The restaurant is closed for the night. The last of the patrons have left, and the night air is cool. Arata and Isamu stand just outside the restaurant, both with their bags in hand, ready to head home after a long shift.
Arata (grinning and stretching his arms, looking at the stars):
"Man, that was a long day. It's nice to finally get a break."
Isamu (tired, but nodding):
"Yeah, I'm beat. Can't wait to just go home and crash."
Arata (pauses for a moment, glancing over at Isamu):
"So, you and Ai seem to have been... working well together today."
Isamu (glancing at Arata, frowning slightly):
"Yeah, I guess. It wasn't too bad. She's a good worker."
Arata (smirking):
"Mm-hmm, she's very good. In fact, I've noticed something... kind of interesting."
Isamu (raising an eyebrow, trying to act nonchalant):
"Interesting? What do you mean?"
Arata (teasingly):
"Oh, come on. Don't play coy with me. You don't see the way she looks at you?"
Isamu (his face immediately turning red, looking down at the ground):
"W-What are you talking about? I don't... I don't think she looks at me in any special way."
Arata (laughing, clearly enjoying this):
"Oh, come on. I've seen it. She's definitely got her eyes on you. Don't act like you haven't noticed."
Isamu (flustered, scratching his head awkwardly):
"Ugh, you're imagining things. She's just being friendly. Nothing more."
Arata (shrugging, but grinning):
"Friendly, huh? You sure about that? I mean, I see the way she acts around you. You two have been working really closely these days. Don't think I haven't noticed the way she... looks out for you."
Isamu (feeling uncomfortable, glancing around, trying to change the subject):
"Yeah, well... we've been working together. It's nothing big."
Arata (smiling knowingly, crossing his arms):
"Is that so? Well, if you say so... But I'm just saying, Isamu, she's definitely into you."
Isamu (groaning, frustrated):
"Arata, stop it. You're making it sound way more serious than it is. I'm not... I'm not ready for that kind of thing."
Arata (leaning in a bit, teasing):
"Ready for what? What's the problem? You like her, don't you?"
Isamu (stammering, clearly panicking):
"I— I don't even know if I like her like that. It's... complicated."
Arata (watching him closely, his grin fading a little, but his tone still light):
"Complicated? Or are you just scared to admit it?"
Isamu (sighing, running a hand through his hair):
"I don't know what I'm supposed to do, alright? I'm not good with this kind of thing."
Arata (softening slightly, but still teasing):
"You don't have to jump into anything. But listen, man, you can't keep ignoring it. She's clearly into you. And if you're just going to keep pretending you don't notice, someone else might swoop in and steal her away."
Isamu (looking away, flustered, and shaking his head):
"Why do you care so much about this? It's my life. I'll figure it out."
Arata (chuckling):
"I care because I know how she feels about you. And... well, I don't want you to mess it up. She's special, Isamu. She's not like the other girls."
Isamu (pausing, his expression softening for a moment):
"I... I don't know if I'm the right guy for her, Arata. I'm just... not the type for all that relationship stuff."
Arata (looking at him seriously now):
"Is that what you really think? Because, from where I'm standing, I think you two would be pretty great together."
Isamu (sighing deeply, looking up at the sky):
"Look, I don't know if I'm ready to be in a relationship. I've got a lot going on... work, school, my family... I don't want to drag anyone else into that mess."
Arata (nodding, understanding but still firm):
"Yeah, I get it. It's not easy. But you don't have to have everything figured out. You just have to be honest with her, Isamu. Tell her what you feel. That's all you need to do."
Isamu (shaking his head again, feeling overwhelmed):
"I don't know, Arata. It just feels like too much. I don't even know how to... how to start something like that."
Arata (smiling gently now, trying to encourage him):
"You'll figure it out. But don't waste time. The last thing you want is for her to think you're not interested when you actually are."
Isamu (mumbling, almost to himself):
"Yeah... I guess."
Arata (clapping him on the back with a grin):
"Good. You'll get there. Just don't leave her hanging."
Isamu (grinning sheepishly, but clearly still unsure):
"Yeah, yeah... I'll think about it."
Arata (smiling warmly as he turns to walk off):
"That's all I'm asking. Alright, see you tomorrow, man. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
Isamu (muttering under his breath):
"Not much for you to not do, huh?"
Arata (laughing over his shoulder):
"Exactly. That's why I'm the expert."
