The next day, I and Mei decided to talk to Yumi in the classroom. We approached her desk, exchanging pleasantries before getting to the main topic.
"Good morning, Yumi-san," Mei greeted with a smile.
"Good morning, Mei, Izumi," Yumi replied, looking up from her notebook.
"How's your day been so far?" I asked, trying to start the conversation smoothly.
"It's been good, thanks. Just the usual classes," Yumi responded.
"That's good to hear," Mei said, leaning slightly on Yumi's desk. "Hey, we were wondering if you had any plans for after school today."
"Not really. Why do you ask?" Yumi looked curious.
"Well, we were thinking of going to karaoke," I said. "Would you like to join us?"
"Karaoke?" Yumi's eyes lit up. "That sounds like fun. Who else is going?"
"Just us," Mei replied. "We thought it would be a good chance to hang out and relax a bit."
"Yeah, it's been a while since we all did something fun together," I added.
Yumi smiled warmly. "I'd love to join you guys. It's been ages since I've been to karaoke."
"Great!" Mei exclaimed. "It's going to be so much fun."
"Do you have a favorite song you like to sing?" I asked Yumi.
"Hmm, I do like singing some old classics," Yumi said thoughtfully. "How about you, Mei?"
"I like singing pop songs," Mei answered. "They always get everyone energized."
"Sounds perfect," I said. "We'll have a mix of everything."
"What time should we meet?" Yumi asked, closing her notebook.
"How about right after school?" Mei suggested. "We can head straight there."
"Sure, that works for me," Yumi agreed.
"I'll let Kaito know too," I said. "He might want to join us."
"The more, the merrier," Mei said with a grin. "It's going to be a blast."
Yumi nodded. "I can't wait. Thanks for inviting me."
"It's our pleasure," I said. "It's always more fun with friends."
"Exactly," Mei agreed. "We'll see you after school, then."
"See you later," Yumi said, as we all headed back to our seats, excited for the plans we had made.
As the first interval began, I and Mei found Kaito and Takashi in the hallway. We approached them with smiles.
"Hey Kaito, Takashi," Mei greeted them cheerfully.
"Hey guys," Kaito replied. "What's up?"
"We wanted to let you know that we invited Yumi Sato for karaoke after school today," I said.
"Really? That's great," Takashi said, looking a bit nervous.
"Yeah, we thought it would be a good chance for everyone to hang out," Mei added.
"Nice," Kaito said with a grin. "It'll be fun to have everyone there."
"Speaking of which," I said, "we need to talk about the pros and cons of confessing during karaoke."
"Good idea," Mei agreed. "Takashi, what do you think about confessing in that kind of setting?"
Takashi looked thoughtful. "Well, on the pro side, karaoke is a relaxed and fun environment. It might help ease the nerves."
"True," Kaito said. "And music can be pretty romantic. You could even pick a song that expresses how you feel."
"Yeah, but what if she doesn't feel the same way?" Takashi asked, a hint of worry in his voice. "It could make things awkward for everyone."
"That's a valid point," Mei said. "But, on the other hand, if she does feel the same way, it could be a really memorable moment."
"And we're all there to support you," I added. "That could give you some extra confidence."
"Right," Kaito said. "But don't you think it might be a bit cliché? Like, she might see it coming."
"Maybe," I admitted. "But clichés exist for a reason. Sometimes they work."
"Plus, it's a private room," Mei said. "You won't have an audience other than us."
"Yeah, but what if I mess up?" Takashi said, scratching his head. "I could freeze or say something stupid."
"We all say stupid things sometimes," Kaito said with a laugh. "Remember when I accidentally called the teacher 'mom'?"
Everyone laughed, lightening the mood.
"That was epic," I said, still chuckling. "But seriously, just be yourself, Takashi."
"Right," Mei agreed. "Yumi likes you for who you are. Just speak from the heart."
"Okay," Takashi said, looking more resolved. "So, when should I do it? At the beginning, middle, or end?"
"Middle," Kaito suggested. "It gives you time to relax and enjoy first, but also leaves room for celebration afterwards."
"Or recovery," Mei said with a wink. "Either way, it won't overshadow the entire time."
"Good point," I said. "And as for where, maybe after a duet? Something sweet and meaningful."
