Chapter 3: -- “Social Butterfly… or Social Wrecking Ball?!”

The school bell rang, signaling the end of the day. Mika hurried out into the schoolyard, spotting Sakura and Miyuki already waiting near the gate.

“Hey girls! Sorry I took a while—I had to pee real quick. Hehe…” she called out, jogging toward them with her usual bright energy.

Sakura grinned. “Don’t worry, we just got here too!”

“Ready to go?” Miyuki asked with a playful smile. “We’re starving!”

“Same! I’m so hungry I could eat... something!” Mika chirped.

Sakura laughed. “I could devour a whole pizza right now.”

“And speaking of pizza,” Miyuki added, “they’ve got some of the best in town at the place we’re headed to.”

Mika’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “I could totally go for noodles with a side of pizza. Mmm.”

Sakura nudged her playfully. “You’ve got quite the appetite. I like that!”

“Pizza and noodles together?” Miyuki teased. “Now you’re just being greedy!”

“It’s not my fault I’m starving!” Mika said with a giggle.

Together, the three girls made their way down the street, chatting and laughing as they went. Unbeknownst to Mika, Riku stood near the school’s entrance, watching them walk away, his expression unreadable.

The trio soon arrived at a pastel-lit restaurant called NekoBite, known for its fusion of Japanese cuisine and fast food. Mika’s jaw dropped.

“Whoa… This place looks amazing…”

“Told you,” Miyuki said, her voice proud. “We discovered it a while ago. It’s our go-to spot now.”

“And their milkshakes are to die for,” Sakura added. “I swear, they must use some kind of secret magic.”

“Ooh, I’m definitely getting one of those,” Mika said, practically bouncing on her heels.

They were seated at a cozy booth, menus in hand. Mika’s eyes lit up when she spotted something dangerously tempting.

“EEEPP!!! THEY HAVE CUPCAKES???”

Sakura and Miyuki burst into laughter, thoroughly amused by her reaction.

“You really get excited over everything, huh?” Sakura giggled. “It’s cute.”

“And yeah,” said Miyuki, “the cupcakes here are legendary. Total sweetness bombs.”

Mika flipped through the menu, her eyes dancing over every option. “Okay, I’m getting the Neko Stack Burger, Tempizza slice, Volcano Oni Ramen, the Sweetheart Cloud Cupcake… oh, and a Yokai Berry Shake!”

Her eyes darted up. “We’re splitting the bill, right? Right?”

Sakura blinked. “Girl, that’s a feast.”

Miyuki just laughed. “Please don’t explode halfway through.”

“Don’t worry,” Mika beamed. “I won’t.”

“We’ll hold you to that,” Sakura warned. “If you do, we’re taking pictures.”

“And posting them,” Miyuki added, opening her phone. “Instant viral moment.”

“Speaking of phones…” Mika perked up. “Are you two on Instagram?”

“Of course,” Sakura said. “What’s your handle?”

“@Cupcake_MikaBerry. It fits me, right?”

Both girls exchanged delighted looks.

“That’s adorable,” said Miyuki. “It’s perfect for you.”

Mika grinned. “I only have one post so far—it’s a picture of my homemade cupcakes.”

Sakura’s eyes widened as she pulled up the account. “Wait, you made these?”

“They look professional,” Miyuki added. “You seriously baked these?”

“Yup! I’m good at cupcakes… but kind of a disaster at everything else.”

Sakura smiled gently. “Hey, don’t say that. I’m sure you’ve got tons of hidden talents.”

“And even if you don’t,” Miyuki shrugged, “who cares? You’re awesome just as you are.”

Mika’s smile faded slightly as she looked down at the table. “Riku’s always getting mad at me for messing things up. But… he still cares. He’s my friend, you know? He puts up with me even when I’m being clumsy.”

“Sounds like he’s kind of a grump,” Miyuki said.

“But he must care,” Sakura added. “Otherwise, why stick around?”

Mika hesitated, then blushed. “I… might have a tiny crush on him.”

Both girls lit up immediately.

“Ooooh!” Sakura leaned in. “Tell us everything.”

“How long have you liked him?” Miyuki asked, clearly invested.

“Since elementary school,” Mika admitted. “We were really close, but then my mom got a job in another prefecture. We lost contact… until now.”

“Wow,” Sakura breathed. “That’s forever ago.”

