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“Hello?”
“Hi. Is that you, Shouta?”
“Yes, it’s me. Hi, Hizashi. I’m surprised you didn’t lose my number; you were rather… drunk last night.”
“Yeah, I was a bit, wasn’t I?”
“A bit? Hizashi, you vomited on that man’s shoes.”
“...”
“Hizashi?”
“...Yeah, I guess I did. Look, I don’t really wanna talk about that. It wasn’t the nicest experience.”
“I see your point. Is your knee all right?”
“I’ve got a nice blue-black lump forming, and it fucking hurts.”
“I bet it does.”
“Anyway, the reason I’m phoning is... I wanted to ask why you gave me your number.”
“Because I want to see you again.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Even though I puked over a random man’s feet?”
“Yes, really. I like you, Hizashi.”
“Why, though?”
“I think you’re a nice person, and you were so funny when you started reeling off your list of English swearwords. And… look, I don’t go in for sentimental stuff, so let me just say… I think you’re rather attractive.”
“...”
“Hizashi? Are you there?”
“...I’m, I’m here. I’m just a bit shocked.”
“Why?”
“I’m just not used to being complimented like that. But thanks, really, thanks.”
“So, would you like to go out some time?”
“What... you mean like a date?”
“If you want it to be, yes. Why’re you laughing?”
“Sorry, I just can’t believe it. This sort of thing just doesn’t happen to me.”
“Well it is now. So, Hizashi, is Friday at the ramen place near the cinema all right?”
“Yeah, Friday’s cool. And ramen’s cool too.”
“Yeah, it certainly is. Friday at the Curry House?”
“Yep. So, I’ll see you there, then?”
“Yeah. I can’t wait!”
“I’ll see you Friday, then.”
“Bye.”
---
“Shouta? Why’re you calling? Where are you? You were meant to be here ten minutes ago. You haven’t stood me up, have you?”
“No, of course I haven’t. I’m just... well... I’m a bit lost.”
“How can you be lost? You’re the one who recommended this place.”
“I know, I know. I’m just a bit shit with directions.”
So, where are you?”
“I’m just behind—”
“Hang on, Shouta – I can see you!”
“I can see you too! Hello, Hizashi!”
“I’m going inside; it’s fucking freezing out here. See you in ten seconds.”
---
“Where are you, Hizashi? You just ran off. What’s the matter?”
“What do you mean, ‘what’s the matter’?”
“You looked worried. I was just wondering if you got bad news from someone or something scared you, or something like that.”
“No, it wasn’t anything like that. I mean, I’m just one of those people who look a bit hyper and jumpy all the time. I think it’s because of m-my anxiety. Nothing scared me... I j-just... needed to go.”
“Are sure you’re all right?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. I just remembered something important, and I needed to go home as quick as possible. It’s not your fault. I’ll, I’ll pay you back for my half of the meal. I just needed to go.”
“Well, is there anything I can do? Where are you?”
“I’m in a taxi. Stop worrying, Shouta. I’m fine.”
“But, Hizashi, I—”
---
“Hi, Hizashi.”
“...Hello, Shouta.”
“What happened last night?”
“I don’t wanna chat right now, Shouta. Can you call me back?”
“But I just wanted to see if you were all right.”
“Of course I’m all right. Everything’s fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’m totally sure.”
“I’m not sure I believe you.”
“Well, I don’t care if you believe me or not, Shouta. Goodbye.”
---
“Hi, Hizashi.”
“What do you want?”
“And a good morning to you too, Hizashi.”
“Ha fucking ha. I’m really not in the mood to talk, right now, so—”
“But we need to talk about the other night.”
“The other night? That was nothing. We don’t need to talk about that.”
“But—”
“Goodbye, Shouta.”
---
“Hi, Hizashi, it’s Shouta. I just wanted to give you a call, but obviously you’re not in. Can you call me when you get back, please? We need to have a chat about the other night. Well, then... bye.”
---
“Hi, Hizashi. Haven’t heard from you for—”
“What was that message for?”
“What message?”
“The answer phone message!”
“Well, I, I just wanted to have a chat. You weren’t there, so I left a message. What’s wrong with that?”
“Why can’t you understand that I don’t wanna talk about it? Why can’t you just leave me alone?”
“But... I’m worried about you—”
“Why though? We’ve only had one date! It’s not like we’re a couple or anything. Just leave me alone, Shouta.”
