Love Q&A

“Now, Miss Kat, it’s time to choose your winner!”

“Do you pick door number one?”

“Do you fancy door number two?”

“Is your lucky number door number three?”

"Or, could you be looking at door number four?"

It was Marie announcing those with much fanfare.

I’ve sat here for a while now witnessing some strange show. Or, rather, I was roped into participating in it, which is why Marie had pointed me out to choose between four curtains, which she is trying to pass off as "doors".

Marie and Ken invited me to this, saying they wanted to make it up to me for that time they messed with my hair, which is why I’m here. But, now, considering how mentally exhausting the situation has become, I regret not running away when I had the chance.

Of course, I was wary from the start when I received a text from them asking me to meet at a certain room on campus. I wasn’t holding a grudge nor was I actively avoiding them, but I had a hard time trusting the two to not involve me in something weird after that thing at the salon. The invitation smelled like something hence my hesitation.

I only decided to go after multiple assurances from the two that I didn’t need to do anything and that they weren’t going to do anything to me. I tried asking Naomi to come with me so I could have someone to back me up in case things go south, or at least be a witness to the eventual crime, but she had something to do so I went alone.

The place where they wanted me to go was some room on the fourth floor of the Eastern Building. When I came up on the landing of the said floor, I hesitated continuing for a moment.

One reason was because the floor was a bit messy. The hallways were littered with boxes and broken chairs.

The third and fourth floors were used to house the clubs. However, it was a rather large building and they weren't able to fill every room. The clubs were also concentrated on the lower floor. That left a lot of rooms on the fourth floor unoccupied and some were used for storage. The storage rooms were already full so some of the things were left outside. There were still some vacant rooms, though, but, for some reason, nobody wanted to move the excess boxes so they were left there and it made the floor look like a troublesome maze so I was hesitant to traverse it.

The place also faintly smelled of dust. The floor looks maintained, but some of the boxes, especially those stacked so high they almost touched the ceiling, seemed like they weren’t being dusted. You could even spot dust bunnies just hanging on top of them.

It kind of gave a horror movie feel. The area being bereft of activity also enhances that creepy vibe. It reminded me of those ghost stories Ken and Marie had told me when I first met them, but it was still daytime so I brushed it off.

The second reason I was hesitating is because I didn't know whether I should meet the pair without knowing what they had in store for me. I tried asking, of course, but they kept saying it was a surprise and that I should just trust they weren’t up to something I wouldn’t like.

It’s not like I already completely distrust them, but I’m still currently wary of Marie. As for Ken, however, he hasn’t done anything yet to break my trust, which is why there’s a part of me that still believes their intentions are sincere.

So, wanting to believe in them, I went up to the room they called me to and entered.

I was immediately met by the aforementioned couple.

“Welcome, Kat”, they said in unison. “Today is the day you will find love!”

“What?” was the only thing I could say as I was completely taken aback by their surprise, especially with how cheesy their greeting was.

Furthermore, the two of them were wearing flashy suits, which added to my confusion.

“Now, follow us to your seat”, Marie said, then the two of them ushered me to a folding chair with a red frame and cushions placed in the center of the room. “Please take your seat so we can begin.”

By this time, I had reoriented myself and I wanted answers.

“Wait a minute, what’s going on?”

“Take a seat first and we’ll tell you”, Ken said.

So, although still wary, I complied.

The two of them then walked forward towards the windows. Or, at least, I thought they were the windows because there were curtains. But, once they've taken their places, lights turned on from behind them and revealed silhouettes of four people.

For some reason, they paused for a moment and communicated only through body language. They seemed to be puzzled about something, but eventually decided to delay whatever issue they found.

They then announced in unison, “It’s time to start the matchmaking contest to see who can win Kat’s heart!”

“Huh?”

It was just one surprise after another so I was having trouble processing the series of events.

"What do you mean? What are you guys up to this time?”

“Remember when I said that I would want to have a love talk with you when you get a date?”

“Yeah, why?”

“I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands and give you a bit of a push and find you a date.”

“I mean, why would you do that?”

