Will You Trust Me?

Saya looked curiously at Mika. Meanwhile, Mika turned around to examine Saya's face.

"Um... no," Mika replied without any emotion or excitement.

"Why?" Saya was surprised by what she heard, but her shock didn't last long because she knew Mika's general characteristics.

"Well, because you kept me for a long time yesterday, and I couldn't do any real work because of it."

"Am I to blame then?" Saya looked at Mika in surprise.

"Well, who else would it be?"

"Even if you're right, is there somewhere I'm wrong?"

"Well... anyway, I really can't spare the time right now. I apologize, I mean, as a courtesy..."

"I know."

"Alright, then I'll go."

"Goodbye..." Saya stopped suddenly and started to smile, thinking about something.

"What happened?"

"My umbrella was with you, right? At least let me take it."

"Oh yes, but it's going to rain for the next three days-"

"I want it now. Isn't it mine?"

"Yes, you're right. All right, come on, but do you have a bike?"

"What bike? I'm coming from school."

"Well, don't some people ride their bikes to school?"

"They do, but I use public transportation."

"I see..."

"If you want, we can just take public transportation back. If it's convenient and if they allow bicycles, of course."

"No."

"Why? It would be more..."

"No."

"Why are you so stubborn?"

"No."

Saya was taken aback by Mika's unwavering attitude and tried to figure out if it was due to emotion or something else.

"Please don't suggest anything about transportation and don't ask why." Mika turned and walked towards the cashier.

Saya looked at her from behind, trying to understand why she reacted that way. After walking a bit, Mika turned around to see if she was following.

"Aren't you coming? Besides, do you have to buy something?"

"Oh, sorry, I zoned out."

"It's okay, and you didn't say anything wrong, but I have my reasons, please don't insist."

"No, I would never insist next time."

"Okay, thank you. I'll get in line, I'll wait for you outside."

"Okay, I'll be right there."

Mika went outside and leaned against the bike while he opened the snack he had bought.

My hands are shaking. Although I am incapable of experiencing emotions, how can a past event still affect me? It feels as if it is not my mind but my body that is reacting.

Saya came to Mika with what they had bought.

"If I kept you waiting, I apologize."

"No, you didn't make me wait. Let's go."

"How are we going?"

"How? I will ride the bike and you will sit on the back."

"What?" Saya got scared when she heard this and looked at Mika with wide open eyes.

"What's wrong? If you don't want to ride, it's okay. I can bring your umbrella another time."

"No, it's okay. It's not important. Just show me how to sit."

"Alright."

Mika sat Saya on the iron part at the back of the bike. Then they moved forward and sat down.

"If you feel like losing your balance, hold on to me."

"Okay."

They hadn't started moving yet when Saya hugged Mika tightly.

"Oh... hug gently. We haven't even started to move yet. Are you okay?"

"I-I-I'm fine. I-I-I just f-f-felt a little s-scary."

"Have you never ridden a bike before?"

"W-well... no."

"That's not good."

Mika thought about what would be the logical thing to do.

"If you want, we can do it later-"

"No."

"What should we do then?"

"I-I don't know, I'm sorry. I just really wanted to come. I guess there's nothing we can do."

Saya's voice sounded sad and disappointed. But Mika had an idea.

"Hey, Saya."

"Yes?

"Do you trust me?"

"What?" Saya looked at Mika astonished.

"Do you trust me?"

Saya paused for a moment and thought about what to say.

"Well, I mean, we've only known each other for two days. How can I trust you?"

"Is that so? Well, you're right. I wouldn't trust me either, but it sounded like you said something rude."

Saya started to laugh. When her laughter subsided, she hugged Mika from behind.

"Oh! Slow down, you're going to break my ribs."

"Even though we just met two days ago, something inside me tells me that I can trust you."

Saya rested her face on Mika's back and looked darkly at the street to her right.

"Make a decision. Am I a stranger or am I trustworthy?"

"I think you're both." She started to laugh again.

"Well then? Can you stay behind me without fear while I ride the bike?"

Saya gently pulled her cheek away from the warmth of Mika's back, her breath brushing Mika's ear as she leaned in from behind, her words carried in a soft whisper:

"Of course, I can trust you. I trust that I won't be afraid when you're the one riding."

"Well, it's interesting how you suddenly change your mood like that. But okay, shall I ride then?"

"Yes, let's fly back home!"

Saya raised her left hand in the air with motivation. The smile on her face would give everyone the impression that they were a couple.

Saya had been a little scared at first, but she had overcome her fear with time. Now they would go together. Mika spoke loudly so that Saya could hear,

"Hey Saya, first we should stop at the market, I have some groceries there too."

"Okay, no problem."

***

Together they arrived at the market. Thole, who was sitting inside the market, thought that Mika had come and went outside.

"Welcome ba- WHAAAAAT?" Thole stared at Saya with his mouth open. He was surprised to see a girl with Mika.

"Hello again, Thole Uncle."

"Do you know her?"

"Yes, but do you know each other?"

"N-n-no, I was surprised because there was someone else with you." Thole looked at Mika in surprise. He had managed to get over the initial shock of seeing a girl with him.

"I had bags, that's why I came."

"Oh yes, right, sorry. I'll get them right away."

"Okay." Mika turned and looked at Saya who was holding the bike. Saya smiled and said,

"He was very surprised."

"Yeah, I don't know why."

"Haven't you ever gone out with someone?"

"Well, I have. We used to go out a lot with my family."

"No, not like that... Anyway, did he know your secret?"

"Yes."

"Oh, that explains why he was surprised."

"Why?"

Saya said in a shy and hesitant voice,

 "I-I guess he thought we were dating, or NO, he must have thought we were friends. That must be it."

"Hmm, I see," Mika said clearly, turning his back on Saya and walking towards Thole.

 Thole handed Mika the bags.

"H-Hey Mika, i-is this your friend?"

"Friend? Hmm, I don't know, she actually said something like that, I guess we are."

"You guess?!? Anyway, where are you going?"

"To my house."

"WHAT? TO YOUR HOUSE, WHAT DO YOU MEAN?"

"Just going home."

"WHAT ARE YOU TWO GOING TO DO AT HOME?" Thole stared at Mika in confusion.

"What are we going to do? It's about a software program. She said she wanted to help."

"I understand, but you'll be alone at home with a girl, you young rascal!"

"W-What? Do you find this situation inconvenient?"

"Well, no, but usually in a situation like this, it's like when couples or potential couples go somewhere."

"Hmm, I see. So if we can't go anywhere, would it be better if I didn't send her to my house?"

"NO, IT'S NOT LIKE THAT." Thole took a deep breath, looked at Saya, then turned to Mika.

"Anyway, she's a beautiful girl, but you don't feel anything, do you?"

"Well, yeah. You already know-"

"I know, well, anyway, try not to hurt her feelings too much, she's a nice girl. I can't say anything about her personality, but it's nice of her to offer help. And don't worry, I won't tell your parents."

Thole laughed and turned to go inside.

"T-Thank you, then? Goodbye."

"Goodbye, young blood!" Thole kept laughing as he walked away.