Ikebukuro Life

Hello, And Now I Run

He stared down at me. I gulped again.

Oh God...

He let out a loud sigh, more like a groan or growl. His voice was deep, and my insides were scared more than I was showing on the outside. My insides were practically screaming 'BLOODY MURDER, IM GOING TO DIE HERE!!!!' I shrunk in place, feeling small in front of this man. His eyes were closed. "What." He started. "Are you doing." He growled. "You think? Really?" He asked.
I blinked. I think what?
He slammed his eyes open. "YOU THINK ITS JUST OKAY TO BUMP INTO SOMEBODY AND JUST SAY NOTHIIIING??!!!" He shouted, leaning forward.
I squeaked and closed my eyes tight, arms tight against the front of my body. I opened them and looked at him. That's when I noticed something; at least now I knew where my coffee went. I gulped, turning pale. My coffee, the other half, was splattered onto his chest and stomach, staining his clothes. I took a deep breath in through my nose, standing straighter, eyes wider. I let it out back through my nose slowly. He stared at me, eyes full of rage. I shivered. I immediately bowed. "I-I'm so sorry!" I cried. "I didn't see you! I-if you want, I can pay for your drycleaning, I'll do anything to make it up to yo-"
He picked up the vending machine. "Just go AWAY!!!"
I screamed and ran around him to my right, turning right and running down the street. I was really thinking about leaving Ikebukuro now. REALLY.

I finally arrived home, slamming my door closed and leaning against it, eyes closed and sighing. I slid down it a little, bag in my right hand starting to rest on the floor. I groaned. "Dear God, what was that about?"
I slowly trudged inside my room at the end of the hall. I had gotten everything organized. I had put my shoes away, then plopped my bag on my bed, sitting on the floor in front of my coffee table. I was sitting in between it and my bed. I still had to move it back against the wall. I closed my eyes and let out a sigh. My phone dinged and I opened my eyes. I turned around and opened my bag, pulling out my phone. I looked at the screen.

[1 MESSAGE FROM TADRA TONAKA]

I stared at it. "Tadra...." I said quietly to myself, just above a whisper. I used my thumb to swipe the screen as it rippled, then taking me to my home screen.
I opened the app, now using my right pointer finger, and clicked on the message. Tadra's happy-looking character popped up. I smiled.

'Hey. Did your day go well today?'

I sighed, closing my eyes.
'Yeah. It was... ok.'

'Ok? You don't sound so sure...'

'I'm not.'

'Heheheh, yeah. But, what happened?'

'Nothing good. I'm alone. No friends. Just two aquaintances...'
I sighed.

'Well...'
He paused.

I blinked.
''Well' what?'

'Well, you could have just been nervous? You might not be used to it. The girl in front of me today... she must have felt just like you!'

'Really?'

'Yeah... it seemed... it seemed like she was really nervous. I might try and be her friend, to get to know more people in Ikebukuro.'

'Hey... Tadra?'

'Yeah?'

'I was wondering... okay, this feels like an awkward question or a really weird one.'

'What is it, Shima?'

'Do you think.... I could meet you in real life?'

There was a short pause for about 10 seconds. He finally replied.

':)'

I simply blinked.

'I think that's a great idea! That would mean we know more people in Ikebukuro, and I could introduce you to my friends!'

I grinned.
'Yeah! And once I get to know the boy and more people, maybe I could introduce them to you!'

'That's a great idea too!'

I grinned.

'Hey... maybe I could introduce you to some of my internet friends as well!'

I stared at the screen.
'You think they'd like me?'

'Of course!'

I smiled. 'Alright then. When do you want to try to meet?'

'How about tomorrow? I can come right there! Er... wherever that is.'

'How about the park?'
I asked.
'Right near Raira?'

'Raira? Sure, I can do that. And since we both get off at the same time of day...'

'We'll probably see each other in at most 10 minutes.'

'Yeah!'

I grinned.
'See you tomorrow, Tadra?'

'Sure thing, Hara!'

--Tarda Tonaka has left the room--
--Hara Shima has left the room--