Summer has come and gone and I still haven't figured out what to do. Fortunately I was able to get a position at the diner. I find working with the customers entertaining, at the very least it has let me meet all kinds of people, and lets me put my thoughts away for the few hours I'm here. And the outfit is cute too! I can't help but notice that a lot of the visitors to the restaurant seem to be teenage boys. From baker outfit to maid, I'm not sure if that is an upgrade or a downgrade?
Today will probably be a quiet day though. The weather forecast is calling for some rain storms tonight. It's bright and sunny out right now, but with the high rises surrounding me I can't see any clouds in the sky. I can tell it's windy however, leaves and scraps of paper are blowing by the entrance, sometimes trespassing into the restaurant whenever a patron walks through. Seeing as no one is in right now, I take the time to wet a hand towel and start wiping down the tables. Hours pass without me noticing, table after table wiped down. The sky outside gradually darkens, but I don't give it too much thought. Before too long, I hear the restaurant manager call out to me.
"Ami-chan!"
I look back to the kitchen, seeing him peeking from behind the serving counter, "Yes?"
"Go on to your lunch break! We're still pretty quiet, be back on time though!"
"Aiiight!" I grab the bento box I left in the break room, and decide to walk out to the park down the road. As I push the doors open, I'm hit by a blast of wind, and notice a wet spray drenching me from head to toe. The sky overhead is blocked by a dark mass, the sound of thunder rumbles and echoes through the streets. I suppose eating in the diner will have to do for now.
I sit in the back corner, and hear the doors swing open, for a few seconds the rush of air and rain reverberates throughout the restaurant. I look back to see a coworker clocking in for his shift.
"I would have just stayed at home, not like we are going to need any help", I mumble under my breath, roll my eyes, and open my bento box. "Ughh", I notice him walking towards me. He has had the annoying habit of flirting with me from the first day we worked together, and no matter how much I tell him off, he can't seem to get the picture.
"What do you want Setou? Can't you see I'm on my lunch?", I keep my gaze focusing on the food in front of me, not bothering to give him the attention I know he wants.
"You can't keep beating yourself up you know. And please, just call me Hisao, I'm not your senpai or anything."
"What on earth are you talking about?". Setou Hisao is nothing like Ryuuji. He's shorter, has bright brown hair like the childlike girl always by Ryuuji's side, and of course doesn't have a smile that scares half the town away. It's irritating.
"I can tell something has been bothering you from the first day we met. I have a feeling you've been blaming yourself. Question is why? You don't seem like a terrible person to me. Pork cutlet, potstickers, and fried rice. Very nice! You make that yourself?"
I look up, glaring straight into his eyes, "when did I allow you to be my therapist? Leave me alone, you're ruining the view."
"What view, of the restaurant?", he spins around, facing the empty tables and seats, and out onto the dark street, rain bands streak down the windows, and ever so often, a brief flash of light breaks the darkness, and a soft rumble follows shortly after.
"You really can't take a hint can you?", I start eating, with the hope that ignoring him will push him to finally leave, "you are on shift you know, you should be working not hitting on your coworker".
"Why do you keep insisting I'm flirting with you?", he places his hand on his palm, before sliding it over his hair. " I just want to get to know my coworker. You've been working at this restaurant for six weeks now, and it doesn't seem like you plan to move on any time soon. I want to be on friendly terms with the person I'm seeing everyday."
"You are annoying, go clean the tables or something."
"I can tell the tables were just cleaned, and the old man said I can just hang out for now, he doesn't expect us to get busy any time soon. We're probably going to close early".
"Damn it", I mutter, as he proceeds to walk around to sit in the opposite side of the booth.
"So, what did you do before this?", I find it surprising that he doesn't know who I am, seems everyone else knows that Kawashima Ami is a waitress at the local diner now.
"I was a student", taking that fact into consideration, I can't help but feel he does indeed know who I am, which further irritates me. "At the local high school. Didn't know what I wanted to do with my life, and decided to work here for the time being."
"You should go into modeling or something, you'd fit right in."
I slam my fist onto the table, jolting the now half empty box of food. At that instant, I notice a smile work its way across his face.
"Disgusting, you're a masochist aren't you?", I stare angrily, my fingers are rolled up tightly, pressing down onto the table. "Why the hell are you asking me about what I did before, you clearly know. Playing naive isn't getting you any points."
