checkmate 005

< m i s a o >

WHEN I ARRIVED AT OUR CLASS THE NEXT MORNING THE GANG WAS ALREADY THERE. I sat beside Toshiro, who was busy playing with his phone, and then I pulled out the breakfast I bought for him. Keita and Fumihiro were already making a ruckus asking for their shares but I noticed that Toshiro's been quiet all this time. He's usually the energetic one, greeting me a 'Good Morning' as soon as I enter the room. But now… he won't even look at me.

Confused and worried, I looked at Keita mentally asking him what's wrong with Toshiro but he just shrugs.

"Toshiro? Have you eaten breakfast at home?" I asked but no answer from him.

"If you don't want, Toshiro, let me just have it." Keita said in a teasing voice, reaching for the food packaging sitting on top of Toshiro's desk, But his hand froze midway as Toshiro immediately pulled the food away from Keita.

"You should have said that you wanted it. Why are you even in a bad mood?" Fumihiro commented, lifting his right brow at Toshiro.

He crudely placed his phone on his table with a thud then turned shooting daggers at me. I was taken aback with that and I have no idea what made him mad.

"Did you do anything? He looked mad at you, bro…" Keita leaned closer to me.

"I have no idea…" I answered him. then to Toshiro. "Is there something wrong, Toshiro?"

Still, no answer from him.

***

IT'S ALREADY LUNCHTIME AND TOSHIRO HAS BEEN IGNORING ME EVER SINCE. I kept on talking to him like usual even though the only reply I got from him was silence. It's like I was talking to myself but I can't help it… I'm bothered why he's mad at me. What bothers me more is that he's fine chatting with Keita and Fumihiro. The only thing that gave me comfort is that he ate the food I gave him. I am not hated, at least.

"Misao, what happened? Why is that guy acting like that?"

"Believe me. I don't have any idea Keita."

"It's rare to see him like that…" Keita paused for a second, deep in thought, then his eyes widened. "Could it be… A ghost possessed his body?"

I shook my head in annoyance, "You bet."

Then Toshiro and Fumihiro came to sit with us. It's a good thing is he's not avoiding me.

"Ah, Why did you ditched school yesterday, Misao?" Keita asked nonchalantly after he swallowed a spoonful. He seemed to be eating in a hurry. And Youjin is not eating with us today. Did they fought as well?

'As well'? It's not like me and Toshiro fought…

"I went back home yesterday. I visited my mom in the hospital."

"Huh? What happened to you your mom?"

"She had a major operation last week but she's fine now. I just wanted to see for myself that she's fine…"

"It's good she's doing well…" Keita has been munching his food one after another as if in a hurry. He's almost done with his foods.

"Hmm? You never talked to us about that… You should've visited her sooner." This time, it's Fumihiro asking.

My eyes flew to Toshiro, he's looking at me as if waiting for my answer.

I looked down at my food, pressing my lips into a thin smile. "I am actually not in good terms with my dad and… it just so happen that he's in a business trip this week so I took the chance to visit my mom while he's away."

"You're not in good terms with your dad to the point that you can't even see each other?" Keita asked really surprised.

"Yeah, if you put it that way…"

***

We have free time after lunch so Keita ran off to Youjin to bring him lunch because, according to him, Youjin and Eisuke were having trouble with their presentation and they have to fix that as soon as possible. Because of that, they can't even afford to go to the cafeteria and get food. He was really a doting boyfriend for Youjin and I am happy for them.

That left Fumihiro, Toshiro and me hanging out at the school courtyard. And just a few seconds ago, Fumihiro left to take a leak.

"Toshiro, did I do something that made you angry?"

"Sorry Misao." He finally faced me with a shy smile playing on his lips, he's rubbing the back of his head. "I'm not angry or anything like that… It's just that… By-the-way, I'd like to apologize to you for acting that way... I have no idea about your situation."

"Are you sure?" He nodded. I finally heaved a sigh of relieve. "You made me scared back there, but I am ready to woo you back."

I caught him got embarrassed. "It's your fault, Misao. You should have told me… I mean, us, about what happened and that you'll go back ho—" He suddenly stopped himself, covering his mouth with his hand, "I mean… we're friends. Of course, we're worried…"

"Thank you, Toshiro." I can't help but smile. "There's really nothing to worry about. And next time, I'll make sure to tell you when something happened."

"Good."

"Toshiro, are you busy this weekend?"

"This weekend? Why?"

