A Summer With Chovy: Chapter 14: Conflict of Interests
The shift is finally coming to an end. Unlike yesterday however, I’m not as tired or as stressed out as I felt like before thanks to the help of Chovy’s friends who had decided to come work alongside her for the summer as well. Although I do not know their reason behind working alongside with her, I can probably assume it has something to do with me considering the what Giovanni had told me about Chovy’s situation earlier. I am sure they are aware of it. Usually, at the end of the shift, Chovy, Gio, Benito and I will sit at the one of the smaller tables for our free meal for the end of the shift but with Carpaccio and Pepperoni working with us, we had to move to the bar which can seat more than 8 people at a time. Usually, Chovy would be the one to cook dinner for us but Pepperoni and Carpaccio had volunteered to cook something for us today. I’d be interested in seeing how well they really cook.
”Chovy. Did they really come to work alongside us by their own call? What about hiding your own self from the girls from Anzio?” “It’s perfectly fine by me” remarked Chovy. “I trust those two well enough to not reveal anything to the Sensha-do team. Besides, they are some of the best cooks at our school festivals. We could probably work together to buy some new tanks for our school before I graduate.” “But why bother if you’re going to graduate?” I asked. “Because I care about the well being of Anzio’s Sensha-do team. You should have seen how awful the Sensha-do team was before I enrolled. It was awful...no it was a joke!” She brushed her fingers through her pony tail and sighed. “Sometimes I feel like our Sensha-do team is still seen as a joke by the other schools. It’s not like we don’t have the willpower to beat the other schools but our tankery armory is exclusively Italian because of our school’s theme. Their tanks historically have been mediocre for the most part. Though we are occasionally allowed to lend-lease or purchase tanks from other schools as long as they don’t exceed the 1945 manufacturing date. It’s really expensive to do that though.” “That sounds really convoluted. You’d think there would be some kind of fairness involved with Sensha-do right?” “That’s the whole point.” Chovy added. “Sensha-do is supposed to unfair, just like with real battles and life in general. The whole point is to overcome the odds. Sure there are schools like Kuromorimine which have elite teams but the whole fun of Sensha-do comes from seeing the underdogs overcome better teams, like what Ooarai Girls Academy has done on numerous occasions. You really don’t have an interest in Sensha-do Tomio. I can tell.” “Yeah it wasn’t really my thing at first. I kind of saw it as nothing more than a girly sport. My friend from school is totally obsessed with it on the other hand. I should introduce you to him someday. He’d be elated.” She chuckled and smiled at me. “Yeah. It’s always nice to met some fans everyone once in a while I guess but it’s good that I’m in a relationship with you; someone that doesn’t have a clue about Sensha-do. It’s refreshing actually.” She crossed her arms and leaned back as she was looking like she was getting impatient with the food. It seems the other two were taking their time making us dinner. Usually we don’t have to wait this long. I’m sure it’s being perfected or whatever. “I still think you should come see our school practice. Sensha-do is still a big part of my life and will always be in my heart even when I done with Sensha-do for good. It’s something we take with us for the rest of our lives. Just ask any of the other commanders.”
”Anchovy Nee-san! Sorry we took so long.” It’s Pepperoni and Carpaccio. They brought in the food cart. Looks like we’re eating really well tonight. It’s an entire buffet. Pasta, Spaghetti, Pizza, Salad! So many options and yet I can’t simply eat it all. “A lovely meal for our two little love birds on a romantic dinner date!” “Carpaccio…” cried Chovy “Do you really have to say it like that?” “We’re eating too Anchovy. I’m just messing with you.” Carpaccio replied. “Besides, we have more than enough for our other two gentlemen joining us today.” “Ladies!” It’s Gio. He’s back from his delivery shift. “Damn, I’m going to have to workout extra hard after this.” “And can’t forget me of course, I run this business.” Benito, Giovanni, the three girls, and I are all together at last. “Let’s eat!”
