Chapter 33:

Mayumi's Side: Part Two

Amihikiru! The Soft Spoken Girl Next Door

Saki smiled. “Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. But only if you pay for me, that is.”

“Huh!? Why me!?”

“Well, isn’t it the one that brought up the idea supposed to pay? That’s how dates work, is it not?”

“I-I thought it was the man that was supposed to pay? And this isn’t a date!”

Saki turned back around and began heading towards the elevator. “I mean it’s close enough. And you’re kinda like a man so I think it works out.”

“What’s that supposed to mean!?” Yui got up and followed Saki towards the door. “That’s terrible! You shouldn’t tease people like that.”

“I know, I know. It’s just a joke, I’m sorry.”

“Hmph, wasn’t funny.”

Mayumi followed in tow with the girls down the hallway. However, an idea pulled her back to her apartment’s door. She went up to it and turned the handle.

Looking inside the dark apartment, something odd caught her attention.

Wait… Why was there a light by the sofa? No… It’s not… It wouldn’t be.

She swiftly walked into the dark apartment with her shoes still on. Peaking over the sofa, she saw where the light source was originating from.

A few small cracks in the wall were letting light through.

“Oh my god… Oh my god…” Mayumi whispered in a panicked tone.

She started nervously rubbing her right hand with her left and stood up.

“Murakami is going to be evicted… I’m going to be evicted!”

“What was that Yumi?” Yui poked her head through the doorway. “What’s taking so long? Come on.”

Mayumi took a slow, long breath, then looked up at Yui. Regain composure… She thought, running the idea through her head over and over.

“Mayumi?”

“Ah, yes, sorry. I’m coming. I thought I saw something over here.”

“Mm— Alright…” Yui said suspiciously.

As Mayumi walked away from the cracks, a muffled voice came from behind her.

“Hey, did you guys hear voices coming from the hole?” The voice asked.

“I dunno, but let’s check.” Another responded.

“What?” Mayumi turned around.

As if in slow motion, as she was turning, a fist burst through the wall. Mayumi was left stunned, motionless. The hand felt around on the other side of the wall for a moment then waved.

Regaining her ability to move, she grabbed her hand-bag and rushed out of the apartment in a panic. Not leaving herself time to fully process what just happened.

“Yumi, is this place alright with you?” Saki asked.

“Ah— Huh? What place?” Mayumi was pulled out of her thoughts by Saki’s question.

The three had taken a short train ride to downtown Kashiwa and found themselves standing in front of a highly rated Italian restaurant.

Mayumi looked up at the sign over the door. “Oh, yes. This place will be good.”

“Yumi, Is something wrong? You usually aren’t this distracted.” Saki inspected the distracted girl’s face.

“Yeah, I agree with Kiki. You normally aren’t in your own world like this,” Yui chimed in. “You’re more… Composed I’d say.”

“I’m just having an off day I think. I overslept, it’s nothing to worry about really.”

Saki had a look on her face that said, ‘I don’t believe you’. She looked moments away from expressing her concerns, however, Yui picked up on this and cut Saki off before she could say anything.

“Oh yeah, haha, we all have those days too, right Kiki?”

Saki’s demeanor lightened as she looked over at Yui. “...Yeah, I guess everyone does.”

A silence fell over the three girls. Yui looked back and forth at the two nervously before breaking the silence.

“Come on, I’m hungry! Let’s go in. Haha…”

“Yui, you’re always hungry.” Saki responded as she opened the door to the restaurant.

“You’re always so mean.” Yui pouted.

A few short moments after entering, a young, formally dressed waiter greeted them. WIth a smile he brought them to a table.

The restaurant had western style service, or at least did a good job to mimic it.

For a Saturday evening business was a little slow. Roughly two-thirds of the tables were occupied—being filled by varying types of people. Some seated quiet old couples enjoying their food, simply there for each other's company. Close-knit groups of friends, families, and younger couples were scattered about the rest of the tables, drinking and talking the Saturday evening away.

Before departing, the waiter said with a bow to call him over whenever they’re ready to order.

Yui began chatting with Saki about what they were going to order. While they were talking, Mayumi began sinking back into her own head.

What am I doing…?

That’s a stupid question.

Why am I doing… this?

I don’t need to…

It will probably only hurt me…

But I feel like I need to.

Is it because I miss him?

That’s stupid, don’t say that.

He isn’t related to this at all.

I’m not looking for that.