Who Are You Now?

-Im not surprised about you showing out of nowhere... but Koharu, what are you doing here?

-I don't know!

My stare of sheer disbelief must have been quite the thing, because Koharu instantly flinched and went back on her usual light hearted teasing.

-I was going to wait in front of your house until you came back and out of nowhere this person started using a master key to enter your house, okay!?!? i didn't do anything wrong!

-Not this person, she's literally my mom...

-Ahh, im glad then. I was scared you were getting robbed.

-Like that would ever happen...

As i calmed down due to the incredibly unexpected situation that is going on, i realized i forgot to ask a small detail.

-Mom, do you have work around here?

-Small venue a few blocks down, has to be reserved for a small wedding ceremony. I usually do these kind of things without showing up in person, but its apparently important.

She has her back turned to me and even with that i can feel the disgust on her face...

-I'll make coffee for us, so feel free to catch up with Akane on what you need.

Mom winked at Koharu as she gave us some space to talk.

-Im not that small, miss! Please refrain from calling me that from now on!

-Koharu, you are that small though...

-Well, how did the talk with Nie-chan go?

-Eh? What do you mean?

Oh, she set me up. Figured something weird was going on, but not this weird. Might aswell play dumb to mess with her a bit.

-The library. Did you forget to do what i asked you?

-Ahh... its so unfortunate. It'd be a shame for miss Fujita to be scolded tomorrow morning because she missed her deadline on handing back the books she asked for at the library....

-You're the worst... was it really so hard for you?!

I was supposed to laugh at this, but my concern was written all over my face, and Koharu seemed to realize, since she patiently waited for me to give a serious answer.

-Im not sure. I was able to get rid of one problem, but...

If im being honest, it's only the easiest one to get rid of... because i've had the solution in my hand all along.

-There you go, making that same gloomy face again.

Mom held the warm cup of coffee to my cheek as she complained about me having feelings, alright, im sorry!

-Do i really make that face that often?

-Yes.

Both of them answered at the same time.

-You had no need to synchronize perfectly on that, didn't you?

-Fujita-chan, was it... she makes the same face at school most of the time while looking at nothing, right?

Mom is starting to use the same lighthearted tone she just saw Koharu use with me... it's a bit annoying.

-Correct! In fact, i've been borrowing her notes and her pencils half the classes we have and she doesn't notice most of the time!

You could just ask for them, right? It has nothing to do at all...

-She's been like this for a long time, but it didn't get this bad until she fell in...

-Don't.

I quickly stood up as i gripped my mom's hand as if to stop her.

-I'll explain it myself eventually, so don't drop it all here, okay?

She looked at me for a few seconds, as if to verify how i was truly feeling about it, and she nodded.

Koharu seemed to noticed how the mood between us seemed to get a bit heavier than usual, and she just smiled back at me without asking questions.

-That being said, i didn't expect Kata-chan to be such a complicated type... i thought you'd at least be on good terms with Nie-chan, but it doesn't look like it...

-I don't think neither of us can move on that quick... no, i don't think anyone can fix things that easy, in the first place.

Koharu started pouting at my answer, cause apparently she's that annoyed about something that doesn't have to do with her.

-I think that isn't true, though. What Akane and Niekawa-chan have isn't something that easy, but i don't think it's that difficult to begin with. It's been some time since you last saw each other and i don't think anything between you girls is the same as it was back then. You've changed enough, so what's the problem?

I bit my lip in frustration, cause i really don't know what's the problem.

-Then, Kata-chan. Do you like Nie-chan?

-I... don't know.

Both my mom and Koharu looked at me straight for about 30 seconds, as i felt them growing steadily annoyed at my evasiveness.

-What now?!

Koharu was the first one to react, as she just shook her head from side to side.

-You do have a talent for giving vague answers, don't you?

As Koharu was getting more dissapointed in me as time passed, a phone started ringing.

-Sorry, I'll be right back.

I nodded as Mom stood up, and i could hear how she clicked her tongue as she walked away from us to pick up her phone.

-It still feels weird...

-What exactly?

I realized my thoughts slipped out loudly, as Koharu noticed.

As i ignored her, Mom peeked back at us from the entrance.

-Im going out. Take care of Akane for now, Fujita-chan.

-Yes, ma'am!

And just like that, she left... Wait, since when did she know her name?

-Is it unusual for your mom to show up like this?

-Not really, but it caught me by surprise that she showed up at my house.

-"My house"?! Kata-chan, do you own this place?!

