Lunch and Friendship. Part 2

“Oh, I see…” Misako said.

I had found Misako sitting next to a bench on the lunch break. I made it my responsibility to clear up the misunderstanding from that morning. I had explained to her that I asked my father about the watches, nothing more. The sun was bright that day, I could see dark circles around her eyes. I had thought maybe it had something to do with the old laptop she had in her room. But I knew not to ask her about that, just yet.

“If you really made these, why not make them functional?” Misako asked, questioning my motives on making the watches non-functional.

“I wonder myself; it seems as though I intentionally made them inoperable. As to why I wouldn’t know.” I replied.

“Strange…”

“Definitely, I wish I could go back in time and understand why I did that, maybe then, I could answer as to why you have the watch as well.”

“I’m not giving it back to you, just so you know.” Misako added.

“I’m not asking for it back.”

We waited a while longer under the sun, Hiroshi was nowhere to be found, like a thief in the night. I knew that man was up to no good.

“Listen, do you want to go to Uncle Mitamo later?” Misako asked out of the blue.

“Sure, are you working today?” I inquired.

“I am…but he asked to see you again.”

“Me? Why would he want to see me again?”

“He got some new client watches that need repairs. He’s asking for our help.”

My ears flared up. That was something I could help with. Anything to see Mister Mitamo’s watches again.

“Definitely. I can help.” I said to her.

I could see her relax with a look of relief. I wondered why she was so tense for a simple request.

“Hey, David.” Hiroshi said, appearing from behind like a stalker.

“You have got to stop doing that.” I said to him.

“Wanna arm wrestle?” He asked me.

“Maybe Ishihara will accept your duel.” I said pointing at her.

“Let’s arm wrestle.” Hiroshi flexed his muscles towards Misako.

“No way in hell. I don’t know where your hand has been.”

Hiroshi grabbed my hand in a flash, gripping mine tightly. There was no means to escape, I accepted the man’s duel. As we struggled in a contest of strength, I took the opportunity to question Misako with Hiroshi present:

“Ishihara, question.” I said as I easily beat Hiroshi in the arm wrestle match.

“I’m not duelling you.”

“No, not that. I wanted to ask why you lied about knowing Hiroshi?”

“Huh? What do you mean?” She enquired, “I didn’t lie to you.”

Hiroshi massaged his arm, reeling from defeat.

“I’ve never met you before, up until university.” Hiroshi said.

‘See? He doesn’t know you.” I said afterwards.

Misako scratched her forehead, sighing in disbelief.

“Hiroshi, what school did you attend? Before coming to university?” She asked him.

“Dende Private school, all the way from middle to high school.” He replied.

“I was in your class in Dende Private School, you dimwit.” She spoke.

“You were?” He asked with confusion plastered over his face.

“We were always placed in the same group projects in our final years of school…I often had to do the group project alone due to your idiocy and laziness.” Misako sounded defeated.

Hiroshi massaged his forehead, attempting to recall her face. I recall him telling me he remembered faces and names; I wondered if that was a lie. Then, I could see a lightbulb flick on within his empty brain.

“WAIT A SECOND. YOU’RE MISAKO THE UNLUCKY!” He yelled.

“Never call me that again, you buffoon.” Misako had a tinge of anger in her voice.

Hiroshi covered his mouth; I could tell he had blurted out a nickname that was used to tease Misaki in school.

“Sorry.” He apologized.

“So, you remember me now?” She asked.

“I forgot.” Hiroshi said with defeat in his voice, “Aren’t you and my cou-”

“Good, you remember me now.” Misako said, cutting off Hiroshi.

Misako was growing in anger as the two of them sat in silence. I wanted to know the origin of her nickname, though I assumed it was something that Misako disliked terribly. I stood from the table, stretched my limbs, and gathering my belongings. I did not want the situation to get sour, so I acted on my instincts.

“Misako, let’s head off to class.” I said, distracting her.

“What about me?” Hiroshi asked.

“Did you know class was about to begin?” I responded.

“Uhhhh, Yes?” He lied.

As I pushed Misako towards our next class, I could see her twiddling her thumbs. I knew Hiroshi brought up a past she wished to forget. She was clearly involved in an incident that was horrible to remember later in life. I kicked myself internally, as it was my fault for bringing it up. I was the person who soured the mood between us. All because of my stupid curiosity.

“Sorry.” I said aloud.

“Huh?” She recoiled.

“Don’t think about it, just take my apology, and accept it. I’m sorry Ishihara.”

She did not respond as she put her head down. She simply nodded.