Day18

There was a time, after getting my necklace back from Hitori, when I thought of showing it off to Miya. I cleaned the blackboard and arranged the chairs, waiting for everyone to leave. It was a few minutes after everyone was gone when I left the room. The reason I took too long was because I ended up deciding to really arrange the chairs properly. Not wanting Miya to wait too long, I started running. I took the necklace from my bag and hanged it around my neck as I ran. Quickly turning around a corner, I bumped into a girl. She fell backwards and I fell to my side. Looking at her to apologize, I felt my heart skip a beat. She was really attractive, yet she was someone I didn’t recognize. She had a short black hair; the left side of her hair was pulled back by a small hairpin with a flower-shaped design. As I pretty much recognize the face of most, if not all, the faces of the students last year, I thought she might be a freshman.

“I’m sorry!” she apologized as she struggled up. “I should have watched where was going more carefully.”

“No, it was my fault,” I said as I stood up. “I shouldn’t be running in the halls like I did,” I said, as I offered her my hand.

She looked at my hand and looked up to me. She just looked straight at my eyes for a while, as if she recognized me. Suddenly realizing what she was doing, she took my hand and pulled herself up, looking down all the while.

I picked up her bag and a couple of books she dropped. I suddenly thought of Miya and told the girl I was in a hurry and I had to go. I was about to run again but was stopped by something she said.

“Um, my name is Yumi Miharu!” she called out.

I turned to her. I noticed in an instant that she was nervous. I believe she wasn’t comfortable talking to someone older. But I admired her guts in trying. “I’m Kyosei Izaki, a third year,” I said.

She smiled a little and nodded. “I’m a first year. It was nice bumping into you,” she laughed softly.

I laughed, waved, and ran upstairs. I was sure that was the only time I would ever talk to her and quickly forgot her name. On that day, I didn’t see Miya on the rooftop. I assumed she either left after waiting for a bit or she didn’t go up there.

I was surprised to see her there on this day, in our special place, just chatting away with Miya. Miya must’ve heard the door open and turned to me, waving enthusiastically. Yumi also gave a small wave.

I didn’t recognize her immediately. I knew I saw her before, but I couldn’t recall when. I thought maybe Miya would introduce me to her since she probably didn’t know that I’ve met her before. I waved and approached them.

“It’s been a while, Izaki-sempai!” Yumi called out when I got near. Those words quickly blew my plan away.

Miya switched glances between the two of us. “Um, you know her?” she asked me, puzzled.

“Yeah, I’ve met her before. Well, actually, we more of bumped into each other,” I quickly recalled.

“Oh? I never knew that…” Miya replied, looking down, her tone filled with suspicion.

“I never did get to tell you, did I?” I was hoping I wouldn’t have to let them know I didn’t know her name.

“Ne!” Yumi called. “Do you remember my name?” she chirped. I wanted to just slam my head against the railing when she asked that.

Miya looked at me, awaiting my reply.

My mind rushed, I scanned my thoughts for any name that would seem right. “Um…”

Yumi sighed, “I guess not,” she muttered in disappointment, looking away. “Anyway, my name is Yumi. Miharu, Yumi.” She looked at me. “Please try to remember it this time,” she smiled.

I scratched the back of my head. “Ah, I’ll try to. I’m not very good with names.”

Yumi shook her head in reply. “Anyway, it was nice to meet you, Rinei-sempai. And it was nice seeing you again, Izaki-sempai,” she bowed to both of us. “I have to go home now as I have some homework to do. I hope to see you two again soon,” she said politely.

Miya and I glanced at each other for a moment and turned to her. “Ah, yes,” Miya said. “Please join us here if you feel like it.”

Yumi bowed again and left in a hurry. Though I felt that it would be nice to talk to her again in the future, I thought it would be awkward if she joined us in the school roof. I wasn’t comfortable being with a girl in the first place. Being with Miya almost every day made me used to her. But the thought that there would be another girl with us scared me.

“Well, she was a nice girl,” Miya laughed awkwardly.

I turned to Miya, hoping she wouldn’t misunderstand anything. “I should have told you about her. I guess it kinda slipped my mind,” I whispered.

Miya shook her head and looked me in the eyes. “Don’t worry,” she comforted me. “Though I was suspicious at first, the fact that you forgot her name means there’s nothing between you two,” she smiled. “Sorry I invited her without asking you first. It might be awkward for you,” she apologized, as if reading my mind.

“Why was she here in the first place? Did she just happen to go up?” I wondered.

Miya turned to look at the scenery. “Well, on my way here, I saw her looking from below the stairs, as if she wanted to go up. As a sempai, I thought it was my duty to help her, so I asked her what was wrong.” Turning to me, she added, “She told me she wanted to see what was on the roof, but was afraid she might not be allowed to, so I asked her to come with me.”

I turned to the scenery. “Oh,” I replied.

I was afraid that she might have wanted to see me. I remembered that when I left her, I went to the direction of the school roof, and thought maybe she expected to see me up here. Though afraid, I know that I was actually hoping that she really wanted to see me. She was truly attractive, so if she was really looking for me, that would be flattering.

I was ashamed of what I’ve been feeling and felt like I was betraying Miya by thinking of those things. The best thing I could do was not let Miya know I felt like that.

While watching the sun go down, Miya told me the reason she invited Yumi to join us. According to her, Yumi had been alone in her class. The only ones to talk to her once in a while were all guys. But she always had a hard time talking to them, so they too felt it hard to approach her. Yumi tried talking to the girls and making friends with them, and there were some who talked to her.

At one time, Yumi thought she made some friends. But she soon found out that even those who she thought were her friends didn't like her for some reason.

“She seems like a nice girl. And I want to be her friend,” Miya whispered, looking down all the while. “Also, she seemed to be able to talk to you well.” Miya turned to me, “I thought maybe we could help her feel more confident. Maybe give her some happy memories while we’re still in this school.”

I nodded. I felt the feelings I’ve had earlier fade away. What remained were the feelings and good intentions Miya shared with me. I, too, felt like I wanted to be her friend.