Shoveling Light II

"But why do you want me to ask him out so badly?!" Kyōko asked, still pulling her purse toward her.

"Because I want you to be happy!" I answered.

Suddenly, she stopped fighting back, making me lose my balance and start falling backward. Luckily, she held my arm before I fell off the stool.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" she apologized as she helped me sit up straight.

"Why did you stop pulling?" I asked.

"Because your answer surprised me," she laughed nervously. "You think I'm not happy?"

I lay my arms back on the counter.

"I think you're fine but, after spending many afternoons talking about your non-existent love life and talking about your friends' instead, I realized you're missing out on something you should experience at least once. You might not need anyone at your side to be happy, but you'll never know if you never try."

Both Jun and Kyōko stared at me in silence.

"What?" I asked.