The unknow feelings in my chest

I woke up looking at the ceiling, the room was begging to light up for the sunlight ray entering the room, I wasn’t thinking about anything, and I didn’t want to move. I took a deep breath and passed my hand to my face. I sit down in my bed and look at the clock, 8:30 am, work starts at 12:30pm. I woke up and went to the restroom, I washed my face and brushed my teeth. I came back to my room, made my bed and opened the window to let the air enter the room.

I take off my pajamas and put a white t-shirt and short pants, I take the stairs to go to the living room and sit down at the table, my mother is getting the breakfast ready and my sister is walking downstairs yawning. My brother and my dad leave early for work, so it is the three of us at this hour only.

My mom put the plates on the table with eggs, salad, rice, fish and green tea.

—Let's eat!

After breakfast, I went upstairs and turned on my computer. After lazing around for a little bit, I got prepared to go to work. I put my black shoes and white socks and blue jeans pants, leaving around 11:00 am. I take a taxi and arrive around 12:00 pm. I went to the changing rooms and put my dress shirt on, a black pants and vest alongside with a tie. I was ready to work again.

—Good work, Ryoma. Maybe you need some of fresh air, you seem better today

—Thanks, boss. Yeah, maybe.

Although I didn’t feel that good, I feel good, but I was getting a strange feeling since I woke up, I don’t really know what it was.

—Osuke-san.

—Yeah?

—I… uhm… never mind…

—Um? Alright?

-What’s with me? Am I getting sick or something? -

Just as we were about to close the doorbell rang and I turned my head immediately and saw a man entering the coffee shop.

—Sorry, is it open?

—Sorry mister, we are close now

—I understand, my apologies.

The man leaves with a sad expression and I sigh.

—Were you expecting someone else, Ryoma?

—No really...

—If you say so.

I leave my uniform in my cabinet and leave.

—See you tomorrow, Osuke-san.

—See you, Ryoma

Osuke was checking everything before leaving so I left before him, I put my headphones on and walked to the closest bench to wait for a taxi. I was lost in my thoughts again, until I saw a black figure that made me stand up, and the moment the person turned around, it was a guy wearing formal clothes, I sigh again and the taxi was beeping me.

I took the taxi and arrived home, same deal. I arrived, I ate my dinner, talked with my parents and brothers and went upstairs.

—Yukki!

-I don’t understand, but I feel good, I did my job with Osuke-san, there shouldn’t be anything to worry about-

—Yukki! You son of a… HELP!

-Could it be?... Nah, I don’t think so, I mean, that’s ridiculous-

—AHHHHH, WE WERE SO CLOSE, AGAIN! OY! YUKKI

-But what if? -

—YUKKI!

I hear the yell of three people on my headphones and make me take them off and put them on again.

—WHAT?!

—Dude, you’re spacing out, we lose.

—Oh?

I saw the screen and a huge text saying “DEFEAT”, then it went to the main menu and saw my rank go down.

—I derank...

—Deserve it.

—C’mon dude, are you good? If you didn’t want to play you could just tell us.

—It’s not that, I’m just… look I don’t even know what I have.

Everything went silent for a minute.

—It’s for the girl, right?

—It must be.

—I mean, Yukki is the only one that hasn’t been in a relationship or near a girl.

—What are you three talking about?

—Dude, you’re thinking about her, aren't?

—I-I don’t know what you're talking about.

—Don’t play dumb, my man, you were talking about this girl… What is her name again?

—I think it was Kimeno Ahiri.

—IT’S AKARI HIMENO!

—There you have it!

—What are you so upset about, Yukki?

—Hmmm…

The three of them were teasing me, I just laughed after a bit.

—Yeah, I’m thinking of her. I thought it was her and the store like the first time I saw it and later I thought she was a guy dressed in black. My mind was so messed up that I thought I was getting sick or something.

—Well, love is like that.

—Is not love, Megumi.

—Then what is?

—I don’t know…

—It’s better to know what you feel right now, Yukki, you don’t want to regret not to know.

—Haruto…

—Tell us, what do you want from her?

—…

—Yukki?

—Let me think, Tatsuya…

—Right.

—I… I want to talk with her more. It was really fun even after the incident, and… she was really beautiful…

—Do you love her?

—No, that’s a very strong word, I want to know her better to be able to say that. I'm interested in her, and I want her to feel the same as I do, but… I don’t think we are in the same league.

—We don’t need a depressed Yukki again, tell him something Megumi, you were with him at that time more than us.

—Yeah… Listen, Yukki, you really change in your days in high school, you got a job, you got better with your family, hell, you graduate first that the rest of us, so stand up like always and risk yourself man, you always do that.

—I don’t even know if I’m going to see her again…

—Then, if you see her, ask her number and don’t be a chicken! And if you don’t… well, it was a good memory, wasn't it?

—Yeah, I think you are right, Megumi

—The worst she can do is put a restraining order.

—TATSUYA!

—What?

I started to laugh and smile at my monitor.

—Thank you, guys, you’re the best.

—Heh, I know.

—Keep it together dude, it’s not the end of the world.

—You can count on us.

—Yeah, I know.

—So, are you ready to play now?

—Of course, I am! I need to rank up again.

—That’s the spirit.

—Yeah!

After a few hours, we were in silence looking at one list on the monitor that was all in red.

—How many we lose?

—10 in a row…

—What time is it?

—12:00 am

—We can’t end on a loss, dude…

—…

—…

—Send it.

The next morning, I wake up at the same hour, and pass for the same routine, until I arrive at work. I begin to work

My mind was already clear and I could concentrate better. Osuke-san even patted my back, it was already 7:00 pm and there were no people again in the coffee shop.

—It was a calm day compared to yesterday.

—Yeah, it seems that you are calm today too.

—Huh?

—Think I didn’t notice? Something was bothering you yesterday, but it seems you resolved it.

—Sorry for making you worry, Osuke-san.

—No need, don’t bow, Ryoma, It’s all good.

The bell rings again and I turn around.

—Welcome…

I saw Himeno in front of me, she smiled at me and waved her hand as she walks towards the order bar.

—I knew it. Go on.

Osuke-san smiled and gave me a little push.

—Welcome, what will you have today?

—Drop the modals, Ryoma-kun, An Espresso, without sugar.

—Coming up.

—Come to think of it, I didn’t see you until now, how’s that?

—Oh, I started to take full time not so long. Here you go.

I give her coffee as she was searching for money

—I imagine… I wished I could talk more but I'm in a little hurry; but I wanted to say hi first

—Ah, yeah… See ya.

Himeno took her coffee and wave her hand again, she was about to leave but I walk towards her without a second though, after all the chat from my friends yesterday, I wasn’t going to hesitate now.

—Himeno-san.

—Um?

—I… uhm… can I… can I have your number?...

I look at the floor covering my embarrassment with my hair as the volume of my voice went down.

Himeno move her head to my ear and whispers at me.

—I thought you never asked.

My heart skipped a beat and she left the store as she points the money on the table, I looked at the pay on the table alongside a note with the number.

Osuke-san saw the money with the money and looked at me.

—She was ready to give it to you, what a lucky guy, if I say so myself.

My face was completely red, I was resisting not to scream and I just smiled like an idiot as I took the number trembling.

-LET’S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!-