"Alright, I'm getting hungry. How 'bout we go out and get some food for a change of pace?"
We've been playing games that the others had brought over, but as Shin's stomach began to rumble, Midori quickly suggested for us to go out, but I know that if I follow them out, then I'll just be stuck with them. I would still prefer to go to the train station again, just for the chance to catch Reina.
"Sorry. I think I'll stay behind."
So, I voice my thought on staying.
"Are you sure? It's not great to stay in doors all day you know?"
It makes sense for Shin to be worried like that, but I can't just tell them that- no... I probably can tell them now. It's not like they don't know about my sister now. But before I could clarify to Shin about going to the train station to see my sister, Midori spoke up.
"Actually, I'll also stay behind. I'm not all that hungry anyways."
"Seriously? Okay, then how 'bout we split up then? We can go get food to bring back here if you like?"
"Mhmm! Sounds good."
Looks like I'm not even going to have the chance to say anything, huh. Well, there was something I wanted to talk about with Midori anyways, or maybe "do something" might be more accurate. I guess I'll just go with the flow for now. My brother is probably looking out for Reina anyways; at least I hope he is.
"Okay, then everyone who's hungry can come with us!"
After Nicole's declaration, the only people left behind was Midori and myself. Zhen seemed to want to stay back with us but inevitably decided to follow Shin. Like what Shin said earlier, we did end up learning more about each other with the truth or dare game. For the most part, we all did an even amount of truth and dares, but Zhen was the only person who chose truth all the time. Thanks to that, I managed to learn some new things about him as well as the others.
Apparently, Zhen is claustrophobic and his family is actually quite well known overseas. I would think having a powerful family would make a person less timid, but it seems like that's not the case with him. Sadly I didn't learn anything about Nicole's boyfriend. I did ask him about his biggest secret when I had the chance to ask him before, but he only said that he stole money from his parents one time when he was little for candy.
However, suddenly breaking the silence was actually Midori herself, although it came from the grumbling in her stomach rather than words.
"Sorry, hehe."
"I thought you weren't hungry?"
"Ehe- well, I figured you wanted to talk about something?"
She really is sharp... It's honestly quite scary sometimes.
"So? What is it? Ah, was it about the kiss? Sorry about that."
"Huh? No, it's fine. But could you really count that as a kiss anyways?"
"Uhh... Hehehe. Yeah I guess you think the same. But I couldn't just go along with a proper kiss when you reacted like that."
"Huh?"
Wait, she noticed that?
"Pfft, hehe. I guess the others were too focused on me to notice?"
"You're scary sometimes."
"I just have a habit of picking up on small details like that when I'm around people I care about."
She says that as she fiddles with her fingers on the table that we're still sitting down next to. I guess I can relate to her about that. My sister tends to always hold her elbow with her other hand when she's sad. I tend to itch my thumb with my index when I get like that which I could guess my sister also picked up on, it's the same thing. But Midori seems like on a whole other level. It's like she's constantly observing the people she-
"Wait- including me?"
"Of course! We're friends, remember?"
Ah, right... I keep forgetting about that. It's true that I do see Midori as someone important as well, but I'm still new to all this. To me, the only real friend was my sister. I think overtime I'll get adjusted to this though. Wait. Isn't this the perfect chance to test it out? With Midori and I all alone, even if I mess up I won't create an awkward atmosphere.
Thinking that, I lean closer to Midori, causing her to look my way. But before she could say anything-
"E-eh?!"
I've already wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into a hug. Just like what Nicole's boyfriend did to that girl that I saw at the train station.
"L-L-Luna?! Wh-what's this?"
"Hmm?"
So she didn't expect this, huh?
"Is this okay?"
"Ehh?! No- wait, yes. But why a hug all of a sudden?"
So it is okay to hug friends? But Midori's reactions seems quite strong if that's the case. Her reaction is far more exaggerated than the girl I saw. Thinking so, I pull away from the hug, and that's when I noticed just how red Midori's face has gotten.
"D-don't look at me just yet!"
She says as she turns her face away, averting her eyes.
"Sorry. I just wanted to check something."
"Check something?"
My words seemed to have caught her interest as she slowly turns back to face me. Her face slowly calming down from the deep red from before.
"Yeah. I wanted to know whether hugging was what friends do."
"Ah-ahhh~ I see. Okay, okay."
She seems to calm down more quickly upon hearing me clarify, but it didn't take long for her to look back at me with slight confusion.
"But why the sudden interest?"
