Nice Catch

"Let's get to your reward!" I said enthusiastically, putting my arm around Saya as we continued down the school stairs.

"Huh? For what?"

"Well, you got through the exams. And you deserve one anyway. My treat." I wasn't sure if I really wanted to do that, or if I was just using Saya to distract my thoughts from the unnecessary ones that had been building up for quite some time.

"Hmm, well a cola should be enough then."

"Too modest." I shook my head in denial at her request, but followed on it anyway.

We continued outside the school and found an abandoned and old looking vending machine. It looked quite lonely but as it was quite a far distance from the school, this was expected. I put in the coins for two drinks, one for Saya's cola and a coffee for me. Time to get the brain running.

"Haaah, Asuka is really pushy this time around for some reason. Just find a substitute already, why is she trying to rope me in this festival some way or another anyway?" I sighed and kept on rambling, maybe waiting for some validation from Saya at this point. She was more thoughtful between the two of us, but if someone is comparing me, it wasn't quite that big of a feat.

I glanced at Saya to see her reaction to my timidity, only to notice her being uncomfortable. Eyebrows curled up with a frown on her face, like she wasn't believing what I was saying.

"Would it be that bad to help for one day? Or is the bad part that Asuka might realize you wanted to?" She said, with a faint voice.

As I was reaching for the drinks from the bucket after they had fallen from the top shelf, I hit the vending machine slightly as I lost my balance. Recollecting myself, I processed what Saya just said.

"That... that is not the case," I tried to deny it, but it didn't feel convincing.

"I'm not saying that is the case, nor am I trying to push you. But, maybe Asuka just misses you? Can you do it for her sake?"

Why did I not think from that angle, given my sudden departure from the club? Was I just ignoring the thought completely? However much I question myself, I just couldn't remember how it all started. But ...

"Yeah, maybe you are right." I say that as I pass the coke to Saya. She catches it pretty clumsily. I let out a small chuckle.

"Nice catch"

"You threw too fast!"

"Hehe. Thanks, Saya. Maybe I'll rethink this a bit more."

"Glad to be of help." She said that with her chest held high, like she had just saved a kid from a building on fire. From my angle, she was completely towering over me. An unusual sight.

I clench my fist around the coffee that I had just bought. Snapping open the top lid, I took a huge sip.

"Fuaaaah!" Refreshing. Like a wind that just blew away the dried, old leaves clouding my mind.

I open up my cellphone and search for Asuka's name. I had gotten my answer, but what it would bring me was still hidden in the mist.