Late update again :(
Part 2 of Lunch
There was a big yawn that came from my companion.
"Saitama, I suggest you should take a nap after this." I tried persuading him by pointing his current appearance, "Your eyes are groggy."
"Can't. Need to go job hunting." He impassively dismissed my suggestion, his head lazily resting on the table.
His reason was met with skepticism as I crossed my arms, leaning my back on my chair. "You seem to look like passing out anytime soon though. Are you sure?"
"Fuck off. I know what I'm doing." He exclaimed. However, his words lacked some bite due to exhaustion. "Besides, I'm going to starve if I haven't found any job in the next few days."
I narrowed my eyes and frowned but I shrugged it off right after. "Alright then."
Noticing our food are taking too long to be served, I raised my left hand to call an idle waiter and signalled him to follow up our orders.
"Genos."
"Yes?" I instantly glanced back to Saitama.
"An assignment like that should've been given to the students in groups. Don't you think?" He asked me in catatonic voice while staring at nothingness. Probably, his head is going on something entirely.
I raised my brow at the question. "What do you mean?"
"I was thinking that doing a lot of procedures yourself is pretty much tedious, knowing that you also have assignments from other subjects too."
"Well no one in the class volunteered to be my groupmate." I heard him gasped so I quickly added my response. "Either way, it doesn't matter. I can manage."
"Wait...You mean you have no friends?" He backtracked a bit, his eyes practically saying he's surprised.
"Yes. You could say that."
"Oh."
Not expecting his answer, I blinked twice. "And all you can say to that is 'oh'?
"Yeah, oh. I figured you don't have any friends, so...Oh." He casually said, shrugging.
I felt sighing at his response but then I remembered that he's not an emotional type of person based on his answers to my survey. "Anyway, how about you?"
"What about me?"
"If you were given a chance, would you pair up or group with your classmates?
"No."
"Eh? Why no?" I leaned forward out of curiosity, focusing my attention to him.
"I procrastinate, I don't stick to plans, I submit late. I prefer accomplishing things alone." He mumbled blankly, grabbing his fork and began fiddling with it.
"Then why did you ask me?"
"Because you look like such a goody-goody who has a lot of friends, judging from your personality. I wanted to confirm."
I nodded in agreement. "Understandable. My parents' friends thought the same too." I paused for a while.
Apparently, there's a desire in my heart that wants me to befriend him. So I closed my eyes and gathered some courage as I breathe. "Say, Saitama. Would like to be my 'friend'?" I asked, hopefully staring straight into his eyes.
"Yeah, sure." He said with his attention focused on scraping the napkin with his fork repeatedly.
Despite his nonchalant response, my face lit up as my lips curled into a wide smile that it almost reach my seemingly red ears. Though I'm unable to grasp the meaning behind on what they call 'feelings'.
"Here you go." The waitress said as she placed our items on the table. "One Lobster with Garlic Butter, one mango shake, and a glass of water. She said our order as she placed them down. "I will be back later to pick up your dishes, please enjoy your meal." We both nodded to her in unison and watched her until she turned around and walked away.
It took a while with us two talking with each other and eating until we managed to finish and settle down once the woman came over to pick up our dishes and give us the bill. Saitama quickly peeked over the receipt. I waited for it to settle in his overly-working brain.
His body suddenly became stiff much to his horror the moment he saw the total amount of payment needed. "SEVEN-THOUSAND YEN JUST FOR TWO MEALS?! THAT'S UNBELIEVABLE!" He abruptly stood and shrieked to the point he caused the whole people inside the restaurant to bolt out of the blue and look at him in both irritation and disbelief.
He exhibited a poker face upon realizing that he created a commotion and slowly sat down. In spite of the seriousness of the situation, I was forced to stifle a laugh as I try to reach for my wallet. I shook my head and took enough money to cover for the total expense, as well as a tip.
"Come!" I directed, pulling the fazed older man to the door. Once we got out of the building, I finally let go of my hold and bursted out in convulsive laughter. My cheeks reddened and stomach hurts from continuous cackle.
"Hahahahaha! Your reaction is priceless! Hahaha-"
A vein popped out on his head in agitation. "I understand it's a fine-dining restaurant but it's insane! It's more expensive than my monthly rent!" Saitama yelled again once we were far enough from the building. "I feel like a scammer. You know what I'm saying?!"
Wiping my tears off my eyes, I insistently replied, "I don't think I did. As I've said earlier, it's my token of gratitude, so please just accept it."
