Mikuo quickly recovered the box, as if doing so would change the contents. When he lifted the lid up again, no such thing had happened. Both blurry and professional-looking photos looked up at him, a familiar head of teal hair in every single one. Unable to resist, he flipped through the piles, sometimes seeing himself accompanied by Len or Kaito or even Miku. Once or twice, Rin appeared. But the primary focus was always him. Mikuo Hatsune.
Well. His girlfriend was clearly obsessed.
To his relief, he didn't find any embarrassing or revealing photographs. Mayu did have decency, he decided, and found himself appreciating the fact that she hadn't taken weird photos.
Before Mayu could come back upstairs, Mikuo quickly shoved the pictures back into the box and covered it. The box was placed back under her bed and he attempted to calm his heart rate as he sat back where he had been before. This was the first solid evidence that Mayu actually was a stalker. She had pretty much admitted it and Mikuo didn't doubt it. But it was far creepier than he expected. Mikuo didn't even know what to feel.
Mikuo had never been good at talking seriously with other people. Nor was he good at setting boundaries. But he had a feeling that if he wanted to be with Mayu and feel comfortable with their relationship, he would have to do both. And he wasn't looking forward to that.
Mayu knocked on the door about ten minutes later to let him know she was coming in. In her hands, she carried two cans of root beer and a bag of potato chips, as well as some paper towels to wipe their hands with.
"It took me a while to find anything," she smiled, sitting down next to him. Mikuo felt the need to move away but resisted. That would make things awkward.
"Th-thanks," he muttered, taking the soda she offered. Popping it open, he instantly gulped down a few large mouthfuls.
Mayu giggled as his eyes watered. "Silly," she commented. Mikuo didn't reply.
For the rest of his time at Mayu's house, he remained a bit distant. Somehow, both he and Mayu managed to finish their essays. After e-mailing his own to himself, Mikuo gathered his stuff together and bid Mayu good-bye. She waved from her doorstep, shouting her own farewell with a lovely smile.
Mikuo arrived home in a bit of a daze. Miku greeted him, though he didn't notice, and he chose to collapse on his own bed, his face buried in his pillow. With a sigh, he kicked off the shoes he hadn't placed in the front hall closet and left them at the end of the bed.
Mikuo was confused. He didn't know what to do. Normally, he'd ask his sister or his dad what to do. But either one of them could quite easily freak out and report Mayu for harassment or something. Mikuo didn't even know. But he wouldn't risk. Mayu was creepy, yes, but he really liked her. She had helped him a lot lately, and he was sure she would be his reason for passing the math test. If he passed.
He really wanted to ask someone's advice. No one came to mind at first. Finally, Mikuo took his cell phone out of his pocket, closed his eyes, and scrolled through his contacts. When he opened his eyes, he found the name Rin highlighted on his screen. That would be acceptable.
With a heart full of dread and confusion, Mikuo held the phone to his ear. After a few rings, Rin picked up.
"Hey, 'Kuo!" she greeted. Her voice crackled through the line. Mikuo hated talking on the phone just for that reason; it sounded horrible.
"Hi, Rin," he replied. "Can I talk to you?"
"You are, aren't you?" Rin teased lightly. Mikuo could just imagine the smirk she had on her face.
"Funny," he stated with an eye-roll. "But seriously, Rin. I need help."
The tone of his voice seemed to make her realize he wasn't kidding. Although he could see, she set a serious look on her face and continued the conversation in a hard voice.
"Do I need to kill someone?" she demanded. Mikuo almost laughed. At most, he snorted.
"No, thanks. No killing," he smirked. "I just… It's, um… Mayu."
Rin's expression soured though her voice didn't change. "Yeah?"
"I need to talk to her about something and it just makes me super uncomfortable," Mikuo told her as vaguely as possible. "I guess it's like… setting boundaries."
Rin sighed audibly. The audio crackled through to Mikuo, who scowled at the sudden noise blasting into his ear.
"Mikuo," she stated, "you are terrible at talking to people and you know it."
With a grumble of protest, Mikuo scowled at his floor. Even Rin knew it.
"Just address the issue," she offered, hearing his protests. "If she doesn't take you seriously, I guess you two just aren't meant to be together."
Was Mikuo imagining the brightening of her tone as she finished speaking? Why would the breakup of him and Mayu make her happy? Did she not like Mayu? Len probably said something to her. Stupid Len.
He chose to ignore her change in attitude and replied evenly. "Thanks, Rin," he let himself smile, although he still felt sick to his stomach. "I'm a bit more confident now."
Rin sighed once more, bringing pain to Mikuo's ears. "You're ridiculous," she told him. "Now, bug off. I've got homework."
"Alright, Rinny," Mikuo responded. "See you tomorrow!" And he hung up.
On his end of the line, he stood and stretched. He could smell dinner downstairs and felt his stomach yell for a satisfying meal. With a small smile, Mikuo started off to the table, where his family was already beginning to gather.
On Rin's end, she stood scowling at her phone for several seconds. She, Len, and their younger cousin Lenka had been in the middle of a game of Uno. Suddenly, she didn't want to play anymore.
"Where are you going, Rinny?" Lenka asked as the older girl set down her cards and stood.
"I don't feel well. I think I'm going to lie down," Rin replied honestly. Len watched as she left, her expression turning from anger to sadness in the blink of an eye.
He had a feeling she had just been on the phone with his dear best friend. Len really hoped he wouldn't have to kick somebody's ass for Rin.
/
Yay! Mayu finally did something creepy! I love creepy Mayu!
Short chapter, I know. But I already have the next one written and it is longer, so fear not!