Author's Note: If a person prefers to be alone and doesn't mingle with others, it doesn't mean they are just born that way. Often, they've walked through a fire that burnt their faith in humanity, leaving them to find peace only in their own shadows.
I've built a fortress around myself. To me, every smile feels like a trap, and every act of kindness looks like a hidden motive. This deep-rooted cynicism makes me view Ai Yoshida's cheerful personality as nothing more than a well-crafted mask. When you've been through something that shatters your faith in the world, crawling out of that darkness feels like an impossible climb.
Why is she suddenly getting so close to me? I wondered, staring at the ceiling of my room. I don't want friendships. Friendship, love... these things only look good in stories. In reality, everyone is selfish. No one thinks about others, not even for a second. So why can't she just leave me be?
I was sitting on the sofa, haunted by these bitter memories, when the sound of footsteps approached. My mother, Fujiko, walked into the hall, looking tired but curious.
"Shin? You're still awake?" she asked.
"Yeah... Mom, why aren't you asleep yet?"
"Forget that. More importantly..." She leaned in with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Who was that girl on the balcony?"
I felt my heart skip a beat. "Just a neighbor."
"Oh wow! My son makes friends so fast?" she teased. "We just arrived today and you're already chatting her up?"
"Mom... we aren't friends," I groaned. "She's in my class, that's the only reason I was talking to her. It was a coincidence."
"Not friends? Then is she your girlfriend?"
"Mom! No!" I stood up, feeling the heat rush to my face. "She's just a classmate. I was standing outside and she started talking, that's it."
Fujiko sighed dramatically. "Darn... I was so happy thinking such a beautiful girl was my son's girlfriend. My hopes are crushed."
"No, nothing like that," I insisted. "I have no intention of making friends or getting a girlfriend.
"Fine... tomorrow I'll talk to her myself and ask her to take care of my son."
"Mom, I can take care of myself!"
"Oh really?" She mimicked my voice with a playful pout. "Learn how to cook something real first, then say you can take care of yourself!"
"Mom, I know how to cook!"
"Is that so? Well, I'll still talk to her. I can do at least that much for my son. Goodnight!"
"Wait, Mom! There's no need for—Arghhh!"
I turned too quickly and stubbed my toe against the table. The pain was sharp and sudden. I sank to the floor, clutching my foot, nearly crying crocodile tears in the middle of the night. God, what did I ever do to deserve this?
[Sunday Morning - 09:00 AM]
What a nightmare. I should have just stayed awake. When I finally opened my eyes and saw the clock, I panicked. "Mom! Why didn't you wake me up?"
"It's Sunday, so I let you sleep in," she called out from the kitchen.
"Sunday...?" I let out a long sigh of relief.
"Shin, take a look to your right," she said as I walked into the living room.
"What's on my ri—WHAAAAAT?! Yoshida?! You're here too?!"
I stood there, stunned. Ai Yoshida was sitting at our dining table, her mouth full of something.
"Mmph-nn..." she tried to say something, but it was just a muffled sound.
"What are you saying?" I asked, looking at her in disbelief.
"Haf-gh-mph!"
"Let her finish her cake first, Shin," Mom said, completely calm.
"Cake? Who eats cake for breakfast? And where did this even come from?"
"We bought it while moving in yesterday," Mom explained. "I invited her over."
Ai struggled to swallow. "Haf-mmph..."
"Finish eating first, then speak!" I snapped, while Mom laughed, "Just eat it already!"
What is happening to my life? I muttered, feeling dejected. I feel like the protagonist of some cliché light novel.
"Look, Fujiko..." Ai finally managed to swallow, pointing a finger at me. "He's lost in his own world again."
"Yeah, he's basically Zoro 2.0," Mom agreed, nodding.
"Don't call me that! And Mom, why are you calling her by her first name? What are you even doing here, Yoshida?"
"Who talks like that, Shin? I didn't raise you to be so rude," Mom scolded.
Ai smiled at me, a teasing spark in her eyes. "Shin... Sasaki. Your name is Shin! Wow, I'm going to call you Shin from now on."
Go ahead, say it... it's not like she's going to listen even if I say no. I looked at my mom, wondering why these two were so alike.
"Hey, Zoro 2.0!" they both shouted at the same time.
"Hahaha! We said it at the same time!" Ai cheered, high-fiving my mother.
"Haha, yeah! Let him be lost," Mom laughed. "Tell me, dear, what is your full name?"
"Mom! You two are talking like best friends, but you don't even know her name?" I asked, shocked.
"Well, as soon as I arrived, Fujiko stuffed cake in my mouth, so I didn't get a chance!" Ai laughed.
"But seriously, who eats cake first thing in the morning?" I asked, giving her a judgmental side-eye.
"I do! Cake is so tasty. I'm telling you, you should have some too!"
"I don't want any..." I replied, making a face.
"Forget the cake," Fujiko interrupted. "Dear, please tell me your name."
Wow... so I'm finally going to find out her full name today. Wait... why am I getting excited about this?
"My name is Ai Yoshida. I'm 17, and I'm a High School 3rd Year student."
"What a beautiful name. 'Ai' literally means 'Love.' When is your birthday?"
"February 14th."
"February 14th?!" Mom and I shouted together.
"A birthday on February 14th? And the name means 'Love'?" Mom clapped her hands. "It's like God planned your arrival perfectly."
I looked at Ai, and for a second, the cynicism faded. "Yeah, you're right Mom," I said with a small smile.
"Oh, stop... you're making me blush!"
"Hahaha! Ai, your face looks like a tomato!" I laughed.
Wait... why am I so happy? Why does this feel good? I froze. I shouldn't have said that... and I just called her 'Ai' instead of Yoshida! I felt my own face turning red.
"Oho? Moving to first names already?" Mom teased.
"Fujiko-san, I didn't quite get that..." Ai stuttered, blushing harder.
Suddenly, a loud, heavy voice boomed from the hallway. "Hey Shin! You can do the 'Ai-Ai' stuff later, open the door!"
"Mom... did you lock Dad in his room?"
"Yeah. He beat me at Chess yesterday, so I gave him a punishment. He stays in there until he admits it was his fault."
"Fujiko! How is winning a fault?" Dad yelled from behind the door.
"I don't care! If I say it's a fault, it's a fault! Hmph!"
"Fujiko... darling, please open the door."
"No! Say it was your fault!"
"Fine, darling... it was my fault."
I unlocked the door, shaking my head. "Dad! Yoshida is right here, stop saying stuff like that!"
"Wow, they love each other so much," Ai whispered, watching them.
"They're always like this..."
Dad stepped out, stretching. "Shin, we're going to a movie today, so get ready quickly. And bring your girlfriend along too!"
"I'm NOT his girlfriend!" Ai and I shouted in perfect unison.
"See that, Fujiko? Reminds me of our high school days," Dad laughed. "Anyway, Shin... I need to talk to both of you about something important."
To be continued... 🌸