Chapter 22

After few hours..

Suddenly, a cheerful jingle cut through the quiet hum of the AC. Minji's phone, resting beside her, vibrated.

Minji: (Groaning playfully as she sits up) Ah, saved by the bell! Or, well, the delivery ringtone. It's here!

She snatched up her phone, a small smirk playing on her lips.

Minji: (Into the phone, a bright, clear voice) Hello? Yes, this is Minji.

A slightly muffled, polite male voice responded from the other end.

Delivery Guy (V.O.): (Politely) Good afternoon, Ms. Minji. This is Tokyo Eats. Your order of fried chicken and cold drinks is on its way. I'm currently on Shibuya Street, just approaching 1-chome. Could you confirm the exact delivery location, please?

Minji's eyes darted around the spacious living room, then glanced toward the large window overlooking the street below.

Minji: Yes, thank you! I'm at the Sunshine & Bloom building. You know, the flower shop on the ground floor with all the colourful pots outside? I'm right above that.

Delivery Guy (V.O.): (A pause, then a slightly clearer voice, indicating he's closer) Ah, yes, the one with the vibrant orange awning? I see it now. Just pulling up.

Minji: That's the one! Fantastic. I'll be right outside.

She ended the call with a quick tap and sprang up, a newfound energy in her movements.

She quickly slipped on her sandals, grabbed her small purse, and headed out of the apartment, down the short flight of stairs, and pushed open the heavy main door of the building. The full force of the Tokyo summer hit her immediately. The air was thick and humid, a stifling blanket that made the asphalt shimmer and the distant city hum vibrate with heat. She squinted, shading her eyes with her hand.

Just then, a small scooter, emblazoned with the Tokyo Eats logo, pulled up to the curb right in front of the Sunshine & Bloom flower shop. The delivery rider, a young man in a light blue uniform and a helmet, was already dismounting, a large insulated bag slung over his shoulder.

Minji: (Waving cheerfully) Hello! That's me!

The delivery guy spotted her and offered a polite bow, his helmet still on.

Delivery Guy: (Voice slightly muffled by the helmet, but clear) Good afternoon, ma'am. Your order? Fried chicken, a large portion, and two large cold drinks?

Minji: (Nodding, a smile wide on her face) That's absolutely right! Perfect timing, too. It's absolutely sweltering out here. You must be boiling in that uniform.

The delivery guy chuckled faintly as he carefully extracted the large, aromatic box and two condensation-beaded plastic cups from his bag. The delicious scent of fried chicken wafted through the hot, still air, making Minji's stomach rumble in anticipation.

Delivery Guy: (Handing her the box and drinks with both hands) Here you go, ma'am. Please be careful, it's still quite hot. And the drinks are extra cold, just as you requested.

Minji took the items, a wave of satisfaction washing over her as the cool condensation from the drinks met her warm skin.

Minji: Oh, thank you so much! Seriously, you're a lifesaver. This looks amazing.

Delivery Guy: (Straightening up, a polite smile on his face) It's my pleasure, ma'am. Enjoy your meal.

Minji: (Remembering) Oh, right! How much is it? I paid online, but I just want to double-check.

Delivery Guy: (A quick glance at his phone, then a courteous bow) The total was ¥3,500, ma'am, and your payment was successfully processed online. Everything's settled.

Minji: (Nodding) Okay, great. Just wanted to be sure. Well, thank you again! You have a good, cool rest of your day!

Delivery Guy: Thank you so much, ma'am! You too!

With another quick bow, the delivery guy turned, hopped back onto his scooter, and with a swift kick, the engine rumbled to life. He gave Minji a small nod, then expertly maneuvered his scooter back into the flow of Shibuya traffic and disappeared down the street.

Minji clutched the precious cargo to her chest, the warmth of the chicken box a surprising comfort against the heat, and the cold drinks providing a tiny, localized chill. She practically skipped back into the building, eager to rejoin her sisters and escape the oppressive heat.

As she re-entered the apartment, the blast of the air conditioner felt like a welcoming embrace, a stark contrast to the oven-like air outside. The apartment was an oasis of coolness, the humming AC unit a silent, powerful guardian against the summer's wrath.

Minji chuckled, peeling back the cardboard lid. Inside, golden-brown pieces of fried chicken lay nestled, crispy skin glistening, the warmth radiating outwards.

Minji: Alright, let's eat, you two! Fried chicken and cold drinks, the perfect antidote to this Tokyo summer. Honestly, even with the AC blasting, you can still feel the lingering ghost of the heat from outside. It's a special kind of hot, isn't it? A humid, sticky, "I-think-my-skin-is-melting" kind of hot.

She passed a piece to Lily, then to Jiah, finally taking one for herself. The first bite was pure bliss – the satisfying crunch of the skin, the tender, juicy meat within, perfectly seasoned.

