Liking

 The last time I’ve been put in this tense situation was fairly recent. And again, I was placed in a tense situation, though, this time, it might be worse than the last.

Will things escalate—or de-escalate—into worse times?

But, I shouldn’t expect smooth rides. Every road has more than one bump never none. I wasn’t close to my destination, and now I was facing obstacles—something that discouraged me.

Seeing that they wouldn’t hesitate to murder, this might be my last day in the academy, so I might as well enjoy the entirety of what the academy offered.

And what a more perfect day to do just that!

I must confess, but I was an avid shopper in the ‘Mall,’ but not for the common leisure.

Since I can’t afford to dine in extravagant and expensive restaurants, I procured myself affordable canned goods and ready-to-eat dishes. Thank the academy for including such a thrifty shop. I didn’t even think they would include a commoner’s convenience store considering the ‘prestigious and noble’ theme.

Though, it was embarrassing to be the only customer who frequents there, what could I do?

Frankly, I was getting bored of eating the same bland thing and considering my situation, I might as well splurge.

There was a more expensive restaurant than the academy’s cafeteria. It was a well-known, five-star restaurant. I must applaud the academy for coordinating a decent, nameless restaurant that can be compared to that restaurant.

But, it was no doubt that that restaurant was the best of all.

I went straight in, forgetting about my attire——a plain, red jacket over a plain white t-shirt and black jeans. The most casual of all outfits. Thankfully, the waiter didn’t mind and politely led me to a table for one.

There was no point in worrying about my appearance, because, surprisingly, no one was dining there.

But, I should consider that normally there would be classes at this time. Maybe many students dine on the weekends—ha, weekends.

“Here’s the menu, sir—”

“Just serve me the best. It’s my last supper.”

“A—alright, sir. I understand.”

Since I only barged in without a reservation, it would take some time to prepare the dishes, and I wouldn’t have the orders required to be booked.

So, I left to window-shop at some stores.

“Oh, this tuxedo looks good, though…” I stared while I grimaced.

Then, I felt a presence come beside me. “Classic tastes, huh?”

I looked beside me. There was a woman wearing glasses. She seemed to be my age.

Though she uttered ‘classic,’ she wore the contemporary.

She wore an orange, shoulderless top with loose, orange slacks fastened with a belt that had a shiny, circular buckle, and one-inch high heels.

She removed with her eyes locked on me. “Are you going to buy it?”

“No, I have…” I hesitated. “I was just thinking about the next outfit for the dance.”

“You’re quite optimistic, but I wouldn’t doubt that. You won third place—”

“Pardon me, but ‘we.’”

She cleared her throat. Her eyes flared. “Your class won third place. I believe you’ll progress to first place.”

“Excuse me, but ‘we.’”

She waved her hand, “Whatever, you know what I mean.”

At this, we looked back at the suit.

“So what deviates you from your routine today?” she asked.

“Routine? Deviation? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I only see you frequent that store over there,” she pointed lazily.

“I just felt like it. Besides, it’s a short vacation.”

She giggled. “Right, a short vacation.”

More moments of silence passed, and I decided it was time to leave.

“Wait,” she demanded my attention. “That final act; how’d you know that dance?”

“By luck and research.”

“I mean, you learned it in such a short amount of time?”

“Miyazono-san taught me; she was a great help.”

“That was a hard dance, you know? And with your refined movements, it must have taken a long time to practice. So, answer me honestly, how’d you know that dance?”

She was very confusing. If my dances were so refined to the point that they can be compared to a professional, then, it was my honor.

“Woman—” Wait, what was her name? I haven’t seen her anywhere. Perhaps she was from a higher class.

“Stop.”

“Huh?”

“Just stop. You know me—you should know me.”

Unfortunately, this wasn’t some clichéd plot line where I saved someone in the past and have forgotten.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t.”

“One name, Chinatsu.”

Chinatsu? Chinatsu of the—

“Now, you should know how popular I am!”

“Don’t interrupt me. I was going to make a joke.”

“What?”

“A joke where I make fun of your name—I mean, I make you buy me that tuxedo,” I pointed, mimicking what she did before.

“Are you mocking me?”

“Not really—oh, hey! Look over there; those are some intricate chinas!”

She looked over to the ceramic plates with blue ink drawings on them. Fluttering her eyes, she angrily looked back at me. “So, you are mocking me.”

“Yeah, I think I should buy some new shoes.”

“Can you stop avoiding my question?”