Don't tell me she picked up that there was more to it even after reacting that strongly. Even when she's like that, she can still pick up stuff like this? Well... I guess it's fine to tell her.
"I just saw Nicole's boyfriend hugging another girl when I was at the train station last night."
"What?"
"Nn. She was around our age so I was wondering if she was his friend or not."
"So then you tried hugging me because of that?"
"Nn."
"..."
Her silence came with a serious expression, her embarrassment now nowhere to be seen as she seems to be deep in thought about what I'd just told her.
"Midori?"
"Do you know what she looked like?"
"It was hard to see since it was dark, but I do remember her having a more brighter hair color than him. Also she seemed to live in a different city."
"Shit..."
It's rare for Midori to swear, which only makes me think that maybe it's not okay.
"But it was just a hug though, right?"
"Well, it's different. You said it was last night, right? Do you remember how late?"
"It was one of the last trains before closing."
"Yeah, that's not normal."
"So a hug means something else depending on the time?"
"Well I wouldn't think much of it if I didn't only know about this now."
So I take it that Nicole also doesn't know about this...
"Luna. Don't tell Nicole about this, okay?"
"Huh?"
"Please. Promise me!"
She says as she grabs my hand in hers, determined to get through to me. But it's not like I was going to tell Nicole anyways. Well to be honest I might have, but with Midori acting this strongly...
"Okay."
"Good. I really don't want Nicole to break down again."
"Again?"
"Ah, it's nothing, hehe. Just something that happened when we were younger. Hahh~ But I guess I failed in my promise, huh."
"Promise?"
"That I'd protect her. I thought Kai was a good fit for her, and she looked really happy with him, so I didn't think too much of it. But to think that he'd do something behind her back like this..."
She balls up her fist by the end of her sentence, clearly angry with what happened. I guess I too have failed in my goal to not make things awkward. I worry about what it'll be like when the others return...
"Hahh~ But enough about that for now. How are you feeling?"
"Me?"
"Yeah. You told everyone about your past. I was a bit worried to be honest."
"I'm fine. I just didn't want to make the same mistake again."
"Right... I'm sorry. You probably want to go to the train station now."
"Nn... I do, but I also wanted to talk to you about this."
"...Pfft, hehehe."
"Huh?"
"Nothing, hehe. You've really warmed up now. I just thought it's funny how we're like this now. I thought that we'd go through high school without interacting at all."
"That was the plan, haha."
I couldn't help but laugh at it myself. It really is strange now that I think back on it. I was so set on the idea of shutting everyone out, focusing solely on finding my sister, only for that to backfire on me. But now as I look at Midori, I feel a sense of comfort in her.
"Hehe-"
In the next moment, Midori is the one to pull me into an embrace as her arms wrap tightly around me. I hesitate for a moment before I find myself doing the same, resting my head on her shoulder as she too rests her head on mine.
"Just... don't disappear on me, alright?"
"I won't"
"Promise?"
"I promise."
"Hehe."
She tightens her hold around me as I follow suit, doing the same thing back to her.
("I can feel you're heartbeat sis!")
("Mmm! Me too!")
Just then, memories flash through my mind of me and my sister hugging whilst in bed. The memory causes me to tense up which made Midori yelp a little. I quickly back off, pulling away from the hug.
"Sorry!"
"I-it's okay. Are you okay, though?"
"Huh?"
"You're..."
I catch onto what she was meaning to say as I can feel a couple tears had shed down my cheek. I quickly wipe them away with the back of my hand.
"I'm fine... I just remembered something is all."
"...Alright."
Suddenly, Midori stands up after some hesitation before extending a hand towards me.
"Huh?"
"Let's go to the train station."
Did she seriously catch onto what I was thinking about? Well, I did mention that I wanted to go there before so it could just be that. But is it really okay?
"What about the others?"
"We have phones. We can just tell them to meet us there instead. Plus there's vending machines there, right? I can also grab something to eat while we're there."
"Is that really okay though?"
"Mhmm! So let's go."
I think about it for a couple more moments, thinking about whether I really should involve Midori in this, but eventually, I grab Midori's hand as she helps pull me up from the floor with a smile on her face that immediately infects me, causing me to smile back.
Just in case, I bring an umbrella as I no longer trust the weather lady, especially after how many times they've been wrong. Midori walks by my side as we slowly make our way to the train station. Sadly, we're going to miss the next train, but we should have plenty more trains to see. I sent a text to my brother regarding my sister as we walked and after a few minutes, he responds.
