I sit there, doing nothing. I check my phone, the time on the screen is 5:50 am.

“How can I wake up this early…?”

I set the alarm at 6:45 am but I somehow wake up at 5:50.

“Miracle does happen I suppose…”

So I get of off my bed, look at my dad’s inspirational note besides my bed.

Since it’s early, I really want to make my own lunch, so I walk to the kitchen.

When I check the fridge, I have everything I need to make a lunch.

“Nice, now where’s my damn lunch box…?”

I search the drawer at the kitchen, it’s not there, then the drawer above me, still in the kitchen.

Nope, not here.

Maybe it’s still in the box? There’s no way that’s possible though, I have unpacked everything.

I wonder.

I grab my phone from my pocket, dial my mom’s number, international calls are expensive, but hey, this is important.

“Hey Dear!.”

“Mom, didn’t I tell you to at least say hello before you say something else?”

“I’m sorry, it’s been a while since I talk to you? How are you?”

“I’m fine mom, thanks.”

“You ate well?”

“Sure. The foods are great here.”

Well, so far I’ve only ate Instant noodles, large pizzas, and Komiya’s homemade lunch, so I’m not lying I guess.

“Anyway, why do you call dear? Out of money?”

“Nope, I’m wondering, is my favorite lunchbox there by any chance?”

“Wait a minute…”

“Sure.”

So I wait for my mom, tick tock tick tock, the sound of the clock, annoying as ever.

“You mean the black one?”

“Yep, I guess it’s there huh?”

“Nope.”

What the fuck…

“You know, they way you asked me, I seriously thought you had it.”

“Well, I’m just asking, because I can’t find it here.”

“Well it’s not here either.”

“Should I ask your dad?”

“Sure.”

Silence.

“He said he lost it a few weeks ago.”

Really?

“What?! How?”

And again.

“He said he left it at his office, and he accidentally throw it to the bin.”

Accidentally? How is that even possible?

“That’s my one and only favorite?! What the hell dad?!”

And again.

“He said, just go buy another one you cheeky cunt.”

My mom ladies and gentlemen, my mom.

“Mom, how can you say that with such a straight voice?”

“Well, I’m just saying what he said.”

“At least scold him for saying such a word to his son.”

“I’ll remember it for next time. Anything else dear?”

“Actually no, and tell dad thanks for paying for this call. Love you mom.”

“Sure, Love you too!”

I can imagine my dad’s response, really I do. Knowing him, he’s probably swearing about me to my mom.

“Well, I have to scratch the plan of making lunch then.”

So I grab my towel from my balcony and head straight to shower. Actually, I just found out yesterday night that my bath have a water heater, so from yesterday onward, good bye cold water, I feel like an idiot for not realizing, even though the control for the water heater is in my bathroom.

After I take a shower, I put on my uniform and go out of my room, with my bag and everything with me.

“Maybe I can eat breakfast outside? But where? I’ll ask Mike for it.”

As soon as I lock the door, I walk towards the elevator. Yesterday with Suzuki, I didn’t feel sick at all, maybe I’m over it already?

“Be nice to me.”

I walk inside, I feel good. This is nice.

The elevator door closes, and as soon it starts to move, I feel sick again. Sometimes I’m wondering, is it claustrophobic, or motion sickness? Or maybe both? I’d rather have Suzuki beat me up once a week rather than that.

I haven’t had breakfast, so at least I’m not going to vomit.

Ting, it’s here, my freedom.

“Open the door you bastard!”

So it opens, and I walk outside, take a deep breath and bow down, trying to catch my breath, but the lobby’s light making me dizzy, so I look down. Seriously man, fuck this shit.

“R-reno?”

What’s with the angelic voice? Am I dead? Is the elevator to the otherworld real?

“R-Reno? You look really bad!”

Just take me away, give me food and take me to hell, or heaven, anywhere that doesn’t have elevator in it.

I feel someone is patting my head.

So I look up, looking for the culprit. It’s Komiya.

“O-oh, it’s Komiya, what’s up?”

“A-are you all right?”

“I’m fine, just claustrophobic.”

Or motion sickness, I need an expert.

“O-oh, must be hard on you.”

“My head feels light to be honest.”

“I-I don’t mean-“

“I know, I’m just joking.”

“I-I see, I’m sorry for slapping you earlier, I called you but you’re not responding.”

Slap? So that pat was actually a slap? Was that supposed to hurt? How am I suppose to respond?

“Uhh, yeah, no problem.”

Not only she is light, but she’s weak too? And Suzuki said she ate a lot.

“By the way Reno, where are you going this early?”

“I’m looking for someplace where I can eat breakfast.”

She looks over to the grandfather’s clock, and I look at my wristwatch, 6:05 am, early as fuck, no wonder she’s curious.

“T-there is a café near here, but it’s still close at this hour.”

“Awww, really?”

“I-I’m sorry.”

“Why?”

