“So what’s the plan Yukino? How did you even go home the last time you went here? Honestly, you’re so..”

I wanted to say that she’s reckless, but I enjoyed this day thanks to her so saying that would be unfair.

“Oh, my uncle will pick us up, don't worry. So…?”

“Nevermind, Do you smoke?” I asked as I was urging to go for a smoke, I haven't had one all day.

“Oh I don’t smoke, I didn’t know you do though. You weren’t smoking back then”

“Mind if I do?” 

“Not really, go ahead. So is this your new way of coping up with things?

“Yeah, I picked it up when I entered college, guess college is not for me ha-ha” 

Things started going downhill right after entering college. I used to be a good and straight student when I was in high school. I was active, I engaged in sports, studies and any other things that you would expect from a good role model student. What changed? I don’t know. I guess I lost myself which I am trying to find once more.  My life has been dull lately, living a life that most would call normal, I can’t anymore. 

“Heh? I’m guessing things didn’t go as planned then? You were to be a soccer player if I remembered things right” She asked with a very curious face. A face of someone giving sympathy? No, it was the face of someone really interested in how things went for me. 

“Things change, I prefer it this way”

“What do you mean?”

“The sports side of my life, I wanted it to be a hobby. Surprisingly, people just started placing their expectations on me. Guess I don’t want to play that way. I can’t carry all of the weight you know.” I meant their expectations.

The night was filled with silence as the both of us sat by the piano chair for minutes. I don’t mind the silence between us, it felt warm despite the night being so cold. It felt natural, gentle and kind. I don’t mind these types of scenarios where two people become silent despite being with each other. It is the company that matters, the feeling of knowing that someone is there. The feeling of being comfortable in a very uncomfortable place and situation. 

It made me think, what’s on her mind right now? Is she feeling awkward? Or is she just thinking of something really important? Maybe a person? The future? I’ll never know. 

“What's with that look Aoi? You look like a good dog sitting and staring at me”. She laughed. 

“Stop teasing me, I’m being sentimental here you know” We both laughed.

Shortly after, I felt very nervous and scared. Why? It’s because her uncle arrived and he  looks angry. I guess we’ll be scolded. Who knows? Maybe her uncle would even hit me. It’s already 11:37 PM and she’s with a boy alone in a dark forest. He looked like a badass adult.  He wore a black shirt and a leather jacket paired with a black jeans and boots. He smoked a cigarette and had a very deep voice saying “so this is where you are Yukino, again”.

“Haha I’ll find my way home next time uncle so you better teach me tonight” 

Her uncle then walked towards me slowly examining me from head to toe. 

“We’ll talk later, come with us, let’s drop off Yukino first”

“Uncle C’mon, don’t scare the kid,” Yukino remarked as she laughed.

“Who are you calling a kid now?” 

“You of course!” She continued to laugh as the three of us made our way to his uncle’s pickup truck”.

After a few minutes of walking we reached the truck and his uncle asked me to ride at the back of the pickup, an open air type of seat.

“I’ll go with Aoi” said Yukino as her uncle stared at me with a frightening gaze that could slice air. 

As we rode in his uncle’s old pickup truck neither of us talked. We just  stared at the sky for minutes as we went down the road from the hills. After a few minutes I stared at her and she’s staring as well. We  quickly looked in different directions feeling embarrassed. I happened to look at the rear mirror of the car and saw her uncle looking at me.

“Stop it with the lovey dovey thing! Do you smoke?” 

“Yes I do sir” 

“No need to call me sir just call me uncle as well, here have a cigarette” 

I lit the cigarette and passed my lighter to his uncle and we both smoked at the same time.

“You’r’e a college student now so I’m aware you know the consequences of smoking right? I don’t really care why. Just don’t get Yukino to smoke or I’ll kill you. And try to quit smoking yourself.” His uncle said while looking at me through the rear mirror then smiling afterwards.

A few more minutes later we reached their house. It was a humbling 2 storey home with a mini garden just right outside. I guess they really do like growing plants judging by the looks of this house. Yukino told me she likes gardening and so does her uncle.

“Then I’ll be going now if you’ll excuse me” It was already late and I’m really tired both physically and mentally, something you would expect from a person who just  got rejected. 

“Wait kid, I’ll drive you home, it's pretty late,” said Yukino’s  uncle. 

“It’s okay I’ll take a cab”

“Just let uncle drive you home or you’ll see his wrath” said Yukino imitating her uncle’s scary look.

“Then I’ll take you up on your offer sir” 

Her uncle looked at me with his left eyebrow raised up.

“I meant uncle” 

“What are you waiting for? Daylight? hop in”. 

I told her uncle where I live and went on our way. The whole ride was filled with silence as I sat next to him at the front seat, until about a few minutes before we arrived at my house. The silence was broken.

“Aoi was it?” Said her uncle as he scratches his head.

“Yes uncle”

“Take good care of Yukino, okay?” 

“What do you mean by that sir? You might be getting the wrong idea but we’re not a couple sir” Uncle looked at me with those razor sharp eyes and I corrected myself quickly by saying “uncle”.

“I don’t care if you’re a friend, a lover, or a total stranger, it’s just that I’ve never seen her this way. She has friends but she never showed them her true self.This is the first time I saw a glimpse of her true self with people other than me.She even smiled genuinely today. And I like it that way. I wanted her to see more of what this life could offer than she could ever see. I don’t know what she saw or felt from someone as dull and boring as you, but please continue accompanying my Yukino until….. Never mind just make her happy”

I was wondering what her uncle was about to say since he looked pretty serious, but I’ll leave it at that for now. Why me though? I never knew this side of the story. It can’t be because of the kiss right? No! Wake up Aoi! That was a mistake, yes a mistake.

“I myself ask that question to myself right now sir, I’m normal, no maybe even below average. But I’ll try my best sir, I owe her big time afterall haha.”

“Then I’ll see you around kid”

I waved at the pickup as it disappeared to a distance. I looked up at the stars and continued to wonder why Yukino was acting differently to her friends and acted more natural to me. She really is a mystery.