Chapter 10: First Date, Presents, and a Small Palm

“Machikawa-kun, are you sure this shop is okay?”

October 14th. A crisp autumn Saturday, with wispy clouds decorating the sky.

I was talking with Suzuhara-san in person for the first time in about a week.

“Yeah, I was just wanting a new one.”

On the shelf in front of us were dishes of all shapes and vibrant colors.

Shibuya, a thirty-minute train ride from Shinhimegaoka Station.

A select shop specializing in interior decor and miscellaneous goods, located in a department store near the station.

In the bustling store, lively due to the weekend, I spoke to Suzuhara-san, who was dressed in casual clothes.

“Can I really pick whatever I like?”

“Yes. Today, I want to thank you. You took such good care of me while I was staying at your place.”

“Thanks. Then I won’t hold back.”

I picked up a teacup from the shelf, comparing it with others.

“Is a teacup what you want?”

“Yeah, my favorite one got chipped.”

“That’s so like you, Machikawa-kun, loving to cook. And coming all the way to Shibuya for it!”

“I thought the shops in Shibuya would have a better selection.”

Plus, if someone we knew saw us walking together in Shinhime, it’d be a hassle.

Online best friends.

Our relationship had returned to its starting point.

Even today was just a special exception for meeting up.

“If I were alone, I’d never come to a department store like this.”

“Why not?”

“Oh… I just don’t vibe with Shibuya. The crowds make me dizzy, and everyone here looks like they belong to the extroverted party-animal species.”

“That’s some intense prejudice.”

“There are obviously tons of stylish people here. It’s been making me fidgety just walking through the city.”

“You’re fine. You look plenty cute today, Suzuhara-san.”

That wasn’t just flattery—it was the truth.

Suzuhara-san’s outfit today was a bold off-shoulder black top paired with a pure white skirt. Stylish short boots completed the look.

 

She perfectly pulled off the vibe of a city girl enjoying a weekend out.

I noticed people’s eyes on her as we walked through Shibuya earlier.

“…Thank you. Your jacket looks mature and cool, Machikawa-kun.”

“Thanks.”

“You could pass for a university student.”

“Haha, I just threw this together from online shopping.”

“I had Kotori-chan pick mine out. When I told her on LINE I was hanging out with a friend, she chose a whole outfit for me from an online store.”

“Wow, classic Kotori.”

“She really saved me. I’m terrible at picking clothes. Shops scare me because the staff might talk to me, and I always second-guess if something cute would actually suit me.”

That opinion was so very Suzuhara-san—shy and reserved.

(Come to think of it, I still haven’t figured out one thing about her style.)

Why does she always dress so gyaru-like?

Even dyeing her hair feels like it must have some reason behind it.

I could ask directly, but commenting on her fashion sense might come off as rude.

“I tried looking for clothes on my own, but after hours of searching, I got so confused about what would suit me.”

“I get that. Happens to me sometimes too.”

“Ugh, don’t laugh at me.”

“I’m not laughing.”

“No, you’re definitely smirking a little.”

My former housemate puffed out her cheeks slightly, looking a bit miffed.

If it seemed like I was smiling, it’s because I was happy.

Knowing Suzuhara-san put in so much effort to pick out clothes just to meet me.

Of course, saying something that honest would be too embarrassing, so I steered the conversation elsewhere.

“By the way, how’s living alone going? Are you eating properly?”

“I’ve been cooking for myself.”

“What!? Seriously!?”

“Not just cooking—I’ve started cleaning too. The new-and-improved Suzuhara Ayana has been born.”

“The chaotic Sabatora-san who couldn’t keep her life together…”

“Isn’t that thanks to Professor Machikawa’s excellent guidance?”

“Got it. So, no major issues then?”

“Yeah. Living alone is way more fun than before.”

“That’s great to hear!”

I’m genuinely happy my best friend is thriving on her own.

But, yeah, I’m also a little lonely.

From the sound of it, Suzuhara-san probably doesn’t feel the same way I do.

That sense of loneliness.

The quiet emptiness of returning to living alone.

Or maybe—

“Is something wrong?”