“Y-you were looking forward to it, I guess I shouldn’t have told you.”

“No no no no, the proper thing to do is to tell me. Thanks.”

“O-Okay, I’m glad.” She said while smiling.

Whoohoo, Komiya’s sweet smile early in the morning, I feel blessed right now.

“By the way, where have you been?”

“F-from the store, I needed to buy a soy sauce.”

“Oh, I see, well, see you at school later then.”

“W-wait…”

Yes! Please invite me to breakfast.

“I-if you want, we can have breakfast together. I can make enough for both of us.”

“Really? I don’t want to trouble you though.”

“I-It’s okay, if I’m offering than it’s no trouble.”

“Okay, thanks once again.”

So just like that, the Gods have sent an angel to save me, giving me free breakfast.

I look at her again, she’s so small and so weak, and Suzuki said she really likes to eat, I’m starting to doubt that. Maybe yesterday she was just hungry, I mean, if I’m hungry, I can eat 7 slices myself, maybe.

And I take another elevator trip back up, but since it’s shorter, I can keep myself together, besides, I don’t want to look worse than I already am in front of her. I need to keep my dignity here damnit.

“H-here it is, I’m sorry if my room is messy.”

“No problem, I have a messy room too.”

She unlocks her door and open it. I can smell something, but I don’t want to be rude, so I just step inside.

“Thanks for having me in this beautiful morning.”

“Y-You’re welcome!”

“You need to stop shouting when I’m near you.”

“S-Sorry!”

This girl have a minor problem with her head, minor, but still a problem.

“Allright allright, after you Komiya.”

We walk inside, arriving at her living room, this room is just like mine, but one thing for sure.

“I-it’s really messy.”

“I-I’m sorry…”

Now she’s whispering.

“No offense, but when was the last time you clean your room?”

“U-ummm…”

“I won’t judge, don’t worry.”

She’s fidgeting, her right fingers twiddling with her left fingers.

“S-Since I move here, I have not cleaned it…”

“And, when was that?”

“two weeks ago…”

Holy shit, if it’s not this messy, I would take it as a joke, but the evidence is like an elephant in front of me, hard to dodge, really hard.

“H-How is that possible?”

“I-I was too busy playing games…”

Game? She’s a gamer?

“Are you a gamer?”

“S-since I was a kid…”

Somehow the gracious thought I had about her is falling apart slowly. I mean, being a gamer is fine, but to such an extent that she forgot to clean the room for two weeks?

And it hits me hard, I don’t want to think about it, but it crossed my mind anyway, that the smell from earlier is not food, maybe food, but it’s better if it’s garbage.

“Well, tell you what, you cook breakfast, I’ll clean your room.”

“W-what?! I can’t possibly agree to that!”

“It’s all right, we’re doing each other a favor right?”

“W-well, if you say so, I’m really sorry! And thank you!”

Aaand, she’s shouting again. Why am I not surprised?

And after our agreement, she heads to the kitchen, and I clean up her messy living room.

It’s shocking really, I always thought Komiya to be the Kind ,loving, quiet, cutesy, smart, diligent, type of girl.

Well she is quiet and cute, and probably smart too, but this room, proves the last point to be wrong, but hey, maybe it’s like this only with her room, maybe she’s not the type to clean up daily.

Yeah, maybe that’s it.

“Why am I trying to make myself feel better?”

After a while, I check my watch, it’s 6:57 am, took me 52 minutes to make this room sparkling motherfucking clean.

“Easy, now for the bedroom.”

As I walk past the kitchen heading to the bedroom, Komiya is cooking gracefully, she’s smiling, maybe she likes cooking a lot, and it taste good too.

When I touch the door handle to her room, she suddenly screams.

“W-w-what are you doing?!”

She’s troubled, I mean, she’s trying to focus on both her cooking, and trying to find out what I’m trying to do.

“Clean up of course.”

“N-n-not my room! I’d do anything, just not my room!”

“Well it can’t be that bad right?”

Did she say anything? Should I go for it or clean her room?

But I look at her face, I don’t want to do anything weird to a girl as cute as her, her eyes moving back and forth, making sure the food won’t burn and making sure I won’t go into her room. I want to laugh, but I’m sure I’m going to hell if I do that.

“Is it that bad in there?”

“W-worse than the living the room…”

“Worse? Seriously?”

“I-I’m really sorry!”

Not that I mind, this is your room, but seriously? Her living room is a shipwreck already, and her bedroom is worst? If I ever go out with her someday, I need to remind myself to do her on the couch.

“Well, if you insist…”

“T-thank you!”

I step back from the door, and as I do that, I can see her starting to relax again, but I’m really curious though.

But if I go in now, she’s probably going to cry later, and when Suzuki found out, it’s going to be hell, so I say not worth.

I walk back to the living room, but as soon as I’m out from her sight, I slip in to the kitchen, watching her from the side without her knowing.

