How About a Little Deal? - Part 3: Let's Stay in Touch!

Mika took the coffee cups and carried them to the kitchen.

 What was he still doing here? Besides, he thought he could give some information about himself and get rid of her, but instead, Saya had shown concern and pity for him. Why was she so upset about someone she had just met? 

It seemed very meaningless to Mika.

When he returned to the room, he noticed that Saya was wearing his freshly washed sports jacket.

"What are you doing?"

"Tadaa! How does it look?"

Saya smiled and looked at Mika curiously.

"Well, it looks a bit big on you."

"..."

A flicker of disappointment shadowed Saya's face, her eyes betraying a hint of sadness. Mika tried to recover and said,

"Well, it's actually nice, but it would suit you better if it was the right size and red."

Saya's eyes lit up with excitement and curiosity as she looked at Mika.

"Hooray! Okay, then I'll get one too."

"Well, it's up to you, but where did that come from all of a sudden?"

"I don't know, maybe I need it for training."

"But I thought you didn't exercise?"

"I've decided to start exercising," Saya said, smiling and speaking seriously.

"Well, that's up to you."

"Actually, I was hoping for something more inspiring from you."

"Sorry, I don't have very exciting qualities."

"Okay, okay, I know. Anyway, let me stay like this for a while."

"Why?"

"You said it looked good."

"Yes, but the one you were wearing looked good too." Mika showed Saya the dark green thin cardigan she had taken off. 

"Oh, really? Okay, then I'll wear it. But you're playing dirty."

"What?"

"Never mind, let's get back to the subject at hand. It was my turn, right?"

"Oh... yes, you're right."

Mika leaned back and after Saya had changed her clothes, she sat down again and started to tell her story:

"When I was little, my parents got divorced."

"Hmm, I see... Wait, was that all?"

"Hahaha, no, I was expecting you to ask about the clothes." Saya looked at Mika with a laughing face.

"Oh yeah, right, then I'll play the role: Why do you have a boy's outfit?"

"You're such a strange person... unemotional and trying to make disgusting jokes."

"Was it really that bad..."

"No, just kidding." Saya's laughter filled the room, echoing happily. After a moment she regained her composure and continued..,

"Simply put, I live with my mother, and my uncle, who lives abroad, visits us occasionally. I have given you clothes from his collection."

"But aren't they a bit disproportionate? I mean, the T-shirt fits me well, but the shorts are too big."

"Oh, that's because my uncle gains weight every time he comes to visit. I get mad at him every time, but it doesn't work."

"I see..." Mika turned her face to the window with an expression of curiosity or some other indiscernible emotion.

"You're doing it again."

"What? Oh, right, I guess I pretended not to care, but don't mind me, I'm listening."

"I know. Anyway, that was my secret."

"Was that all?"

"Yeah...um, what else did you expect?"

"I don't know, you cried in mine, so even if you said something emotionally bad, I couldn't feel sorry for you."

"Saying it like that makes you seem rude, but at least you have a valid excuse. Anyway, thanks for listening. I have never shared such personal information about my private life with anyone before."

"Same here. By the way, my clothes are ready, so I'll get going." Mika wanted to stand up with the support of his hands, but at that moment Saya grabbed his right arm.

"Hey, Mika..." Suddenly, Saya closed the gap between them, her breath mingling with Mika's, their proximity crackling with unspoken tension. Her blue eyes met Mika's. They were very close.

"Doesn't that make you a little bit excited?" Saya asked, looking curiously at Mika.

"Um, no?"

"Nothing at all?"

"No."

"Hmm, interested in boys maybe?"

"No."

"Hmm, I see, interested in girls then..."

"You also know that I won't be able to feel anything, right?"

"I know." Saya pulled back. There was a wistful smile on her face and she blushed slightly.

"Why are you taking things so far?"

"What do you mean 'so far'?"

"I mean, if I had real feelings, that gesture you just made would have been a kiss or a romantic moment."

"W-W-What? Really?"

"I told you before, you idiot."

"Oh, it's even more embarrassing now. But I had to try."

"To see if I have feelings?"

"No, forget it." A flicker of discomfort clouded Saya's eyes, her once vibrant spirit dimming ever so slightly.

"Okay, can I ask one more question, if it's not too personal?"

"What is it?"

"Why do you push things so far? Are you like that with all guys?"

"No, of course not. I've never even had an interaction before. I don't even have a boyfriend, Mika!"

"I see..."

"YES! Why do you act like you don't believe me?"

"Because you're doing things that only couples would do, isn't that a bit too much?"

"C-C-Couple? No way, IDIOT. Besides, don't only couples do those things?"

"Well, according to my observations, yes..."

"Don't you think you're stalking a little too much?"

"No. I just look at them when they're out in public, where did you get that idea?"

"Right... I didn't know that was something couples did. In the anime I watch, it's usually the girls who do those things to the guys."

"But anime is different, what happens there usually has nothing to do with the real world."

"I see, you're quite perceptive, aren't you? It's fascinating how you delve into the intricacies of human behavior."

"I mentioned it before, D-"

"I know."

"Can you let me finish my sentence? Anyway, thank you for washing my clothes. Can I change in the bathroom with your permission?"

"Sure, you can change."

"Thanks."

Mika took his freshly washed, wrinkled clothes and went inside to change. 

 Mika changed his clothes and said to Saya at the door,

"I'll go then."

"Wait, let me see you off."

"You don't have to bother."

"Mika..."

"Alright then." They went to the front door together. Saya held the door open with one hand while Mika struggled to put on his shoes.

Saya took an umbrella from behind the door and said,

"Hey, take this."

"W-What? There's no need, it seems like the rain has stopped."

"It didn't stop. There was a lightning strike and it's pouring like crazy right now."

"Really?" As the elevator doors parted, Mika's gaze swept over the rain-soaked cityscape beyond the glass, a somber reflection of his own stormy one.

"Take it, please."

"Okay, fine. I'll definitely bring it back."

"No problem. By the way, let's exchange contact information."

"Why?"

"Why not? It's for the umbrella." Saya smiled weakly. It was obvious that she was using it as an excuse, but Mika didn't notice.

"Oh, right... sure, I'll let you know when I bring it back." By that time, they had already added each other using the QR code on their phones.

"No worries. You can give it to me when I get to your place."

"What? My plac-"

"O-Okay then, see you. I'm glad we understood each other," Saya interrupted, not allowing Mika to speak.

Mika waved at Saya, who was watching him from outside the door, and got into the elevator. To himself, he muttered,

Oh, now we're really in trouble.