With what eyes do you see me: Side stories

Tammy and Kero

It was a Saturday, the end of the first week of her second year of high school. Ketano Rouma was sitting alone at a cafe across the street from her school in Nagai, Osaka, drinking a coffee. She was very grateful to have been accepted into this high school after how strict her previous high school was. The school here was known for being accepting of non-traditional students. Their uniform policy allowed students to dress how they want and she was grateful to her parents for assisting her in relocating. The commute was about 20 minutes longer but she didn't mind. She got to wear the correct uniform, use the correct restroom, etc during school so the longer commute was worth it. However today she was dressed in one of her nicest lace dresses, a gaudy choker, and black heels to bring out the purple in her dress. She wasn't dressed this way for any particular special occasion, it's just her normal outfit when not forced to wear a uniform.

The 2nd floor of the cafe had a wonderful view of the neighboring park and she was happy to find a spot with such a nice view. She sipped her black coffee as she kept typing away on her laptop. She was optimistic about the school year and this gave her several flashes of motivation for her creative writing endeavors. As she was focused on her work she heard a voice behind her.

"Love the dress!" A girlish voice echoed throughout the almost empty floor of the cafe. Rouma turned around and saw a short haired girl dressed in very vibrant colors from her shoes, even to her 2 oppositely colored cheek blush and eyeshadow looking over at her. She had a messenger bag and was holding what looked to be an iced latte. The whole outfit gave off a surprisingly pleasant warmth to Rouma.

"Oh, thank you," She said. "You definitely have a uh, unique look yourself,"

"You're head over heels for me already with a stunning compliment like that aren't you?" The short haired girl said as she adjusted her glasses and gave a smirk.

"Sorry, I genuinely meant it as a compliment. I apologize it did not come across that way. May I ask who you are?" Rouma truly did not mean to sound rude towards the girl and in fact really liked her style and choice of an almost 60 year old American fashion style. Anyone who put that much effort into an outfit and style deserves credit for it, she thought.

"I'm Tammy, nice to meet you! We both go to Maruko high. Although different classes since I'm in 3-3. Mind if I sit or are you busy?" Tammy spoke without giving her last name and in a very casual manner which surprised Rouma, but it was a welcomed surprise. They were apparently the same age and Tammy did look vaguely familiar.

"I don't see why not," She shrugged as Tammy bowed and sat in the adjacent seat.

"So, not to be too forward or anything, but you just transferred here this year, right?"

"Yes," Rouma said.

"I transferred at the beginning of last year. Well transferred countries I guess since i'm from Canada. Moved in with my cousin's family about a year and a half ago,"

"Sorry, but why are you sharing all this?" Rouma asked, confused.

"Well I was wondering if you wanted to be friends. I love your style and your vibes so I think we'll get along well," She said and Rouma was even more confused. Why would she think we get along well? I never even knew she existed until today. Rouma thought.

"I guess I don't see why not," She said.

"Cool! Now that we're friends I can ask the question I really wanted to ask. Are you free the rest of the afternoon?" Tammy said.

"I may be, why?"

"So you are, nice. Final question, how about a date?"

"What?" Rouma wasn't really embarrassed at the proposal, but just confused and surprised that a girl she just met would ask her out. "Is that why you approached me?"

"Women love confidence don't they? And like I said, I like your vibes and I'd like to think I'm pretty good at reading people," She said with a warm smile. "So what'll it be? I know a great Vietnamese place in Namba for dinner, my treat,"

Rouma was still a bit taken aback, but she did remember she saw this girl before with how her short, almost buzzed, hair stands out among other girls in the school. "Very well. I suppose you are pretty good at reading people. But you did forget one thing," Rouma said.

"Your name? I was getting to that. Just didn't see a natural part to stick it in the conversation,"

Rouma gave a faint smile, "My name is Ketano Rouma,"

"Ketano is your family name right?"

"Yes,"

"Ketano Rouma, Ketano Rouma..." She said repeating it a few more times before she made an elucidated face. "Kero! I'll call you Kero. Isn't that cute?"

"Like the sounds frogs make?"

"Yes! Frogs are so cute! Although let me guess, that outfit, that pale makeup... ranitomeya reticulata or Red-Backed Poison frogs are more your speed than your average rana temporaria or uh, common frog," She said with a gleam in her eye. "I knew I read your vibes right Kero!"

"We'll just see how they translate into our date. Until then, I don't want to lose this burst of inspiration. We can talk more at dinner," Kero said as she went back to her writing. Tammy smiled as she looked out the window and drank her coffee.