Chapter 18 - Problematic Sunday

"Hey Yuuto, wake up! What time do you think it is now?!"

A familiar voice bursting from behind my room door. Why is she being so noisy on my peaceful Sunday morning, huh?!

I even heard she knocked the door so hard that she almost broke the door in two when she opened it.

The moment she opened my door, I hid myself with my thick and comfy blanket and pretended to be asleep.

Well, it's not as if I was awake the whole time.

"Hey! Wake up you lazybone!!"

Uwo—Wait! Hey?!

She pulled and threw my blanket away. That wasn't in my expectation list so I flinched so hard.

"You can't fool me! Now wake up and prepare yourself!"

Wuh—wah, someone help me, please!!

———

1 hour later.

Here we are, standing in front of the train station. At least I knew this place because I have been using the train service for 3 whole years.

"Hey, tell me again about what we are doing here?"

"Are you for real?!" She looked at me in shock. "I just told you that you're going to accompany me on my date!"

"Ah... I see."

I totally forgot about that.

"By the way, it's your date right?" I asked.

"Yeah it is, why?"

"Then why am I in this place, with you?"

"Because you promised."

Promise? Oh yeah, I remember that promise. I think I have asked her the reason... Well, maybe I'm just forgetting some things again.

"Yeah, I just remembered. Now, can you tell me the other reason?"

"Wait, I haven't told you?"

"What are you talking about? Of course you haven't! If you have told me, I won't be asking you the reason."

"Oops..." She then chuckled nervously.

I can only sigh as a response to that.

After she calmed herself down, she took a few breaths, and looked at me seriously.

Looking at her serious face makes me kind of nervous, and in reaction I can feel my body trembling.

"Listen carefully, the reason I also invited you here is..."

"Y-Yes?"

"Because I'm so nervous!"

"WHAT?!"

"EEK!"

I shouted so hard that it made her jump then hug herself.

"Are you serious right now?!" I asked her again, in complete disbelief.

"Of-Of course I'm being serious! This is my first ever date in my whole life!" She said, stretching both of her hands downwards.

I put my hands on my hips, then sighed.

I can't believe this. First, she wakes me up so roughly that I can barely feel my body. Second, she brings me with her just because she's nervous?!

I mean, what can I do now? I already promised to her and I need to fulfill it.

"Alright, fine. I'll stay here, but only until he comes to pick you up. Is that okay?" I asked.

"Understood!" She said, saluting at me.

———

After accompanying her for almost 30 minutes, her boyfriend finally came. Well, it's mostly because we came too early from the promised time.

Well, now I'm all alone and decided to take a stroll around the city, the city where my junior high takes place.

I bring some money with me, so I can buy some snacks if I'm a little hungry, or maybe if the snacks look tasty...

I looked around, and it left me thinking... It's been a while since I came to this city, huh...

While I was walking around with no purpose, my sister and her boyfriend were going to the aquarium.

To tell you the truth, I don't know anything about dating.

It's purpose, it's benefit, etc.

Maybe it's because I've been a loner for such a long time? Well, I'd like to believe that it is true.

Though when I think about it again... Nah, no use. I still couldn't get an answer.

Didn't the one who's just a friend and who's dating are the same? Like, they both are relatively close to each other, and understand each other.

Or was I wrong? A light just flashed inside my brain and told me the difference.

The ones who's just friends aren't able to kiss or hold hands! Or maybe they can...?

Gaahh!!! I don't know! It's all too confusing for someone like me!

Hm? Wait, why am I in front of my old junior high school's gate?!

Is this what they call muscle memory?!

Uhh... Whatever, I'll just go home and doze around on the sofa.

"Yu-Yuuto-senpai?"

...?

Did someone call me?

When I was about to turn around to go back to the path I had passed, there stood a girl to my right not too far away.

Her hair was tied like a horse, no, a pigtail and is colored pink. Her height is approximately parallel to my chest and she was bringing some books.

"Yuuto-senpai, what are you doing here?" She asked.

"H-huh? Did I... Did we happen to know each other?" I asked back.

"No way... Did you forget about me?"

"I even doubt I knew you..."

"It's me! Your junior, Takahashi Yui!"

"Sorry... I... Didn't know you."

When I said that, her happy face turned into sadness. Her eyes were teary, her smile was nowhere to be found.

"Wait! Wait! Please don't cry!"

"I can't help it, you don't remember me and it hurts me..."

And she began to sob.

Oh, my goodness.

Today might be the worst day I have ever had.