I didn't want to make the situation any worse so I decided it would be best not to talk to Ai anymore. And finally, the third day came when I met Ai in the hallway
The school hallway buzzed with the usual chatter of students, lockers slamming shut and footsteps echoing off the walls. Ai walked in, her pink hair tied in a loose side ponytail, a slight bounce in her step — but her eyes scanned for only one person.
She spotted him near the shoe lockers: Isamu. Quiet as always, changing into his school slippers, eyes cast down.
Ai (calling softly):
"Hey... Isamu."
Isamu paused, his hand tightening slightly on his locker door. But he didn't turn around.
Ai (a bit louder, trying to sound casual):
"I was wondering... you want to eat lunch together again?"
Still nothing. Isamu adjusted his bag and walked off, the sound of his footsteps a little too quick to be casual.
Ai (blinking, then frowning):
"Hey—wait—"
She took a step after him, but then stopped. Her fingers curled at her sides.
He had heard her. He just… didn't respond.
Around her, students continued chatting and laughing as if nothing had happened. But to Ai, the hallway felt oddly quiet.
Ai (muttering to herself, forcing a smile):
"So we're pretending now, huh...?"
She stood still for a moment, then turned away, her cheerful facade faltering just for a second.
I think it would be better if I didn't have anything to do with her and didn't eat the lunches she makes anymore, because if people start thinking we're dating, then my lonely life will be over, and the things I made in the first year will only make things worse.
I thought I could escape her by going back to the classroom. The garden path behind the school building was quiet — not many students came this way. Just a few more minutes and he'd be back in the safety of his seat.
But I didn't make it.
A hand grabbed my wrist from behind — firm, urgent.
Ai (voice sharp):
"You're not getting away this time."
Isamu (surprised, turning):
"Ai—?!"
Without a second thought, Ai dragged him around the corner of the building, out of sight of passing students. The air was quiet, save for the distant murmur of crows and the rustling of leaves.
Isamu (protesting, eyes wide):
"H-Hey, what are you—"
SLAP.
A sharp sound cracked the silence. Isamu's cheek turned slightly red as he stared at her in stunned silence.
Ai (breathing hard, her voice trembling but furious):
"That's for ignoring me like I don't exist."
Isamu didn't speak. His eyes were wide — not in pain, but in shock.
Ai (voice rising, eyes glossy but burning):
"You think you can just walk past me? Pretend nothing happened? Like I'm... some stranger you just met once?"
Isamu (quietly):
"Ai..."
Ai (shaking her head):
"No. No 'Ai.' You don't get to do that. You don't get to smile with me, make me feel like I matter, and then act like I don't."
There was silence. Ai's hand trembled slightly by her side, the fire in her eyes fading into something more fragile.
Ai (voice cracking just a little):
"If you don't like me, say it. If you're scared, say it. But don't shut me out. I hate that more than anything."
Isamu lowered his gaze. He couldn't look at her.
Isamu (softly):
"...I didn't know what to say."
Ai (quietly):
"Then next time, say anything. Even if it hurts."
She turned away before her voice could betray her further. Isamu stood frozen, still holding the echo of her slap — and something heavier, deeper — in his chest.
After that, I didn't come to class until after lunch because I knew that Ai would definitely let me eat her lunch if I went to class. I don't want to eat Ai's lunch because she made me so mad. But I know she did it because she cared about me and my life in so many ways. Maybe it was my mistake after all. Why am I avoiding her if she cares about me?
I should apologize for what I did.
The sun hung lazily in the sky, casting soft shadows across the empty rooftop. A light breeze tugged at the edges of Isamu's blazer as he stepped out onto the open space, his bento box still untouched in his hand.
He hadn't eaten all day. The sting of Ai's slap still lingered on his skin, but more than that — her words had echoed in his mind, looping endlessly.
Isamu (muttering):
"...I need to apologize."
But he didn't get the chance.
The rooftop door burst open behind him.
Ai (short of breath, clearly having run):
"There you are!"
Before he could turn fully, Ai grabbed him by the sleeve, dragging him across the rooftop and away from the door.
Isamu (startled):
"Wait, what?! Ai—!"
Ai (determined, not letting go):
"You skipped lunch. That's so like you, you idiot."
She didn't stop until they were on the far end of the rooftop, where the low fence met the sky. Only then did she finally release his sleeve and turn to face him.