Jiah: (Mouth full, nodding vigorously) Mmm, yes, absolutely. Tokyo summers are brutal. Like a giant, invisible, damp towel being wrapped around you. But this… (She takes a long sip of her cola) This is bliss. The perfect combination. My compliments to Minji for ordering and the delivery person for braving the inferno.

Lily: (Her eyes wide with happiness as she crunches into her chicken) This is the best fried chicken ever! Even better than the one from that place we went to last month! It's so crispy! And the drink is super cold! My teeth are chattering!

Minji: (Smiling, content) Glad to hear it. We definitely picked a winner today. You know, sometimes I think I survive summer purely on the promise of cold drinks and air conditioning. And maybe a little bit of ice cream.

Jiah: (Wiping her fingers on a napkin, then leaning back, a thoughtful expression on her face) Speaking of simple pleasures, remember those summers back in high school, Minji? When all we had to look forward to was the bell ringing for dismissal, and then… cleaning duty.

Minji paused, mid-chew, a wry smile spreading across her face.

Minji: Oh, cleaning duty. How could I ever forget the legendary after-school cleaning sessions with you, Jiah? They were less "cleaning" and more "strategically avoiding work while gossiping about our crushes."

Jiah: (Gasping dramatically) Hey! We were very diligent! Eventually! After we'd exhausted all topics ranging from the questionable fashion choices of the senior class to the latest manga releases. And the cleaning supplies always smelled faintly of lemon and regret.

Lily: (Confused) You guys had to clean the school yourselves?

Minji: (Chuckling) Yes, Lily, we did! It was a whole "character-building" exercise, apparently. Though I think it mostly built up our ability to hide dust bunnies. And yes, they probably still do. Some traditions die hard. We were usually assigned the classroom, or sometimes, if we were really unlucky, the dreaded gym storage room.

Jiah: (Nodding, a distant look in her eyes) The gym storage room! Oh, the horrors! Remember that one time we found that mummified sports sock? We almost called the police, thinking it was some kind of ancient relic.

Minji: (Laughing) And it turned out to just be someone's forgotten PE sock from like, two years prior! That's when we decided we needed to invent an award for "Most Neglected School Item." The sock would have won, hands down. We almost named it 'Sockzilla.'

Lily: (Giggling, imagining it) Sockzilla! That's so funny! Did you really make up awards?

Jiah: Of course, we did! It made the tedious hours slightly more bearable. We had "Most Likely To Trip Over Their Own Feet While Mopping," which, let's be honest, was usually me. And then there was "Best Impression of a Robot Vacuum," which was probably Minji, because she was always so systematic.

Minji: (Feigning offense) Hey! I was just efficient! Someone had to make sure the job actually got done, even if it meant being a bit robotic. You were usually off in a corner trying to teach a dustpan to sing.

Jiah: (Waving a dismissive hand) Small details. But speaking of school days, do you remember that shy guy? What was his name…Takara ? No, no, Yamamoto. Hiroshi Yamamoto! The one who always sat in the front row, never said a word, but then you, Minji, scored top marks in the notoriously difficult physics exam, and he actually, like, gasped.

Minji froze, a small blush creeping up her neck. She took a sip of her cola, buying herself a moment.

Minji: (A small, nostalgic smile) Hiroshi Yamamoto. Wow. Yes, I do remember him. He was incredibly quiet. I almost forgot about him. He barely ever made eye contact with anyone. I think his natural habitat was the library.

Jiah: Exactly! And you were always so effortlessly brilliant. You just aced everything without even seeming to try. Meanwhile, I was wrestling with quadratic equations like they were wild animals. But that physics exam! Everyone was convinced it was impossible. And then you just… did it. And Yamamoto-kun looked at you like you'd just levitated. It was the most animated I'd ever seen him!

Minji: (Shaking her head, still smiling) Oh, Jiah, you're exaggerating. It wasn't effortless. I actually spent a lot of time studying. I just… didn't make a big deal out of it. And I remember he just sort of… looked at me. Wide-eyed. Like I'd grown a third eye or something. It was kind of sweet, in a weird, socially awkward way. He was definitely brilliant himself, just incredibly reserved.

Jiah: (Chuckling) Sweet and socially awkward, that perfectly describes him! I wonder what he's doing now. He probably grew up into some super-genius inventor, living in a secluded mountain lab, surrounded by robots. Maybe he finally learned to make eye contact.

Minji: (Considering) Maybe. Or maybe he's still just as shy, but now he's a brilliant astrophysicist who communicates only in mathematical equations. He certainly had the brain for it. It's funny how you remember little things like that. It feels like a lifetime ago.

Lily: (Pondering) So, he was a shy genius, and Minji-nee was a secret genius? Did you ever talk to him after that?