"I like that idea," Takashi said. "A duet would be perfect."
"Any song in mind?" Kaito asked.
Takashi thought for a moment. "How about 'A Thousand Years'? It's romantic and has a nice melody."
"Perfect," Mei said. "It's a beautiful song and has a great message."
"Alright, so the plan is to sing a few songs, do a duet, and then confess during the song or right after?" I summarized.
"Exactly," Kaito said. "And we'll be there cheering you on."
"I'm still nervous," Takashi admitted. "But having a plan helps."
"And remember," Mei said, "no matter what happens, we're your friends. We've got your back."
"Thanks, guys," Takashi said, smiling. "I feel a lot better about this now."
"Just don't chicken out," Kaito teased. "We'll be watching you closely."
Takashi laughed. "I won't. I promise."
"Also, try not to make it too obvious that you're up to something," Mei added. "Just act natural."
"Yeah, you don't want to tip her off before you're ready," I said. "Play it cool."
Takashi nodded. "Got it. Play it cool."
"And if you need a break or some time to think, just signal us," Kaito suggested. "We'll cover for you."
"Right," Takashi agreed. "You guys are the best."
"Of course we are," I said with a grin. "We're your friends."
"By the way, do you know what Yumi likes to sing?" Mei asked.
"Not really," Takashi admitted. "But I guess I'll find out soon enough."
"Just go with the flow," Kaito said. "It'll be fine."
"Yeah, and if all else fails, just have fun," I added. "That's what karaoke is all about."
"True," Takashi said. "I just hope I don't embarrass myself too much."
"Don't worry," Mei reassured him. "We all have embarrassing moments. It's part of the experience."
"Alright, I'll keep that in mind," Takashi said with a smile.
With the plan set, the bell rang, signaling the end of the interval.
"Alright, back to class," I said. "See you guys later."
"See you," Takashi and Kaito replied in unison.
As we headed back to our respective classes, the excitement for the afternoon's karaoke session started to build, knowing it could be a turning point for Takashi and Yumi.
As the lunch bell rang, I made my way to my seat beside Mei in the classroom, a little more excited than usual. Today, I had a special surprise for her.
"Hey Mei," I greeted her with a smile.
"Hi Izumi," she replied cheerfully. "You seem more excited than usual. What's up?"
"Well," I began, trying to hide my nervousness, "today I brought lunch for you."
Mei's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? You made lunch for me?"
"Yeah," I said, feeling a bit shy. "It's my first time making lunch, actually."
"That's so sweet of you," Mei said, looking genuinely touched. "What made you decide to do that?"
"I wanted to do something nice for you," I admitted. "And I thought it would be a fun challenge."
"That's really thoughtful," Mei said with a smile. "I'm excited to try it."
"I hope you like it," I said, reaching into my bag and pulling out the lunchbox. "I woke up at 4 AM to make it."
"Wow, you really went all out," Mei said, impressed. "I didn't know you could cook."
"Well, I wouldn't say I'm a chef or anything," I said, laughing. "But I gave it my best shot."
"I'm sure it's great," Mei said encouragingly. "What did you make?"
I opened the lunchbox to reveal a neatly arranged meal. "It's a bento box with rice, grilled chicken, some vegetables, and a couple of onigiri."
"That looks amazing," Mei said, her eyes sparkling. "It must have taken a lot of effort."
"It did," I admitted. "I wanted everything to be perfect for you."
"That's so sweet," Mei said, reaching for a pair of chopsticks. "I can't wait to try it."
I watched nervously as she took a bite of the grilled chicken. Her expression changed slightly, and I felt my heart sink.
"How is it?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
"It's good," Mei said, smiling. "But... it could use a bit more spice."
My shoulders slumped. "I knew I forgot something. I was in such a hurry this morning that I completely forgot to add any spicy seasoning."
"Hey, don't get demotivated," Mei said, reaching out to pat my shoulder. "It's really good for your first try. And the fact that you made it for me means a lot."
"Thanks, Mei," I said, feeling a bit better. "I was really worried you'd be disappointed."
"Not at all," she assured me. "I can tell you put a lot of effort into it. And it's delicious, even without the spice."
"I appreciate that," I said, smiling. "Next time, I'll make sure to add the right amount of seasoning."