Ai (arms crossed, cheeks slightly puffed in frustration):
"You were going to avoid me again, weren't you?"
Isamu (shaking his head quickly):
"No—no! I came here because I wanted to talk to you. I was going to apologize."
Ai (raising an eyebrow):
"Apologize? For what?"
Isamu (looking down):
"...For being a coward. For ignoring you. For making you feel like you didn't matter."
There was a moment of silence. The wind brushed past them, lifting strands of Ai's pink hair. She tilted her head slightly.
Ai (softly):
"That's... better. But you still made me chase you all the way up here, you know."
Isamu (awkwardly):
"Y-Yeah, sorry about that too."
Ai walked a little closer, her expression unreadable.
Ai:
"You said I didn't matter. But the way you looked when I slapped you — the way you looked at lunch like the world was ending... you liar."
Isamu blinked, caught off guard.
Isamu (quietly):
"I never said you didn't matter."
Ai (smirking faintly):
"You didn't have to. Your silence screamed it."
She stepped even closer — now just inches away — and looked up at him, her voice lowering.
Ai:
"I'll forgive you. But only if you eat your lunch here with me. No more hiding."
Isamu (softly smiling):
"Deal."
She plopped down on the concrete, pulling out her own lunch from her bag like this was all planned from the start. Isamu followed, still a little dazed — but feeling the weight in his chest ease for the first time all day.
As they sat side by side under the sky, the wind carrying away the tension between them, neither said what they really wanted to say — but for now, sharing lunch was enough.
The breeze ruffled the edge of the bento box as Isamu sat on the rooftop ledge, cross-legged, chopsticks already in hand.
Ai sat across from him, arms folded, eyes flicking between his face and the food. Her lips were pursed in an almost pout, but her foot tapped restlessly — like she was waiting for an answer to a question she hadn't asked yet.
Ai (flatly):
"Well? Say something. I didn't wake up at 5 a.m. to hear silence."
Isamu (chewing, nodding with a small smile):
"It's good. The rice is perfect, and the karaage's crispy. Not too oily either."
Ai (smirking, but obviously pleased):
"Of course it's good. I'm amazing."
She kicked at the air like she was trying to stay nonchalant, but her cheeks were tinged pink. Isamu looked at her for a moment, then back at the bento.
Isamu (teasing):
"You sure this isn't poisoned?"
Ai (deadpan):
"Only mildly. Just enough to keep you dependent on my cooking forever."
He snorted.
Isamu (playfully):
"So it's a hostage situation?"
Ai (grinning):
"Exactly. You're the hostage, and your stomach is the chain."
The conversation quieted for a moment as Isamu continued eating. Ai fidgeted with her sleeve, staring off at the horizon like she was pretending to be calm.
Then—
Ai (casually, without looking at him):
"Hey, Isamu."
Isamu (mouth full):
"Mm?"
Ai (carefully):
"If… someone liked you — like, not just liked, but wanted you to be... theirs — what would you do?"
He paused mid-bite. Blinked. Swallowed too quickly.
Isamu (coughing slightly):
"U-uh... that depends?"
Ai (still pretending this is a neutral, chill conversation):
"Like, say she's cool and beautiful and totally your type, but she says weird stuff and maybe slapped you once, but it wasn't that hard."
Isamu (raising an eyebrow):
"This hypothetical girl sounds kinda familiar."
Ai (squinting at the sky):
"Pure coincidence."
He set his chopsticks down slowly, watching her now.
Isamu (gently):
"Are you... trying to tell me something, Ai?"
Ai (finally looking at him, eyes sharp but soft):
"I'm trying, but you're an idiot."
Isamu (laughing nervously):
"Okay, well, I can work with that."
Ai (after a beat, quietly):
"Just... think about it, okay? Like, maybe — if someone wanted you to pretend to be their boyfriend, or maybe... not pretend... would that be the worst thing in the world?"
His eyes searched hers.
She wasn't teasing anymore. Her voice was low, careful. Something fragile balanced on the edge of her tone.
Isamu (smiling softly):
"...It might actually be the best thing."
Ai (startled):
"What?"
Isamu (picking up another bite of karaage):
"I'm saying your plan to win me over with food might be working."
Ai (blushing but smirking):
"Hmph. Then I'll cook you lunch every day. You're mine now, Loner."
Isamu (quietly):
"...Maybe I want to be"
Suddenly, Ai approached me, and little did I know she was proposing to me.