3 checkmate 003

< m i s a o >

(4 years ago)

"For this project, I want you guys to work in a group of 4 members. I will leave the grouping up to you but just make sure that everyone is in a group, okay? The project will be submitted by next month along with the documentation. And that concludes our class for this afternoon. Class dismissed."

As soon as the professor ended the class, everyone started talking at once and filled the room with loud buzzing noise. I heard some talking about the project and asking another person to be a group mate. I've always dreaded group projects. It's not that I'm bad with working with people but no one wanted me to be part of their group. Ever since high school, I was always that left out student.

--

'Class, which group's still missing one member?'

'Ma'am, all the groups are complete with 3 members.'

'Hmm? So could anybody take Misao in their group?' Our teacher said with a gentle smile.

But the classroom was washed by this awkward and overwhelming silence. Not a single person raised a hand.

'Okay. Misao, join the president's group okay?'

I remember giving my best effort for that project and for the group so that I won't be a burden. And somehow, we managed to get the highest grade for that project but that doesn't earn me any friends or nothing changed in regards to group projects.

--

'Hmm… I'll just wait for a group with missing member…' I thought as I collect my things and slid them in my bag. I was about to stand and leave when I felt someone tapped my back. I turned on my heel and saw a guy smiling at me. It was a shy yet charming smile.

It reminds me, he's the guy who's liked by everyone. He's loud but he's carefree and always beaming. Sometimes I see him do those silly tricks you can find on the internet and every time he's always the center of the crowd.

'So, what does this guy want from me?'

"Hi. I want to ask if you already have a group for the project?" He inquired.

Huh?

"If you're still not part of a group, do you want to join mine?" He kept rubbing the back of his neck and averting his gaze while his lips trembled in a sheepish grin.

"Are you serious about that?"

"Huh? Of course! We want you in our group!"

Ah, I also remember, he's always with the other two guys.

"Oh… then I'll join your group."

"Nice! By-the-way, I'm Toshiro. What's your name?"

"Misao."

"Toshiro, how's it going? Were you able to recruit him?" A guy's deep voice chimed in from behind Toshiro.

He looked behind and two guys also came to my sight.

"Yes! Recruitment success!!" Toshiro cheered with a triumphant smile.

One guy with a messy ruffled hair with his fringe almost hiding his eyes stepped in offering his hand for a 'bro' shake, "I'm Fumihiro."

I accepted his hand. "Misao."

And then the other guy who's smartly dressed in a casual black coat with a thin white shirt inside and a pair of ripped jeans for the lower half. He introduced himself as Keita.

"Can I invite you on Facebook so I could add you to the group chat?" Toshiro's phone was already in his hand as if he's been waiting for that chance. I typed in my name on his phone and when my profile showed up he immediately pressed the 'Add as Friend' button. "There. Don't forget to accept my invite okay?"

"Okay. When I get home." I grabbed my bag, hanging it over my shoulder. "Then, I'll keep in touch."

I was about to walk out of the room when Toshiro called my name, it made me stop on my tracks.

"Where are you going?"

"Uhm… In the cafeteria? To have lunch?"

"We're going there too! Why don't we eat together?" He asked almost laughing as if that was the most natural thing in the world.

This is the first time somebody ever asked me for that so I was not really sure how to react. All I could think of is how amusingly weird this guy is.

Ever since that day, I was constantly dragged by that Toshiro guy where ever the three of them go— to the lecture room, cafeteria, computer lab, we even hang out in the campus during vacant period. Every single time he'll say 'Come, join us Misao' with his big bright smile. A month after, after we submitted our project, I found myself still hanging out with them. All along I thought, I'll have to return being on my own once the project ended, I thought they won't bother themselves inviting me again. On the day of submission, after we hand in our project, I was convinced that will be the case so I left the room without saying goodbye to them.

I was eating alone at the cafeteria when Misao abruptly barged in front of me with an irritated look on his face. "You suddenly disappeared?"

"Because I'm hungry."

"You could have told us?" He was swiftly starting to sound like a little kid throwing a tantrum.

"Ha?"

"Now. Now, Toshiro…" Fumihiro was trying to calm Toshiro down, "Calm down, 'kay?"

At that time, I honestly don't understand why he's so upset. All I know is now that the project has ended they no longer need me to fill in their group.

"Seriously, Misao. It's totally fine for you to still hang out with us." Keita sighed like he understands why I acted that way.

