Lover in Me

It was a typical day like always. It was actually a pleasant day with clear skies. I meet up with my two buddies. Like our usual meet up. I asked my friends what we were doing today.

"Yu wants us to meet at the shopping mall. She says that she will be there."

At the entrance?

"Of course. Well...at least she said that she will be there."

Let's go then.

We head for the mall. Arriving at the entrance, Yu-chan was not there. We find it odd that she was not present. But then something else came in our way as we see a stage with a crowd, gathering to watch a performance.

"Aah!! I nearly forgot! Mami-chan is supposed to perform today! And its free for everyone!"

"Should we wait for Yu to meet us here?"

"Of course we can. Yu will be late as usual, but let's watch the show while we're at it."

"Ok...I guess..."

All three of us are watching Creamy Mami's performance. Her latest song was catching the audience’s attention. Toshio was in the spirit on rooting for Mami's and her singing. I was enjoying it and Mamoru was taking his time as well.

The performance ended and the three of us are sitting down on the bench. There was still no sign of Yu-chan and I was hoping that I would see her. I wonder what's taking her so long.

"Sorry guys."

We turned to see Yu coming towards us. She was rushing over and then she made it here where we are sitting.

"Yuu!"

"I made it. Sorry I'm late. I have to do something."

"Oh I see."

"Yuu, did you know that the mall had a free performance of Mami-chan?"

"Uhhh...wow. I totally forgot about it."

"Really? Did anyone tell you?"

"Nope. I didn't know about the performance."

"Aah, you missed out. But it was a splendid performance."

"Eh??"

"Aside from that, where do you want to go?"

"Just to look around."

"Sure, let's go."

We got up and end up walking together. We take a stroll through the mall by visiting store after store. I didn't say a word to Yu-chan. Not yet, at least. 

Later, we are in a bookstore. I am in the magazine section, reading an article on Mami-chan. The article seemed to be interesting. The interviewer that asked questions to Mami-chan has no clue to where she is from. It’s kind of weird when you have a famous idol that is not just popular, but has no background to where she's from. That is going to be a mystery.

"Midori-kun?"

That same familiar voice surpassed my ears as I hear Yu-chan calling out to me. I turned to look at her. She was looking up at me. I called out to her by her name and asked her what she wants.

"Oh nothing. I was curious where you were."

I see.

"I've noticed that you're being quiet lately. Is there something wrong?"

No no. No Yu-chan. There isn't.

"Are you sure? You have been quiet since the past few days."

That's true.

"And I'm quite concerned about you. Its like there's a part of you that looks as if you're shy. More as if you're not like yourself."

It gets me. I know that after that one date, I decided to stay as friends with Yu-chan. Now, it was as if Yu-chan is looking out for me. I don’t know, but...it was probably my behavior that has made me feel this way. Yu-chan was right there, willing to find the truth that lies within me. I had to do something about this. I had to.

"Midori-kun..."

Can we talk...alone.

"Um...sure. Hmm, I guess Toshiro and Mamoru are elsewhere, but yes, I wouldn't mind."

I wanted to find a spot where it'll be just the two of us.

"Sure."

We made a leave from the bookstore. I try to find a quiet area where we can talk. As soon as I found a spot where we can spend time together, where there was hardly anyone around, we resumed back to our conversation.

"So Midori-kun, what is on your mind?"

Just when I wanted to be alone with Yu-chan, my nerves came back at me. Only for a little bit. The thoughts of how much Yu-chan mean to me was overwhelming, that it was too much for me to regret. I thought at first that Yu-chan was the one for me due to my obsession. Since the day after the date, it was almost as if she was not that into me. I'm curious if she had a liking for Toshiro. I just don't know.

"Midori-kun!!"

Huh? Oops, I was really thinking too much. Yu-chan was being a bit impatient.

"Say something. What's bothering you?"

Yu-chan...

"Hmm?"

I took courage and brought up that moment when we were on a date together. I told her that dating with you would be fun and outgoing, but I never would think that it would be a challenge for me to date someone who is cute like you. I said to her that my feelings meant so much to you that I think to myself that you would be the one for me. I then said that I didn't think we were a perfect match.

"Why would you say such things?"

It’s just that...you didn't really think of me as my type of guy.

"Oh come on! I wouldn't say that."

I listened.

"Midori-kun. I've always knew you have an interest on me. You always have. I mean, we were close, but..."

I wait for her response. She was silent for a minute.

"...but...since the day you dated me, you were nicer...and..."

Yu-chan felt confused. She is lost of words as she, too, have something to say to me. I didn't want to ask, but I consider it a shot. I mentioned the name Toshiro.

"Don't!"

Hm?

"Seriously, don't. We're still friends with each other, but please."

What? What was I thinking?

I apologized to her.

"You don't have to say you’re sorry. There's no need for that."

Oh ok.

"Were you thinking that Toshiro and I are dating?! That's ridiculous!"

Actually...Yu-chan...

"Huh?"

Yu-chan. I know my first date didn't go as well as I thought it would. I know by my actions on how I felt after the date and I thought the person that you know so much may have a liking on you. All that I ask for is if you give me another chance. Just that chance to have another date with you. There. I've said it.

After what I said from my gut, we were silent. Yu-chan kept herself quiet. So did I. I didn't know what her response would be. I am curious what feedback will I get out of this.

"...I'll think about it."

So I see. In life, you only get one chance with that person through a relationship. Even if she turns down my offer, I won't get mad. I'll leave it as it is and move on.

"We should get back with the others. They're probably wondering where we are by now."

I nodded. We left the private corner to meet back with our friends. Toshiro was curious where we went off to, but to make an excuse, we told him that we went to look at a store. We left the bookstore and spend the rest of the day looking around the mall.