Sunday - Sora

Sora woke up because of loud ringing of her phone. Normally, she would have ignored it, but it just wouldn’t stop. Groaning, she groped for it on the bedside table. Squinting with one eye open, she saw Mel's name on the screen. With a sigh, she forced herself to open the other eye and answered.

"Sora! What took you so long? It’s already noon! Why are you wasting your Sunday in bed?" Mel’s voice came through.

"Ugh, I missed my alarm," Sora muttered, rubbing her eyes.

"Of course, you did. I need a friend. Like, now."

Sora straightened, "What happened?"

"We fought…" Mel’s voice cracked.

"Why?"

"Again, she came home late, and drunk, and she smoked, and she... Well, she did not want to talk to me, and went straight to bed. And, and today..."Mel’s voice broke with a sob.

"Mel, take your time, please, do not hurry, if you need just cry, okay?" Her voice was gentle, "Do you want me to come?" She walked into the bathroom.

"No, *sob* I think I’ll be okay alone. But… she tried to leave early today without saying anything. I pressed her on it, and she got mad and stormed out. I feel like something's wrong, but she won’t talk to me."

Toothbrush in hand, Sora paused, "Maybe something did happen, but remember, her job is kinda weird... She loves you, though. Maybe give her some space and wait until she's ready to talk? You know she’s different."

"Yes, I guess you are right, Sora. *queit sob* I think I will give her time. I just hope she lets me know when she is ready to. And not like break up with me, I don’t think I can handle that... *sob sob*"

"Are you sure you don’t want me to come over?" Sora asked, now brushing her teeth while glancing at her reflection and mentally noting she needed to wash her hair.

"I’m okay. I think I’ll just watch a sad sapphic romance or something."

"Oh, oh I know!" Sora’s tone brightened. "I watched a Japanese one yesterday."

"Is it sad?"

"Very much, so maybe not recommending it to you?"

"No, please tell me."

"Alright. It's a 2002 film called Blue. It's about two high school girls."

"Based on a manga?"

"I think so, yes."

"Is it good?"

"It’s not the best, but I liked it. The pacing is rather slow, and the issues are relatable, you’ll see."

"Okay, Sor, I think I will watch that then."

"Maybe you should just listen to some pop music instead?" Sora walked out of the bathroom, going straight to the kitchen.

"No, I told you, I want to cry and be sad now, so..."

"Or, or ... you could finally start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer so we can talk about it!"

"Sora, no. It’s too old for me. Besides, the lesbian romance doesn’t start until way later."

"Well..." Sora muttered, distracted as she read the expiration date on her milk carton, "You could always watch something funny and forget all about this."

"I prefer to live through my emotions, and you are fully aware that that's the better option than to shut it all down."

"Yeah, yeah," Sora rolled her eyes, biting on a cookie. "It’s unhealthy to suppress your feelings—blah, blah. We’re psychologists, but just because I know what’s healthy doesn’t mean I have to do it."

"Of course, I wouldn't expect less of you" Mel laughed.

"See, you’re feeling better already."

"What's your plan for today, want to meet your new baldie crush?"

"I wish," Sora groaned. "We’ve hung out every evening this week. He’s walked me home every night, and we ate, drank, and he even met Sobue. It kinda felt like dating."

"In a very slow-burn, ambiguous way? Does he even know you think of these hangouts as dates?"

Sora paused. "Uh... probably not. But I like how he opens up to me. It feels... safe."

"That sounds nice, but make sure he knows your intentions soon, or this could drag on for months."

"Mel, we’ve only known each other for a week. It’s not slow-burn yet."

"Sure, as you wish, " Mel chuckled. "I will watch the movie and let you know what I think. You are staying home then?"

"Yeah, I think I’ll binge Love is War again… "

"Isn’t that your breakup anime?"

"Usually, but I just want the first season to laugh today."

"Sure, only that it is extremely romantic and about the tension you have before confessing your love to someone…"

"Mel, it’s okay, I promise. I want to see that it's okay to just like someone. And you know that the humor is peak there. I think it's one of those anime that actually makes sense as to why it takes place at school."

"Yes, I know, because we have this conversation every-"

"And," Sora continued, ignoring Mel, you are aware that I usually find school settings to be boring, and/or too much of a nuisance when it comes to some romance, especially, when we are talking about an adult or super old deity falling in love for a young school girl, god forbid a middle schooler."

"Yes, I know, Sora, and don't start on BL..."

"Yes, Mel, the BL is the worst, the normalized abuse and adult teacher grooming a literal child scenario..."

"Sor, I know! We have talked about it, I am well aware that you criticize that side of romance manga, and Love is War seems to have everything under control."

"Yes, thank you!" Sora clapped her hands, holding her phone with a shoulder, "I am glad to have friends like you and Sobue!"

"Alright, Sora, I think, I need to watch a movie now."

"Oh, so sad, I wanted to babble about my opinions on problematic romance more!"

"We will later," Mel was unapologetic, "you can always call Sobue, and discuss this with him, you know how he likes Noragami."

"Oh, don't start this and leave! I like Noragami too, despite..." Before she would be able to go on another rent that Mel had already heard countless times, she heard Mel say:

"Soraaa, talk soon. Bye."

"Yes, yes..." Sora hung up, placing her phone on the kitchen table. She leaned back, thinking about the last few days. Yoshio was polite and reserved, never crossing any boundaries. Despite his calm demeanor during their first encounter, she felt as though she’d known him for much longer.

She smiled to herself. I want to see him so much... Good Monday’s tomorrow.

She sighed, texting Sobue a simple "how are you?", without any specific expectations for a reply.

As the day dragged on, Sora watched almost half of season one, while she grew increasingly nervous. Sobue still hadn’t responded to her messages; he hadn’t even opened them. She had tried calling him, but there was no answer. She became very concerned again.

But then she thought that it would be the best excuse to ask Yoshio for help. And to see him. So she closed her computer and called him.