An invitation from her Grandma.

It is said that energy can't be created or diminished. It only changes its form, from one resource to another. The amount of energy in the universe is constant. 

Then what about emotions? Does it also follow the same theory? For what I know, if you keep bottling up energy in an unstable container, it will burst after exceeding the maximum capacity. For emotions it tends to comply with the same formula. 

Every emotion or feeling that got suppressed, bursting out when reaching its limit, without thinking of the consequences. Huh…then why didn't it happen that day. Why did it feel like a black hole appeared inside the container?

“So you're the one.”

“I'm…not quite following…?” I said, stumbling on my words.

“Grandma, you're scaring him.” Yoshino said with a weight on her voice.

“When did I scare him? Rather I'm relieved to finally get hold of him.”

“Wait, getting hold of me.” Yoshino once said about a grandma beating someone. Was she talking about her? Like protecting her granddaughter from evil.

“I'm no evil. I'm just a friend of hers. She said once that she liked Dorayaki. So I gave her some whenever I came here to buy for home. I'm sorry if that looked like I was tricking her or something.” I said it so fast that half of it would probably sound gibberish.

“I…didn't get what you said. But you've been very kind to her. I told her every time to bring you home. I wanted to treat you to something good.” The granny said. 

“Oh…so no beating me?”

“What!” Yoshino exclaimed.

“Uhh…I mean, you don't have to, really. Your gentle thoughtfulness is enough.” 

“No. Today you have to come inside, I'm not gonna hear anything else.” Grandma said with stern posture. 

“Can you please?” Yoshino also requested holding her necktie with her fingers. 

“Alright…Thank you for inviting me.” I got defeated.

I trailed behind them to the house. The entrance was well built with sturdy black stones. On the sides were plants that were cut in beautiful style. 

Her Granny opened the wooden door with a slight push. I took off my shoes and placed them on the shelf beside the door and put on some spare slippers. There was a little space ahead and three doors leading to three different ways. 

Yoshino slid the right door open, “You can sit here.”

As per her guide, I sat in the spacious room, probably the living area. There's a rectangle table and a comfy mattress, probably Tatami around it. 

Soon Yoshino came with an oolong tea and sat in front of me.

“Sorry about this. You must be getting late.”

“No, it's alright. I don't have much to do at home anyways. Besides, your grandma is nice and I'm sure her cooking will be something I should experience.”

“That's true. I'm going to the kitchen to help granny. Make yourself comfortable.” Yoshino said while standing up. 

“Sure. Thanks for the tea.”

As Yoshino left the room, I watched sideways to the colourful garden outside through the transparent glass door. The garden bloomed with vibrant flowers and even had some fruit trees. Everything was well maintained and clean.

I sat for a few minutes and texted Hideo in the meanwhile to let him know that I'll be late and tell his parents too.

Soon after, Yoshino came with a tray. On the tray were three bowls of rice. She carefully placed the bowls on the table and went away to put the tray back. This time she came with her grandma. 

Yoshino sat in front and grandma sat beside her. After showing my gratitude, we started to eat. 

The dish was Gyudon. A couple of thinly sliced tender beef over the sauce that sits on top of the rice. A simple quick dish. Though it tasted quite good. The rice is moist, the beef is juicy, perfectly cooked and the sauce is well mixed flavoured. 

“How is it?” grandma asked.

“It's really well. I'm enjoying it.”

“Why wouldn't it be since we made it together.”

“I didn't do as much.” Yoshino jolted. 

“You made the sauce. It's an important element, right?” saying that grandma looked at me for confirmation.

“Right. The sauce is well done too. The texture is great and flavourful.”

“...Thanks” She said, embarrassed. 

Seeing her like that I also got embarrassed and looked at my bowl. The heat of the dish felt hotter than before. 

After answering a few questions of her while eating, it was time for me to head back home. I looked at my phone which showed 17:26. I picked up my bag and got up. 

“Thank you again for the food.”

“I'm glad you liked it. Come by again, it's the first time Fumi brought her friend. I'm happy to see that she's doing well at school.”

“Oh come on granny. You should rest now.” Yoshino hurriedly pulled her grandma outside the room and came back. 

