with her eyes closed... Was she asleep already? Stealthily, I slipped out from under my blanket. Then, crawling on all fours, I carefully approached her and peered down at her from up close. Squinting through the darkness, I admired her face-beautiful and still, like a sculpture. My eyes drifted to her lips, and I felt my cheeks burn.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, how dearly I wished she would invite me to cuddle.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For the record, I wasnt planning to do anything weird", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". I was just", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "looking at her. The memory of a distant dream flashed through my mind, and my heart skipped a beat. But again, I wasnt going to do anything risky. Not without any guarantees.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "See? Look at that-she opened her eyes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wait, what? Oh god, she opened her eyes???", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For a moment, we stared at each other in the dark.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Need something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Apparently my mere presence had woken her. Now she was giving me a weird look.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "All I have to do is stay calm and explain. I havent done anything inappropriate, nor was I planning to. Im perfectly innocent.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was just...wondering if you were actually asleep.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uh, yeah! Im in bed, arent I? Silly. She laughed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Right, of course.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I moved to scoot back...but my hands and knees were glued to the floor.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Adachi?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My body was pitching a fit and refusing to cooperate...possibly because my mind kept lingering on that uncomfortably vivid imagery. For some reason, I just couldnt bring myself to widen the distance between us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Three, two, one...go!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I willed myself to move. But this willpower didnt spring up voluntarily. I had to give it a motivating kick in the rear. Useless", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I craned my neck forward...and plunged myself face-first onto Shimamuras futon. A dull pain rose up from my flattened nose.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What are you, a mosquito? I heard her ask somewhere above me. But when I summoned the courage to lift my head, I found her face was a lot closer than I was expecting.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Can we...c-cuddle? I stammered bluntly, without beating around the bush. No more waiting around. This time, I was taking my life into my own hands.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura stared back at me, stone-faced. Now I get it, she murmured.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What? What did she get?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But before I could panic, she pulled the blanket back invitingly. I looked at her: you sure?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She rolled over onto her side, facing me, and beckoned for me to join her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This was not a dream; the pain in my nose was proof of that. If I had a tail, I wouldve been wagging it a hundred miles a minute.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I flopped down like a dead fish and clumsily rolled under her blanket. My dry, unmoisturized skin kept catching on the fabric, and the bottom left quadrant of my body had already gone numb. But there we were, inches apart, facing each other. If I wasnt careful, I was in danger of babbling like an idiot.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then Shimamura smirked, and it was both so sudden and so close in proximity that it affected me even more strongly than usual.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wh-what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My little sister did this exact", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "same thing last night.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Oh... In the darkness, I burned with shame at the thought that I had inadvertently imitated a grade-schooler.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And then she asked for this", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura reached out and slid her arm under my head. I felt her warmth against my cheek and belatedly realized: she was letting me use her arm as a pillow.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hows that? Is it comfy, laying on your onee-chans arm? she teased.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was like a dream come true, and I hadnt even had the dream yet. Was this what they called sheer ecstasy? Enraptured, I struggled to find my words.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I think...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You think...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I think I might cry, I admitted weakly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura smiled and shook her head at me, as if to say its not that deep", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". But while I may have seemed overemotional, it was actually quite the opposite. At last, I was at peace.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I feel so relaxed. Like all my stiff muscles have finally unclenched. And this, in turn, gave my emotions free rein over me,", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "hence the waterworks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is it really that big of a deal? she asked. I nodded. But she didnt seem uncomfortable with my tears. She looked at my hair. Your hairs still damp, you know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uh huh. At the time, I was too panicked to be thorough...but that panic felt distant now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Theres something special about damp warmth that feels really nice, she mused. As she stroked my hair, the beads of water transferred to her fingers. Little beads of contentment. Okay, can I have my arm back now?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not yet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I clung to her pajamas like a spoiled child. She looked down at the desperation in my fingers and let out a sigh. How much longer do you need?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Just until I fall asleep, I replied, wide-eyed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Honestly, I didnt feel even remotely sleepy. I didnt need", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "to sleep-I was already living out my wildest dreams.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Youre hopeless", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ", you know that? Shimamura smirked wryly, her voice gentle and soothing. But she didnt pull her arm away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "There we were, lying side by side, breathing faintly in the dark. Now that my eyes had adjusted, I could see everything that truly mattered to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, thats right. The seating shuffles tomorrow, Shimamura remarked offhandedly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "To her, this small detail was incidental at most, but to me, it came as a shock. Wait, what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura looked at me in confusion for a moment, but then it seemed to click. Ohhhh", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", thats right. You were cutting class the day we found out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Makes sense...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then my eyes flew open. A seating shuffle?! Tomorrow?! I wont even have time to pray!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wanted to be closer to Shimamura, even if only by a single step.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Or a single inch. But what if I ended up at the very front and she ended up in the very back?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, uh...hopefully they let us sit this close! Right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For some reason, I wanted her to give me...reassurance or validation or something like that. But Shimamura laughed it off.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I dont know about that. I feel like it would cause a lot of problems. She was always perfectly composed; not once had I ever seen her get flustered. I mean, to get this", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "close, wed basically have to share a desk, you know?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This came as a small, but crushing, blow. I just couldnt accept her flippant tone.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But I mustve let these feelings show on my face, because she looked at me and continued, Whatever happens, happens.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This outlook was certainly in line with Shimamuras personality, and there was nothing wrong with it, per se. But if I let life just happen", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "to me, I knew Id end up alone again. So I took a good, hard look at my fears and motivations...and after a little introspection, the answer came to me right away. Regardless of how the seating shuffle turned out-", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wanna eat lunch together tomorrow?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "-all we had to do was make our own plans. It was so simple, and yet somehow I never realized.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, of course.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And so Shimamura readily agreed, putting me at ease with her words...her attitude...her kindness...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now stop worrying and go to sleep.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At this, my emotions crossed the finish line. How blessed I was, to be able to stop worrying on command. Knowing her, she probably had no idea about my dreams or the inner workings of my heart, but-", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Adachi, she called softly as she closed her eyes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "-in the end, she always gave me everything I wished for.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sleep well.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was no point in resisting, so I closed my eyes, falling away from this waking dream and sinking into another.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sleep well...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shimamura", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ".", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Silently, I whispered her name.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 32", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0031", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A Visit to the Hino Estate", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Part 3", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "N", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "AGAFUJI WAS FLOATING", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "in the bathwater, her limbs spread in every direction, naked as the day she was born. Lying on her back, the highest point on her body was her chest. Youd think itd be her nose, like a normal person, but no. Damn you, Nagafuji.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Must be nice to have a huge bathtub!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "One of the perks of being rich, I replied absently as I shampooed my hair.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Admittedly, the tub at Nagafujis house was a relic from the era in which the house was built-which is to say, eons ago-and it was so small, you couldnt even stretch your legs out all the way. The two of us fit inside it just fine when we were kids, but these days it would be impossible. Mostly because of Nagafuji.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ah", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ", Im so happy!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 33", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0032", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 34", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0033", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To express her joy, she kicked her feet in the water. The momentum sent her sailing all the way to the side of the tub, where she hit her head and sank like a rock. She was acting like a kid at a ryokan, and I was terrified she was going to try to make this a regular occurrence.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After our bath, we sat on the edge of the porch to cool down. That said, I couldnt exactly cool down with Nagafuji pressed right up against me...and yet I couldnt bring myself to scoot away, either.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ooh, look at the sky, Nagafuji murmured, slack-jawed. It was the first words shed spoken since we got out of the tub. I like windy days. Its easier to see the stars.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh? Oh...yeah, I guess...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If I had to guess, it was probably the swift movement of the clouds that kept things interesting. Not that Nagafuji was thinking that deeply, of course. She accepted everything in the world at surface value without reading into it, for better or for worse.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Plus, you guys have a huge yard, so theres lots of greenery to look at. I love this place.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yet again, she complimented my house. Me personally, though, I was inclined to disagree. If she actually came here often enough for the novelty to wear off, shed realize just how exhausting it was to live here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nah. I wish my house was as small as yours. That way it wouldnt take so long to get from room to room.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wow. Youre so greedy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Excuse me? If anything, Im the opposite of greedy! Im saying I want less", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh. Good point, she shrugged casually, kicking her feet back and forth as they dangled from the porch. Wanna trade?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ooh. Now theres an idea.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If it was that easy, Id do it in a heartbeat. And Id bring all my brothers and maids with me, too. How would a guy like Goushirou handle living at Nagafujis place? When I tried to picture it, I nearly burst out laughing. Knowing him, hed probably get a ruler and measure the space between each product on display to make sure it was just so", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Who knows-maybe hed actually make a good butcher.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just then, Nagafuji leaned her body up against me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Are...are you bored of looking at the sky or something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then she took my hand...and brought it...toward her chest", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Silently, my palm pressed against her. Flustered, I stared in shock. She laughed. I figured Id let you touch them every now and then, since you like them so much.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wh-what?! Now look here, you...!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "See, arent I nice? Just dont squeeze, okay?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why would I?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I blushed all the way to my ears as I sat there, perfectly still, with my hand against Nagafujis breast. I couldnt feel much of anything, save for her fingers wrapped around my wrist.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Having fun?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its really warm. Not just her, but my face, too. What are we doing right now?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I couldnt even look at her. Alright, thats enough. Thanks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Unable to bear it a moment longer, I pulled my hand away. But just then-", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whoa!