“Nah, nothing. Just debating which teacup to pick.”

I brushed it off, avoiding deeper thoughts.

Then, Suzuhara-san held out a dish, saying, “How about this one?”

It was a white teacup decorated with a calico cat design.

The cat wasn’t in a cutesy anime style but a calm, simple design.

“You’re a huge cat lover, right, Machikawa-kun?”

“You remembered.”

“It’d be harder to forget. Didn’t you once say you binged kitten videos to de-stress after dealing with emails from a toxic client?”

“…I might’ve said that.”

“That story was intense, like something out of a burned-out salaryman’s diary.”

“Haha, you’re not wrong.”

I took the teacup she picked out.

The glossy ceramic felt pleasant to the touch.

The size was close to what I usually use.

Above all, I liked that the design wasn’t overly cute.

“It’s great that it’s not too cutesy, right?”

“We’re on the same wavelength. I was thinking the same thing. Alright, I’ll go with this one.”

My best friend picked it out for me, after all.

But now, Suzuhara-san seemed to second-guess her choice.

“Shouldn’t you take more time to decide? You’ll be using it for years.”

“That’s exactly why. Eating with a dish I love will make meals way more enjoyable.”

“Then you should think it over more! Look, this design’s pretty nice too, isn’t it?”

She showed me another teacup, this one with a tabby cat instead of a calico.

The same tabby pattern as her pen name, Sabatora.

“You’re right, that one’s great too. Tough call.”

“I know, right? I’m a cat lover too, so I kinda want it myself.”

“Oh, then let’s make the calico one your gift to me.”

“? So, this tabby one is…?”

“My gift to you.”

“What!?”

Suzuhara-san looked up at me, clearly shocked.

When our eyes met, she quickly averted her gaze, flustered.

“Why me?”

“You said you’re cooking and cleaning now, but I bet you haven’t gotten around to buying new dishes yet.”

“That’s a sharp guess.”

“Plus, I want to thank you too.”

The days we spent together were so much fun. Even if it was just three weeks, they’re unforgettable memories… But something that sappy was too embarrassing to say out loud.

So instead, I went with a different truth.

“As thanks for working on manga with me. And honestly, knowing we have matching teacups will make meals a hundred times more fun.”

“Ugh…”

When I shared that honest thought, my best friend’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

From her soft, cherry-colored lips came a voice so faint it almost vanished.

“…That’s not fair.”

“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to force the dish on you—”

“That’s not what I meant. I meant the way you said it was unfair. Saying something like that…”

“Like what?”

“…It makes me so happy, I can’t say no.”

I mean, wow.

Those words made me happy too.

(I can’t believe she once said she ‘hated me more than anyone in the world.’)

Too adorable.

Maybe it’s because I’m talking to the real-life Suzuhara-san after a week.

My shyly silent best friend looked as lovely as an angel.

So, naturally, the mischievous Machikawa Iori in my head whispered devilishly.

“Sorry, what did you say?”

“!?”

“Your voice was so soft I didn’t catch it. Could you say it again?”

“…I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“…Because now that I think about it, that was a really embarrassing line.”

“Now I’m curious. What kind of line was it?”

“It was…”

“All I caught was ‘It makes me so happy, I can’t say no.’”

“You heard the whole thing perfectly!”

With her face bright red, Suzuhara-san lightly tapped my shoulder with the hand not holding the teacup.

Smiling at my adorably annoyed best friend, we headed to the register to buy the teacups.

“Here you go.”

“And… here.”

“Thanks. I’ll treasure it.”

After leaving the store, we exchanged our wrapped presents.

(This kinda feels like a date.)

We’re not lovers, so we’re not holding hands or anything.

But someone like Mitsuya, a true extrovert, would probably pick something more romantic for a girl, right?

Like jewelry, perfume, or a stuffed animal.

Hmm, maybe I should’ve given her something other than a dish…

“—Thank you, IORI.”

Her voice reached my ears, blasting my worries into the stratosphere.

Suzuhara-san hugged my gift tightly with both slender arms,

“I’ll cherish it forever!”

Her smile bloomed.

