Saki's Eyes

“I can read just fine,” I replied to Yuasa’s question.

“I can’t believe you. Why don’t you at least take them off when you’re reading? You’ll only give yourself a headache. And just so you know, I’m not trying to take them again, I’m just saying.”

I looked up from my book to stare at him. “Isn’t there another table for you to sit at…?”

“Isn’t there another table that you could sit at?”

I gripped my book tightly. “Can’t we just both read in peace…?”

“You can’t be reading peacefully with those on your face.”

I gripped it even tighter, practically digging my fingernails into the cover. “...fine.” I put my book flat on the table and slid my glasses down enough to read with my head down. I glanced back up at Yuasa. “Happy now?”

He stared at me with his cold blue eyes. “Sure.”

“Saki, you don’t need those to see…?” Kishi asked.

I turned to him, still holding my glasses down. When he seemed to blink in surprise, I quickly pushed my glasses back up. He didn’t see anything, right…?

“Um…” I began, feeling anxious. “No… But… I prefer to wear them…” I brushed my bangs with my fingers.

“Really…?” he replied. “That’s a shame…”

“Huh…?”

“Well it’s just… your eyes are very… pretty…” He blushed a little at his statement.

I was taken back. But then my face flushed as well. “Oh… Thanks…”

My eyes are pretty…? I guess that’s the only pretty thing about me. These eyes from my mother… These bright pink irises… They’re the only resemblance between me and her.

“Are you two done flirting?” Yuasa sounded annoyed.

“We’re just friends…” I said. I saw that Kishi’s face only became redder. Although I do find him cute, I’m not sure if I’m attracted to him in that way… We’re better off as friends anyway.

“Whatever. Are you going to take those things off after his little comment now?”

I hesitated. I still can’t take these off. Never… “No…”

“That was a waste of time then. Let’s just keep reading. How long is this club activity anyway?”

“O-Ono-san said at least an hour…” Kishi replied to him.

Yuasa checked the watch on his right wrist. “A bit longer then.” He looked at Kishi again. “You finally managed to speak to me.”

“Oh…! Um…!” Kishi looked down at his lap, his face flushed red again.

“You look like a tomato. I’m not sure what you’re blushing about.”

“He gets flustered easily, don’t pick on him,” I said.

“I’m not. I’m just speaking my mind.”

I was done talking with him so I picked my book back up. I humored him by somewhat removing my glasses once, I’m not doing it again. And if he pulls them off my face a second time, I’m reporting him to the student council.

Yuasa finally quieted down. I guess he was satisfied with what I did. Before I knew it, Ono was gathering us up to go get a meal together at a nearby family restaurant.

“You all can only get the cheapest things on the menu,” Ono told us when we got there. “The budget can only barely feed us all.”

“I could help pay for everyone. Just this one time. Send a complaint to the student council if you want a bigger budget after this.” Yuasa folded his arms as he spoke.

Ono looked at him. “I didn’t know you were so charitable.”

“I said it’s just this one time. I can’t waste all of my money on you plebeians.”

“Right… Then everyone can order whatever they want.”

“You two as well,” Yuasa said as he put his hands on my and Kishi’s shoulders. Why does he have to single us out and even touch our shoulders…

“T-Thank you…!” Kishi seemed truly grateful while blushing again. I just took a step back to get his hand off of me and looked away.

After we ordered our food, Yuasa sat with us again. I’m not sure what he’s trying to do. One moment he’s getting on my nerves and trying to pick a fight, the next he’s calm and almost nice. He’s ruining this outing for me… I should just focus on talking with Kishi and avoid him.

“Did you write any more of your story, Ki-chan?” I asked.

“Ah, a little… I have a bit of writer’s block right now…” He smiled awkwardly.

“That’s tough. I hope you can get out of it soon.”

“Yeah… Usually I do nothing for a week or so and that kinda helps.”

“Maybe you could look up other ways to help online, if you wanted to.”

“You’re right, maybe I should try that.”

“You’re writing a book?” Yuasa cut in. “I’ve read so many books, good and awful. If you want advice, I’m sure I’d be able to help.”

I stared at him in disbelief. Did he really just offer to help?

“A-Are you sure…? That would be really helpful!” Kishi beamed. Does he not know his personality yet? Does he not see how weird this is?

“Sure, but beware that I’m very critical. If your story is trash, I’ll say that it’s trash.”

