"Mai, what are you doing?" Keiko asked as she looked over her friends shoulder.

"Nothing," Mai replied evasively as she minimised the browser.

"Really?" Keiko enquired.

"I don't believe her," Michiru said from Mai's other side. She stole the mouse and reopened the browser. "What is this?"

The three girls stared at the screen.

"Just a blog on tumblr," Mai replied awkwardly.

"I can see that," Michiru said. "But what…?" She was frowning at the page. "Is this about tea?"

"Yeah," Mai said, somewhat defensively. "The guy who runs the blog writes in both Japanese and English so I use it to practice my English reading…"

"You read about tea in English?" Keiko questioned. "Seriously? Like what on earth does he even write about?"

"Reviews of types of tea and stuff," Mai said. She was fiddling with a piece of hair and her cheeks were flushed read. "And sometimes he reblogs this other guy's ghost stories and corrects them."

"Ghost stories?"

"Yeah," Mai said.

"I don't believe it," Michiru said. She began scrolling down the posts. "What's his URL about?"

"IdiotScientist?" Mai checked and Michiru nodded. "I think it's an in-joke between him and the ghost story guy, his URL is StupidMedium."

"Right…" Keiko looked unconvinced.

Mai watched as her two friends continued scrolling.

"He doesn't use many kanji but his Japanese is perfect," Michiru commented.

"He lives in England, so he never learnt them as we did," Mai said quickly.

"You seem to know an awful lot about this guy," Keiko said with a smirk.

"Hardly," Mai scoffed, trying to brush away the insinuation.

"And I can see why!" Michiru exclaimed. "Look at this selfie!"

Mai went scarlet.

"He's gorgeous!" Keiko said. "No wonder…"

"I don't like him just because he's handsome!"

"So you think he's handsome?" Michiru jumped on Mai's slip up immediately.

"Well yeah, I mean, no, but…" Mai screwed her face up as her friends laughed.

She stole back the mouse and clicked the little 'x'.

"Aww," Michiru said. "Don't be such a spoil sport."

"Go and do your homework!" Mai hissed. Her two friends grumbled and returned to their own desks.

When they were definitely out of the way, Mai reopened tumblr and was pleased to see someone – and she had a good idea who even before she had opened her inbox – had sent her a message.

That piece was much better, but you need to work on contractions. You'll never sound like a native English speaker unless you use them, though in written pieces it's considered more acceptable to not use them.

As for your other question, I do know StupidMedium in real life.

- IdiotScientist

Mai read the fanmail twice before starting a reply. She had been sending IdiotScientist her written English homework and he was kindly checking it over with the promise that should they ever meet in real life that Mai would make tea for him.

Of course, she did not expect to ever meet the guy, which was a shame. He was handsome after all and despite his sometimes harsh critiques of her language skills, she had improved as a result.

Thank you so much! I do try and use them in my oral practice; I just find it hard to remember which words do it!

Can I ask how you know him? Are you best friends? You sure do act like it.

- MaiChan13

She minimised the browser and sent her English homework to print. When she returned from picking it up from the printer, she had received a reply.

I would hardly consider myself his friend. Perhaps forced acquaintance would be more appropriate.

- IdiotScientist

Mai frowned at his choice of words, but she received another fanmail before she could respond.

Hey! I know that idiot won't tell you, but I'm IdiotScientist's twin. He loves me really :P

- StupidMedium

Mai laughed and replied to StupidMedium first.

Hey! That would explain what he said to me, is he always that distant? And how did you know?

- MaiChan13

And then she typed a reply to IdiotScientist.

Your twin explained things to me!

- MaiChan13

The replies came thick and fast.

Yeah, he's always like that, don't worry about it though. It's just the way he is, he shows he cares in other ways :) And I knew because I'm reading over his shoulder!

- StupidMedium

I know he did, the imbecile.

- IdiotScientist

Mai laughed and began responding, StupidMedium first.

You creep! And yeah, he's been helping me with my English! He's a good teacher!

- MaiChan13

And then IdiotScientist.

Aww, don't be so mean! It's not like I can use that info to hurt you or anything!

- MaiChan13

But as soon as she had sent that message, StupidMedium had replied.

He doesn't just help you with your English XD

- StupidMedium

Mai frowned at that.

What do you mean?

- MaiChan13

But IdiotScientist had responded.

That's hardly the point. He's being an interfering git.

- IdiotScientist

Mai laughed softly.

Interfering in what?

- MaiChan13

StupidMedium's next reply left her somewhat concerned.

He likes looking at your selfieshshdssduyhvjnkcb mv

- StupidMedium

She wondered briefly if there had been some physical altercation at the other end. But then she realised what he had said – IdiotScientist had been looking at her selfies?!

She quickly checked the last few she posted. One was from when she baked cupcakes and had flour and icing all over her face. The one before that had seemed like a good photo at the time, she had been wearing a new dress, but looking at it now made her cringe.

Really? I hope not! They're all awful! Are you okay?

- MaiChan13

But IdiotScientist replied on his behalf.

StupidMediumwon't reply any time soon, but if he is fortunate, he may survive the night. And for the record, your photography skills may be lacking, but your choice of subject is perfect.

- IdiotScientist

Mai felt her cheeks puffing up indignantly.

What on earth is wrong with my photography skills? You try taking a selfie with a crappy phone camera! It's hard!

- MaiChan13

Then she realised the hidden compliment in his words.

"Mai, we're heading off soon, are you coming?" Keiko called from another desk.

"Sure," Mai responded.

I will.

- IdiotScientist

Mai frowned, but duly loaded his blog.

As she packed away her things, a photo loaded.

It showed two handsome identical young men. Both dark haired and blue eyed; one sat calmly in the chair and the other… The other was duct-taped to a chair with more tape covering his mouth.

Mai laughed. She clicked the little heart at the bottom of the photo and closed the browser.

"What are you blushing about?" Keiko asked as they left the library.

"Nothing!" Mai insisted.

"I think she's thinking about that boy," Michiru said. "Do you even know his name?"

Mai didn't respond. She did not know his real name, but somehow, it didn't matter to her. She knew him, and that was enough.


Author's note: So I'm really not sure where this one came from... Please review :)