She burst into a louder laugh. “I finally understand why Yuta ditched us that morning.”

“That morning?” (Wait—is she Yuta’s friend? She’s calling him by his name so casually...)

“Yes! We were on a trip that day, so we had no idea he fought those idiots. Totally like him.” She cackled. “Oh, and he got suspended? Serves him right for ditching the trip!”

“Wait, wait, are you talking about the day Yuta got into a fight? What trip did he deny going to? And... who are you?”, I did not get anything she said.

(She is kind of in her own pace, isn't she?) I thought awkwardly.

“Oh! My bad.” She gave a proud little spin like she was on stage. “I’m Miki Tsukioka, and I’m Ren’s girlfriend!”

“…Who is Ren?” I asked, my smile still stuck like a buffering video. (Every time I ask a question I get more questions.)

“We are in the same class. Me, Nen, Yuta and Haruho. We’ve been friends since, like, diapers.”

“Oh...” (I have absolutely nothing to say to that...)

“So yeah, we were leaving for a week-long trip that day, but Yuta kept saying he wasn’t going. So, naturally, we kidnapped him at 6 a.m.—dragged him and his stuff out of bed.” She started reenacting it with her hands, like her one hand was REALLY drawing the situation with a stick in a board like a teacher while holding onto her imaginary glasses with her other hand.

I looked at it obediently. “Uh huh.”

“But while we were loading the van, that sneaky rat escaped!” she pointed dramatically at the air, clearly still not over it. “And then when we got back to school yesterday, BAM! I hear about the fight… and you.”

She gave me the kind of smirk that made me question all my life choices.

“Um… I’m sorry that your fri—”

FLICK! *Ouch* 

(DID SHE JUST... FLICKED MY FOREHEAD???) I was dumbfounded.

She leniently said, “Why are you apologizing?” (Is it déjà vu? No, it’s more like a familiar rhythm...) I though rubbing my forehead.

“I don't like people who say sorry when they have done nothing wrong. And... I wanted to give this to you to pass it to that DUMB Yuta. You are neighbours, aren't you?”, she smiled at me and gave me the box she was holding on her hand.

“How did you know that?”, still covering my forehead. I took the box. 

“Well, if he doesn’t say a word, vanishes during lunch, shows up to school with someone none of us recognize, goes home with that same mystery person, and suddenly refuses to join trips he used to beg for—of course the boys got suspicious!” she said, slipping effortlessly into her teacher voice. “Naturally, they assumed he had a secret girlfriend and started snooping… only to discover this very pretty neighbor.”

“Uhm…” I let out an awkward laugh, cheeks burning. (I had zero clue people were paying that much attention to us.)

“We just thought, you know, it would’ve been nice if he introduced us. But that DUMB Yuta is ridiculously protective of people he cares about,” she added with a playful wink.

“C-cares about? Wh-what do you mean? That’s…” I stammered, flustered like a startled pigeon in gym class.

“Haha, it’s fine! Don’t get all shy on me now. Are you going home now?” *Ouch*

(SHE JUST SLAPPED MY ARMS, DIDNT SHE?) I gave up to her randomness. “Yes...”, my voice seemed to have given up in pain as well.

“That’s great. Will you pass that camera to Yuta then? He really left it in the van and bolted, please tell him that we have recorded vedios in his camera as well.” she huffed like a scolding mom.

“Seriously?” I laughed. “Yeah, sure, I can do that.” She grinned, her mood flipping instantly, “Awesome, thanks a ton!” 

"Umm...”

“You can call me Miki,” she said casually. “And! do you know? I was actually planning on headding to Yuta’s place with Nen right now, but I saw you instead .” Her eyes lit up like a game show buzzer. “Honestly, you’re a lifesaver! Now we can go on a date!”

“Haha, well… glad I could help,” I smiled awkwardly. I paused for a while and said, “You can also call me Miho.”

“Noted. “She said it like she was writing it down in an important spy notebook.

“I should get going now, goodbye, Miki-san.”

“Okay, see ya!” she waved.

I stepped through the school gate. “Miho-kun!” she shouted suddenly. I turned, startled.

“Take good care of our Yuta alright?”, she waved dramatically at me. Everyone was poking out of the windows, staring at us from the window.

