'Psssh!'
A spray of strawberry juice shot out, missing me by a hair. The girl in front of me was coughing miserably. It took a moment before she returned breathing normally. Her red eyes stared at mine, looking for any deception.
"You're joking right?"
"No, I'm not." I said with a straight face of mine.
"Heh~All these time, almost 99% of your words never be anything but lies." The girl continued to drink the remain juice.
"Well, today I'm telling you the true story." Following her, I put my mouth onto the end of the straw and started sucking the apple juice.
"Yeah, yeah, just keep the facade for all I cares." Again, taking another sips, she looked at me, mocking me to be precisely.
Suddenly, my mind popped a brilliant idea. I secretly fished out my phone and tap some of the button on the screen. Without any interruption, a melodious ringtone played.
"Hello? Oh, honey! Why do you call?" Another spray of juice spread, coming with the coughing afterward. Luckily, I managed to suppress myself from giggling. Go me!
"It's that real? H-How come?!" Lowering the phone from my ear, I gave my friend my sweet smile.
"I told you so." I stuck my tongue out. Even though it just a fake call, as long as she understood, it's a reassurance for me to have someone that can hear my problems.
"Seriously Nozomi, I don't know what to say." She sighed.
"You could start by asking me the reason I agreed to marry her." She looked at me skeptically. She always does that, especially when she knew the obvious reason behind it. We have been friends from high school, what to expect.
"Duh! It certainly because you're just a crazy woman." The black-haired girl in front of me smirked. I can't help but to respond with the same degree.
"And you friends with her, Nicocchi!"
"Aahh~I don't need to be remind, thank you. So, what makes you decide to accept this mysterious freak proposal?" She twirled her finger before pointing at me.
"Excuse me, but I dare you take back the word 'freak' from my future soulmate. In fact, she rather beautiful herself." To hear Nicocchi said Elicchi is a freak kinda pricked my heart, she's not some weirdo, just a very special kind.
"Alright, alright, so, are you going to tell me or what?" Raising her left eyebrow, she started tapping on the table. What an impatient girl.
"Is saying she is a very hot would satisfied you?" Carelessly, I toyed with the straw.
"Nozomi!" She grumbled.
"Guess not. It because of my mother." Closing my eyes, I sighed.
"Erghh...Can you give me some connection between your mother and that future partner of yours? Because I don't see any relation for you to suddenly wanted to marry her.". Her face twisted in weird way.
"That because you never use your brain in a right way, Nicocchi." Smiled as my friend crossed her arms, 'hmp'ing at me.
"You called me to meet you for something, Nozomi. Now, if you don't want me to pick up my ass off this chair, better start spitting out words." Wow, very intimidating.
"Oh my, Nicocchi! Did I just heard you said-" I really wanted to point out the 'ass' word but the black-haired woman cut me off before it even happened.
"Not another word about what I just said, only yours I want to hear." Well, I kept her waiting long enough.
"You know my parents started to care about me recently, right?" My friend sit up straight as she focused on me as soon I became serious. She nod signalling me to continue.
"They worried." Only by this simple sentence, Nico sighed.
"So, you decided to marry this unknown person to solve the problem. Nozomi, you should think everything thoroughly before agreeing with this." I knew Nicocchi understood my resolution, however it didn't mean she viewed it as the same as me. We have our daily quarrels. This one might be added to the list.
"I won't be if I don't actually know what I am doing."
"Oh, did you really? You know your parents wouldn't be happy if you just married her because you don't want to worry them. But more importantly, will you be happy?" I knew where Nicocchi coming from, marriage is one thing but living with a person I barely have the time to know eternally is a very different matters.
"Okay, I admit, I'm terrified. But this the only way, Nicocchi." My eyes watered. To be honest, I did think this was the worse idea I had been come up with. Now, it's time to bite the bullet.
"Well, whatever happen, you know whom to find." Nico gave me her assurance look. At least that's make me relieved for a bit. I gave her my appreciation smile.
"Huh...this serious talk really make my neck sore." Rubbing my hand at the back of my neck, I grinned. My friend did the same. We stared at each other before laughing so hard, which attracted the people surrounding us.
"This is so not like us." My friend said happily.
Yazawa Nico. Others would called her pompous and hot-tempered if they don't know any better. However, she just a sweet and caring girl if you get close to her.