“Oh… Well… I’m not a professional author or anything, so that could be the case…”

“That won’t help him get out of his writer’s block,” I said. “You’re supposed to encourage him, not just call his story trash.”

“I haven’t called it trash yet, I was just giving an example,” Yuasa replied. “And of course I’ll give constructive criticism. My comments should be helpful to him.”

“H-How about I show you the story when it’s all finished…?” Kishi said.

“That would be best,” Yuasa nodded.

Kishi now looked a bit concerned. I nudged him with my elbow. When he looked at me, I smiled.

“It’s alright, like I said, you’re great at writing.”

He smiled back. “Thanks.”

At that moment, our food was ready. I realized how hungry I was once I smelled the burgers and fries in our group. I dug into mine to fill my stomach.

On the bus ride back to school, I thought about everything I did today. My school day was as normal as ever. I did drop my pencil in class and it rolled over to the desk on my right. When I tried to ask if the student at that desk could pick it up, she completely ignored me. I thought I had to go the rest of the class without taking notes when I remembered I had another pencil for occasions like this.

Then lunch was lonely as usual. Or not lonely, just the same as ever. I think I’m getting too used to hanging out with Kishi during our club… And of course we just had our club activity. Yuasa had to ruin every moment though… I kind of want to go back to that library and look around some more though.

As I thought about our last conversation at the family restaurant, I turned to Kishi. “Hey, you don't have to give Kitahashi-san your story, you know…?”

“That’s alright… I just feel like my story has to be the best it can be before I give it to him. It kind of motivates me.” He smiled carefreely.

“Okay then… Like he said, he’ll probably be really harsh. Don’t let it get you down.”

“My story will be so good that he won’t get to say anything harsh!”

I let out a small chuckle. “I’m glad you’re optimistic.”

“Speaking of Kitahashi-san… It kinda seemed like he wanted to be our friend.”

I froze. Yuasa? Wants to be our friend? No way. He just wants to annoy me. He’s a sadist, end of story.

Since I just looked at him in disbelief, he continued. “Think about it! He spoke to us first in the library, he could have sat at a different table but he stayed and talked to us again, then he sat with us at the restaurant. I think he just wants to be friends with us.”

“No way… He just wants to annoy me. Maybe he likes to get on my nerves, but he definitely doesn't want to be friends.”

“Well… I’m not so sure…”

“Didn’t you hear him call us plebeians? That’s just how he is. He looks down on everyone. The last thing he would want is to be friends with us so-called plebeians…”

Kishi looked like he was thinking. I hoped he was getting rid of the thought of Yuasa wanting to be friends.

“I guess so…” he finally said.

“Trust me, his personality is too awful to make any friends.”

Kishi was quiet. Sometimes I wonder how his mind works. I guess we just think differently. Not that that’s bad or anything. I just hope he sees my side and understands.

When the bus arrives at school, Kishi and I say goodbye to each other while we go our separate ways home. I feel especially tired after that club activity. But I push myself to get some homework done. Then I eat with father and tell him about my day. He listens and nods, taking in every word. Afterwards, I’m ready to go to bed. Curling up in my blankets sounds really nice.

Akemi Tamura made another announcement one day, saying that we were going to prepare for sports day early this year. I’m not one for sports, so doing it early does sound better than near the end of the year. Except it’ll be warmer than in the Fall. I just have to get through it I guess…

Since I have an in with the student council, meaning Shoji, and I would like to talk to him some more, I wondered if I should text him and ask about this sports day decision. I decided to do it after school as usual. I’d rather not be caught texting in class or during my club and Shoji is probably too busy during school hours anyway.

“Hello Iwasaki-san, how are you? I just wanted to ask about sports day. Is there a reason why it’s happening early this year?”

After some time, he replied.

“Rose, hello. I’m doing well, what about you? And great question. Akemi thought it would be more fun to have sports day early this year. All members of the student council discussed it and we decided we could do it. After talking to the principal and teachers, we officially got the green light. I hope this decision doesn’t inconvenience you.”

“I’m doing well too. Thank you for answering my question. I don’t mind sports day being early. I was just curious about how the decision was made.”

“Great! Thank you for the feedback. If you have any other thoughts about this decision, please tell me. And since we’re talking for a second time, I thought it would be wise to get to know you more. Is that alright?”

He wants to get to know me… What should I say?