The way she flips the egg and bacon on two different pans is really a sight to behold, but it raises question, why two different pans? Is it easier that way? But I thought it will be harder like that unless you’re some kind of master at cooking.

She picks up both the pan at the same time, turn around to the right, thankfully, if she turns left, she’ll notice me, and that will break her concentration.

She put the eggs and bacons into two separate plates, and prepares all the things needed to eat, like bowl, chopsticks, rice, etc on a tray.

She claps her hand and smile again after she’s finish, pleased with the result.

Goddamn, she’s cute as fuck.

She picks up the tray, turn right to my direction, I just smile at her.

“You’re a good cook, and it smells amazing too.”

She’s blushing, and she looks down immediately.

“T-thank you…”

She’s not shouting, well that’s different. I walk to her and hold the tray.

“I got this.”

She nods and walk before me, we head to the dining table.

Before long, I put the tray on the table and we start preparing for breakfast. I sit down after we’re finish preparing, and I grab a pair of chopsticks

“Thanks for the food Komiya.”

“S-sure, dig in.”

We start to eat our breakfast, but I notice she is so focused on her food, and also notice that on her plate, she has 4 extra bacon, making it 6 bacon and an egg. I try not to think about it and focus on my food too, she seems to be the quiet type when she’s eating, so I leave her be, at least for now.

After we’re finish, she immediately offers me a cup of tea, which I gladly accept. Despite the bigger portion, she finished quicker than me, maybe Suzuki was right.

“Thanks for the breakfast, you literally save me from starvation.”

I could just bought instant noodles, but what the hell, free breakfast, and a good one too.

Somehow I feel like I have said that before.

“N-no problem, thanks for the company too Reno.”

She stands up, picking up the empty plates and bowls.

“No no no, you go prepare for school, I’ll clean this up.”

“B-but…”

“It’s okay, I got this.”

She nods, and immediately head to her room, If the layout of the room is the same with mine, then the bathroom is in her bedroom. I’m tempted to peek in to the bedroom, I swear to god just the bedroom, at this point, I’m more curious about the bedroom than her naked body.

“Maybe I AM gay…”

I stay quiet for a while.

“Fuck! What the fuck is wrong with me?!”

I’m straight, I’m straight, I AM STRAIGHT! , I keep repeating that in my mind, I am curious about her naked body, but I swear I’m more curious about her bedroom.

I gave up on the thought, since it’s taking me literally nowhere, so I head to the sink, which is also surprising.

“So she rarely washed the dishes too?”

Well, here goes nothing I guess, she is kind enough to give me breakfast, so complaining is actually rude.

As I wash through the dishes that we just used, I can’t help but wonder about all the unwashed dishes here, I mean, if the unwashed are this many, how many more clean plates and bowls does she have? Maybe I should introduce her to those disposable plates and chopsticks, but I worry about the garbage she has to throw out, which actually remind me to check her garbage bin.

After I put the clean dishes neatly, I try to find the garbage bin at the kitchen.

“Where you at you stinking bastard…”

After a while I realize, there are no garbage bin, just small plastic bag that is hanging from a nail on the drawer.

“I see, clever girl…”

If my guess is correct, she’ll take this plastic bag as we walk to school.

Since my works are done, I head to the living room and sit on the couches, relaxing a bit, at least trying to relax, there’s a possibly naked girl just in the room not far behind me, thinking about it makes me nervous somehow, and I’m in a girls room, there’s just too much logic going on here damnit.

I look at the time, 7:45 am, damn, it’s that late already? Where is she anyway? Why does girls always took their sweet time when they are preparing to go somewhere?

“Well, I imagine her to be the type of girl to wear a minimum amount of makeup anyway.”

Not long after that, I can hear the sound of her bedroom door opening, and she walks out already in her uniform and carrying her bag.

“R-reno?!”

Why is she surprised to see me? Don’t tell me she forgot that I am here the whole time…

“W-what?”

“Y-you’re still here?!”

For the love of god, this girl is definitely something.

“Of course, I was waiting for you.”

“I-I thought you went on ahead…”

“What? And why would I do that?”

“T-the question should be, why would you wait for me?”

Hmmm, she’s pretty talkative today.

Now’s my chance to get close to her, no hidden motives of course, especially her bedroom.

“Well, why wouldn’t I? We might as well go to school together right?”

“T-thank you…”

And there it is ladies and gentlemen, her sweet smile reappears, but why did she respond with a thank you anyway?

“Are you ready then? Let’s go.”

“Y-yeah, let’s go…”

I grab my bag and we head out, she seems relax now around me.

Maybe she has open up to me? Well if yes, then that’s pretty fast actually. Even though we’re not talking like Suzuki and me yesterday, but I don’t feel sick when we’re at the elevator. Life is funny sometimes.

Even though I know she’s the quiet type, halfway through to school, I’m already tired with this silence, so I only do what a real man ought to do.

“Komiya…”

“y-yes?”

“may I ask you something?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“You won’t mind right?”

