Aren't I a Stranger?

Mika and Saya looked at each other.

Saya looked scared and confused as she stared at Mika's soaked hair.

Mika's clothes clung to his body, soaked from the rain. Water trickled down his hair, leaving a trail of droplets and forming small puddles on the ground.

"Mika, what are you doing?" Saya said, still feeling a mix of emotions.

"S-Sorry... the car was going too fast I did it so you wouldn't get drenched" Mika mumbled.

"That's not what I'm asking. Are you okay?" Saya interrupted Mika, her eyes filled with concern.

"I'm fine, nothing happened."

"Thank goodness." A sigh of relief escaped Saya's lips, her tense expression loosening as she exhaled.

"I just got a little wet. It's nothing. The things you bought, on the other hand, are soa-"

"I know."

"Could you please let me finish my sentence?"

Saya's laughter filled the air. After laughing, she asked Mika curiously,

"Is your house far from here?"

"Well, it's not too far. I can get there in 5 minutes if I walk."

"So it's far..."

"Well, not really, but it would be better if I walk without getting sick. See you..."

As Mika turned to run, Saya's hand shot out from behind and grabbed his arm tightly.

The drinks in their bags began to roll across the pavement.

"Wait a minute." Saya blushed slightly as she held onto Mika.

"What's wrong?"

"Come to my place."

"W-What? I don't understand."

"Not like that, you idiot." Saya smacked Mika's head with her finger.

"What do you mean 'not like that'?"

Mika asked completely emotionless and uninterested.

"You know what I mean."

"No, I don't?"

"Ugh, you're so stupid, Mika. Anyway, since you got wet because of me, I should make it up to you."

"Well, that's not really necessary," Mika said, noticing that Saya's hand had let go and looking at the fallen things on the ground.

He bent down and said, 

"The items have fallen."

"W-What? We must pick them up immediately."

"The reaction of someone who spills something without realizing it..."

"What's the big deal..." Saya looked frustrated at Mika.

Finally, they finished picking up the items.

"Come on, my place is only 3 blocks away."

"No need, I can walk..."

"Mika..."

"Why are you so insistent? Fine, all right..."

A warm smile graced Saya's lips, radiating true happiness.

***

Finally, they entered the apartment building and walked through the front door of the house. When Mika entered, he said,

"Thanks for having me."

"Stop!"

"What's wrong?"

"You're wet, take off your..." Saya's words made her turn away in embarrassment.

"Take off my what? Oh, right, I'm wet." Mika lifted his t-shirt, but Saya's screams stopped him.

"STOP, I'm telling you! Aren't you ashamed?"

"Ashamed? Oh, right, it wouldn't be right to do it right after I come in."

"W-What do you mean by 'enter'?"

"You know, like... uh-"

"Oof, okay, just stop, enough already, it's getting too embarrassing."

Saya's face turned bright red as she stood behind Mika and closed the door.

Mika said flatly,

"Oh, I forgot to close the door. I'm sorry."

"It's alright. By the way, there's a bathroom right here. Go in, take a shower and put your clothes in the hamper."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Since you protected me, I should repay you."

"No, not like that. You just met a guy yesterday and now you're inviting him over?"

Saya chuckled slightly and said, 

"Hmm, let's say I have a premonition."

"Okay?"

Mika wasn't particularly satisfied with the answer, but he found himself in the bathroom. It was a simple bathroom with a black and white design.

He threw his clothes into the hamper and entered the bathroom. He turned on the water.

What? There's no shampoo for men?

Mika wondered what to do when Saya called out to him from outside.

"Mika, you can use my shampoo. It's the second one on the left. The pink one."

"Okay, thank you." Mika still found everything strange and looked around.

Why do these things always happen to me? And now her shampoo? If this was a typical manga, the main character would start sniffing it-

"DON'T YOU DARE THINK OF PERVERTED THINGS!"

Saya's voice trembled from outside. Her scream startled Mika.

"O-Okay, wait, why did I say okay?"

He turned on the water and started to wash. After he finished his shower, he heard another voice from inside:

"I hung a towel and some spare clothes for guests outside the door."

"Oh, thank you."

He took the towel and dried himself, then began to put on the clothes.

These are a little big for me, and they're men's clothes. Why would there be men's clothes if there's no shampoo? Anyway, I don't care.

As he stepped out, the aroma of delicious food filled the air. He walked to the kitchen where Saya, wearing an apron, was cooking with the newly bought food.

"Um, thanks for the shower and the clothes."

"You're welcome, but the real thanks should come from me."

Saya said as she tied her hair into a ponytail from behind.

"Should I wear the clothes and go..."

"No. I'll put them in the washing machine now and you'll stay here until they're done."

"But-"

"No 'buts. I should at least pay you back. Come on, stir the food so it doesn't burn."

"What?"

Mika stared as Saya quickly handed him a wooden spoon, her steps quickening as she hurried back to the bathroom, her eagerness palpable in every movement.

"Are you serious?"

Mika couldn't understand what was happening and started stirring the food. Finally, when Saya returned,

"Stop! You're not supposed to stir it like that." She panicked.

"How else am I supposed to stir it?"

"Not like you're stirring soup; you've almost mashed all the vegetables."

"Oh, sorry, I didn't know."

"It's okay. What do you normally eat at home?"

"Um, eggs, noodles and rice, I guess."

"WHAT? How are you still alive?"

"Should I die or something?" Mika asked nonchalantly.

"Ugh, anyway..." Saya looked astonished into Mika's face.

"I guess my work here is done?"

"No, take two plates, forks and knives from over there."

"Two?" Mika tried to understand why.

"What do you mean 'two'?"

"Is there someone else?"

"It's you, you idiot."

"Oh... what?"

"Come on, why do you think I cooked?" "Because you were hungry?"

"Mika..."

"Sorry, yeah... I'm sorry."

"Anyway... set the plates and then let's eat. The machine won't be ready until we've finished eating."

"Okay, thank you."

Mika still couldn't understand why Saya was doing all this and putting herself in such a tight spot. But she was a good girl. He didn't think she had bad intentions. 

Maybe she was just a little naive? After all, why would you invite a complete stranger right into your home?

 The plates were set and the food was served. 

"Bon appétit!" Saya's hungry expression and the way she looked at the food showed that she was pleased.

"Bon appétit, and thank you in advance for the food." Saya's eyes sparkled with joy as she eagerly dug into her food, enjoying every bite with a satisfied smile.