You see, being invited by someone to go out is not a problem.
The biggest problem is — none of us knows what to say.
I woke up in the morning after being informed by my senior colleague, John, that the AI model is under maintenance today.
After I prepared the breakfast, I left with a note on the table telling Yumeko the breakfast was in the fridge.
It took me 35 minutes and half an hour to arrive at the bookstore, which Clara....yeah she's not here yet.
I started to flip on some interesting books and took a look at some adorable stationeries, until someone gently pulled my sleeves — It was a girl in a skirt and sweater and a sling bag with a Pikachu key chain on the zip.
Her: Sor…sorry for keeping you waiting.
Me: You're…..
Her: You don't recognize me?
I shook my head and she took out the glasses and put them on.
Her: Now?
Me: ...oh, sorry.
It's Clara, for sure.
I swear I didn't recognize her until she put the glasses on...yeah, it's my problem.🥲
After taking off the glasses and putting them back into the bag, she then started moving around.
Clara: Let's go,,,
...
We came to a corner that was full of novels and comics imported from Japan, which is the only corner containing the books with the highest price in the entire bookstore.
She then started to take a look at the novels which had titles I never heard before.
But compared to the C4 bomb she dropped me last time, these book covers seemed to be more normal and general.
Me: So…um...
Clara: Hm?
Me: Why're we here today?
Clara: I…I'm…looking for a new book today, it would be better if it's two of us.
Definitely not.
Me: Um…what book is that?
Clara: I remember it's called Ringtone or something…
Me: Okay.
Then we started to look for the book around the bookstore. We did not talk to each other during the search while the reason is simple — I don't know what to say. 🥲
After an hour of searching, we found it.
She bought 20 volumes which had 40% discounts before we left the bookstore.
Clara: Ho…how do I look today?
Hold on, what?
How do I know???
Me: Um...good?
Clara: Ju…just…good?
Me: Erm…I…I mean....
Clara: Huh?
Me: Different.
Yeah, the difference that I can't spot.
Clara: Like…how different?
Okay, this is a trap.
You see? It's only 30% for me to have a lucky guess the difference and 50% for me to get wrong answers...for the rest of the percentage they never exist. 🥲
Here we go.
Me: Um…new hair style? And….contact lens you put on today….
Clara: You…you noticed?
Me: Well….this is my first time seeing you in braids, so…
Clara: Thanks.
I'm happy with my lucky guess, but the vibe is awkward after that.
Me: Um…you want some boba milk tea?
After she noticed the boba milk tea shop I mentioned, she nodded gently without looking at me.
Clara: No…no sugar, please.
Me: S….Sure.
Can't believe she likes sugar free drinks as well.
We sat down in a pavilion somewhere in the park and she started to read the novel she just bought….
Since she's reading I was thinking if I can just leave — I was here to search for the book and now my mission is completed.
Me: Erm…I guess….I should…..
Clara: You wanna read together?
Huh?
Clara: It's…it's a wo…wonderful story, y….you know?
She then sat next to me showing me the book content and describing the story to me.
I could tell that she tried so hard to communicate with me as she was actually stammering like how I always do.
It's a story in the timeline of the industrial revolution, which talks about a girl who found a familiar friend after years in which she had no idea they were searching for each other…..
The story is fine.
The boba milk tea is also fine.
The park is fine as well.
The problem is — why's she sitting closely next to me??? 💀💀💀
Just when I was thinking of the excuse to escape, she suddenly spoke to me….
Clara: I was in the literature club once.
Huh?
Clara: But then they discovered me reading…..those content which banned me from the club….
Okay … but what to do with me?
Clara: Sorry for the late reply, you might still be wondering why I joined the Comic Club, right?
Me: Ye…yeah.
Clara: I was never expecting we would be in the same club, Stella guaranteed me that I can read whatever I want in the artroom, but the condition is I have to be the pose reference model for her comic.
Okay, she's in the trap!!! 💀💀💀
SHE'S IN THE TRAP!!! 😭😭😭
….like me. 🥲
Clara: I can't believe I'm being accepted by someone and given permission to do so.
She closed the book and stood up.
Clara: From now on, I'm not the only one keeping the secret.
…..Hello? I'm one of the secret keepers 🙄
But since I had the answer, the money spent on the boba milk tea was worth it.
And then, we took the train home, and she was exhausted lying on my shoulder to take a nap.
"Aww, that's sweet ~ "
…..😐
"Shh! They can hear us."
"I used to do this to my husband when we were young."
In case you have no idea, the sound was coming from the left, which has two ladies with bags of groceries on the floor.
I tried my best to look away and calm myself down.
"The boy must have loved her soooo much. See? He covered her legs with his coat, haha!"
…..yes I did, it's just because the air condition is too cold, I SWEAR!!!! 💀
"Aww, I think they're ready for marriage, they're matched!!!"
"I know, right???"
JUST STOP IT!!!!
AHHH—!!!! 😭😭😭😭
Because when I didn't even realize the intimacy of a girl leaning into a boy's shoulder. 💀💀💀
But luckily we arrived at the stop, where I immediately woke her up and we left immediately — I bet she didn't hear anything….I hope. 💀💀💀
When I walked her to her doorstep...
After nodding to each other without saying goodbye, I left and she got into the house.
AI: So, what did I miss?
Nothing.
AI: Really? A girl asking a boy about how she looks, you sure it was nothing? 😏
...wait, you were there?
AI: I can restore the memories, buddy. I can see everything.😊
Whatever you think, that was actually nothing.
AI: You really think you two were just going out for books today?
Yeah, it was just an ordinary day.
But then I noticed, she's typing something as the icon appeared and disappeared at the chat bar.
But minutes later, I came out from the bathroom after taking a shower — there was a message sent minutes ago.
For a second, I thought she finally replied with something…
...
*Deleted For Everyone*