“W-what is it?”

She’s nervous, I can see it, I mean, everyone can, the way she’s playing with her fingers like that.

“were you always this quite?”

“I-I’m sorry, it’s uncomfortable being with me right?”

“Whoa hold on, no one said that, and why would you?”

“B-because it’s always been like this, ever since I was little…”

Whoa hold up, what’s with the sudden flashback?

“Ever since you’re little?”

“I wasn’t bullied, I had a group of friends, we talked and played a lot, but even then, I chose to be the quiet one in class…”

“Until you met Suzuki right?”

She looks at me for a moment, her eyes are saying, how did you know that?

“Seems like Saya told you already right?”

“W-well, only until the part where she caught you eating 3 bentos…”

“T-true, m-my mom always knows about my eating habit, she always gave me 2 lunch box, but I always made one myself the day before, and hid it in my bag.”

“I-I see…”

She’s sneakier than she looks. What are the odds of her having a stack of lunchbox in her bag right now? She said she always prepares them the day before right?

“And what’s next?”

“Most people would make fun of me after they see me like that…”

“Didn’t Suzuki make fun of you? That’s what she told me anyway…”

“N-no she didn’t, after she caught me red handed, all she said was, ain’t it lonely eating by yourself?”

“And from that day forward you guys always had lunch together?”

“Y-yes, I gave one of my lunches every day after that.”

“All the way to high school huh…”

We walk past the school gate, still immersed in our conversation.

“Y-yes, but I only started giving her my self made lunch since 2nd year of middle school if I’m not mistaken, because since then my mother told me to learn how to cook, since I tend to eat a lot of food.”

“In order to minimalize your outcome?”

“E-exactly…”

“Well, you should be proud of yourself…”

“W-why is that?”

“Because of you being you since you were a kid, you found yourself someone you can call a bestfriend.”

I smile at her, and she smiles back at me, probably the sweetest I have seen from her.

“I-I guess so, thank you R-reno…”

“Don’t just thank me, I think you should thank Suzuki too you know.”

“Y-yeah, I’ll be sure to.”

Somehow we arrive at the shoe lockers, Komiya seems to realize only now like me, we just laugh it off and go to our own lockers to change our shoe, and head straight to class. Even though we enter the class together, since she sits on the front row, I told her I’ll talk to her later.

And from afar I can tell that the dynamic duos are dying to interrogate me.

“Didn’t you say you were going after Suzuki, Reno?” Miura asked

“I don’t recall saying such a thing…”

“Yeah, don’t listen to him, Komiya suits you better.” Ryu said

“That’s not the point here damnit.” I said

“Then what is?” Ryu said

“It’s too early for me to get a girlfriend.” I said

“Only a true loner would say that.” Miura said

“Oh yeah? I suppose only a true loner would know that.”

Ryu laugh while Miura is definitely not amused by me saying that, but he’s not mad either.

I mean, what I said clearly hits the mark right?

“By the way Reno, what club are you going to join?” Miura asked

“I don’t know yet, why’s that?”

“Joining a club is a must you know.” He said

“I know, but I don’t know which one should I join…”

“You can join more than one club, with a max of two, oh, if you join the student council then you can only join one.” Ryu said

“What club are you guys going to join?”

“I’m thinking about joining the student council only.” Ryu said

“Interesting, what makes you want to join?”

“He was at the student council at middle school too, so it’s no surprise really…” Miura said

“Is it going to be fun?”

“Hell no dude, well, depends on how you see things actually, lot of work though.” Miura said

“What about you Miura?”

“Baseball club.”

“You into baseball?”

“Yep, I love playing baseball.”

“You should join the student council Reno, I think you are cut out for it.” Ryu said

“I don’t know dude, seems like a hassle.”

“It is a hassle.” Miura said

“It’s a good experience.” Ryu said

“Hmmm, I’ll think about it.”

“If you want, we can go to the student council room after school together.”

“I said I’ll think about it.”

“Sure, hit me up when you’ve decide.” Ryu said

Student council huh? I believe I’ve met and talk with a student council member, can’t remember her name though.

Damn, Ryu manages to persuade me into thinking of joining the student council, I can’t focus on the class, maybe I should join.

What can go wrong right?

Right now we’re learning history, even though it’s interesting, my mind is clouded with student council right now, damnit Ryu, I’ll get you back for this.

The teacher is really passive, he keeps on talking and talking without even thinking whether we actually listen to him or not, he writes on the whiteboard, making question but he’s the one that answered it, one hell of a teacher you are sir, I don’t know whether I should be happy or annoyed with this kind of teacher.

I keep spacing out once in a while, I also see some of the students talking to each other, by the time lunch come, I didn’t learn a single thing, and the teacher gave us homework. Nice.

“That sucks…” Miura said

“That teacher needs to learn how to teach, like seriously.” I said

“Forget it man, let’s have lunch. You don’t bring lunch today too Reno?” Ryu asked

“I was about to, but my lunchbox is missing, so maybe another time.”

