Friends With Benefits (Side Story of Roaming Thoughts of Mei Aihara)

CHAPTER 2

Ugh... so many people... Sigh, I wonder where she is..
I wander around Starbucks and saw Angela sitting at the farthest corner engulfed on her tablet, drawing lewds, I guess. As I approach her, I can feel tension in my stomach, is this because of the excitement I wanted to learn from her, or other things besides that she is pretty in her casual wear.

"Ahem, hi."
"Oh, hi, Mei. Just wait a sec, I'm almost done. You may order first if you want."
"Okay. Do you want to have another coffee? Or pastries?"
"Nah, its fine. I already have my dose of sweets today (wink)"
"Uh, okay. Will be right back then."
"Okay."

Hmm, what does that wink means. Well, anyway, I'll just have tea and a slice of chocolate cake, I guess.
After getting my orders, I went back to Angela and sit across her. Now, how will the conversation start?

"Oh, you may sit here beside me Mei, its more comfortable in the couch."
"Its okay. I'm fine here. What are you drawing, by the way?"
"Oh this, its a commission. Someone asked me to draw it for them."
"Okay, is that.."
"Ah no, its not paid. This is for a friend. And don't get started to lecture me about having part times. Well, as long as the part time doesn't involve me being seen or known as one of the students of the Academy, its okay right?"

She's smart and quick to grasp. I like her. Ahem, I mean..

"Yes, I supposed you're right. So ahm.."
"Hmm?"
"Ahm, well about what we have talked earlier."
"Oh, do you want to go to that topic directly?"
"Ah, yes, I supposed. 'Cause what else should we talk about?"
"Well, we can at least be acquainted with each other to lessen the ackwardness, what do you think? 'Cause I can sense you are being tensed. Why is that, I wonder?"
"Sigh, yes. I am a bit tensed. Well why shouldn't I? This is new to me. To be asking about things from a complete stranger."
"But we are not strangers with each other, Mei"
"Huh?"
"Oh, you really forgot. We have met before when we were kids. When you went to France with your family. Can't you remember?"
"I.. I'm sorry, I have a few recollection of my childhood days."

All of my childhood days, especially the bad ones, I push them back of my memory. Now I feel nostalgic. So, we have met before huh. And she may be my childhood friend too? Since when? Do I know her even before Himeko? I can't remember.

"Ahm, Angela, can I ask, when did we meet? And how?"
"Oh, hmmm... well. Are you asking because you want to remember your childhood days or because you simply want to know if we have been friends since then?"
"Heh, I must give it to you, you are keen. And very straightforward."
"Well I refrain to be beating around the bush. Its good to be honest to yourself and be direct and clear with your intentions don't you think?"
"Well, yes, I agree. Very well then. I wanted to know if we became friends before. And well, how close did we become?"
"Hmm.. I can't tell on how close did we become. But we promised we will see each other again. I think we were five?"

Five? And she still remembers it until now. Very sharp memory she had. So we became friends even before I met Himeko.

"I see."
"Anyway, what do you wanna know about my hobby?"
"Ah, (cough) I ahm.. well.."
"Its okay, Mei. Breathe. Hehe. Okay let me help you sort it out. So, you saw me drawing two girls doing some lewd things with each other. Do you perhaps have someone you like doing it with?"

Whoa! So direct! How can I even respond to that? Even though she said we became friends when we were young, which I cannot recall, this line of questioning is too personal, well for me at least. But, well she is not wrong. I wanted to do those things with Yuzu. But I don't know how and would Yuzu be wanting to do those with me too?

"Ah, Mei? Okay. I think I just freak you out. Let's see.."
"Ahm, no. But yes, I did'nt expect you to ask me a very personal question directly. And I will answer you, Yes. I do have someone I want to do it with."
"I see. Okay. If you think my question is too personal, then I won't ask who the person is. Now, what do you want to know?"
"Actually, I want to ask that.. if you are able to draw those, do you somehow, well.."

Ugh, I think the room temperature become hot. I can feel my ears and face become red. I am having problems in breathing, I don't think I can continue this.. I was put out of trance when I felt her hand on mine.. it was soft and calming..

"Hey, Mei. Are you alright? Wait here I'll get you water. You look like you are about to faint. You are so red."
"Uh, yes p-please. Thank you."

Whew.. what is wrong with me.. just because I saw her works, my mind went override. Different perverted and lewd thoughts come rushing like wave of fire. And my body temperature just spike up. She, touching my hand adds up to the tension in my stomach.

"Here, Mei. Drink."
"Thank you. I'm sorry. I'm not used to expressing myself. Especially with these kind of things."
"What kind of things?"
"Well, this (Pointing to Angela's tablet, which shows a lewd drawing of two girls). I am not that naive to these sort of things. But be discussing it with someone, is a bit too much for me."
"I see. Okay, I understand. Are you alright now?"
"Yes. Thanks for the water. Sorry if I worry you."
"Its nothing. Now, can you tell me what is it that you wanted to ask me?"
"Ahm, if you have been able to draw this, do you have any experience with it?"

Ah gosh! I can't believe I just ask a stranger about her sex life. I'm holding my breath now cause she is just as surprised as I am.

"Ahahahaha! Wow! And you told me I asked a personal question. Hehehe. Hmm, before I answer that, what will you get from this? Or what will I get if I answer your question? I mean, you can't even remember if we are friends or not. Trust is not even established here. Are we friends now? You know what I mean right?"
"Ah yes. I'm sorry. Well, lets continue to be acquainted first by at least telling me what happened in France when we were kids?"
"Hmm.. Okay, sounds fair.. well..."

---

After several hours of tripping back to our childhood days, we did not notice that its already time to go home.

"Oh geezz, look at the time. It's already 7pm. So what are your plans after this?"
"Well, to go home I guess. Or since we are already acquainted, at least I assume we are, would you rather have dinner? Its the least I could offer since, first, I bother you and second, well I forgot we are friends before. And thank you for those memories that we reminisce."
"Aw that's sweet, Mei. But its a bit late now and I have other things to do (smirking)"
"Ah okay. Its fine."
"Oh, you haven't asked what you wanted to ask."
"Ah, that. Maybe some other time."
"Oh so we will meet again like this?"
"Well, if its okay with you. And maybe not after school so we can have more time for discussion?"

What am I doing? I sound like I'm asking her for a date. Pull yourself together Mei. This isn't like you. But there's something about her that made me feel at ease. And I cannot figure it out yet.

"Oh, so is the Student Council President asking me out for a date?"
"Ah, no. Please don't get me wrong. I'm just well, asking you if you want to hang out again sometime?"
"Ah yeah. Just like friends hanging out. I see. Very well, hmm.. let me check my schedule. Well, seems like Saturday is fine. Maybe next week?"
"Hmm, okay, my schedule is clear too on that day. Very well, what time and where?"
"Oh, I'm not a morning person, I almost force myself to be up and go to school that early. Hehehe.. but maybe after lunch? Around one in the afternoon? Here or do you have any place in particular in mind?"
"Well, its fine here, I guess. See you next week then. Oh and before I forget, your punishment starts on Monday, cleaning of the restrooms. And please refrain from using your gadgets at school. And most importantly, do not skip class!"
"Yes ma'am! So strict! I like!"
"What is that you like?"
"Oh its nothing.. hehehe.. well then, thanks for today, Mei. Take care."
"Yes, thank you too. Take care."

The tension in my stomach was suddenly been replaced of butterflies. Am I looking forward to hanging out with her next week? Sigh.. what am I really doing..