We went around the mall just to basically accompany the two of them shopping stuff they wouldn’t need for the trip.  I’m surprised that even Yukino likes shopping just as much as Shin. I thought she’s the type to just buy basic stuff like me but I guess I’m wrong. 

While walking around aimlessly following the two of them, I’ve been feeling that someone is following us or to be more precise, someone following and observing me. 

“Would you just come out already?” I shouted while  Yukino and Shin looked at me. 

“Oh hello my dear friend Aoi.” Said Haruto coming out from behind an artificial display plant. 

“Why are you following me?” 

“I’m not,  I’m just here to buy stuff for the trip you know.” Said Haruto while looking away smiling. He’s obviously lying. 

“Is this Haruto? Come and tag along with us!” Said Shin.

What? I already told her about me avoiding Haruto so why would she..? 

So Yukino and Shin decided to have a break from shopping and the four of us went to a fastfood to grab something to eat. Haruto is sitting beside me with sparkly eyes and smiling. He looks so happy and energetic that he gets to eat with us or is just that he always looks this way. 

While from the other side of the table, I was looking at Shin with my razor sharp eyes that is basically telling her that “Why did you bring him with us?” while she averts her eyes away from me. 

“So Haruto, tell us a bit about yourself. I’m Shin, and this pretty lady beside me is Yukino. Nice to formally meet you. I heard about you from Aoi.”

“Oh I hope Aoi spoke of my surprisingly good traits.”

“We haven’t known each other that long.” Said I.

“I’m Haruto, just like you guys I’m a second year student and in the same major as you guys so I’ll also be going on the trip with you.”

Oh, so he’s from the same department. I’m surprised I haven’t seen him this past year. That means there’s a chance  that he’ll be one of my roommates during the trip. But that’s unlikely so guess I’m worrying over nothing. 

“You should hang out with us a lot u seem pretty cool” 

Uhm Shin, have you already forgotten what I told you yesterday? I’m so nagging you later! 

“So.. is Yukino and Aoi a couple by any chance? They’ve been looking at each other weirdly the whole time” 

What? Am I looking at her unconsciously? I didn’t even notice. What’s wrong with me? 

Shin’s staring at me like I was trying to wait for my answer while Yukino looked really surprised by the question just as I am. A few seconds of silence accompanied us as Shin and Haruto continued looking at us waiting for an answer.

“We’re nothing like that. We’re just friends right Aoi?”

“Uh, y-yes. Friends” 

“Oh I see, I guess I had the wrong idea” 

This guy is really dense. I swear.

We continued strolling around the mall, and after Shin and Yukino ended their endless shopping, Haruto and I were finally able to buy the things that we needed for the trip. Well, I guess Haruto’s just like me when it comes to shopping.

After all the shopping, Haruto went home first saying he has research to do so he waved goodbye saying we should hang out again sometime. I’m surprised that he didn’t talk about the writing club agenda the whole day. Did he just forget or just gave up on recruiting me? What a weird kid. But he’s actually quite nice. 

A few minutes later, Shin received a call from her  mum and she went home telling me to take Yukino home since it’s already a bit late.

“Shin’s really making you my personal chaperone now huh? I’m fine though you don’t have to.” 

“It’s cool, can I just take a smoke outside first? Your uncle won’t  kill us right?” 

“He might kill you.” 

“Stop teasing me! Well then, I’ll be your chaperone again today.” 

The two of us went on our way to a nearby smoking area as I lit one cigarette. I guess we’re getting a bit close right? Yukino and I. I don’t feel uncomfortable around her anymore. 

“Mind if I ask you a question?” Asked Yukino..

“Fire away” 

“Why won’t you join the writing club? You like to write if I remember what you said correctly.” 

“I just don’t have the time to do so. I’m too busy doing nothing haha” 

I knew that Yukino noticed I lied but she just nodded and laughed it off. I just don’t  want to ruin the day so let’s end this on a good note instead of me opening up to her again and getting all emotional. 

The air was filled with silence and smoke as Yukino patiently waited for me to finish smoking. 

“Shall we?” 

“Sure!” 

We rode my motorbike on our way to drop her off.

“Aoi, are you that broke?”

“Huh?”

“Why not just ride this everyday to school?” 

“Just so you know, this piece of machine requires a lot of gas money. I’m saving up for those sneakers you have right there!” 

“A sneaker head, that’s  surprising. I thought you like gloomy things nowadays” Said Yukino while laughing.

“Shut up!”

I always wondered why Yukino isn’t this talkative when Shin’s around. Even when I see her with her friends, she always just  laughs at the back like trying to fit in. I don’t know why, I’m just a little curious about her. It’s not like I’m observing her thoroughly. 

I dropped her off  at the front door of her humble abode as she gave me her thanks and teased me a bit.

“Thank you personal chaperone”

When I was about to ride back home, I looked back one more time and blurted out these words without thinking.

“You should be more like this to other people, start with Shin. You don’t have to hold back on her. She’s pretty cool.” 

I bet she’s confused. Afterall, I never gave her time to reply and just rode off. I didn’t know either why I said those words but I like her more this way. She looks happy when she’s showing this side of herself. Maybe, just maybe, this is the true side of Yukino that her uncle told me about.