That evening Haruto Aoyama was lying on his bed staring at the ceiling. He was thinking about this weekend, going to hang out with his friends for first time. This is important for him. He turned his head slowly toward his closet. He said to himself
"Right, I have to check if there was any to wear for hang out."
He got up. Opened the closet. Inside he saw his school uniforms, some plain T-shirts and old jeans that he mostly wore at home. Nothing really stood out.
He pulled out a shirt. It was too plain. He pulled out another one. It was too worn. He sighed. He said,
"I really don't go out before huh..."
He scratched the back of his head. Looked at himself in the mirror again. At school he wore a uniform. That was it. He had never really thought about what to wear outside of school.
He closed the closet. He said,
"Guess I'll go buy something."
This decision felt of adult to him. The next day at school was normal until lunch break. Haruto sat with his friends Ryo and Daiki. They were eating their lunch. Across the room he saw Riku Tanaka sitting with Airi Shimizu. They were very close. Riku was leaning toward her with a grin on his face.
He said,
"You didn't reply to my message night."
Airi rolled her eyes a little. She said,
"Because I was sleeping. Not everyone stays up texting until 12 p.m."
Riku said,
"That hurts,"
and put his hand on his chest. Airi flicked his forehead lightly.
She said,
"Stop being dramatic."
Riku caught her wrist playfully.
He said,
"You're mean to your boyfriend but being scolded by my girlfriend isn't bad at all."
Airi pulled her hand back. She was smiling.
Haruto watched them silently. Ryo followed his gaze. Then Ryo let out a sigh.
He said,
"It's painful to watch as a single."
Daiki chuckled. He said,
"You could just not look."
Ryo replied,
"It's impossible. They're sitting there."
Haruto nodded slowly. He said,
"True... I still don't get how he managed to get a girlfriend in one day."
Ryo looked at him with disbelief. He said,
"You're still stuck on that?"
Haruto shrugged. He said,
"I mean... Isn't it fast?"
Daiki adjusted his glasses. He said,
"Riku looks like if he decides to go for something he goes in."
Ryo smirked. He said,
"That guy doesn't hesitate. That's probably the difference."
Haruto thought about that. No hesitation. He looked down at his lunch. He thought.
Maybe that's something I don't have.
Across the room Riku suddenly looked at them. He said,
"Oi, stop judging us!"
Ryo immediately raised both hands. He said,
"We're not judging! We're just suffering!"
The group burst into laughter. Even Haruto smiled. After school ended Haruto went home quickly. He changed out of his uniform. Wore his usual casual clothes. He stared at himself in the mirror again.
He said,
"This won't work but still I have to..."
He grabbed his wallet. He said,
"Time to go shopping."
The shopping center was lively. Haruto rarely came here unless it was for something. Today felt different. He wandered aimlessly for a minutes before spotting a clothing store with modern but simple designs. The display window showed mannequins wearing outfits—nothing flashy.
If I remember correctly, this is the place.
He entered the store. He walked between shirts and jackets lightly touching the fabrics. They were black, white, blue, and etc.. But they look simple.
He picked up a shirt.
"This looks too plain."
He held up a jacket.
"And this one feels too mature."
He frowned.
"...I have no idea what I'm doing."
After minutes of struggling he turned around—and froze. Airi Shimizu stood a steps away holding a light-colored blouse. Their eyes met at the same time. For a moment neither spoke.
Is that Airi?
Then Airis lips curved into a smile. She walked toward him.
She said,
"That's unexpected."
Haruto blinked. He said,
"Yeah... The timing is of scary."
She tilted her head slightly. She said,
"Are you shopping for our hang out?"
He stunned and said,
"Woh.. woh.. woh.. You saw thought my mind!"
Airis smile widened knowingly.
She said,
"Hehe.. You don't usually hang out do you?"
He scratched his cheek. He said,
"Is it that obvious?"
She glanced at the clothes in his hands. She said,
"Very much."
Haruto sighed. He said,
"I was checking if I had something at home and I don't."
Airi looked him up and down briefly—not in a judging way but thoughtfully. She said,
"Need a hand?"
He hesitated.
"Umm..."
Airi crossed her arms and said,
"You look like you can't decide which one to choose."
He looked at her. She seemed serious. He said,
"Hugh... so then can you help me to choose if you don't mind."
Her smile became playful and said,
"Alright. I'll help."
She took the shirt from his hand and said,
"This is not good on you."
Then she grabbed an one—soft blue with subtle details. She said,
"This ones better. It matches your vibe."
He said,
"My vibe?"
She said,
"Calm, clean and not trying hard."
