"Mikoshiba!"

My eyelids were about to give in entirely when Oshizu's screams from the hallway jerked me awake. I nearly fell off my chair and glared at the door as he entered.

"What!?" I answered, a hint of irritation evident in my voice. I wouldn't dare hide how irked I am that my naptime was interrupted.

My response didn't stop Oshizu from screaming like a kid in front of my face. "SWEETS! LADIES! OH GOD, SCHOOL FESTIVAL IS A BLESSING!" He flailed his arms in the air and ran around the room like how an elated deer would once it's escaped a predator's grasp.

I did forget that today's the school festival. That explains why our homeroom teacher was still nowhere to be found. And so were my classmates. I was still too sleepy to notice the surroundings when I was on my way to our classroom earlier. Somehow, the thought of getting more sleep got a hold of me stronger than the usual.

"What the fuck, Oshizu? This happens nearly every year. Why are you so excited?"

He turned his twinkling eyes at me and chortled. "This year, it's not just ladies with maid outfits serving on delicious cakes and pastries. This time..." He paused to place one of his feet on the table, and his posture changed as if he was looking into the horizon. "...They'll be cosplaying!"

Chills ran down my spine. A colossal block of ice must have been dropped right where I was sitting. I blinked at Oshizu a few more times before it finally dawned on me.

"FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!"

"Indeed, man!" Oshizu nodded as he held my shoulders with both his of hands. "FUCK! 2A'S THE TOP GAME. LET'S GO!"

He gestured for me to stand up. Nothing can convince me that he wasn't ready to throw me out of that room right in that moment. He dashed off ahead of me, leaving a trail of smoke that I didn't even know a running human being can emit. I was about to step out as well when it hit me:

I'm too shy to talk to girls!

My knees turned to jelly, and I thought the remnants of today's breakfast were about to burst out of my mouth. I hastily walked to the corner of the room and made myself home in the dark corner. Having to talk with girls is stressful enough, but seeing them in those costumes as well! At this rate, I'd probably faint before even ordering something.

I ran my hands over my face and pulled my hair in frustration. It didn't help that I have a sweet tooth, too. Boy, I'd die for those cakes, but I'd also die from a heart attack as I struggle to have a conversation with women.

My heart raced, my palms perspired, my head became dizzy. A blizzard of emotions was too much for me to handle that the last thing I remembered was that my vision went black.

The sharp noise of someone knocking on the door woke me up. How long I have been unconscious!? Everyone in the school must have gone nuts over the cafe that no one spotted me here.

I pulled myself together to sit down when I saw a shadow form on the door's peephole. Who could it be, and why didn't he or she just enter the room?

It might as well be Oshizu, ready to brag about a girl who smiled his way. That guy easily gets twitterpated over the shallowest things. I opened the door and saw the familiar orange hair and red ribbons. No, wait. These aren't red ribbons. They're more like...NERV clips!? I stood back a little as if I got momentarily blinded.

"S-S-SAKURA!?"

There was no mistake about the hair and the height; it's definitely Sakura. However, her eyes turned blue (it must be contact lenses) and her ribbons were dispatched in place of the NERV clips that Asuka Langley Sohryu from the Evangelion franchise wears. The plugsuit, which clung to her body tightly, revealed her surprisingly curvy proportions. I must have looked like a pervert for gawking at her from head to toe.

I noticed a tint of red stain her cheeks. "What's wrong? D-do you recognize this character?"

"Y-yeah," I nodded. I was starting to regain my composure.

"By the way," I didn't notice she was holding something on her hands when she pushed it on me, "Delivery!"

"What?" I gave her a bewildering look.

"Someone ordered this for you. Visit the cafe if you have time!" She winked, and then looked at what's behind me. "You could really use some company, anyway."

"I guess so. Thanks," I timidly took the box away from her and turned my gaze away.

"Is something wrong?" Sakura asked.

"Well," I put the box down on the nearest table. "You know my problem. I can't talk to girls."

"But aren't you talking to one right now?" The way she leered at me reminded me of Noa's* expression.

I pursed my lips and crossed my arms. "W-well, it's you! It's different."

"Different how?" It's like Sakura was really trying to put me on the spot, which kept me on the edge.

Her question did matter, though. What is it about Sakura that makes me feel like I can be myself when I'm with her? I don't have to make up excuses about what I want to project. I didn't worry about being judged. What makes her different, indeed...

I let loose and gave her a smile. "Because you make me feel comfortable being myself, that's all."

She must have been caught off-guard. Sakura stepped back, and I could no longer distinguish the color of her plugsuit from her face. The way her hair flowed with her movement was just mesmerizing, and the bemused expression she has on her face was exceptionally adorable.

I couldn't help but laugh at her. Sakura's put her chin up and stood straight. "There's no need to cajole me into giving you free food!"

"But," I said in between laughs, "I'm not kidding!"

It took me a few more minutes before I got a hold of myself. I did hear Sakura chuckle as well. "Well then, come with me!"

"Come where?" I asked.

She took me by the hand and then replied: "To the cafe!"

"But I told you, I'm shy!" I protested.

"I'll be there!" Her eyes reflected nothing but sincerity as she replied.

At first, she had to drag me on our way to the cafe, but I realized she was right. The woman who gives me comfort is with me. All the dark thoughts dissipated from my mind, and I let go of her hand. I trailed behind Sakura just so I can see how lovely she looked. Luckily, she wasn't as crazy as the girl she cosplayed.

When we reached the cafe, she offered me a table and sat with me. I could feel people (especially girls) staring at me, and I wanted to slip away from the place when Sakura looked at me intensely. "I've got you, Mikorin!"

My eyes conveyed a look of gratitude and she went off to prepare my order. I thought that Sakura made sure she'd never disappear from my sight. She looked my way every now and then just to see if I was doing okay. I'd give her a nod and I'd proceed to eat the slice of cake from the box.

I'd have to admit, I was thrown into a feast of attractive ladies wearing outfits of my favorite anime characters, but I couldn't seem to take my eyes away off Sakura. She was the center of it all. Never mind the other ladies; it's only Sakura's company that mattered.

I stayed until the cafe closed to pay my bill. Sakura told me she'd change into regular clothes, and I told her I'd wait. I saw her classmate on the counter and thanked her for the heavenly cakes and drinks.

"Of course, Mikoshiba-san!" She smiled and that made me blush a little. "So, you're that Mikoshiba, huh..."

Her smirk bewildered me. "That Mikoshiba? What do you mean?"

"Oh nothing, dear. Off you go," She bowed and went away to gather staff materials on the other table. What the fuck? She just left me out of the blue.

I scanned the counter absentmindedly when I saw a notebook with the label, "Recipient's List." I've got nothing much going on for me, so I might as well as check this out.

Each page was divided into three columns. One for the sender, recipient, and the order. Maybe this is where she learned my name?

After browsing about a hundred entries, I finally found my name which sorely stood out from the list with Kashima written all over it.

My eyes followed the line where the sender's name was written. I almost jumped to my surprise.

"Sakura?" I blurted out.

Before the other people looked my way, I closed the notebook and placed it on the counter just like how a thief clears his trail.

Who would have thought that I'd get so much out of missing just a bit of sleep?

Author's Note: Noa is Mikoshiba's cat.