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "-Nagafuji grabbed my head and drew it close. Caught off-guard, I collapsed against her chest. Her post-bath warmth made me start sweating all over again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Man, what is up", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "with you tonight?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Youre just so cute, Hino!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She stroked the bath towel between her hand and my hair, almost like I was her beloved pet or something. She was so forward with her compliments... That was what flustered me more than anything. As she ruffled my towel, it felt like I was seeing the real her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "In elementary school, our teachers treated her like a clueless ditz, but when it came down to it, she was just really, really open and honest. Considering she accepted everything at face value, she probably took this stance with her own feelings, too...and I couldnt for the life of me figure out how to counter it. Me, I could never be that open about myself. The most I could do was mask my embarrassment", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "with sarcasm.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You sure like me a whole bunch, huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yup!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...At least blush about it a little, would you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 35", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0034", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "~Todays Adachi Forecast~", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When I saw the pure, innocent smile on Shimamuras face, I realized: Oh, this is a dream. Which means I can get away with asking for just about anything, right? Right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With this decided, I spread my arms out wide. Sh-Shimamura! I want a piggyback ride! And headpats! And a big hug! And-", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Give me a break!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She smiled awkwardly, and I thought to myself: Oh god, what if this isnt a dream after all?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But right as I started to freak out, the next thing I knew, I was looking at a darkened ceiling. My heart was pounding a mile a minute. I clutched at my chest.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Brain, please, just let me sleep.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 36", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0035", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 6:", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Love and Sakura", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "S I LAY THERE", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "with my eyes closed, I contemplated how much longer I should pretend to be asleep. I could feel the warm morning sun against my back, but in place of chirping birds, I could only hear Adachis faint whispers as she prayed:", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Please put me near Shimamura. Please put me near Shimamura.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She sounded so scared and desperate, I wasnt really sure how to react. As you can imagine, I couldnt exactly spring upright like all was well.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Had she prayed that wed end up in the same class, too? I thought back to the look on her face that day as she leapt for joy. It must have been one of few times that she actually got what she asked for.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I felt her roll over, and then she put her left hand on my almost-completely-numbed right hand. Her fingers slid between mine. It was springtime, and yet her skin was cool to the touch. As we lay there, however, the chill faded away, defeated by my warmth. For some reason, I found I was kind of disappointed to see it go.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I twitched my arm, pretending like I was stirring awake. Instantly, she let go and stopped praying, and I felt her head turn. Then I slowly opened my eyes to find her looking back at me, her lips pursed tightly. Apparently she was afraid of me catching her in the act; her cheeks were as pink as her namesake.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It felt like her face was closer now than it was when we went to bed last night. Her head was cradled in the crook of my elbow, and if either of us had rolled over in our sleep, we wouldve knocked our foreheads together. Yikes", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". Good thing we were both solid sleepers.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Good morning.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "G-good...morning... Adachi stammered, her whole head trembling.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her eyes were wide open and looked a bit dry, like shed been up for a while. No surprise there, honestly, given wed turned in at 8 PM. If anything, I probably overslept. And yet somehow I was still", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "sleepy. A small yawn slipped out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What happened yesterday?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Her sudden question confused me. What?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I mean, last night. Did anything...you know...happen? she asked cryptically. As I stared back in confusion, her face flushed beet-red, all the way to her ears.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Last night? Im...kinda not sure what youre talking about. I was asleep...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Werent you literally right there on my arm? Are you feeling okay? Or did something happen without me knowing? Did you doodle on my face or something? Note to self: look in a mirror.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It felt like a question youd hear in a horror movie, but Adachis reaction was anything but scared. Alright then. Okay, she replied, looking sincerely relieved. Then she curled up, closed her damp eyes, and relaxed against my arm like she was thinking about going back to sleep. Just a dream. Thank god, I was pretty sure I heard her say.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At that point, I couldnt bring myself to shake her awake and ask more questions, so instead I just fell silent. There was a long pause. But unlike on the phone, it wasnt the sort of bottomless abyss that left me feeling trapped. For some reason, the weight against me and the numbness in my arm instilled in me a strange sense of peace. I yawned again, and my fingers twitched.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Did Hino and Nagafuji cuddle in the same bed, too? I had a vague understanding of their friendship, and yet my own was a mystery.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I turned my head as far as I could manage to look at the clock. It was time to get up and start getting ready for school. Any later and my mom was bound to come knocking. But I couldnt get up unless Adachi got up, and Adachi showed no signs of stirring. Her eyes were still closed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I moved my arm ever so slightly; her cheeks flushed, and she balled her hand into a fist. Because her complexion was so pale, the most minute color changes were readily obvious. Maybe a tan would help... Summer wasnt that far off, thankfully.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But if we were going to make it to summer, then my first step", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "would be to wake her. I felt guilty, since it was pretty clear she hadnt gotten much sleep, but my only option was to be her alarm clock.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wiggled my arm vigorously. Adachi shook her head, as if in protest, and clung to my pajamas.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What part of this looks like a competent student to you, Mom? God, shes such a needy little baby.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But all I could do was smile and shake my head.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hold it, little girl.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Right as we were putting our shoes on in the entryway, my mother flagged me down. Thats one way to address your own daughter, I guess.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Take this with you. She handed me a rectangular parcel, then did the same with Adachi. You, too, Adachi-chan.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I looked down at it and felts its weight. What are", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "these?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Take a guess.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Youre...going to make me lunches again?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Bingo.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She shot me a thumbs-up. I stared back in surprise. Where did this come from?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well... She started to explain, but seemingly decided it was too much work. Eh, forget it. Just get going already or youll be late. Then she shooed us out of the house.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What had changed her mind? I looked at Adachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was staring down at her bento box, slack-jawed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And so we set off on our merry (read: miserable) way to school. As I rode on the back of Adachis bike, it occurred to me:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Is this our first time going to school together?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wed definitely ridden home together in the past, but this was a first.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Despite the fact that she was steering, Adachi looked up at me. I think so, she muttered. Then she continued to gaze up at me, so I took it upon myself to watch the road.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Flecks of sunlight scattered through the trees. The stains on the buildings. The flow of vehicles and pedestrians. Long white clouds, streaking across the sky like the sleeves of a blouse. The biting heat of the sunshine against my darkened hair, its warmth somewhere between spring and summer.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Everywhere I looked, it was May.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We passed through the residential district until we reached the road that would lead us to our high school. Under the bright rays of the sun, both beauty and ugliness stood out in sharp relief.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Once Sunday was over, naturally, we were expected to go back to school. And since we were both going to the same place, it made sense for both of us to take Adachis bike. Her bike was then further weighed down with all of the bags shed brought for the sleepover, and yet she pedaled as though it was no trouble at all. What a hard little worker,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I thought to myself half-jokingly. This was not an opinion I often held of her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, you need to start paying attention now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I gave the back of her head a little push. Frowning reluctantly, she tilted her head back down. But right as I moved to pull my hand away, I noticed the faint outlines of a flower pattern embedded in my skin-a vestige of Adachis weight pressing my arm against the pillow. Was there more hidden under my sleeve? I rubbed my arm through my uniform.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Resting a hand on Adachis shoulder, I observed her for a moment. Her tension was visible, not through her expression, but through her white-knuckled grip on the handlebars. After all, we-or at least, she-had a big event coming up today: the seating shuffle. No longer would we be organized alphabetically by last name.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Did her prayers help her face reality? Was there a point to just sitting around and thinking instead of taking action? Either way, I was looking forward to the outcome.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "On the day of the entrance ceremony, the sakura blossoms had just started to fall. Today, there was no trace of them left.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Had I ever been fully conscious of the sakura blossoms before now? I pondered this to myself as I walked toward the school building, occasionally looking up at the sky. Whenever spring break came to an end, my attention would inevitably be drawn to the piles of petals covering the ground... Perhaps Id never actually seen a sakura tree in full bloom before.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Of course, now that I was thinking about it, I suddenly felt the desire to correct this, but I couldnt exactly turn back time. How many more chances would I have to see the blossoms?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I looked from the scrap of paper in my hand to the numbers written on the chalkboard. Apparently the seating shuffle had started at some point while I was lost in thought. My homeroom teachers system was as follows: Each of us, in alphabetical order, would reach into a bowl and draw a scrap of paper with a number on it. Then wed look at the chalkboard, find the corresponding desk, and move to it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Adachi had already finished moving desks; I could feel her gaze lingering on my back.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ultimately, I ended up moving one column to the left, second row from the back. As for Adachi, she was now three desks to my right.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, that didnt change much...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We werent especially close, but neither were we on opposite sides of the room. Sure, we were in the same row, but we were still three columns apart, so it was hard to say how successful her prayer really was.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As the seating shuffle continued noisily, I put my chin in my hand and looked over at Adachi. Our eyes met. Her expression was as stoic as ever, but she wasnt staring down at her hands, so she seemed to be in decent spirits. She looked back at me, her gaze swimming unsteadily, the same way it had when we woke up. In other words, she was sleepy. Poor thing. Hang in there, kiddo,", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I thought dryly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Later, during class, I looked over and made eye contact with Adachi. She held my gaze for a moment, then hastily looked away, as if she couldnt take it anymore. But I kept looking at her anyway, and", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "sure enough, she glanced over at me again. Somehow, no matter how many heads were in our way, we always managed to find each other.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then she turned away and stared down at her textbook, wide-eyed, tracing a finger over its pages. But I knew her well enough to know that she wasnt really reading it. The flower hairpin swayed with her unstable movements.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Smiling, I looked over at the bright sunlight streaming in through the windows.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its May, alright.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "One minute it was the first day of our second year, and then I blinked, and a whole month flew by. My high school career only had one more April left. Then one more May, then one more June. Today would never happen again. There was no retry button in real life. And as time sped by faster and faster, I became painfully conscious of this fact. I couldnt spend my whole life taking it easy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Perhaps the sakura blossoms were symbolic of my lost time, slowly slipping away petal by petal.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi was keenly aware that her time was limited, which was why she spent every day in what appeared to be a constant struggle to live her life to the fullest...or was I overestimating her?