Do We Live That Close?

Mika opened Dascord and called NobleQueen8. There was indeed someone with that username. 

What about the profile picture? The cherry tree on the chair seems so random.

Eventually, they added each other. About 5 seconds after sending the request, it was accepted,  a voice call request was sent immediately. Mika was confused by the speed.

Eventually, they accepted, and the communication began. 

 "Hello?"

"Hey!"

"Are you the one who answered my comment?"

"What comment?"

"What do you mean?"

"Just kidding, yeah, it's me."

"Oh... all right. Can I share the screen now?"

"By the way, I'm Saya."

"Oh, sorry. I'm Mika. Nice to meet you."

"Likewise. So, can we share the screen now?"

"Sure."

Mika and Saya started to fix the problem. After a short time, they understood what the problem was and fixed it together effortlessly. 

Mika exclaimed

 "It really worked. It seems it was that easy..."

"Yes, exactly. I had the same problem at first, and as you can see, there isn't much help online. I ended up spending two days figuring it out on my own," Saya replied.

"I must congratulate you. I never thought it could be solved like that," Mika said.

"Hehe, thank you. But I ran into this problem while working on another code syntax. It seems like you're using it for a different purpose?" Saya was happy about the praise.

"Oh, yes... It's not something I really want to show, but..."

"Oh, come on. After I helped you so much, tell me a little bit about it. I'm curious," Saya insisted.

"Um... All right then."

"Hurray!"

"In a nutshell, I'm trying to build a website for online trading and marketing my products."

"Wow, that's great, but having your own website means having your own inventory. Where are you going to store the products?"

"Our garage is usually empty because my family works for a shipping company and they are often away for months at a time. I was thinking of using it for storage."

"What? A shipping company? The tourist ship ones?" Saya asked in surprise.

"Yes, they are. It's actually called a cruise ship."

"Wow! That's great! Can I come aboard?" Saya asked excitedly.

"If you pay the fare, sure."

"Aww..." The disappointment was in her voice.

"Why are you surprised? Isn't that normal?"

"Well, yes, but... anyway, let's get back to our topic. Couldn't you start with simpler codes instead of this one?"

"What do you mean? Are there easier ones?"

"W-Well, I think there are. If you're trying to build a website, there are simpler codes available."

"Oh, really... well, I've already learned this one, so I'll get on with it. Thanks again" Mika said gratefully.

"You're welcome. If you run into any more problems, feel free to send me a message. I'll try to help," Saya offered.

Shortly after that, there was a loud thunder outside. Mika was about to end the call when she heard the simultaneous sound of thunder from Saya's microphone. Before ending the call, Saya asked:

"Mika."

"Yes?"

"Was there thunder where you are?"

"Yes, why?"

"It thundered here too."

"So?"

"What do you mean 'so'? You sound so uninterested."

"Uninterested? Oh, right, sorry. Don't worry about it, it's just one of my traits."

"Trait? Can being uninterested be considered a trait, for God's sake?"

"Forget it, it's a long story. So, you mentioned thunder? I also heard it from your microphone. What are you trying to say?"

"What I'm trying to say is... Do we live near each other?"

"Well, it's raining in a large part of the country right now, so I guess it's a coincidence."

"Mika..." Saya said, sounding irritated.

"Yeah, what?"

"You're starting to annoy me. Where exactly do you live?"

"Is it really necessary to give my address to someone on the internet?"

"Mika!!" Saya got angrier.

"Okay, okay, I apologize. It was a terrible joke."

"Yes."

"I live near Nagano, and you?"

"WHAT?! Where exactly?" Saya asked in shock.

"Um, I think around the Kurita area."

"Wow! We live pretty close."

"Really?"

"Yeah, well... You sound uninterested again..."

"Oh, sorry about that. Anyway, if we happen to meet, we'll see each other in person," Mika said in his usual unenthusiastic way.

"Alright, fine. Write to me from time to time," Saya asked.

"Why?"

"Why? Because we're practically friends now."

"Who says so?"

"I say so. Oh well, forget it. I guess not being friends and blocking you would be better," Saya replied, increasingly frustrated.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry. We're friends, yes," Mika said.

"Alright then, see you later," Saya's surprise was evident in her voice.

"Alright, see you."

"Bye!"

Finally, the conversation ended. Mika shut down the computer. It was already past midnight and sleep had taken hold of him. As he tidied up the room, he began to think, 

Who was that girl, and why was she so friendly? If she's like that with everyone, she'll end up getting hurt, and on top of that, we live near each other. Ugh... someone who lives nearby and now we've even just met. 

If she comes over or we keep running into each other on the street, my family will definitely misunderstand. But why would they misunderstand? It's probably best not to talk to her again, and even if we run into each other on the street, she won't recognize me.

At that moment, he accidentally bumped into an empty water bottle on the table, and it fell on his big toe. 

"Ouch... Oh, that hurts. Okay, sorry... Wait, why am I apologizing for a bottle? My mind is already taking over. Anyway, let me clean up here so I can sleep. I have a lot of work to do tomorrow."

After cleaning up, he brushed his teeth, took care of his hygiene, and got into bed. Outside, the thunder continued to rumble.

 I wonder if she hears it. Maybe she's afraid. Anyway, she's just a stranger on the Internet.

As his eyelids grew heavy, the sound of the rain and thunder outside helped him sleep, and he drifted into a deep slumber.