Chapter 2.2

“An after-school party?”

“Yeah, the teachers gave us a budget.”

“Today?”

“You can’t come?”

“No, just—I’m not part of the council…?”

“...You helped, you’re coming,” she rolls her eyes and crosses her arms before… “What, you jealous?”

“What? I didn’t even say anything,” he shrugged his shoulders.

“...Where exactly are we going though?” I ask.

“Kissa Yamanami, it’s a few minutes away.”

“Who’s going?”

“Well, student council and a few other students like you.”

“...I kind of don’t want to—”

“You can just stick to me…?” She says, scratching her neck. “You’re really going to pass on free food?”

“I…” I pause, looking at Mugi—then Hayashi.

“I’ll go if she doesn’t want to.”

“Tch, you’re not in the list.”

“...It’ll be just for a bit?”

“Yeah, you can leave after you eat.”

“That’s kind of…”

“Or we walk home together?”

…I nod my head.

“Okay, I’ll go reserve a table now.”

“Don’t you have class, pres?” Hayashi mentions.

“No, I’m free this hour.”

“Wow, can’t you bring us along?”

“Stay in class,” she smiled before immediately walking away.

…She really doesn’t stop moving.

“Will you be okay?”

“...Yes, Mugi’s there after all.”

“Well, Nishino-kun will be there as well.”

“Oh—right…”

…I hope the party doesn’t last long.

“Hayashi.”

“Hm?”

“Have you been there before? The place Mugi mentioned.”

“No, I’ve seen it though.”

“Do you know the menu?”

“Hmm… I know someone who has, I’ll call her over,” he states then suddenly. “Watanabe-san!”

Her sitting at the front turns back to see both of us, and he waves her over.

“What?”

“You’ve been to… what was it again?”

“Kissa… Yamama—mi?” I add.

“Kissa Yamanami?” Watanabe-san corrected.

“Ah—yes…”

“What about it?”

“I was wondering if you knew about the menu… well, if there was something you’d recommend?”

“Ahh, hold on—”

She swiftly returns to her seat, picking up something from under her desk.

Just like Mugi, they use their mobile phones really fast.

“I took a photo of the drink I had last week,” a few beeps came from her phone before turning it towards me. “It’s a melon soda float,” she shows her screen. “And also, napo… whatever it's spaghetti,” she showed another photo. “Well… they have a toast that’s sweet, I think you’ll like it.”

“Is that so? Thanks Watanabe-san,” I bow lightly.

“You’re welcome, tell me if you need help later.”

“Later?”

“Mugi-chan invited me too,” she smiles. “Well then, I’ll see you later,” she waves and returns to her seat.

“...She’s really nice.”

“That’s true, Taiki has a crush on her.”

“What?”

“Surprised right?”

“No… she’s pretty after all.”

I scratched my cheek, watching Watanabe-san sitting at the front—then Taiki-kun just sitting at the very back.

I wonder if she knows…?

Probably not.

…I wonder how it led to that.

All talks about… love has—only ever really been vague.

I wonder how Hayashi sees it.

I suppose I shouldn’t meddle.

Looking out, the trees stood rather still.

There were definitely less clouds earlier.

And… barely any wind anymore.

Hah—I stand, reaching for the window and finally shutting it close.

Now that I think about it… how—

…What does it even mean to have a crush?

I look at Hayashi… at Watanabe-san—at Taiki-kun.

They’re always together so… is it when you’re always with someone?

…But it doesn’t seem like Hayashi has a—or does he?

I mean, Watanabe-san’s very pretty.

It would make sense if he… but he didn’t seem jealous of Taiki-kun…

Hmm…

I scratch my head.

I’d ask but, it doesn’t feel like something you just ask.

…I think I need to go to the bathroom.

Standing up, Hayashi turns his head.

I look at him, then proceed to leave the classroom.

…Stepping into the empty hallway.

Ahh—I let out a sigh.

I feel like Hayashi would know about it.

…Maybe if it feels right—I’ll ask.

