A Bet With Takashi

(Kaidou Itsuki)

The wind was cold. I hung out with Takashi at an udon restaurant near my house. We had a fun game, but it was just for him, not for me. I lost a bet to Takashi, and now I have to do whatever he wants.

"Okay, I lost. So, what do you want me to do?" I asked him.

I regret accepting the challenge. I know he's smarter than me. I shouldn't have accepted his challenge when he said whoever wins a Shogi match can ask the loser to do whatever he wants.

"Come on, Takashi. I don't want to owe you anything."

"Okay, okay. I'm still thinking of something suitable for you to do." He smirked at me.

"Don't make me do something like confessing to a girl or something."

"Wow, you can read my mind?" Takashi was shocked, he covered his mouth with his hand.

"What?! You do want me to confess to a girl?"

Takashi laughed. "Just kidding. I wouldn't ask you to do that. Besides, I have a more difficult mission than just confessing to a girl. Don't worry it's not a dangerous mission."

"Okay then tell me."

"Since you lost to me, you have to do something I want, okay? And that," Takashi looked into my eyes, "is you have to make Sumeragi Yukino burst out laughing."

My mouth opened slowly.

"Are you kidding me? Make that expressionless girl laugh? No way, Man! She never even smiles, cries, or gets mad."

Sumeragi Yukino is the smartest student in my class, even in school, I think. Her grades are so high that makes her very popular among students and teacher. She never changed her expression for whatever happened to her. Watching horror movies, hearing jokes, visiting cemeteries, and even winning lottery gold tickets, she never changes her facial expression.

And now Takashi asks me to make her laugh out loud?

"Don't be ridiculous, even the top comedians in Japan will never make Sumeragi laugh. It's an impossible mission. I can confirm that." I hit the table with my hand.

Takashi punched my shoulder slowly. "Don't be pessimistic, I'm sure you can. Besides, you do have a crush on her, don't you?"

"What? No! How can I like a girl who never even smiles? No, no. I want my girl to talks a lot and smiles a lot."

Takashi looked surprised. "Are you serious? I remember you once said that your type of girl is a beautiful one who's cool and smart. Sumeragi qualifies with all the requirements of your type. Isn't she the girl you have a crush on?"

"No, that was me in the past. My type of girl now is a girl who talks a lot and smiles a lot. End of discussion."

He gazed into my eyes and didn't seem to believe what I said earlier.

"So, you are interested in a girl like Inami?"

"Inami? Uh, yes, a girl like her."

"I see." Takashi nodded. "Then I have a rule for you regarding the bet."

"You still want me to make Sumeragi laugh?!"

"Yes, I believe you can do it. You're my best friend, I know you, I know your capabilities. You will make her laugh for sure." He smiled at me.

"Okay, so what are the rules?"

"I want to make a deadline. You have to make Sumeragi laugh within a month. You can use any method you want but on one condition. I have to see when Sumeragi laughs. Got it?"

"So, there's no point in her laughing and you don't see it?"

"Yes."

Understandable. Takashi made up this rule so I wouldn't fool him by saying that Sumeragi laughed when he wasn't around. He doesn't want me to cheat.

"Okay, so what if I fail? Is there a punishment?"

"Of course! You must take Sumeragi out if you fail the mission!"

"W-what?!"

"It's settled! Good luck Itsuki!" Takashi stood up from his desk and left me alone in the restaurant.

Is this real? I have to make Sumeragi laugh in a month and have to confess to her if I fail?

Goodness, this is the best thing that ever happened in my life.

I lied to Takashi. The truth is, I'm very interested in Sumeragi. She's my type, I want a girl like her. I've had a crush on her since freshman year.

I always wanted to talk to her, but I'm too shy even when we are in the same class this year. I want to confess my feeling but I'm sure I would be rejected.

However, I have to do the challenge Takashi gave me. This will be my chance to talk to her for the first time.

*

After school, I sat at my desk waiting for Sumeragi to leave the classroom. I'll take her home with me even if it's only up to the school gates. No time for shame this time. I have to do this bet.

Then, Sumeragi left the class alone. I immediately ran and approached her. My heart is beating so fast. I feel like a girl in shoujo manga right now.

"Sumeragi-san!" I called out by her side.

"Yes?"

"I want to go home with you. Do you mind?"

She stared at my face for a moment, then answered, "Sure."

"Th-thanks!"

We then walked side by side down the hall.

I glanced at her from the side.

This expressionless girl with long purple hair is really the girl I like.