Minji: (Taking another bite of chicken) Not really, no. Not in any significant way. He just continued being quietly brilliant, and I continued, well, being me. High school was a weird time, wasn't it? Everyone was so focused on their own little world, their own anxieties. It's hard to imagine being that young and self-conscious again.

Jiah: (Nodding thoughtfully) Absolutely. We were all just trying to figure out who we were. But it's beautiful in its own way, isn't it? Those awkward, formative years. The silly things we worried about seemed like the end of the world then. Now they're just funny memories. Like the time you accidentally wore two different colored socks to school, Minji.

Minji: (Groaning good-naturedly) Jiah! You promised you'd never bring that up again! I still blame the early morning darkness and my sleep-deprived brain!

Lily: (Gasping with laughter) Minji-nee, really? Two different socks? That's amazing! Tell me, tell me!

Minji: (Waving her hand dismissively, but a smile playing on her lips) It was just a black sock and a navy-blue sock! In the dark, they look identical! It's not like I wore one polka-dot and one striped!

Jiah: (Wiping away a tear of laughter) But you were so mortified! You spent the entire day trying to keep your ankles hidden! And then when you finally confessed to me, you were whispering like it was some top-secret government scandal!

Minji: (Muttering) It felt like one at the time. Teenage pride is a fragile thing. Anyway, enough about my sartorial mishaps! Back to the present, and this glorious chicken.

They continued to eat, the conversation flowing easily between them, punctuated by the satisfying crunch of chicken and the occasional clink of ice in their cups. The air conditioner hummed contentedly, keeping the summer heat at bay.

Lily: (Stretching her arms above her head, a contented sigh escaping her lips) Mmm, I really love summer, even if it is super hot. The days are so long, and you get to eat all the good stuff like this! And there are fireflies! I saw some in the park yesterday!

Jiah: You're right, Lily. Despite the melting heat, there's a certain magic to summer, isn't there? Everything feels more relaxed, more vibrant. Even the air feels like it's buzzing with energy. Though I could do without the constant sheen of sweat. My hair feels like it's perpetually stuck to my forehead.

Minji: (Nodding in agreement) Definitely. The long days are lovely. It feels like you have so much more time for everything. We should definitely make the most of it. Next time, maybe we can ditch the indoor eating and actually enjoy a Sunday weekend somewhere. Like a park, perhaps? Or that nice spot by the river?

Jiah: (Brightening) Oh, yes! That sounds perfect! If we go early enough, before the sun decides to turn us into human puddles. A picnic in the shade would be lovely. We could bring those fancy sandwiches, and maybe some fruit. And definitely more cold drinks. A thermos full of iced tea!

Lily: (Clapping her hands, her eyes sparkling) Yes! A picnic! And we can bring a Frisbee! Or a ball! And maybe we can walk by the river and see if anyone is fishing! Oh, yes, sister, that sounds amazing!

Minji: (Smiling, pleased with their enthusiasm) Great! So, it's settled then. A summer picnic adventure for next Sunday. We'll consult the weather forecast religiously to pick the perfect, non-scorching time.

They finished the last of the chicken, savoring the flavours, sipping their cold drinks until only ice cubes remained. The conversation, however, was far from over.

Jiah: (Leaning back against the sofa cushions, a thoughtful expression) You know, sometimes I think about how much we've changed since those high school days. We were so awkward and unsure then. Now look at us, just… existing. Being actual adults. It's wild.

Minji: (Chuckling) Speak for yourself, Jiah. I still feel like I'm winging it most days. But yes, it is wild. There's a certain freedom, though, isn't there? We get to choose what we do, where we go. Like eating fried chicken in an AC-blasted apartment instead of hiding from the sun under a classroom desk.

Lily: (Patting her full stomach contentedly) I think being an adult sounds fun. You get to eat whatever you want, whenever you want. And stay up late!

Jiah: (Wiggling her eyebrows at Minji) Oh, Lily, you have no idea. The responsibilities multiply, but so do the opportunities for discreetly eating ice cream directly from the tub at 2 AM. It's a trade-off.

Minji: (Shaking her head, laughing) Jiah, don't give her ideas! She'll be raiding the fridge every night. Lily, there's also bills, and work, and… adulting. It's not all ice cream and late nights.

Lily: (Pouting playfully) Aww. But still, it sounds mostly good!

Jiah: It is mostly good, sweet pea. Especially when you have good company and good food. Minji, remember that time we tried to cook ramen from scratch and almost set the kitchen on fire?

Minji: (Eyes widening in mock horror) Oh, don't remind me! The smoke detector went off for twenty minutes straight! And the ramen tasted like… well, it tasted like disappointment and burnt ambition. We swore we'd stick to instant noodles after that.

Jiah: But we learned a valuable lesson! Never underestimate the power of… well, water and noodles! And the importance of a properly ventilated kitchen. Also, that we're terrible chefs.