“Well, to cafeteria you go son. Lunch won’t last forever.” Miura said

It could be if I decides to ditch class.

“Later guys, I’m going to the cafeteria.”

“Alone?” Ryu said

“Don’t say that, last time you said that Suzuki was waiting by the door.”

“Too late dude, look who’s there already.” Miura said

Suzuki, but she’s not looking at me, probably waiting for Komiya.

“My hunch is telling me she’s waiting for Komiya.”

“Awww, lonely are you?” Miura said

“Give me a break dude, later.”

“Sure. Later.” Ryu said

I said that, but I don’t feel like having lunch at all, the thought of whether I should join student council or not is making me not hungry.

I don’t recall joining club can be this confusing.

Is it a premonition? That something could happen if I make the wrong decision here? What is this? A visual novel game or something?

I head to the cafeteria, there are a lot of people here, from the first years all the way to third years.

I make my way to a different counter, there are two separate counters for heavy meal and snacks, which is nice, so I head there to buy bread, and you know it, sweet iced tea.

I immediately walks out from there and head to the field area, maybe I can get some peace and quiet there while watching something, well, there should be at least something watchable right now.

I arrive at the field area, where most of the sport fields are, I look around to find a comfortable spot, and before long, I spot a bench under a tree overlooking the area, which is nice.

“The views can be nice, in more ways than one.”

I sit there, eating bread and drinking tea, I should’ve brought more tea, damn.

Thirty minutes is a long time when you’re alone, but I need this time to think about what Ryu said, hopefully when the break ends, I can have a definite decision.

“This place is more comfy than I thought.”

I look around, there are students that plays basket ball and soccer, guess everyone have their own clique by now, well, I have a feeling I do too, which is not a bad thing I suppose.

“Excuse me, is this spot empty?”

I don’t need to turn around to know that the voice belong to a girl, why girl? Make some of the dudes approach me already, no homo though.

But I don’t want to be rude, so I turn my head towards the source, and I’m surprise to see that she’s blonde, is she a foreigner too?

“Sure, it’s empty, you can sit here if you want.”

A little test to see if I’m right or wrong.

“Thank you!”

I’ll be damned.

Another first year, needless to say that she’s quite a looker, medium short blonde hair, a nice figure and green eyes. If I have to guess, she’s from the west.

“So you’re a foreigner too?” she asked

“Well, I’m not from japan if that can answer your question.”

“Well I have the feeling you’re not, but I asked in Japanese just in case.”

Just in case that I only look like a non native even though I’m a native.

“I’m a boy too in case you’re also wondering.”

She laugh a bit while she sits down, just to appreciate my lame joke of course.

“You look troubled by the way. Something’s on your mind?”

“My name is Reno Mikhael from 1-A…”

It took her a while to understand why I said that.

“Oh! I’m sorry, I forgot the introduction, my name is Sonia Cecillica Lumia.”

“So Sonia, can I call you that?”

“Sure, you can call me whatever you like.”

“Do I really look troubled?”

“Yes, you have this face someone has when they’re troubled. You can tell me if you want.”

“It’s not a big deal really.”

“Tell me then.”

“I’m just wondering whether I should join the student council or not.”

“You should, it’ll be fun.”

“That’s what my friend said too.”

“Well if your friend is going, then you have someone you’re accustomed to right?”

“Well, true, can’t argue with that.”

“I’m joining too by the way.”

I look at her, wondering why she said that.

“No offense, but should that makes me want to join?”

“It depends really.”

I look at her again, it feels like I’ve seen her before.

“Sorry to change the subject, but I think I’ve seen you before. Have we met?”

“I don’t believe we do. What makes you say that?”

“You look familiar.”

“Hmm, the opening ceremony perhaps? I was the first year rep.”

Now it hits me, it’s her.

“I see…”

But I can’t help that something feels off, I look up and down, carefully scanning her, I just hope that she won’t realize while she’s eating her bread.

Her chest is bigger than the one I saw at the ceremony, but I think again, maybe because I look at her from afar back then.

Yeah, must be that, I mean, it’s obvious right? The further the object is, the smaller it’s in our eyes.

“So Reno, where are you from?”

I quickly look the other way, I hope she doesn’t know that I was staring.

“When I was a kid, me and parents live at Canada, but when I was at 6th grade, we move to Singapore because of my dad’s work.”

“Canada huh, we’re born on the same country then.” She smiles at me.

“Canada huh? And when did you move to japan?”

“Just when I started high school.”

“Just like me then…”

“Well, glad to see someone that probably has the same interest as me.”

“Yeah, Nice to meet you too.”

I look at my watch, it’s 12:20 pm. Even though we are having a nice conversation going on, I suggest to her that we head back to class, and she agrees.

On our way back to class, through the first year corridor, I can’t help but notice people looking at us, I mean, two foreigners talking with each other shouldn’t be that weird.

