Arisa's Fake Romance

Chapter 3: Chance Encounter

After class me and Aya meet at Chatime and discuss everything. I usually order a boba and pastry but I'm sticking with just water this time. "That idiot thinks he can win any girl over just by buying her stuff. I don't even remember him. Then his girlfriend started a war with me and called me fat." Ugh, I told her I'd forget too. 

Aya taps her chin and says, "Well you're obviously not fat. She just knows it would make you mad."

Tomoe stares at her phone and just casually says. "You look like a guy can win you over in a second."

I cross my arms glaring at her. "Do you want me to hit you Tomoe?"

"If you don't want guys to think you're easy maybe you can change your looks and attitude."

Aya says in a high voice. "Be mean like that and Arisa is going to cry."

Misaki and Tomoe blankly at Aya and I tell them, "Like hell I'm going to do that."

I tell them I have to meet Kasumi and Saaya at Saaya's bakery and meet them further up the street. I meet Saaya and she tells me, "Our bakery has a super popular jasmine tea chocolate coronet. You should reserve."

"You didn't set some aside for us your true friends? Although I'm not that hungry anyway."

I go into my bag but can't find my phone. What the hell! Panic flows through me as I desperately ruffle but can't find it. I breathe faster and yell as I ruffle. I literally can't live without my phone how could this happen? Ugh. As mean as they were it definitely wasn't Misaki or Tomoe.

"Hi, I found this phone by the Chatime and saw it fell out of your bag." Who does he think he is I always keep my phone safe.

I turn around and those eyes, those cheekbones, and that warm green slim fit tee shirt that flatters his undertones. I check it and it's definitely mine. "Thank you so much! You saved my life!" I cry rivers of relief and joy.

"You're making so much of this. Bye." He runs his hands through his blue hair, which shimmers in the sunlight. 

"At least tell me your name and high school."

He looks back and says, "Kaito, I attend the nearby International High School."

Saaya says, "That's not too far from our school."

This is so exciting! "I found one, I found a decent guy for once!"

Kasumi crosses her arms looking away, "Well you seem happy."

"Kasumi, I-I didn't mean it like that."

A gust of wind breezes through my hair carrying the aroma of nearby pastries. "I'm seriously going to make a play!"

Kasumi sighs and Saaya says, "For real Arisa?"

I chase after Kaichi and yell, "Kaichi!"

Oh a text from Kasumi. "Kaichi? Really?" Ugh she's laughing at me. Well I think it's a cute name for Kaito.

I definitely have to tell him about the environmentalism party I'm going to. We will do so much to save the animals and raise money for carbon capture.

We can add each other on social medias too.

And grandma wants me to have a date so I shyly walk up to him and say, "Have you ever heard of Poppin Party?"

"No, why?"

He hasn't heard of us? I bet he's just pretending. How can anyone not know about Kasumi's sincere yet energetic voice.

"I'm Ichigaya Arisa and play keyboard for them and we have a concert coming up this weekend."

"You were hanging out with Mitake Ran's bestie, the Ran everyone talks about."

I say, "So you've heard of Afterglow Kaichi?"

He looks confused, "Kaichi?"

"Yes, Kaichi and Ari-pyon."

He walks closer to me. "At first I thought you were a snobby tsundere, but now I know you're a nice girl."

"Thanks, no one ever said that to me before. Guys like you are usually afraid of me and never come near."

He tells me, "I try not to judge on appearances."

"O ho ho ho ho ho! If only Tomoe could've heard you just now."

He walks closer to me and takes in a deep breath. "I hope you don't think this is too fast or weird, but I think I've fallen in love with you."

I freeze in place and like my energy zapped away from me in every direction. A chilly gust brushes my hair and a nearby tree.

"Would you go out with me, Arisa?"

I stare forward and everyone moves in slow motion, the ads get slower and echoes stronger, like time slowed. Joy and excitement start replacing the emptiness of shock within me.

I excitedly punch up and yell. "Sure thing!"

Did I hit something? I look down and it's my Kaichi.

"S-Sorry Kaichi. Are you okay? I didn't mean to punch your jaw. Hang in there Kaichi."

Tae says, "I can't believe Arisa got such a cool guy."

Saaya sounds confused, "Seems like that app was way off. Wasn't she only supposed to get losers?"

I help him up and rub his jaw and he says. "Don't worry about it."

Saaya giggles and voice lightens. "Arisa has such a lovey dovey smile."

Kasumi sounds pouty. "It'd be nice if she cools off after this." And crosses her arms pouting.

Saaya whispers to us. "Is that Haru spying on us?"

I tell her, "Oh she's just being a salty jellyfish because I have a better guy than her."