Blissful [Shinazugawa Sanemi]

Chapter 14

Shiori was sitting across from Mitsuri. She hasn't touched her food and it's gotten cold. She kept staring at the bowl of miso soup on the table, her cheek leaning on her palm. The pink-green haired girl in front of her stared in worry as she finished her ninth plate of fried tempura. The shorter young man beside her was also staring at Shiori.

"Shiori-chan, is something bothering you? You're really out of it today." Mitsuri asked.

"Oh... Sorry if I make you two uncomfortable."

"Not really." Obanai muttered behind his bandages.

"No, not at all! I'm just wondering if there's anything I can do for you." She quickly said.

Shiori sat straight, leaning on the chair. She fidgeted with the ends of her hair. Mitsuri patiently waited for her friend to start speaking. Knowing her for years, Mitsuri understands that Shiori needs time to open up about her problems.

"Um..." Shiori trailed off.

"I don't know myself." She mumbled, now fidgeting with her fingers.

"Shiori-chan, you're sad about something aren't you? I can tell by your face." Mitsuri said, her eyebrows slanted down. "Actually, you've been looking sad since a few days ago but I think you look worse today... especially after we met Shinazugawa-san earlier."

Mitsuri noticed how Shiori pursed her lips tightly they formed a thin line. She glanced at Obanai, who gave her a clueless look.

"Well..."

"I think it started a from a few days ago."

Mitsuri pushed away her plates and listened intently as Shiori began to tell her what transpired a few days ago.

That day, Shiori was walking Sayu to her friend's house. When she was heading back to her house, she saw a glimpse of a familiar young man she's starting to get close with.

With a smile on her face, she called out to him.

"Shinazugawa-san!"

The person turned his head toward her, but a second later, he looked away and left.

Shiori was dumbfounded. She was hoping they could talk together for a moment, but he didn't even acknowledge her greetings.

A few days later, Shiori met him again in front of the tea shop they both frequent.

"Good afternoon, Shinazugawa-san." Shiori greeted him with a smile.

"Yeah." He answered shortly.

"Are you going inside too?" She asked, hoping they could eat and relax together.

"... No. I have to go." He mumbled. Without wasting another second, he turned around and walked away. The shopkeeper walked out just after he was gone.

"Huh? Where's that young man with white hair? I thought he ordered some ohagi?" The shopkeeper tilted his head in confusion, a plate of ohagi in hand.

Shiori doesn't know why but it feels as if he was purposefully avoiding her. She wondered if she did anything that makes him avoid her.

Earlier today, Shiori and Mitsuri were planning to eat lunch together. The two of them saw a familiar pair in the distance so Mitsuri cheerfully greeted them.

"Iguro-san! Shinazugawa-san!"

Somehow, Shiori felt uneasy but she followed Mitsuri to the two young men.

"Hello, Kanroji." Obanai greeted Mitsuri with soft eyes. He gave Shiori a slight nod.

"Good afternoon." Shiori said. Her eyes went to the white haired man beside Obanai. He was clearly avoiding eye contact with her.