On the previous day, which seemed to bode well for the rest of the teenagers, the two girls asked permission to leave school in the middle of the day to finish their questionnaires before the sun went down over the horizon. Filled with the desire to get rid of the questionnaire as quickly as possible, Yumiko and Akiko met at the exit of the school and walked together toward the house of the man who had asked for social assistance. Lifting her head, Akiko squinted at the bright glow of the sun and raised her hand up straight toward the light.
"How bright."
The entire school grounds emptied of unwanted presences, and a light buzz of hot wind rolled around all the corners of the doors and gates, making the girls' hair flutter more and more each time.
"What do you think… about our work, in general?" asked Akiko, beginning to walk down the sidewalk. She was immediately followed by Yumiko.
"How can I put it… Our work benefits the community, while also paying us money. That suits me fine."
"Is this the first time you've had to get out of school by lying?"
"Yes… I rarely take time off from school myself, and you?"
"Often. Oh, by the way: about the person who requested the questionnaire itself…"
"Yes, the person who requested is a boy of sixteen, a student at Central High School. The case is, for help with him and his girlfriend."
"Looks like we got an inexperienced love couple. They probably want to ask us how to solve their love problems, don't they?"
"I don't know about that sort of thing…" retorted Yumiko quietly.
"Have you ever been in a love relationship?" Akiko's eyes shone cheerfully, and she looked askance at her embarrassed friend.
"Never…"
"Bus!" exclaimed Akiko with all her might, shifting her gaze to the white bus driving behind. Responding, the schoolgirls ran toward the empty stop.
***
They reached a high-rise apartment in the center of town, the address of which was written on the form as the place of residence of the requestor. Ringing the intercom of the ten-story apartment, a tune rang, which was rare even in new buildings. After a few seconds of waiting, the nasty ringing shut up and a teenage voice came from the other side.
"Yes, come in."
Following the calm voice of an unfamiliar young man, the iron door to the entryway opened. Once in the white elevator, the girls walked silently up to the eighth floor. Akiko's body was slightly covered in excitement, because it was the first time for her and Yumiko to do the questionnaire, but looking at Yumiko's poise, the girl was not unnecessarily embarrassed. Stepping out of the elevator and approaching the door, Yumiko knocked first. A moment later, quick footsteps were heard, and the door was opened for them.
"Please, enter," said a short guy with modest eyes, and he headed toward the hall through a long corridor leading to three rooms at once.
Once in the hall, the guy asked them to sit on the couches in the middle of the room.
"My name is Masashi Miura," he said, lowering his tone. He sat in a chair and folded his arms, eyes downcast. "A problem presented itself in my life that I did not want to solve on my own."
The girls responded by introducing themselves.
"Can you explain verbatim the problem that presented itself to you?" asked Yumiko, and Masashi nodded intently.
"Three years ago I met a lonely girl by the school soccer field," the boy told me with unconcerned eyes, at the same time remembering that day. "Then I asked her name, but she didn't answer. The next time I met her on the street. A lonely, taciturn girl… Eventually, we became inseparable. Every breath we took was devoted to each other, just as every decision for us became one. Day after day I heard new stories from her about her life, and we looked up to the sky. Besides me, she had no friends."
While Yumiko slowly ran her eyes over the young man, listening deeply to each soft word, Akiko froze. Masashi did not look up, continuing to stare aimlessly at the glass table beside the couches. After a brief pause, he continued.
"I introduced her to my acquaintances, and after a while she revealed herself fully. It turned out she was even nicer than she had previously seemed. Finally, she made new friends. Being involved in the girls' school group, she began to grow her hair and dye it, followed by starting to dress in much more modern feminine looks. Finding classmates, she began posting pictures on social media. Soon, her social circle consisted of one youth from the center. She transformed into an idol," again he stopped talking, and an embarrassed Akiko couldn't contain her worried question.
"What exactly is the problem?"
"I've lost it around me," Masashi looked sternly, not at the girls, but with hatred for the words he said. "We've become seldom in touch, even on the Internet. Especially since I'm not a knight on a white horse to forbid her, but… I don't know at all what's on her mind and what prompted her to give up prolonged communication."
"More details, please," Akiko added, and Masashi nodded.
"I'm tired of waiting. Knowing that Suzuka-chan wants to progress and try new things, I still don't understand why she gave up on me."
"Are you sure she turned you down?"
"The current her is the exact opposite of the girl I met by the field. I know Suzuka-chan is the only one who realizes everything, but neither she nor I have decided to do anything about it. She lives alone now."
"I see," Akiko put her hand to her thin chin and closed the eyes. "You don't know what to do next?"
"I don't know what her feelings are, but I think Suzuka-chan…has lost interest in me. Of course, why need an inconspicuous me when she has plenty of prominent friends around…"
"I think…you could be wrong," Akiko stated, doubtful. "I have some questions for your girlfriend. Do you know where she lives?" she complemented, and received an answering nod of her head.
"I want to get this over with," Masashi announced, pouting. He was sure he couldn't handle it without extra help, but he didn't want to end the relationship easily, and neither did his tortured soul. "That's why I wrote the questionnaire. I'd rather you decide for us, and Suzuka doesn't mind, either."
"Fine with it?!" burst out Akiko angrily. "No one should decide your personal affairs for you. Are you unable to end the problem yourself?"
"I realize I'm worthless," the boy covered his face with his hands in sorrow, lowering his back, "But there's nothing I can do about it. We'll accept any outcome, just please finish our business."
"I don't understand…" alarmed Akiko, and waved her hands, not wanting to accept what the saddened young man said. "This is nonsense! Your love problems must be solved by yourself."
"We can't… It's a vicious circle of longing from which there is no escape."
Akiko was at a loss for words, looking at Masashi's unsightly eyes. According to him, neither he nor his girlfriend was willing to end their relationship by simply talking in private. Akiko was confused as to why, since it costs nothing to end ties with your other half by simply talking.
"Okay," Yumiko stood up, about to leave the house. "This is part of our job, and you called us because you had a problem. There's no way we can say no."
"Thank you. I'll let her know you're coming and write down her address. The sooner this is over, the better for us."
Masashi only wanted to hear opinions from outside. His abnormal relationship with his girlfriend was wearing Masashi out. At the very least, he thought it was worth putting a decisive point immediately, but he couldn't make the first move himself. He drew conclusions, time after time, until he assured his mind of his futility. In the end, Masashi dropped his arms.
Embarrassed by the outcome of the conversation, Akiko muttered to herself that she didn't understand the young man's actions, and that his decisions were wrong.
After they said their goodbyes, the girls went out into the entryway. Akiko's stare, frozen with confusion, didn't leave for a few more minutes, and stepping into the elevator, she pressed herself against the wall, remembering the Judgment Day that had brought her to the present. That horrible, abominable day that had shattered her thinking was the point of no return for her.