“Because it’s been two weeks since the semester started and you haven’t gone on a date yet!”

“It’s only been two weeks, these things take time, you know?”

“No, you don’t understand!” Marie exclaimed as she shook her head. “It’s already two weeks, why hasn't anyone tried asking you out yet?!”

“It’s not like I’m as pretty and popular as you are, though, as much as I don’t like to admit it.”

“That’s true”, she readily agreed, which only annoyed me. “But, since the term started, you’ve become cuter!”

“I don’t know about that…” I said, now flattered but still confused.

“You should know! You’ve changed the way you dress after the summer break!”

I wasn’t sure why, but Marie was heated up about this topic.

“Before, you’d just be in some t-shirt and jeans, maybe a hoodie if you felt like it”, she continued. “I’ve never seen you wear something cute, much less a miniskirt like what you’re wearing now!“

I was still not used to wearing one, actually, so having it pointed out made me conscious about it that I instinctively but pointlessly tried covering the top of my thighs with my hands.

“But, for the past couple weeks, I think I’ve seen you wear a skirt and even a dress during most days”, Marie continued her rant. “Other days, you were wearing stylish skin-tight jeans or hotpants.”

“Don’t even get me started on your tops”, still on her rant. “Cardigans instead of hoodies, spaghetti straps, tube tops, and different types of blouses.”

“And your shoes…”

“Alright, I get it”, I interrupted Marie.

It was starting to feel weird having what I looked like for the past two weeks being described to me so I stopped her.

That was the truth, however; I decided to change the way I dress for the new semester. I had a “summer makeover” as Naomi described it when we met on the first day of class.

Initially, I just wanted that haircut for the new semester, but the makeover started from there.

I met my best friend from high school, who was attending a different university in the city, a couple of days after it. When we both got accepted at our current universities, we agreed that we would meet from time to time, but that proved to be challenging due to the distance between our schools and our schedules. So, before the new semester started, we decided to hang out.

It was then that I mentioned to her about my trip to the salon. I also told her my reasoning for it including Naomi prodding me to be a bit more girly. I was only complaining in actuality, but, somehow, she managed to interpret it that I was actively trying to be more girly.

She was unlike Naomi, however. She was more patient and less naggy so I actually enjoyed engaging with her about clothes and stuff.

So, for the remainder of the break, my friend was giving me a crash course on fashion. I had extra cash from my part-time job which enabled me to buy new clothes as well. Not only that, but she was quite a bargain hunter as well so I was able to be efficient with my spending.

She even taught me a bit on how to do my makeup.

The result, well, one is that Naomi wouldn’t stop taking candid photos of me.

“This is for posterity in case you’re only on a phase and stop dressing like that once you grow out of it”, she said excitedly.

Similar to the reasoning she gave back when we were shopping for clothes.

The other result, continuing with today’s situation, is Marie heatedly telling me, “You don’t get it at all!”

As if scolding me.

“You don’t get how cute you are at all”, she continued. “In the first place, you’re already fairly cute, but you just dressed plainly so you didn’t stand out. Your makeover right now is like in those movies where the nerdy girl takes off her glasses and lets down her hair except you’re not wearing glasses and the only time you tie your hair is when you forget to brush them. Are you following me?”

“Yeah, I am.”

I lied. I wasn’t getting anything from what she was saying, but I figured I should pretend I did to keep her rant short.

“This new image of yours should be turning the heads of the boys. They shouldn’t be able to resist taking a glance at your legs at least.”

Marie then turned to Ken and asked him, “Right?”

I could hear the awkwardness of him being indirectly asked if he was leering at other girls in his voice as he answered, “Yeah, that’s what the other guys say.”

I actually only sensed him taking a peek when Marie asked him, but I shifted my seating position with my knees pointed away from him regardless.

Marie turned back to me.

“With that said, since nobody seems like they have the guts to approach you nor are you the proactive type, we’ve decided to give you a helping hand!” she said. “We’ve handpicked four potential candidates for you to choose to go on an all expenses paid date to the local park!”

“We’ll be asking them questions”, Ken said, now taking over the explanations. “After they answer each one, it will be up to you to decide on who you want to go on a date with.”