"Honestly, I just saw a girl on the cover of a magazine my sister was reading, and realized it looked familiar. Now I know there's more backstory to you than the cute girl from out of town who transferred and decided to stay."
After this comment, I realize he's being honest. "You really didn't know?"
"Of course not, I'm not interested in all that stuff, it seems pretentious. No offense meant of course."
"Oh, none taken. Your comment isn't wrong. Perhaps your sister told you the reason I transferred?", he seems excited that I'm willing to engage in conversation.
"Again, I'm not typically interested in all that stuff. However, I am curious how an up and coming model and daughter of a successful actress ended up working as a waitress."
Where to start? It's been two years since I transferred, since Ryuuji helped me face the stalker that I let control me for so long. I grab my chopsticks and pick up a potsticker, and bring it to my lips.
After a couple of nibbles, I set the potsticker back down. "I had a stalker. I was terrified of him. Enough that I was convinced I had to leave my hometown. My aunt kindly offered her home, and my mother helped take care of the paperwork to transfer to the local high school." I pick up the potsticker once more, this time finishing it all at once. I chew on it for a few seconds, trying to settle my feelings. The thought of that stalker still troubles me to this day, "Thankfully, a close friend of mine helped me face my fears, and I was able to chase my stalker away."
"Sounds rough. I'm glad you were able to push him away though. But if that's the case, why not go back home?"
"I asked myself that same question. I realized I had something here that I didn't have back home. I made friends at school, and I was enjoying the attention admittedly." But one individual in particular of course, was the true reason I wanted to stay.
"Friends or friend?", I look up to see him with raised eyebrows, prodding me to be honest.
"I made more than just one friend you jerk." I pick up a slice of pork, I realize I'm no longer eating for hunger, but to try to distract myself, I don't want to think about Ryuuji. But this asshole keeps bringing it up for some reason.
"I'm done talking with you Setou, I'm going to finish my lunch now and go back to work. You should start too."
I look outside and notice the storm continues to rage. Rain lashes against the windows, streaks of water flow down the face of the restaurant. No more customers come for the rest of the night.
The walk home feels longer than usual. Even though I knew the forecast I didn't think to bring an umbrella along, all I have is my coat. I try to shrink myself into it as I walk down the street. The only thing that lights my way home are the street lights, all the storefronts are closed and their lights are shut off. The beam from the street lamps is broken by the constant sparkle of water that falls constantly. The sound of my footsteps echoes louder than usual, the sound of my heels clicking against the wet concrete bounces against the walls of the buildings around me. After what seems like an eternity though, I finally make it home.
I walk straight to the shower room, set my phone on the counter, and turn the faucet on. The sensation of warm water over me is a huge relief after walking through the bitterly cold rain. As I wash my hair I think back on the conversation with Hisao. I realize I just revealed one of my most personal secrets, with little hesitation. My walls are falling down. I always wanted this, but not it just doesn't feel right.
Of course, Ryuuji is who I really want to talk to. I sit down on the floor, back turned to the showerhead, when I hear my phone vibrating. I dry my hands and pick up the phone.
Message- Unknown Sender : Hey! It's Hisao! Got a number from a friend of mine! Hope you don't mind! Enjoyed our conversation earlier, still at work but on my lunch break.
How the hell did he get my number? I've only given it out to five or six people.
I start texting him back.
KA - Who the hell gave you my number? I didn't give you permission!
SH - Turns out my sister knows one of your personal friends, she's my sister's senpai. I suppose if the number is right she wasn't lying. Kihara Maya I believe?
What on earth gave her the idea that this was okay?
KA - Regardless! I didn't give anyone permission to hand my number out!
SH - Relax, I'm not going to sell it to the paparazzi or anything!
KA - That isn't the point! It's a matter of personal privacy! And you are way beyond crossing it!
SH - You could just block me you know.
For a moment, I realize he's right. I move to block his number but when the notification asking to confirm this action pops up, I pause.
KA - Fine.
I realize that whether I want to or not, I need someone to talk too, someone who doesn't know Ryuuji personally.
SH - I'm glad. Listen, we both have the afternoon off tomorrow so why don't we go out? I'm honest when I tell you at work that I want to get to know you.
He's asking me out on a date isn't he? I'm really not interested, but I do know I need a distraction. Recently I have been focusing almost all of my time on work, whether that be trying to find new work, or pitching in at the bakery before, and the diner now. I haven't really had an afternoon to relax in a while, and whether I want to admit it or not. I need it.