I gave her a small chop in her head for the dumb question.

-Im a high school student, how could i even own this place? It's my mom's place, but i've lived here alone since i graduated junior high.

-So you did live alone after all, huh...

I've just realized recently, but Koharu's intuition is oddly sharp for a lot of useless things.

-Wait, wait. We aren't supposed to be talking about this! Kata-chan, if Nie-chan confessed to you, what would you do?

I don't think that could happen at all though...

-Knowing myself i'd probably give her a vague answer. I can't say no, but i can't just say yes...

-Then, what's the problem with you two?

She's practically yelling by now... she's suddenly very into this for some reason.

-You're loud... there's a lot of things going on, it's..

-Well i can't do anything about it if you don't tell me, you idiot! Im close enough to ask Nie-chan about this, so just be upfront with me. Do you want to make up with her, or do you want to keep walking past her forever?!

It's not like we haven't "made up".... we practically just met each other again by now, didn't we? I didn't even break up with her to begin with, so...

Eh? Wait. Our relationship has never changed to begin with, right? Then why do i still feel as if i was dumped, or rejected to begin with?

It should be fine for us to just talk at least, right?

The thought of walking past her without nothing... it does hurt me a little bit.

I took a deep breath before answering the oddly pushy Koharu.

-You don't have to ask her at all... but i do want to know the current Minami a lot better than i do. So thank you for setting up the little thing at the library today, Koharu.

-Uaaaagh, that's creepy, stop!

-What did i even do now?

-Nothing, you just were smiling at me too normally. I thought i was having a nightmare?!

This girl has a talent for making me feel insecure about things i shouldn't...

Im frustrated. I might aswell take it out a little bit on her.

-Ow, stop, stop! my ears, let go, Kata-chan!

-Am i not even allowed to have emotions now? I just felt relieved, okay?

I let her go as my small hint of anger dissapeared.

-Its nothing, i just thought it was weird for you, but not in a wrong way.

I chuckled a little bit, cause i honestly agreed.

-It's getting a bit late, want me to walk you home?

-If only you were this smooth with Nie-chan...

Ouch, that does hit a sore spot...

-Keep that to yourself, please...

We walked up the street, and Koharu seemed quite calm and uneager to talk.

-Kata-chan, you are fine, right? I know i never get serious like this, but im concerned about how you feel. It isn't easy to tell, you know?

-For now, i think im fine... if anything, i'll be counting on you to make sure i stay like this.

I couldn't really see the expression she was making, but i figured she wouldn't want to show it to me either.

-I really like both you and Nie-chan, so while i know it's really difficult... get along. I can't reach her at all, so im putting all my hopes in you.

-Uaah, that's quite a heavy burden to tell me suddenly, isn't it?...

Koharu looked back at me and with a oddly troubled expression she replied to me.

-Maybe it is, but i think you can do it.

I didn't want to reply to her, cause i felt like it'd be nothing of value to begin with.

Shortly after that, we split up and i headed back feeling a lot more calm about what happened today.

She has a bit of a talent for getting me to forget about things for a few hours...

My phone started ringing, as oddly enough, my mom was calling me.

-Something wrong?

-Bring me something to drink from the convenience store. I forgot.

She hung up. I think she's pissed off about something, so i have to make sure i don't pry into it.

I made a mental note not to do so as i was buying a bottle of oolong tea for my mom.

-Excuse me, do you have a second?

The cashier called out to me after i paid and was leaving.

-Do you need me for something?

-Are you a student from Akina, by chance?

I am wearing my uniform, the question was a bit overdue...

-Yes.

-Are you by chance on your first year?

I nodded shortly as i walked away from the door and closer to hear this person out.

-Do you know a student named Niekawa?

-Is there a problem with her?

I clicked my tongue before answering and realized im clenching my bag pretty hard... I got a bit defensive at hearing her name.

-She missed her shift without telling us anything today, and she's supposed to be working here right now. If you see her, can you please remind her to inform us when something happens?

So she's working part time here...

I remembered she took the train, so where could she possibly go? I doubt she lives far enough to take the train if she's working here. And if she does, im a bit concerned about it.

-I'll make sure to tell her. Excuse me.

As much as i hate, im starting to realize, deep down i rarely know this girl at all. I know the insecure girl that hides behind the "Minami" at school, but im in the dark about anything else in her life.

"I can't reach her at all"

Koharu gave me a valuable hint, didn't she?

I walked back home without being able to stop thinking about Minami. Im not imagining things, something is really wrong with me lately.