"Next time?" Mei said with a playful grin. "Are you planning to make lunch for me again?"
"Maybe," I said, shrugging. "If you want me to."
"I'd love that," Mei said, taking another bite. "You're really thoughtful, Izumi."
"I just want to make you happy," I said, feeling my cheeks warm up.
"You do," Mei said, her eyes meeting mine. "You really do."
"Thanks, Mei," I said, feeling a warmth spread through me. "That means a lot."
"So, did you come up with this idea all on your own?" Mei asked, changing the subject slightly.
"Yeah," I said, nodding. "I thought it would be a nice surprise."
"It definitely is," Mei said. "I can't believe you woke up at 4 AM to do this."
"I wanted to make sure I had enough time to get everything right," I explained.
"Well, I appreciate it," Mei said, her smile softening. "It's not every day someone makes lunch for me."
"I'm glad you like it," I said, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
"I do," Mei said, taking another bite. "And it's really thoughtful of you."
"I just wanted to show you how much I care," I said, my voice softening.
"And you did," Mei said, her eyes shining. "You really did."
We continued to eat in comfortable silence for a few moments, the atmosphere warm and pleasant.
"So, what did you think was the hardest part about making the lunch?" Mei asked after a while.
"Honestly, getting up that early," I said with a laugh. "I'm not really a morning person."
"That must have been tough," Mei said, chuckling. "But you did a great job."
"Thanks," I said. "I wanted to make sure everything was perfect."
"And it almost is," Mei said with a wink. "Just needs a bit more spice."
"I'll remember that for next time," I promised.
"I'm looking forward to it," Mei said, finishing her meal. "This was really special, Izumi. Thank you."
"You're welcome," I said, feeling a warm glow of happiness. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."
"I did," Mei said, her smile bright. "And I appreciate all the effort you put into it."
"Anything for you," I said, meaning every word.
We sat together for the rest of the lunch break, enjoying each other's company and the special moment we shared.
Today, Mei and I decided to skip our usual hunting session. Instead, we had a different mission in mind: inviting Yumi-san to karaoke.
As the school bell rang, signaling the end of the day, I turned to Mei. "Ready to go?"
"Yeah, let's do this," Mei replied with a confident smile.
We made our way to Yumi-san's classroom. She was packing her bag when we approached.
"Hey, Yumi-san," I greeted her.
"Hello, Izumi-kun, Mei-chan," Yumi responded with a warm smile.
"We were wondering if you'd like to join us for karaoke today," Mei said.
Yumi's eyes lit up. "Karaoke? That sounds like fun! Who else is coming?"
"We're meeting Kaito and Takashi at the school gate," I explained.
"Takashi-kun will be there?" Yumi asked, a slight blush coloring her cheeks.
"Yes," Mei confirmed. "It'll be a great time."
"Alright, count me in!" Yumi said enthusiastically.
With Yumi on board, we headed to the school gate. Kaito and Takashi were already waiting for us.
"Hey guys," Kaito greeted us with a wave. "Ready for some karaoke?"
"Definitely," I replied. "Yumi-san is joining us too."
"Hello, Yumi-san," Takashi said, blushing slightly as he addressed her.
"Hi, Takashi-kun," Yumi replied with a shy smile.
We walked towards the karaoke place together, chatting along the way.
"So, Yumi-san, have you been to this karaoke place before?" Mei asked.
"No, it's my first time," Yumi admitted. "But I've heard it's really nice."
"It is," Kaito said. "We go there often."
"What's your favorite song to sing, Yumi-san?" I asked.
"Oh, I have so many favorites," Yumi said. "But I guess you'll find out soon enough."
Takashi remained mostly silent, occasionally glancing at Yumi and blushing. Mei and I exchanged knowing looks, silently cheering him on.
We arrived at the karaoke place, and I went to book a room. "A room for five for two hours, please."
The receptionist handed us the key, and we headed to our room. It was cozy and well-lit, with comfortable seating and a large screen.
"Alright, let's settle in," Mei said, taking a seat.
Once we were all settled, I decided to break the ice. "How about we introduce ourselves properly?"
"I'll start," Mei said. "I'm Mei, Izumi's friend. Nice to meet you all."
"I'm Kaito," Kaito said with a grin. "Looking forward to hearing you all sing."
