Do You Know Me?

He made sure to go for a run every other day to maintain his fitness, sweating profusely as he pushed his body to the limit.

After completing his morning routine as soon as he woke up, he put on his gym clothes and headed outside. There was a park nearby that could be considered close to their house, so he started walking towards it.

The small market near their house was busy even in the early hours of the morning. He greeted Mika when he saw him.

"Good morning, Mika!"

"Good morning, Uncle Thole."

"How are you?"

"I'm fine. I went for a morning walk. And you?"

"I'm fine, as always, busy with work, haha."

"Well, good luck with that."

"Thanks. See you."

"Bye."

He knew most of the people in his neighborhood, so he had to greet everyone. Today, compared to yesterday, the rain had stopped, and although the ground was slightly wet, it was suitable for running.

He arrived at the park and began his workout. After warming up and running for a while, he tiredly sat down on a bench.

Phew, I ran a lot. I'm drenched in sweat. And I'm so tired. It's best to leave it here and go home,

 He got up and started walking home.

As he approached the street, he noticed someone coming down with bags in his hands. It was actually a young girl who had gotten out of a taxi and started walking.

As Mika got closer, he saw a wallet on the ground.

It must have fallen from her. I should give it to her while I'm here.

He started walking towards the girl who had dropped it. A blonde girl, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. Seemed eager to get home.

"Excuse me, miss!"

The girl finally heard Mika's voice and turned around.

"Yes?"

"You dropped your wallet."

"Oh! Really? I'm so sorry, and I bumped into you too. Thank you so much."

"Don't mention it. You're welcome."

The girl looked at her purse. It really belonged to her. Then she looked at Mika with surprise.

Before Mika could think about it, he said quickly,

"Be more careful next time" and started walking.

After about three steps, Mika heard a voice from behind.

"Mika?"

The voice came from the girl he had just returned the wallet to.

In the two seconds that had passed. Mika confused.

Who was this girl? She wasn't from the neighborhood.

While he was thinking about all this, a possibility crossed his mind.

No... It can't be, can it? It's impossible.

But he had turned around, and the girl's blue eyes were fixed on him, her blond hair swaying gently in the wind.

He still couldn't believe it.

"Who are you?"

The girl burst out laughing uncontrollably. 

"I can't believe my eyes! Is it really you?

"How do you know my name?"

"Mika, guess who I could be?"

"Who?"

"Mika!"

"Okay, I give up. Saya?"

"Yes! How did we meet like this?"

"How could I know?"

Saya felt a twinge of discomfort at Mika's unenthusiastic answer, as if his words were devoid of any real emotion.

"You talk like a soul, you look like a soul, but how can you be so polite at the same time?"

"Well, as you can see, I am also human. I have learned manners and etiquette since I was a child."

"What about me? Haven't I learned them?"

"Apart from shouting 'Mika' in the middle of the street, yes, I can say that."

"Oh, come on, you're terrible. Anyway, we just talked yesterday."

Mika noticed the bags in her hands. She was carrying five bags of vegetables. Out of politeness he asked,

"Are you from a big family that you carry so many bags?"

"What? No... Since I don't leave the house for long, I cook at home. My mother comes home late."

"I see, well then."

"Mika..."

"Did I talk like that again?"

"No, this time you don't seem to care."

"No, that wasn't my intention. I'm sorry."

Saya started to laugh. Laughing, she said,

"You are so weird! Anyway, do you want to help me?"

"Help you?"

"Well, I am a girl who carries so much weight..."

"Well, why didn't you just not take so much?"

"Mika... well, anyway, which side do you live on?"

"..."

"Mika!"

"On this side." Mika pointed across the street with his hand. Saya pointed ahead with her hand and said,

"I'm on this side too."

"Oh... well, that's good. Anyway, there's a girl who asks for help to get home and you refuse even though you have the chance to accompany her all the way, right?"

"Well, yeah, but what am I supposed to do if I'm curious about her house?"

Saya was shocked and slightly embarrassed by what she heard and said,

"You know... anyway, if you didn't get the joke, then I'm leaving. Goodbye."

Mika looked at Saya's hands and noticed that the handles of the bags had slipped inside, causing her palms to turn red. He muttered to himself,

"Ugh... I guess manners don't matter..."

Then he walked over to Saya and took four of the bags out of her hands. Saya was surprised and asked,

"What are you doing?"

"I'm helping."

"Wow! Have you changed your mind? Tell me."

"About what?"

"About coming to my place. Even though I changed my mind again, you're still heartless."

"Maybe, I just thought I should help you because your hands looked bad."

Saya felt a little embarrassed and happy.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. By the way, Saya."

"Yes?"

"Did you recognize me just from my voice?"

"No, actually, your voice doesn't match perfectly. I recognized you mostly from your Dascord photo."

"What?"

"What's wrong? It looked like you."

"How could you compare me to that? It's a random anime character picture."

"ARE YOU SERIOUS? So you're not Mika?"

"Are you really asking that?"

"No, it was a joke. Ugh, you didn't get it again."

"Sorry, that's just my personality."

"It's okay. But how come you didn't recognize me? We even talked so much yesterday, and my voice sounds similar."

"How could I recognize you from a profile picture with a cherry blossom tree on a chair? Come on."

Saya burst out laughing. Laughing, she said,

"You're right, you're absolutely right! Hahaha."

They walked together for a while. It began to drizzle. Saya said worriedly,

"Mika, it looks like it's going to rain. If you want, you can give me the bags, my house is nearby and I can carry them there."

"Oh, really... well, okay."

"You're not questioning anything, are you?"

"What?"

"Forget it."

"Okay."

Mika handed Saya the bags. Saya looked into Mika's eyes and said,

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Next time, take fewer things to make it more comfortable to carry."

"I know, but going outside is such a hassle, heh."

"It's okay, I do it all the time. Besides, don't you do any sports?"

"This conversation is heading towards a question about my weight. You're being rude."

"What did I say?"

"Anyway, I don't exercise. Do you? Although I guess I got my answer from the sports clothes you're wearing."

"Yeah..."

"When do you go out?"

"Well, usually every other day."

"Okay, good to know."

"Why?"

"Oh, nothing... if we run into each other again, I can ask you to help me carry my stuff."

"Sure, sure, we probably won't meet again."

"MIKA!.."

"Okay, okay, sorry, it was another bad joke, I guess. I just can't do it."

"Yes, please don't."

"Okay, I'm going now."

"Goodbye, thanks again."

Mika waved and was about to turn around when a car approached quickly. Although it was on the sidewalk, a large puddle had formed on the ground. Mika watched the car coming closer. If it came like this, Saya would get completely soaked.

When he thought about the possibility that she might get sick, he instinctively stepped forward to Saya and shouted,

"SAYA!"

Saya turned in surprise. Mika grabbed her shoulder and pushed her forward as if throwing her.

As they both moved sideways, the car splashed into the puddle. Mika was standing right in front of them and he could see every drop of water coming at him in slow motion.

Saya and Mika barely avoided falling. Mika had pulled Saya to him to prevent her from falling and now they were standing very close to each other.

Mika's hand held Saya's shoulder and pulled her closer. They were close and Mika's wet hair dripped onto Saya's face. Saya's blue eyes widened with a mixture of fear and wonder as she looked at Mika, searching for answers in his enigmatic presence.