If that offer still stands (part 2: tension-relief chapter)

After his friends left the competition, Sato quickly returned to his apartment. His steps were light and swift, and he kept his head down, avoiding any possible eye contact with other people.

Once he arrived at his apartment, he unlocked the door and stepped inside. He turned on the light, then shut and locked the door behind him. He set the key on a small table by the door, then walked over to the kitchen.

He pulled out a chair and sat down at the table. He chuckled, and his laughter grew in intensity until it became a cacophony of high-pitched giggles.

He shook his head, a grin on his lips as his laughter gradually faded. After a few moments, he grew silent, his expression somber as his mind wandered.

He sat for a long time, his mind lost in thought. When he finally spoke, his voice was a whisper, barely audible.

“I think I messed up.”

The room remained silent, the only sound being the faint hum of the refrigerator. Sato glanced around the room, his gaze unfocused as if searching for something. After a few seconds, his expression grew sullen, and he shook his head slowly.

He remained seated at the table, his thoughts swirling through his mind. He sighed and then got to his feet, his movements slow as if weighed down by an unseen burden.

“Last time, I got duct taped by Mai and Yuuki,” he muttered, a wry smile crossing his lips. “I wonder what Mai will do this time.”

He let out another sigh and glanced around the room.

“I’m starving. I think I’ll eat alone tonight.”

Sato walked over to the fridge and opened it. His eyes scanned the fridge, pausing on the half-empty juice bottle. After a moment’s hesitation, he reached inside and picked it up.

“Hmm, I haven’t had this in a while,” he said, turning the bottle around in his hands. He glanced at the label. “It’s my favorite, too.”

He lifted the bottle to his mouth, his expression blank. After taking a long drink, he set the bottle back in the fridge.

“I guess Mai’s plan was a success.”

He let out a soft chuckle, a wry smile on his lips.

“Hopefully, mine as well.”

He reached into the fridge and pulled out a carton of strawberries. He took a small bite out of one, then sighed and glanced down at the floor.

****

The next day in the Whimsical Matchmaking Brigade’s meeting room was, as usual, a quiet one. Ryota was the first one to arrive. He sat in a chair, his thoughts swirling around in his head as he waited for everyone to arrive.

He opened his bag and pulled out a mystery book. He read the first few pages, but after a few minutes, he grew restless and began pacing back and forth.

A few minutes later, another member arrived. Sato sat down at the table, a plastic container filled with strawberries on his lap.

“Want some? I picked these this morning,” he asked.

Ryota glanced at him. “No, thanks.”

“Suit yourself.” Sato picked up a strawberry and bit into it. He closed his eyes and let out a small sigh, savoring the sweet flavor as he chewed.

“One for me,” he mumbled. “And another one for me.”

He picked up a strawberry and held it to his mouth.

“I got a marvelous idea!” he exclaimed, his voice enthusiastic. He picked up his phone and tapped the screen, bringing up the camera app.

With care, he centered the strawberry on the screen and brought it up to his face. With a wide grin, he snapped several photos of himself eating strawberries.

When he finished, he selected a few photos and turned off his phone. He stared at the screen momentarily, a faint smile on his lips.

“Um... what are you doing?” Ryota asked.

“What do you mean?”

“You... just took photos of yourself eating strawberries.”

Sato nodded, then took another bite out of the strawberry he held in his hand.

“Yes, I did.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m hungry.”

The young man stared at him for a moment, then shook his head. He opened his book again, ignoring the strange look Sato was giving him.

“I see,” he said. “Do what you like.”

“Thanks. I will,” Sato replied, a smug smile on his face.

He turned his attention back to the strawberry and resumed eating it.

“You know? It’s funny,” he said after a few seconds. “I didn’t think it would turn out like this.”

Ryota glanced over at him. “How so?”

Sato stared down at the container on his lap. He picked up another strawberry and bit into it. He chewed slowly, his expression thoughtful.

“You know,” he finally said. “When we first became members of this club, I wasn’t sure what it would be like.”

“Me too,” Ryota replied.

“Yeah. I figured it would be fun and exciting, but...” Sato glanced over at him, a grin on his lips. “But I didn’t expect to have this much fun.”

“Is that so?” Ryota muttered. “Good for you, I guess.”

Sato nodded and reached into the container. He pulled out another strawberry and held it to his face.

“Hey, Ryota?”

“What?”

Sato’s grin widened as he stared at the strawberry.

“I have a problem.”

“And what’s that?”

Sato let out a sigh.

“You know how I used the red spotlight on you and Mai?”

Ryota nodded.

“I wonder if Mai is angry with me.”

The young man closed his book and set it down on the table. He stared at his friend, an amused look on his face.

“Is that your problem?”

“No, no,” Sato replied, shaking his head. “As an apology... I thought I’d share some of my strawberries with her.”

“Apologize with strawberries?”

“Yeah,” Sato replied, nodding. “I picked these strawberries this morning and thought I’d give some to Mai, but...” He let out a soft sigh and set the container of strawberries on the table. “But it seems I finished them all.”