“Any questions?” the two of them asked.

I had plenty, actually. However, they didn’t wait for me to raise them as they started the activity.

“Before we begin, we’ll be honest this time”, Marie stated. “Ken and I have a bet if the person you choose is someone we’ve invited.”

“However, we won’t try to influence you or anything”, Ken added. “We will simply be asking them the questions and you can decide for yourself afterwards.”

That was one of my questions answered, at least.

I was also wondering if I had a choice in this. That also indirectly answered it as I seem to have all the options except not play.

“Now, without further ado, let us begin!” Marie declared with much fanfare.

“First off, let’s have our candidates introduce themselves. Without revealing your names, tell us a bit about yourselves starting with door number one!”

She said “door” despite the four aforementioned candidates being hidden behind curtains.

“Hello”, greeted the first contestant with a robotic voice. “I’m a freshman from the Information Technology department. I enjoy traveling, eating gourmet food”

“Hi”, greeted the second contestant with a similar robotic voice. “I’m a sophomore and I enjoy taking naps.”

“Hey there”, greeted the third contestant, also with a robotic voice. “I’m a freshman and during my free time I like playing video games.”

“Hi”, greeted the fourth, still with a robotic voice. “I’m a third year student and enjoy reading books.”

“You may have noticed”, Ken then chimed in after all four people behind the curtains had their turn. “Along with hiding your date candidates behind a curtain, we have also masked their voices so you would purely judge them for their answers rather than their physical attributes.”

I noticed Ken referred to the curtains as such. I wondered if he just forgot the script.

Regardless, it was kind of impressive how much thought and preparation they made for this.

“Now, let’s get to know our candidates more by asking a few questions”, Marie announced. “First question, when taking a bath, which part of the body do you start with?”

We’ve started with a weird question. I couldn’t say I didn’t expect it, though.

Curtains one through four answered in order.

“I wash my face first.”

“My hair.”

“I rub the soap with my hands first so I guess both hands?”

“My head.”

“Interesting answers from our candidates”, Marie announced.

“What was the purpose of asking them that again?” Ken asked, which was the same question that I was wanting to ask if he hadn’t.

“It was supposed to tell something about their personalities, but I was unable to memorize everything from the magazine I saw it in”, she answered. She then stuck out her tongue and laughed, “Tee-hee”.

As if it was a cute slip-up.

“By the way, I start with my arms first”, Marie said, changing topics. “How about you, Ken?”

“I start with my neck”, he replied.

I don’t know why they were providing answers as well. They didn’t say they were part of the choices so I wasn’t sure how I would use the information they just provided.

“Alright, next question”, Ken then announced. “What types of food do you like to eat?”

“I like to try a little bit of everything, but if I had to pick a favorite, I’d say it’s cakes.”

“Anything but beef bowls.”

“Unfortunately, I still haven’t recovered my sense of taste since burning my tongue last summer so everything has tasted the same for me lately.”

“I faintly remember liking stew.”

“Different answers from our candidates again”, Marie commented. “As for me, I’m into spicy foods.”

She didn’t ask Ken what types of food he was into as she answered for him saying, “Ken has a taste for meat, especially barbecues.”

Still, I wasn’t sure why they were answering the questions as well. They were information that I was already aware of, too.

“Next question”, Marie announced. “What is your perfect Sunday?”

“My perfect Sunday would start by relaxing somewhere, maybe beside the pool in my home or a spa in the morning. For lunch, I like to spend time at a trendy cafe then I go shopping in the afternoon. In the evening, perhaps enjoy a movie at home or something.”

“Sleeping in until noon then, hopefully, not working afterwards.”

“Same with the person before me in the mornings because I was playing games all night. Then, I play some more until it’s time to sleep.”

“My perfect Sunday involves reading books the entire day.”

“And that’s their perfect Sunday”, Marie said. “What would be yours, Ken?”

“In the mornings, I like watching Sunday morning cartoons with my little sister”, he replied. “Then, a date with Marie if we’re both free.”

“That is mine, too, especially since I get to watch those cartoons with your little sister”, Marie followed up, seemingly abashed but happy about the second part.