"So, Nicocchi, how's you getting on your life?" After high school, we both entered the same university, though we're unlikely had enough time to spend with each other. Not to mention, being on the different course that is.
"Barely. I haven't get much but I'm still surviving." Not so surprising, around the end of the semester of our college's life, Nicocchi had been scouted by some shabby agency. As it is Nicocchi's dream to be an idol, she accepted it without any hesitation. Well, I don't really agree with it at first because of how suspicious agency were, but in the end I found out that they just started in the industry and in need of new talent. Nicocchi being too enthusiastic said something like-
'Worry not! Yazawa Nico is here! Let's me become your star. Nico-Nico-Nii~'
Just like her. Remembering this thing make my lip curved upward.
"Oy, your face getting creepy. Why are you smiling anyway?"
"Nothing Nicocchi~ Do your best. I need to stop being your only fan." I winked, seeing my friend's eyebrow twitched for a moment.
"Like hell I want you to-" She was unable to finish as someone interrupted her.
"You! You are Pandabear, right?" A girl alongside with her mother, I supposed jumped excitingly as my friend nodded. She's embarrassed too.
Pandabear was one of the character she had posed during one of her small gig. It was from low rating cartoon show. Despite that, there were kids going to the gig and I remembered how Nicocchi make them laughed so hard. As I about to lose in dream world, Nicocchi's trademark cheer brought me down to earth.
"Nico-Nico-Nii~ May you, little angel become an idol just like me too." The girl giggled as she got her 'Pandabear' signature. The mother thanked Nicocchi before they went away. I saw the blush on my friend and can't help my teasing sense to not flare.
"Oh, dear. Finally. Finally, I've been able to graduate from being Nicocchi truth fan." Shed a few drops of tears to make it dramatic. As Nicocchi being...well, Nicocchi, she snapped right away.
"I don't even remember you being-" Yet again another interruption happened, but this time ot was by a phone. Sheesh, how can she be famous so suddenly.
"Oh, oh, okay. Be right there." I looked at her when she stood up. Putting her phone inside the small handbag, she looked at me with a brim of happiness.
"Sorry, Nozomi. My agency somehow get a job for me to promote a new fashion company by wearing their clothes. I'm going to the photoshoot site now. Bye bye. Wish me luck." I couldn't say anything as she bolted out of the restaurant. Everyone was focusing on me for awhile and got back to their business after I let out a weird chuckle.
It was already evening by the time I left the family restaurant. Wanting to take some fresh air, I just walked home. Idly walking, I look around with the jade of mine. Crossing the bridge, I could see the sea of cars below me. As the time passed, I finally arrived in my neighbourhood. Dinnertime wouldn't be long but I'm still don't want to go home. Like there's going to be anybody waiting for me anyway.
So, I strolled around until I stopped by the playground. Expected it to be empty, however my gaze was filled with a beautiful sight.
There was a young woman, standing so tall on the monkey bar. Since she was backing me, I didn't get to see her face clearly. Certainly, her porcelain skin that I saw told me she was a very pretty lady. With the bright red of the dusk as her background plus suddenly wind swaying her hair, I instinctively took out my smartphone, replaced it as camera that I didn't bring.
I pushed the 'on' button, finding it not functional. I tried again, assuming I didn't do it right at first, however, the end result was the same as before. Frustrated, I cursed, which heard by the other girl since she turned to face me. Not that I mind, I looked up only to widen my eyeballs.
"Elicchi?!"
"Toujou-san?!"
I was surprised to see the owner of those gorgeous azure, but more surprisingly was to witness her fell to the ground. Apparently, she had slipped when turning her body a moment ago. Worried, I went to her hurriedly.
"Are you okay, Elic-!" Somehow I tripped and crushed onto the pretty lady on the ground. Pain surged on my forehead, making me winced before realizing my newest position.
"It just got worse." A hot breath trickled my ear, sending a shiver throughout my entire body. I was on top of Elicchi. Noticing the blue orbs pierce my green ones, I immediately got off her. It seemed I was blushing hard as I couldn't even look at her afterward.
"Sorry." I said quietly.
"Don't worry. This just a small accident." She stood, patting all the dirts off her work suit. That's all I ever seen her wearing and as I about to complain, she held her hand toward me. Seeing her gentleman act, I doubted the rhythm of my heartbeat has nothing to do with it. However, I managed to hide it and took her kindness.
