Seven Love Letters

- VIII -


[MIKU]

It was Friday, September 10th.

I wouldn't forget that day.

School continued on like normal. I had—for the most part—learned where all the classrooms were so no mishaps happened again. It had been a few days of no interaction between me and Luka at all, after that first day. I wouldn't let anyone know I was a bit disappointed by that, especially not Rin. I could say "I told you so" to her now; I told her nothing was going to happen between us and I was right.

Today was the last day before the weekend, and I felt a weird sensation of both relief, for obvious reasons, and… dismay?

My best friend was encouraging me to talk to Luka after I told her nothing else happened. That was Thursday night, when I was video chatting with her and her brother. Len was on the side, pretending to be focused on his video game and rolling his eyes at Rin's "shitty plan" as he said, while his twin spent her time either suggesting ideas way too excitedly to me or arguing with him. At one point she flung his controller out of his hand and it hit the computer. All I saw after was a black screen while the audio still worked. Several moments of yelling ensued before I sighed and decided to just end the chat.

I faintly remember Mikuo mentioning something about going over to his boyfriend's house for dinner on Sunday, and he was bringing me too. Luke-or-something's name was actually Luki. I simply nodded, mind not entirely focused on what he was saying.

I didn't have much of a reason to go to school, except to see Luka—I resorted to just staring at her from afar in homeroom and math class, the only classes we had together, accepting this tiny little crush would die down soon—and also to find out who was behind that secret admirer note. I was still dubious, half-convinced it was some sort of joke.

Tomorrow was the day Luka would talk to me for the second time. It was also the day I would find a second note, the same neatly folded paper with blue pen printing, sitting on top of my books in my locker in the exact same spot.


To: Miku
From: Rin
Subject: Re: I WANT WAFFLES

Another one?!

Man, they're persisting? Is this a prank or not?

What did this one say?


I stared down at my screen, one hand holding my phone and other hand grasping a piece of paper, leaning on my locker as one or two students occasionally walked through the doors. Only a few were roaming around in the hallways. For the most part, it was pretty quiet and peaceful. I was early today, with more than half an hour before first period, and Rin had texted me at 4 in the morning to say she was hungry and wanted waffles. I had been up ever since, and decided to just go to school early since I had nothing else to do.

I was half-surprised but also half-expectant when I found the second note. I was thinking whoever sent it wouldn't have just left with only one. Again, it was signed as L, with no other hints to who the person was. Matching the handwriting would be way too difficult. I was going to pass it off as a joke for now, but something in the back of my mind still thought it would be exciting and flattering if someone actually liked me. Impossible, yes, but still exciting.

I opened up the folded paper and took a picture, sending it to my friend.


To: Rin
From: Miku
Subject: Re: I WANT WAFFLES

You have received a photo message!

·

To: Miku
From: Rin
Subject: Re: I WANT WAFFLES

"I want to talk to you, but I'm too nervous.

- L"

That's all?

·

To: Rin
From: Miku
Subject: Re: I WANT WAFFLES

Yeah… I'm not sure what to think.

·

To: Miku
From: Rin
Subject: Re: I WANT WAFFLES

We'll see. Tell me if you get more.

Saaaaaay, have you talked to Luka again?

·

To: Rin
From: Miku
Subject: Re: I WANT WAFFLES

No, not after that. She doesn't even seem to notice me. Told you nothing would happen!

·

To: Miku
From: Rin
Subject: Re: I WANT WAFFLES

If you want something, you gotta go for it, not wait for the other to make a move right? ;P

·

To: Rin
From: Miku
Subject: Re: I WANT WAFFLES

I told you, I don't want—

Arghh… never mind.

·

To: Miku
From: Rin
Subject: Re: I WANT WAFFLES

There's no use in denying it. ^_^

·

To: Miku
From: Rin
Subject: Re: I WANT WAFFLES

Miku? You still there? :o

·

To: Miku
From: Rin
Subject: Re: I WANT WAFFLES

Hellooooo…?


I could feel my phone buzzing in my pocket but I tried my best to ignore the vibration as I felt someone's gaze on me. I looked up and was surprised to see a familiar figure approach me.

Oh my god oh my god she's coming here is she going to talk to me what does she want does she hate me she definitely hates me—

"Hey, Miku."

Luka was smiling slightly, her voice slightly hushed as if to fit the quiet atmosphere of the hallways. Some more students had filed in but still not too many. At that moment I really wished I could tell my heart to shut up and it would obey me.

"Oh, h-hi, Luka!" I smiled back, cursing myself for stuttering around her. I was almost going to say something else but as I stood there, trying my best to hide the note and look her in the eye, I racked my empty brain and it failed me. It wasn't my fault my organs were not cooperating.

"So… you're pretty early today. I don't see many students around at this time," the pinkette remarked as she stepped closer to me. We were a few feet apart, her smiling in that same warm but sophisticated way as before, and me trying my best to not look like an idiot again. What could she possibly want from me?

"Right…" I murmured, feeling my cheeks grow hot. Dammit, say something else, Miku. Say anything else. But don't make it sound stupid, just don't make it sound stupid. "My friend started texting me really early in the morning because she wanted waffles and it woke me up and I had nothing else to do so I just decided to go to school and… yeah." Shoot. I told you not to make it sound stupid. Great job, Miku. "How about you?"

"Ah, cool." She chuckled awkwardly and nodded. "I usually come earlier. I have some… work… to do." As she spoke, I felt someone else watching us. I spotted a green-haired and red-haired girl peering around the corner, who disappeared as fast as I noticed them that I questioned my vision. Luka seemed to see them too, and got nervous right after. I wondered why. "Um, the real reason I came here was to ask you if you… are free on, perhaps, Saturday?"

I nodded dumbly, my pathetic mind still too slow to process what was happening at that moment. Why would she ask if—

She smiled, enough to make my heart flutter. "Do you maybe want to hang out?"

Wait, what?