Convergence

Part 2 : Chapter 5

Utahime collapsed against the door of their room and slid down to the floor, completely out of breath.

Mei Mei: "What's wrong with you? You look like you just ran a marathon."

Utahime: "You were... (gasping) ...you were right..."

Mei Mei: "About what?"

Utahime: "Ryō... he... he asked me out!!"

Mei Mei: "You're the only one surprised by that."

Utahime: "I didn't know what to say..."

Mei Mei: "So...?"

Utahime: "I ran away!! I literally ran all the way back here like a madwoman!"

Mei Mei: "Poor guy."

Utahime: "What am I going to do?! Oh my God... he must think I'm insane!"

As she spoke, Utahime threw herself onto Mei Mei's bed and buried her face in one of her (very expensive) pillows.

Mei Mei: "He'll just think you're weird. Now get off my bed."

Utahime: "Mei Mei!! Help me!! What should I do?!"

Mei Mei: "No idea."

Utahime: "I know!! I'll text him!!"

Utahime jumped up, grabbed her phone, and started typing.

Mei Mei: "You should ask him for money. Dating isn't free, you know."

Utahime (pretending not to hear): "I... am... sorry... about... earlier... I... will... think... about... your... proposal...?"

Mei Mei: "Is that a ransom note?"

Utahime: "Does it sound weird?! What should I say?! Oh my God, I'm panicking!!"

Mei Mei: "Why are you making this so complicated? Do you want to go out with him or not?"

Utahime: "I don't know... He's kind, caring, and handsome... but I don't know..."

Mei Mei: "Then just say no."

Utahime: "But I don't want to hurt him... He's my friend!"

Mei Mei: "(sighs)..."

Utahime: "I'll send it... with a smiley. Yes, that's it! Done—I sent it!!"

.........

(Not even a minute later.)

Utahime: "Oh my God!! He already replied!!"

Mei Mei: "And?"

Utahime: "'No worries. Take your time. Good night :)'"

..........

Over the next few days, Utahime moved through the school corridors as discreetly as possible.

She told Kiko she had caught some flu to cancel their daily study sessions, and whenever she spotted a tall black-haired boy in the distance, she immediately turned and walked the other way.

She didn't want to admit it—but she was clearly avoiding Ryō.

She didn't know what to think about his confession.

Ryō... and her?

She had never even considered it.

...........

Days passed. Then weeks.

School would resume in two days.

Mei Mei: "How long are you planning to hide in here?"