“I’m fine.” That sounded like a made-up statement to be polite and not turning the atmosphere grimmer than it already was. But reading the room was enough to guess Hana was far from fine. She was upset, and Melissa quietly wondered why.

Melissa, trying to change the subject: “Hanabi?”

Hana, dourly: “…Yes?”

Melissa: “I’m going to order a dessert. Do you want anything, sweetheart?”

Hana, distant: “I would rather go home, if you don’t mind.”

Melissa, cheerful: “It’s OK, dear. Do you want me to ask for a checkout, so you can enjoy it at home?”

Hana: “Do as you wish, Meli.”

Melissa didn’t push. As she approached the counter, the scent of premium-quality teas and delicate sweets became more and more fragrant. But, even if Sam covered every order, our dear friend didn't want to exploit her new friend’s generosity.

She settled for two “kurogoma anman” to take-out; unfortunately, since it was a french boba store and not a japanese convenient store, the clerk didn’t catch the order. Melissa had to correct herself, asking for two “black sesame sweet buns” instead (which sounded funny to her but, heh, when in Rome…). She then went back to Hana, and did her best to lift her mood before they departed.

Melissa, handing the sweets: “Hora! Two kurogoma anman! Do you like it?”

Hana, softening up a little: “Oh… I like them. Thank you, Meli!”

Then she took a deep breath and asked:

Hana: “Say, could you walk me to my apartment, please? I would like to stay a little longer at your side…”

Melissa, puzzled: “Why, yes of course! Do you want to go now?”

Hana: “Yes, please…”

Her eyes seemed to water a bit (another proof she wasn’t fine), but she repressed any urge to cry. As for Melissa, she wanted to hold her tight in her arms and pat her long silky hair to comfort her – but it didn’t seem appropriate at the moment. Hana seemed confused, and hugging her in a public place seemed a tad too audacious to be efficient. To compensate for the urge, Melissa extended her hand for Hana to hold; the latter did not object.

As they walked through the crowded streets holding hands, Hana’s flowery fragrance haunted Melissa. Her friend smelled like linen and jasmine with a hilt of camelia. How could she have missed such a pleasant scent?

Yet, as they went through some deserted alley to cut corners, Hana finally opened up.

Hana, unsure: “Meli… You know, you are the first lesbian I have met in my whole life.”

Melissa: “Really? But, how come you’re telling me this out of the blue, honey? Do I make you feel uneasy because I’m attracted to women?”

Hana, panicking: “No, no! Maybe. I don’t know. I was just concerned because your friends thought I am attracted to women as well… [blushing] Like we were an item, you and me. That would be most flattering, though. But why would an unearthly goddess like you hold the slightest interest toward this plain, mundane Hana? I would better stay aside and admire you from afar until one man pities me enough to marry me before I become as expired as an old loaf of bread, like my family wish for me to do…”

At this instant, Hana couldn’t hold her tears anymore. She began to cry before a sympathetic Melissa. The latter recognised a typical pattern of comphet but chose to not say a single word. Instead, she gently pulled Hana toward her and gave her the warmest hug, her smaller friend finding solace hiding her crying face against Melissa’s firm shoulder. The tall Mediterranean lady then patted her head gently, removing Hana’s ribbon to let her long black hair flow more freely between her fingers. They were so soft, so silky… The whole moment felt like bliss for the both of them, and Melissa even dared to brush Hana’s neck as gently as possible (which calmed the latter and softened her cries).

Melissa, solemn: “No matter what you think,; no matter how similar or different we are; no matter who we are attracted to… You, Makunouchi Hana, are my friend, and you are one of the closest people I have around me. You are precious to me, you copy that? Precious! So, please cheer up and don’t underestimate your worth if you don’t want to make me cry as well.”

Hana, confused: “You… What… But…”

Melissa, acting motherly: “Shh… It’s OK, babe. Just calm down for the moment. Please…”

Hana, regaining her senses: “…I am so sorry I gave you the cold shoulder at the boba. That was an immature behaviour, and I wish you could forgive me. And please be assured I don’t judge you for who you are attracted to, for what really matters to me is but the way you act toward people. And you are one of the most caring person I have met in my life.”

Melissa: “No, but honey, I have nothing to forgive! You didn’t do anything wrong, I swear! …I was concerned about you, though. And I think Lizzy and Sam were worried as well. Maybe you ought to tell them you’re doing OK!”

And, quickly after saying that, Melissa launched Instagram and created a group chat composed of herself, Hana, Lizzy, and Sam. She then winked at her friend and let her explain the situation to the gang.

@makunouchi_hana (Hana) to AfterBoba:  <Greetings… I apologize if I made you worry at the boba store. It was mostly exhaustion from cramming school all week, and I am not used to such social gatherings. Please be assured it won’t be like this anymore.>

@rafflesia_lizzy (Lizzy) to AfterBoba: <Sup kiddo! I didn’t even notice. NP anyway, you cool! 👍>

@sunnysammy972 (Sam) to AfterBoba: <Don’t worry @makunouchi_hana! It happens to the best of us! 😊> <Get some rest and let’s meet together again! 🫶> <[GIF of hugging teddy bears]>

Hana: “That is relieving… They were nice saying those words. Even Lizzy! I have to admit, she seemed frightening at first… but maybe she is nicer than expected?”

Melissa, amused: “Our dear friend Alicia has a bad temper, is rude, self-aware, borderline nymphomaniac, and has the delicacy of a trashbin truck… but don’t be fooled: she has a heart of gold buried under all this rotten facade.

@makunouchi_hana (Hana) to AfterBoba: <Thank you all here! I am very grateful I met such good friends 🤍> [to Melissa] “I live at the Olympiades esplanade up here. Let’s go!”

As they walked through the alley toward the tall concrete slabbed esplanade, Hana and Melissa felt a sweet bubble of softness around them, below the golden veil of dusk granted by the setting sun. Melissa’s hand felt so comforting to Hana. She never noticed how soft her skin is, how warm her body is, how soothing her friend’s presence is. In a sense, Hana could understand why Melissa was attracted to women, even if the concept still felt alien to her nonetheless. For Hana, who never truly met love, the bond they quickly grew together was the closest thing she had to a crush.

These thoughts upsetted her a little, though; yet, she couldn’t help but to think about it. The young lady thought so much about the whole deal that she barely noticed they arrived at her apartment’s front door already