I do remember a classmate from middle school, no—many of them actually.

There were times where we sat and all they talked about were guys.

They were discussing crushes then…?

I turn down the hallway, and finally arrive at the bathroom.

No one here too.

…Facing myself in the mirror, I turn the faucet on—letting the water pour on my hands.

Then let it pour directly on my wrist, I heard it lets you cool off.

Hah—must I really be thinking about minor things…?

I shake my hands, taking my handker—no, there’s tissue.

I pull and rip a few sheets of tissue, patting my hands dry.

I—

…?

That’s…

Having fell from what I pulled—pure white.

…A letter?

Did someone leave it here…?

No it… it’s like.

It looks like that… one time—

There’s no way this is for me.

Someone must’ve… left it.

But, still…

It’s…

…I rip it open.

The… walls of the stall.

Made it a bit—darker in here.

…I kept the door locked.

Holding this paper firmly on my lap.

…

I don’t really—

I close my eyes.

Breathing in.

Then out…

…

…How come it’s addressed to me?

Who would even… leave a letter in a—bathroom…?

What is even…?

I… fold the paper back to how it was.

…Talking about things that—never even happened.

They’re making fun of me…

Hah—

I stand, holding onto the lock.

…My name’s on it and everything.

This… isn’t funny… at all.

I swallow, before unlocking the door and stepping back into the bathroom.

…I turn the faucet, letting the water pool in my cupped hands.

Then, against my face.

…It’s completely—

I…

…Hah—

To think I’d even believe this…

I mean, how does it even know that I—

I shake my head, stuffing the paper in my blazer.

Washing my hands again before patting it dry.

Hah… get yourself together.

…Stepping out into the hallway I—

“Aihara-san.”

Nishino… kun.

“I was just about to—are you okay?”

What is he doing here…?

Wait… no—

“Aihara-san?”

“Ah—yes… I was just—I was sleepy so…” I stammered.

“I totally get that! I wash my face too when I’m sleepy during class—or sometimes I just end up sleeping,” he scratches the back of his head as he laughs.

“R-really…? Well, I’ll get going…”

“See you later,” he smiles and waves before entering the male’s bathroom.

…

…Returning to the room, I immediately sat back down.

Just—

…I bury my head in my arms.

Closing my eyes shut.

And just making sure my… hands don’t shiver.

…

…

“…you’re probably thinking why we’re celebrating right?”

“...Yes?”

“Why do you think we are?”

“...Because you worked hard?”

“Mhm, that’s one—what else?”

“The teachers are nice?”

“And?”

“What else…?”

“Because I convinced them,” she smugly claims, pointing at herself with a smile.

“...Haha, wow.”

“You don’t seem excited at all.”

“I am?”

“Well—” Mugi while still smiling, looks down at her phone—the beeps extremely fast as usual. “Should we go now? Apparently they went ahead already.”

I nod and stand, readjusting the strap of my bag as I wait for Mugi to pack her things.

Once she’s settled, she steps out first—then extends her hand towards me.

“Come on.”

“What is it…?”

“Let’s hold hands.”

“Why?”

She scratches her neck then pulls me by the hand.

“Do we always need a reason?”

“...I suppose not.”

Walking through the hallway… having to stop at the lockers and change out of our slippers.

Then having to, hold hands again.

…It’s a bit strange.

But—

“You’re okay with any food right? I forgot to show you the menu.”

“I asked Watanabe-san about it, I think I—”

“You know—ah, you’re classmates,” her gaze drifts off. “What are you getting then?”

“Probably the… soda float. Though I still want to check the menu.”

“I see, I see.”

Her hand’s soft.

I expected otherwise since she's working all the time.

“Mizuki, your hand is so cold.”

“Is it…?”

“I heard people with cold hands have a warm heart.”

“You believe that stuff?”

“...Sometimes,” she laughs.

Walking down the street, I eventually saw the cafe they mentioned earlier.

Kissa Yamanami… the station was right nearby.

Passing through the wooden door, Mugi waved hello to everyone already at the table—I did too.

