How About a Little Deal? - Part 1: Uncovering Secrets

Mika and Saya continued their conversation while they are eating.

"Thanks for the food!" Saya sighed in relief and leaned back happily.

"Thanks for the food." Mika also leaned back and sat down.

"Let's collect the plates and then I'll take care of the dishes." Saya got up and took her plate.

"Okay."

It was the first time he ate at someone else's house and with someone of the same age and a girl. Wait, were they the same age? Saya didn't look much older or younger, but what if she was older? Would he have to call her "Sensei"? What would the neighbors or her family say if they saw her? Anyway, no one is around, so I can relax,

"Leave the plates here and I'll check the dishwasher before I come back."

"Okay."

Mika put the plates down and stood there, wondering what he should do.

Maybe I can look outside.

He started to look outside. It was raining heavily, the sound of thunder echoing and the noise of passing cars filling the air.

"Hmm, well. Your clothes are cleaned; I'll put them in the dryer."

"Um... thank you. I really gave you a hard time."

"Nonsense. In the meantime, let's go to my room."

"Your room?"

"Well, yes. I don't like to sit here. Come on."

"Um, okay." Mika couldn't keep up anymore.

***

"This is my room." Saya held the door open for him. Inside, there was a desktop computer with pink LED lights and gaming equipment on the desk, a bed in the back, a large window in front of it, and a chair behind it.

"Well, your room looks nice."

"It's the first time a guy comes into my room, so if you say something wrong, I might attack you."

"Ah, so it's a personal zone violation."

"Oh, Mika! Anyway, take a seat in the chair and I'll make some coffee. Mocha or latte?"

"I don't-"

"Mika!"

"Okay, make it a latte."

"So you're a latte person, hehe." Saya went back inside.

 Why was she so close to him? Although he was a little afraid, he could defend himself if necessary. But what if she had added some kind of poison or substance to the food? After all, she was a complete stranger. 

He turned and looked at the computer. It looked new and in good shape. Not a speck of dust on it, which meant she took care to keep it clean. The whole house looked clean as well. Her room was different, almost announcing itself as a girl's room with its scent.

Finally, Saya arrived.

"Here you go."  Saya handed his coffee.

"Oh, thank you."

"You're welcome." She immediately took a seat next to Mika. Together they looked outside.

"It's raining like a catastrophe," Saya said.

"Yeah... but it should stop soon, maybe."

"Could be."

It occurred to Mika that if Saya wasn't older than him, she should be at school right now. 

Although he thought about asking, he didn't think it was any of his business.

"Hey, Mika."

"Yes?"

"What grade are you in?"

"I don't understand?"

"What class are you in at school? If you don't go for a walk every other day, you can't be a high school student, right?"

"Well, actually no. I think I'm considered a senior in high school."

"You think?"

"Well long story, What about you?"

"I'm a senior too. "

"If you're a senior, why are you at home right now?"

"Mika, why do you think that might be?"

"Well, I'm asking the same thing..."

"Don't I sound or look different to you, Mika?"

"Well, I can't be sure - oh, your nose is red."

"BECAUSE I'M SICK! DID YOU JUST NOTICE THAT?"

"Uh... yes, so why did you go to the market or something? Shouldn't you be resting at home?"

"I couldn't rest because there was nothing at home."

"Couldn't your family get it for you? Sorry, I guess it's none of my business."

"It's not important, but my mother comes home late. So you can think of it as me taking care of myself."

"Hmm, I see."Mika's voice remained devoid of emotion. In truth, he considered asking about her father, but since it was a personal matter, he held back. 

There was nothing in the house that had to do with men, yet there were men's clothes. Why? He tried to understand, but of course he didn't ask.

"Mika."

"Yes?"

"Shall we make a deal?"

"What kind of deal?"

"Let's both tell each other a secret."

"What will it be about?" Mika was trying to infer from Saya's words.

"You'll tell me why you're like a ghost and why you're not going to school, I'll tell you why my father is absent and why I gave you men's clothes. I think it's already a good deal, you must have noticed."

As Mika tried to process what he heard:

"How did you know I was thinking about that? Do you have mind reading powers?"

"No, silly, you zoned out and stared at something after I said it."

"What? Was it that long?"

"Yes..."

"I see..." While saying this, Mika was also thinking if he should really disclose this information. Well, either way, if he didn't tell her, she probably wouldn't leave him alone. Maybe if he did tell her, she might leave him alone, he thought.

"Okay, I agree," he said.

"Alright, I'm glad," Saya said, then she started coughing.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, no problem. Just a common cold."

"Okay..."

"First, it's your turn."

"Why me?" Mika was unprepared.

"Because I initiated the deal, and it's my idea, so you'll start."

"Usually, it's the other way around, but-"

"Mika..." Saya scolded, her voice weakened by coughing.

"Okay, okay, fine... I'll start." Mika took a deep breath, gathered his thoughts, and began to speak