While I was playing a game, I noticed someone's presence gradually came closer and closer. So I decided to turn my head to the left.

And. . . It's a girl, someone I'm not familiar with.

". . ." I quickly turned back to my smartphone.

Staring would be rude and embarrassing.

Oh boy, I'm nervously sweating right now. How can I play this game normally now? Just joking.

But for some reason she's still somewhat looking.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

Ah-

"P-playing a game, as you can see," I answered, surprised by the sudden question.

"Is it fun?"

"Yeah."

She's still looking...

"So, what are you trying to do?" I asked.

"Just watching how you play the game. Is that bad?"

I can't stop thinking about it, that's all.

"Not really, just weird."

"How is it weird?"

"It's because you're standing right next to me."

"And?"

"I don't know who you are."

"And?"

"For some reason you're staring and not talking."

"Do I really need to talk?"

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"It's not really needed, but... it's too quiet."

"I thought you didn't want noisy people around."

"You're right, but it's embarrassing you know?"

Wait...

"What do you mean 'you thought'? Are you saying you know who I am?"

"I don't need to know you to understand that. No one likes noise and disturbance while they're gaming"

Well, she is right about that.

"Right. . . But there are exceptions."

"Exceptions like what exactly?"

"There are situations, you see. For example, you're playing a game normally when out of nowhere a girl suddenly approached you, stares at your phone and never said a single word."

She chuckled. "Well, I do plan on talking, it's just you're playing something so I don't want to bother you. Plus, I never said about being a girl."

What?

"What are you talking about?"

She gave me a confused look.

"I mean, you said you're not a girl?"

"How did you even come to the conclusion that I am a girl?"

"I hope you're joking right now."

"I am not."

"I must say you look a little different for me to think other else."

"Really. . .”

"Well I'm not trying to fight, it's just with a face like that, there's no way you're a guy."

If I would explain her appearance, she looked like a girl in a male uniform.

"My face?"

"Yeah, so are you a girl or a guy?"

"Both."

A both!?

What... didn't expect that kind of answer.

"A both? and what is that supposed to mean?"

"As you can see."

Uh…

“Yeah, I don’t know, but I’m proud of my eyesight.”

I turned my head back to my smartphone.

"Don't you think your eyes and brain are playing a trick on you?"

"Obviously they wouldn't do that, they're my friends for life."

"That doesn't sound very convincing."

"I bet. Now, what's with your getup?"

"Is there something wrong with it?"

"I wouldn't say there's something wrong, but I already told you, you look like a girl. Makes me wonder why you're wearing a male uniform in the first place."

"A person like me, who is both girl and guy, wouldn't have any problems wearing either a girl’s or a male uniform. It's perfectly normal." 

Yeah, I don’t think I understand what is that even supposed to mean.

"Then let me ask you something."

"What is it?"

"When will you plan on wearing a girl's uniform?"

“Who knows.”

Huh…

"Well, that should be all my questions."

"Oh, okay."

“But If you don’t mind, do you want to become friends?”

"Sure." she said casually, with a hint of happiness in her voice.

". . ."

With a voice that sounds like this, there's no way this person is a guy.

I immediately looked at her.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Or maybe not.

I probably won’t understand why she suddenly appeared out of nowhere and started staring at me.

"Hey." I called her out.

"What is it?"

"Can you tell me your name?"

"Ari."

Ari, that's surprisingly easy to remember.

“Nice to meet you, Ari.”

A puzzled expression crossed her face.

“Why did you suddenly start smiling?” she asked.

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

She look at me with a side eye. "Anyway, nice to meet you too.”

We shook hands.

“Want to know my name?” I asked.

"I already know it."

"It's my first time meeting you, yet you already know my name?"

"It's also my first time meeting you like this, but it doesn't mean I didn't know your name beforehand."

I shrugged slightly, conveying a "I guess?"

"I see. In my case, it’s the first time meeting you and knowing your name.”

Honestly, you're quite an unusual person.

“Now, you’ve made me curious as to why you knew my name beforehand.” I added.

“I expected that you would ask me about this, but trust me, I will not tell you.”

Hearing that, I slightly made a disgusted face.

“You’re definitely making this a big deal for some reason.”

“Stop being curious, and it won’t be a big deal.”

"You can't say that after approaching me like you did today."

And suddenly, she started walking away.

"Hey..." 

Without looking back, she continued walking.

"Oh, I see..."

I looked around the area.

It's getting late.

"I can’t process what just happened.”

I need to go home now.

I shouldn't read too much into it, but I can't help but think otherwise.

What an odd encounter.

With that, I finished my game and began walking home.