“Ha…ha…” I laughed weakly, a laugh that screamed please don’t read into this. My brain fully blacked out. “O-OKAY!” I yelled back, waved stiffly, and resumed my walk like a robot trying to act normal. (She really is one of those ‘marches to the beat of her own drum’ types, huh…)

But...

(She is a nice person.) I smiled.

(So, this is a camera huh.)

“Cares about me...” My brain practically short-circuited with embarrassment as her words echoed in my head.

(But I didn't deny it... Why?)

(And why did I agree on taking good care of him?) My cheeks lit up in a full-on blush. I could feel the heat rise all the way to my ears.

(Ugh. I’m doomed.)

***

In front of Yuta’s house,

(Should I first return this to him first or...) I glanced at my home a little far but within my eyesight. (Should I go home first and return it tomorrow? I mean I am really really tired today.)

(I don’t knooow.)

(And come to think of it… I’ve never even been to his place before. He’s always the one showing up at my door like it’s a morning ritual.)

(Maybe I should just go home. Yeah. And it’s still afternoon . Totally logical. Very responsible. Great plan, Miho.)

I was sweating from pure indecision, clutching the bass like it was about to explode. Then— 

*Doom* the door opened. It was Yuta.

(WHYY???) I again politely screamed internally.

“Haha, how'd you come out?”, I asked in a quiet, almost lowercase voice.

“Hey—why are you here?”, he looked shocked to see me in front of his door. (Of course he would be shocked. Its my first time in his home after all. And. Uninvited.) I smiled sharply closing my eyes to hide my awkwardness.

“I am so glad you are here,” his expression shifting from surprised to excited. “And—is that my camera that you have?” He pointed at the box that I was holding.

“Yes, Miki-san passed it to me to give it to you.” Suddenly her words flashed back in my mind—and my face burned with embarrassment all over again. "She said that they have recorded vedios from your camera as well."

“Oh, so she already met you huh?”, he said, like he had expected it all along. (Seriously, why am I feeling embarrassed now that I am seeing his face?)

He stepped aside, opening the door wider. “Come in for now. My mom and dad are out of town, so you don't have to feel awkward, and you look tired as well.” His face full of concern. (It is funny how his expression changes so fast.) I chuckled.

He noticed. “Hey, why are you laughing?” Confused, he tilted his head slightly. (He looks so cute.) 

I snapped. (Cute? Must be this damp weather's effect on me.) "N-nothing. Actually, I am super tired today so I will just return home for now." I suttered.

"Really? Alright," (He looks dissapointed now. So cu—) I snapped back again. "Here, take your camera." I passed it to him. "I really want to talk to you about many things but I am just soo tired tgat I could fall down this instant."

"That’s bad. But..." he thought for a while frowning his eyebrows, then added "we can talk again anytime you want to, if we have each other's phone number?" 

I replied as if I had just realized it, "Oh yeah, what is your phone number? We could talk there." (I had thought about this before too... but couldn't grab the courage to ask. I am glad he asked it.) His eyes glimmered as I said that.

"Oh, you are right. Its 000..." he repeated it again as I took out my phone and turned back as I saved it to my account. [Contact: Yuta the blue fluff~] (I wouldn't want him to see this cutesy name I have saved him as...) I giggled.

"Alright! We can talk anytime now, no restrictions." He smiled as I turned back to see him.

***

On a sunny day, still laying on my bed 9 in the morning. (That day, after I reached home, it rained really heavily.)

(Summer break has already started and I haven't gone to his place again after that day or even texted him... Should I just give him a quick text?! 

I mean... how could we not see each other even once even though we are neighbours? Isn't that weird?) I thought hard with my phone right beside me on my pillow.

(I knew that before summer break it would be hard to see him but... it's already the third day of our summer break! and I still haven’t seen him once.)

(I just feel weird thinking how much more time I want to spend with him, and he probably doesn't feel the same at all...) I covered my face with both of my hands.

(Maybe I should just act cool about it and ask him to meet up? Yeah! Like it's already been long enough, it won't be weird at all now. Just act cool about it.) I encouraged myself as I woke up to sit on the bed, took my phone, clutching onto my pillow on my lap, and texted [Yuta the blue fluff~ : Hey, wanna meet up?]