And immediately I saw Watanabe-san.

“Hello,” I wave.

“You came,” she smiles. “Sit here,” she patted the seat beside her.

Sitting down beside her, everyone turned towards Mugi who stood.

“Well then, thank you everyone for coming—or thank me for inviting you here,” everyone claps lightly as to not disturb other customers, while Mugi bows and bows.

“Although some of us only helped with a few minor things, everyone really did help in the accreditation which the school has had trouble with in the past. Yet with everybody’s effort, it was successful. Although it took a bit of convincing, since the student council and several students did help a lot—we’re here to celebrate,” she bows one last time before sitting in front of me.

Conversations immediately stirred as everyone thought of what to order.

…Probably because I’ve never been to something like this—I couldn’t really squeeze into the conversation.

Everyone’s talking after another.

They already have a familiar pace.

Everyone here knows each other.

Though… I’m still thankful for being invited.

I shouldn’t complain.

Looking at the menu…

There’s the melon soda float she mentioned earlier… hmm—

Ogura toast…?

“W… Watanabe-san.”

“Hm?”

“The toast you were talking about, is this right?” I point to it in the menu.

“Ah, yes that’s it—Sakura ordered it last time,” she taps the person beside her. “Was the toast good?”

“The…? Ah, yes it’s sweet. Are you getting it?”

“No, Aihara-san is.”

Sakura-san tilts her head to look at me, then waves with a smile.

“Hello…”

“What else will you be getting?” Watanabe-san asked.

“I think I’m good with toast and the soda float.”

“Okay,” she smiles and proceeds to tell Mugi.

As though it bore no end, I watched and simply observed.

It’s… kind of amazing.

Mugi’s completely keeping the entire group alive… so does everyone.

How come I’ve never really…

…I look at the table, feeling my stomach.

I hope the toast isn't too much.

…

…Hayashi would probably fit in well here.

He’s like, he talks to people easily.

Unlike me.

Eventually, our orders arrived.

It looks exactly as it did in Watanabe-san’s photos.

The drink was refreshing.

The toast, perfectly sweet.

…Perhaps I should come here from time to time.

“Do you like it?”

To my left, Watanabe-san.

“Ah—yes, it’s perfectly sweet.”

“I told you,” Sakura-san giggles. “Do you want to join Aihara-san?”

“Join…?”

I look over and see Sakura-san holding her mobile phone.

“Her phone has a camera in the front so we can take a picture.”

“Really?”

“Come close, come close,” they call.

“Ah—wait.”

I look up, readjusting my bangs with both hands.

“You don’t need to do that~”

And so, I lean close—showing an awkward smile.

Though I notice Mugi looking at me, showing a peace sign—ah, right.

I held a peace sign close to my cheek, and I heard the snap of a camera—from the phone.

“You look so cute, Aihara-san,” Sakura-san mentions whilst looking at her phone.

“May I see?”

They hand me the phone, the picture of me, Watanabe-san, and Sakura-san on the screen.

They’re really pretty…

“Can I take a picture of this?”

“Let’s just take one on your phone?”

“Mine only has one camera…”

I hold her phone, and point my camera at it.

It… came out pixelated, but it’s somewhat there.

“Thank you,” I handed it back.

“Aihara-san really is cute in the photo, president look!”

Are they teasing me…?

I scratch my cheek as Mugi looks at the phone and smiles.

“Can I see?” Nishino-kun stands.

“Yea—why? Why do you want to see Nishino-kun? Hmm?” Sakura-san holds the phone close to her chest.

“I’m just curious about the front camera, it’s my first time seeing one haha.”

That’s true… I thought phones only had one or no camera at all.

Looking at my phone, and the picture I took.

…Maybe if this had a front camera too.

I close my phone, putting it back in my pocket.

Again, everyone falls into their own bubble.

“...Hi,” I hear him from the right.

Pulling a chair from another table to sit right beside me.

“Oh—hello…”

“I’m surprised you came.”

“Did Mugi not tell you?”

“No, she did. But I’m still surprised you know?”

