Can You Look Into My Eyes?

The next day, Mika woke up, got ready, and went to the kitchen.

"Good morning, Mika. Any news from Saya?" his mother said as she prepared breakfast. She seemed quite cheerful.

"I haven't checked my phone yet, let me see." Mika went upstairs to check his cell phone. He had a message from Saya.

"If it's okay with you, I can come by around noon." She had written.

"Sure, we're available then," Mika replied.

A few hours later, the doorbell rang. Saya had arrived. After greeting Saya, they all gathered in the living room.

"So, Mom, you said you wanted to tell us something?" Mika asked, not wanting to wait any longer or deal with their games.

"Of course, I'll start right away. But first, Saya, here, have a cold drink. You must be sweating," his mother said.

"T-Thank you."

Mika and Saya looked at each other. Both gave each other signals that showed that they didn't know what was going on.

"Let's get to the point... Ren, you start," Hana said, sitting next to her husband.

"S-Sure. Well, there's a yacht trip planned for three days from now. Well, it's not really a yacht trip, it's more like a cruise, and we want you to come."

"Is it a yacht trip? But how are we going to come along?" Mika asked.

"It won't be a problem for you to come. It's going to be a private event, just for us," Hana explained.

"How can it be private for us? We don't have a yacht."

"Well, actually, the owner of our company allowed us to use their yacht," Mika's father explained.

"Because they have a great relationship with Ren. Sorry, because they're like buddies..." Hana chuckled.

Mika and Saya looked at each other.

"Where will it depart from?"

"We'll be heading to Niigata. From there, we'll take the yacht to Sado Island. We'll stay for about three days and then return," his father said.

There was a brief silence. Everyone was looking at each other.

"Uh, well, can I ask something?" Saya asked hesitantly.

"Of course, dear, you can ask," Hana said.

"W-what does this have to do with me? I mean, why are you inviting me?"

"Because you're Mika's friend. And you're a really wonderful person. Since Mika wouldn't agree without you, we wanted you to come too," Hanna said with a smile.

"Can't you two go as a couple, like a married couple?" Mika suggested.

"Of course not, we want our only son and his se- friend to come," his father said.

"What do you think, Saya? If you want, you can decline, no problem at all," Hana said, looking at Saya.

Saya seemed both anxious and excited, her voice coming out stuttering. She was looking at Mika while her fingers nervously intertwined.

"S-Saya, are you considering it?" she asked, embarrassed.

"Normally, I would say no, but you're part of it too. I don't know. It's up to you. By the way, Mom, I haven't heard either of you talking about something like this."

"Oh, your dad was stepping out for a while, remember? During that time, he went to meet with our boss. The boss actually made the offer, but he wanted to know when you'd be available. So he went to check. In the end, it's three days from now."

"Well, I usually say no to these kinds of things, but you're involved. So, I don't know. It's your decision. By the way, Mom, I haven't heard either of you talking about something like this."

"Oh, your dad was stepping out for a while, remember? During that time, he went to meet with our boss. The boss actually made the offer, but he wanted to know when you'd be available. So he went to check. In the end, it's three days from now."

"So, you guys planned everything, huh..." Mika sighed.

"Yes, of course. We really want you to come, that's why. Saya, have you thought about it? If you want, you can ask your mom too. There's no rush."

"O-okay, that sounds good, Aunt Hana. Thanks."

"Alright, that's about it for our little meeting. Saya, if you want, you can stay a bit longer. Hang out with Mika," Mika's father said.

"O-okay," Saya still seemed surprised by the situation. 

"Saya, if you want, come to my room. We can talk there," Mika said, getting up.

"S-sure," Saya agreed and got up as well. They went to Mika's room together and sat down on the bed.

"I honestly don't know what to say, Mika," Saya said, rubbing her face with her hands.

"Well, it's your decision as I mentioned. If you want to, ask your mom, and if you want to come, just come."

"I want to come, but I feel bad because you'd be coming just because of me."

"Well, maybe, but I don't mind that much."

"The problem isn't that, but..." Saya's voice was filled with worry.

"What's wrong?"

"There's nothing wrong. I'll ask my mom in the evening and let you know."

"Alright."

"By the way, how's the work at the website going?" Saya asked, looking at the open computer and monitor.

"It's going well, not too bad. Do you want me to show you?"

"Yeah."

Mika showed the sales rates and explained various aspects of the operation, including the commission Saya would receive.

“After the sudden holiday plan, dealing with money matters like this is really frying my brain, Mika," Saya said, sounding a bit frustrated.

"Sorry, should I not have explained it?"

"No, it's fine."

Both of them were sitting in chairs, silently staring at the screen, when Saya suddenly stood up.

"Hey, Mika, what's this?" she asked, pointing with her finger.

"What?"

"This, here," Saya said, reaching for the box on top of Mika's cupboard.

"Oh, that... Don't open that." Mika quickly got up.

At that moment, Saya's hand barely reached the box, almost causing her to drop it. She made sudden movements to prevent the box from falling, losing her balance in the process. With the box, she was falling backward.

"Saya!" Mika exclaimed and quickly reached out to grab her from behind, but he also lost his balance. As they were both falling rapidly, Mika pulled himself towards the bed, and Saya also fell onto the bed with him.

“Ouch! My foot hurts,” said Mika. The box had fallen to the ground, and some letter like items spilled out. When Mika opened his eyes again, he saw Saya on top of him. Saya had almost fallen directly onto him, but she had managed to regain her balance by barely using her hands, and now she was standing right above Mika. Her blonde hair brushed against Mika's face. Both of them were looking silently at each other.

"Are you okay, Saya?"

"Y-yes, I'm fine."

"Thank goodness. I had to maneuver both of us onto the bed at the last moment. It was a strange moment, but it's not a big deal—" As Mika was speaking, Saya suddenly placed one of her hands on Mika's chest.

"S-Saya?"

"Hey, Mika, can you look into my eyes?" she asked.

"What?" Mika was looking into Saya's eyes. Saya's eyes were slightly watery, and her blue eyes were illuminated by the sunlight coming through the window right next to the bed.