The guy in front of me reddened up to his ears, his nose flaring. He stood up. "For a woman, you're too arrogant. Who cares if you're studying at the University of Tokyo? No one would want to kiss that rude mouth."
I merely put my chin above my knuckles and eyed him. "It's not my fault you're a homophobic ass who wouldn't stop talking about himself as if there's something great in him other than his parents' money. You won't be even taller than me if I chose to wear heels."
"Why you?" He trembled and stepped towards, grazing the table.
"If I were you, I would stop right there." I raised a finger. "Let's stop before you embarrass yourself any further. Look around you, why don't you?"
He did and found that almost everyone in the café had turned and had been watching us. Some even had their phones up, recording most likely.
"Pay your share for the tea and leave quietly." I sipped my tea and broke eye contact.
The guy, whose name escaped my mind already, fished out his wallet and placed the money in the table with force. "I wouldn't have come if it weren't for Nanami."
"The feeling's mutual," I said without looking.
He harrumphed before finally walking away. When I was sure he was gone and the others turned back their eyes on me, I let my shoulders slumped. I knew this blind date thing was hard but it was especially hard on me because men were either intimated by my education or height. I took another sip of my tea and began preparing to leave when someone appeared in front of me.
"Why did you break up with your boyfriend again, Reiko?" Kazuya asked as he sat with a shake of his head. "That was excruciating to watch."
"How many times have I told you that it wasn't working out anymore?" I sighed and leaned back. "How long have you been here anyway?"
"Come on, the poor guy was so in love with you," he said, "We were here long enough to see you insult your date."
I didn't answer him because we had talked about this countless times already since it happened. That was six months ago. To be fair, I understood Kazuya's concern. Fujisaki Jun had been my first and only boyfriend for two years. It took me two weeks before I stopped constantly checking my phone for messages, a month to get used to no dinners and dates, three months until the rumors died down, and half a year to realize something
Looking at Kazuya's hair quite long black hair tucked behind his ears, I glanced around. "What are you doing here? Did you come to check up on my date?"
"Yes. Nanami sent us. She was quite worried."
I rolled my eyes. "That's the last time I'll ever ask her to introduce me to someone. She only knows arrogant, self-loving bastard like her boyfriend."
"Why'd you want a boyfriend all of the sudden?" he asked.
"Do you want me to be honest?" I sighed and leaned forward. "I get jealous of you and your boyfriend. Even Nanami and that blasted Sano are doing well. I want to go on dates with you too and not be a fifth wheel."
What I said were mostly true but there was no way I would admit it to them or anyone else that I was beginning to feel afraid…lonely. It was starting to get cold and would be even colder in the following days even the air already smelled different. It was almost smothering.
A shiver ran up my spine. I didn't really like autumn. It meant Mom's death anniversary would be around the corner.
"Why don't I take my turn and introduce you to someone?" another voice quipped. Tanaka-senpai, Kazuya's boyfriend, placed the tray he was holding on the table and got out his phone.
I smiled and nodded at him but Kazuya added, "Why don't you just get back together with Fujisaki-senpai, Reiko? He's not that bad you know. He has a stable job, and I'm sure he'll pass the bar exam."
"I know." I glared at him. "But would you want to settle with someone other than Tanaka-senpai here. Let's say, uh, a guy who's two years older than but stayed in liberal arts for two years before he transferred to the math department."
"You're talking about Tachibana-san." Kazuya frowned then he sighed. "Fine, fine, let's see who'll be the next lucky guy."
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