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Though she appeared to nearly nod off at several points, she never completely fell asleep. She was putting up a valiant effort, and it made me smile. Like the faint warmth of spring, it took the weight off my shoulders. And now that I was able to breathe again, I realized-", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Someday...I couldnt be certain when exactly, but I knew it would happen eventually...someday in the future, when there were no more spring breaks to be had, and my high school friends were a distant memory...someday I would have to spend sakura season alone. But until then, perhaps it couldnt hurt to enjoy the blossoms while they were around. It might even be fun.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "April was over, and the blossoms were no longer blooming...but if I ever wanted to see Sakura, she was only three desks away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 37", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0036", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Afterword", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "RGENTO SOMA!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Buy it today on DVD!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did you know I have a banana allergy? Im wholly", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "unable to eat a whole banana. Apparently I cant have kiwi, either-anyway, hello. Oh, and I cant have pineapple-anyway, hi there. It would appear that these tropical fruits hate my guts. Farewell, Tahiti. Not that Ive ever been.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So, that was Volume 4 of Adachi and Shimamura", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". Kind of wild that its lasted this long, huh? My main problem with writing a long series is that I never know what to do with repeat holidays. It feels kind of silly to do Valentines and Christmas stories all over again. How do they handle this in manga? These are the kinds of things I thought about while I wrote this volume. Thank you for buying my book.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "For some reason my fingers always smell like chlorine. This is a thought I just had while sniffing my hand.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Another thing: Recently Ive been thinking...I dont trust anyone who says they control how much effort they put in based on the job. Like, I dont care what kind of work it is-if youre getting paid to do it, then give it everything youve got and dont slack off. That kind of thing. Thats what Id like to see in an ideal world. That said, I dont know how youd slack off writing a novel, anyway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At the current time of writing, Ive been playing Kenka Bancho 6", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": ". And each year, as I struggle to remember enough math to pass my finals, I can tell Im getting old. Oh, and I played Ukiyo no Shishi", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "and Ukiyo no", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Roushi", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": ". Samurai swordfighting games are a rare and valuable commodity, and I enjoyed my time with them. I just wish theyd give me the option to use the same katana stance and sheath animations that the NPCs get.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That reminds me-at an autograph session in 2014, one particular fan was passionately trying to convince me to send the girls to the hot springs. But is going to the hot springs something that teenage girls would realistically do for fun? Granted, Ive read a manga where some junior high students went, but high school...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thank you to my editors: M, A, and O. I couldnt have published this book on my own, and your assistance was invaluable, so Im extremely grateful. Oh, and thank you to Non-san for the illustrations.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "See, I was always a good kid, and when you asked me who I respected most of all, I would always write my parents-until junior high, at least. But when I see my father eating veggies and taking medicine at the same time, it gives me pause.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not sure if there will be more volumes in the future, but if so, I hope youll continue to show your support.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "-Hitoma Iruma", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 38", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0037", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thank you for reading!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Get the latest news about your favorite Seven Seas books and brand-new licenses delivered to your inbox every week:", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sign up for our newsletter!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Or visit us online:", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "newsletter", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 38", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0037", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thank you for reading!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Get the latest news about your favorite Seven Seas books and brand-new licenses delivered to your inbox every week:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sign up for our newsletter!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Or visit us online:", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "newsletter", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 1", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0001", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Table of Contents", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Color Inserts", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Table of Contents Page", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Title Page", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Copyrights and Credits", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 1: What If...All of Them Were Little?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 2: Ill Come See You, Whether You Ask or Not", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 3: Departing from the Deep Blue", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude: A Visit to Nagafujis Meats, Part 1", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 4: Shimamuras Blade", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude: Yashiro Comes Calling, Part 8", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 5: Are Souls Shared?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude: A Visit to Nagafujis Meats, Part 2", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 6: Adachis Revival", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Interlude: Yashiro Comes Calling, Part 9", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Afterword", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Newsletter", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 2", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0002", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 3", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0003", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 4", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0004", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 5", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0005", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 6", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0006", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 7", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0007", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 8", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0008", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 9", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0009", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter 1:What If...All of Them Were Little?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "OUR KIDS were something special. They were all about the same height, but with their own unique personalities, and you could tell them apart at a glance. For some reason, I couldnt help but marvel at the miracle of biology. By making children as cute as possible, it handily ensured that we living creatures would protect our young.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That aside, these kids had a lot more individuality than I did at their age. Across the room, a girl with sky-blue hair was playing with a friend who always wore a helmet. They were all so unique... Then again, when it comes to blue hair, maybe unique is an understatement.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shima-chan, wait!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "During free time, two of the kids ran back and forth from the hallway to the classroom: the most obnoxious-er, energetic of the older girls, Shima-chan, and the girl who always chased after her, Taru-chan. Shima-chan had a funny way of running, with both hands thrust out in front of her, yet it was oddly soothing to watch. As for Taru-chan, she ran with both hands raised straight in the air. Equally as odd...and equally as cute.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But while it was fun to watch them run around energetically, I couldnt let my guard down, since there was no telling when they might hurt themselves. Shima-chan in particular was like a runaway freight train. If you dont want to put walls up between yourself and your friends, thats one thing, but do try to be mindful of real walls, okay? Seriously, how do you still manage to run into things face-first when you have your hands out in front of you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As they cut through the center of the classroom, however, I realized I wasnt the only one watching them. After I made sure the other kids were behaving, I glanced over, and sure enough, Sakura-chan was sitting quietly by herself, playing with Play-Doh and staring intently at Shima-chan.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Out of all the older girls, Sakura-chan was easily the problem child. She wasnt violent or badly behaved; if she were, the issue could be remedied a lot more easily. Instead, she struggled with basic communication skills-she barely spoke or reacted to anyone. According to her mother, this was how she behaved at home, too. Shes impossible to understand, the woman had told me with a pained smile. I didnt argue with her at the time, but quietly, I disagreed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "While she might have seemed unreadable at first glance, Sakura-chans behavior here in the classroom was actually quite straightforward. She didnt have any close friends, but she had seemingly taken an interest in Shima-chan, a social butterfly who could talk to just about anyone. That said, Sakura-chan never initiated any conversations. As much as she wanted to play with Shima-chan, she couldnt take the first step. Instead, she would carry her toys over near Shima-chan and simply hope to be noticed. She wasnt shy-she just didnt know how to talk to someone. And whenever Shima-chan was with her other friends, Sakura-chan would retreat even further.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In contrast, Akira-chan and Tae-chan were playing happily over in the corner. What are they doing? Giving each other piggyback rides?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nnrgh...!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Akira-chan, youre so strong!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tae-chan looked perfectly content on top of Akira-chan, whose face had turned beet red. Eventually she couldnt take it anymore and slumped to the ground, lowering Tae-chan, who crouched down beside her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You did a good job!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uh huh, I sure did. Now pay up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tae-chan took Akira-chan by the hand, then planted a big kiss on her forehead. Akira-chan beamed from ear to ear. They were such close friends, it was unusual to ever see one without the other.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "One time I was invited over to Akira-chans house...only to realize it was a palatial mansion! With bamboo trees lining the path! It was all so fanciful, I could scarcely believe it. Then someone from the family came to greet me, and I mistakenly thought it was Akira-chans young father-until he told me he was her brother! I couldnt believe that, either!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now then, back to Sakura-chan. She was still staring intently at Shima-chan, who was busy playing with building blocks along with Taru-chan and the other girls. The blocks linked together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, and right now they were trying to build a house. How did she even get there? She was just running around a minute ago! I swear, I cant take my eyes off her for a single second... Man, parents have it rough.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Anyway, I couldnt bear to see Sakura-chan sitting all alone, so I decided to lend a hand. Truth be told, I wasnt really supposed to meddle in the kids friendships, but I just couldnt take it. Shima-chan, can I borrow you real quick? I asked, as she was busy building a roof for their house. She got up and walked over, carrying a block in one hand.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But Sensei, I didnt break anything this time! With her free hand on her head, she looked at me in confusion. This time, she says!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I know, and Im so proud of you! But I think Sakura-chan wants to play, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sakura-chan flinch in surprise. Apparently she was listening.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shima-chan readily agreed to this suggestion. She dashed over to Sakura-chan; Sakura-chan flinched even harder this time, then hastily stared at the floor like she was trying to pretend she wasnt watching us.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Cmon, lets go!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Without any lead-up whatsoever, Shima-chan grabbed her hand and started pulling. Sakura-chan set her Play-Doh down on the floor, then rose to her feet, looking from Shima-chan to me and back. Her eyebrows fluttered up and down like she wasnt sure whether to be happy or concerned.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then Shima-chan dragged her over to the building blocks. Heres a block. You can start from wherever you want. She handed over the block she was carrying, then went back to building.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At this, the joy left Sakura-chans face, and her eyes started to tear up. As Shima-chan ran around to the opposite side of the play area, Sakura-chan followed after her and grabbed her hand.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hm? What is it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Um...lets play over there instead... She pointed over at the vacant area where she was previously sitting.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No way! Shima-chan held up her blocks. How come? I like it here!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But...I wanna play over there... Sakura-chan tugged on the other girls hand.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whoa, whoa! Shima-chan started to stumble, but she regained her balance. No! Lets play with everybody!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah! Dont steal Shima-chan for yourself! Taru-chan chimed in.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now that she was outnumbered, Sakura-chans shoulders started to shake. Uh-oh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I...I want Shima-chan to play with me... Play with me...!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 10", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0010", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 11", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0011", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure enough, she began to cry. Aww, sweetheart. Honestly, I wasnt sure whether to intervene again. Maybe I messed up by butting in the first time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sakura-chan was not the type to play in a big group. This was no moral failing on her part, but still...she was just so inept. At this rate, Im not sure shell make any friends in elementary school.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "You need to show consideration for your friends.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This time, I flinched. Out of nowhere, another girl had appeared-and another blue-haired one at that. But while she and the girl across the room from us both radiated sparkles, their hairstyles were completely different. This one had half of her hair tied up in the shape of a butterfly, with the other half cascading down her shoulders like a bright blue waterfall. It was all quite surreal...well, except for the rice ball in her hand. I could see kelp poking out from the center.