“Did you ever tell him how you felt?” Miyuki asked.

Mika blushed deeper. “No. I’m too scared…”

“Totally understandable,” Sakura said softly.

“But don’t let fear hold you back forever,” Miyuki added. “You’ll regret it if you never tell him.”

“I know… I just moved back in with him two days ago. I need to wait a little. If I confessed now, I’d seem weird, right?”

“Fair,” Sakura said. “Give it time.”

“But not too much,” Miyuki warned.

Mika nodded. “Yeah… you’re right.”

Wanting to change the subject, she smiled. “Hey, you girls should come over sometime. Riku won’t mind.”

“For real?” Miyuki lit up. “We’d love that!”

“Yeah,” Sakura grinned. “We’ll totally come over!”

Their chatter was interrupted by the arrival of the food. The table was quickly covered in dishes—Mika’s order alone looked like a mini buffet.

“Wow…” Mika whispered, eyes wide.

“You weren’t kidding,” Sakura laughed. “You ordered enough to feed a small army.”

“I’m both amazed and concerned,” said Miyuki.

“Don’t worry! I’ll be fine!” Mika declared.

Sakura raised an eyebrow. “If you explode, we’re not cleaning it up.”

Mika grabbed her chopsticks dramatically. “Here I go! Volcano Oni Ramen first. I gotta defeat the spicy boss before it cools down.”

“Should we cheer?” Sakura joked.

Miyuki pretended to hold a mic. “Live from NekoBite: Mika vs. The Volcano!”

Mika slurped a huge bite—then instantly recoiled, coughing as her eyes watered.

“HOT!! HOT!! FIRE IN MY MOUTH!!”

Sakura laughed. “You look like you saw a demon!”

Miyuki handed her shake over. “Here! Yokai Berry Shake, go go go!”

Mika gulped it down and flopped back into her seat. “That ramen came for my soul…”

“And you still have three more dishes,” Sakura grinned. “Respect.”

“You survive all this,” Miyuki added, “we’re calling you Food Warrior Mika.”

“I like the sound of that,” Mika said proudly.

Sakura pulled out her phone. “Okay, we need a photo. First dinner out together!”

Miyuki held up her phone too. “Give us your best food warrior face.”

Mika puffed her cheeks and held up a noodle like a victory flag. Click.

“This is definitely going on the feed,” Sakura said.

“Tagging you, Miss Cupcake_MikaBerry,” Miyuki added.

Mika giggled. “I’m gonna look like a total noodle queen.”

The laughter and chatter continued through dinner. When the meal was finally over, they split the bill, thanked the staff, and stepped into the cool evening breeze.

“Ughhh… I’m so full,” Mika groaned. “I might roll home like a mochi ball.”

“You did eat enough for three people,” Sakura teased.

“And a yokai,” Miyuki added.

Then Mika gasped, pointing dramatically. “ICE CREAM!!!”

Across the street, a pastel-colored ice cream shop glowed warmly.

“Are you serious?” Sakura blinked. “You still want more?”

“Dessert after dessert is a lifestyle!” Mika declared. “Ice cream has a separate stomach.”

“You’re lucky you’re cute when you beg,” Miyuki sighed.

“Fine. But if you explode this time, we’re calling Riku to carry you home,” Sakura said.

“He’d probably just drag me by the foot,” Mika giggled, skipping ahead.

Inside Yume Kōri, the scent of waffle cones and sugar swirled in the air.

“Welcome!” the staff greeted them.

“I’ll take a chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla scoop, please!” Mika ordered excitedly.

Sakura and Miyuki watched in awe as she paid and skipped outside, happily licking her cone.

“Should we call it a night?” Miyuki asked.

“Yeah,” Sakura nodded. “Today was fun. Really fun.”

“I’m glad we met Mika,” Miyuki said. “She’s totally part of the group now.”

Mika looked at them both, her eyes soft. “Thanks, girls. I haven’t felt this happy in a long time. You’re really fun… and understanding.”

“Anytime,” Miyuki said, placing a hand on her shoulder. “We’re here for you, Mika.”

“Always,” Sakura echoed.

Mika smiled, the sunset casting golden light over her ice cream. “I should get going. Thanks again. Bye bye!”

“Bye, Mika!” they waved.

As she walked off, her heart full and her stomach fuller, Mika felt something she hadn’t felt in a long time: belonging.