Saturday's here.
You know what that means?
Well I woke up earlier today as we are actually going to meet up at 8am in the morning.
But I was actually thinking of...extra enjoyable slacking time.
Just kidding, I can't sleep since I know I accidentally asked a girl that I haven't known for a very long time out.
AI: You're just nervous. 😏
You bet. 😐
AI: Don't worry, the schedule is planned.
I hope it worked. 🥲
If you asked how about Yumeko? — I kept her breakfast in the fridge with a sticky note on the table.
AI: Nobody asked.
...true.
...
Wait, I think I saw her.
AI: Where?
Hiding behind the tree, what's she looking at?
After discovering a suspicious girl in black jacket, I went over to see if that's really her.
Me: Um…morning.
Clara: Ahh–!!!
Yeah, it's her.
Clara: Good morning.
Me: S…sorry for keeping you waiting.
Clara: No, I…I just arrived.
Me: What were you looking at?
I took a look at the spot she was looking at, and it was actually a McDonald's.
AI: I think she's checking if you arrived.
...
Maybe.
After that we entered the restaurant — surprisingly we were the first customers of the day.
Based on the promotion, we could have a 40% discount on each meal.
Me: So, which do you prefer?
Clara: Um…I….It's up to you.
Huh?
Me: Uh…you sure?
Clara nodded while holding at the belt of the
AI: I think you better choose her.
What?
AI: She obviously has decision-making difficulties.
Like me, that's why I asked.
AI: Not this time, you better make the decision for her.
...
Fine.
Without saying anything, I came to the self service panel to order.
Yes, this is the first time I came out for breakfast with a friend, especially when the friend is a female.
I ordered two sausage muffins with extra scrambled eggs, two hash browns, curly fries and...
Me: You like coffee?
She nodded, and I submitted the order with an extra two sugar free latte.
After the meal was served, she was waiting for us at the booth of two.
AI: Hold up, buddy. Wait!
What?
AI: You know what does it mean by booth for two?
Which is….the seat for two customers.
AI: It's also called the loveseat!!! Think twice if you wanna sit there.
Clara: Um…sorry, this place is not too cold.
...
Ah, see?
You're the only one overthinking, she's just looking for somewhere warm.
AI: ...whatever you say. 😒
....
So….this vibe is extremely weird.
AI: You finally realized. 😏
No, I mean….we're not even talking to each other.
I'm scrolling on social media, she's reading her novel...wait, that's the one she bought last time???
This is not something normal when two friends are sitting together, especially when having a meal together right?
AI: Okay, based on?
Anime! None of this happens in any of the series.
AI: Oh come on, remember what happened when she asked you last time? The problem is, you two are introverts. What do you expect?
Just when I was about to get us some discussable topics, she suddenly giggled.
I looked at her while she noticed I was watching….
Clara: Oh…haha, nothing, just…um…I just read something funny.
Me: O….kay?
Then she suddenly pulled her chair over next to me and showed me content.
It was about the protagonist encountering the monster in the forest and they had to run recklessly, one of them was running without pants on.
Clara: Look at the brothers, they almost fell from the cliff, haha…look, she fell into water and her hair…..haha…
She kept flipping the pages showing me the interesting clips until she realized she was too excited.
As she also noticed that I was looking at her.
Clara: Oh, sorry….I didn't mean to….
Me: Um…no, it's okay. I'm glad that you shared the story.
Clara: You…you like it?
Me: Well….at least I don't hate it.
Perhaps she had no idea, I was the victim of being pushed out from the circle.
I can't recall since when I started to keep myself away from talking to others.
Because of the behaviour of the friends? No.
It's because when you're talking — they chose to continue their topic.
I have only had my own smartphone since I went to secondary school as my mom was being transferred to the company branch overseas.
Before that, I had no similar topic to talk to my friends about.
When they're discussing Taylor Swift and Ronaldo, I don't know how to open my mouth to tell them my imaginary world.
Because when I talked about it — they ignored me.
