ヒールの高さ

chapter 2

[ 9 days before Yuuka's incident ]

It was 7:30pm, the end of my work. Instead of heading home, I went to Yoshinoya. When I'm at home, I get anxious when I'm left with my own thoughts. Family restaurants are usually my escape from everything. 

I realized that I spaced out and overstayed until 1:27am, so I immediately left the restaurant and went home. That time meant that it was Saturday and not Friday anymore, thankfully.

The weekend passed by fast. I spoke with my family on the phone, went to the manicure salon and shopped for groceries. Nothing interesting was happening, my daily life activities were all the same.

At the beginning of my work week, I was allowed to leave earlier because one of my coworkers came back from vacation, so I headed to the park.

The park was slightly crowded, with couples and families taking walks or sitting around here and there. I could see the joy in their faces. I could not relate to them. I was guessing that having a family or having a significant other creates life meaning, but who knows. I've also seen people that are miserable with their families, the examples being my coworkers.

Trying to find a bench to sit on, my best options were only 2. I dislike sitting next to strangers, but I really needed to rest after my long walk. I could choose to sit next to a girl that looks my age or an old person. I did not really think about it and just went with the girl. Even if she tells me not to sit there, I'll just move on.

When came closer to the girl, my breath hitched. She had pretty brown eyes and a cute appearance. It was rare for strangers to fluster me, which led me to awkwardly asking her. The aura about her was different, it was if it captured me just by having one look at her.

"H-Hey, sorry, um, can I sit here?"

The girl looked at me with a puzzled face expression. I didn't know how to react to that.

God, I was so awkward around people in general. I was able to express myself to people in general.

"Un. It's not everyday someone asks me to sit next to me~" she smiles. Her response baffled me, I thought she'd shoo me away.

"Oh, right..." I reply. I took a seat next to her and watched the scenery in front of me. I took a deep breathe, trying to ignore that she is next to me.

"Tough day, wasn't it?" the girl asked right away as I sighed.

"How do you know?" I looked at her questioningly.

"You look all tensed up and you're obviously wearing formal clothes. Working life doesn't seem that fun..."

"Well do you even work at all?"  I questioned her.

The stranger smiled and shook her head.

 "I don't. I finished university but I don't feel like working yet. Parents are upset but they still give me money. I want to explore myself first before I dive into this real adult world of work. But I don't even know what job I want."

"I see." was all I can say. I was considering to sit only for like 5 minutes and head home, but a side of me did not want to leave this girl.

"Since you have joined me, care to tell me your name?" she asked me, tilting her head. The gesture looked adorable and I tried not to think about it.

"Moriya Akane. Not from Tokyo, but I moved here for work. Originally from Sendai." I responded. Surprisingly, in my definition I have talked a lot with a stranger because I do not usually show that much interest when meeting someone new. I have always stayed with my university friends and did not make new ones once I started working.

"I'm Sugai Yuuka! Nice to meet you." she replied, flashing me a bright smile. I almost smiled back at her but restrained myself, knowing that I'm not too fond of showing emotion.

I nod my head and politely tell her that it's nice meeting her too.

Silence. After several minutes of us sitting on the bench and watching what's in front of us, Yuuka puts an arm on my shoulder which causes me to turn to her in surprise.

"Ne Akanen, should we take a tour around Tokyo?" she smiled and asked me.

What?

"Why? Didn't we just meet?" I didn't even question her giving me a nickname right away.

"Aw don't start the formalities! I think this is a nice way to spend time and to explore around." Yuuka explained, smiling.

She was right. There are still places that we haven't been to. You know, the city's huge.

She had a point. I didn't have much to do either way that day.

I shrugged and agreed to go with her.

"Sure. Which bus are we taking?"

Yuuka tilted her head and pondered. Somehow, she looked adorable to me when she did that.

"Hm... that should bus route 246, it covers the majority of Tokyo. It's gonna be a long but interesting ride. Good that you're joining!"

"Well, I don't have much to do so I thought why not." I replied. Even if she ends up being a shady person that might lure me to go on the bus to drive somewhere distant to kill me, I don't care at all. Other than work, there not much that I am looking forward to.

Yuuka took my hand and led me to the bus stop. 10 minutes later, bus 246 arrived.

She took my hand and led us to sit at the very back. 

Yuuka was right, it was as if we were sightseeing. With not that many people, I looked around the different places in Tokyo. I was about to turn to look at Yuuka and immediately got startled because she was already at staring at me.

"Is there something wrong?"

"No. I just noticed how good your face looks and can't help but look at you. What's your beauty secret?" she innocently replies. I slightly get flustered by her comment. It seemed genuine too.

Typically, my female coworkers would also compliment my skin and appearance, but their voices were oozing with fakeness. A compliment that were not since. "Eh, Akane-san! Your skin is so good", "Oh my, your skin is so white! Tell me your reccommended products you use I want to be like you" they'd reply in their high nasal voices. It felt like they were trying to score points by attempting to be good with me. I'd only politely smile and nod, walking away from them and not answering their fake questions.

"Oh, nothing much. I just pay attention to what I eat and consume healthy foods." I replied, looking away from her.

"Hm~ I thought you put a secret ingredients in your skincare!"

"That too, but it isn't complicated. Just eat foods that increase collagen I guess." I shrug.

Silence took over us again. The bus ride went on for 30 minutes until Yuuka grabbed my sleeve and motioned me to stand up.

"Let's get out of here, there's a nice place where we can watch the stars! It's a river dock place!" she replies, smiling widely.

Her smile was too bright for my dull heart.

I nodded and followed her out of the bus. What a journey that I have gotten myself into...

(a/n: omg i completely forgot to update this book, but here i am coming back after 2 years hahah if you are still reading this, thank you!)

(a/n 2: added some edits because i realized there were incomplete sentences and mistakes oops. please leave a review for feedback if you want hehe)