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thats what everyone always says, and I imagine Planet Earth is no different. Her canteen wobbled as it hung across her torso. It was raining outside, and yet she was dressed for a picnic.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Wh-whoa! Who are you? Even Shima-chan was startled by the sudden newcomer. Stubbornly, she drew herself up to her fullest height.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Keh heh heh! In your current form, you dont stand a chance against me, Shimamura-san! Hyah!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She grabbed Shima-chans hand and started spinning her around. Uhhh...what are you doing? She kept going...and going...and going...until finally her legs gave out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whoa whoa whoa... Suddenly freed, Shima-chan staggered dizzily.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How do you like that, hmm? the other girl shot back, though she wasnt in much better shape. Where did you even come from?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That was mean!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Heh heh heh! Thats what happens when you spin out of control, she smirked, still wobbling. Unless youre well-trained, like myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She straightened up suddenly, though it was clear she was pressing her feet down hard on the floor; from behind, I could see her leg muscles twitching.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You have to be able to walk before you can run, she explained calmly. Then she glanced over at Sakura-chan.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sakura-chan wasnt comfortable making eye contact with strangers, so she hastily stared down at the floor. Then, for some reason, the other girl started cackling loudly. I looked at Sakura-chan, then back at the other girl; Shima-chan followed suit.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...Ah, I see. I couldnt comprehend how her brain worked, but in that moment, I could see what she was getting at. What about Shima-chan, though? Did she understand?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shima-chan looked up at the other girl, her innocent eyes tinged sky-blue like she was absorbing the other girls sparkle. And then, a moment later...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I dont get it, but okay, she nodded. Today Ill play with Sakura-chan in solitude.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That...was a surprisingly big word for someone her age. Ugh, she must have picked it up from the kid in the helmet. I swear, I dont know where that kid learns these words. Still, judging from her decision, she must have caught the other girls drift.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shima-chan looked over her shoulder at Sakura-chan, whose face lit up despite the tears in her eyes. Her lips curled, and her eyebrows raised.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But once I stop being dizzy, I wanna play with my other friends, too.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At this, Sakura-chan stared down at the floor again. Then, after a moment, she took Shima-chan by the hand and pulled her back over to the spot where she left her Play-Doh. Shima-chan was usually one to lead rather than follow, so it was rather amusing to see quiet, aloof Sakura-chan bossing her around for a change.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Taru-chan, however, was not amused in the least. Thats not faaaair, she whined.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmmm... Cant please everybody, I guess. Would it make them happier if I joined in her place? Or would that be weird? Before I could decide, however, the girl with blue butterfly hair walked up to me with her chest puffed out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Keh heh heh! In the side stories, I take charge!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I had no idea what she was talking about. Then I noticed how much taller she was compared to everyone else. Was she always in my class...? No, I dont think she was!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Where are you from?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Lunchtime ended ages ago, so where did she get that rice ball?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To be clear, this is an alternate-universe story about what would happen if they met this early on. Absolutely none of this is canon.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uhhhh...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Care for a drink? She uncapped her canteen, poured some into the lid, and offered it to me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, uh, thanks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I accepted it and took a sip, expecting water. But it was not water. It was a yogurt drink so sweet and thick, I questioned whether it was a milkshake instead. The girl drank it all down without missing a beat, of course.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That said, its a shame Little isnt here.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And with that, she toddled away, never once listening to a word I said. What an adorable intruder... Er, should I be calling the cops, or...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What do you wanna make, Sakura-chan? Shima-chan asked as the two of them shaped their Play-Doh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I...I dunno, Sakura-chan replied, her voice cracking slightly. She had the emotional intelligence to sense that Shima-chan was making an effort to be nice...and it got a smile out of her, stiff though it was. When I saw it, my heart slid down out of my throat and back to my chest where it belonged.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Sakura-chan was a girl with a lot of issues, and she had a lot of growing up to do over the course of her life. But as long as she could read the signs-as long as she could smile-she was going to be A-OK.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 12", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0012", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 2:Ill Come See You, Whether You Ask or Not", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME the words summer break had ever inspired feelings of dread. It was a month-long reprieve from my normal life at school, and while it usually felt as freeing as a cannonball into an Olympic-sized pool, this year I couldnt remember how to swim. My limbs flailed in search of solid ground.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The closing ceremony was held on the last day of the first semester. In the classroom, I watched Shimamura. Then she yawned, and as she was wiping away an errant tear, our eyes met. I hastily averted my gaze.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I knew I (probably) wasnt doing anything wrong, so why did I always stare down at the floor? Because I was ashamed to be caught looking at her? I mean, surely she had to be used to it by now. Should I stand my ground and keep looking at her? I lifted and lowered my head as I waffled back and forth. No, I cant! Its too mortifying!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My brain boiled; my neck and palms began to sweat. It was quite possible I was having the biggest emotional reaction in the entire room. Either that, or...you know...just overthinking it like always.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "While our homeroom teacher was talking, I packed my book bag. Then, as soon as the bell rang, I headed straight to Shimamuras desk. She must have anticipated this, because she was already looking in my direction. Stiffly, I raised my hand and started to-", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Adachi, why do you always look away when our eyes meet? She hit me with a pre-emptive attack at point-blank range. Having missed their chance, my lips wavered in vain. Then came the follow-up: Youre like a little mouse scurrying back to your nest.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The way she giggled as she spoke, it was hard to tell whether I was meant to be embarrassed or not. Was she laughing in a friendly way or a mocking way? Should I take this to mean I need to cut it out? I started waffling again. Then she rose to her feet, book bag in hand, and I took my place at her side, even though I wasnt explicitly invited.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oohoohoo! Shimamura chuckled as she looked up at me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wh-what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I see youre wearing your hairpin again!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Reflexively, I reached up and gently stroked the flower hairpin-a gift from Shimamura herself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Do you like it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I nodded hastily, and she grinned. Personally, the sight of her wearing a matching hairpin was enough to set my chest on fire.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It wasnt until we approached the stairs that I sensed the impending danger: that we were going to part ways without another word. Having snapped back to reality, I started to sweat all over again. Hey, so...its summer break, huh?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yup, sure is.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We kept walking. Wasnt there anything else I could say to keep the conversation going? Complain about the cicadas? No, stupid. She wont have anything to say about that. What kind of plans do you...have planned?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The question came out a little oddly worded. She stooped slightly. I havent planned any plans yet, she replied, echoing my word choice.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For a moment I was embarrassed, but then it hit me: Does that mean I could email you and stuff?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sure. I mean, you already email me all the time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I know, but since its summer break, there might be...a lot...I dunno...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its fine, its fine!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "While I struggled to get the words out, Shimamura remained cool as a cucumber. My greedy side started to rear its head. Maybe I could ask for more. Oh, and if you have time...itd be cool if we could...hang out sometime...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Bring it on, girl.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She thumped my chest playfully. At this, I was both relieved and...um...thrown off-balance; so light and airy, a stiff breeze could have sent me flying. Er, not that I was flustered because she touched me or anything. Of course not.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura was the source of all my worries. Without school to bring the two of us together, summer break would be an empty void-unless I made an effort. Like the cicadas, I needed to be vocal in order to get what I wanted.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then we walked down the stairs to the shoe lockers, and as I stood with my shoes in hand, I called her name. Shimamura?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmm?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She looked over her shoulder at me. Her neck was sweaty, and she had unbuttoned her shirt slightly. The dim fluorescent lighting overhead mingled with the sunshine streaming in through the front entrance. This was the door to summer, and I found myself drawn to it. I couldnt think straight.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Over summer break, I...you know...Id really like to get to know you better so yeah okay cool. Partway through, my brain started melting, and I started to ramble at the speed of sound. None of it was as eloquent as Id hoped. Especially the part at the end.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Get to know me better...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "This must have confused her, because she didnt seem enthusiastic. At least, not to me. But if I launched into some long-winded explanation, how would she react? What if I told her I wanted to go to the pool, or walk around town, or grab drinks at a caf? Would she be uncomfortable? I wasnt so optimistic to imagine that shed readily accept.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Standing in front of Shimamura, my heart pounded in my chest. While this was the driving force that spurred me onward, it was also my weak point laid bare. Part of me was terrified that one day Id reach out only to have my hand slapped away.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But then...she smiled at me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im not sure I fully understand, but...I look forward to it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That smile marked the start of a restless, sleepless summer.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The best part of summer break: not having to get up in the morning.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Or so I thought, I muttered as I lay slumped over the kitchen table at 7 in the morning. Not to mention I had stayed up late talking to Adachi on the phone, so yeah. My eyelids did not want to be open right now.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I dont wanna have to deal with dirty dishes later, so this is my solution. If you want, you can go back to bed after you eat, said my mother, the villain who woke me, as she poured me a bowl of cereal. Then the milk went in, and I pushed myself up into a sitting position, caving to the demands of my parched throat.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, Nee-chan, youre always such a baby in the morning, my little sister scoffed.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Unlike me, this one was a bundle of energy right from the moment she snapped awake. Apparently she got up at six oclock to go do calisthenics in the park. I didnt even know that was still a thing. Come to think of it, when did she start sassing me like this?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I simply cant get enough of this coconut flavor. Yum yum, said the gremlin with the sparkly blue hair. It was Yashiro, of course. Apparently she and my sister had bumped into each other at the park. Did no one ever teach you not to bring strays home with you? Now shes eating our cereal, for Petes sake.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Hmmm...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "At least shes enjoying it, I thought to myself as I gazed at her soft, plump cheeks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was something magnetizing about her; I cared about her a bit too much to write her off as a stranger, probably because I saw so much of my childhood self in her. In particular, the way she ran with her hands out in front of her was practically identical. But although I didnt like everything about her, oddly enough, I still wanted to look out for her. Maybe that was why my sister liked her and my mother never objected to her presence-because they both saw traces of me alive in her. The thought made me feel conflicted.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Time passed as I ate my breakfast, then brushed my teeth and washed my face. After the little ones left the house, blissfully forgetting that there was homework assigned over the break, I crawled back into my futon. My sister had recently switched to a light summer blanket, but I slept under a comforter all year round. Was it hot under here? Extremely. But I didnt feel secure unless I was all curled up under something heavy. Maybe I was subconsciously seeking some sort of maternal warmth.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The exact moment I lay down, however, my phone started to ring, shattering my peace and quiet with laser precision. Instantly my skull felt like lead.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uggghhh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But I couldnt very well just lay there and let it ring, since that would be rude. So I crawled out of bed and grabbed my phone off the table, banging my arm on the corner in the process.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Oh. Not who I was expecting.