Beep - beep - beep
I woke up when my alarm went off. I felt a little lazy in the morning, and it was my school vacation, so I turned off my alarm and considered sleeping for a few more hours.
I was about to go back to sleep when I heard a knock on my door, waking me up.
"Rika"
I became a little irate when I heard a familiar voice coming from the other side of the door, but since I had already woken up, getting angry would have done no good.
"Haaah, wait a sec!"
I told myself not to get angry, but for some reason, I ended up yelling.
I moved to open the door after getting out of bed. As expected, Izumi was standing on the other side of the door.
"Good morning"
"Good morning, you need anything—"
As soon as he told me that, he ignored my greeting and began walking downstairs.
"Hey!"
For the past few weeks, Izumi has been acting strangely. He sometimes says and does things that do not make sense.
The most annoying thing about it all, in my opinion, is that I feel like he is doing it all to irritate me.
I was so furious that I slammed the door shut and went back into the bed, this time making sure not to wake up even in the event of an earthquake.
"Rika, don't tell me you are still sleeping. It's 8 a.m., and even Izumi is awake."
"I'm awake, Dad."
I jumped out of bed and headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth as soon as I heard my dad yelling.
I awoke as soon as I heard him because he was comparing me to Izumi, not because I was afraid of him, although he does have a scary face.
After brushing my teeth and washing my face I moved towards the kitchen. The first thing I noticed was that Izumi, who had previously stopped coming for breakfast, was sitting on the table before me.
"Good morning"
I made my way to the empty seat next to Izumi. My mother then handed me a bowl of rice, which I accepted from her and began to eat.
"Rika, you need to change your habits because your school starts next week."
"I considered sleeping a little longer because it was Sunday and I had nothing to do until the afternoon."
"Don't give reasons."
"Sigh, sorry. This will not happen again."
Although it was true that I had become a little more lazy since the beginning of the school break, but it felt like I was being judged simply because he arrived in the kitchen before me.
"Tatsu you say all that, but you yourself just recently woke up."
I laughed when I heard my mother say that.
"Ahem, that is not necessary for you to tell her."
"Oh it isn't? I will remember that for the next time."
She turned to face me and winked, as if to let me know that everything was okay.
"Rika, you mentioned that you have plans for this afternoon."
"Yes"
"So, who is the lucky guy?"
She spoke with a hint of excitement in her eyes.
"Lucky guy?"
When I finally understood what she meant, I felt a little embarrassed and wondered why she had asked, but then again, it is kind of typical for people my age.
"You are going on a date, right?"
"Date?"
"Date?"
"No! It's just a friend"
I yelled despite my intention to respond calmly and collectedly. Furthermore, why do Izumi and Dad appear so perplexed?
"Hmm...listen, Riki, going out with a male friend is still considered a date."
"Rika, your dad is curious, so what is that as-guy's name?"
Dad questioned in an odd tone, looking really scary, as if he was going to do something wrong. I then turned my attention to Izumi's face, which had a confused (maybe?) expression on it. His tone and slightly tited face gave the impression that he was confused.
"Mooom! My female friend and I are going to see a movie."
"With Tsurumi, right?"
"Yes, how'd you know?"
"Fufu, your mom knows everything, also I overheard you talking on the phone yesterday."
"Oh, a female friend."
My mother appeared to be enjoying herself, while my father sighed with relief. For my part, I was annoyed and a little embarrassed.
"Why did you ask if you knew everything?"
"Just to make sure, and to irritate my innocent, pure daughter."
She had obviously done her job of irritating me, and her smug look was only making it worse.
I stopped talking to them and focused solely on the food.
"Wow, your pout looks adorable."
"Hmph."
"don't be mad, Rika. I am sorry."
She made a hand gesture, as if she were trying to sincerely apologize.
"It's okay, I am just paying attention to my food."
She cares for me so much that even if I wanted to, I could not get mad at her.
"Really?"
"Yes"
"All right, what movie are you guys going to see?"
"With Tsurumi, are you going to think of kissing and touching each other?"
A familiar voice spoke from the seat next to mine, causing both mom and dad to laugh.
"Haha, touching"
"Fufu"
"What! Why would I do that, are you stupid?"
"You won't? But does not that happen when people go on dates?"
Even though he spoke as if he were unaware, I knew he was making fun of me once again.
"Shut up, Izumi, or I will punch you, and you two will stop laughing."
"Ok"
I attempted to eat my food after noticing he was silent.
"Mom, does it mean that Rika and Tsurumi are not in love?"
"Fufufu, they are, they are"
"Haha, Izumi, you look in a good mood."
For many reasons, I wanted to give him a really hard punch at that moment, but I restrained myself.
"She is just a friend, and we are just going to watch a movie."
"Fufu, Rika, don't hide it."
"Mom!"
"Fufu, okay, sorry, sorry"
"Also, don't laugh."
I wanted to get up and leave the table, but I refrained since I was still hungry. I started eating more quickly so I could finish and get out of there.
"Seconds"
I handed my bowl to Mom so she could refill it with rice.
"If you are not going on a date, why not take Izumi with you?"
"He can join if he wants."
Since Izumi is an introvert and would probably decline, I thought I might invite him and use the opportunity to make fun of him.
I looked up at him to see what expression he had on his face, but what I saw completely contradicted my expectations.
"When are we leaving?"