Brother: "I'm sorry. Weekends aren't really a day off for us teachers, haha. I can have a look once I finish with this work load though!"
So he wasn't at the train station this morning... I can't be mad at him though. Sure I'm disappointed about it, but I can understand the feeling. I got lucky with my "sick" leave before, but I don't think I can do the same next week, which only makes me want to make sure I find my sister today or tomorrow. Even if she does have a boyfriend, a weekend would be the perfect time to go out together, right? I'm doing the same thing with Midori, so I think the chances of finding her on weekends are much higher anyways.
"Okay, I sent the message to the others~"
Midori's the first to speak up as we approach the station. I don't know how I would feel with the others joining me, but having Midori with me like this does feel nice. Really makes me feeling less alone.
"Thank you for coming with me."
"Not a problem~ Ah, there it is!"
In an instant, she spots a row of vending machines as she quickly makes her way to them. The next train doesn't arrive for another 15 minutes, so I follow behind her.
"Hmmm~"
"What you thinking of getting?"
"Well, it's mainly just junk food, right? So I might just get this for now-"
She says before pushing a button, and in the next moment, a carton falls down into the collection box. When Midori pulls it out, I see that it's coffee flavored milk.
"Oh? Coffee, huh?"
"Hehe, yeah. I figured I'd try and get used to the taste."
Is she doing this because I made her coffee that one time? I can't help but smile at the realization as she breaks the cap open.
"Cute."
"E-eh?"
"I'll grab one as well then. I've never actually had coffee from a vending machine before."
I say before purchasing the same thing as Midori, only after I grabbed it from the collection box, I notice that Midori's face is once again flushed. It feels like Midori's face has been red a lot recently. I'm a bit worried. Maybe its not just simple embarrassment?
"Are you feeling okay?
So I end up asking, just to make sure. If it were raining, I probably would take her home before staking out the train station.
"Y-yeah! I'm okay! Just that..."
"Just what?"
"N-nevermind! Ah, we have to find a spot, let's go!"
She quickly spins around before walking off to the boarding platform where the trains stop and go. I guess I shouldn't press any further. She's walking quite fast so she must be feeling alright. Still though... What has gotten her so flustered?
When we take our seat at one of the benches, I choose to keep quiet about it as we both silently sip away at our coffee flavored milk. The taste does resemble coffee, but it's much sweeter than I would prefer. It almost drowns out the coffee flavor to the point where I only get to taste the "essence" of it.
"Mmm~ This is nice."
But it seems like this is just right for Midori. I don't hate it though, but being teased with this weak coffee flavor is a bit frustrating. I almost want to buy coffee beans and just throw them in this. No, that would be an insult to the coffee beans...
"I think I prefer actual coffee over this."
"I-I'll try and get used to it, hehe."
"Maybe I could make you some coffee when we get back?"
"Eh? U-uhm... Mm! I'd like that."
Again, her face becomes lightly flushed as she says that. Not wanting to be left in the dark, I reach out a hand to her forehead.
"L-Luna?!"
Which seems to have only made her panic more as her face resembled the deep red from before.
"Hmmm. Are you sure you're not feeling well?"
"I-I'm fine."
Hearing that, I take my hand away from her forehead. She did feel a bit on the warmer side, but I don't think it's that big of a problem so I won't push it further.
"Hahh~ Jeez... You really have no reservation, huh."
"I just don't want you to get sick. It's no joke. I felt like I was going to die a few times before."
"Pfft. You make it sound like it was your first time being sick."
"It was."
"Huh?! Wait, seriously?"
"Nn."
"Woah... For me I tend to get sick during winter, but I've been okay so far."
Winter. It sure is close now, along with mine and my sister's birthday. Hmmm... Now that I'm looking at Midori, she didn't bring that much in terms of clothes, only wearing a couple layers. I'm wearing three, including my jacket, but I don't feel all that cold, Midori would need this more than me... Thinking so, I slide my arms out of my jacket before putting my jacket around Midori.
"W-wait, Luna?"
"Don't worry. I'm not that cold, so you can have it for now."
"Th-that won't do-!"
In response to this, Midori flings over one half of my jacket over me, bringing herself closer to me, with our shoulders now pressed against each other, my jacket now covering both our bodies; albeit not to the greatest of effect.
"I-if it's like this, then we can both be warm, right?"
"I guess."
"...Hehe."
Well, it looks like she's happy with this. It's not like we'll be moving much from this bench as we'll just be looking out for trains, but being this close to Midori... It really does make me think about how close we've gotten over the past week. I wonder if Reina also has someone like this?