ACT II - Saccharine Saturday I

It was a Saturday morning, so it meant one thing for me: getting up early and going into my running session. As much as Reo insisted that I was insane for waking up early even on the weekends, well, it was a habit at this point. Sleeping in didn't do much for me.

I took a deep breath in, beginning my route of the day. The sweet aroma coming from the trees and flowers all around made me feel completely refreshed. Why, even Reo might end up finding it worthwhile to wake up early and join me, if the plants of the street were creating such a nice atmosphere.

I ended up talking to myself without realizing.

"The weather feels so nice…"

To my surprise, it got a reply.

"Yeah!! I agree with you, Yuujin-chan~"

I turned around in shock. Who was it, how did they know my name, who was close enough to me to even attach a chan at the end of my name…?!

"Surprised you? Your expression is so adorable…! Well, you were always such a cutie~"

I ceased my run and just stood in great confusion, trying to understand the situation. It was the girl I had been seeing during our practices sometimes, the one who was short and had many colorful band aids all over her legs. From the last time I had seen her, the band aids had gotten larger in quantity.

"Umm…? Do I know you…?"

She pouted playfully and put her hands over her hips.

"Why, don't tell me you don't remember me?! It's not like I even grew much bigger in size, hmmmph~"

I scanned my brain for any clue as I stared at her. Someone I knew from before, with blonde hair, short structure and colorful band aids—

"Aha! Michiru!"

She did a twirl.

"Bingoo!! Correct answer! Took you long enough, though~"

I scratched my neck, embarrassed about not remembering my childhood friend, even though I've been seeing her around in school all this time…

"Ah man, this is so embarrassing… But really, can you blame me? Your hair was soooo long back then."

While it was true that she hadn't grown all that much since elementary school, her image was completely different. She used to have such long, straight hair, accompanied with a more calm and quiet personality. She was one year older than me, but sometimes I'd spot her in the library and we would pick books for each other. From these small interactions, I had learned that she lived closeby to me, but I didn't know much else about her.

She started jogging forward, making me follow her in order to continue the conversation. Somehow, this made me feel a bit more relieved, giving me a reason to look around instead of her face. I felt so guilty about not recognizing her before…!

"Hmm~ If I have to be honest, I wasn't sure if it was you at first either. After all, you had left for Canada, what were the chances you’d come back and enroll in the same high school with me? But after seeing how kind you are to people around you, I said to myself 'Yes! That's surely the Yuujin-chan I know,' hehe~"

This sudden, unexpected interaction was getting me quite flustered. Sure, it was true that we were friends from before, but her mannerisms were so different that it was like talking with a brand new girl! I didn't even know what kind of speech pattern I should be following. Formal? She was older than me after all. But she was being really friendly… I didn't know what to do.

Seeing that I wasn't saying anything, she just smiled and started humming to herself. As awkward as I felt, it didn't feel bad to have a running partner by my side… Which reminded me of something I had been curious about for a long time.

"Say, Michiru, umm, senpai?"

She giggled. "What's the formality, Yuujin-chan? Just call me Micchan~"

"Micchan… I got it. Uhh, I was just wondering if you're in a sports club?"

"Ooooh! Maybe you saw me while I was training outside with my club? I play volleyball!"

She brought her arms forward. She puffed her cheeks and pretended to receive a ball.

"Fuuu, here we go! A clean save~ I play as libero!!

We kept on running forward as I laughed at her cute demonstration. I suspected that she'd be a libero from her short structure, where it would be an advantage compared to the other positions. She probably was popular with her team, bringing energy whenever there were hopeless matches. I somehow felt proud about her.

"Which reminds me, Yuujin-chan! You're in Seiten-senpai's club right? I was wondering…"

Michiru paused for a bit as if to gather her courage to reveal something important.

I turned to her, expecting her question. Did she want to use the track field for speed training, perhaps? I didn't think that our captain would have any objections to that. However, her silence continued. She was biting her lips, her face turning more red with every passing moment.

"M-micchan? Everything okay…?"

She suddenly ceased her running and stood still, looking down to the pavement. I stopped too, greatly curious about just what was making her so flustered.

"I'm… I'm sorry! I was about to ask something stupid. We can just continue running, Yuujin-chan…"

"Eh? I'm sure it's not anything stupid. You can ask me about anything, I'll do my best to be of help!"

I did my best to reassure her, raising my hand to give her a supportive thumbs up. Not only did I genuinely want to make her feel comfortable, I really wanted to know the reason for her sudden shyness.

Michiru tapped her feet, seemingly frustrated about herself. As she jumped up and down, she gently patted her cheeks, attempting to calm herself down.

"Okay… Okay! I will ask it, but I don't expect anything, alright?"

I gestured to her to go ahead. She took one deep breath, and then asked what was on her mind very rapidly.

"Could you help me talk with Seiten-senpai, I'm such a fan of him since my first year, he's just so amazing but I don't know how to approach him, I was wondering if you could help me since you're in the same club as him, and—"

When her breath finally ran out, she stopped. Before I could reply, she covered her eyes with her small hands.

"Arrrgh, just forget about it, Yuujin-chan! It's not your responsibility to help me out, it's my fault for being such a coward all this time and not approaching him myself…!"

I chuckled. There was something really endearing about a sociable and bubbly girl being shy about someone she's a fan of. That Seiten-senpai, he really was something else…

I didn't see any reason why I shouldn't be of help to her.

"Well, I understand why he can look intimidating, but he's a sweet guy, really! Alright, I will introduce you guys next time! How about visiting us after your practice? I will talk with him to gain some time, so you can make it! Just pretend that you need something from me, and since he will be nearby already, conversation will naturally occur…!"

I tilted my head and tried to shoot her a reassuring grin.

"Sounds like a plan, yeah? You in?"

Her eyes shone like the bright moon in dark midnight. All her hopelessness was replaced with new possibilities and shiny dreams in an instant, and I felt most proud to be able to help her. I didn't know if she had a crush on him or whatever, I just wanted to see what would happen if her seemingly long-term dream of talking with him came true!

Before I realized, her arms were wrapped around me—and dear god, she was much stronger than she looked!!!

"Yuujin-chan…! Thank you thank you thank you! I can't say it enough! You're the best!!!"

"O-ow!! I'm really glad, but you really are squeezing me too hard—"

She let go instantly, not believing what she had done. The blush already occupying her cheeks darkened.

"Oops…! I'm sorry, Yuujin-chan. I just got too excited and I'm just so, so thankful…"

She snapped her fingers as if she got a bright idea.

"Tell you what!!! I should do something as a token of thanks. I'll take you to this new donut shop that opened recently, and they have such good drinks too! But I have some homework to do for the weekend so… Hmm, how about meeting up at 5 PM? You still live in the same house right, I remember where it is! I'll come get you when it's time. Well then, I gotta keep going! It was very nice running with you, Yuujin-chan! Take care!!!"

She definitely had a habit of talking rapidly in the span of one breath—and off she went! I didn't even have time to tell her that I had a tv program I wanted to catch at that time and most importantly…

The fact that I couldn't stand sweets…!

I just stood and watched her colorful figure get further away with every second. She was fast, adorable and… Irresistible.

I sighed, continuing my morning routine. There was no way I'd refuse the offer of my childhood friend, especially since she was being so friendly towards me…!