Chapter 07.04

I was impatiently waiting for Saturday. I was alone because all my roommates had gone home for the weekend. Brian and I had planned everything so that everyone would arrive at his place an hour before Jenny, but I was the first to get there. Brian had already invited me over for lunch.

“So it’s true after all,” Mayoko laughed as she hugged me when I walked in. There was no trace of the distance she had kept at the beginning of the year.

“I had no choice but to transfer,” I chuckled. “Brian was starting to get out of hand.”

“You shouldn’t have left in the first place,” Brian said with a grin.

“The important thing is that you’re here now,” Mayoko smiled.

Brian’s apartment was smaller than Paul’s. From the entryway, the bathroom was directly ahead, equipped with both a bathtub and a shower. To the right of the door was the spacious living room with an open kitchen, and the bedroom door was off to the side. The decor was a mix of cream and black tones—I could see Mayoko’s taste in it. A couple doesn’t need a bigger place than this. In the living room, a couch sat beneath the window, facing a medium-sized TV. The kitchen was set up on the side near the door, blending cream and black elements. Mayoko had prepared snacks and food on the coffee table.

“What do the others know?” I asked during lunch.

“Only Paul and Susy are coming,” Brian said. “Susy doesn’t know that you transferred.”

“I only found out recently myself,” Mayoko smiled. “Brian told me at the end of summer.”

“Why didn’t you invite everyone?” I asked. “I thought the whole group would be here.”

“That would be too many people for Jane,” Mayoko said, and Brian simply nodded.

“You’re right,” I smiled. “This number is just perfect.”

“The best thing would be if I set up a camera somewhere and left you two alone,” Brian joked.

“In that case, the footage might not be suitable for public viewing,” I grinned, but Mayoko gently flicked my forehead.

“You’re talking about one of my best friends,” Mayoko smiled. “She’s going to be really flustered,” she added. “She still loves you.”

“I really hope both of those things are true,” I smirked.

After lunch, we waited for our friends. Fortunately, Paul arrived on time with Susy. Paul was carrying a large box of pastries. When Susy stepped into the room, she simply smiled and hugged me.

“If I had known,” she said, “I wouldn’t have baked this kind of pastry. Jane loves these,” she added, “but you hate them.” She grinned. “Paul told me to make them.”

“When she’s nervous, she eats pastries,” I remarked, and Paul just nodded with a knowing smile.

We chatted until the intercom buzzed—Jenny was punctual as always. I slipped into Brian and Mayoko’s bedroom but left the door slightly ajar so I could see and hear everything. The couch was positioned to the side, allowing me to see everyone’s profile.

“Guess what I found!” Jenny exclaimed excitedly from the entryway. At the sound of her voice, my heart felt like it was about to leap out of my chest.

She stepped into the living room. The girls were sitting on the couch, while Brian and Paul stood near the snacks.

“What did you find?” Susy asked. Jenny pulled out a thin booklet with a title I couldn’t read.

“Where did you find it?” Susy asked, suddenly animated, jumping up from the couch before taking the booklet from Jenny.

“I came across it today at the antiquarian bookstore near the shop,” Jenny said enthusiastically.

“Will you lend it to me once you’ve read it?” Susy asked.

“You can take it today,” Jenny smiled. “I’m reading something else right now, so go ahead and take it. Just return it when you’re done.”

“Thank you so much!” Susy said excitedly, and the girls hugged.

Susy sat back down on the couch, Jenny grabbed a few crackers, and then she looked at the guys.