He stared at her. He said,
"...That's specific."
She ignored that and picked up a light jacket. She said,
"This one also looks good on you."
Haruto held the clothes awkwardly. He said,
"You're good at this."
She shrugged casually. She said,
"I have an eye for it."
Then she looked at him with a smirk. She said,
"But in return..."
He stiffened slightly. He said,
"...In return?"
She said,
"You're treating me at the café."
He blinked. He said,
"Wait—what?"
She laughed. She said,
"Relax. It just food and drink."
He stared at her for a seconds and finally he accepted,
"...Deal."
Her eyes sparkled with victory.
"Yayy!! Let's go!!!"
We should not meet from the start.
After paying for the clothes they walked side by side toward a café, inside the mall. Haruto felt oddly aware of the situation. This was... Technically hanging out. Just the two of them. They ordered drinks and small desserts. When the tray arrived Airis face visibly brightened. Her eyes softened. She leaned forward slightly and took a bite of her cake. Haruto found himself staring at her. She looked genuinely happy, carefree and cute.
She noticed. She said,
"What are you staring at?"
He snapped out of it. He said,
"You look happy when you eat something you like."
She blinked and said,
"...Of course I am."
Airi narrowed her eyes playfully and asked him,
"Are you analyzing me?"
He shook his head quickly and said,
"No... Umm.. I just noticed."
She took another bite. She said,
"Is this a compliment?"
He smiled faintly. He said,
"I guess..."
Silence settled comfortably between them for a moment.
Then Haruto spoke again without thinking.
He said,
"How did you and Riku become a couple?"
Airi paused mid-bite. She looked slightly surprised.
That came out of nowhere. He immediately felt awkward and said,
"Sorry for asking suddenly. I was just curious."
She wiped her fork lightly and said casually.
"Well it was simple! He said he liked me and I accepted."
Haruto blinked. he was surprised.
"Huhh.. That's all?"
She tilted her head like she did not understand. She asked,
"What would be there then?"
He leaned back slightly in his chair and said,
"I thought it would be more complicated."
She smiled faintly like she was amused. And then she asked,
"Like what?"
He has no idea.
"I don't know. I thought there will be like buildup, more drama, and romance."
She laughed softly like she thought it was funny.
"I think you watch many dramas and romances."
He rubbed the back of his neck he felt a little silly.
"I just thought getting a girlfriend would be harder but with this it was easier than I imagined."
Airi studied his expression like she was trying to understand him.
"You sound amazed about what I said."
He admitted honestly.
"Of course I am! It feels easier than I thought."
It feels easier than I imagined he said.
She leaned forward slightly like she was interested. And she said,
"Then why don't you try once? To get a girlfriend."
He almost choked on his drink he was so surprised.
"Me??!!"
She laughed at his reaction like she thought it was funny.
"Why are you so shocked?"
He stared at the table like he was thinking.
"I don't think it works like that for me."
She raised an eyebrow like she was curious.
"Why not?" she asked.
He hesitated, like he was not sure.
"I don't know." he answered.
For a moment her expression softened, like she felt bad for him.
Then she smiled again like she was happy.
"You must be overthinking about things but don't worry you'll find it out one day." she comforted him.
He let out a laugh like he agreed.
"I wish it comes ture." he said.
They both laughed together like they were having fun.
The tension dissolved, like it was gone.
When they finished they stepped outside the café into the mall.
The mall lights reflected softly on the floor it was pretty.
Airi stretched slightly like she was tired.
"That was nice day." she said.
Haruto nodded, like he agreed.
"Yeah.." he said.
He hesitated, like he was not sure if he should say something.
"This is my time hanging out with someone like this." he said.
She stopped walking like she was surprised.
"Like now?" she asked.
"Yeah..." he said.
She looked at him quietly for a second like she was thinking.
Then she smiled, warmer, than before like she was happy.
"Then I am glad." she said.
He blinked, like he was surprised.
"Glad?" he repeated.
"I am the first person you hung out with. So, I should be glad to be someone's first person." she said.
He did not know what to say like he was speechless.
She stepped backward slightly like she was leaving.
"See you tomorrow Haruto!" she said.
She waved lightly. Walked away like she was saying goodbye.
Haruto stood there for a moment watching her disappear into the crowd like he was going to miss her.
His heart felt strangely light like it was happy.
Not romantic, like it was not love.
Not dramatic like it was not exciting.
Warm like it was happy.
He looked down at the shopping bag in his hand like he was thinking.
This weekend would be his real hangout like it was something to look forward to.
And somehow it had already started like it was already happening.
Well meeting her isn't bad at all...