What Is a Smart Phone?

I'm only noticing this now but… Hiro-chan is… an Adonis, Chiyoko mused, caressing my hair gently.

I’m a fool; eating that much sugar messed with my head. Who even am I, and why does my face hurt? Oh, right. I’m Sato Hiroshi, and…

“Tis time for you to rise, my lord,” Chiyoko said, her voice barely above a whisper.

I'm currently — resting on Chiyoko-san’s lap.

Never had I guessed that one day, this great experience that had been but one of my fantasies would become a reality.

Chiyoko's hands were sort of chilly in the humid forest, which cooled me down a bit. I opened my eyes slowly as the pitch-black void in my sights disappeared while a white light shone from above us.

That light was the sun. The sun isn't white, but who cares? It's not like it's important. That was stupid. Of course, it's important. As my eyes came into focus, I saw her smiling face, her petite upper body, and her bosom.

“Chiyoko—I mean, Chiyo-san, why am I on your lap?”

“Well, you had a sugar rush, which made you dizzy, then you fell on your face. I couldn’t just leave you there looking pitiful, so I thought that this was the best solution. Was I wrong for assuming?”

Pitiful, huh? I pondered silently while smirking. Well, at least that explains the pain I'm feeling.

“Nope, it was a great call. Thanks a lot.”

“Oh…” She stopped looking ahead and, in turn, looked at me. Her playful eyes lowered as a mischievous smile curved her lips. “Does this mean you genuinely like resting on my small little lap?”

A blush crept up my neck as I averted eye contact. “I… do.”

Someone… please kill me now!

To my surprise, she also blushed alongside me. But unlike me, she wasn't feeling any kind of embarrassment. It's like she's immune to being flustered. I envy her.

“Do you, really? You are not being dishonest?”

“Yes, I'm being honest. Please don't look at me like that; it's… embarrassing.”

“Oh, sorry…”

She trailed off, and what followed was a peaceful silence. We listened to birds chirping in a serene tune, the trees swaying while the leaves whispered along with the zephyr.

Chiyoko continued stroking my hair as the heat on my face died down. This was the first time we'd ever just stayed quiet and let nature do the talking. Little by little, I've learned to like things I never really noticed before. Things I never gave my attention to. Things I never even cared to acknowledge.

Nature, water bodies, connecting with someone on an emotional level, and so many more experiences. I don't know why, but it feels like life scammed me, and I hated existing because of it.

Why am I suddenly starting to enjoy being alive? 

Why am I glad I exist?

Why am I so happy right now?

What did I do to finally receive the kind of connection I've been waiting for—for so long?

I don't know. 

Whatever the reason, I'm glad, because even though I view life in a cynical way, I still want to be happy just like everyone else. Why? Because I'm human too, and my life matters.

We stayed there for a long while, forgetting about anything and everything. Nothing else mattered—but the peaceful moment we were sharing.

*****

The following day, at 10:34 am, I left my room as I headed towards the sitting room, and there I found my charming little gremlin sitting on the couch watching some more isekai.

“Nǐ hǎo, fellow nerd.”

“Nǐ hǎo, big bro. I didn't know you knew how to speak Mandarin.”

“I only know a few words at best.”

“Figures.”

“What was that?”

“Nothing at all, Onii-chan.”

“I'll never win against you, will I?”

“Nope.”

“Of course,” I sighed. “What are you watching?”

“Isekai.”

“I can see that, genius. I was asking for the title.”

“Is that so?” she said while focusing intently on the TV in front of her. “It's one of those ‘I got kicked out of the hero's party’ isekai.”

“Oh, I see. I'm not a big fan of those.”

“I know. That's why I'm watching it alone. Go back from whence you came; you're distracting.”

“Right away, Your Rudeness,” I chuckled a bit. “I'll see you later.”

“Mhm…”

She's not paying attention to me, is she? Well, that's just the way she is when it comes to anime, and I can respect it.

Throughout the entire conversation, she wasn't even looking at me. How typical. After having somewhat of a conversation with my dear sister, I walked out the door. In just a few minutes, I was at the destination of all destinations: Tokiwa Forest.

Today I brought my phone with me. I kept on forgetting it all those other times. But not today. Will there be a monumental change if I bring my phone? Maybe not, but just having something else to talk about will add some flavour to our convos.

I took a few steps and made it to the tree. For once, Chiyoko-san wasn't here. So I decided to sit down and wait for her. While sitting, I felt a presence right next to me. As I turned my head, Chiyoko yelled,

“Boo!”

I twitched a little as I said, my tone flat and nonchalant, “That actually terrified me. I'm so scared.”

“Hiro-chan, you're no fun. Hmph.” She pouted while looking away from me.

So cute.

“I don't scare easily, so that's why your little jump scare didn't work. But I'll give you points for trying at least. Is that fair?”

She kept on pouting as she murmured, “I guess so.”

“Great. Now then, how are you? We didn’t greet each other.”

“Oh yes, that's right. I'm doing fine. How about you?”

“I'm doing good. Why does it feel like we're two adults with zero social skills?”

“Maybe because we are conversing like zombies.”

“That's so accurate.”

“I know. Tell me, am I glamorous or am I not?”

This… is so random! Why does she like asking this kind of stuff?

“Why do you ask?”

“There is no grand reason. I just wanted to know how you see me.”

“I… I think that you are glamorous. In my eyes, you're like a gemstone that reflects shining rays and lights up any place you're in. Of course, I've only seen you in this forest, but I'm certain that what I'm saying is true. And I know that you see it too. Don't you?”

This time, most definitely the first time, I talked to her without blushing. Why? Because I was being real. And when it's time to be real, then I won't hesitate to be as realistic as I can.

Chiyoko-san’s eyes lit up as she grinned a little. “I didn't realize you saw me in that way. That makes me really happy.”

“I'm glad.” I smiled brightly, like the warm, scorching sun. Maybe even a little too bright for comfort. As we stood there looking at each other in comfortable silence, my phone made a ding, signalling a notification.

Chiyoko jumped back, but she lost her footing as she fell over like a tumbling preschooler. While she lay on the soft, healthy grass, she muttered,

“What was that strange noise?”

I looked at her and my left eyebrow rose; then I snickered. “What was that? Have you never heard a notification before?”

“A notification from what?”

“This.” I took out my phone from my pocket and showed it to her.

“What is this small box, it looks like a cellular phone? But why does it look like a mini TV?”

“I guess you can call it that, seeing as streaming is on the rise these days. This is a smartphone.”

“What is a smartphone?”

“It's sort of like a versatile device that combines the functionality of a traditional cellphone with the advantages of a computer. It's really useful. Wait, how do you not know what a smartphone is?” 

“I live with very strict parents. They never allowed me—sorry, I meant, they never allow me to learn about the outside world. To me, the outside world is foreign. I have never even been to Tokyo. I've always been here in Yubari. I've always lived the life of a sheltered princess. Which is why there are so many things I have yet to experience.”

She's just like me for real.

“I relate to that. The feeling of isolation must be something everyone feels sometimes. All you have to do is just let life take its course. Basically, just let it happen. Life, I mean.”

“How wise. I'm quite impressed.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Could I see your smart device?”

“Smartphone.”

“Oh yes, my mistake.”

I gave it to her as she examined it, as if looking to tear it apart just so she could see the insides and study them further. Clearly, this strange device fascinated her — so much so that she forgot I was even there. I watched her as a sense of joy appeared on my face.

There's one — just one thing I've come to accept with all of my heart. Before, I was just joking and being playful; but now I'll admit it with 100% honesty…

I like Chiyoko-san.

[To Be Continued…]