I still wasn’t sure why they were answering, although I thought it was kind of interesting how they spend Sundays together.

“Next question”, Ken announced. “How do you see yourself ten years from now?”

Before anyone answered, Marie commented “What’s up with that job interview-like question?”

She took the words right out of my mouth.

“You’re the one who put this in”, Ken said.

“Oh, that’s right”, Marie reacted with an embarrassed laugh. She didn’t linger on it long, however. She went back on track and said, “Candidates, what are your answers?”

“I will have been and still be traveling the world.”

“I’ll probably inherit the family business, but I’ll be fully automating everything so I don’t have to work a bone.”

“A successful streamer.”

“I will still be here reading the books they store in this building.”

“Interesting answers from our candidates again”, Marie commented.

I was wondering about that last answer, but the two didn’t seem to find it strange as they didn’t ask for the person to elaborate and quickly moved on to give their own answers as they’ve done before.

“As for me, ten years from now, I will be married to Marie with our fifth or sixth child on the way”, Ken said unhesitatingly.

He seemed confident of it happening.

It only irked Marie, though, as she, visibly irritated, responded “As for me, I will be married to Ken with just one child and we’re still discussing whether to have a second.”

They were in agreement that they would be married, at least. But, I feared they might start an argument like the one I witnessed during the summer trip.

They refrained and moved on to the next question, thankfully. Or, rather, it was now a new set of questions.

“Now we’ve got to know our candidates a little better, it’s time for them to try and appeal to Kat”, Ken stated. “The theme is what your actions will be with regards to situations involving her so think of your answer carefully so you can build a good impression on her.”

He then began and asked, “If you were to go on a second date with Kat, where would you take her?”

Despite his advice, the candidates still answered quickly as if they didn’t think about their answers.

“A cruise in the Pacific.”

“Anywhere as long as it’s close.”

“The arcade.”

“A walk around the campus would be nice.”

“Quite a wild contrast in their answers there, huh, Ken?” Marie commented, but she didn’t wait for his response as she went on to the next question. “You’re going to take Kat to see a musical performance, what kind of concert is it?”

I just noticed that the pair didn’t give their own answers this time, but I guess it would have been weird if they did considering the question. Regardless, the round moves on.

“An orchestra, of course.”

“I don’t like loud places, to be honest.”

“An idol concert.”

“We can watch birds from here and hear them sing.”

No commenting about the answers this time, Marie immediately asked the next question.

Some of the questions so far were weird but all of them have been tame so far. This was when it started to become exhausting for me.

Marie stated, “You noticed Kat is having a wardrobe malfunction, what do you do?”

“Take a photo.”

“Wait, don’t!” I reacted to curtain number one.

“I probably wouldn’t notice considering the way she’s been dressing recently.”

“Please notice and tell me!” I reacted to curtain number two.

“Admire from a distance.”

“Please don’t!” I pleaded to curtain number three.

“I will try to tell her subtly.”

“Just tell me directly!” I said to curtain number four.

There were no side comments this time as well as Ken went to the next question. He said, “You coincidentally walk in on Kat while she’s dressing or undressing, what do you do?”

“Take a photo.”

“Again, please don’t!”

“Close the door.”

“Thank you.”

“Burn the image into my brain quickly before apologizing and closing the door.”

“Just close the door quickly!”

“Unlikely to happen as I make it a habit to knock on the door first.”

"That's a good habit to have", I commented.

Marie, without commenting again, asked the next question. “It’s windy and a strong gust of wind blows Kat’s skirt upwards, revealing her panties. She’s upset you’ve seen her underwear. What do you say to her?“

“Ask her to do the Marilyn Monroe pose while taking photos.”

“What is it with you and taking photos?! Seriously, I’ll report you if you actually do!”

“I’ll say nothing.”

“Once again, thank you.”

“I’ll tell her I didn’t see anything even though I actually have.”

“Just don’t tell me that second part!”

“Nothing, but I’ll hand her a coat if I have one on hand.”