'It's fine?'

"Misao, stay there. We'll buy our foods real quick. Wait for us." Toshiro commanded then in a flash they're gone.

Maybe I was overwhelmed or too happy that I didn't touched my food until they came back and then we all ate together.

That night, for the first time, we went out for a drink to celebrate the completion of our project and the start of a new friendship.

***

"MISAO, GOOD MORNING!'

Toshiro excitedly rushed towards me as soon as he entered the lecture room. This is our daily scenario – him greeting me first with a smile that'll instantly make my day. I didn't realized how much I miss this until now.

I'm happy. Or maybe, a little too happy I can't help but greet him back with a smile which I never did before. I am a guy with a stern looking face anyways. "Good morning Toshiro. Did you sleep well?"

"Oh." He looked astonished and was in daze for a second staring at my face.

"Oh? You guys made up already?" Si Fumihiro.

"We had a talk yesterday." I answered briefly.

He just nodded. Then he took his usual chair beside Toshiro.

"Toshiro, what is it? Is there something on my face?"

He let out a tittering laugh. "N-Nothing. Do you have new movies?"

I raised a brow. "You just arrived…"

"Come on, Misao…"

"The class is about to start, I'll share it to you later."

"Please, Misao…" He pleaded, this time longer than the first try.

I heaved a deep sigh then I pulled a paper bag from underneath my table. "I bought you breakfast. I know you don't eat breakfast before you leave for school."

I took a box out from the bag and a cup of iced latte placing them over Toshiro's table. He looked amuse looking at the food in front of him.

"Wow, Burger Joint! Your treat, Misao?"

"Hmm? If you want to pay for it, then it's fine with me…"

"Nah! This is your treat." He chugged on the coffee first.

"Oi. Where's our share?" Keita suspiciously chimed in.

"Here." I handed him a regular burger and then to Fumihiro.

"Thanks Misao." Keita said as he unwrap the burger and took a big bite on it. He suddenly stopped chewing when he glanced over at Toshiro. Toshiro was happily eating his double-patty bacon and cheese burger while munching his fries.

"Oi, Why does Toshiro's burger delux? He even have fries."

"He already gave you food for free, what are you blabbering about, Keita?" It's Fumihiro.

"He's giving him special treatment…" Keita pouted.

"I know that Toshiro likes that set that's why I ordered that for him."

"You don't know what's my favorite set from Burger Joint, Misao?" Keita's burger was already half eaten but he's still trying to make an argument.

I sigh. "I know."

"You know? Then why?'

"It's just like what you've said… Special Treatment."

We all heard a choke from beside me, it was Toshiro.

"S-Sorry. I'm fine." He said in between coughing.

I hand him his coffee and notice him turned beet red.

***

'Hey, what are you doing?' Send.

Seen. Typing…

'I just finished the movie you shared. It's so good! I really like that kind of story!" At the end of his message was a fist emoji.

I could feel myself smiling on the phone. 'I know'

'You know?'

'Yep. It's already late, You should sleep.'

'Right haha. Misao, goodnight.'

I was about to reply when another message from him popped out. 'Thanks for the food earlier.'

'No worries. I can buy you breakfast every morning if you want to.'

'omg no, you should not bother. It'll be troublesome for you if you do that every day."

'so… is it okay if it's every other day?'

It took a minute before he responded to my message. 'hahaha, it's up to you Misao.'

Again another smile crept into my face. 'It's up to me, okay?'

'Just so you know, I don't have that much money to pay for that set every other day, okay?'

'Don't worry about that. Btw, you really should rest now'

'hahaha I know… good night Misao."

'Goodnight Toshiro. I love you…'

My last message was left on read.

I'm happy that Toshiro and I were back from how we were before but it's obvious that he's avoiding my feelings. I can't blame him if he continues acting that way when I was the one who asked for that in the first place, that he just have to continue being friends with me without worrying about my feelings. But still I want to continue showing him how much he means to me and how much I love him.

I'll be a hypocrite if I say that I am contented by the way things are between us because honestly at the back of my mind I really really want him to like me back. And I am hoping that with this effort he'll eventually grow feelings for me.

I was waiting for sleep to come when my phone suddenly beeped, a notification for a new message. I reached for my phone and looked at who could be messaging at this hour.

'A new message request.'

I clicked on it and found a familiar face with a name I know to heart.

checkmate chapter 003 / end