A Little Too Comfortable, Pt. 2

After a short walk, we made it to a restaurant with a nice little patio. Just beyond was a view of the open road. While the cars passed in symmetry on the street, the sidewalks were filled to the brim with commuters on foot.

The crowd, the noise, the buzz of everyday traffic... I never did get used to it, and I don't think I ever will. And even with how busy it was, none of them stopped to notice the clearly disguised yet not so conspicuous Megumi no Hana sitting across from me.

Along with a pair of sunglasses, a cap topped her head. Now that her hair is black instead of blonde, she can blend in easier, but if someone really concentrates, they'll notice her amber eyes.

I just hope I'm in the clear if that ends up happening.

Megumi sat with her legs crossed, taking periodic bites of her ramen while her eyes were glued to her phone.

As for me, I was snapping photos of the cityscape. I don't usually go to the city much, so this was a prime opportunity to take some shots in places I'd otherwise avoid.

"Whoa~ Hey, Shohei. Check this out."

"Hmm?"

I glanced over when she leaned across the table to show me her phone.

"Megumi no Hana has been making rounds with many media outlets and events, her new style garnering overwhelmingly positive reviews, especially from the younger generation."

"Isn't that cool?" she grinned.

"Yeah. I'm still hung up on that first photoshoot you invited me to. Remember that director who was bashing your style, saying that your new look wouldn't resonate with normal, everyday girls?"

"Vividly."

"I bet he's regretting it now."

"You know what? That guy actually reached out to my manager again a few days ago, expressing his desire to finish out what we had planned."

"Pfft, seriously? That guy's got no shame. First, he talks a load of shit, then he turns right around when all this blows up."

"Yeah, well... The same can be said about everyone in showbiz. Just a degenerate part of life I have to get used to. I ended up declining him." 

"As you should."

"Hehe~ Anyway, Shohei, now for the part I'm sure you were dying to get to."

She picked up her chopsticks, pointing them at me.

"Go ahead. Snap a few shots."

"...After your out-of-pocket comment just then, I think I'm fine with missing out on photos of you."

"H-huh?! Wait! I was just kidding!"

"Too late."

"Shohei..."

"Hah, what is this? You were fine with turning down a whole fashion brand just a second ago, yet you're tripping up about this?"

"This is different."

Unable to keep watching her pout, I surrendered and lifted my camera. Even without words, she took the hint almost immediately, striking the same pose.

Snap.

As we were leaving the restaurant, two young girls noticed Megumi and asked her for a photo. Thankfully, they didn't make a big deal out of it.

As for Megumi, she was unable to resist their cute politeness, so she wholeheartedly agreed. The girls gleefully posed on each side of her while she slightly arched her knees to meet their heights.

I took that opportunity to lift my camera. A scene like that was far too natural to miss.

Snap.

Our next stop was a clothing store right next to a mall. It was on the fancier and more luxurious side, so the price tags were abysmal as far as I saw.

That didn't stop Megumi, though. She went around from section to section, row after row, snatching everything that even remotely intrigued her.

"This one, this one, maybe this one... Oh!"—she whirled around, holding up a dress—"How about this one?"

"Didn't take you for someone who wears dresses."

"I don't, but I wanna live and learn, you know? Maybe I'll end up liking it."

"Then try it on."

In the fitting area, I sat on a bench off to the side while Megumi was in one of the many stalls. When she was done, she stepped out.

"How's this? Kind of looks stupid on me, huh?"

She was wearing a simple white turtleneck, a pair of skinny jeans, and a loose gray cardigan that hung just past her hips.

"I don't think I'm the right person to be asking for opinions when it comes to fashion," I said, adjusting the settings on my camera. "What do I even say?"

"Whatever's on your mind."

"That's..."

"Hey. You're the one who told me to try it on. Just tell me your thoughts. Anything will do. Does it look good? Does it look bad? Too much? Or maybe it needs something else."

I sighed, dropping my camera onto my lap as I glanced up.

"Well... I guess to start, it doesn't look stupid at all. You actually look great."

"Really? You think so?"

"As if you need me to affirm that for you, but yeah. Honestly, it's gonna be a tough competition for everything you wear today."

"Hmm? And why is that? Because I look good in everything?"

"I mean... Y-yeah."

Megumi chuckled, stepping toward me and leaning in way too close.

"You know, Shohei... You're allowed to say that I'm pretty. I won't think any less of you."

My brain went blank. All the words I had queued up, every dumb little comment I was about to make, just vanished. I knew I should probably say something, anything — but all I could do was stare like an idiot.

Thankfully, I didn't have to respond because Megumi pulled away and twirled back to the same spot.

"Alright, picture time! Go ahead, Shohei."

While my heart was still beating like crazy, I lifted the camera, my arms still shaking.

Snap.

After that, she tried on that dress and gave me a whirl.

"Well? Still think I'm not a dress kind of girl?"

"...Looks good."

"Hmm? What does? The dress? Or me?"

I didn't answer, partially because that was way too delicate a question. But it was mostly that I just... couldn't answer.

Snap.

Eventually, we got through all the outfits. Megumi ended up buying a few, and of course, I was left to hold the bags.

We stopped at a nice cafe terrace overlooking the bustling city, where a boba shop was right behind us. She'd gotten the roasted oolong milk tea while I stuck with my usual: a creamy matcha blend.

"Isn't it too cold for that?" Megumi asked while leaning on the railing.

"You're one to talk, begging me to stop for boba just a half-hour ago."

"Hey. I wasn't begging. It was just a suggestion."

"I didn't know suggestions involved dragging the opposite party by the arm like some desperate salesman."

"Don't know what you're talking about. And besides, I paid. You should be grateful."

"Grateful, huh? If anything, I should be shriveled up in bed right now."

Megumi giggled.

"Well, I guess it's a good thing that I dragged you out to do something more productive than wasting away your weekend like a bum."

"I am a bum."

"Not while you're with me. Anyway, look at the view. It's the perfect place for a picture, don't you think?"

Megumi hovered her boba cup next to her face while holding up the peace sign with her other hand. As she stood there, a gentle breeze swept through, causing her hair to dance in the wind like waves of silk. The sun cast its warm glow, reflecting off her eyes and creating a soft, ethereal light.

I lifted my camera, holding it steady. Her reflection appeared on the screen, yet I didn't take the shot.

Not yet.

Because right then and there... I wished that time would stop.

"You done yet?" she asked. "My hands are getting cold."

"Ah... S-sorry. Shooting in three... two... one."

Snap.

"Alright. Done."

"Can you do something for me? Just take a few more."

"Huh? I mean... Sure."

I lined the camera again, but Megumi rested her boba cup on a nearby table.

Snap.

She faced the camera again.

Snap.

Then again... Only this time, she was a bit closer.

Snap.

And closer...

Snap.

Till I lowered the camera to see her standing right in front of me, holding her hands behind her back. Her gentle smile froze me in a way that the winter air never could.

"Thank you, Shohei. For giving up your weekend to come with me."

My breath came to a halt, my focus was gone, and my heart... skipped a beat. Not once. Not twice. I lost count after the third.

"T-there's... no need to thank me. It's no big deal."

"To me it is. So I'm gonna say it again. Thank you. It really means a lot."

"I... Y-you're welcome..."

"Hehe~ Megumi: two. Shohei: one."

She twirled around and ran back to grab her boba cup.

"Where to next? The park? Nah, we have one next to the apartment. How about a street market? But we already ate... Oh! The mall! How did I not think of that sooner? Come along, Shohei. The day's far from over."

"...Coming."