I was impressed by curtain number four’s answer for the second time in a row. I was glad there was someone with reasonable answers at least, but the rest made me reconsider the way I dress.

If there were any more perverted answers, then I probably would have seriously reconsidered it. But, for better or for worse, that was the last question.

Ken played some sort of tune from his phone to indicate the end of the game.

I didn’t realize it, though, until Marie announced, “That is it for the questions!”

Now, back to the present.

After telling me with much fanfare to choose, they told me to rank the persons behind the curtains by how much of a good impression they gave. They gave me a piece of paper to write it down.

Once I did, I handed it back to them. I don’t know why, but, for a moment, the two made a sour expression when they saw my choices. Considering their bet, I thought, at most, one of them would, but I didn’t expect both of them to look displeased.

“We will now announce the winner”, Marie then declared. “But first, we will reveal the people you did not choose starting with the candidate you want to date the least.”

Ken seems to have been relegated to being the sound guy as he played a drum roll on his phone.

“Here is door number one!” Marie exclaimed as she revealed the person behind that particular curtain.

To my surprise, it was Naomi. I didn’t realize it was a girl, let alone her behind the robotic voice.

She looked angry as well.

“Why am I the last person you want to date?!” she asked.

Well, half of her answers were fine, but some were a bit intimidatingly high class. She definitely lost because of the last three questions, though.

I wasn’t able to tell her, however, since Ken hurriedly ushered her to the side.

Marie then moved on to the next curtain. “Here is door number three!”

Behind it was some boy I did not know. His face looked familiar, but I could not recall where or when I met him.

It probably showed on my face so he tried introducing himself.

“Hey, remember me”, he said. “We were classmates last semester, I was that guy on the trip last summer that got burned by that extremely spicy sauce.”

I remember something like that happening, but I didn’t get a good look at that person at the time. I also still don’t recall him being in any of my classes last semester.

I was still racking my brains when Ken ushered him to the side.

“Now, for the runner-up“, Marie announced as she opened curtain number two.

I was surprised to see another girl again. It was another familiar face as well. I recognized her as the waitress and the host from that eating contest during the summer.

“Remember your promise to cover my shift for a week”, she said to Ken as she was shown to the side where the other two were.

I didn’t realize she was a student here, but it seems she and Ken were acquainted.

I have to wonder, though, what kind of impression does Ken and Marie have of me that they brought two girls as potential dates for me?

“Before I open the door”, Marie said. “How are you feeling, Kat?”

“I just want to get out of here”, I replied, which was my honest feelings.

“Is that so? Then, how about you tell us why you picked him?”

“A process of elimination.”

Naomi was out due to reasons stated above. That boy that was revealed next was out because he had unsavory answers as well. The second girl was fine, but her answers were generally boring.

Number four was the only one who had mostly decent answers so there were no other reasonable picks, really.

“How about you, door number four, how are you feeling?” Marie asked.

However, there was no response. This person’s silhouette was still there, but they weren’t making any movements.

Probably thinking she wasn’t heard the first time, Marie asked again. Still, she was met with silence.

“Door number four?” She called once more, but this time she didn’t wait for a response as she drew the curtains open.

All of us froze at the reveal, surprised. Nobody was behind the curtains.

After a few seconds, which felt like an eternity, Marie broke the silence to ask Ken, “Hey, where’s your candidate?”

“I told you, he canceled on us”, he replied. “I thought you said you were getting a replacement.”

“What? I told you I couldn’t find someone on short notice.”

The two of them stared at each other for a moment, confused.

“Then, who was number four?” Ken asked, but Marie didn’t reply.

Instead, she drew the curtains fully open. It was the type that enclosed the occupant so she did that to reveal the sides, but we found no one hiding at any angle.

There are six of us. All of us certainly heard a seventh voice, the fourth candidate, but he, she or it was nowhere to be found inside the room. We didn’t see anyone leave either, much less get out from behind curtain number four. Furthermore, three of us definitely saw four silhouettes the entire time.

Each of us looked at each other for the answer, but none of us could find it. It didn’t seem to be a prank by Ken and Marie or anyone else as well.

Needless to say, we booked it out of the room.