Almost A Week

The high I felt after I gave Daisuke the letter didn't last long and the thought of what I was actually doing dominated my mind again. But it was no use now, it either was going to work or not.

The problem was that it was still only monday and since I wanted to give Sophia some time to get the letter and think about what she wanted to do I only asked to meet her on saturday. So I had pretty much a whole week to get through before I had a chance to see what the outcome of my daringly stupid plan would be. Another worry was dancing class on wednesday. I didn't fancy talking to Kaida before I really knew what the outcome of my actions was, but at the same time I was dying to talk to someone about it and since Aoto was out of the question, Kaida was my only other option.

When the time of dancing class finally came I felt numb from the constant stress I was expriencing because of what might potentially happen on the weekend. I was not really mentally there at work and that lead Aoto to try tease me again to get me riled up, but it barely reached me and it seemed to cause him visible frustration. Even when I agreed to go out drinking with him after work I was absent-minded during it and all I really wanted to do was to get drunk and so that's what I did. I still felt a bit hungover even a full day later. I think he actually started to get worried about me and that was quite unusual for him and it made me feel bad in return since I really didn't want to open up to him at the moment but at the same time I didn't want him to feel bad because he thought I might be going through something very serious. This whole situation was a mess.

When I saw Kaida coming into the room she didn't seem impressed with my state of being.

„What's going on with you Sato. You look like you didn't sleep for three weeks and ran a marathon just now. Did things not go well with Ms. Nakamura?“

„I haven't talked to her yet. She apparently called in sick at work and I think she wants to avoid me.“ I reported truthfully.

„And what do you want to do now?“ was her answer.

„I already did something. I wrote a letter and gave it to one of the girls that works there in hopes that she will give it to Sophia.“

Kaidas eyes went wide and a incredulous smile appeared on her face.

„Are you serious boy? That's the best thing you could come up with?“

I was taken aback by her blunt response and now I was seriously worried again that I had made a big mistake in writing and giving away the letter.

„D-Do you think it was such a bad idea?“ I stuttered.

She made a face not too disimilar from the one that the girl in the flower shop made and rubbed the back of her head with one hand.

„Maybe. I don't know. I was just surprised. Do you think she will get the letter actually?“

„I made a bit of a deal with the girl I gave the letter to, so I think she will.“

Now Kaida was suddenly all ears.

„A bit of a deal? Are you stupid, boy? What kind of deal did you make with her?“

„Relax Kaida, I promised her when I get together with Sophia I will grant her one wish. And she promised me it wouldn't be anything inappropriate.“

Kaida was laughing loudly as a response.

„And you believed her? There's that empty space in your skull presenting itself again.“

Now it was my turn to make a face.

„What else could I have done? If I actually have a chance with Sophia through her help I would be willing to do a lot in return, so I took the risk. I can still say no anyway.“

„I can't believe you Sato. But I guess you are right, you are in such a bad spot that you didn't have any wiggle room. And what did you write anyway?“

„Basically that I wanted to apologize and that if she wanted to hear my answer to why I looked at her I would tell her on saturday.“

Kaida took in what I told her about the letter and seemed to contemplate it.

„Sounds pretty dumb, but I guess it can work. If she actually likes you that is.“ Another blunt response.

„I know, I'm panicking constantly over what I've done and I really needed to talk to someone about it. I don't have many friends in Tokyo and you are the closest one to me and I trust you Kaida. Thank you for entertaining my stupid plan.“

Kaida seemed to actually be somewhat touched by my admission and she even seemed to blush ever so slightly, which I had never seen happen to her before.

„Well, I don't know what to say Sato. I'm happy you consider me your friend and that you trust me with something that is so important to you.“ she finally answered. Then her usual self seemed to gain the upper hand again.

„That's enough of that sappy nonsense boy. The fact remains that you are as dumb as a rock and I should probably warn the girl about you, but I let you get away with it this time. Now lets dance finally.“

She turned away apparently still slightly flustered and I just smiled as I was happy to call someone like her my friend.

After the practice we sat outside the building again, drinking beer.

„Well Sato. Despite what I might have said earlier, I really hope things work out for you. I mean it.“

„Didn't you say you had enough of that sappy nonsense?“ I couldn't help but tease her a bit.

She made a face like she heard something deeply unpleasent, but kept going.

„I know this doesn't sound like my usual self, but believe it or not, once upon a time I was quite the romantic myself and thinking back on it made me feel all sorts of things over the last week or so.“

I finally realised that she was telling me something that was very important to her and kept my mouth shut.

„When my husband tried to win me over he had to pull all sorts of stunts before I finally gave in. Writing a desperate letter probably would have been one of the more harmless things he had to do. I was quite stubborn back then and I thought that the man had to prove his love to a woman in a very serious way. And he took up the challenge. He even started to take dancing lessons because of me even though he has less coordination than an air dancer.“

She laughed at the thought of her husband dancing and her face lit up when she did so and I could see that she was actually a very beautiful woman.

„You love him a lot, don't you.“

„Oh yes, more than anything. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have him.“

After that we both sat there in silence, but I felt like our friendship was a lot deeper now than it was before. When her husband arrived to pick her up we both stood up and she actually hugged me, which she had never done before.

„I really hope you can make it work with Ms. Nakamura. I know how much she means to you and I think you mean a lot to her as well. Call it female intuition. You just have to figure out how to get it across.“

„Thank you Kaida. I will do my best.“

After that she just winked at me and she and her husband drove off, leaving me contemplating what just happend.