That innocent expression was the perfect way to describe it.

She must’ve been really happy, slipping into her Sabatora-mode tone.

“The unfair one’s you.”

If I were in love with her, I might’ve accidentally let slip the forbidden “I love you.”

That cool smile, one she’d never show at school, was just that dazzling.

(And there it is again.)

That sense of déjà vu I’ve felt with Suzuhara-san before.

Like I’ve seen her smile somewhere, long ago—

“—!”

In that moment, I realized.

The truth behind the déjà vu.

But this…!

(There’s no way I can ever say it.)

If Suzuhara-san knew I’d figured out this secret, our relationship would be over.

That kind of worst-case scenario even crossed my mind.

Because Suzuhara-san is—

“How about we hit up the ‘ROSSO’ collab café next?”

I forced a smile, switching gears to hide my thoughts.

“They’re doing it in Shibuya, right!? Let’s go! I want some collab merch too!”

“Hehe, you’re such an otaku, Machikawa-kun. Despite being an extrovert.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Thanks for coming with me. I’d never have the courage to go to a Shibuya café alone. I’m so bad with places full of strangers.”

“Oh, I totally get that. It can feel daunting when you’re by yourself.”

“Yeah. But…”

With you, Machikawa-kun, I’m fine, she said.

She spoke lightly before heading out of the department store—then it happened.

“Oh my! Ayana-chan!?”

A woman in a black business suit called out to us on the first floor.

She looked to be in her forties, maybe.

“What a surprise! I didn’t recognize you at first with your dyed hair!”

She spoke with such familiarity, but Suzuhara-san’s expression stiffened.

“Are you Ayana-chan’s friend? I’m Ushihara, I work with Suzuhara-sensei.”

“Work, you say?”

“Yes. In fact, there’s an exhibition for sensei here at the department store today.”

She pointed to a corner of the store, where a sign read, “The World of Suzuhara Ema, a Rare Contemporary Artist.”

(Suzuhara Ema…)

The name rang a bell. Then I remembered my mom had her art book.

She’d shown it to me as inspiration for my work, and I was speechless.

Even to someone like me, practically clueless about art, that painter’s work left a deep impression.

Beautiful, fleeting—and somehow tinged with madness.

“I was worried about you, Ayana-chan. You haven’t released any new work lately.”

“There are… various reasons for that…”

“You’ve got to keep working on your art, okay? Don’t disgrace sensei’s name. You have more important things to do than play around.”

Suzuhara-san bit her lip quietly.

Cold sweat beaded on her pale face as she looked down.

“And you, her friend, don’t drag Ayana-chan around unnecessarily, okay?”

“!”

In that moment, my best friend clenched her small fist and muttered so only I could hear.

—What would you know?

(This is bad.)

I’d planned to stay out of it since I didn’t know the situation, but I couldn’t just stand by.

For some reason, Suzuhara-san was trembling with both fear and anger.

I couldn’t just leave my best friend in such a state.

I also couldn’t bring myself to like Ushihara-san, who looked down on everyone and treated Suzuhara-san like some kind of accessory to her business dealings.

“You’re our toy.”

Words once thrown at me by a bully flashed back in my mind.

I despise when someone’s humanity is ignored, treated like an object.

(But the opponent is an adult.)

She’s been clearly treating me like a kid this whole time… No, if that’s the case, maybe there’s a way.

If she thinks I’m just a kid, I can create a story.

A setting that lets me stand toe-to-toe with an adult.

“No, I’m not Suzuhara-san’s friend. I’m a teacher at her school.”

“Huh!?”

When I threw out the bluff, Ushihara-san was visibly shocked.

“You look awfully young, though.”

“My apologies. To be precise, I’m a student teacher, not yet a full-fledged educator.”

“Oh, I see. What subject do you teach?”

“Modern Japanese. I’m studying at Shirayama Academy University’s Faculty of Humanities, under Professor Yamanobe’s seminar.”

“Oh my! Shirayama’s nearby, isn’t it? I’ve heard of that professor’s name before.”