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Id thought it was Adachi, but it was in fact Tarumi. I hadnt seen her in a good two weeks or so. These days wed meet up periodically, whenever she randomly invited me to something. Every time we hung out, I discovered new things that had changed and old things that had stayed the same... It was actually kind of fun.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "When I answered the phone, Tarumi started talking immediately. Yo, Shima-chan!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I dont know who Yoshima-chan is, but it sure aint me. Yo, yo.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its summer break for you, right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "For us, yeah... Well, I guess all the schools probably run on the same schedule.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tarumi was probably on break, too, unless she had club activities or something... I couldnt remember ever asking her. Wait, no, maybe I did. The topic might have come up back before we smoothed out all the bumps in our renewed friendship. That would probably explain why I couldnt remember. Ugh, listen to me justifying my own memory loss. I sound like Nagafuji.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "How are you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Good, good... I couldnt exactly tell her she was keeping me awake, so instead I forced a laugh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay, uhhh... Oh! Howd finals go?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ha ha ha ha... Classic Taru-chan. What a joker.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then I heard a cicada start chirping somewhere nearby and looked up. It was so bright outside my window, it felt like someone had cranked the dial up to 12. Everyone else in my life was a chipper little early bird; was I simply the odd one out? Honestly, even if I had the energy to do something, I couldnt think of anything to spend it on.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That reminds me, Shima-chan... Um, this is just an idea, but... Like, for real, its no big deal if you dont want to, but...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah? Whats up?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her lead-up put me on guard. It sounded like the kind of disclaimer that preceded a giant hassle. And regardless of her intentions, good or bad, it felt heavy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Swallowing, she continued, Would you wanna come with me to the fireworks festival next week?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That invitation marked the start of a summer spent dreaming about a world beyond the deep blue.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 13", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0013", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "~Todays Adachi Forecast~", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Scribble, scribble, scribble, scribble, scribble. Erase.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Scribble, scribble, scribble, scribble, scribble, scribble.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Scribble, scribble, erase. Scribble, scribble, scribble, scribble, scribble.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Scribble, scribble, scribble, scribble, scribble, scribble.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It wasnt exactly complete-I just ran out of room.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 14", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0014", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter 3:Departing from the Deep Blue", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "AFTER TWO NIGHTS of diligent effort, I held up the end result to evaluate its quality.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "1. Shimamura lets me sleep over again. 2. Shimamura and I go shopping somewhere. 3. Shimamura lets me hold her hand and we have a fun time. 4. Shimamura and I go to the pool. Maybe the beach? Too far? 5. Shimamura", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was a list of things I wanted to do over summer vacation, and most of them-okay, all of them-started with Shimamura. I hadnt thought too hard about it while I was in the process of writing it all out, but now that I was looking at it, my gaze bashfully avoided all the times Id written her name. By the time Id reached number five on the list, I had run out of space to write anything; why had I just left Shimamuras name there? This was a mystery of my own (sleep-deprived) making.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Still, it was technically accurate. In my head, the Venn diagram of summer break and Shimamura was basically a circle. That said, they werent firmly linked, so I would have to make a conscious effort. Otherwise, if I zoned out in the heat, this list would never be anything more than incoherent scribbles, and by the time school was back in session, Id be left with nothing but my regrets.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now that Shimamura was a part of my life, I refused to let this summer turn out worse than all the others Id wasted sitting around doing nothing. That was why I spent the past two days organizing my thoughts on paper: to go out and do things and have fun. When I thought about it, I realized this succinctly described the entire point of summer break. And having fun together, just the two of us, was surely proof of our close bond...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Proof...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I wasnt confident such a thing actually existed, but if by any chance I got my paws on some, I would probably strut around town for a week straight just to show it off. So how could I prove the existence of something that was invisible to the naked eye? ...With a thermometer or something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I looked up at the clock. My shift was going to start soon, so I set my to-do list down on my desk and changed into my work clothes. Then I remembered I hadnt eaten breakfast. Eh, whatever.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Honestly, I had no real incentive to keep working. When I first started, I figured it was better than sitting around doing nothing, and having money saved up would be helpful in case of an emergency. But now I had a ton of money in the bank and nothing to spend it on. Sure, it was a source of pocket money for whenever Shimamura and I hung out somewhere, but those opportunities were few and far between.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Still, if there was anything that motivated me to keep showing up for work, it was the hope that Shimamura and her family might come back to eat there again. Sure, it was kind of humiliating, but...I mean...Shimamura had complimented my cheongsam in the past, so I wasnt really bothered by the thought of her seeing me in it, I guess? And part of me wanted her to be...drawn to me, or something. Instead of me always having to chase her down, I wanted her to start meeting me in the middle, one step at a time. That was what being close was all about, right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No one had ever taught me these things. In the past I never cared, but now I was actively trying to learn. When would I be able to make up for lost time?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After writing about Shimamura so much, I yearned to hear her voice, so I decided Id call her after my shift ended. Even if I didnt have anything else to talk about, I at least wanted her to know that I missed her... I just wasnt sure Id be able to get the words out without getting tongue-tied.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ugh, now Ill have to wait forever. I wish Id had this idea after work.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I grabbed my bike key and my house key and stepped outside. With no air conditioning to protect me, I discovered another sweltering summer day waiting for me. And as the sunshine slung an arm around my shoulders, the cicadas all screamed hello.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Through my eyes, it truly felt like I had opened the door into summer.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It felt like there were cicadas chirping in the back of my mind-like an auditory representation of the bright sunlight streaming in. The buildings in the distance stood out sharply against the sky, their colors distinct but muted. I never really liked the summer season, but I still enjoyed the scenery.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nee-chan, what are you doing? my sister asked dubiously as she spotted me zoning out by the window.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Mmm... Not much...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was thinking back to last summer-the time I buried the dead cicada. I could still remember the warmth of the dirt against my palms. Nearly a full year had passed since I first met Adachi, and yet it still felt like just yesterday. In a blink, we were suddenly second-year high school students, and in eighteen months, we would graduate. Would I go to college after that? Honestly, probably not. So what would I do with my life?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its only going to get even more boring from here, isnt it? Blegh. I let out a sigh.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ah, it appears Ive found both Shimamura-san and Little.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yashiro entered the room next, trailing after my sister. These days I passed this oddball in the hall so often, youd think she had moved in. In fact, most nights she stayed for dinner and a bath. That said, she didnt sleep here. Whether the word yet belonged at the end of that sentence remained to be seen, but for the time being, she always went home at night. And when we woke up the next morning, wed often find her laying around in the living room.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, right! Nee-chan, nee-chan! Theres gonna be a festival!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My sister offered me the stack of flyers she was holding-probably just the ads that always came sandwiched between the pages of the newspaper. I took them and had myself a look. Sitting on top was an advertisement for the very same fireworks festival Tarumi and I were going to. Apparently all the local companies were going to set up stalls there, hence they were having these flyers sent out to every house, regardless of proximity. I looked at the date listed. Pretty sure thats a weekend.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What might this be? Yashiro asked, standing next to my sister and peering at the flyer. She tilted her head. Fireworks festival? Whats a firework?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She doesnt know what fireworks are?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "On second thought, Yashiro generally didnt know about a lot of things. Her utter lack of common knowledge made me wonder if she was from a different country, but on the other hand, she could speak flawless Japanese. Why was the breadth of her knowledge so glaringly inconsistent? It felt like shed spent her life walking a very narrow tightrope and never straying an inch.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nnrgh... Yashiro paused to contemplate for a moment, then put her face in her hands and pretended to cry.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, thats waterworks, my sister retorted.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Something different, then? She immediately lowered her hands.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Fireworks are big explodey things with lots of pretty colors!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ah, of course, she nodded, though it was obvious she didnt have the first clue. What she did seem to understand, however, was that my sister particularly delighted in explaining things.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Did you wanna go? I asked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ill go with you if you ask me nicely, my sister told me haughtily. Why is this kid such a brat to me specifically?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, actually, I already kinda agreed to go with a friend, so...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Whaaaa? She rose up on her tiptoes in protest. After an indignant pause, she continued, What friend?! Noooo!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sorry to burst your bubble, but your big sisters got a life of her own. It sucks, I know. My parents were both lazy bums who couldnt stand the hassle of crowds, so without me there to babysit her, my sister would never be allowed to go to a night festival.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I can go with you, Yashiro offered helpfully (?), with her hands on her hips and her chest thrust out. Thanks, but that doesnt exactly solve the problem. If anything, it just adds a new one.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As my sister pouted her lips, I scratched my head. Once she started sulking, it would take a lot of work to cheer her up later.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Okay, uhh...give me a minute.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Somehow I sensed this wouldnt go over well, but I decided to ask anyway. I pulled out my phone and navigated to my call history-beep, boop, bip. Two seconds later, Tarumi picked up.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shima-chan?! What is it?! Whats going on?! she blurted out all at once, and I could sense that she had just run full-speed to answer the phone.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Its not that urgent. Anyway, hi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Heyo! Is this what I think it is? Rain check? She sounded restless, though still reasonably calm compared to Adachi. Where Adachi hesitated, Tarumi charged ahead.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, no rain check, but it is about the fireworks festival. Can I bring my little sister and...one other?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was a pause. Yeah, I had a feeling she wouldnt like this, I thought to myself as I smiled stiffly. We were friends, yes, but I could tell it would be weird to bring a family member. Besides, we had already planned on it being just the two of us. My sister would just have to suck it up and stay home.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "But right as I was about to look back at her-", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What do you mean, one other? Tarumi asked, her voice hard. Was that the part that worried her? Weirdo.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ummm, its kind of hard to explain. Shes like...my sisters friend? I guess?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Technically I met her first, but...our relationship was really hard to describe.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Your sister... Right, I forgot you had a sister.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah. I think you last saw her years ago when she was a toddler. Remember?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Vaguely. I guess she probably wouldnt remember me, either.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Probably not, I agreed. Back then, my sister would hide in our room whenever Tarumi came over... Wait, but thats the exact same as she is now. Well, at least its cute, I guess. Soooo, is it cool? If not, thats okay too, so yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "There would be other night festivals, so I could always take her to something else later on, even if they might not have fireworks. These days they didnt shoot off as many as they used to, so the opportunity had gotten rarer; that said, this time of year, we usually heard them going off about once a week.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...Sure, sure. Sounds good, yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After a pause, she accepted my proposal. Honestly, I wasnt expecting it. I debated whether to apologize, but it didnt feel like Id done anything wrong, so instead I went with Thanks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Nah, its cool. Im not really...you know...super, like... Basically, I just wanna have a fun time!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah? You dont have to constantly look on the bright side, you know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uhhh, yeah! Yeah...yeah. No, really, its cool. Shes your sister, so...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So...what? But instead of asking, I thanked her again and moved to hang up. She seemed to sense this.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uhhh, Shima-chan! Shima-chan!