“Is it that strange…?”

“I mean, I don’t see you much outside of school haha.”

“Ah…”

“What did you order by the way?”

“I got the toast that Watanabe-san recommended.”

“Was it good?”

“Mhm, it’s perfectly sweet.

“Really? I’ll try it next time.”

I nod and look around.

Watanabe-san turns to my direction then—

“...! That scared me—what are you doing there?”

“Me…?”

“No—him,” she points at Nishino-kun.

He did pop up out of nowhere…

“I was just talking to Aihara-san.”

“Is that so…?” She eyes him, before turning back to the others.

“...You should talk to them, no?” I ask.

“Why?”

“I don’t know…”

“Haha you probably wish Hayashi-kun was here,” he says which… I almost didn’t hear.

“What…?”

“Nothing, nothing—they were talking about something I don’t really get… and I saw you were just sitting here.”

“...Why mention Hayashi?”

“You… uhh—you two seem to naturally get along, so I figured… umm—I don’t know to be honest, it just came out hahaha,” he smiles, scratching the back of his head.

“I see…”

Is that how it seems…?

To be honest… he really is easy to talk to.

But—

“By the way, it’s your first time here—right?”

“Ah—yeah.”

“Have you ever gone anywhere else?”

“...No, I head straight home.”

“Really…?” He ponders, holding his chin. “Are you free tomorrow?”

“Oh, why?”

“I know a place somewhere, I think you’ll like it.”

“What is it though?”

“It’s a surprise,” he chuckles.

“...Um, I wish I knew though?”

“You’ll know tomorrow, you free?”

“I… suppose.”

“Then… wait for me by the gates, then I’ll bring you,” he says, extending his fist towards me. “Fist bump?”

“Ah, right…”

I slowly reach my hand out, bumping it against his fist.

“Nishino-kun, come here already!”

“Oh—be right back!”

As quickly as he came, he rushed back to them.

…

…Is it really fine?

Hayashi’s kind of just—he’s a nice person, and he can talk to anyone… even me.

But is it too unusual…?

…Hayashi doesn’t seem bothered though—

Or maybe he just doesn’t show it…?

…Ahh—

Maybe I should’ve just kept my distance…

“...Aihara-san?”

…?

Watanabe-san…

“Oh, hello…”

“You alright?”

“Yes, I’m okay.”

“Nishino-kun’s kinda attached to you huh?”

“Is he…? He really only talks to me when he’s bored.”

She looks at me, then stares at Nishino-kun for a moment.

If only I had the ease that Hayashi and… Watanabe-san… have.

Wait—

Hmm, do I ask her…?

I don’t think she’s the type to—like, she’s similar to him in some way, so…

“...Watanabe-san.”

“Hm?”

“May I ask something strange?”

“What is it?”

“Uh… do you like someone?”

“Ah—me…?”

“Yes…”

“How’d you know? Haha.”

“No I mean… I’m wondering about how you umm—knew? I’ve been wondering about it…”

“Oh… how I realized?”

“Mhm…”

“Well—umm… I can’t describe it that much since you’ll know who it is.”

“I don’t think so actually… I don’t really know a lot of people.”

She looks at me, her cheeks a tint of apple—tilts her head then lets out a sigh.

“Uh… I talked to him before we got close and—something about it just, wait—”

She covered her face with both hands and began swaying side to side.

Is she… no, of course she’s embarrassed…

“I don’t know as well… it’s not like I will confess, nor do I need him to be my boyfriend—I just like him… and I like it that way,” she laughs it off while her hand held her cheek.

“That’s… confusing.”

“I think it’s meant to be that way… what made you ask?”

“I just… I’ve been wondering how those feelings comes to be but—”

“Yeah, it just happens—you’ll know eventually, everyone’s bound to experience it.”

“Really…?”

“Mhm, it’s fun in some way,” she giggles before turning back to her group.

…I can’t really imagine myself acting like Watanabe-san.

Though—I wonder if she’s right.

I hope it isn’t… as complicated as it seems.