Asking Rika for Help - Aki

“You didn’t have anything better to say than ‘that explains the smell’?” Kumi sat down at the café. “I’m starting to believe that you don’t actually know how to talk to people, Aki.”

“I don’t know.” Aki tried to distract herself with the holographic menu screen. She didn’t want to think about it. “It’s kind of weird to actually see him, you know.”

“I think anything would’ve been better. Would it hurt you to say ‘Hello, nice to meet you.’ Or anything else?” Kumi sighed and scanned her fingerprint to pay for her order. “But actually, knowing you, it could’ve been worse.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Aki put her thumb over the screen and paid for her order.

“That for someone who excels at time traveling, you kind of suck at making friends.” Kumi chuckled. “So, how do you feel about him?”

“Huh?” Aki looked up at her. How she felt about him? Weird. He was nothing like the boy she had seen during her travels. He was older, his hair was longer and he kind of looked like he had given up on life.

“I mean, he’s your person, isn’t he? So, do you like him or do you think it’s more of a friendship thing?”

“I don’t…” As much as she wanted to deny it, there was something that made her want to see him again. Something besides the desire for answers. But she wouldn’t call it attraction. “He seems like a slob.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.” Kumi shook her head and turned to the platform hovering towards them. “So, what’s your plan? You can finally get your answers?” She grabbed her matcha latte from the platform and took a sip from the straw.

Aki reached over and took her iced tea from the platform too, allowing it to hover back to the kitchen. “Right? And how do you expect me to ask him? I doubt he would even want to talk to me after today.” She took a sip from her tea. “Besides, I wouldn’t know how to contact him.”

Kumi had a habit of chewing on her straw when she thought about something, this time was no different. “Maybe Rika could help you?”

Aki almost spit out her tea. “One, you expect me to tell her about everything? Her of all people? Two, you expect her to help me?”

“You don’t have to explain it to her. He’s friends with Hi—her boyfriend, right?” Kumi’s eyes dropped to the table for a slight second. “Just tell her you’re interested in him and ask her to set you up?”

Aki didn’t just like the idea because if relied on her to ask Rika for help. Kumi’s reaction also made her realize that there was a huge risk that Kumi’s person would be involved, and she couldn’t do that to her best friend. “You know what? I think I can get by without answers.” She shrugged. “I doubt they will change anything anyway.”

“You’re such a bad liar, Aki.” Kumi threw a napkin at her before she took her hand. “I know you’re holding back to spare me. And while I love you for that, I would rather you get your answers.” She smiled and reached into her bag. “Besides, I also would like to know what’s going on with your connection.” She held out her phone. She was already calling Rika.

Aki hesitated but took the phone.

“Kumi? What’s up?” Rika’s voice sounded from the other end.

“Not really…” Aki shoot Kumi a glance. Her friend was smiling widely.

“Aki? What do you want?”

She took a deep breath before forcing the words out. “I wanted to ask you for a favor.”

Rika let out a small laugh. “Big shot Aki want something from me? Tell me what it is and I’ll consider it.”

“I would like to come into contact with the guy that was with your boyfriend yesterday.” The words hurt her throat. She would never hear the end of this.

“You want to talk to Ryo?” Aki could almost hear a smug smile forming on Rika’s lips. “Sure. I’ll ask Hiro to give him your information. Just tell Kumi to send it over.”

Aki handed the phone back to Kumi.

“Thank you, Rika. I owe you one.” Kumi smiled and put her phone away, but not before sending Aki’s contact information to their co-worker. “See. It wasn’t so hard.”

“I hate you sometimes.” Aki sipped her tea in frustration.

“I love you too.” Kumi giggled. “Now, we need to get you something for your date.”

Date? “I don’t think this is a date, Kumi.” Aki sighed, but she still agreed to go clothes shopping with her.

During their shopping trip, Aki had been anxiously stared at her phone more than she was proud to admit. And since she got home, that hadn’t changed. She was curled up in her bed, surrounded by her small sea of plushies, when the phone finally rang.

But now that it did, she hesitated to answer. What was she supposed to say?

“Hello.” She answered before she had fully decided.

“Hiro said you wanted to talk to me.” Something about hearing his voice while she was curled up in bed felt wrong. “I hope it isn’t to tell me I smell weird again.” His small chuckle made her get up from the bed.

“I’m sorry about that.” Her free hand moved a strand of hair behind her ear. What was she doing? “But no, that’s not what I wanted to talk about. Would you mind meeting up with me?” Had Kumi gotten into her head? She should be able to take this over the phone.

“So you did recognize me?” He sighed. “Sure. Give me your address and I’ll come over.”

“I’m not giving you my address.” She froze at the idea. Sure, there were safety measures in place to protect you when you had people over, but it still wasn’t advisable.

“Look here, Hiraoka. I have an idea of what it is you want to talk about and I will not speak about that in public. And I live with a bunch of people I don’t want to know things.” He paused and she heard him take a deep breath. “And a hotel room is not an option so it’s either your place or nowhere. Your choice.”

“Fine.” She protested, but still gave him her address and directions.

“See you soon then.” He hung up before he could question him.

Soon? As in tonight?

She didn’t feel ready yet, but she didn’t seem to have much of a choice. Her eyes inspected her apartment. Maybe she should clean up a little and change. It wouldn’t be a good impression to meet him in the lounge wear she had worn for a few hours.

How long would it take him to get there? Hours? Minutes?

Aki sat down on the couch and took a few breaths before she called Kumi.

“Did he contact you?” Kumi answered.

“Yes…” Aki put her phone on speaker mode and grabbed the nearest pillow. She couldn’t believe that she might get her answers tonight.

“And?” Kumi paused before she gasped. “It is a date, isn’t it?”

“No, it’s not a date.” It couldn’t be, right? “But he is on his way over.” Saying it out loud made it harder for her to deny that she was a little excited. Aki held back a shriek.

Kumi did not. “You better put some cute clothes on. And before you protest. It doesn’t matter if it’s a date or not, it’s better to dress up in case you like him. If you don’t, no harm done.”

Aki wanted to protest, but she didn’t know how. “You make a solid case. I’ll go change before he gets here.” She chuckled and put the pillow back in it’s place.

“And you better tell me everything tomorrow.”

She held up the dress she had bought with Kumi but decided that it was a bit too over the top. But the sweat pants and cropped t-shirt she was wearing now would be too casual.

She looked around and eventually decided on a top and skirt combo that she had forgotten about. She had bought it as a casual date outfit, but her ex had hated it. He had said that it made her look vulgar, or something. Maybe this was a good time to use it. If anything, it was different. And something in her wanted different.

She had barely changed when she heard the door bell ring.