COLLATERAL (CANCELLED)

Chapter 2 : Law

Harajuku is a district surrounding Tokyo's Harajuku train station, which sits in the center between Shinjuku and Shibuya train station on the Yamanote Line. It is also known as Japan's center extreme fashion district.

At the entrance was Aya and Yuri who were waiting for Aya's new crush, Jesse. Aya had waited for almost 15 minutes and Jesse still hasn't showed up. She was about to give up and go home but Yuri insisted that she wait for another few minutes. It seemed that Yuri's effort was not in vain when Jesse showed up apologized for being late.

"Sorry Aya-san. I forgot that we were supposed to meet here. I waited at that cafe." Jesse apologized and pointed to a cafe not far from where they were.

Aya shooked her head and replied, "It's okay Jesse-kun. This is my bestfriend, Yuri."

"Hi I'm Jesse" Jesse said and extended his hand for a handshake.

"Hi, I'm Yu--" Yuri paused right as he touched Jesse's hand, "Yuri.. Nice to meet you.."

When Yuri shook hand with Jesse, he felt something surged from Jesse's hand to his. It was so weird for him since he never felt anything of sorts before. Yuri thought it was only his imagination and apologized for stuttering.

"Yuri, you okay?" Aya asked.

"Ha? Ah! Yes yes.. I'm okay.." Yuri replied with a smile.

After a while, Jesse invited them to follow him to a cafe that he loved to hang at. A few shop lots from the Takashita Entrance, there was a doughnut cafe call Mr. Donut. Jesse told Aya and Yuri that he loved the place for it's famous sugar glazed doughnut.

"Want anything? I'll order it from the counter." Jesse offered.

"Can I get a cup of hot tea and..." Aya paused, "And that doughnut you said you love."

"Sure! How bout you Yuri-kun?"

"I'll just have a cup of coffee." Yuri replied with a hard-soft tone as if he was in confusion.

Jesse nodded and went to the counter to order what Aya and Yuri wanted. Right as Jesse was far enough, Aya looked at Yuri and saw her friend's face was occupied by something. He knew something wasn't right.

"Hey Yuri.. What's up?" Aya inquired, "You seem kinda off?"

Yuri shook his head, "Eh? I'm fine. Nothing's wrong. I need to go to the restroom. Be right back."

"Oh, sure." Aya acknowledged.

Suddenly Aya heard Jesse's voice, "What's up with him?"

Aya turned and saw Jesse standing behind her, holding a tray that had their orders, "Him? He's fine.. He just wanted to go to the restroom."

Jesse smiled and sat as he placed the tray on the table. There was silence in the air, like it was a wake where people are silent, hearing the priest say it's prayers.

"So, Jesse-kun. How old are you?" Aya intriguingly asked.

"I'm 20. How bout you?"

Feeling a bit disappointed hearing Jesse's age, Aya replied with a very low disappointed tone, "I'm 24..."

The both of them talked about each other, trying to understand and know more about each other. As their conversation went on, they found out that they had so many things that they like that was similar to one another. Jesse liked the color red, so did Aya. Jesse loved romance drama and anime, so did Aya. In Aya's mind, she felt like Jesse was the one that he had been waiting for all this time.

"So.. You and Yuri hah?" Jesse probed.

"Yuri? Eh? No no.." Aya stuttered as that question caught her by surprise, "We're just bestfriends. We have known each other for quite some time now."