"Man, I don't understand rich kids at all." He mumbled and sighed deeply, frowning.
"Yet you seem to be overjoyed when I told you I'm treating you for lunch earlier at your house."
"Shut up."
"Okay, we here." Saitama commented looking at his doorway then glanced back at me. "Thanks for the food...I guess." He held the door open. "See you again-"
"Wait!" I interrupted. "I should be the one to...th-thank you..." I bowed and kept my head down to hide my growing blush, hence he was unable to see my face.
"...Okay. Ja, I'm going in, bye."
"Yes. Goodbye." There was a wave of sadness come over me, with no clear reason. "IhopeIwillseeyouagainsoon..." I muttered to myself under my breath.
"Eh?"
"Nothing!" I hastily walked towards the stairs and out of the apartment building in evident discomfiture.
What's wrong with me?
Whatever I'm currently experiencing, somehow...feels foreign.
"I'm home."
"Welcome home dear!" A shadow, who turned out to be my mother, greeted me gleefully. "How's your day?"
"Good."
"Oh. Did something special happen? Care to tell?" I removed my shoes and secured it on the shoe rack beside the door then walked pass her to avoid her interrogation. "Nevermind, I can already tell because of your obvious vibrant face."
Her remark made me stop dead in my tracks, petrifying my whole body as it slowly begins to feel heat. "I'll be going to my room."
Mother tried hard but she could not supress a chuckle. "Alright."
Once I got inside my bedroom, I tossed my bodybag to my bed and locked the door in case she wanted to sneak in without my knowledge. She always used to do that to check if I'm doing well or not. Nevertheless, it bothers me a lot even though I get the gist of what she's concerned about. I treaded towards my closet to change my clothes into plain white shirt and black loose pants.
I was thinking about finishing my assignment but I forgot that some people that he had given survey forms are not responding through email and cellphone messages. With that, I decided to drop my task until tomorrow and just relax for now. I flopped down on my bed, covering my head with a pillow.
For some reason, I had the urge to grab my phone. After I reached it from my bag, without a blink, I texted Saitama.
Me: Hey.
I said simply, tossing my phone off to the side to watch some reality show on the flat screen television hanging on the wall. It took a few minutes of waiting before I actually heard my phone vibrate.
S: What.
Me: How's your job hunt?
S: Didn't go.
I was a bit perplexed by his statement.
Me: What? Why?
S: Got lazy.
The colorful commercial of a shampoo distracted me from my phone for a while. I'm not buying their marketing strategy but I commend the program itself for its creativity.
Me: Yeah, I can see that through the way you reply.
S: Ha, yep.
Me: I guess you're gonna starve then.
S: Go cry in the corner because I won't.
Me: But you said yourself that you're a lazy ass.
S: I call it relaxing.
Me: That's idiotic. It's basically the same thing.
S: But the spelling isn't.
I litrally shook my head in dismay. This guy...
Me: You must be kidding me.
S: Maybe.
I sat there for a moment contemplating what to respond with. He added another reply when I was about to type back.
S: I know, I'm a genius.
Me: Cocky bastard.
S: Just admit your intellectual capacity can't reach mine.
I coughed on the snarky message. So he's attacking my logical capabilities now?
Me: Are you challenging me?
S: No shit. Unless you want me to explode in space, then no.
Unable to comprehend his statement, I changed the topic.
Me: Shouldn't you be sleeping? It's 9:12 pm.
S: I'm trying but someone interrupted me.
Me: Oh. Then I bid you good night.
S: Okay.
Me: Try the following method. These may help you induce sleep. First, turn off all electronics. To fall asleep, your body increases levels of hormones which induce sleepiness as it gets darker outside. This makes you tired and ready to crawl into bed shortly after it has gotten completely dark.
Second, take a hot soak. Raising the temperature of your skin increases those feelings of sleepiness and makes your journey to deep sleep happen a bit faster.
Third, keep it dark. Bright lights, not just from electronics, can be a big damper on falling asleep. They trick your body into thinking it is too early in the day for sleep, and prevent an increase in hormones responsible for sleepiness.
Fourth, indulge yourself in a warm drink. Sipping on something warm and calming will relax your body and mind. Avoid drinking anything with caffeine, but drink something small, soft, and sweet shortly before bed.
And...
S: Oi, chill out man!
Me: Or...just count some sheep 'till you fall asleep.
S: Right.
Leave a comment if you have any suggestions.