The Boy Named Kurumi-kun

ALL I EVER WANTED WAS TO experience a pure romance like in anime and manga ever since I was in high school—maybe even before that—I can’t remember anymore.

I kept waiting for it to come to me but it never did. My hypothesis? Appearance matters a lot. Now that I think about it, they’re all beautiful and handsome in the animes I’ve watched. Unfortunately for me, I was severely lacking in anything a boy finds attractive. I wasn’t feminine enough.

After graduating high school, I told myself, “Enough is enough,” and decided to change how I look completely. From my hair style to how I dress to how I talk; pretty much everything about me had to go.

It’s been a couple of years since I started college and I wish I didn’t bother at all. Nothing changed for me in the end.

*****

It’s exam season. It’s the weekend and I, Takahashi Yumeko, am on my way to meet my best friend, Rin-chan, in a public library to study.

It has been a habit for the both of us to do so—at least for the two whole years that we’ve known each other.

With that said, there’s really nothing special with this specific exam that we couldn’t already ace. We’re simply studious like that.

In front of the library, I see a familiar face. It’s Rin-chan! But she seems to be making an unpleasant face.

I call out to her, “Rin-chan! Sorry, I’m late. Did you wait long?” Her eyes meets mine but she doesn’t respond to me. “Is something the matter?”

After a short while, she finally opens her mouth, “What do we do, Yume-chan?! The library is already full.” Tears forming at the edge of her eyes.

That can’t be right. I check my phone. 10:12 AM. It’s already full this early?!

I look around and see a family restaurant and a café nearby. It’s not our style to study at such places but drastic times calls for drastic measures.

“Let’s try there.” I point at the family restaurant.

But before I could do anything, Rin-chan cuts me off, “I’ve already checked and they’re full as well.”

Well, this is a conundrum. All the other times that I studied with Rin-chan in this library had never been this full. I wonder what’s up.

Still, we can’t just loiter out here and hope for something to happen. We need to make a decision soon.

I have an idea where we could study but it’s honestly bothersome to go there in this situation—but do we really have a choice?

“Let’s just study at my apartment,” I finally said. “We could buy some food to eat later.”

“But…” She gives me an embarrassed look. “You spent so much time and effort to go here. I’d feel bad making you go back.” She’s right about that, and it’s why I find it bothersome to suggest it in the first place. We both went back to the drawing board until she shot up, startling me and some passerby. “Let’s go to my house! It’s not far from here and we could even eat for free!”

It’s honestly a good idea. I just couldn’t suggest it in the first place. I’m not one to propose other people’s houses to hang out on unless they themselves say it.

Either way, we can keep our two-year long tradition alive.

“Sure. That’s a great idea,” I said.

We walked for some minutes until we reach a two-story house. Rin-chan doesn’t talk much about her family in great detail but I get the gist of her family situation. Her mom works and takes care of three daughters and one son, and her father passed away some time ago. It must be hard for her mom to raise four children—that must be why Rin-chan is so determined to keep her scholarship—me too of course, though, I have a nuclear family.

“I’m home!” Rin-chan called out. “My room is in the second floor. Make yourself at home.”

“Sorry for the intrusion.” I took off my shoes and went to her room. Nobody else seems to be at home.

Her room was plain, not that I’m complaining. It’s just you’d expect a girl who’s obsessed with anime to have anime merchandise all over the room—even the ceiling—especially the ceiling. There are some, though, I recognize it as gifts I’ve given her for her birthdays: A poster from her favorite anime series and a couple of acrylic stands of her favorite characters.

I sat in front of a low table and start taking out my books. It’s all business today.

Rin-chan, on the other hand, is staring at her phone impatiently. Is she messaging her family? Or, is it… Oh my God!

Did Rin-chan finally start to appreciate the intricacies and magnificence of 3D men? And here I thought I’d have to sit through hours and hours of commentary about how her husbando, Ayato-kun, is the bestest boy of all time. Maybe I can finally talk to her about that matter.

She puts down her phone and starts to take out her books as well. My curiosity cannot be sated. I decide to ask her.

“So… What’s got you furrowing your brows? Is it a guy?” I asked rather crudely. Not my intention, of course.

“HUH?!” Rin-chan’s voice echoed through the room. Crap. “WHAT THE HELL! DO YOU SERIOUSLY THINK I WAS TALKING TO A BOY?! HELL WOULD FREEZE OVER BEFORE THAT EVER HAPPENS! BESIDES, I ALREADY HAVE AYATO-KUN! (Anime Husbando)”

I’m left speechless. What even is there for me to say apart from, “Ah, okay.” Reminder to not mention that ever again. Also, to not discuss “that” matter with her.

Still, seeing her like this reminds me a lot of myself when I was in high school. I, too, was an otaku exactly like her, only I managed to get out of it after graduating high school. Since then, I read a lot about fashion and decided to change my image turning me into who I currently am today: a seemingly normal girl who’s still an otaku deep inside—honestly, my physical appearance is the only thing that changed.

We finally started to do what we came here for and that is to study. Keeping our scholarships are our top priority! But for some reason, my mind keeps drifting off. I really wish I have someone to confide in.

The truth is… I’m seeing someone. Kind of. His name is Kiryuin Shota. He’s a 3rd year college student, a year above me, and we met purely by chance. I was running late for class. As I made a sharp turn, we ended up crashing into each other. We both apologized profusely and after that event, we ended up seeing each other at campus often.