“Which class were you again?”

“It’s class B.”

“Class B? Where Suzuki is? What a lucky class to have two extremely cute girls together like that.”

“Why, thank you!”

Oh shit, fuck me, I did it again.

“I-I’m sorry… I-“

“No girl can be mad when someone compliment them you know.” She smiles again.

“I-It’s a habit of mine to suddenly say what’s on my mind aloud like that.”

“It’s okay Reno. I don’t mind.”

“Well, I’ll see you later then.”

“Sure, but…”

“But?”

“After class, let’s go to the student council room together.”

“I’m happy with the invitation, but-”

I think again, I never promised Ryu to go with him though, I only promised to think about what he said. There’s no way I’m going to choose a dude over a girl, the rule “Bros before hoes” does not apply on this one.

“Never mind, sure, let’s go together, I’ll wait outside my class when it’s over.”

“Thanks! See you later.”

Nice, the flag has been raised ladies and gentleman, now it’s on.

And with that, I got myself another heroine to charm, but it sure makes me wonder, where are the approachable guys? Except for Miura and Ryu of course. In this school, the girls are a lot easier to approach than the boys.

Life can be funny sometimes.

With no further business in the hallway, I enter the classroom, thinking how should I deliver this good news to Ryu.

“Hey Ryu!”

“What is it?”

“Remember our talk from before?”

“The student council?”

“Yep.”

“Sure, what is it?”

“I decided to join.”

“Cool! Then let-“

“That’s the thing, when I was having lunch, I talked to this girl…”

“Uh-huh…”

“And we kind of agreed to go together to the student council room…”

“oooohh, I see…”

“I’m sorry Ryu, but I do decide to join.”

“Well it’s okay, I guess we’ll work together from now on huh.”

“Yeah, but you will still go to the student council room after school right?”

“Of course…”

“Cool…”

“Hold up pretty boy…”

Miura suddenly talk, I don’t know what interest him for him to join our conversation like that.

“Who’s the girl you’re talking about?”

Of course, why did I even question why he asked?

“Now that he mentioned it, c’mon, tell us man…”

“She’s the girl next door.”

They look at each other.

“Suzuki?”

“Not her.”

“Then speak up bro, don’t leave us hanging like this.”

“Her name is Sonia Ceci-“

“The blonde girl next door?!”

Miura bash my table while he said that, giving me this, “what the hell bro?!” kind of look

“Damn, look at Mr. popular here…” Ryu said

“You know her?”

“Of course bro!” Miura said

“The real question should be, you didn’t know her?” Ryu asked

“She’s more popular than you…” Miura said

Huh, that’s news to me, I mean, we are both foreigner, so the fact that she’s popular is not weird anymore, because the same thing goes to me too.

“So she’s interested in you too huh…” Miura said

“Taking advantage of being a fellow foreigner to catch her attention, Reno you cheeky bastard.” Ryu said

“What? First of all, she’s the first one that talked to me.”

Greeted me, actually.

“And second, she’s the one that asked me to go with her after school.”

“That’s exactly what I said bro!” Miura said

“Yeah, but I didn’t do anything to catch her attention.”

“Bah, I smell bullshit, right Ryu?”

“It’s fishy of course…”

“Guys, please…”

“You were probably acting all sweet and playing Romeo all of a sudden, like you did with Suzuki and Komiya.”

“Nice deduction Ryu, I couldn’t said it any better.”

“You know what, I’m just going to let your imagination play out.”

Well, I was thinking of something, maybe that’s what attracted her? But if I say this then they will probably talk a lot more, so not worth.

“Dude, since when did you become a chick magnet?” Miura asked

“I don’t know, don’t ask me that, I have no power over such a thing.”

“So it’s natural?” he asked again

“Damn, big talk from Mr. Popular…” Ryu said

The more I talk, the more annoying they become, I knew it.

“Whatever man, where’s the teacher any way? I believe lunch has ended already.”

“You didn’t know?” Ryu asked

“What now?”

“It’s self study, the teacher is sick or something.”

“On their first day of teaching? Wow…”

“Can’t help it if they are sick bro, don’t be like that.” Miura said

“Yeah, just focus on your date with the blonde girl.” Ryu said

“Fuck off…”

And so we keep on talking, it’s the teacher’s first day teaching, so we don’t exactly know what to study, we agreed to read and study a little, and then continue our conversation till class ends.

If what Miura and Ryu said is true about her being popular, then I might have reeled in a bigger fish than I thought.

But hey, the bigger the better right?

So we keep on talking, until eventually, the final hour has arrive.

It’s go time.

I stand up, taking my bag and everything.

“Look at him go…” Ryu said

“Good luck dear Romeo…” Miura said

“See you later guys…”

“Sure, meet you at the student council room.” Ryu said

So I walk outside, and wait outside of my class, I lean against the wall because surely, sitting on the floor is not a good idea.

