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 to take a peek.

And… It’s a girl. Someone I’m absolutely not familiar with.

“. . .” I quickly turned back to my smartphone.

I mean staring would be rude and embarrassing.

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

Just kidding.

As she got closer, she continued staring, not saying a single thing. 

What… She’s still staring? Huh…

“What are you doing?” She asked suddenly.

Ah- “P-playing a game, as you can see.” I answered, startled by the sudden question.

“Oh… Is it fun?”

“Yeah.” I responded, still not looking at her.

She’s still looking… What’s wrong with her?

“So, what are you trying to do?” I asked as I can’t handle the awkwardness anymore.

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

Not really… I can’t stop thinking about it, that’s all.

“Not really, just weird.”

“Really… How is it weird?”

“It’s because you’re standing right next to me.”

“And?”

“And I don’t know who you are.”

“And?”

“Then for some reason you’re staring and not talking.”

“Do I really need to talk?”

“Yes!” I responded, “I mean, it’s not really needed. But It’s too quiet, and awkward.“

“I thought you didn’t want noisy people around.”

“You’re right. But it’s still embarrassing, it’s as simple as that.” I paused. Wait… “What do you mean ‘I thought’? Are you saying you know who I am?” I asked.

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

“Oh…” I muttered, realizing she was right. Well, she is right about that. “Right, but there are exceptions.” I added.

“Exceptions like what exactly?”

“There are situations, you see. For example, you’re playing a game normally when out of nowhere a girl suddenly approaches you, stares at your phone and never says a single word.” I explained, as I continued playing on my phone. “Does that make sense?”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

She chuckled. “Well, I do plan on talking, it’s just you’re playing something so I don’t want to bother you.” She paused, then continued, “Plus, I never said anything about being a girl.”

What? What is she talking about?

“What are you talking about?” I asked in confusion.

She gave me a confused look, having a facial expression that says Huh?

I continued talking. “I mean, did you just say 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 looked at her.

“I am not.” She answered in a straight face.

“Oh really?” I said then turned back to my phone. “I must say you look a little different for me to think that otherwise.”

“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 were to explain her appearance, she looked like a girl in a male uniform. I mean she was wearing a male uniform.

But that doesn’t explain her face! There’s no way a guy looks like that!

No it’s impossible.

She gave a puzzled expression. “My face?”

“Yeah, so are you a girl or a guy?”

“A both.”

A both!? What… I didn’t expect that kind of answer. No… What kind of answer is that?

“A both? and what is that supposed to mean?”

“As you can see.” She answered as if it would change anything. “Can you see it?”

Uh… “Yeah, I don’t know, but I’m proud of my eyesight.” I answered and turned my head back to my smartphone.

“Don’t you think your eyes and brain are playing a trick on you?” She asked. “That might be the case, don’t you think so?”

“Obviously they wouldn’t do that, they’re my friends for life.”

“That doesn’t sound very convincing.”

“I bet. I could say the same thing to you.” I shook my head, and took a deep sigh. “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 a girl and a guy, wouldn’t have any problems wearing either a female or a male uniform. It’s perfectly normal.” She answered with no hesitation.

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

“I didn’t understand a single thing.” I responded, then added, “Then let me ask you something.”

“What is it?”

“When will you plan on wearing a female uniform?”

“Who knows, maybe tomorrow, or maybe not at all.”

Huh… I can’t with this girl…

“Okay. That should be all my questions.” I answered, giving up.

“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.

And 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.” I said, still looking at my smartphone.

A puzzled expression crossed her face. “Why did you suddenly start smiling?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

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

As we greeted each other, we then shook hands, signaling the birth of our friendship. Probably?

“Want to know my name?” I asked.

“I already know it.”

“Huh? 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, for some reason, she started walking away.

“Hey.” I tried calling her.

But without looking back, she continued walking.

“Oh, I see.” I said as I looked around the area.

It’s already getting late.

“I can’t process what just happened.” I whispered, still couldn’t believe what just happened.

It’s time to go home now.

I put my smartphone back in my pocket, and stood up from the chair. “Ah…” I stretched.

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.