Who is This Girl?

It had been two weeks since their last surprising encounter. During this time, Saya and Mika hadn't spoken or texted each other. While Mika didn't mind, he didn't know what Saya was thinking.

is she waiting for me to text?

But he hadn't written anything and hadn't seen her during his grocery shopping trips or other occasions. Within those two weeks, he had started receiving his first orders and began packaging and shipping the products in the mornings.

 It was Saturday, and he was working busier than usual. The hours were approaching three in the afternoon. He leaned back, having been dealing with a problem for a while but couldn't solve it in any way. The main photos on his website weren't appearing on the site, and the resolution of some photos didn't match. He pondered what he should do.

I don't know how to draw pictures, and besides, Saya prepared all of them. I guess I'll need new photos because of the resolution issue. And if I want to release new products, I'll need their photos too...

He pondered a solution and reluctantly admitted to himself,

 Asking Saya for help seems like the logical choice.

He took his phone and started writing:

"Hey, Saya, we haven't talked in a long time, and I'm not sure if it's the right time to write now, but I need a little help," he wrote. 

Shortly, he received a response.

"What happened? Are you okay?" She replied.

 Maybe she misunderstood.

"I'm fine, that's not the problem. Some photos on the website don't fit into their designated spots, and even if they do, the resolution gets worse. Also, I need photos of the new products."

After a short wait, he received a reply:

"Do you need something from outside?" she said. Mika didn't understand.

"What?"

"I'm coming over, do you need something from outside? Like from a store?"

"Why are you coming over?"

"Can't I?"

"Well, you can, but we could have handled it through Dascord."

"That won't work."

"Why not?"

"Mika... aren't we friends? We haven't seen each other in a long time, and I want to see your face."

"What will you do when you see my face?"

"MIKA!. Anyway, I can't explain how to draw pictures just by talking, I'll bring the products myself. We can sort it out by the evening."

Why does she have to act like this? For some reason, Saya can always get what she wants. I guess I need to be firmer, but hurting her feelings would be unnecessary.

"Okay, fine," he wrote.

Where did this come from all of a sudden?

***

It had been about thirty minutes when Saya rang the doorbell. Mika opened the door.

"You came quickly?"

"Our houses aren't that far, Mika."

"Right, sorry. Can I take the bag from your hand?" Saya was taking off her shoes.

"Please, thank you."

While Mika carried the bag, he noticed there was something strange inside.

"If you don't mind me asking, what's in the bag?"

"It's a drawing tablet. We'll need it to draw the pictures."

"W-What? Are they drawn with these?"

"Yes, of course. Anyway, it's very hot, summer is approaching. Can I use the bathroom? I've been sweating."

"S-Sure, you can use the one right there."

"Okay, thank you."

"By the way, are you hungry? I can prepare some snacks."

"Thanks, I ate at home."

"Hmm, alright. I'll go upstairs and set up the things."

"Okay, I'll be right there," Saya said as she walked.

Mika went to his room and set up the drawing tablet. At that moment, he received a message on his phone. He sat down on his chair and checked his phone. The message was from his grandmother:

"Hi sweetie, how are you? I talked to your mother, and since I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, I'll stay at your place tonight. We'll go together in the morning. I just wanted to let you know. Don't worry, I won't bother you when I come. See you soon 🥰 🥰"

Was it the right timing? Saya is also here, and we need to finish everything before my grandmother arrives in the evening.

"I'm here! Sorry for the wait," Saya said, she had cleaned her hands and face. Mika saw her face without makeup for the first time.

"Is there something on my face?" Saya asked curiously.

"No, no, I'm just seeing your face without makeup for the first time."

"W-WHAT? I COMPLETELY FORGOT I HAD MAKEUP ON AND WASHED MY FACE!" Saya's eyes widened in alarm, and she touched her face with a worried and embarrassed expression.

"Well, it's not a problem, I think," Mika said flatly.

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is, with or without makeup, it doesn't seem like much has changed. It just looks more realistic, yeah, realistic, I guess..."

"Are you complimenting me right now, Mika? You're saying scary things. I must look really ugly."

"No, I mean, what I'm trying to say is that you're beautiful even without makeup, so it's not a problem for me."

After hearing Mika's words, Saya's eyes widened, and her face turned as red as a tomato. She turned around and quickly left the room.

"Hey, Saya?" Mika didn't understand what had happened and called after her. Did he say something wrong?

"Idiot! Idiot! Idiot! How can you expect me to look at you when you compliment me like that? Ugh, you're playing dirty..." She quietly said the second sentence to herself.

"I don't understand?"

Saya quickly went into the bathroom upstairs and locked the door. She looked at herself in the mirror.

"I'm so flushed... Did he really say I-I-I'm beautiful like this?" She touched her face while her heart was racing.

***

Finally, Saya returned to Mika and apologized. Although Mika blamed himself for Saya's behavior, Saya insisted that it was her own fault.

During the evening, Saya explained drawing basics to Mika. It was already approaching six in the afternoon, and they decided to finish there.

"I guess drawing isn't really my thing," Mika started yawning.

"You shouldn't say that. You've only seen the beginner level; it can feel like it's complicated."

"How do you manage to do all of these? You know coding, you can draw, who knows what else you can do. You even have the potential to be the class representative at school."

"W-Where did you hear that?"

"What? Are you serious?"

"Yes, anyway, If you attempt to embarrass me, I'll make you face the consequences."

"What? I didn't say anything."

"Hmph." Saya pretended to be angry and turned her face away.

"Well, do you want something to eat? I can order from outside-"

"I'll cook."

"What? No, that's not necessary."

"Why not?"

"I don't want to give you that trouble, and besides, we're already tired. It wouldn't be good for you to get even more exhausted."

Saya started hitting Mika.

"Hey, hey hey! What are you doing?"

"I told you not to embarrass me!" she continued hitting.

"Stop, okay." As Saya was about to hit, Mika grabbed her hands. When Mika held her, Saya lost her balance and started falling forward.

"Watch out!" Mika said, making a sudden move and preventing her from falling. Now they were standing very close to each other. Their breaths collided with each other's skin. Saya, in shock and fear, screamed and pulled herself back.

"I-I'm sorry, it wasn't intentional." Mika couldn't understand Saya's reaction.

Saya hurriedly went to the upstairs bathroom and locked the door.

"I guess I scared her too much. Why did it have to be like this? Besides, I didn't do anything; she was the one trying to hit me, and I just prevented it," Mika sank into deep thoughts.

After a while, a voice came from inside.

"Hey, Mika."

"Yes?" Mika found it strange that Saya called him.

"It would be better if we order from outside; I don't feel like I can cook."

"Are you okay? Listen, if I did something wrong-"

"YOU DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG! Everything you did was normal. And thank you for saving me. Don't blame yourself; this situation is entirely on me."

"Okay, then let's order from outside."

***

Mika ordered pizza, and they shared a meal. While cleaning up, the doorbell rang.

"Who could it be at this hour?" Saya wondered.

Mika headed towards the door. When he opened it, his grandmother was standing there. He had completely forgotten.

"Hello, sweetie-" his grandmother's words were suddenly cut off as her eyes widened in astonishment and disbelief. She was looking behind Mika. Saya, standing at the kitchen doorway, and Mika's grandmother in front of the door, locked eyes and stared at each other in shock.

"WHOA, Who is this girl?" her grandmother asked.