La-La Land

A week had gone by with minor issues. Besides the room incident, I was unharmed for the rest of the week. Hiroshi had given me too much money after he ruineds my belongings, but he told me to “just keep the change”, which made no sense. University was ramping up in difficulty we were already preparing ourselves for examinations that were months away. I understood then, why Japan was considered one of the most strenuous academic countries in the world. I forced Hiroshi to either leave me in peace or to study with me, to which he rejected the idea, leaving me in peace. Yuta came now and then to check up on his sister, but mostly to spend time with Hiroshi. Misaki spent most of her time at Uncle Mitamo’s store, helping him complete the last of his work. I had made a deal with Misako to take her to and from university, and to work. I initiated it to ease the workload of Mister Takahashi. Misako felt bad for beating me in Home-Brawler the other evening, but I told her she would have beat me even if my hand wasn’t shaking, so I owed her a videogame either way. It was Saturday, and I was preparing myself to take Misako out.

‘It’s not a d-date.’ I repeated in my head.

Yuta arrived early in the morning, ready to play with Hiroshi for the day.

“Let’s go to the arcade, Yuta.” Hiroshi said.

“That’s a great mission, master.” Yuta replied.

I forget to mention that Hiroshi had taken Yuta under his wing as his ‘pupil’, I would lie if I didn’t admit I was terrified that TWO Hiroshi’s were about to be born before my very eyes. I decided to dress myself in a smart casual way that was ambiguous, I was afraid of looking rough on our first meeting. I walked down the stairs, to see Misako waiting for me at the lounge room.

“W-Wow…” I began, but I was speechless.

“W-Wh-What?” She stuttered, twirling her hair.

She wore a white dress with white sneakers, frills and stitching designs ran across the hems of her dress. Her hair was tied back into a long ponytail, revealing the red streaks of hair highlights on her head. She had outdone herself with her makeup, she looked like a model with her complimenting black lip-gloss and eyeshadow. She looked absolutely gorgeous.

“Y-You look good…” I tried to say more, but I couldn’t.

“T-Thank-you.” She replied. I could see her face red as a strawberry.

“L-Let’s go, then.” I said as I approached her.

On our way out the door, Mister Takahashi greeted us as he tended to the plants. I could see him plan to say something in his head. I tried to push Misako faster before he could utter a word.

“Going out?” He asked.

I was too slow.

“Y-yes. I owe her a videogame.” I replied.

“Ahh, I see, I see.”

“Nothing more, Uncle Taka.” Misako said as well.

“Well, don’t get back too late tonight, my wife is making steak.”

“We won’t sir.” I said, speeding off.

“Enjoy your date, you two!” He howled from the back.

“Gosh, Uncle Taka…” Misako said, placing her hands on her face to cover her embarrassment.

Our stroll into town was taking longer than expected, so I found a taxi to drive us the rest of the distance there. I realized as I stopped the taxi that I would encounter a problem.

“Uh…Ishihara?” I began.

“Yeah?”

“Is it fine if I carry you, for a split second?”

“Wh-what? Why?” She stumbled over her words.

“We need to get in the taxi, so…I need to carry you into the car.”

“B-but…”

“Or we could ask him to help you inside?”

“F-Fine, just do it.” She conceded.

I prepared myself, and with a hoist, I lifted Misako up. She was as light as I expected, it played into her frangibleness, like a porcelain doll. I gripped my hand around her waist, with my other on her back-legs. I could feel my face hot with fire, and so was hers. The taxi driver opened the door to his car, and I placed Misako inside gently. The driver was kind enough to place Misaki’s wheelchair inside the boot of the car. I seated myself next to Misako in the back seat, we gave the driver instructions to where we were headed, and he drove off. It was a somewhat silent car ride besides the radio playing music within the taxi. We passed numerous businesses, restaurants, and game-arcades as we reached Akihabara. It was my first time entering the bustling district, it was the liveliest place I’d ever seen in my life.

“That’s a massive building.” I said, admiring its height.

“That’s just an arcade.” She replied.

As we arrived at our destination, I paid the driver with the Hiroshi-payback-money. I got out, and lifted Misako once again.

“No comments.” She stated.

“About what?” I asked.

“About my weight.”

“Why? You’re very light.”

“I said no comments!” She yelled, flaying in my arms.

I nearly dropped Misako from her flailing. And she swooped her arms around my neck. We caught each other’s eyes, about a meter away from one another. I backed my head away instantaneously.

“L-let’s just get your wheelchair.” I said, breaking the tension between us.

“O-o-okay.” She responded.

I turned us to face the taxi.

“Oh no.” We unison.

The taxi was nowhere to be found.

With Misako’s wheelchair still in the boot of the car.