I leaned closer to him, watching him closely. "Actually, I want to invite you out for a date…"

His eyes widen the same time that his mouth drops open. "D-Date?"

"Hmm… let's watch a movie then have lunch or coffee. If it makes you uncomfortable to call it a date, we could just say 'hang-out'… but it's just the two of us."

"Uhmm…" He fidgeted on his chair.

The way he reacts to my invitation kind of says a lot about our relationship right now and how he sees me. If it's in the past, before I confessed, for sure there's no second thought and he'll say yes immediately, even if it's just the two of us. But, somehow, it makes me glad, even though he kept insisting that we're just friends, he's still conscious about me and it just means that he didn't forget that I like him and I'm trying to win him over.

"Okay. I understand, Toshiro. If it makes you uncomfortable, let's just invite the others that way, I can, atleast, see you this weekend." It's understandable but I can't help but be disappointed.

"Ah no, Misao. The truth is… I'm not yet done with the take home exam due this Monday. That is my plan for the weekend but… I don't get it. I can't even solve half of the problems."

"Do you want me to help you?"

His face suddenly lit up as he glanced at me. "Is it alright with you?"

"Yeah. It's totally fine."

"Ugh! You're a life saver, Misao!" He cheered more to himself. At least, I was able to make him happy.

***

SATURDAY MORNING.

Toshiro and I decided to meet at the café near the university. I thought about making him visit my apartment but I don't wanna risk him being uncomfortable with us being alone together. I'll be happy if Toshiro says that he wanted to visit my apartment himself.

My attention instantly shifted to the entrance door when I heard the chimes. My heart missed a beat the second Toshiro stepped in – his eyes roaming around the shop searching for me. It's crazy how the mere sight of him can make the day brighter. He is sunshine in human form here on Earth.

His face lightened up when he found me then cheerfully waved his hand the instant he realized I was also looking at him. He sauntered across the room to get where I'm sitting.

"Hi Misao." He greeted. His lips curved in a big lovely smile I can't help but stare. "Have you been waiting long?"

"No. I just got here." I stood up. "Take a seat. I'll order us a drink."

"Uhm… Iced Latte for me, Misao."

I smiled at him. "I know."

Toshiro's eyes widen and then beamed at me.

I walked to the counter and ordered our drinks – Iced Latte for Toshiro and Iced Caramel Macchiato for me—plus a couple of Grilled cheese sandwiches.

"Your name sir?" The lady behind the register asked.

"Misao."

She then wrote the name on both cups. I paid then she asked me to wait for my order with a big smile on her face. After a few minutes, my name was called and my orders were ready.

Toshiro, who seemed lost in thought, was watching me as I walk towards our table.

"Toshiro, are you okay? Do you want to go on a different café?"

"Ah. No, here is fine."

"Sure?" I took the empty sit in front of him. "You seemed lost in thought?"

He grabbed his coffee and casually inserted the plastic straw. "Hmm… I was just thinking that Misao is such a boyfriend material." His shoulders jerked up when he realized what he said, followed by nervous laughter. "I mean… your future lover is really lucky."

"Really?" I slowly leaned in, smirk creeping into my face. "I'm actually trying my best here."

He gasped. "L-Let's just start. Shall we?"

Toshiro's adorable when he's embarrassed but I kept my laughter and admiration to myself.

***

TOSHIRO WAS FULLY ABSORBED IN DOING HIS WORK WHILE I BROWSE ON MY PHONE. He would ask me every now and then when he doesn't know what to do next in answering the problems. All of a sudden I got a call from Saki.

I gave him my phone number when we met last time just to assure him that we'll meet again. Besides, I'd be lying if I say that I didn't miss him. Saki will always be close to my heart. Plus, he experienced a miserable childhood because of me. At the very least, I also want to stay in touch with him.

I glanced at Toshiro who's seriously doing his assignment. Should I answer the call? Maybe I'll just call him back later.

"Misao, why don't you answer the call?" Toshiro said glancing at me then he's back to his work.

"Okay. Excuse me for a bit…" I stood up and made my way outside the shop. Aside from the café buzzing with people, I don't want Toshiro to hear our conversation. I don't want anything that might cause a misunderstanding on his part.

"Saki?"

"Hey Misao." Saki greeted from the other line. His voice sounded cheerful. "You don't have class today right?"

"Yeah I don't have. Why?"

"Great! I'm actually on my way there."

checkmate 005 // end