After a long, hot shower, Kira collapsed onto her bed, letting the tingling, icy sensation of the foot patches soothe her aching soles. She picked up her freshly charged phone and began scrolling through the photos of the cherry blossoms she had taken earlier.

She still couldn't believe how the project had turned things around so spectacularly. At least now she could fully enjoy her Sunday tomorrow. It was strange, though; Yoshi hadn't gotten angry like she had expected. Who would have thought she'd end up looking at cherry blossoms with her boss? She just hoped Monday's meeting would go smoothly. For now, it was time to relax.

There was no new story chapter posted today. Just as she thought of it, a message from Hide popped up. He was probably busy going out for the weekend too. She wondered if Hide had a girlfriend yet.

Hide: A Japanese tutor? That sounds like a big responsibility. Are you learning for fun or for work? This vacation, I am also visiting the garden. Still, is it really okay for Kira to just go off with a stranger from the internet like that? Aren't you worried I might be a bad guy?

Hide's question made Kira's cheeks burn hot. Hide had a point. Had she taken the joke too far? Would he think she was an easy girl? Still, she didn't think someone who wrote such a poetic, gentle, and sincere story could be a bad person. After all, Hide was Japanese; she shouldn't have been so overly casual.

Kira: Are you really a bad guy? As long as I don't get attacked by your wife, it should be fine. I promise to be a hardworking and obedient student. Can we learn for work but still have fun with it?

It took five minutes for Hide's message to arrive. What was he considering to take so long? Impatient, Kira propped her elbows on the pillow, feeling as anxious as watching a tense scene in a movie.

Hide: What makes Kira think I'm married? I'm still single. Not exactly a bad guy, and not entirely good either. Still, you probably wouldn't want to meet me. As for learning Japanese, business Japanese is quite difficult and there's nothing fun about it. I think you need to learn from a textbook for proper guidance on grammar and vocabulary. If there's anything you don't understand, I will help.

Kira squealed with joy. She had no idea why she was so happy, rolling around in her blankets before typing out her reply.

Kira: Well, who knows, I just wanted to make sure. I only need a tutor and a translator, so my standards aren't that high. As long as Hide doesn't mind. I already bought the textbooks, though the content doesn't seem very practical. I just need basic communication since I mostly use English at work anyway. And, why wouldn't I want to meet Hide?

Kira smiled to herself, wondering if Hide simply lacked confidence in his appearance. A potbellied, balding guy, perhaps? Even so, it didn't matter, Hide seemed like a kind and patient person.

Hide: Because the internet is full of surprises, and I might not look anything like the author you’ve pictured in your head (haha). Since you only need basic communication and use English at work, we can skip the heavy grammar. Whenever you come across a phrase that feels useless, just drop it here. I'll help you fix it. By the way, this platform isn't exactly friendly for chatting. If you don't mind, could we use Discord instead?

Kira couldn't help but wonder if Hide used a real photo for his Discord profile. She simply used her own picture and real name because she was too lazy to bother with an avatar. After all, she didn't have many online friends and was dirt poor, so she had absolutely nothing worth stealing.

Kira: I don't mind at all! Discord is much better. Here is my ID: [Kira's Tag]. Honestly, no matter what you look like, I already know you have a beautiful mind from reading your story. So, can we start our session today? I mean, if you aren't busy.

Sure enough, Hide's avatar was just an apple blossom. He seemed to be a private person.

Kira: Hi 🥳

Hide: こんばんは (Konbanwa - Good Evening!)

Kira: 助けてくれてありがとうございます！ (Tasukete kurete arigatou gozaimasu! - Thank you so much for your help!)

Hide: どういたしまして (Douitashimashite - You're welcome). Usually, people just say よろしくお願いします (Yoroshiku onegaishimasu - I look forward to working with you).

Kira: But I want to thank you for your help.

Hide: Then you can just say ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu) or simply ありがとう (Arigatou).

Kira: But what about after a hard day's work? Can I say something like this?

拙者、本日も任務完了したでござる (Sessha, honjitsu mo ninmu kanryou shita de gozaru)

Hide: What kind of textbook did you buy, Kira?

Kira: Ehhhh???Is it wrong???

It sounds so honorable???

Hide: That's how a samurai from the Edo period talks. Nowadays, people just say お疲れ様でした (Otsukaresama deshita - Thank you for your hard work).

Kira: That sounds so boring...

Hide: ...

Kira: Then, how do I say:

“I’m angry at my boss because he has NO HEART."

Because I said that in English today, but he didn't react.

Maybe Japanese will hit harder?

Hide: … Let’s not say that in any language.

Kira: Plz teach me. For educational purposes.