The meal was worthy to die for. These girls really know how to cook. I could eat this everyday and not even get tired of the taste. “Tomio looks like he’s in heaven.” remarked Carpaccio. “It’s just a skill I picked up from my grandmother. Pepperoni here is also a natural cook too. She’s one of the best in Anzio’s culinary classes” “Hmm, if only she would put that dedication towards Sensha-do.” grumbled Chovy. “Nee-san, do you really have to be so cruel.” Pepperoni replied back. “At least you girls have some special talents.” I interrupted. “I can barely figure out my own specialty.” “You’ve been doing alright working here Tommy.” Gio interjected. “I wouldn’t call you completely useless.” “Hey, the kid was critical to helping keep us on track with profits and orders, he’s been a big help ever since he’s been working here.” Benito implied. Is that really true though. Anyone could had taken my spot and done the same work I’ve done more or less the same if not better. I guess I’m just sticking around because I’m now close to Chovy. But even then, this is not going to last. I wonder if working here is a mistake. I’ve been enjoying hanging out with all of these new friends. It’s not something I’d ever experienced before. Apart from hanging out with Nano, I never really had anyone else. I was on the verge of being completely friendless this summer. Yet here I am, sitting and dinning with some popular Sensha-do girls, especially Chiyomi and her good natured relatives.
”Alright you three. I gotta bounce with pops.” Gio tries to cover his burp but fails miserably. “Excuse me. That food was damn tasty. You girls did a fine job today.” He gets up and directs his attention towards me. “And we can’t forget about you Tomio. Keep up the good work.” “Certainly. We are thankful for the meal and all the help you’ll done for us today.” Giovanni added. “Now.” He turns to Giovanni. “You said your fiancee wanted to see me. I don’t think we’d met before.” “Don’t worry Pops. You’re going to get along with her just fine. We’ll be off! Ciao everyone.” Giovanni and Benito left through the front door. It was just the three of us alone in the restaurant. It was time for me to finally break our silence. “So where do you plan to go after you graduate Chovy?”
”The three girls initially said nothing at first.” Chovy exchanged concerned glances at Carpaccio and Pepperoni before focusing back on me. “You’re dream is to go to university in Italy right?” Now I know for certain that truth was not known by her friends as even they were shocked by that revelation. “Tomio...you weren’t supposed to…” Chovy muttered. “Nee-san…you’re kidding right?” That was the softest tone I’d ever heard from Pepperoni. “You not serious are you?” Chovy let out a big sigh. She had no choice but to tell it as it is. “You’re right. Both of you. I do want to leave Japan after I graduate.” She lowered her head down as though she disgraced herself. “I’m sorry...to all you but…” She placed her hands on her hair and started to pull them to cover her face. “I just can’t take it anymore. Living in Japan...this tiny little island...there’s nothing inspiring around here! I hate it! I hate doing Sensha-do! I never wanted to do Sensha-do!” “Anchovy...” muttered Carpaccio. “That’s not true at all. You love leading our school’s team and representing us.” “THAT’S a lie!” shouted Chovy. She’s beginning to cry in front of all of us now. “I’m a shitty commander and you all know it. We didn’t even make semi-finals! We only beat a bunch of third rate schools! That’s worthless! My mother is the only reason why I am even doing Sensha-do in the first place!”
“Duce! Stop it! You don’t mean any of that!” Pepperoni was furious with what Chovy was saying. “We’ve become a better school all because of you. Our school was fucking miserable until you came along! You’ve even saved our school’s Sensha-do program from being decommissioned! Who gives shit it we lost a few battles?” “Pepperoni’s right. And you’d even admitted that we were the best sub-commanders anyone could had ever asked for.” She tries to comfort Chovy but she got up from her chair before she could even place a hand on her. It pains me to see her hurt in this way. I wish I didn’t say anything.
