Ch. 60 - Long Distance Friendship.

After I serve the last dish I was cooking, I started to clean the kitchen and wash some pots. I look outside through our glass windows, and felt frustrated. It was only early evening but we're already closing. The city gets more lively at night, as its the time where most people go on dates, and I always dreamed of this place to witness romantic relationships bear fruition. As during the day this place is rather bland and lifeless. But even if I wanted to continue working, me and my friends are already exhausted from all day of work. No wonder my father is keen on hiring more employees. My friends are already getting ready to pack and take their leave for the day. However I need to stay a bit longer and handle some paperwork upstairs at my father's office. I make myself a cup of coffee and head upstairs. I was assuming it would be alot of paperwork, but I was surprised to only find a handful of files, it wouldn't take long to finish. So I decided to start early on and get home soon. I still plan to head to the gym after this.

Minutes later, I heard a knock on the door.

"Come in!" I said. It opened and Chinatsu peeked inside. "Senpai, we'll be taking our leave now. Are you sure you don't want to come with us?" She asked.

I looked at her and held a folder on my hand.

"I can't, I still have some work to do." I responded. "Okay, take care senpai." She said. I nod and replied "You too~" Before she closed the door. I was alone and felt really quite. I was really comfortable and felt a sharp thrill of excitement, knowing I could do anything I want. I was also getting hungry. So I decided to imitate a certain scenario in anime. I took off my coat and shirt and put on an apron and went downstairs to cook while almost being topless. I cooked myself some burgers and poured myself a glass of wine. I headed back upstairs feeling alot better and accomplished. I was laughing at myself for doing it, but felt proud that I was able tp do it. I took off my apron but remain topless as I sat on my father's office chair working on the remaining paperwork. I love being topless for some reason...

*Beep* *SFX : Notification sound.*

(???) I was nearly finished with the paperwork when I received a message on my phone. I picked it up and it was from Sarah. I was nearly finished so I decided to ignore her for now and called her back when I get home.

*Beep* *SFX : Notification sound.*

Not long after, I received another message. I put my phone on silent as it was beginning to bother me and lose focus on what I was doing. Minutes later.

*Phone ringtone playing in the background : Rick Ashley - "Never gonna give you up."*

"Oh no..."

I scoffed and answered the phone.

"Hello?" I said.

The call ended immediately as soon as I talked. Was she trying to check if im online or not? Before I could put the phone down. A video call notification appeared at the top of my phone screen.

"What now?!" I frustratingly pick up my phone and decided to answer, she happily greets me as soon as her face appear on my screen. I placed my phone against the vase on the desk so we could see each other.

"Hello, Akagi!" She joyously said

"Hello, Sarah, what's up with the sudden call?" I curiously asked. "Is there something urgent you want to tell me?" I added.

"Nothing, I just want to see you. Is now a bad time?"

She sounds sad when she asked me.

"No, not at all. Im just curious." I replied.

"Oh? Im glad~ How was your work?" Sarah sounds happy again. "Im already done, but I just have to tend some paperwork because my father is taking a day off with my mom." I said casually.

"How about you? How was your day?"

"Everything feels better, after I talked to you about my problems the other day. My heart feels lighter and my mood is brighter."

She told me. I was flattered when I hear her say it, I was uncertain I actually help alot, but I guess I became a person she could talk to and I manage to make her let out some of the bottled emotions she is carrying inside.

"That's wonderful to hear~ Im quite delighted you're feeling better now."

"Yes, I took your advice and only ever show myself to the people who appreciates and understands me. It really did help me regain my confidence, as I felt welcomed and simply be myself."

Even though I failed to grasp the same results when I was at that stage, I feel happy that I prevent her from experiencing the same ordeal I went through. I had no one to help me back then, I only had my will and resentment to push through any obstacles I faced in life. Even when I only realize it at the end, I was glad it did help someone.

"It makes me wonder though, how you were during your school years. Im pretty sure you're admired and a formidable person!" She exclaimed. Trying to praise me.

"Admired...huh?"

That would be an overstatement. Indeed I was, but only for a brief moment. And I wouldn't exactly called it a form admiration, I remember how quickly things escalated and everyone turned against me because I was too soft. I was weak and lack the nesesary resolve to stand my ground or to simply refuse. They took advantage of my weak personality and exploited me. Remembering it now makes me feel sick and pity for myself. I leaned back put my hands behind my head. I looked in the ceiling and told her my experience.

"I was alot different during my school days. I was alone and never had anyone to support my back. Even when people ignored me, even when I was left to be alone in the shadows. I was really lonely, the people whom I called friends, only come to me when they need something. But no one was really there for me. I was really lonely, during those times, whenever a problem arose. I only had to hold firm to the teachings my grandparents left me. I remembered all of it and adapted the wisdom they taught me to push through."

I said.

"Even though it would always be late for me, to formulate a new method of getting over such problems. I was still able to correct some of it. In order for you to find a flaw and fix it, you must went through and experience it first. So in short, during the start of my schools days, everything wenr downhill. But by the very next school year, I was more focused and mature compared to last year. Its like I slowly adapt to a specific mindset."

I look back at her and I was surprise to see her expression. Her mouth was slightly open, she was blushing and her eyes are steadily fixated in a single direction. She was starring at me weirdly. My first instinct tells me to look back, I thought there was something behind me. I looked at her and asked what's the matter. She covered her mouth and looks away in embarrassment. As I look in the screen, I saw myself in the face camera and I realized that I was shirtless! As I leaned back and place my arms behind my head. My body was exposed to her, from my chest down to my diaphragm. I immediately run off and grab my coat and put it on before running back in.

"Um...I-Im sorry about that!" I reasoned.

"That wasn't intentional, I swear!" I said while stuttering nervously.

"Uwaa! Why are you naked?!" She squeals.

"I thought you were handling some paperwork?"

I chuckled and scratch the back of my head.

"Well, its a funny story really...It was hot in the office, so I decided to take off my shirt." She smiled at me and giggled. Does she likes it?

"My~ be careful next time, im a girl you know?" She told me. We both laugh and my nervousness slowly fades away as we started to have fun talking to each other. She doesn't seem be to be disgusted or repulsive about it. Her Malaysian accent resurfaced as she was uncontrollably happy with our further conversations. It was so cute~

Even thought I broke up with her, we still talked almost everyday like nothing has changed. The connection we had remains strong and it seems like we both had no intention of severing it.

"Anyways, would you like to go out sometime?" She aksed.

"To go out? For what?" She looks at me dead in the eyes and said.

"Well I just received my last events payment. I want to buy new clothes among other things. Im just wondering if...would you like to come with me?"

(This girl...damn you and your cute small face...)

"Okay, when will we be going then?" I aksed.

"Really? Im delighted to hear that!" She shouted.

"Whenever you're available." She added.

"Well im free at Saturday in the afternoon. I'd probably got there at 2:00 PM. Is that good?" Her eyes widen and her face brightens with joy.

"Yes! That's good enough~ Lets meet at the same bistro where we hang out last time, okay?"

"Okay, I'll see you this Saturday, You take care, okay?" I responded.

"Sure! You too, take care~"

I ended the call after that. The way she was smiling and her overall joyous expression makes me wonder. What has my life come to? I remained stoic and isolated for many years. Now it seems like im dating someone again.