Eccentric Youko Chapter 3

She went beyond the distance by conspiring with purchasing office to delay the delivery of Hiromu's desk. At first, Hiromu was not bothered by it. He can just go to the commons and bring his work there. But on the third day, Hiromu couldn't stand moving from one place to another. His eyes skimmed at the desks of his eight colleagues, and only one desk seemed clean and spacious enough for one more employee. He stood while her back faced him, formality and casualness debating in the gears of his head.

He didn't know if it was proper. Three days ago he bluntly asked for her coffee. The day after he bothered her by borrowing her wireless mouse. Now, he's going to ask for a share in her desk. The perfectionist in him tells him that his first week is a complete mess. And this girl right in front of him always had solutions to what he lacked.

Feeling his eyes becoming heavier, he realized how badly he needed a short nap. When working his best, all nighters become part of his routine. Although they have lounges for employees, he thought how much time will be wasted if he indulged himself with it.

"My buddyroid Usada usually sits here. But until he's finished with his check-up, you may take his side of my desk." Youko tapped the most spacious part of her desk, signalling him to come over and sit.

He bowed slightly, "Please don't mind my intrusion." He sat beside her and was thankful that there's a significant distance between them. The woman beside him took her Usada plush and offered it to him. Thanking her once more, Hiromu angled the plush like a pillow and uncharacteristically dropped his forehead in it.

"You have everything I need" he muttered and dozed off.

Hearing these words from him made her smile. She took her notebook from her purse and scribbled:

Tokumei: Share desk with Hiromu. Accomplished.

When Hiromu woke up, Youko was nowhere to be seen. But a freshly brewed coffee was sitting right in front of him. Scribbled on it was his name, and the words, "for your all nighter."

It was her day off. And she thought that she needed ample of "me-time" before she could devise another week of "winning Hiromu" plans. She stopped in the middle of her singing when she saw a five year old girl lost and crying across the street. Without thinking twice, she hurried to reach her and lowered her head to match the little girl's eyes.

"Hello! I'm Youko oneesan. Can I help you?"

The little girl told her that she was with her mother and "bike-san", but was separated from them when she ran off to see the brand new vending machine installed from the corner of their street. She sniffed once more while confessing that her sense of direction was as bad as "bike-san's." Youko couldn't help but think of bike-san as a bike that really talks.

"Shall we go to the nearest police station? I think your mother and bike-san are there."

The little girl nodded apprehensively. Youko extended her hand to her and together they went to the nearest police station. The little girl's mother was there and immediately she cried in relief after seeing her. Youko searched around the facility looking for a bike but she guessed that the child must have a plush named after it instead. The mother and the child thanked her and Youko giddily stepped outside the station, singing once more. When Youko was gone, a man appeared beside the mother with a startled expression. He lowered his head to match his niece's eyes, "Was that the oneesan who helped you?" He asked. The child nodded and the man hurried to step outside to follow her.

The thought of the mother of the child inspired Youko to buy white roses from her favorite flower shop. Minutes of fast walking—and hopping— passed by and she found herself facing her mother's grave. Her expression shifted from happiness to melancholy. Gently, she dropped her roses and sat with her knees touching the soft grass. She hung her head low.

Soon, tears started to drip down from her cheeks. "I miss you, okasan," she said, and cried silently for her mother who died when she was only nine.

Her alertness fading, Youko was not able to notice another pair of knees touching the soft grass.. And then she felt it, a gentle nudging of a handkerchief on one side of her face. She looked up and almost lost her balance when she saw Hiromu, extending his handkerchief to her.

"G—gomen!" She said, standing up, looking very embarrassed. Why in the world is Hiromu here? She wiped the remaining tears with her cardigan.

Not knowing what to say, Youko turned the other way and began to walk huge steps. On her fourth step, she felt a strong grip on her right wrist. She turned to him, but without meeting his eyes.

"I—i'm sorry. For invading your space like that," he said apologetically, "the child that you assisted a while ago was my niece and I was about to thank you personally but—" He stopped suddenly, following Youko's gaze to her wrist that remained in his free hand. He let go abruptly and bowed his apology.

She felt her heart flutter seeing the startled expression on his face. He was always the poker-faced type, shifting only from a short smile to a blank expression. To Youko, seeing him startled is something new.

"Is it your day off too?" She asked innocently, her gears shifting back to winning Hiromu whatever it takes mode. She knew of course that it was his day off, but wouldn't risk to disclose being all-knowing of Hiromu's activities.

Hiromu nodded.

"I see. Enjoy your day then, Hiromu." She bowed slightly and turned away from him. When he was out of her sight, she touched her wrist and smiled giddily, feeling the touch of his grip there. It wasn't as intimate as holding hands, but it was enough to fill her void.