Chapter One - The Initial Encounter
There's a known girl nicknamed Palmtop Tiger in school. Everyone is afraid of her even though
her height isn't that tall. One day while you were walking to the classroom, chatting with one of
your friends, you bumped into someone by accident. The chatter around you dies as a circle of
students gathers. Standing before you was Taiga Aisaka, looking at the ground, fists clenched
tightly at her sides.
Joe: "Oh, I'm sorry. Didn't mean to bump into you. You okay there?"
Taiga: "Of course, I am. Why wouldn't I be? But you, on the other hand, should watch where
you're walking, idiot." She spat with anger while glaring at you.
Joe: "Yeah, maybe I should. But maybe you should work on being more calmer in interactions
like this." I say calmly and gently.
She lets out a scoff, as if amused by your suggestion.
Taiga: "Oh, I see we've got an expert on manners here. Do you often dish out life advice to
strangers you've just bumped into?"
Joe: "No, not typically. I just advise them to work on things that could cause potential issues
later on in life."
She crosses her arms, clearly not taking your advice well.
Taiga: "Potential issues, huh? Well, thanks for the unsolicited guidance. I'll be sure to file it
under 'useless and annoying advice' in my mental inbox."
Joe: "Very well. But when you end up somewhere, remember it all could've been solved if you'd
just listen to a word of advice. Come on guys, let's get out of here." I say as I walk off with my
friends, slightly annoyed.
She watched you walk away, arms still crossed. She muttered under her breath.
Taiga: "Who does he think he is, giving me life advice like he's some kind of sage? I'd rather
take advice from a brick wall."
That's when one of her friends approached her with a concerned look.
Friend: "Hey, Taiga, are you alright? You looked pretty ticked off back there. That Joe guy can
be a bit of a know-it-all sometimes."
Taiga huffed and rolled her eyes.
Taiga: "Ugh, you have no idea. He bumps into me and then has the audacity to give me
unsolicited life advice, as if he knows anything about me. It's like he thinks he's the ultimate
expert on manners or something."
Her friend nodded empathetically.
Friend: "I totally get it, Taiga. It's annoying when people butt in and act like they have all the
answers. And his group can be just as insufferable."
Taiga's annoyance flared up even more.
Taiga: "Ugh, don't even get me started on his group. They're all just a bunch of self-righteous
jerks who think they're better than everyone else. They probably feed off of each other's inflated
egos."
Her friend raised an eyebrow, trying to calm her down.
Friend: "It's true that they can come across as a bit full of themselves. But maybe you shouldn't
let their attitudes get to you, Taiga. You know how they relish in seeing you get all worked up."
Suddenly, I emerge from the vent out of nowhere, my body in a position where some of it is in
the vent, and the rest is laying upside down.
Joe: "That's what I've been trying to tell you, Taiga!" I say with an exasperated tone.
Taiga nearly jumped out of her skin as Joe suddenly materialized out of the vent.
Taiga: "What the - !? How long were you there listening to us?!"
I sit up, turn around, and jump out of the vent.
Joe: "Long enough to hear you think we're a bunch of stuck-up brats who think they are better
than everyone else and know-it-alls!" I say with an annoyed tone.
Taiga grits her teeth, visibly annoyed.
Taiga: "Well, if the shoe fits... you and your little group certainly act like it."
She crosses her arms and glares at Joe defiantly.
Joe: "Do we though? Last time I checked, all we do is give out advice."
She rolls her eyes.
Taiga: "Oh, you call it 'giving out advice'? More like shoving your unsolicited opinions down
people's throats. Not everyone needs or wants your 'wisdom,' you know."
Joe: "Some people do."
I look over at Taiga's friend, who appears to get the hint, and nods her head and looks at you.
Taiga notices the exchange between you and her friend, her curiosity piqued but her
defensiveness still strong.
Taiga: "And who are you to decide who does and doesn't need your advice, huh? You really
think you know everyone's life situation better than they know themselves?"
Joe: "No, I don't. I just give advice to individuals who probably need it to make it out in this tough
world. Your friend over here can explain in detail everything and why we do what we do." I say
calmly and gently.
I look over at her friend.
Taiga's friend takes the cue and begins to speak.
Friend: "Well, Taiga, I know it might seem like they're just a bunch of self-righteous kids, but in
reality, they really have good intentions. They genuinely want to help people, even if their
methods can come across a bit... forceful at times."
Taiga listens intently, her demeanor softening just a bit.
Joe: "Yes, exactly. Of course we don't know everyone's life story, but we do know one word of
advice could save a life or prevent trouble from happening in the future."
Taiga sighs, her initial annoyance with Joe and his group slowly fizzling away. She considers the
point being made.
Taiga: "I suppose... I can see where you're coming from. But sometimes, the way you go about it
just comes off as condescending and... well, like you're on your high horse, looking down on the
rest of us mortals."
Joe: "I understand that, and I duly note that. However, our methods have helped several people
through hardships... your friend being one of them." I say calmly and gently.
Taiga: "Is that true? They really helped you?" Her friend smiles gently.
Friend: "They did. When I was going through a tough time, they were there for me, offered me
advice that actually made a difference. They genuinely care, Taiga. I don't think they're the
egotistical jerks you think they are."
Joe: "Far from that, I'd say." I laugh wholeheartedly.
Taiga finally lets out a relenting sigh, her defenses lowering completely. She looks at Joe, a hint
of grudging respect in her eyes.
Taiga: "Okay, fine. Maybe I judged you guys too quickly. You're not just a group of egotistical
know-it-alls after all."
She pauses for a moment before adding with a hint of sarcasm.
Taiga: "But you're still pretty damn annoying, though."
Joe: "Yeah yeah, just admit you want me." I say smugly, with a smug grin on my face.
Taiga rolls her eyes again, but the corners of her lips twitch upwards in a slight smile.
Taiga: "Oh, shut up. As if I'd ever admit that."
Joe: “And you basically just did.” I say smugly.
Her friend grins, enjoying the playful banter between them.
(To be continued in Chapter Two...)