I walked out on her.

“Hey! Where are you going!?”

I went to a random shoe store while she followed me with stomps. She kept yelling at me.

“Stop ignoring me! Hey!! What you’re doing is rude, I’ll have you know that! Have you forgotten your manners! Hey! Hey!!”

I called one store employee and asked, “What’s your best-selling, unisex shoes?”

“Please follow me. These sir. They are popular among the classes these days, and I don’t know why.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, if I may insert my humble opinion, these are far better. They offer ankle support, midsole comfort, great traction, and unparalleled energy return.”

“What are those called?”

“It’s called ‘BOOSB.’”

BOOSB? Really? His sale-talking skills enticed me, until that absurd name.

“Well, what are the popular ones called?”

“‘RISE’—it’s a very plain name, right? It’s so boring and simple, it’s so unappealing! And for a man like you, you should get—”

“I’ll have the ‘RISE,’ please.”

“B—but, sir—”

“Didn’t you say it was your humble opinion? I favor mine to yours.”

He sighed. “Though, his wording is different, what he said was essentially the same.”

“Pardon me, did you say something?”

He rapidly wagged his head, “No—no! Not at all! I’ll have the shoes right away.”

I sighed. Was he an idiot? “Hey, aren’t you forgetting something?”

“H—huh?” his voice cracked. “W—wait! Please, don’t take my family!”

“What are you—my size! Hey, you forgot what size I am, hellooooo?”

“A—ah! Sorry, you’re right.”

“I’m size twenty-six.”

He looked at my shoes. “I think—”

“Just get them, alright? I won’t ask for a refund.”

Quickly, the employee went into the stock room as if he were fleeing from something.

I was perfectly ignoring a presence until now. I couldn’t ignore them any further now that we were alone.

“Hey!” Chinatsu breathed raggedly. “I’ve been shouting here for three minutes!”

Wait, really? The employee didn’t seem to notice.

“I’m sorry, Chinatsu, but you were just so annoyingly cute that I let you throw a tantrum like that.”

“I—I’m annoying!? Wait—” she gasped. “Did you call me—”

“You’re as annoyingly cute as the china over there——it’s beautiful when it isn’t broken, but frustrating if it is.”

Her face went through phases of anger and confusion. She probably didn’t know if she wanted to be angry or not. “I don’t understand what you’re saying…”

I didn’t understand what I was trying to say either, but I was trying to irritate her so she could leave me alone, but it didn’t work.

I wondered why she stuck to me this much. There was nothing special about me, so, just like every student in this academy, she must have a motive.

“If you want, I’ll make it up for you by treating you to lunch.”

“Wait, really!?” Her eyes sparkled.

And I didn’t think it was food.

We went to the restaurant where many dishes awaited.

“Woah! It’s already prepared!?”

“Yeah, I ordered earlier.” I went ahead of her and pulled a seat. “Shall we?”

She smiled and her seat, “Thank you, gentleman.”

I pushed the seat as she sat, then I took mine.

“This might be the weirdest date ever.”

“Hm?” I voiced confusion. When did this turn into a ‘date’? Also, how do you know if it was a date or not?

“I mean, our attires; they aren’t appropriate for the place.”

“Ah, you’re right.” I’ll just go along with her ‘date.’

I ate in silence while she gleefully praised the food with every bite. It was so annoying. Why can’t one just eat and appreciate in silence? If she wanted to compliment so much, she could just pass her compliments to the chef.

It would have been embarrassing too if there were people around. Good thing it was only the staff.

She would also strike up small talk frequently, but I ended the chats each time.

Now it was time for desserts, and it seemed that Chinatsu has calmed down as her expression turned serious.

“I know you don’t like me, but I know you know me. It’s not just me that you know, but I know you too.”

She alerted me. Behind those words was some kind of malice. There was a hidden threat that I wouldn’t know until the end.

“I’ve been observing you for a while now, and I’ve realized.”

No, did she… Then, she must—

“I’ve taken interest in you! You’re the first scholar admitted to this school, so that means, you’re like super smart! I’ve heard it from your classmates! You get perfect grades every time! Your dance performance proves as well—I saw that improv on stage! That girl did collapse, but you covered it up! Then, the dance at the end…”

…

…

…

“Then the dance at the end…” her tone went lower. “How you ate at the cafeteria. How you’re eating now. How you walk, and how you talk.”

As I thought, she must have had—

“Amahiko Yajima, you are—!”

—delusions about me.