“Ah! No way!”

Standing at the front door of the apartment next to them was a girl wearing a white crop-top with a not fully zipped-up sweatshirt over it. To contrast these lighter colors, she had on black leggings.

“No-no-no, it’s not like that. She’s just been… helping me clean.”

“What are you two talking about?” Mayumi interjected. “And Murakami, have you finished scrubbing the floor?”

Nara then interrupted with her own comment on Mayumi’s question. “Finish scrubbin’ the floor? Oh my, Arata. What have ya’ two been gettin’ up to?” To try and sell her sarcastic surprise, Nara covered her mouth with a hand.

“T-Takagi, what are you talking about? We’d never do something like that. That’s just absurd…” Mayumi sounded extremely flustered.

Finding the faintest hint of red in Mayumi’s cheeks, Nara began to push her even more.

“Well, makes sense. Knowin’ Katsumi' here, he’s probably gonna die alone and a virgin. I mean really, the guys harmless. Even though I know you’ve been hopin’ for it for years, he won’t do anythin’ to you.” Nara took one hand off the box and put it around Katsumi’s shoulder.

“H-hey now…“ Mayumi stuttered.

“C’mon, don’t get butt-hurt over the truth,” She laughed.

“...Enough of this. Murakami, we already have prior plans. Finish up so we can go to the grocery store. Takagi, we’re busy, so could you leave please?”

“Aw~ is there no room for a third in your twosome?” Nara chided.

Mayumi looked at her with her mouth slightly agape. She then closed it along with her eyes and began tapping her temple with her index-finger.

Nara continued. “It can be jus’ like high school again—Katsumi and I hangin’ out and you starin’ us.”

Mayumi balled her fists.

“Alright alright, really, I’m done. I was just droppin’ some stuff off.” Nara pushed the box she held into Katsumi’s arms with a smile.

Katsumi gave her a look back that said ‘not right now’, and pushed the box back into Nara’s arms. He leaned closer to Nara’s ear and whispered, “Just swing by around ten or whenever I message you on LINE.”

Nara nodded in response.

Mayumi had her arms crossed and any hint that she was once flustered had dissipated. “What is in that box?” She asked sternly.

Nara propped the box up under her right arm. “It’s been nice talking to you two.” She glossed right over Mayumi’s question. She strode past the two and towards the elevator.

As the elevator doors closed, an uncomfortable silence settled between Mayumi and Katsumi.

The latter of which was left utterly and completely baffled at the conversation he just over heard. In his mind it was already established that he attended high school with Mayumi even though he had no memory of her. He also was aware that Mayumi and Nara had some sort of past together. But now, it seemed like their past went much deeper.

What Katsumi was most caught up on was what Nara said.

‘Even though I know you’ve been hopin’ for it for years, he won’t do anythin’ to you.’

At this point Katsumi’s curiosity was reaching a boiling point. He felt he needed to confront Nara about this sooner rather than later.

After lingering in silence for a minute, Mayumi’s calm words cut through it. “That was interesting. Come on Murakami, let's go.”

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

The sun had long set behind the buildings. No stars were visible in the sky because of light-pollution—leading to a clear dark sky. A few cars passed the pair as they walked. Their way lit up by streetlights and those coming from the skyscraper windows.

The two strolled down the street in the direction of nearby grocery-store. Katsumi walked two paces behind Mayumi with a noticeable slouch.

Why does she walk like that? It looks incredibly uncomfortable…

Katsumi took his hands out of his pockets and placed his right hand on top of his left—putting them in front of his chest. He curled his fingers slightly like he was holding the strap of a handbag, mimicking what Mayumi was doing.

This is stupid… I can’t understand how someone can walk like this… Murakami you’re an idiot, Murakami it’s for your own good

Katsumi twirled imaginary hair with one hand like he’d seen Mayumi do a few times.

They passed in front of a large store-front window and he noticed that Mayumi’s reflection was looking at the window too. Her eyes had been tracking him as he mimicked her.

He instantly stopped what he was doing and Mayumi returned to looking straight ahead.

Katsumi found his eyes drifting towards Mayumi as they often seemed to. Before he knew it, he was full on staring at her. After a moment he quickly realized this and pulled his attention straight ahead.

