It's Friday morning.
Yesterday was regrettable. If only I have done something about it, Taki wouldn't have been enraged. I know it was my fault, to begin with, but I also wished that he understood me.
Ever since "that day," all I did was lock myself up in my room doing only nothing but get obsessed with anime and manga. I rarely even went to school, though the only reason I went was that Taki insisted that I go.
During my 2nd year of middle school, I had a girlfriend. She was the first girlfriend I had, but also maybe the last. In middle school, I experienced falling in love, but also the feeling of being betrayed. I was a fool back then. At some point, I almost committed suicide, but Aoi was there to stop me.
Taki is my loyal friend. That's why I never talked to him about anything about what's in my head because I don't want to drag him down. He's lazy but has crazy good grades and physical health, unlike me, who has nothing better to do than lock himself up in his room. I don't want to see him ever end up like me. That's why I also keep up this facade of mine. But it seems that my mask wasn't good enough since he noticed that I was hiding something.
Until that day, I forgot how it feels like to be happy. It's something that I can attain in my imagination. I don't even have the motivation to go to school today.
I suddenly hear a knock on my door.
"Hiro, I'm going to work now. I made your breakfast. It's on the table."
Oh, it was just mom. At least I can skip school without getting noticed.
The entire day all I did was stay cooped up in my room.
While I was reading a manga, my phone suddenly starts ringing. At first, I ignore it, but after a few minutes, it rings again, then again.
This is the 6th time! I went to check. I answer without checking who it is.
"What do you want?!"
"Ta-Tanaka-san, sorry."
Then she suddenly hangs up. I checked the call logs, the first five calls were Taki but the sixth one was Hasegawa-san.
Feeling bad about it, I call her.
"Hasegawa-san?"
"Yes?" She said with a scared voice
"About your call a while ago. I'm sorry for shouting at you."
"Are you okay?"
"Kinda. I'm just having a bad day. But why did you call anyway?"
"I was wondering if you were free tomorrow."
"Why?"
"I was planning on telling you my whole story. I think I'm ready to tell you now."
"I mean... sure I could listen to you, but I don't think I can give any advice to you tomorrow."
"Huh, why not?"
"Actually, right now, I have my own problem to deal with."
"Oh, we could set the meet up next week if you want."
"No, it's fine. Tomorrow, but at what time?"
"Uh, well, how about 10 AM at the station?"
"Sure, see you tomorrow."
"See you."
I shouldn't involve Hasegawa-san in this mess. She doesn't need to be involved in this problem of mine.
Saturday morning. Oh, yeah, I have to meet Hasegawa-san today. I guess I have to go.
As I walk to the station, I could already see her. She spots me, then suddenly came running to me.
"Tanaka-san, it's been a while."
"Ah, it's nice to see you again, Hasegawa-san."
"So, where do you want to go today?"
"You're going to tell me, your story right? How about we stop by at some restaurant?"
"Yeah, but how about we enjoy ourselves before that?"
"Sure."
"Then let's go there..."
We spent the entire day going around the city. We visited various shops and tested some weird foods I never heard of. To be honest, I enjoyed it. It was kinda fun to experience something new. It's 5 PM, Hasegawa-san and I go to this restaurant for dinner.
"Hasegawa-san, that was fun. I got to enjoy myself."
"No worries, Tanaka-san."
"Now I can listen to what you want to say."
"Actually, that was a lie. I'm not going to tell you yet."
"Wh... Why?"
"Well, I was going to tell you at first, but when I heard you were having problems, I hesitated. I didn't want to add more to your issue."
"Then, why did you call me today?"
"When I heard you were having troubles, I planned out this meetup, and it was a success."
"So you only planned this meetup for me?"
"Yeah."
"But why?"
"I mean, I'm your friend, right? I just don't want the person who helped me suffer all alone. If ever you need someone to talk to, I would listen to you too, just like how you did to me the first time."
"Quit stealing my lines. I should be the one saying that to you."
"Now our roles are reversed..."