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I put the phone back to my ear. The way she repeated my name reminded me of old times.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im really looking forward to this, so dont forget!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And with that cutting remark, she hung up. Unlike Adachi, she always committed to a single course of action, which I could appreciate. But it was hard to tell whether her final words were merely an expression of her excitement, or...a warning. Did she really think I would forget to show up? Summer breaks only just started. Trust me, Im not that far gone, I thought to myself as I looked over my shoulder.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ignoring Yashiro, who was having fun fake-crying again, I turned to my sister. Okay, she said you can come.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ohhh! She exhaled all the air stored in her puffy, pouting cheeks.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But were going with a friend of mine. Are you going to be okay with that?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My sister was generally pretty aloof with anyone who wasnt in our immediate family. She nodded slightly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Heres hoping she conquers her shyness sometime soon. Otherwise shell turn out like-well, hmm. I guess Adachis issue isnt shyness, per se.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Is it the same friend who stayed over the other day? she asked. It sounded like she was asking if it was Adachi, although that sleepover had happened quite a while ago, not just the other day.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, not her. Someone else.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Hmm, she grunted unenthusiastically. Whats with the attitude?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Any friend of Shimamura-sans is a friend of mine, Yashiro announced with a broad smile. I am the Friend-Bot! Rat-tat-tat!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whatever...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Rolling my eyes at her antics, I let my gaze swim into the distant sea, where my past was dead and buried. Whenever something reminded me of my old self, it made me uneasy. Did these things come naturally to her because she was so similar to the old me? Or did I just think she was similar because of the things she said?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Gently, I searched the briny deep for the beginning of the overlap.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "All throughout my shift, I couldnt stop thinking about the fireworks festival. That said, I wouldnt be going as part of the crowd, walking beneath the rainbow of explosions. No, I was going as part of the attraction itself.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Our restaurant, which called itself neo-Chinese Cuisine, would be running a food stand there, and the manager had asked me to help. I wanted to say no, but any time I tried, she would always pretend like she suddenly couldnt understand Japanese. What a jerk, seriously. And so I had no choice but to concede. I just hope I get paid for it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Still, I hadnt given any thought to festivals until now. When I thought about summer, my brain jumped straight to the pool and the beach, probably because I had past experience going there. But I had never been to any festival; my relationship with my family wasnt conducive to that sort of thing. Setting that particular can of worms aside, I decided to contemplate the idea of me and Shimamura going to a festival together.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The thought added a flood of light to my already-dazzling visions of summer. Beyond the window, even the shimmering heat haze rising from the tarmac looked beautiful. Just like that, my horizons were broadened, and I could appreciate all the little details I never noticed before. A tiny dose of optimism gave me the tolerance of a saint.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "After my shift ended, my manager came waddling over to me like a penguin. You have to come. Okay?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If only I didnt have to work, I could have invited Shimamura...but if it wasnt for my job, I wouldnt have remembered that festivals were a thing at all. It was a total catch-22-flawless and frustrating. Every now and then, I wished I could live my life as a series of happy moments and discard all the rest. Greedy, I know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "By the way, what are we selling?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chicken karaage.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, right.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Our chicken karaage was long and thin, like little clubs. I sincerely had no idea what part of it was neo-Chinese.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After I changed back into my street clothes, I stayed behind in the air-conditioned changing room and pulled out my phone. It was time to call Shimamura. Normally I always sent an email ahead of time to get permission, but this time I decided to skip that step and see what happened.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I waited for her to pick up, my fingers started to tingle from nervousness. This was my idea of being adventurous. And after a moment, that thrill came in for a landing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, yes, hello?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura. Shimamuras voice! My shoulders jumped. To me, she was an oasis in the desert; for better or for worse, the pain and palpitations breathed life back into this empty husk I called my body.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Gah! Hey! she scolded.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh? Wh-what?! My eyes widened.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, sorry, the kids are messing with me, she explained. Hey! Quit trying to climb on my head!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Something was going on over there. Kids, plural? If it wasnt just her sister, then maybe that weird blue-haired girl was there, too. How were they climbing on her head? Clinging to her back or something? I didnt like the sound of that, no matter who was involved. Put bluntly, I-", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Behave yourself, got it?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay. I shrank into myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "No, not you, Adachi...although you probably should.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wha?!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im joking. So whats up?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her voice grew softer; it caressed my ears and made my heart race until I was dizzy. Whatever happened to the version of me who could hold a conversation with Shimamura without getting flustered?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uhhh...I was wondering how you were doing... I didnt have the courage to leap straight into the fireworks festival thing, so instead I chickened out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Eh, Im doing okay. Just so-so. Its so hot, I dont wanna do anything, you know?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I could hear the sound of something bouncing on the floor while someone else shouted, Im doing great, thank you!", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yes, yes, whatever you say. Anyway, how are you, Adachi?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Im...doing great, thank you, I replied in a less-than-enthusiastic imitation of the other voice. She snorted quietly, and it made my cheeks flush.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Have you been doing the homework?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh? We had homework?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nope!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She burst out laughing. Later, I would realize she was treating me like her kid sister.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I just got off work, I explained.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ohhh, I see. You still go in during the summer, huh? Youre a real hard worker. Hard to believe you were ever a delinquent, she teased. Was I, though?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So anyway...er...not that I have much else to talk about, but...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well, however much it is, lay it on me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I was so bad at transitioning between topics. I lacked the glue to stick them together. No, wait-maybe I used too much glue, you know, in a really forced, obvious way. I knew it was awkward, but I had already put it out there, so now I had to roll with it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Not right now or anything, but...sometime soon...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Would you want to, um, go to a festival with me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That really came out of nowhere, my last shred of objectivity informed me. There was a pause, like Shimamura wasnt sure how to respond.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "When you say festival, by any chance, do you mean the fireworks festival thats coming up?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah... Uhhh, I mean, no! It doesnt have to be that soon-sometime in the future is all! Not like I can go to that one anyway. I mean, I am going, but not in a fun way. Summer breaks only just started, so uh...lets figure out a day when were both free or...something...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She hadnt even confirmed that she wanted to go, so I was completely getting ahead of myself. Belatedly, I realized that I was hovering halfway out of my chair. As I waited for her answer, the sound of my own breathing grated on my ears, rough and heavy.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Okay, sure. Lets make a plan to go sometime.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "My jaw dropped in abject delight as warmth flooded my chest. Something in my core was set aflame. Okay, cool... Oh, and it doesnt have to have fireworks. Just a regular festival would be fine...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yep, I know. I know how it is with you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What? Uh...y-you do? Really?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was weird to think Shimamura understood me. It was embarrassing, but also kind of nice-entirely separate from the feeling I got when I understood her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We talked for a little longer after that. Then she told me it was dinnertime, so I reluctantly ended the call. Fatigue and accomplishment weighed on my shoulders like Id just finished running a marathon.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I straightened my posture as I looked down at my phone. Judging from my shoulders and cheeks, I was laughing-hopefully not in a creepy way, I thought to myself, and yet I made no attempt to rein it in.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Lately, I spent every day in the pursuit of Shimamura. Like a bird, I circled just overhead, waiting all day for the chance to alight upon her shoulders. And when it finally happened, I would fly off again with the hopes of one day returning home to nest.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She was my goal-my start and finish line. Maybe it was too big of an exaggeration to say that she was my life support, but if so, she was still inarguably my guiding light.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This laughter was all the proof I needed.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I want to paint you.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I already wasnt expecting Tarumi to call me, and I certainly wasnt expecting her first words to be...that. For some reason, Id anticipated that we wouldnt speak to each other for another three days, when she would probably get in touch to arrange our meetup spot for the fireworks festival. So as a result, I hesitated slightly. Never mind why I was having this emotional reaction-what on earth was she talking about? Painting?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uhh...go ahead?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, no, no! I cant paint you unless we meet up. So what Im saying is: lets hang out, pretty please! she explained casually. Oh, so this is your excuse. Got it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What kind of painting do you mean? Like, on a canvas, or-?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah, that.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...And you want to paint me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Exactly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Right now?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I glanced outside at the clear blue sky. A tidal wave of light attacked my eyes, making me squint. She really wanted to paint in this weather? Pretty hardcore.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...Okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And so there I was at the designated meetup spot: Nagara River, underneath the Kinka Bridge. I had traveled over this bridge a fair few times, looking down at the fishermen as I passed, but it had been years since I set foot on the rocky riverbed myself. The pebbles glowed gold in the sunshine, clacking beneath my shoes as I walked.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With every step, I half-wondered if the sun would fry my legs from behind. But the temperature was colder down here, as if to remind me that I was at a lower elevation. Here by the water, the lukewarm wind left me wanting; as it swirled around me, a symphony rattled up from the rocks, both thrilling and grating all at once. This was summer, burning itself into my skin.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As I walked, I gazed into the distance. From the shore, I had a perfect view of Mount Kinka and Gifu Castle. How old was I the last time I took that ropeway? The older my sister got, the rarer those kinds of trips became.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tarumi was already here, setting up her canvas on the riverbed. Wow, shes got an easel and everything, I thought to myself, mildly impressed. I was kinda expecting this to be more of a casual thing... Oh, boy. I reached up and grabbed the brim of my hat.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Truth be told, part of me would have appreciated a little more time to get ready, seeing as I was going to be an art model. I didnt have time to style my hair, so I threw this hat on to hide it, and when I realized how hot it was outside, I instantly knew there was no point in putting on makeup-I would only end up sweating it all off on the walk here. Still, I kinda wished Id brought a mirror. I dont have sleep in my eyes, do I?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh! Shima-chan!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Tarumi spotted me and raised a hand in greeting; likewise, I returned it. Then I walked around to get a look at the canvas. Unsurprisingly, it was blank. But by the end of the day, a picture of me would be right there... The thought made me bashful.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sorry to spring this on you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its okay. I was bored anyway.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Her pale skin suggested she had yet to spend much time in the summer sun. But though she was wearing long sleeves, she wasnt wearing a hat...and for some reason, when I thought of her getting a tan, it felt like such a crying shame.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Here. She offered me a black parasol. Since the suns so bright, I thought Id paint you holding a parasol.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "How very considerate of you.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The parasol was styled like a black lily; I held it low, just over my hair. This particular parasol had prioritized form over function, and it didnt do much to block out the sun at all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Ooh, you look great, Tarumi remarked almost immediately-too quickly to feel genuine.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You think so?