The cookies and lemonade don't make up for this. There are multiple hands caressing my hair.
"Is this really teal?!"
Lily finds it amusing as she stuffs her mouth with the homemade cookies the anime club president baked for her loyal club members and guests.
"Wow, they really love your hair, Miku," she manages with a mouth covered with crumbs.
I roll my eyes.
"Stop touching me!"
"C'mon guys!" Seung Jeung announces, "Commencement of action to begin anime club!?"
"Hey, that is my job!" the club president snaps, "Yeah, commitment of accident proceed to begin the anime club!"
"That made no sense, Kira."
"Shut up!"
Seung Jeung does not hesitate to begin playing on her disc jockey mixer. She starts with a slow electronic beat until finally, bass is added and the room grows in excitement.
"Wow, she is really good!" a student hollers.
"Thank god she's not a shitty keyboardist," Lily snorts, "Otherwise that would have been a DAMN LIE."
Equipped with her cat-eared headphones, Seung bobs her head as she remixes an upbeat tune from 1980's Japan. If Miki was here, I am sure she would recognize it. When we were much smaller, we would rummage through her parent's basement and find an endless collection of cassettes. Names like Kikuchi Momoko and Asami Kado would burn through our brains in hopes of remembering forever.
At the thought of my best friend, I also remember how we haven't texted all day. Dread creeps up on me but before I can glance at my phone, Lily bumps me. She dances in a slow rhythm, her hips swaying to the grooviness of Seung's playlist.
"C'mon, pigtails!"
I sheepishly nudge the blonde away but it does no effect. She yanks my hands into hers and dares me to move into the music. My stiff composure begins to show.
"Oh, c'mon! Don't tell me you need alcohol to dance," Lily laughs, "There's nothing to it, just move your hips like this."
Easier said than done. Lily is a pro, a go-go dancer. She makes it look easy but I can't protest to the stubborn blonde so I try.
"That's it!"
We garner an audience as Lily guides me. Her hands fall onto my hips as I latch my gaze onto hers to follow. The students holler and whistle.
The class turns into a dance floor. Students jump into the center, moving chairs and desks to make way for the ongoing excitement moving at their feet. We all forget that the door has been left wide open for any potential club members to join. As students pass by the class, some have stopped to watch or enter. There is snickering between their awed gasps and curious faces.
I admit, I am having fun and judging by her signature smirk, Lily notices.
"There you go, pigtails!
My eyes look up at steel blue and suddenly, I am feeling strange. Something about Lily Masuda intrigues me and I have to admit, she can be charming. It's when I realize that I've been locked onto the blonde like a crushing schoolgirl that I snap out of whatever trance I was in. To make matters even more awkward, I feel a pair of eyes staring at me from across the room. There she is, leaning against the edge of the entrance, arms folded with a surprisingly pleased expression is Luka Megurine.
Lily notices the spectator but doesn't acknowledge her presence. I, on the other hand, cannot tear away from the turquoise orbs burning into me. It's odd but she appears calm but something intent is going through her mind. I can just feel it.
Lily's hands suddenly fall from my hips and she clears her throat.
"Luka."
The blonde catches her eyes and they hold a stare. No one in the room could guess what was going through their minds except for me. I know it all now. At least, most of it.
They may officially not be exes but their relationship I somehow envy. For Luka to stray away from her like that shows she could be afraid of Lily. She cannot be honest to herself let alone other people. I may have gotten an answer that night but I can't help but be worried.
Luka did love Lily. It may be in the past but I am guilty to admit. I question the integrity of Luka's words at times. We may have gotten so far with our bodies but her mind feels like it's in shackles and I can't always be fighting just to get an answer from her. It's when I notice all this sudden doubt stemming from simply watching the two notice each other that I step away from the blonde.
"Miku?"
I shake my head. My conscience is getting the best of me with all these questions polluting my brain. I have to get out of here.
I brush past Luka. I hear Lily holler but I don't turn back. Just when I'm a few feet away from the door, I turn back hoping that all I am worried about is put to rest but I am met with a most disappointing scene. Luka remains at the door with her back toward me.
As the evening progresses, the sun's rays become stronger. A golden warmth peeks through the window. Students chatter among themselves in a bus as full as a sardine can. An old woman stands by a pair of rowdy teenagers. I sigh and offer the woman my seat. She nods graciously but despite my good deed, I feel nothing.
Nothing at all.
