I and Hirotomo chatted for not a very long time, as the female worker walked up to us and bought our orders.
"Here's your Doppio and Strawberry cake," She said, as she handled the plate with the cake and the mug that let the strong smell of espresso coffee in the air. "And here is your Milk coffee Arata" she smiled and handed the mug to Hirotomo.
Both of us muttered a small
"Can we talk about it now?" Hirotomo said, out of nowhere, after giving a sip to his drink.
The sudden realization hit me, making me almost choke for my coffee.
Seems like I can't avoid the topic forever, as expected.
"Yeah, you go first though" I simply said, while trying the strawberry cake.
"Uh, well, to be fair I don't have any ideas, neither did my department," I looked up from the cake, as I was going for a second bite, and then I understood what the hell was going on.
Alright, Hirotomo is from the Commerce Department. That makes sense, slightly.
It didn't solve much mystery, since I don't remember talking to anyone from that department.
Still, it took me a minute to think about it and answer back.
"I was told about it last hour and didn't have time to tell my classmates about it," I explained briefly "but certainly I'd like to do this, look, let me get my laptop to make a graphic"
And so I took my laptop and put it on the table, careful not to make a mess over our drinks.
_______________
It took me a while to explain my idea since it was quite complex, but, to my surprise, Hirotomo seemed to understand my point pretty quickly.
"Alright, then, I'll talk about it tomorrow, since I have class again, and explain it"
"Sounds good, I can send you the graphics if you'd like to" I suggested, nonchalantly.
"Oh right! I wanted your contact, too," He smiled and handed me his phone, as I entered my phone number and email address in it as a new Contact "you have classes every day right? I heard the Economics Department has the most class load"
"Yeah, every day my classes start at 7:45 in the morning" I handed him his phone, after addressing myself under my full name. "Although I don't finish at the same time every day"
"I see," he said, as he took his phone from my hand, brushing our fingers, slightly. I felt a small heat in my ears. "Why are you so formal?" He laughed and wrote something on his phone, and I can assure you that because of the keyboard's typing noises.
"What do you mean...?" I was genuinely confused, but took the last bite of my strawberry cake while putting a random hair stray behind my ear, and looked at him with a straight face.
"Atsu, Atsu, Atsu!" He said while snickering, trying to hide that fact with his free hand, as the other was holding his phone.
"What is it?" I tried to keep my cool but ended up smiling. "What are you on about?"
"I renamed your contact to «Atsu fire emoji» 'cause we're friends, aren't we?" And as he said that, both of us started laughing, my laugh being quieter than his.
"You seriously just-" I took a breath in "just said that out loud?" And kept giggling.
"Well yeah. I mean-" He made a pause to let out another laugh. "If I can make the joke I'll do it". I let out the last giggle.
"Woah! Nya, Ayn, go play over there please!" The female worker said as she was picking up the cups and plates from the nearer table.
"They play a lot around the tables, dunno why tho" Hirotomo said, as he looks out for his co-worker, and I kept my gaze over her too, just to find out she was looking back at me, rather fiercely.
I was a bit confused about that, but I couldn't help but not care much, and just kept my conversation with Hirotomo going, till it was our time to go.
_______________
"Yikes! We almost lost that last train right?" Hirotomo laughed out loudly, as I was panting for some air.
"We-" I took another breath. "We ran a lot. I didn't realize the hour"
"Ah it's fine, we just rushed a bit" He said, carelessly.
There's no way he's this athletic, right?
"Yeah nothing much, just running ten minutes our way to the station" I puffed and sat on a free seat, as I was really tired.
"Aw come on! It wasn't that bad~" Now he was just making fun of me, so as he sat down to my side I pinched his arm, making him let out a small «Ow, sorry»
I sighed, and put my head in my hands.
"You want a drink?" Hirotomo asked, kindly.
"No, I'm alright, just... sleepy" I said, sincerely.
"You can lay on my shoulder"
"No, I'm... fine" I took my head back and stared at the strangely dim light of our train's wagon.
"It was great seeing you again after a year, you know?" I wasn't looking at him, but I could feel his smile from miles away.
And so, the thought sank in.
I met him, a year ago, as he said. I was starting my third year in the department, and he bumped into me as he looked rushed.
That time, he asked, «Where's the class twenty-seven?», and I took him there since I was going to a nearby class.
I recall him being grateful about it, and I smiled, as I remembered how he looked dazed when I told him I'd give him a tour over the campus.
"Yeah. You looked at me the way the girls do" I joked since I owed him one. And so, he punched me with his elbow, as both of us chuckled low.
And ever so slightly, I started to feel relaxed, comfortable in my seat, as I closed my eyes.
I was sure I'd fall asleep at some point, so I just laid down on Hirotomo's shoulder.
To my surprise, he let out a laugh-sigh, and I felt how he pet my head with his hand.
"You are quite the narcissistic one aren't you, Atsu?" And as he giggled, I fell more, and more asleep, till I couldn't recall I was still in a moving train, with Arata, playing with my hair.