★ | I, Rhys Kakyoin | Jotakak

42 ★ Breathe

Now that it's become eight in the morning, the once pale and sombre blue sky has enriched into an illumining cerulean bestrewn with flocculent clouds.

  A small retro-American-themed diner situated near Sangubashi train station and in between had just opened not long ago, and because of how early it is on a Saturday, only me, Jo and a few others are sitting at tables tucking into the breakfast menu. I sit opposite him in a booth with my head leaning against the window and a finger rhythmically tapping the tabletop, wearily awaiting our breakfast.

  I glance momentarily at Jo and notice that, though he stops for a moment to adjust the headphones sitting curled round his neck, he's texting somebody on his phone. I suddenly remember Aito's text from earlier and I swiftly grab my own phone sitting silently on the table to check for a response. It turns out that there's been a conversation going on for quite a while between everyone in our group chat and that I'd muted it and dodged every notification.

Mana:
Let's meet outside school so it's easier 👌👌   08:09

Arata:
ok ok so at 6pm right??   08:10

Jo⭐️:
Ok   08:10

Aito:
Sounds good.   08:10

I have no idea what my friends are planning to do, but I suppose I'll go with Jo and head to where they want to meet later in spite of that. The deep rumble of the train sweeping by resonates from the station nearby, prolonged and powerful. I decide to put my phone away and simply wait in silence for our order to come should Jo have nothing to talk to me about. He's still texting people on his phone, failing to look at me for even a moment. Out of slight disappointment and a tinge of boredom I grab the small glass salt shaker from the centre of the table and I fiddle with it, tilting it slightly to the side so that the grains of salt sitting inside would follow along.

  "What do y' think we'd be doin' after this?" Jo questions, his eyes widened ever so slightly by curiosity.

  "You thinking of anything?"

  "Not really, no. Jus'... I want to get 'ome before anyone realises we've gone, yeah? I reckon... we've got a bit of time before Mum wakes up. An hour, maybe."

  I stir in my seat, crossing my legs and resting an arm on the tabletop. "Jo, look. Not gonna lie, I... I don't think we should care."

  "What?" He looks slightly confused.

  "We're sixteen, not twelve. No offence, but if your mom or... dad or whoever gets pressed if you decide to leave the house on your own without permission, then that's kinda a them problem."

  Jo grins. "Innit?"

  "What's so funny, huh, Jotaro?" I say with faux intimidation, reaching over across the table for him, though eventually the urge to smile wins me over when he laughs. It's not that obvious, but I can definitely see it. He's much more delightful than usual. I can just feel it in his voice, in his eyes. I see something in the way he moves, and it has attracted me so much like no other person.

  "Nothin'. It's jus' that..." He pauses, thinking of how to word his answer. "I dunno. I jus' love you." He says it swiftly and suddenly. I didn't expect him to.

  Though, before I can say anything in return, a waiter arrives with our food, setting the plates and beverages upon the once empty table. She asks us whether we need anything else once everything has been lifted off her tray, and leaves us be when I tell her no.

  I pick up my fork and knife, more than ready to tuck into the fried egg and crisp bacon, albeit I decide eventually that it's better to taste them last and stab my fork into the sausage instead. On very few occasions do I have breakfasts like this; more often than not it'd be something Japanese.