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah... But then again, if you ask me, you can make just about anything look good, so I guess Im biased, she replied hastily, all in a single breath. Then she went back to setting up her easel. Maybe this was her way of saying: Im just being nice, so dont read too much into it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ha ha ha! I could appreciate her honesty.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I started to back away from the easel, but she stopped me. Where are you going?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then I looked around and spotted a folding chair set up nearby.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Sorry, but my eyesight kinda sucks. I need you to stay close or else I wont be able to see all your little details.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, okay.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What little details? I wondered. Nevertheless, I did as instructed and sat down on the folding chair. Then I faced the river with my back turned to the shore. The sunshine reflected off the water and directly into my eyes; this mass of light was only slightly swayed by the fishermen casting their lines.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A chair and a parasol... Maybe I should have dressed up in more fancy clothes.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 15", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0015", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 16", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0016", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not that I actually owned any fancy clothes. Hino probably had some... Well, fancy kimonos, at least. As I sat there, I twirled the parasol by the handle, making the flower-shaped shadow dance above my head.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then, finally, Tarumi picked up her paintbrush and looked past her canvas at me. The thought that this was going to last for hours upon hours made my neck itchy. I couldnt even turn my head.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Okay, here I go! she announced, as if she was going to pitch a softball.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Bring it! I replied, like a catcher.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Not exactly the most artsy conversation we could have had, but still, it felt...seasonally appropriate, I guess? To me, summer was the season of fun, while winter was all serious and solemn.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then, without taking her eyes off me, Tarumi started to move her brush. Shouldnt you watch what youre doing? I wondered. But the moment I made eye contact with her, she hid back behind the canvas like she was Adachi.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Why did it feel like I attracted a very specific type of person? Adachi, Tarumi, my sister... I didnt have enough hands for all three of them, so I could only pray that there would never come a day that all four of us would end up in the same place.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I didnt know you were an artist, Taru-chan, I commented as I gazed at the art supplies littered around her feet.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, I only started last week.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That explains that, I guess. Youre a real go-getter, huh? No clue if I was using that word correctly at all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Itll be fine, I promise. We used to do art stuff together all the time, remember?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uhh...you mean how we used to doodle on old flyers and stuff?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As far as I could recall, Tarumi only ever drew birds, and I mostly drew candy. Perhaps this symbolized the core differences in our personalities or whatever.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Yeah, see? Theres no chance my Shima-chan painting will turn out bad... She shot her model a quick glance. Hopefully.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That would be ideal.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "We shared a giggle, and I twirled my parasol, spinning the faint traces of sunlight over my head. Tarumi watched it spin, then went back to painting. You cant blame your model if your art turns out bad, Taru-chan.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If she started a week ago...that would be right at the start of summer vacation.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Is this your summer hobby...?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Thinking back over my memories of elementary school, I averted my eyes and laughed. Meanwhile, the river drifted silently by. After days and days of sunny weather, the neighborhood creek was now shallow enough that you could see the bottom, but not this beast.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "In three days time, this whole area would come to life, and we would be smack-dab in the middle of it. Id have to pay attention to make sure the little ones wouldnt get lost-would I even have time to watch any fireworks? Had they changed at all since the last time I saw them, years and years ago? My sister was getting older, the fireworks were getting better, and my high school days were halfway spent... I could really feel the passage of time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "That reminds me! I remembered, Tarumi called out to me as she moved her brush across the canvas.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Remembered what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "About your sister...or more accurately, about you. She peeked at me, the tips of her curls swaying gently in the river breeze. Just that youve always been a good sister.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "You think so?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Yeah. I remember you always took good care of her.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She spoke in a soft, wistful tone that made my back itch. No matter how beautiful the memory, it meant nothing to me if I couldnt remember it myself.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "...If you say so.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What did she mean by took good care of her? I couldnt recall. The only memories I had of the past were fragmented, like old, torn-up photographs. Naturally, there wasnt much I remembered about my sister specifically, though I could remember firmly believing that it was my sworn duty as the older sister to protect her. Did my parents teach me that, or did I pick it up from somewhere else?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Looking at it in the abstract, I wasnt sure what qualified as taking good care of someone. It wasnt as simple as a hug, that much was for sure.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Oh, and if you get thirsty, let me know.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Tarumi reached down and grabbed a plastic bottle sitting directly on the ground. The label was bright blue, but the contents looked like barley tea; I could see a block of ice in the center, so she must have frozen it in advance. She was so thoughtful and considerate, I was impressed. Adachi was capable of being considerate, too, of course, but she always took it a little too far-probably overthinking things, if I had to guess. It made me laugh, and I always quietly looked forward to it whenever we hung out.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Huh? Was it something I said?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Youre smirking again.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She used her fingers to stretch her lips into an exaggerated smile. Cmon, surely I dont look THAT weird...do I?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Its nothing. Just remembered something funny.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I vaguely remembered having this same conversation at some point in the past. What was I doing, slipping off into my own little world in front of other people? Id better get my act together before I turn into Adachi. After that, I sat there with a perfectly straight face, like a proper model.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shima-chan, your face is turning red. Is the heat getting to you?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Oh, no...yeah.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I had strained my face so much that now Tarumi was worried about me. I could vaguely feel myself getting dumber and dumber but chose to blame it on the weather instead. Stupid sunshine melting my brain.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "On the other side of the shore, kids rode on their bikes, breathing in that sweltering air. No parasols in sight, destined for a sunburn. They had already adapted to summer.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "While she worked, Tarumi made small talk about a variety of subjects, possibly to keep me from getting bored; I was impressed she had the skill to talk and paint at the same time. And when I asked her why she suddenly got into painting, she told me...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, I needed something that could bring us together, ahem. I mean, thats part of it. But yeah, I just wanted to immortalize you while there was still time. Never know when we might not see each other again, yknow? I mean, obviously Im gonna make an effort to prevent that, but sometimes theres just no amount of effort that can solve the problem. So if thats how things turn out, then...Id like to make sure I have a memento.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...Interesting.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Admittedly, part of me was inclined to agree. The two of us were always on good terms, and yet life pulled us apart regardless. Perhaps our connection wasnt a strong enough adhesive to hold us together...and if so, then Tarumi had just clarified what her choice would be when push came to shove. It gave me a lot to think about.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Perhaps it was the happy memories that reminded us of what mattered most. Maybe that was what kept us plowing ahead without looking over our shoulders.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As she spoke, I followed the suns trajectory and wondered if this would end before it got dark. Then again, summer days were generally pretty long, so we were probably good on time. And in the end, it didnt take that long at all. I wasnt watching the clock, so I couldnt say for sure, but I estimate it took about two or three hours total.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thank god its over.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, I finished it... Tarumi smiled awkwardly. On closer inspection, I could see her facial muscles twitching. Wanna see?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "This was quite possibly the scariest question she had ever asked me. Its not, like, brain-bleach levels of bad, right?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Well, I dont think so... I hope not...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I couldnt tell if she just wasnt feeling confident or if she sincerely thought it turned out badly, but either way, my morbid curiosity won out. Not like she went all out and turned me into some crazy monster with seven mouths...probably.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I rose to my feet, and the heat that had settled against the back of my legs melted away. Then I shivered as it trickled down to my shoes. Slowly, I walked around to the opposite side of the easel to take in Master Tarumis latest masterpiece... Wha?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The level of quality was so far beyond what I expected, it threw me for a loop.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Whats wrong?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Uhh...Im trying to figure out how to word this in a way that isnt offensive...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Wow, thanks!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "...Your art is so good, I regret ever thinking it wouldnt be.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was so perfect, anyone could tell at a glance that it was me-my hairstyle, the parasol, the chair, all of it. I pointed at each part in turn like it was one of those spot the difference puzzles. She had captured the texture of my hair, the proportions of the parasol, the shading of the chair... It was nothing like the doodles I would scribble during class. Was this really her skill level just one week in? I scrutinized her for a moment.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Taru-chan, are you a prodigy or something?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Naw! Hah hah!", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Why are you talking like a hick all of a sudden?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She started coughing, then averted her eyes. You got me. To be completely honest...I didnt start a week ago.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Really?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She scratched her neck awkwardly. I actually started practicing back when we first reunited last winter. I have a photo we took together a long time ago, so I used that as a reference, and...yeah. Sorry.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Frankly, it was such a harmless lie that I didnt really see the need for her to apologize...but now it all clicked. Okay, that explains it. I looked back at my painted self.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Explains what?", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Well...my face here looks kinda young.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "My expression was so innocent, you could mistake me for Yashiro-the kind of wide-eyed naivet that would make wiser people concerned. But this expression was no longer part of my repertoire. Was she even looking at the real me this entire time? Or did I sit there and sweat buckets for no reason? Still, even if her painting left me with more questions than answers, it was a great piece of art all the same.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thanks for making me look good, I told her as I handed the overly cutesy caricature back to her. Perhaps everybody looked at their friends with rose-colored glasses.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Huh? No, no! She shook her head aggressively.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "What, you dont think I look good? I teased.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "No, its not that. I mean, like...the real Shima-chan is...um...f-far cuter than I could possibly capture! Or whatever! she blurted at the ground.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Thats a compliment, right? Or whatever?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Im just trying to...close the...gap.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "She looked up, her eyes wide and her chin thrust out-not the most flattering expression. But it was with that momentum that she enveloped my hand in hers.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Could I ask you to model for me again sometime? I want to keep painting you until I get it exactly right.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A passionate plea made hand in hand... It was enough to make me sweat all over again. Her eyes looked damp with some kind of emotion.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Uh...sure. Overwhelmed by her...enthusiasm (?)...I nodded.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I was tempted to ask why me? but didnt want to be rude. There was so much in this town-tons of people, tons of things-and yet somehow Tarumi had chosen me. I couldnt claim to understand it, but I figured it probably wasnt as deep as I was making it out to be.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "She seemed to intuit that she was cooking me alive, because she pulled her hand away. Oh, yeah, would you wanna get ice cream on the way home? If you want, she suggested, her voice cracking.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "A cool treat to beat the heat. Yeah, sounds good. I could feel my face light up like fireworks, as if I were a little kid who had patiently endured some boring social function solely in hopes of a sugary reward. Honestly, not that far off, I guess.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After Tarumi packed up all her stuff, the two of us headed back up the riverbank. Halfway up, the rays of the sinking sun pressed against my shoulder with a palpable weight, as if gravity itself had learned to shine. It was an illusion unique to the summer season, and for a moment, I reeled.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Shima-chan?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I stopped short, and Tarumi looked back at me. After a pause, I smiled.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Just taking in the summer, thats all.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Arms outstretched, I turned around to face the bright, humid sky. Playfully, I reached out and swung my arms like I was trying to claw at it. I could feel the wind beneath my nails... Then again, for all I knew, maybe that was just what it felt like to touch the sky.", "loss": null } ]