Hide: Fine…

The polite version is: ちょっと厳しいですね。(Chotto kibishi desu ne - He’s a bit strict.)

That’s the safe office way.

Kira: That’s so soft...

I want something like: “You fiend, have you lost your heart?!”

Hide: Please do NOT say that to your boss. You'd be fired.

Kira: Haha, just kidding. Actually, I have a project about the conflict between boss and employee. I need both English and Japanese versions. So plz teach me. I promise I won't hurt anyone.

Hide: …You actually gave me a heart attack just now. Is your boss even doing okay over there?

Kira: Haha, I hope so.

Hide: Do you need a hospital hotline? Just in case your boss passes out...

Kira burst out laughing, unable to even hold her phone straight. Hide had clearly been scared half to death by her little stunt. In all seriousness, she did have a few concepts cooking for an upcoming marketing campaign, and hitting everyone with both English and Japanese versions would definitely make a splash. But exploiting Hide to do her project work over the weekend felt just a little too cruel...

Hesitating for a moment, Kira decided to go through with it anyway.

Kira: Ah, yeah, I guess that might come in handy. By the way, I really don't want you working over the weekend, so just let me know if it's a bother. For instance, if I wanted to say "A bitter bite, like a boss's spite" in Japanese, but using some teenage slang, how would you phrase that?

Hide: Please don't worry about it, I’m actually quite free this weekend anyway, so feel free to ask. However, I’m afraid teenage slang is a bit beyond me. You could use 苦（にが）み、上司（じょうし）の怒（いか）り(Nigami, joushi no ikari). Nigami means bitterness, joushi means boss, and ikari means wrath.

In the end, instead of flirting and chatting about cute things like she probably should have been doing, she ended up discussing her work project with him. She had no idea what Hide actually did for a living, or why his English was so incredibly good.

Kira: Hey Hide, how come your English is so good? Sorry if this is a bit forward, but what field do you work in?

Hide: I studied fine art in the UK.

Kira: FOR REALLLLLLL???

Hide: Why the big shock?

Kira: Are you seriously asking why??? You’re a literal fine artist writing a web novel about an apple orchard. Oh my god, I cannot deal with this right now.

Hide: Is that a good thing, or a bad thing?

Kira: Hide, did you LIE about being single? Because there is absolutely no way I'm buying this.

Hide: Why wouldn't I be? I'm an extreme introvert. I have few friends, and I'm really not good at making conversation with people.

Kira: Are you sure you're an introvert??? You seem so active on the forum!!!

Hide: Sharing things online without having to talk to people in person is completely different.

Kira: Say what you want; I still don't believe it. I'll only believe it when I meet you in person.

Hide: Do you still really want to meet me in person?

Kira: Why not? Plus, I need to treat you to a meal to thank you for helping me out. Are you in Tokyo by any chance?

Hide: Ah, yeah, I'm around there.

Kira: So, are you busy tomorrow? Want to meet up?

Was this moving too fast? Kira tried her best to act completely natural, but her heart suddenly started racing. They were just friends. Online friends, readers, a fan meeting an author. Right, she treated everyone with the exact same easygoing attitude. Calm down, Kira; stop acting like a boy-crazy fool. Kira anxiously watched the screen. Hide was typing something, then deleted it. Did he really not want to meet her?

Hide: You won't regret this, right?

Kira: Definitely not.

Hide: Alright... then you pick the place and time. Whenever works best for you.

Kira: Actually, I don't know Tokyo very well. Why don't you pick the place, Hide? As long as it's easy to find, I won't get lost. (⁠人⁠ ⁠•͈⁠ᴗ⁠•͈⁠)

Hide: Then let's meet at Starbucks Ueno tomorrow at 11 AM.

Kira: Great! Can't wait to see you.

Hide: Me too.

Hide: It's getting late. You should get some sleep.

Kira: You too.

Hide: おやすみ。

Kira: Oyasumi.

Oyasumi. Oyasumi. Kira buried her face in the pillow, rolling around with a grin that stretched from ear to ear. She wondered what Hide looked like. Was he tall? Thin or chubby? Did he have single or double eyelids? An artist, a writer, and an introvert on top of that, Kira could already picture his warm voice and the calm, bashful demeanor typical of a Japanese guy. She truly could not wait any longer. Seriously, why did she agree to 11 AM? She should have just proposed 6 AM. Kira pulled the blanket over her head, ordering herself to close her eyes. Time to count sheep. One sheep, two sheep... three sheep with a warm voice.

At four in the morning, she still ended up tossing the blanket aside to turn on the closet light, pacing back and forth as she debated between a soft, flowing dress or a casual, sporty outfit. Finally, Kira fell asleep late with her phone still held tightly in her hand, her mind completely buzzing with excitement for their 11 AM date.

❀