Despite her nagging, she is kinda pretty. I haven’t really noticed before…

“You know, it wouldn’t hurt to put a little more effort into your appearance,” Mayumi spoke.

“I’m always at home so it doesn’t really matter.”

“Well that’s on you…”

“Hm?”

“It really does help. Getting out and meeting people that is.”

“Meet new people…?” What person is gonna want to meet me in this state?

“It helps.”

“We’ve established that… But how?”

“It gives you more perspective.”

“Perspective…” If I remember correctly, didn’t Nara mention something about you never meeting any new people… except for me, was it?

“Those people can help bring you up and help you make better choices. So you don’t turn out like…” She glanced up at Katsumi. After a moment Mayumi added on, “But you need to meet the right people.”

With that the pair entered the grocery-store and efficiently made their way around, picking up all the ingredients Mayumi needed, mostly in silence.

The two finished shopping and returned home.

Mayumi was already in the door and taking her shoes off when she looked back at Katsumi who remained motionless outside. “It is your apartment you know, you can come in.”

“Yeah it’s just… it feels like an entirely new place.”

With a drawn out breath Katsumi entered his home and took off his shoes.

Mayumi entered the kitchen and set down the groceries on the kitchen island. “I will start preparing dinner, could you set the table?”

“Are you sure that’s all you want me to do? I could help with more.”

“Ah sorry, it’s just—“

“I’ll get in the way?”

“Thank you for understanding.”

After setting the table Katsumi went and fell onto the sofa. Calmed by the distant sounds of clattering dishes accompanied by the sizzling of food—Katsumi shut his eyes.

“Kami— Murakami.”

Katsumi shifted on the couch and slowly opened his eyes. “Mom… What’re you doing here?”

“Murakami.”

“What…? Arata?”

After looking into Katsumi’s eyes for a second, she said, “You fell asleep, dinner is ready. I made a Mongolian dish.”

I just called her mom… I’m so glad she’s overlooking that. You know, even with how annoying she is, I gotta give it to her, she can be kind. I don’t want to tell her that though, I think her ego is big enough already.

The two went into the kitchen and they moved the dishes into the dining table. They sat across from each other and said thanks for the meal.

Katsumi took his first bite. “Arata, your cooking… it’s amazing.“

When Mayumi said it had probably been a long time since Katsumi had a decent meal, she was right. This was his first time in almost a year having something fully home cooked. As even during the latter half of Katsumi’s last year in high school, his parents weren’t around. They were either off in another part of the country or somewhere abroad—leaving him to build terrible eating habits.

Mayumi looked up from her plate. “Thank you…” She wasn’t expecting such praise.

“You’ve done a lot for me today… I— I really appreciate it. Thank you…”

“Don’t worry, I'm glad I could. Your apartment looks so much nicer.”

The two ate in silence for a minute, but all the while something grew in Katsumi. It was like an itch on his brain that he needed to scratch.

“Why are you trying to help me?” Katsumi broke the silence.

Mayumi looked off into the living room. “Why? Well… someone I know is struggling and in need of help.”

“Someone you know? We just met didn’t we?”

“We’re neighbors. It’s the right thing to do.”

“I’m not that unaware, Arata… I overheard the conversation with Nara. I want to know why.”

Mayumi went silent.

Arata seems like the wrong person to ask… I should’ve just stuck with my plan of asking Nara.

“It’s not right.” Mayumi whispered.

“What’d you mean it’s not right...?”

“From cleaning your apartment I’ve seen how you live, Murakami. You are going to live a hard life if you continue like this. ”

“W-what? What’re you saying? That’s the most bullshit I think I’ve ever heard.” I know that’s not the only reason… It’s just, I don’t know what that other reason is.

“I’m not lying—”

“What is this?” Katsumi met Mayumi’s eyes.

“...”

“I’ve said it before, but why won’t you listen? I’m trying to help you.”

“Why should I believe you?”

“Why shouldn’t you?”

“Because… because I don’t get it.”

“There is no trick. I’m not hiding anything… I do not know why you’re confused.”

Katsumi didn’t respond to her this time.

She sighed. “Let’s finish eating.”