Friend Zoned

After realizing her letter was missing, she made a poor excuse to rush out of the cafe to look for it. Leaving Shinichi in a state of confusion.

She retraced their steps through the shopping mall, the streets, and even went back to the office to look. 

Her letter was nowhere to be found  

This must be some sort of weird sign…

-

The next day, Miyo did her best to avoid Shinichi. She had no idea how she was supposed to explain herself after how weird she acted yesterday. Every time she thought about seeing him, her chest tightened. 

Thankfully, Shinichi was called for a meeting that afternoon, which meant she didn’t have to face him during lunch.

Relief washed over her, albeit thin and fleeting. Avoiding him today only meant she had to have it figured out tomorrow.

My letter disappearing must mean I shouldn't tell him how I feel...

Miyo sighed as she picked at her food on her tray in the work cafeteria.

I guess I should just put it behind me... 

She could write it again if she really tried. The words were still there somewhere in her heart. But what was the point? At this point it felt like the universe was fighting against her. 

I looked everywhere for it... Someone must've found it. 

Her chest tightened at the thought. 

It should be fine. I didn't sign my name or mention Shinichi by name so it's not like anyone would know even if it were found...

She let out another deep sigh, trying to convince herself that everything was fine.

Miyo poked at her rice again, appetite long gone, when the chair across from her scraped against the floor.

Miyo looked up to see a man had taken a seat opposite her.

She stared at him for a moment before it finally clicked.

It was him.

The man she had bumped into yesterday. The man who she made drop all his things. The man that wouldn't let her help and brushed her off.

The man studied her quietly, his expression unreadable.

The way he looked at her made Miyo feel uneasy.

Miyo looked around the cafeteria, plenty of empty tables and seats but for some reason this man felt the need to sit here right across from her.

"Can I help you...?" She managed to say, her voice smaller than she intended.

For a moment, he just looked at her.

Then his expression shifted.

An easy smile made its way to his face as he leaned forward. "Miyo Sanada, right? Do you mind if I call you Miyo? You can call me Akio."

"Huh?" Miyo blinked, taken aback. We've only just met and he already wants to be on first name basis? What a weirdo...

"I want to apologize for my behavior yesterday." Akio leaned back in his seat with a sigh. "I had a deadline I was already late for, and I was too focused on trying to meet it. I know that's not an excuse though, so I hope I didn't offend you."

"Oh... It's okay. I understand..." He did seem stressed. It's not like I don't know what it's like to be under a deadline.

"I appreciate you trying to help. Sorry that I snapped at you."

Miyo offered a polite smile. "You don't have to worry about it. It's fine."

Akio's smile widened slightly. "Allow me to make it up to you."

"Oh no, it's not necessary." Miyo protested.

"I insist though."

"You really don't have to." She said quickly. "Plus there's nothing you can do to make it up to me anyway."

Akio raised an eyebrow, the faintest hint of amusement touching his face. "Nothing?" He leaned forward on the table. "Not even helping you get together with Shinichi?"

Miyo froze. 

Wait what...? 

For a moment, she was sure she had misheard him.

What did he just say...?

Akio's smirk grew as he took a painfully familiar letter from his pocket. "You see, even though you didn't mention him by name, I fear it's clearly obvious." He gave her a knowing look. "The way you write about him and the way you look at him."

"You read that...?" Miyo's voice slipped out before she could stop it as her face warmed.

"It wasn't sealed." Akio said too casually.

"That doesn't mean it was an invitation to read it."

Miyo tried to grab the letter back, but Akio pulled it out of reach. "I can help you get closer to him."

"What are you talking about?" She shot back. "Shinichi and I are already close friends."

"Exactly."

"Exactly what?"

"You're close friends." He repeated. "You're clearly friend zoned."

The words hit harder than she expected.

"That's not-" She stopped herself. "You don't know that."

Akio opened the letter, skimming the contents again, far too casual for someone trying to mess with a stranger's life. "You confide in each other. Walk home together. Do errands together. And you see each other basically every day. You have every opportunity to become something more."

Her heart pounded in her ears at his words.

"And yet," he continued, "you haven't." 

He snapped his fingers once, sharp and decisive. "Friend zoned."

Miyo clenched her hands into her skirt. Deep down she had a feeling that Shinichi only saw her as a friend, but hearing the words come from someone else stung more than she anticipated.

Akio's smirk softened into something gentler. "If you want him to see you differently then you need to make some moves to get his attention."

"And you think you know how to get his attention...?" Her voice betrayed her.

"I'd have a better idea than you." He replied. "After all, I understand how guys think."

Miyo finally met his gaze, her golden-brown eyes meeting his dark brown ones. "Why would you help me?"

Akio slid the letter back across the table to her. "Just think of it as my way of apologizing for my rude behavior."