5 minutes pass by, and Suzuki greeted me.

“Hey dude, what are you doing here?”

“I’m waiting for someone…”

She grins.

“Waiting for Sonia huh?”

“W-what?! How-“

“Of course I know dude, you were walking together like a couple not long ago, everyone was looking at you FYI.”

“I know that, but those in class too?”

“Of course, there are windows there Sherlock.”

Fuck, now it’s embarrassing, I don’t know why.

“Hey, since you’re waiting for her, then it’s probably a date or something right?”

Her too?

“It’s not a date…”

“Then what is it?”

“We’re going to the student council room together.”

Her eyes expand, looks like I spark something inside her.

“You’re joining them?”

“uhhh, yes, is something wrong?”

“No no no, nothing is wrong, I never thought you’re going to join the student council. Took me by surprise is all…”

“Okay, sure, that’s not weird right?”

“Nope, anyway, you seen Inori?”

“She’s inside I think. Going home already?”

Before she can answer, Sonia appears at the door and approaches us.

“Hi Reno, hi Suzuki.”

“Hey…”

“Wassup Sonia, well good luck you two, I’ll be going now.”

“Huh? I’m not interrupting anything right?”

“No you’re not, don’t worry, I was leaving any way, till I met an idiot standing by himself in the corridor right here.”

“Hey, who you-“

She approach my left ear.

“Be gentle with her Romeo…” She whispered.

“We’re just…” I paused, somehow I know it’s futile to explain to her, because I had zero luck with Miura and Ryu. “Just go, mind your own business…”

She smiles at me before walking over to my class, probably searching for Komiya, but I can hear Miura screams, he said I’m on a date with the girl next door, only Ryu and Suzuki that knows who Miura meant by the girl next door of course, but it’s still annoying to hear.

Bastard…

“Let’s go then, the room is at the second floor.”

“Yeah let’s go.”

So we head upstairs, I never go upstairs before, I mean the second floor is where the clubrooms and the third years are. I had no reason to.

Halfway through the stairs.

“So you know Suzuki?” she asks

“Yeah I do, we’re neighbor.”

“You two looked close.”

“Really? she’s always bugging me with pointless stuffs, but she’s nice and easy to talk to.”

“And pretty too right?”

I don’t like where this is going.

“Why do you ask?”

“N-nothing…”

Now I’m curious.

And I don’t know why, I just can’t shake off the feeling that she’s not the same girl from the opening ceremony.

We stay silent till we arrive at the student council room, we knock the door, waiting for some respond.

“Maybe they went home already?”

“N-no way…”

She looks disappointed.

“Well, we can always come back tomorrow right?”

“B-but…”

The door opens, a male second year student is standing in front of us.

“Yes, can I help you?”

He’s quite the stud, no homo.

Goddamnit! What’s wrong with me!

“W-we’re first years that wants to join the student council…”

“Oh, sure, come in…”

Just like that? Really?

“T-thank you…”

It’s only then I realize that we’re talking in English, not Japanese.

“Sonia…”

“Y-yes?”

“Did we just talk in English?”

“Yes you did, it took me by surprise too, I thought it was your habit, just when I want to remind you, he gave his response.”

Wow, his English is so smooth that I didn’t realize it. Amazing, if I’m a girl…

No! don’t go there! Fuck!

We step inside, and obviously look around, it’s the first time we are here after all. One thing I notice immediately is Ryu’s not here.

Did he bail on me? Did he really abandon one of his comrade?

It’s the size of the usual class room, the desks layout is different though, there’s a long table at the front, while the other desk are in a square position, I guess it’s easier to have a discussion like this huh.

The senior from before tell us to sit down.

“Here, fill this form.”

Now he’s using Japanese.

I want to keep using English, but I don’t want to be rude.

So I take the form and fill it, it only ask for basic information and the reason why we want to join.

What the fuck should I write? Because I’m curious? That’s the most effective way of being rejected.

And I don’t want to look like I’m half assing it, because I’m not.

So I write down, because I want to be a functioning member of society by actively contributing in school through student council.

Hey, that’s not so bad.

I have finish with mine, so I look over to Sonia, she seems to be having the same problem like mine, what to write for her reason of joining.

“Just write what you think is best for you right now, and for the future.” I whispered to her.

She nods, and immediately writes her reason.

What is it I wonder…

After that, we give our filled form to the senior in front of us, he’s writing something.

“Oh, you’re done? Thanks. You can officially begin tomorrow, most of the first years will start work tomorrow anyway. Good luck you two! And welcome aboard.”

Just like that? There’s no way it’s that easy.

We bow down, and walks out of the classroom.

“That’s easier than I thought.” I said after we’re outside.

“T-true, I thought there’s going to be an interview or something.”

“I thought so too. Well, if he said we’re done, than we’re done right? Let’s go home.”

Which reminds me.

“Where do you live Sonia?”

“The apartment around the block.”

