You know that cliche saying "YOLO" well, I was feeling like that the whole evening. I was excited, scared, nauseous, yet glad that I grew some balls and asked her out to a cafe. And I know it was not a date, but that took a lot of courage. 

"We are almost there," I said, glancing over at her. Ever since we'd left Cafe Talk, Rie had been quiet. Too quiet. She lived in a neighborhood I was familiar with so I had no trouble finding her apartment.

"You can park right in front," she said.

"Okay, here we are."

"Um—thank you for today," Rie said. 

"Sure. Do you still want the link to my comics?"

"Ah, yes. I'll give you my number so that you can message me," she replied, taking out her phone and unlocking it. "Trade?"

I unbuckled my seatbelt, dug into my pocket, and fished out my phone then handed it to her.

"I guess I'll see you at work tomorrow," I said as we exchanged phones again.

"Yeah. I look forward to reading your work," she said, opening the door.

"Well, I look forward to sending them," I said.

What the actual hell. You need to stop talking before you sound like a dweeb.

"Goodnight Haruto," Rie said.

"Goodnight Rie," I replied as she slowly shut the door. I watched her disappear into the building and then drove off.

I got home around midnight and took a shower before sitting at my desk. I could not fall asleep just yet because my mind was racing. I sent her the link to my comic profile and decided to work on more art for a while. Around 1 am, my phone buzzed.

So, how was your date?

It was not a date, Tony.

Did you kiss her at the doorstep underneath the lamplight?

Dude, are you serious?

Was I supposed to? Wait, why am I letting him get into my head?

Where did you take her?

Cafe Talk.

Oh—nice!

Did you make her laugh? That is the most crucial part of the evening.

Yes, I did. A lot actually. And guess what?

What?!!

She was wearing the same shirt as me and everyone thought we were a couple.

She actually owns the same shirt you do? Dude, marry her!

Tony! Chill!

Okay, okay. So, do you like her, like her?

...

Do not leave me on 'read' Haruto!

Yeah. I do. And I think she likes me too, but—

But what?

I think she's afraid...like more than I am.

Well, only one way to find out.

What do you mean?

Haruto, you need to ask her out on a date. If she says yes, then maybe she is not afraid.

How long do we have until she leaves?

About three weeks, why?

Tony, I don't want her to leave. I do not know why she wants to, but I'd love for her to stay. 

That's not your call dude.

I know. So I guess I'll make the best with what I have and hope—

Hope that what? And why are you giving me so many cliffhangers!

Hope that she feels the same way about me. I'm not letting her just leave like that. Not her.

Dude, you're making me cry.

Shut up and go to bed.

Love you dude.

Eww. Love you too Tony.