Lily: (Giggling) You guys tried to cook? That's even funnier than Sockzilla! What else did you try that went wrong?

Minji: (Sighing dramatically) Oh, Lily, where do we even begin? There was the time Jiah tried to dye her hair blue using a kit from a discount store, and it ended up looking like a bruised eggplant.

Jiah: (Clapping a hand over Minji's mouth, but laughing) Hey! That was a phase! A very short, very regrettable phase! And it was supposed to be indigo! It said indigo on the box!

Minji: (Muffled by Jiah's hand, but still giggling) It was not indigo, Jiah! It was clearly… plum gone wrong!

Lily: (Laughing so hard she almost falls off the sofa) You dyed your hair purple? Oh my god! You two are so silly!

Jiah: (Removing her hand, pretending to look offended) We were merely experimenting with self-expression, Lily! Unlike Minji, who always played it safe with her perfectly coiffed hair and sensible sweaters.

Minji: (Raising an eyebrow) Sensible keeps you out of embarrassing situations, Jiah. Besides, someone had to balance out your… sartorial adventurism. And my hair was coiffed because I wanted it to be, not because I was afraid of an eggplant dye job!

Jiah: (Grinning) Fair point. We were a good balance, though. You were the calm, rational one, always anticipating problems. I was the chaotic creative, always finding new ways to create problems.

Minji: (Nodding sagely) And Lily, you're currently in the "observant and highly amused commentator" phase. It's a crucial role.

Lily: (Puffing out her chest proudly) I am! And I'm collecting all the stories! One day I'll write a book about my two crazy sisters. It'll be a bestseller!

Jiah: (Waving her hand playfully) And we'll demand royalties! For all the material we've so generously provided.

Minji: As long as you portray me as the elegant, witty heroine and not the sensible, sock-wearing, easily-embarrassed one.

Jiah: (Pretending to think deeply) Hmm, no promises. The truth is always funnier.

Their laughter filled the cool, comfortable apartment, a happy sound against the muffled hum of the city outside. The food boxes were now empty, the drinks long gone, but the warmth of their shared company and easy banter filled the space. It was moments like these, simple and unburdened, that made the sweltering Tokyo summer not just bearable, but truly enjoyable. The air conditioner continued its steady hum, a silent, cool witness to their joyful, funny, and utterly normal afternoon.

Lily: (Suddenly, a thought striking her) Minji-nee, Jiah-nee, do you think that shy guy, Yamamoto-kun, ever learned to smile without looking like he was in pain? Like, a real, big, happy smile?

Minji: (Chuckling softly) That's a good question, Lily. I hope so. Everyone deserves to laugh freely.

Jiah: (Eyes sparkling with mischief) Or maybe he just developed a really cool, mysterious smirk. You know, the kind that makes people wonder what secrets he's hiding. He was always so enigmatic. Perhaps he became a secret agent.

Minji: (Scoffing playfully) A secret agent who gasped at physics scores? I highly doubt it. But a brilliant scientist, definitely.

Jiah: Why not both? A scientist who moonlights as a spy, using his knowledge of theoretical physics to disarm bombs and decode encrypted messages! It writes itself!

Minji: (Shaking her head, amused) You've got an active imagination, Jiah. Maybe you should be the one writing books.

Jiah: (Grinning) Oh, I will. But my first book will be about the adventures of Minji and the Two-Toned Sock, a thrilling tale of espionage and wardrobe malfunctions!

Minji: (Groaning dramatically) You are relentless! I'm disowning you both!

Lily: (Squealing with delight) No, you're not! We're too much fun! You love us!

Minji: (Smiling despite herself) Yes, yes, I suppose I do. Even with your endless teasing.

The afternoon continued, drifting into early evening. The setting sun cast long, golden shadows across the room, but the air inside remained pleasantly cool.

Their voices, light and easy, mingled with the soft hum of the air conditioner. It was a simple summer day, made special by the comfort of sisterly bond, shared laughter, and the simple pleasure of good food and cool air. And in the quiet moments between stories, a palpable sense of contentment filled the room, a happy bubble against the simmering heat of the city.

Minji: You know, I wouldn't trade these moments for anything. Just hanging out, eating good food, talking nonsense. It's the best part of summer.

Jiah: Agreed. No grand plans needed. Just us. And the miracle of modern air conditioning. And delicious fried chicken.

Lily: And Sockzilla stories!

Minji threw a cushion playfully at Lily, who shrieked with laughter. Jiah joined in, and soon, all three of them were laughing, enjoying the last vestiges of their delicious meal, and the perfectly cool oasis they had created in the heart of a hot Tokyo summer. The promise of a weekend park adventure still hung in the air, a delightful future possibility, but for now, this was more than enough.