Seriously? Her too? I don’t like this weird coincidence.

Don’t tell me that Ryu and Miura lives there too.

“R-really?”

“A-anyway, where do you live Reno?”

“I live at the same apartment as you.”

“R-really?!”

She’s excited, why is she excited?

“What’s wrong with that?”

“N-nothing!”

And she shouts too, is this the second Komiya? Or Komiya cosplaying as other student?

“Well since we’re going the same way, let’s go together then.” I said

She nods, happily. What the hell? What did I do?

“Oh and, I need to stop by the convenience store for a while, that’s okay right?”

“Sure, I’ll be glad to accompany you.”

“T-thanks, I guess.”

I feel weird, something’s off.

As we make our way to the store, she’s mostly the one that starts a conversation between us.

Near the store.

“So Sonia, are you going to join a club besides student council?”

“I don’t think I will, I have a feeling that I’ll be busy enough with student council works.”

“Well, that could happen I guess.”

“What about you?”

“I’m still thinking about it…”

“Really? You have any plan for what club you want to join?”

“I’m thinking basketball.”

She keeps looking at me every time I talk.

Damnit girl, if you have a feeling for me just say it already, don’t make me feel weird like this.

“You like to play basketball?”

“Yeah, I’ve been playing since I was a kid.”

“You must be good at it then.”

“Well not that good really, mediocore probably.”

“D-don’t say that, if you really have been playing since you were a kid, then good chances that you are good at it.”

“S-sure, I guess…”

We arrive at the store, I told her that she can wait outside if she want to, but she said she have to buy something too.

We walk in and I greet Mike who’s working behind the counter.

“Wassup dude?”

“Good, you?”

“Good.”

he looks at Sonia that’s beside me, he grins again.

“Mike I swear to God, if you offer me that shit again…”

“Whoa easy there champ, damn, ease up bro…”

Sonia is looking at me and Mike back and forth, with a confused look.

“Never mind us miss, we go way back, thus the somewhat friendly conversation.”

“Just ignore him Sonia, he’s always like that.”

“Wait a minute, she’s not Japanese?”

“I told you to go easy on the beer, it’s messing with your head.”

I told Sonia to go grab what we need, she walks away from me, while I’m still there with Mike.

“Let me guess, sweet iced tea?”

“Yeah, so what?”

“That’s going to be the death of you dude.”

“No it won’t.”

“Anyway, new girl already? I don’t recall you being a playboy…”

“Just a friend Mike, just a friend.”

“The one before too?”

“Yeah, so don’t you dare offer me another condom.”

“I won’t, but like I said if you ever need it…”

“Blablabla…”

I walk to the back, grabbing myself 3 cans of sweet iced tea and a bag of chips. Sonia comes to me not long after her departure, carrying 5 candy bars.

After we’re done, we walks back to Mike.

“You paying for her?”

“Sure, I don’t mind.”

“R-really? you don’t have to.”

“It’s okay.”

“T-thank you…”

Mike grabs our groceries and put it in a plastic bag.

“How much Mike?”

“1.200…”

“Here, keep the changes.”

I look at Mike, he’s tempted to offer me the condom again, if not for my threat earlier, I’m sure he will already.

We walk outside again, heading for the apartment. I open a can of tea, I offer some to her of course, but she refused politely.

“He seems like a good person.”

“Who? Mike?”

“Y-yes…”

“Believe me, I thought so to.”

“What makes you think otherwise?”

“His mischievous nature will only come to surface once you get to know him better.”

“I-I see…”

We keep talking on the way, eventually arriving at the apartment.

“Which floor were you again?”

“The 10th floor, what about you?”

“I’m at the 14th floor.”

“I live at room 298…”

Okay…

Now that’s weird.

“You do realize that I didn’t ask right?”

“I-I’m sorry! I must be imagining things!”

Imagining?

“O-okay, let’s go then.”

“D-do you want to come over? You haven’t had lunch right?”

Now that she mentioned it, I can feel my hunger building up again.

“Well, I wouldn’t want to trouble you though.”

“I-it’s okay, I won’t mind.”

“Then I’ll take you up on the offer. Thanks.”

We head up towards the 10th floor, I try to talk to her so that my sickness won’t come up.

It works, surprisingly.

“Here we are, make yourself at home Reno…”

“Sure, thank you.”

I walk inside, and head to the sofa immediately, the layout of the room is the same as mine too.

“I guess every room has the same room layout huh…”

“Yours is like this too?”

“Yeah, it feels weird really.”

“I-I’m going to change first, I’ll be right back Reno.”

“Sure, take your time.”

I know you will.

She heads to her bedroom, I sit down while looking around the room.

It’s clean and neat, unlike Komiya. But is she a better cook though?

Guess we’ll find out soon.

“R-Reno…”

That’s fast, not even a minute.

“Sure, what-“

I just sit there, I can’t believe what I’m seeing right now.

I should have said yes to Mike’s offer.