”That’s not the point!” cried Chovy. “My mother doesn’t want me to leave to Italy! All she wants me to do is to do even more Sensha-do at All Stars University like she did! Everyone just wants to hold me back on this shitty island. Especially you!” she pointed at me specifically. “Why did I have to fall in love with you? An underclassman, a loser, and most of all….” She grabs me by the arm and pulls me into an embrace. Her face is buried into my shoulder as she continues to sob onto my uniform shirt. “you’re the only one I’d ever had feelings for! Tomio...I’m so sorry I had to hurt you like this but I don’t want to stay in Japan. I might have to leave you when this is all over.”
As she continued to sob into my shoulder, I looked at Carpaccio and Pepperoni. It seems those two didn’t have anything to add to help me out or at least, try to console Chovy with her hysteria. I really do love Chovy with all my heart. Never had I ever shared those feelings with another girl in my life. Yet here I am, holding her back as she said, from achieving her dreams of going into another country to study. I’d would had liked it if she didn’t want to leave. But if I hold her back, she would continue to suffer under whatever her mom is pushing on her. I couldn’t let that happen. I just want her to be happy. It’s the least I can do considering I’m her boyfriend. I have to think of something to make her feel better.
”Chovy. I won’t hold you back.” I told her bluntly as I brushed her hair through my fingers. “You have more aspirations than I would ever have to begin with. They shouldn’t go to waste like how I did with my own neglect. Don’t end up like me Chovy. I won’t stop you from going.” She lifted her head and gazed into my eyes. Tears slowly poured through her checks. I wiped them with my shirt. “You say you aren’t the greatest Sensha-do commander, and I may not know anything about Sensha-do myself. But I do know one thing. You’re a great friend. Not just to me but to those who look up to you. Carpaccio, Pepperoni, you’re relatives at work, and certainly the other school commanders.” After a bit of sobbing, Chovy was finally able to let out some words again. “Tomio. I love you so much. I love having Carpaccio and Pepperoni by my side. I couldn’t ask for better friends. Thank you.” Carpaccio interjected, “You know Anchovy, I have relatives living in Italy that could look after you for us. They might even let you stay while you go to college. They would love to have you there as a guest.” “Oh yeah, and you’ll probably get time off too right. Don’t they give you winter breaks over there? You can come back and we’ll hang out just like good times right?” remarked Pepperoni. “Nee-san, Hina-chan, and Pepperoni….oh and you too Tomio.” “Did you just use your name in third person?” I asked Pepperoni catching onto her little mistake. Carpaccio and Chovy had a little chuckle. “You know, you had a Katyusha moment there Pepperoni.” remarked Chovy. “Yeah, well. I’m not as short as her so at least I have that going for me.” Carpaccio smiled gracefully like she normally does. “Well, I’m glad we were able to make you feel better Anchovy. Don’t fret about the three of us. We’ll support you to the end.” “TO THE DEATH!” shouted Pepperoni! “Well not to that extreme but sure. We got your back Nee-san!”
”Thank you all so much. It really means a lot to me. But I still have to worry about my mother.” said Chovy. “We’ll figure something out. I’m sure of it.” I implied. “Perhaps if we really prep up your Sensha-do team before summer’s end, we can probably prove to her that you’re capable of greater things other than Sensha-do.” Carpaccio nodded. “That’s not a bad idea. At the very least, it’ll help Pepperoni and I out in our final year as well. Maybe we’ll finally be recognized as a decent Sensha-do team. “No….not decent.” interjected Chovy. “Anzio will not be decent, we’ll be strong.” Her mood had significantly improved now and she’s ready to do all she can to do what needs to be done to make things right. “And Tomio…” she took my hand and enveloped them around her palms. “Let’s make this the best summer the both of us will ever have.” I lean in and kiss her on the forehead. “Jeez, not in front of them like this…” she muttered and blushed. Carpaccio is laughing but pleased with the change of the mood. “So. Just like we planned. Tomio” stated Chovy. “We got some shopping to do tomorrow if were going to prepare you for Anzio’s Sensha-do training.”