Foot-in-Mouth Moments and Pink Haired Angels

The final bell rang, unleashing the pandemonium of students eager to escape the clutches of academia and return to the sanctuary of their homes. As the classroom transformed into a whirlwind of backpacks and papers, Satoshi, said, "Let's head to soccer practice!"

"Yeah, coming," I mumbled, feeling like a deflated balloon after the day's events.

But just as I was about to slip away unnoticed, Cherry, with her eyes still gleaming with determination, intercepted me. "Um Karma, I wanted to ask about the project? When shall we start?"

"Let's start tomorrow if you don't mind," I replied, mustering the last ounce of energy within me. "The faster we get it done, the better it'd be for both of us. We can give it an once-over and fix any blunders we might have made."

"Sure, I have no issues. Tomorrow it is. Where? Your place or mine? Well, I-"

"Pfft, it doesn't even matter where we do it. We're going to do it anyway," I interrupted, my patience wearing thin.

Oh, dear me, did I just step on a landmine of awkwardness? Cherry's face turned redder than a ripe tomato. Not that I cared, of course. My social graces had taken a vacation, and they seemed to have left a "do not disturb" sign on their way out.

"Tomorrow after class, at my place. Don't keep me waiting, you dumbass," I said with a straight face, not realizing the impact of my words.

"Huh? Uh, um, yes, o-okay," Cherry stammered before making a hasty retreat from the classroom.

I turned to leave, only to find Satoshi and Tatsuya smirking like they had just witnessed the greatest comedy show of the century.

"What now?" I snapped, my patience wearing thin.

"It doesn't matter where we do it. We're going to do it anyways," Tatsuya mocked with a grin.

Satoshi chimed in, "Tomorrow after class, at my place. Don't keep me waiting ~" He added a dramatic coo for good measure.

And then they erupted into fits of laughter.

And there I was, dumbfounded and clueless, as their laughter reached nuclear levels. "What's so funny, you maniacs?"

"Man, you're a riot, Karma! It was so hard not to burst out laughing right then and there. Lol, I can't stop thinking about it," Satoshi managed to say between bouts of giggles.

"Your choice of words was pure comedic gold! Haha, I can't stop thinking about it!" Tatsuya managed to wheeze out.

"I feel sorry for Cherry. She was so caught off guard, poor thing. I mean, it's no wonder she ran away! Talk about embarrassing." Satoshi chuckled, barely able to maintain his balance.

And then, the horrifying realization hit me like a ton of bricks. 

Oh no! What had I said? Why did I have to be so... stupid? Cherry would probably avoid me like the plague now, all thanks to my absurdity.

"Okay, time's up, guys. Let's head to practice now. We can continue the comedy show later," Satoshi urged, dragging us all to the field.

As Satoshi wisely declared the end of the laughter session, I knew I had to do some serious reflection on my choice of words. The Cherry incident was just the tip of the iceberg, and who knows how many other blunders I've made without context?

Two hours of rough soccer practice had left me exhausted, but those two clowns, Satoshi and Tatsuya, were still cackling like hyenas over my infamous foot-in-mouth moment.

"It doesn't matter where we do it," Satoshi wheezed, and I swear I could feel my IQ dropping every time he repeated it.

But wait! Those geniuses just had to remind me that I needed Cherry's number for the project. As if I wasn't already flustered enough!

"You moron, do you have her number?" Tatsuya asked, exasperated.

"You need it for all that sharing notes and stuff."

"No, I don't," I replied, trying to keep my cool. But in the blink of an eye, Tatsuya was like, "Here, I texted it to you. Send her a text."

"WTF NO!"

I screamed in the middle of the street, my embarrassment reaching stratospheric levels. Seriously, why was I blushing like a ripe tomato just thinking about texting her? I needed to chill out and act like a composed adult, not a hormonal teenager with a crush.

"Wait, why are you blushing so much, man? What's the big deal?" Tatsuya looked genuinely puzzled.

"Gimme a minute, guys," I said, turning away to hide my burning face.

Good grief, Karma, get your act together! Take deep breaths, channel your inner zen master, and stop acting like a blabbering buffoon! Finally, after what felt like an eternity of inner struggle, I managed to regain some composure.

"Yeah, I'm fine now. What were you saying?" I asked, hoping they hadn't noticed my inner turmoil.

"I smell a little romance in the air," Satoshi smirked, and Tatsuya couldn't resist adding fuel to the fire.

"Yeah, man, gotta keep that number handy for late-night lovey-dovey conversations."

"I'm heading home. You two can go to hell for all I care. See you tomorrow," I muttered, fleeing the scene like a squirrel.

Finally home, I found my parents about to leave. "Be safe, my love, and take care of Alyssa," my mom said, giving me a peck on the forehead.

"Call me if anything happens, okay?" my dad added, looking a tad worried.

"Yes, yes, I'll be fine," I assured them. "Enjoy your night out."

I took a bath, changed clothes and went to ask Alyssa for dinner.

“Alyssa I was thinking about making apple risotto for dinner. You cool with it?”

“No”

“Okay, then pasta?”

“No”

“Hamburger?”

“No”

“Pizza?”

“No. I want crepes.”

"What, you want crepes?" I grumbled. "I don't even know how to make that!"

"You only know how to make junk, onii-chan," she complained, and I was ready to pull my hair out. Girls these days, seriously!

"Eat what I'm making or stay hungry!" I snapped, not budging an inch.

With a dramatic pout, she stormed towards the main door.

"Where are you going at this hour?" I asked, clearly concerned. It was past bedtime, and I knew the dangers of wandering the streets for a snack attack.

"You told me to go hungry. So I am going to get something to eat," Alyssa retorted, slamming the door.

"I bet she'll be back soon after buying something," I mumbled to myself, trying to keep my cool and not go into full panic mode.

Time passed, and it was now 9:45 PM. I couldn't take it anymore. I went outside to look for her when I saw her returning with an enormous bag of chocolates and chips, looking like she'd just won the snack lottery. I didn't know whether to scold her for worrying me or hug her for coming back safely.

She probably saw the concern etched all over my face, and without warning, she charged at me like a love-struck bulldozer, wrapping me in a bear hug.

"I'm sorry onii-chan. I was rude earlier. I shouldn't have talked like that. I am sorry," she mumbled, and my heart melted like gooey cheese on a pizza.

"It's okay, Alyssa. I shouldn't have been so harsh either. A lot happened today, and I guess we both took it out on each other," I said, finally realizing that I need to be more understanding.

We made up and decided to make apple risotto together. While making dinner Alyssa told me about something that happened while she was out.

“You know what when I was crying, this mysterious pink-haired onee-san came and wiped my tears and she stayed with me all the time. She even told me it wasn't right to say things like that to you, and that I should be grateful you're making something for me. And she got me chocolates and snacks too," Alyssa gushed.

My guilt trip reached peak levels. "You cried in front of her?" I asked, unable to comprehend how my little sister found solace in a stranger's embrace.

"I did, onii-chan," Alyssa confessed, her eyes shining with appreciation. "But you know what? You're the best onii-chan ever, and I'm lucky to have you."

The pink-haired onee-san who comforted her was a total mystery. I couldn't help but wonder who this kind soul could be. Maybe one day, I'd meet this pink-haired guardian angel and thank her personally for being there for my sister.