Chapter 2: Questions

"Mayoi, let's hang out, man," an energetic voice rings my ear.

"Sure, I don't really have anything better to do anyways..." 

"Mayoi, you should take up some piano lessons," a calm and mature voice can be heard.

"Sure, mom. I don't really have anything better to do anyways,"

"You're such a pushover Mayoi! Learn to say no!" a childlike voice spoke up to me.

"I... don't think I am... I just genuinely have nothing better to do..."

"What? That's not normal, everyone has purpose or dreams and things they want to do... you're weird!"

"Mayoi? Are you asleep? Mayoi!" a familiar soft voice reached my ear that warmed my heart and I opened my eyes to see Michibi standing in front of me with her new umbrella.

"Are you okay?" Michibi looked down at me still squatting under the cover.

"Oh, I'm fine..." I smiled wryly as I tried to stand back up.

"Then... why are you crying?" 

Huh?

I frantically wiped my tears and tried to come up with an excuse, "It's probably just a stray raindrop hitting my face! Nothing to worry about..." 

"If you say so... well, here's your umbrella. I already got a new one thanks to you," she handed out my umbrella as it was neatly compacted again. 

I reached out my hands to take it back with a smile, "No worries, but are you sure you're going to be okay? It's already dark and I mean no offense but you don't look strong enough to defend yourself..." I expressed worryingly.

"I am kind of offended by that but it's fine. My house is not so far away, plus the direction there is bright and filled with shops so no dangerous man will attempt anything. Thank you for worrying though," she replied with an affirming smile. "Well, I should get going now, thank you for sharing the umbrella with me, see you tomorrow, Mayoi," she waved goodbye as I reciprocated the gesture.

I stood nonmoving and just looked up at the raining sky, my mind was still stuck at those voices in my head.

'Weird, huh,'

-

"Yo, Mayoi! Good morning, man!" Araki energetically pats my back as I was walking to school after dropping off the bus. It is the day after I first met Michibi and my mind is still stuck in curiosity, wondering, who is she... but why?

"Morning, Araki. Had your good night's sleep, I see. Energetic as always." I spoke monotonously.

"And you're tired as always!" Araki laughs as he bumps my shoulder teasingly. "Seriously man, why do you always look so bland and tired," Araki asked jokingly.

"Well, I'm not trying to be like that so I don't really know," I looked up at the sky blankly.

The sky is clear and sunny today with birds chirping away happily, a contrast to the rain yesterday. I wonder if I can see her in class later...

Me and Araki reached our class as I looked around trying to find Michibi. I slowly took my seat at my assigned spot and noticed Michibi was sitting alone and seemed to be drawing something. For a girl who passionately talked about caring for her classmates... does she have no friends?

"Mayoi, can you borrow me your history notebook, I couldn't catch up yesterday so a lot was blank" Araki laughs awkwardly whilst rubbing the back of his head.

I let out a soft sigh, "The never-changing Araki... Here you go," I handed out my history notebook and slouched on my desk waiting for the class to begin.

I let out a few yawns and made myself comfortable. Suddenly, I felt a soft tap on my elbow as I slowly looked up my eyes still half-closed.

"What else do you want from me, Araki!" I mumbled and slowly opened my eyes. 

I was mistaken, it was Michibi who called me as she looked at me with a confused face.

"I'm not Araki... what are you on about?" Michibi tilts her head.

"Oh, Michibi. Sorry, didn't expect anyone to talk to me other than Araki. Anyways, what's the matter?" I asked nervously.

"Here, have this. It's my thanks for yesterday. I heard they're the best in town... " Michibi handed me a pack of chocolate chip cookies. 

"Oh, wow. You don't have to. I just did it for my conscience's sake... but thank you. I heard these are hard to get as well because the queues are so long... Again, thank you for going through the trouble," I accepted the cookies with both my hands respectfully.

"No worries, I know the owner of the shop so it wasn't hard for me to get one. I don't know if you like cookies or not but they're the best of the best so I'm sure you'll at least find it pleasant." she smiled softly. "Well, the class is going to start soon so I'll go back to my seat. Again, thank you for yesterday," she slowly walked back to her seat as the class started. 

My eyes were fixated on the pack of cookies I received from her, speechless...

A few hours passed as the class ended and everyone packed their stuff preparing to go home and waved goodbye to each other.

"Ah, I have something to do today, so I don't think we can hang out today, anyways good luck with Michibi!" Araki laughed and ran away playfully.

It's not like that... we're just strangers.

I packed my stuff and walked out of class towards the bus stop I usually go to. Apparently, Michibi looked like she had something to do too... I was hoping I could talk to her since our direction home is similar...

At the distance of my vision, I see an old lady sitting at the bus stop. An elegant aura is oozing out of her as if she's a noble or someone respectable. It was the same old lady I met yesterday, wearing the same white yukata. 

"Ah, I was waiting for you, young man," the old woman noticed me and looked at me with a warm smile. She pats the empty spot next to her signaling me to sit.

I smiled back and quietly there as I waited for the bus.

"So, how is Michibi in class today?" she asked with a hopeful face. 

"Oh, she was doing well ma'am, but I need to know who are you first... and what's your relationship with her," I asked looking slightly worried.

"Fair, it's not proper etiquette to just share about someone with a stranger, isn't it? Well, I can say I'm her grandmother... whether you trust me or not it's up to you," she smiled and looked forward.

I carefully looked at the old woman's face and could see some resemblance between her and Michibi... similar facial features, identical posture and body language... I still shouldn't fully trust her just in case but... her aura just calms me down from those thoughts.

"Young, man... it's okay, you don't have to tell me. But can I wish for one thing from you? Just a harmless request from an old woman," she said with a frail smile. 

"If it's something I can do then I'll try my best... since I have nothing better to do anyways..." I smiled wryly. 

The old woman looked up to the sky and softly spoke "Can you be Michibi's friend?" 

What a strange request. But it is such a kind and caring request at the same time. 

My heart warmed at her considerate feeling towards her granddaughter as I replied "Well, if she isn't opposed to it, I don't see why not." I smiled reassuringly towards the old lady. 

The old lady simply smiled back until suddenly the bus announcement rang reporting that the it was getting near. I looked away to see the schedule... 

"Can I ask, why did you say you shouldn't meet her yesterday?" I looked back but to my surprise, the old woman was nowhere to be found. 

What..?

-TO BE CONTINUED-