He hasn’t asked me out yet but our feelings for each other are mutual, I’m sure. He is a bit touchy when we’re alone which makes me uncomfortable but I guess not all guys are like the ones in the shoujo manga I frequently read back in the day. No matter. I’m sure he’ll respect it if I told him to quit it with the touching.

With that said, I actually wanted to meet with him later. If my information is right, he should be finishing work at the convenience store near campus. I’ll leave early and surprise him. For now, we study.

With my focus now on my studies, I managed to get a lot done in the short amount of time until the next distraction happened.

A knock came from the door. Shortly, it opened slightly ajar. “Sis, I’m going to work.” A boy’s voice is heard from behind the door. Must be Rin-chan’s little brother.

“Ah, Kurumi. Alright. Take care.” Kurumi? Isn’t that a girl’s name? My curiosity made me lean forward from where I’m sitting to look at him. The boy I’m looking at is beyond cute, as if he’s straight out of a shoujo manga.

My peeking was instantly caught as we made eye contact. My God his face is so goddamn cute! It was a bit awkward he caught me looking though. I blush a bit and shrink back to my seat.

“Sis, you have a visitor all this time?” Kurumi-kun’s voice sounds so gentle.

“Yep! She’s my best friend from university, Yume-chan!”

He gives me a little nod, “Nice to meet you. I’m Fujisawa Kurumi. Thank you for taking care of my big sis.” His face is tinged red. Perhaps he’s in a hurry.

It startled me a bit but quickly regained my composure. “Nice to meet you too. I’m Takahashi Yumeko.”

His gaze instantly shifted to his sister as soon as our little introduction was over. “Sis…” He whined under his breath as he closed the door.

What was that about?

“Sorry about that. It seems he was here all this time.” Rin-chan said. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was woken up by her loud screaming earlier.

I shake my head, “It’s alright. I didn’t know your brother was so cute.” Was that an okay thing to say? She might blow a fuse again.

“I know right? Everyone in the neighborhood loves to dote on him.” I can totally see that. I wish I was their neighbor. “Though he doesn’t really like being called cute.”

We talked a bit more about our little brothers before a knock came from the door once more.

“I’m coming in.” It’s Kurumi-kun again. He opens the door all the way, revealing a tray with food on his hands. “Sis, I can’t believe you didn’t even serve Takahashi-san tea.” I honestly forgot about it too. I guess Rin-chan isn’t used to having guests over. “Takahashi-san. I’m really sorry about my stupid sister.”

“Ah!” Rin-chan shot up from her seat. “I’m so sorry, Yume-chan! I completely forgot.” She helped him set aside the books and set up the plates on the table.

I shake my head in understanding, “It’s totally ok. I didn’t notice at all.”

“Please accept this, Takahashi-san. Me and my little sisters baked this yesterday.” He hands me a small bag tied with a cute ribbon. It’s cookies.

“Eh? I can really have this?” This is the first time a boy, who isn’t family, ever gave me something. “Thank you so much!” Kurumi-kun’s so nice. I’m sure he’s popular with the ladies.

Speaking of, he sat next to me—not too close for me to get uncomfortable but close enough to know that it’s deliberate.

We started chatting.

“So, you have little sisters?” I asked curiously.

“Yes! Anna and Enna—they’re twins, and in middle school.” He says as he pulls out his phone to show me a photo. It’s the whole family.

My eyes immediately spotted the twins. They’re throwing peace signs with a bright smile on their faces. “They’re so cute!” I thought, but for some reason, I didn’t say that part out loud. Instead, my eyes drifted to the only boy in the picture. He’s really cute and has a good sense of style. “You’re really good looking here, Kurumi-kun.”

“Eh?” He exclaimed, his face a bit red. “R-really?”

“Yeah. With a style like this and with how cute you are, I’m sure you’re popular with the girls.” I explained like I’m some expert in the matter. I hope he doesn’t find it boring.

Kurumi-kun’s face got brighter by the second. This is unexpected. I guess he’s not used to being complimented. It’s extremely cute though.

Unsure if whether I push further or not, Kurumi-kun decides to go on a counterattack. “W-what about you, Takahashi-san? You’re plenty p-pretty yourself.” Is he flirting?

I chuckled—that came out of left field. “Flattery will get you nowhere, Kurumi-kun.” I giggled a bit more. His flustered face is in its pinnacle of red. “Also, feel free to just call me Yumeko.”

“Is it really okay?” He almost jumped in excitement.

“Yeah.” I replied, maintaining my composure. “You remind me a lot of my little brother, actually.”

“O-oh. I see… Thank you… Yumeko-san.” He suddenly got quiet. Have I said something wrong?

“Ahem!” A voice across us exclaimed. “Uh, aren’t you supposed to be going to work? Will you be good on time?” Rin-chan said with the enunciation of an older sibling.

“Ah!” Kurumi-kun bolted up. “I got distracted! This is all your fault, sis. If you’d just served Yumeko-san some tea, I wouldn’t be late for work!”

“WHAT?! LISTEN HERE YOU LITTLE—”

Rin-chan was about to go on her tirade but Kurumi-kun shifts his gaze towards me, “Yumeko-san. I’ll be going now. It’s really nice to meet you.” He waves at me goodbye as he leaves the room.

Rin-chan, whom I thought was still yapping about respecting older sisters, was staring holes at me. “What’s that all about?”

“What’s what all about?” I asked in confusion.

“…Nevermind. Let’s eat!”

“Lets.”