Manners is what my mother taught me and I expect nothing in return. Sometimes I wonder though if there really is such a thing as a selfless good deed. Would Luka even care about my kindness? Would it even make a difference to be a good person for the one you love?
My thoughts dwell into a dangerous zone. I begin comparing myself to the rebellious Lily Masuda. Sure, she's a lot more developed than I but I am a lot smarter. I am short, she is tall. Her eyes are much more mysterious. Her body is much more athletic.
Am I really doing this?
"Dammit," I mutter.
I am jealous. I am insecure. I am upset. And what for? Because of Luka?
Why am I feeling this way?
As soon as I approach home, I notice a familiar figure in laid back pajamas pants and a white t-shirt throwing out the trash. Her look is relaxed but Miki seems as deep into thought as I am.
"Hey."
She looks up. Her eyes are tired and her mouth twitches. No smile from Miki and that's a first.
"Miku," she says, "Is it me or has everything gone wrong since you transferred schools."
I fold my arms and look up at the sky and watch the sun. It's glow fades little by little as a cool breeze begins to form.
"I think everything has gone wrong since I met Luka."
My memories flash before my eyes. From the second I first saw her in that parking lot to the moment she confessed her feelings in the car. Here in this very street, Luka told me she loved me.
"Miki, I don't know what to do."
My best friend laughs.
"Listen, I am just as bothered with Lily. Sure, maybe it's not the same but I feel stupid that someone I liked that much was really just using me. And I tell ya', Miku. Miki Furukawa DOES NOT like to be used. I use THEM. All of them. Leon. Dominic. Dominic's sister. That fat guy from Dairy Queen that gives me free ice cream."
Miki's ego is hurt just as mine is. Maybe I just need to say it. Say it out loud for once.
"Like, all I have to do is look pretty, y'know and it's very easy, I mean look at me. I don't even use filters, Miku! My hair is as red as a fox's ass!"
"I don't think that is a good analogy, Miki," I mutter.
I am growing impatient. I know my best friend is just ranting but deep down, I am starting to crack. This is about Lily.
Lily.
Lily.
Lily.
"I was too drunk to notice but I am pretty sure that her mouth tasted like bathroom when I first kissed her. Or was it that other guy…"
"I think Luka still loves Lily."
My statement is abrupt but most of all, it is dripping with an insecurity that I have never felt before. I sigh and look at my best friend to see her reaction. She does not look surprised and simply shrugs at my newfound theory.
"It makes sense," she whispers.
Suddenly, my phone rings and a sick anticipation builds inside my stomach. It is an unfamiliar number but the area code seems legit.
"Hello?"
"Miku! Hey!"
It's Seung.
"You left without saying goodbye. I hope you don't mind. I asked Lily for your number and-
She rambles on. My hold becomes limp. Somehow my phone feels heavy.
-so I thought why not just ask. Lily was looking for you earlier too but you went off god knows where. I think she went looking for you with that other girl."
'Other girl.'
"What other girl?"
It just comes out like a bullet. Word-vomit.
"That other girl," Seung replies, "Pink hair. I think she's Lily's friend?"
My lips purse. A million thoughts stab at my mind. Who, what, where, how, maybe. I can't stop wondering with so much worry. It starts to show in my voice.
"Uh, yeah," I reply.
I lock eyes with Miki. She's been watching me intently, all the while, her concern growing by the second.
"They are friends. I have to go, I'll call her. Bye."
If I had a flip-phone, it could emphasize just how upset I am. I would have clamped my phone shut with an impact. Dramatic, I know but that is just how I feel.
"Miku, are you okay?"
I have a sick feeling. I want to cry but not because I am sad. In fact, I feel very embarrassed. How can I be in this type of predicament?
"Miki, what is this?"
My best friend smiles apologetically.
"Miku, I think you're in a relationship."
A/N: Hello. By now, it is highly possible that my regular readers have moved on with their lives. After all, it has been many years. I can't seem to remember the last time I updated but I think it was around the pandemic. Well, stuff happened and here am I. I have to say that it was always amazing to receive support for this story. I always get excited to hear what others had to say whether or not they like it. I went back to my most earliest chapters and there is so much that I did not know and my experiences now can better shape the future of this story. It deserves growth and you readers deserve a developed ending. I will be happy to respond to any questions or comments. As always, thank you and until next time. Yes, let it not be another three to four years that you hear from me again. I will keep that in mind.