Love is a four letter word

“A magical girl? Like the story genre? It is similar to that, but there are guys that make contracts with me, too. I didn’t compare it to that because I didn’t want them to feel left out.” Hota says laying down on the tatami with me. He stretches his legs out and yawns. I see he has teeth just like a normal rabbit.

“Hm, you’re right; even though I think magical boys are catching on too recently. I just really like the sound of Magical Girl Runa, though. I hope I’m all cute and sparkly when I transform.” My legs start waving in the air as I imagine myself in a cute, frilly outfit. I should think of a cool pose and catchphrase to say when the time comes.

“No one’s stopping you from being a magical girl if that’s what you want to be. I’ll make sure to add extra sparkles when I use my magic, just for you.” Hota can be generous when he wants to it seems.

“Yay! You’re the best, Hota!” I pump my fist in the air and Hota suddenly leaps up to do another proud gymnast pose. So cute.

I start to yawn myself. It’s getting pretty late so I should get ready for bed. I change into some spare clothes I found in my school bag and set out the futon from the closet. It was pretty dusty so I had to spend some time cleaning it first. I really didn’t want to sleep in it because who knows where it came from but I had no choice. I tuck myself in and find that it’s pretty cozy.

I had no alarm clock without my phone so I made Hota promise me he’ll wake me up for school.

“No problem. I always know the time.” I guess being part watch lets him know those things. I made him promise not to do anything weird to wake me up.

As I lay there, I could hear people shuffling and talking until late. It almost felt comforting, like I wasn’t so alone in this world. Maybe it’s just because I’m exhausted. I close my eyes and drift off into a deep sleep.

Pounce!

“Wagh!” I yell a strange noise.

“Get up, sleepyhead!” I wake up beyond startled to Hota stepping on my face. I retaliate by smothering him in the futon cover. He hops around, trying to get free. “Blame the message, not the messenger!” He sounds upset but I hear him giggling.

I should get up, the sun is already bright out. I hurry and get ready so I have time to stop and get something from the street corner bakery for breakfast. Hota’s recommendation is the melon bread based on previous reviews he’s heard. It’s true; I’m in love with it. I run back to grab another one despite Hota’s complaints.

I walk briskly to the school gates. There’s some kind of commotion going on already. There’s a small crowd around two students in the courtyard. I squeeze in closer to get a better look. I see Keiko and a boy with some pretty thick glasses. Her posse is behind her but the boy seems to be alone. It’s my lucky day! Good thing I went back for that second melon bread or I might have missed this action.

“Stop following me!”

“I’m just going to school. It’s my legal duty.”

“Is it you’re legal duty to come up and greet me every day, too?!”

“No. That’s just because I want to.”

“Well, stop!! Last warning!”

“Nope. Last time I checked it’s not illegal to greet classmates we like.”

That seemed to be the last straw for Keiko. She threw back her leg and kicked him right in his side. He fell instantly. He didn’t even throw up an arm to help block it. Dust flies up while the boy remained on the ground. The group of girls behind her jeer at him.

“And I’m telling you, I don’t like you! So stop talking to me or you’ll really be sorry!” Keiko storms off after that with the rest of the girls in tow. Her long skirt flutters behind her and the crowd dissipates. The boy slowly gets up and adjusts his glasses. I think I see a smile on his face.

My hands cover my mouth in surprise. Hota speaks from my bag. “I think we found suspect number one!”

Throughout the school day, I try to keep an ear out for any rumors about Keiko and the boy from this morning. Sure enough I hear a few stories. I learn that his name is Minoru and he’s in the same class as Keiko. He’s been making a scene with her for a few days now. I try asking Hayahiko about him but he doesn’t know anything, unfortunately. He doesn’t seem like the type to gossip anyway. I don’t know if it’s suspicious or not given the fact that this seems to be a recent thing. It could easily be the fact that he just recently gained the courage to talk to her.

At lunch, the same group of girls sit with me. I make it a point to bring up the topic. Hopefully she doesn’t get too mad. “I saw what happened this morning. Sorry you’re being harassed by Minoru, Keiko.”

“Oh man, don’t get me started. He and Makoto can both go die for all I care. In fact, I’d prefer it.” Wow, harsh. I can’t believe one of these loves made it through to her.

“I like Makoto though. He’s cool.” Yumiko says with a mouthful of food.

“No he’s not! He’s a playboy. I bet he says the same lines to every girl he’s met. All boys are jerks and liars. I’ve never met a boy that improved the life of any girl.” I wonder if she remembers saying things like this fifty years from now.

“Who’s Makoto?” I ask. I hope I don’t seem too noisy but it’s for your own good, Keiko!

“Just some annoying boy one grade above us that likes to hang out at the jazz café we go to.”

“He’s much cuter than Minoru! I think you should give him a chance when we go tonight, Keiko.” Yumiko says causing Keiko to playfully punch her.