When I vented it into the comic — they found it and called me weird.
Just when I was about to say something, Clara suddenly pulled her chair away.
Clara: I'm sorry, I know I'm acting weird. Sorry.
I might not change, but at that moment, I needed to tell her something that might change her opinion.
I quickly grabbed her chair.
Me: No, that's not true.
Clara: Huh?
Me: You're not weird, you're just special. And people just didn't realize.
Clara: Really?
Me: There's just two of us, no reason for me to lie.
I stood up, put my hands on her heating shoulder.
Sometimes I find myself funny.
When I have something bad, I wish the others can get rid of the same thing.
But for me, I can't change myself by getting chained by it.
Clara: What is…
Me: You don't need to hide it when there's only two of us. Just be yourself, okay?
...
...
...
...
And suddenly the crowd applauded. 💀💀💀
What—
Have—
I—
Done—😭😭😭
THEY WERE WATCHING THE SHOW ALL ALONG????
AI: Oh, me too. 😏
Shut up! 😭😭😭
We quickly sat down and pretended to continue eating until everyone was calmed.
THAT WAS EMBARASSING!!! 💀💀💀
DID I JUST SAID THAT!!! 😭😭😭
AI: At least now she knows how you think about her.
That was not supposed to be like that. 😭😭😭
Clara: Is that...true?
Me: Ye…yeah.
Clara: Thank you for accepting me.
Me: Thank you too.
Clara: Uh?
Me: For coming out today, I thought I'll be pranked.
Clara: Me too.
After a smile, we picked up the drink and took a sip.
...
Wait, is this mine or...oh crap.
This is not good!!! 💀💀💀
I think I got her cup.😭😭😭
AI: I suggest you put it back down.
I don't know if I should.
Because she's drinking it without noticing. 💀
AI: I bet it doesn't matter to her right now, she just needs to calm herself down with a random item.
Should I just continue?
It would be too obvious if I did.
AI: Don't then, just pretend that you're drinking it.
…fine. 💀
After finishing the meal, it is already 10am in the morning.
We walked out from the door and then we walked towards the train station.
While waiting for the train, we did not talk to each other until the train arrived and we got in.
AI: The next station is the amusement game centre, you need me to arrange the game for you?
Sure.
But the most critical thing to handle is this vibe.
I know I like silent places but not an awkward vibe.
What now?
AI: Try to tell her something, like...the views.
Me: Um…it's beautiful.
Clara: Yeah.
We were looking at the same view, the train passed by the river and the residential area became the frame and the background at the same time for the blue reflection.
Just when I was looking at the picture outside the window, Clara gently pulled my sleeves.
Clara: Do you think…next time…we can...
I looked at her blushing ears while she lowered her head pretending to read the novel...it must be pretending, the book was upside down.
Me: Whenever you called.
Clara: Re….really?
Me: Well ...yep, I'm kinda free every Saturday morning.
She smiled after she heard my reply.
Clara: You have the earphones with you?
Me: Yeah, want some music?
Clara: Sure.
Me: You can have both.
Clara: What about you?
Me: I'm fine.
Even though I said that, she suddenly put one of the pieces of the earphone on to my left ear.
She connected the earphone to her device while selecting a song that I never heard before.
The melody is like jazz? But ... the vocals sound more cheerful than that.
I can't confirm if that's ヨルシカ (Yorushika) as I'm just have one piece of the earphone on my left ear — but I bet it is.
Minutes later, the stop arrived and she suddenly got up.
Clara: Well, this is me. I have a tuition class to attend, thank you for today.
After waving at her, she got down from the train.
AI: Aww, I still have many places planned.
Dump it then, I'm free now.
AI: Ha, hopefully.
What?
AI: You just accepted the long term invitation.
...
Ha, must be a dream. 😌
AI: No, wait, you said…
DON'T REMIND ME AGAIN!!! 😭😭😭
AI: I bet I'll save the schedule for the next time.
...
...
Why'd I feel like I've been through hell today and I just realized. 🥲