"I guess we better sit on one of those bench rather than this dirty ground." I grinned.
"Yeah, let's do that instead." Still holding my hand, my sweet Elicchi lead me to the near bench. Oh, don't tell anyone I was ogling while at it. Her messy blonde hair on my sight swaying, inviting me to touch it. Deem to the temptation, I brushed my fingers on the golden tresses. Obviously, Elicchi would feel it, so she turned her head, stared at me quizzically.
"Oh, just getting rid of the dirt." Smooth Nozomi, smooth. At least she believed me as she nodded, appreciate my gesture. Then, the lost of warm on my hand disappeared.
"Come on, sit down Toujou-san." The business woman took off her black suit, leaving plain white button down shirt hugged her curvy body. Unconsciously, I licked my lip, which didn't go unnoticed by the latter.
"T-Toujou-san?!" She stuttered with a red hue painted her cheek. That cute sight didn't make up for my name calling. So, I frowned.
"It's Nozomi!"
"Eeh!?"
"You better started calling me by my name, Elicchi." Forget about personal space, I was on nose and nose with the woman.
"B-But-" I leaned forward, cutting her words as she also move backward. We kept going at it untill I was straddling her.
"To-To-Toujou-san!" Flustered, Elicchi tried to push me away. Thank God, I was heavy. So, I stayed in place.
"My name first." Lifting her chin with my index, I stares into those hesitant orbs.
"No-No-No-" While she stuck at the first syllable of my name, my hip gave up and I pressed the blonde lady lap hard. But it seemed I also pressed another thing.
"NOZOMI!" Elicchi squeezed her eyes, biting her bottom part of lip. Realizing what I had done, flustered by it, I took the empty room beside her. The quiet atmosphere very intimidating. When I'm about to open my mouth, Elicchi cut me off. I guessed we both uncomfortable with the silence.
"I-I tried calling your cell earlier but you didn't answer it." She shifted, looking at me for a brief moment. Aww, the way she avoid meeting my eyes with the tinge of red on her cheeks really cute. Honest.
"Haha, I just notice it when I tried to take secret picture of you, Elicchi." I gave her my usual playful grin, which deepen her blush.
"I pretend hearing none of that. Ehem, anyway, I asked Hanayo to give me the number she contacted before." Hmm, was she meant the number my mom put on the online site? Wait. Wouldn't it be...
"You called my mother?" Bewildered, I closed my distance to the blonde woman. Elicchi obviously fidgeting from our proximity.
"So, it was your mother?" Elicchi kept her eyes away from me.
"I hope you didn't say anything stupid. I still don't tell her about the marriage yet." I pouted.
"What? No! I'm just asking where I possibly could find you. Apparently your mother gave me your home address." Convinced, Elicchi was practically yelled the words out. How could I not trust her. Hmm, there was something came up on my mind.
"Oh! Don't tell me a wealthy young business woman actually lost her way and end up here." I bet I irked Elicchi right now, seeing her tense body and the grit of her teeth.
"As much I want to deny it, it's anything but the truth." She sighed defeatedly. Hitting the jackpot, I giggled. As far as I knew this woman, she is an earnest person.
"And standing on the monkey bars really solve the problem, Elicchi?"
"I thought that was pretty good idea...For a moment though." I couldn't help but to laugh loudly. Elicchi such a dork. Adorkable that is.
"Geez, stop laughing, Nozomi. This would be the first and last time I do something stupid like that." She tried to hide her pout, however, nothing escape from my cute sensor lens.
"Please don't. I want to see all Elicchi 'unpredictable' action."
"Well, if it's you that will seeing it, I don't mind." That's...That's really threw me out of balance. How can Elicchi expression be so indifferent and here I am, blushing to the death.
"You're being so unfair." Facing to another side, hiding my red face from the latter's view.
"Huh?" I could feel the intense gaze from my back. It's only increase my body temperature though.
"Anyway, you're looking for me because?" Shyly facing her back, I saw she was standing, putting back her suit to her body.
"Mainly about my proposition and some other important things. But it seems it's getting late. That's why-" My breath hitched as she bending toward me, held out her hand with a charming smile I never seen.
"Will you, pretty lady honor me with a dinner date tomorrow night?" Instinctively, I answered without a second thought.
"Yes."
Elicchi is so unfair.