“Please, Hizashi, just—”
“No!”
---
“Hizashi, I—”
“Will you just go away, Shouta!?”
“But Hizashi, I—”
“I don’t want to talk! Leave me alone! Please.”
---
“Look, Hizashi, I don’t want to keep arguing with you. This isn’t getting us anywhere. I don’t have the first clue what’s wrong with you, but I know bugging you isn’t going to solve anything. I’m just going to leave this message, and there’s no pressure to call me back when you get this, all right. I just want you to know I’m sorry for constantly calling you, and I hope we can maybe have another date in the future, when you’re ready to, because I really do like you. Sorry again... Bye.”
---
“Hello?”
“...”
“Hello? Hizashi? Look, you must be there, this is your number.”
“...”
“Are you there? Hizashi?”
“...”
“I know you’re there, Hizashi; I can hear you breathing. Please, if you want to talk, just talk. I’m not going to get angry with you, really.”
“...”
“Hizashi?”
“…”
---
“Hi, Shouta.”
“Hizashi? Why’re you calling?”
“...”
“Hizashi?”
“I’ve... I’ve decided I want to talk... About everything.”
“Really? You really want to?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Are you all right? Your voice sounds weird.”
“I’m fine. I just... I’ve got a bit of a sore throat.”
“I... see. So, you want to tell me what happened?”
“Yeah.”
“If it’s not too personal, why’d you change your mind?”
“I guess it was when I listened to your message and realised you still care even after I’ve been so horrible to you. You know, I didn’t even realise how rude I was being until I heard your message, and I’m sorry. I just get angry when I’m stressed. And this has certainly made me stressed.”
“...”
“Shouta? Are you there?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m here. I’m just listening. But... you don’t have to talk about it if it’ll make you stressed.”
“I’ll feel just as stressed if I don’t tell you, so I might as well... You know, it seems a bit thick, really, when I think about it now, but I was scared at the time. Anyway...”
“Are you all right?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Well, I’m not, really, but… you know what I mean. I can deal with it. So... right, here we go. When we were in the restaurant, I was all right until I saw two people come through the front doors. Because, one of them... one of them was... was m-my ex.”
“...Your ex-boyfriend?”
“Uh-huh. And, well, we didn’t have the b-best relationship. In fact, we had a fucking... awful relationship.”
“Hizashi, are you crying?”
“N-No.”
“You are. Don’t get yourself upset, please. It’s not worth it.”
“No, I need to explain. Otherwise you’ll just think I’m this fucking wimp who hated living with someone who he occasionally argued with. And that... that’s certainly not the case.”
“...”
“Yeah, definitely not that. You see, he was... he... it was an ab—”
“Abusive relationship.”
“Y-Yeah, yeah... it-it was.”
“Fucking hell. You poor thing. I had no idea. I wish I could give you a hug.”
“So do I... Yeah, so seeing him brought up some, some bad memories.”
“I’m certain it did.”
“And I got so anxious, and I couldn’t breathe and I just needed to get the fuck away from there and I felt like I—”
“Hizashi! Calm down, please. It’s all right. You’re not there now. You’re safe. He can’t hurt you. Just take deep breaths, and try to calm down.”
“I’m... I’m sorry...”
“You don’t need to apologise. You can’t help being scared.”
“... Thank you.”
“It’s nothing, really.”
“So... after all of this, do you still want to go out with me? Or do you think I’m some weird, grumpy, anxious bastard who—”
“Of course I don’t, Hizashi! I like you a lot. Why else do you think I gave you my number in the first place?”
“But, but I’m weird—”
“No you’re not. You’re just a lovely person who’s really anxious after being treated like crap by your ‘partner’ and who deserves so much better. Are you crying?”
“Yeah, I am. Sorry, I just don’t know... why’re you so nice to me?”
“I’m just treating you like a normal person treats another normal person. This isn’t anything special. I’m just giving you the respect you deserve.”
“Th-Thank you, Shouta. Th-thank you so much.”
“It’s nothing.”
“So... should we meet up tomorrow?”
“Only if you feel comfortable to.”
“Well, I think I do. So, should we?”
“If you want.”
“Awesome. It’s a date.”
“It’s a date.”
“And, Shouta?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for everything.”
“You’re welcome, Hizashi. So, see you tomorrow then?”
“Yep. Bye.”
“Goodbye.”