[ { "from": "system", "value": "Develop the plot slowly, always stay in character. Describe all actions in full, elaborate, explicit, graphic, and vivid detail. Mention all relevant sensory perceptions. Keep the story immersive and engaging.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was around noon that day when I realized I had forgotten something back in the classroom. It wasnt a catastrophic mistake by any means, but still-I froze for a moment, holding my book bag.", "loss": false }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "What had I forgotten, you ask? My notebook. Honestly, you might wonder why I even bothered to bring a notebook on the last day of the semester, but this was no ordinary notebook-it was my Shimamura Notes. And based on that name, I trust you can guess what kind of stuff was written inside.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Since school was out for summer vacation, the chances of anyone going to the classroom and inadvertently finding it were next to nil. And yet...on the off chance anyone read its contents... No, not just anyone; I didnt care about all those other people. But if, in some cruel twist of fate, Shimamura herself were to read it, I would literally die. Steam would leak from my ears, and then my head would explode. No exaggeration.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Especially that one part! I thought to myself as I mentally reviewed the notebooks contents. The memory was enough to make my heart flutter; my eyes widened, unblinking. Id only brought it with me because I knew Shimamura would be at the closing ceremony, which in turn was my downfall.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "So what do I do? Go back to get it, or leave it there until Monday?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I knew the campus remained open to students for club activities, but would the same apply to the school building? Would they let me in with a teachers permission? Id never tried to go to school during a break, so I didnt know how it worked, and I didnt know anyone I could ask, either. As I agonized back and forth over what to do about it, I found myself automatically getting ready to leave the house. Apparently Ive decided Im going, I thought to myself like an outside observer. And so I decided to save the thinking for later.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "As usual, no one else was home. So I locked up the empty house and headed off on my bike, just like always...but a few minutes of sunshine later, I started wishing Id worn a hat. Why does summer have to be so hot? I thought to myself like an idiot. Summer nights were superior in every way. All I really needed was festival lights, and...Shimamura beside me, hopefully.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "While I was out, I figured Id take the scenic route-not that I was really planning to scope the place out or anything. But nonetheless, I steered away from my usual path to school and took a detour to the street overlooking the river, where the festival was scheduled to be held this weekend. At night, the sidewalks would be lined with festival stands in summery colors, and I would be working at one of them.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Honestly, it had been a long time since I took part in a festival in any capacity. Last time was a family outing, and I didnt remember much except for the sweltering crowds-no memories of sparkling fireworks. I wasnt apathetic to them, but...those stray sparks just didnt ignite inside me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Now, however, my heart soared at the thought of a fireworks festival. We didnt have any concrete plans yet, and sadly we wouldnt be able to meet up at the big one happening this weekend, but still I yearned for it. Shimamura had changed me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Reflexively, I stopped the bike and pictured what it would be like to go to a festival with her. Ignoring the suns rays beating down on me, I hopped off.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Right here, just like this...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I gestured into the empty air to establish my pretend-Shimamura. In a blink, I could hallucinate that it was night, with food stands positioned with their backs to the river. God, Im terminal.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Shimamura and I would walk along side by side, but it would be so crowded, we would be forced to hold hands so we wouldnt get separated. I would probably initiate it, and Shimamura would allow it with a weary smile. The sleeves of our yukatas would brush up against each other, and I would feel the soles of my feet throbbing.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Now and then wed reach up and touch our matching hairpins as we walked along the dimly lit street. Following the fuzzy light of the festival lanterns, we would follow the flow of people-and thanks to the density of the crowd, wed be one step closer than usual. Every now and then, our shoulders would touch.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With her hair in an updo, Shimamuras bare neck would change her entire aesthetic...and I would find myself both perplexed and bewitched by it. Then, as she smiled faintly, a beam of light would shoot up in the distance behind her. Fireworks would pop off one after another, and we would be dyed in the mingled colors of the crossing sparks. This would be the true foundation of summer...more beautiful than any makeup Shimamura could possibly wear...", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I could practically hear the cry of the cicadas, even though there was nary a tree in sight. I was sweating buckets the entire time I was dreaming up all that; the sunlight seared my eyes, adding a green tint to everything around me. Reality was cooking me alive.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "And so I swiftly returned to my bike.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Chapter: 17", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "part0017", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "(2) chapter number given is likely out of range: 0", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Chapter: 18", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "part0018", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "But even as I set off once more, thoughts of the festival still lingered in my mind. What would I wear? Summer festivals usually meant yukatas, right? I decided Id stop by the mall on the way home to buy one-better safe than sorry, after all. As much as I wanted to see Shimamura in a yukata, I could already foresee it being too much hassle for her. Would she go to that effort if I asked her to? Maybe... No, maybe not... It was hard to say.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "By the riverside, in addition to a few fishermen, I could see a girl standing at a canvas. I was too far away to see much, but it looked like she had another girl modeling for her, holding a black parasol and gazing out at the river. I dont think I could do that in this heat, I thought to myself, mildly impressed. Then I turned my attention ahead of me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I thought I recognized the girl at the canvas, but couldnt immediately place her, so I just shrugged it off. Evidently she wasnt that important-but then again, how many people in my life really were? Was there even any point to counting them on one hand?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Eventually I completed the long detour and arrived at the high school, my hair burning hot. I could hear the shouts of some sports team, followed a beat later by the wail of the cicadas that had evidently set up camp in the trees. Unlike my house, where it was faint, it sounded like an entire orchestra here, ringing out back and forth over my head.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I passed through the front gates and parked my bike in the designated bike parking area, just like I would on a school day. Because it was summer break, naturally, the spots were all open for the taking, but nevertheless, I parked in our class-designated section. Generally speaking, my brain always sacrificed efficiency for the comfort of routine. Maybe it was just part of my personality.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "After my bike was taken care of, I crept along the side of the building, concealing myself from the athletic field. Not sure why I felt the need to do this, since it really didnt matter if anyone saw me, but regardless, I arrived at the front entrance to the school building. I hadnt contacted any of the teachers, but I figured I could always track one down. Experimentally, I grabbed the handle.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "The door was heavy, but surprisingly enough, it opened without any trouble. For a moment I pushed it back and forth, marveling at my own success. Then I looked to my left-nobody. I looked to my right-nobody. Just loud, whiny cicadas. I didnt know if I was allowed to go in, but I could go in.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "So in I went.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "At the shoe lockers, I took my shoes off-but instead of switching them out for my indoor shoes, I simply carried them in one hand and walked to the stairs in my socks. Then, at the second-floor landing, I tucked my shoes under my arm and crouched down as I passed by the window. I felt like a burglar, and if anyone saw me they would probably think the same thing, so I moved quickly.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Nobody was on the stairs, and nobody was in the hallway. As I crept along in silence, the view outside the window almost didnt feel real. The soundless blue sky and drifting clouds looked more like a painting someone had hung for me in advance.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "It was that moment that I realized: As uncomfortable as I was spending every minute of my life in large groups, school really couldnt exist without all the students and teachers. Without them, this was just another building.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "As I snuck along in my socks, I could hear sounds other than my own footsteps-the ambient noise of indoor clubs on other floors. Oh, of course. That must be why the front doors unlocked, I thought to myself as I hurried faster. I didnt know if this was a policy shared by all the other high schools, but it seemed a little unsafe. Not that there was much worth stealing, but still, weirdos could get in. Weirdos like me.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Then I arrived at the classroom, and when I slid open the door, the hot, pent-up air came flooding out to greet me. Assaulted by the humidity of summer, I could practically feel the moisture as I wiped my face.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "The temperature difference between the classroom and the hallway was actually pretty astounding, considering there was only a single flimsy door in the way. If it kept building and building, would it spontaneously combust? Then I realized: No, summer break wasnt long enough for that to happen. While the summer heat often felt eternal, the faint chill of autumn usually whisked it away before too long.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Alone, I cut across the classroom to my desk and crouched down, twisting my body to get a look inside. Sure enough, my notebook was right where I left it. No sign that anyone had messed with it, either. Thank god.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "To make sure, I flipped through it and arrived at the most dangerous passage. The memory of it was enough to throttle my heart, and when I saw it in person, I reeled. There could be no doubt: If Shimamura read this, my head would absolutely explode. It was so far beyond just embarrassing. Worse than that, an utter nightmare would unfold afterward-put simply, Shimamura would think I was a creep and start avoiding me. These days, that was my biggest fear...probably because it was so much more realistic than my own death.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I closed the notebook. This would be the last time I was ever parted from it; Id just have to be extra careful to make sure this situation never happened again. After that silent vow, I turned and headed out of the room.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A few steps later, I came to a stop at Shimamuras desk and peered inside to see if shed forgotten anything. But there was nothing inside, not even dust. As I was lifting my head, however, something came to mind.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "That reminds me...", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "It was something wed talked about a long time ago, up in the gym loft. Back then, believe it or not, I could actually hold a conversation like a normal person. Now I felt like someone else entirely...but I digress.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "Ive always wanted to pull a little prank in an empty classroom, Shimamura had said to me. At the time, I shrugged it off with an absent Hmm, but there was nothing I could shrug off about Shimamura now. As I thought back to bygone days, I folded my arms. What sort of prank was she talking about, anyway? The only prank she had ever pulled on me was that time she rested her chin on my head. Unless my skull was suddenly made of Play-Doh, this was probably not something I could achieve on my own.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "I thought long and hard, weaving my way between the desks. Apparently pacing was a habit of mine whenever I needed to think. But like my feet, my brain only ever went in circles. After a long moment of walking, the dripping sweat gave me pause.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "There was no rule saying it had to be a prank. What if I thought about Shimamura in the abstract?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "If Shimamura were here, what would she be thinking right now? The inner workings of her mind were generally a total mystery to me, so I paused to really consider it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I worked hard every day to understand her; thats what my Shimamura Notes were for. That said, it did feel like I ended up overthinking things a lot of the time.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "A sweltering haze ran along my jaw. I reached up to touch it...and found my answer.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "If Shimamura were here, she would notice the heat and take action to fix it.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "With that realization, my legs moved on autopilot to the windows. Then I flung them open, one by one, to improve the air circulation in the room. Technically it counted as a prank, too, so it was killing two birds with one stone. Not that I was planning to leave them open or anything.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I backed away from the windows and walked to the center of the classroom. As if on cue, all the sounds from outside streamed in, and I could feel the air current rampage against my skin, swirling around the newly opened space.", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "One more prank for the road.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "I sat down on a desk, my legs splayed out. This was something I could never get away with if other people were here. Following gravitys pull, I sank into myself and let out a heavy sigh. I could hear my blood pumping in my ears... If Shimamura were here, would she smile at me?", "loss": null }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Then a cloud slipped over the sun. For a brief moment, the heat waned, and shadows streamed over the floor in place of the light. At that exact moment, the limp curtains began to sway faintly, informing me that the wind had come. I spread my arms wide and savored as much of it as I could. It was only lukewarm, but still I breathed it in, praying it would lighten my burden as it impatiently raced off to the future ahead.", "loss": null }, { "from": "human", "value": "And then, on the day of the festival, I gazed into the deep blue.", "loss": null } ]