“He’s a wonderful teacher. Actually, today isn’t about fun—we were on our way to the university with Suzuhara-san.”

“Huh… why?”

“Suzuhara-san is the top student at school. She insisted on meeting Professor Yamanobe to discuss various topics.”

Suzuhara-san covered her mouth and abruptly turned away.

She’s probably trying to hold back laughter at my lie.

“Her hair might be dyed, but Suzuhara-san is an outstanding student. She’s compassionate, sociable, and shows leadership in class.”

“Huh!? …Really?”

“Is there something surprising about that?”

“No, it’s just… a bit unexpected…”

“Unexpected that she’s an outstanding student?”

“!? N-No, that’s not what I meant! I’m so sorry! I was just surprised by how much Ayana-chan has grown…!”

Switching to formal, polite language, Ushihara-san bowed her head in a fluster.

Then, in a rushed and uneasy tone, she continued.

“S-Sorry! If you’re heading to the university, we shouldn’t keep you!”

“No worries. Well then, we’ll be on our way.”

“Let’s go, Suzuhara-san,” I said casually as we left the department store.

As we started walking down the bustling streets of Shibuya,

“Pfft, hahaha!”

Unable to hold it in any longer, Suzuhara-san clutched her stomach and burst out laughing.

“That was brilliant… Me, the top student at school… showing leadership…!”

“Glad I managed to fool her. My experience helping Mom deal with adults came in handy.”

I let out a sigh of relief.

She said I looked like a college student earlier, so I tried playing the part of someone older, and it worked out better than I expected.

“You knew a lot, huh? Like the name of a university professor.”

“That was improvised too.”

“What!?”

“Professor Yamanobe doesn’t even exist.”

“But she said she knew him…!”

“She probably lied to save face. Thanks to that, she fell for it perfectly.”

“—As expected of a web novelist. Your bluffing skills are top-notch.”

“Right? I’m pretty good at crafting settings and dialogue to convince others.”

I puffed out my chest dramatically, and Suzuhara-san added a faint smile to her beautiful features, saying, “That’s my partner for you.”

(Phew, thank goodness.)

I managed to make Suzuhara-san smile… but it’s not quite enough yet.

“Hehe. What would you have done if she saw through it?”

“Probably grabbed you and made a run for it.”

In the crowded chaos of Shibuya, I took Suzuhara-san’s hand as we walked side by side.

She flinched for a moment but seemed to catch my intention, squeezing my hand back gently with her small palm.

Then, she gave a shy, delighted smile.

“Thank you so much for looking out for me.”

“No problem.”

“Thanks to you holding my hand, I feel so much better. It completely blew away the bad mood from earlier. And…”

“Something wrong?”

“I noticed you didn’t pry into the details.”

“…”

I can make a decent guess, of course.

When Suzuhara-san said “this kind of department store,” she probably knew about the art exhibition being held here.

Suzuhara Ema and Suzuhara Ayana.

It’s no coincidence their surnames are the same.

And then there’s Suzuhara-san’s exceptional, almost professional-level artistic talent.

Just a hunch, but maybe she’s been learning to draw since she was young?

If that’s the case, the two of them…

“For now, let’s focus on getting to that collab café!”

I wrapped my swirling thoughts in a cheerful smile.

I have no intention of digging deeper.

Everyone has one or two struggles they don’t want to share.

But of course,

“If you ever feel like talking, I’m here for you, okay?”

I gripped my best friend’s small hand just a little tighter.

Whenever she’s ready to open up about her troubles, I want to be there to support her.

“Machikawa-kun.”

At that moment, Suzuhara-san stopped walking.

When I turned to ask what was wrong, she held my hand tightly and said,

“Are you free tonight? I feel like just sending a gift isn’t enough to thank you… I really want to express my gratitude for always looking out for me… So, would you come over…?”

“Wait, hold on. Let’s talk this through calmly, okay?”

Come over, she says?

Where exactly?

“What I mean is…”

After taking a deep breath, as if to calm a heart about to burst,

While gripping my hand tightly,

My former housemate, with all her earnestness—

“Would you come to my place tonight? If possible… I’d like you to stay over too.”