“I'll see you off.”

I nodded and went to the front door, putting on my shoes. Just as I opened the door, Yoshino spoke,

“Actually granny said to bring you home a couple of times. But I couldn't invite you, thinking that it might be awkward to ask you.”

“Yeah. I totally understand. I appreciate the hospitality you both showed me.” Hearing me, Yoshino showed a heart fluttering smile.  

“Uhh…anyway, see you tomorrow.” I said, embarrassed.

“Yeah. Bye.”

After that I went home and was welcomed with smirks from my aunt. Hideo must've said something fishy. Regardless, I went to my room. Dinner still had time. So I sat at the table and opened my books for the homeworks.  

After studying for one hour my head started to hurt. Though for the first time in a while, I could study without a headache. I probably should be more grateful to her. 

The table was in front of the small balcony. The wind was whistling through the small gap of the glasses. The cool breeze was oddly soothing. 

Let's sit on the balcony for awhile.

I went to the balcony with a pillow and my phone. I sat there a few minutes then my phone buzzed. It was a message from the group chat we created. Ichikawa send a text,

[The weather is exquisite right now.] 

[Yeah. The wind is chilly out there.] Yoshino replied. 

[Indeed. But it has something gentle to it too.] I said, glancing at the sky.

[That's quite philosophical of you. Are you outside?] Ichikawa asked.

[No, in the balcony.] 

After a few messages, Yoshino and Ichikawa went offline for dinner. As I was sitting, gazing at the silent neighborhood. Hideo came outside through his balcony. 

Our balcony is side by side. We could even cross each other's room through it.

“Hey. Sitting here alone.” 

“Yep. Just…getting some peace.” I said looking at him.

“How is it?”

“It's good. The atmosphere is not that cold. The neighborhood is quiet with occasional vehicles passing by.” I replied while knowing that's not what he was asking about. 

“You know that's not what I meant.”

I guess I can't evade him. I took a long sigh, “it's somewhat manageable. It's still locked but I can concentrate for a short period of time at least.”

After a certain incident, my head or perhaps my brain kind of locked itself. I can't focus on anything for a longer period. Nothing gets through. There's also a sharp pain that escalate it. But more than that…everything became vague and blank after that.

“That's good. Is it recent?”

“Uh huh, I guess the friend group we've right now is influencing it.”

“Hmm…or is it Yoshino specifically.”

“I don't know. But when I interact with her the sharp pain almost goes away. I do enjoy our group time too.”

“You didn't even deny it. Someone's falling hard.”

“It's not like that…maybe. I still don't know what I feel towards her. Is it just some simple attraction or something more deep. I wouldn't know until I figured myself out. I wanna first fix my condition before I start feeling for someone else.”

“You got it tough huh. I'm sorry. If I showed up that day, this might've been avoided and you wouldn't had to suffer this unknown pain.”

“No, it's just what was written in my fate. I don't think I would've intentionally bunked the public school in Setagaya if it wasn't for this. 

I applied and got myself in this public school here knowing that I can rely on you and I'm liking it here with everyone. Therefore I have no reason to blame you. The situation that happened was the aftermath of a long build up.” I let out some fumes from magma that's sitting still.

“Yeah right. Don't worry, I'll help in whatever way I can.” Hideo reassured. He's someone who I can talk to about anything. 

“Enough of that, what about you? How is it progressing with Ichikawa.”

“Huh!! Where did that come from.” Hideo looked panicked. But after calming himself he continued, “It's…I don't know…I have no idea how she feels about me, even though we've known each for almost 5 years.”

“Then she was the one who made you betray me.” I said teasingly.

“Uhh…I'm sorry man. I thought-”

“Hold on hold on, I was just joking. Don't sweat. Ichikawa is a nice girl, she's the one who brings live into our group. You both get along well, you two would make a great couple.”

“Oh come on bro…it's just one sided right now.” He's tone gradually lowered towards the end. I could see his face getting red from far. 

“...aaanyway, you never told what happened specifically that day.”

“That day huh…”

The day a hollow pit popped up. Instead of bursting emotions forcing it way out, it got engulfed by the empty pit.