SH - You still there?
KA - Yes, I'll be ready at 5 in the afternoon. Come by my aunt's place. How about a picnic? At the park down the street from where I live?
SH - Sounds nice.
Well, I suppose I'm committed now-
SH - Is it alright if I bring some friends over?
KA - What? You're asking me out on a date and you want to bring your friends?
SH - OMG I'm not asking you out on a date! I want to hang out! I told you already I'm not trying to flirt or win you over or anything!
Well, it was probably going to be awkward anyway, what's a few strangers in the mix going to change?
As I close the message bubble with Setou-san, I glance at the list of friends I have. I notice Maya is active right now. I get out of the bathtub, dry myself off, and walk back to my bedroom. I lay back, and click on Maya's bubble.
KA - What on earth were you thinking handing out my number to a stranger?
KM - Oh! Hi Ami-chan! You're up late! It was a cute kohai is all! She's a big fan!
KA - Yes well somehow it ended up in the hands of my coworker and now he's asking me to go out with him tomorrow afternoon -_-
KM - Ah! Did you agree to it?
KA - Well I didn't have anything better to do…
KM - Awesome! I'll be seeing you tomorrow then! Noto is joining us too!
KA - Wait, you and Noto are coming with us? I know he mentioned some people coming along, you know him?
KM - It's a long story Ami-chan! I'll explain to you tomorrow, good night!
KA - Oh no you don't! Tell me right now! You're obviously still up!
KA - MAYA.
KA - MAYA!
KA - I KNOW YOU'RE READING MY MESSAGES.
Fine. She's planning something, and I have a feeling I know what's going on. She knows Setou, and she's probably trying to set me up with him. But then why would she and Hisamitsu tag along? Maya can't read me as well as Kitamura or Ryuuji can, but she can probably tell I haven't been feeling great the last couple of weeks.
And she can probably assume it's about Ryuuji. I don't think I ever told her or anyone about my feelings for him. I suppose I indirectly confessed to both Ryuuji and Kushieda, but aside from that, I haven't been honest with my closest friends. I can't expect to ever drop the dumb-chi persona if I can't at least trust my friends with something like this.
Perhaps that's how I move on. I've been so focused on trying to keep my feelings for Ryuuji bottled up that all I've done is keep thinking about him more and more. That might be Maya's goal for tomorrow, get me comfortable with a group of friends and finally have me be honest with them.
But then why Setou-san? I suppose if she wants me to be honest about Ryuuji, the goal isn't to hook me and Setou up.
As I sit in my room, I notice how surprisingly warm it is, outside I see occasional flashes of light, and distant booming, reminding me of the storms lashing outside. And yet, I hear a distinct and repetitive thudding. It definitely doesn't sound like thunder.
"Someone's at the door? At this hour?"
I scramble around in search of a blunt object, and grab a textbook I forgot to return, and begin my huddle downstairs. The lights in my auntie's house are all off, I'm only able to guide myself through with the lightning outside. I get to the door, book in my left hand, and twist the knob.
"Woah! Easy Kawashima! I know you don't like me but a book is excessive!"
I look down, and see the distinctive golden brown hair. It's noticeably disheveled right now though, and what look like pieces of paper and leaves are peppering her head.
"Taiga? What on earth are you doing here?" I step back from the door and invite her in.
"I got a text from Kihara Maya, saying you needed help with something. She didn't tell me much, only to show up tomorrow afternoon, but I knew it had to be more urgent if she was messaging me this late. Now that I'm here, I think she was just messing with me, you look just fine to me."
She rolls her eyes, and plops herself onto the wooden floor of the entrance hall.
"You're absolutely soaking, at the very least dry yourself off. I don't want you to get a cold, and then give it to me."
As I walk back to the bathroom to grab a spare towel, I hear her sneeze and snuffle. I spoke too soon it seems.
"Here."
She grabs the towel and wipes her face with it, before wrapping it around herself.
"Ugh. You're so gross", I better remind myself to throw that towel out now. What a waste.
"Shut up. I sneaked out of my place and walked all the way over here in the soaking rain and dark."
"Yes well I didn't ask for it." We both remain quiet. The walls are no longer being lit up by lightning, only the sound of steady rain against the roof and windows is present. Its unbearable.
"It's about Ryuuji isn't it", I hear her mumble.
"Yes", I stand up, and reach my hand out to her. "Come on, let's go to the dining room, I'll make some tea."