"And I'm Yumi," Yumi said, smiling at everyone. "Thanks for inviting me."
With introductions out of the way, we decided to play a game to determine who would sing first.
"Let's play rock-paper-scissors," Kaito suggested.
We all agreed, and after a few rounds, Yumi emerged as the first to sing.
"Alright, Yumi-san, show us what you've got," I said with a smile.
Yumi picked up the microphone and selected a song. As the music started, she began to sing, her voice clear and melodious. We all listened, impressed by her talent.
When she finished, we applauded. "That was amazing, Yumi-san!" Mei exclaimed.
"Thank you," Yumi said, blushing slightly. "Your turn, Izumi-kun."
I took the microphone and chose a song. As I sang, I glanced around the room, feeling the camaraderie and excitement. This was going to be a great day.
After my song, Takashi finally mustered the courage to speak to Yumi directly. "You have a beautiful voice, Yumi-san."
"Thank you, Takashi-kun," Yumi replied, her blush deepening.
Kaito, noticing the exchange, decided to lighten the mood. "Alright, who's next? Mei, how about you?"
"Sure," Mei said, picking up the microphone. "Let's see if I can match Yumi-san's performance."
As Mei sang, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Our plan was working, and everyone seemed to be having a great time.
After Mei's song, we continued to chat and sing, enjoying each other's company. The conversations flowed naturally, with everyone getting to know each other better.
"So, Yumi-san," Kaito said during a break, "what do you think of karaoke so far?"
"It's really fun," Yumi said, smiling. "I'm glad you all invited me."
"We're glad you could join us," I said. "It's nice to have new faces."
After a couple of hours of singing, laughing, and having a great time, it was almost time to wrap up. However, I, Mei, and Kaito had a different plan in mind. We needed to give Takashi the perfect moment to confess his feelings to Yumi.
"Hey, we need to use the restroom. Be right back," I said, standing up.
"Yeah, me too," Mei added, exchanging a knowing glance with me and Kaito.
Kaito nodded. "Same here."
We all excused ourselves, leaving Takashi and Yumi alone in the room.
Takashi took a deep breath and turned to Yumi, trying to gather his courage. "So, Yumi-san, did you have fun today?"
"Yes, I did. It was a lot of fun. Thanks for inviting me," Yumi replied with a smile.
"I'm glad to hear that," Takashi said, smiling nervously. "You know, I've wanted to tell you something for a while now."
Yumi looked at him curiously. "Oh? What is it?"
Takashi hesitated for a moment, then continued, "Yumi-san, ever since we became friends, I've felt something more than just friendship between us."
Yumi blushed slightly, feeling the pressure build up. "Takashi-kun..."
Takashi took another deep breath, steeling himself. "I... I really like you, Yumi-san. No, that's not right. I love you. Will you go out with me?"
Yumi's eyes widened in surprise, her face turning a deeper shade of red. "Takashi-kun, I... I don't know what to say."
Just as the tension reached its peak, Mei, who was outside the karaoke room, suddenly sensed a disturbance. She felt a strong kaiju presence right next to the building.
"Oh no, this isn't good," Mei muttered to herself. She quickly ran outside, looking for a spot to deploy her time pause barrier. She found an array and activated it, causing everything around the karaoke building to come to a standstill.
Inside the building, I noticed the change. Everything around me had frozen, including Kaito. I was the only one who could still move. "Mei must have activated the barrier," I thought to myself, feeling a mixture of urgency and frustration. The timing couldn't have been worse.
Back in the karaoke room, Takashi and Yumi were also frozen, their conversation left hanging in the air. The tension of the confession lingered, unresolved.
Outside, Mei confronted the kaiju, her aura flaring as she prepared for battle. "I can't ignore this one," she said, ready to fight.
I rushed outside to find Mei, leaving Kaito frozen in place. "Mei! What's going on?"
"A big kaiju just appeared. I had to stop time to handle it," Mei explained quickly, her eyes focused on the looming threat.
I nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Alright, let's take care of this quickly. We need to get back to the others."
As Mei and I prepared to face the kaiju, the unresolved tension of Takashi's confession hung in the air. The battle ahead would determine whether we could return in time to witness the conclusion of Takashi's heartfelt moment with Yumi.
**Next Time: The Confession **
To be continued…