“Not a chance in hell.” Keiko doesn’t relent. She crosses her arms and refuses to talk about the subject anymore. I’m glad my job is just to find the fake and not convince her to date the real one.

“C-can I come visit you guys at the café?” I ask timidly. I don’t know if our friendship is on that level yet. The girls look at me a little bewildered. Maybe that was a mistake.

“Of course, Runa! We just didn’t ask because we thought you looked like a good girl.” Yumiko gives me a small hug. It makes me happy.

“I might meet you guys there then. I know the place.” I rub my hands together in my lap. This will be my big chance. I wonder if Hayahiko will come with me.

After school I notice Hayahiko leaving and I quickly try to catch up. He’s stopped in the halls by another boy. I think it’s one of his friends that he eats lunch with. I hide behind a wall and try to listen in. Oh no. The boy seems upset with Hayahiko.

“I saw you go home with that girl, Runa, yesterday.”

“Yeah. So I did.”

“You don’t see anything wrong with that? She also hangs out with Keiko and her group. She’s totally a bad influence on you!”

“It’s not like that, and she’s really not bad at all.”

“You’re even defending her now? Look, I’m your friend so I won’t let you get distracted by some pretty girl. I know you have pretty high goals for yourself. I’m just helping you reach them.”

“Thank you, Naoki. I know you’re always looking out for me and I really appreciate that. But I promise that you’re just overreacting. I’m not losing sight at all.”

My heart starts beating faster. What is up with this conversation? What goals does Hayahiko have that he can’t even hang out with me for a bit after school? Maybe it’s a bigger deal than I thought for a boy to be seen with a girl he’s not dating after school? I start to feel embarrassed. I try not to dwell on the “pretty” comment either. My hands cover my face in shame and I start to shake my head. What should I do? I can’t ask him now like this!

“Runa?”

I let out a yelp of surprise. Hayahiko suddenly appears next to me and stares at me concerned. It looks like his friend Naoki left before him. How did he know I was here? I must have been making more noise than I thought. How embarrassing!

“H-hi, Hayahiko…” I don’t even know what to say to him. I wish Ageha were here. She would know what to say to make things less awkward.

“I guess you heard all of that, huh.” Hayahiko looks down like he’s self-conscious.

“Yeah. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause such trouble in your life.”

“Aw, I told you not to worry about that, Runa. Naoki has always been a little high-strung is all. He’s just looking out for me. Anyway, I’m glad I found you. Let’s walk together.” Hayahito gestures outside.

“You still want to hang out with me? Even after all of that? Did your mom get mad at you yesterday?”

“Oh yeah, I got in so much trouble when I got home, haha!” He’s laughing so I give a sympathetic smile but I can’t look him in the eye. Can I possibly feel any worse? “But yeah, of course I do. Wouldn’t you want to hang out with someone from the future in a world that you know is not the real one? I think you’re pretty cool.”

I feel a shock through my chest at that last line. I’ve got to change the topic quickly. “Alright, let’s go then! No point in sticking around here, right?” I swing my arms in a grand motion as I start walking to the exit. Am I as dumb as I look right now, or even dumber? I try not to think about how Hota is watching me. Hayahiko follows me nonetheless.

I start to calm down when we get outside. The traffic and crowd noise help make it a bit less awkward but the air between us is still heavy. I don’t know what to ask him first: about his goals, or the jazz café invitation. I blurt out my first thought.

“Would you come with me to the jazz café tonight to meet Keiko?” He looks at me with an unreadable expression. I try to backpedal and my mouth starts running. “Well, it’s ok if you don’t want to, I understand. It’s kind of late notice and all. I just thought that because you said you wanted to try having more fun but it’s ok if that’s not your idea of fun.” He starts laughing. I hope that’s a good sign.

“Yeah, I think that’ll be fun. I was always curious about those places and now would be a good opportunity.”

I sigh, trying to relax. “I’m glad you’re not offended. I didn’t want you to take that the wrong way or anything.” A thought hits me. “I just realized I don’t even know where it is.” I’m so glad Hayahiko agreed.

“Haha, yeah I guess you need me to take you there at least. Why don’t we get dinner together and then go see Keiko? Don’t worry, I can deal with my mom later.”

“Oh, sure. That sounds nice!” Too nice actually. Does he even realize what he’s saying? “If you don’t mind, I know a good place close to here.”

He agrees and I take him to that small restaurant I went to last night. I thought the food was really good so I hope he thinks so too. The same waitress and man are working there. I wonder if they are the only ones who work here. Though they look young, maybe they’re a married couple running the small place together. That would be really cute.

The lady recognizes me. “Oh, you’re back! And you brought a date this time? How cute.”

Hayahiko and I start to wave our hands in response. “No, it’s not like that. We’re just friends!”

“Whatever you say, girlie. Come sit down here. They’re the best chairs in the house.” She motions to a table in the corner. I feel terrible about the misunderstanding but I don’t know what to say that would convince her either.