However, something had come up at the last minute, and Naoko had been requested by her aunt to come over and watch over her little cousins while she was away for a business meeting. Although the news have slightly upsetted you, you think against going home; after all, you have made your best to draw out time. Spending most of the afternoon in the library, writing down notes and finishing up some homework, you have also wasted some of your time on public transport, not to mention the time you sat outside the building, waiting for Naoko. Life’s too short, you have reasoned with yourself. As well as my wallet.

And that leads to where you now stand — by an exit door as you watch in mild boredom, the ice in your glass twirling along the movements of your wrist as you twitch it to an imaginary tempo. It was an interesting seminar, you wouldn’t deny that, but, because the subject is not really part of your own expertise and you were often lost in context, you had guiltily found yourself drifting into sleep multiple times. Well, if anything, you can just blame it on your unhealthy sleeping schedule and the stress.

With a sigh, you open your purse to pull out your phone, unlocking the screen to find an unread message by Naoko. Unable to fight off the smile that has bloomed on your face, you swipe up.

Naoko * please, save me orz * they’re too hyperactive for an old woman like me

You * come on, don’t tell me you’ll give up that easily. plus, aren’t i the older one here?

Naoko * my apologies, obaa-chan * how was the seminar?

You * it was interesting, it was about some sort of AI that they are developing. it seems to behave the same as the original person, while also having their memories.

Naoko * oh, that seems cool! * wonder if they take volunteers?

You * isn’t one naoko enough?

Naoko * harsh * i actually regret not attending, but it seems to have lasted long enough for me to have napped at least through the entire thing

You * don’t remind me * i almost fell asleep, but hey, let’s talk about this more later. i’m sure the newspaper and the media will be talking about this amadeus project soon enough.

In the corner of your eye, amongst the sea of bright colors, there is a sudden spot of black. The bold color immediately draws your attention, and you raise your head to stare. The person has their back turned to you, their shoulders dropped in what appears to be a mix of exhaustion and disappointment. Yet, the more you stare, a confusing sense of familiarity slowly begins to settle in, finally culminating into realization the moment the person turns their head ever so slightly. Your brain immediately replays the events of the previous day — your very first day at Tokyo Denki — but the scenario that you have caused by bumping into another student and stranger makes your cheeks burn in embarrassment.

Suddenly, the weight of your bag seems to increase, as you recall the existence of a red book.

You put your phone away, observing the young man for another quiet moment, and take a deep breath as you clenches a hand around the strap of your shoulder bag. Each step you take, as you near the man who remains oblivious to your approach, makes your heart thump a little bit quicker, and the sound reverbs in your ears. Your lungs fill up with air, one more time, before the anxiety can overtake you.

The man is just within your reach, and you notice how his eyes are ever so slightly narrowed. Before you can distract yourself any further — because you cannot avoid the inevitable —, you reach for him, moving to tap his arm. However, you quickly decide against it and, instead, clear your throat. The man jumps, being abruptly brought back to reality,  and he turns around.

His reaction is immediate, and, just as before, his eyes widen and his body goes stiff.

‘Good evening,’ you begin, your heart racing as you fight the urge to look away from that intense and disconcerting gaze. Whatever it holds, it beckons a weird sense of fight or flight within you. You blame it on your anxiety, which is certainly increasing the more the silence grows.

The stranger — or, Okabe, as the name that was written on the manual suggests — opens his mouth, but no sound comes out.

You continue, ‘I wanted to apologize. For bumping into you yesterday, that is.’ You internally debate whether or not you should bow deeply, whilst taking into consideration that he seems to be around the same age as you. Either way, you do a quick bow, ‘Please, forgive me.’

He closes his mouth, his jaw nearly clicking, and clears his throat. ‘No, it’s alright. I should’ve been more careful.’ He chuckles quietly, ‘I admit I wasn’t paying that much attention to where I was going.’

Yet, despite the attempt to brush the incident under the rug, you can still see how he remains tense.

Maybe, he’s just shy and awkward, just as you are.

But, upon seeing how his face appears a bit whiter than it should be?

‘Are you alright?’ you ask, frowning. ‘You don’t look so good.’ You glance around the room and lean slightly forward, lowering your voice. ‘Do you want me to get someone?’

‘Huh?’ He blinks. Then, he waves a hand, whilst giving you a reassuring smile. ‘No, no, I’m alright.’ When you don’t look convinced, he adds, ‘I’m just tired. It’s just been a long day.’ His eyes wander to the side, for a moment, as he takes a deep breath. It almost looks like he is purposefully avoiding your gaze, just as you had tried not to do moments ago. But, you don’t press. Instead, you watch as he exhales slowly. It reminds you of what you often do when you are burdened by your inner storms.

And, just like that, the conversation seems to come to a halt.

Well, you bite your lip, this is awkward.

You begin to reach inside your bag, which draws the student’s attention back to you. ‘Before I forget,’ you say as you pull out the engineering manual. ‘I know this isn’t exactly the best spot to return something, but better now than ever.’ You hand it out to him. ‘It seems like, while I rushed to the classroom, I accidentally took your book, instead of mine.’

He stares at the manual for a moment, before exclaiming in recognition. He carefully grabs the book from your hand — and you try to ignore the sensation left behind by the tips of his fingers against your skin — and opens the cover, nodding upon seeing his name on the very first page. He meets your eyes with another chuckle, although, this time, it doesn’t appear as forced or nervous. ‘So, this is where it was. And here I was, thinking I had lost it.’

‘I’m sorry. I’m too clumsy,’ you give him an embarrassing smile. But, he shakes his head.

‘That’s alright,’ he soothes her. ‘You were in a hurry, from what I can remember. Plus, mistakes happen.’ His eyes widen for a split second, as if he has realized something, and his lips quirk timidly. ‘Then, I’m guessing that the book I took is yours.’

You nod, ‘Most likely. But, no worries. You can just give it back to me tomorrow or whenever it’s possible. It’s okay.’ you suddenly extend her arm, feeling slightly more comfortable as time passes, ‘Oh, where are my manners?’ You give him your name, smiling warmly.

After putting the book under the wing of his arm, the black-haired man gently grabs your hand, a soft smile on his face, ‘Okabe Rintarou. It’s a pleasure to meet you.’

‘The pleasure is all mine.’

Okabe tilts his head slightly, raising an eyebrow. ‘Are you a new student at Tokyo Denki University?’

‘I guess you could say so. I’m doing an internship.’ You look to the side, staring out the distant window as you watch the city lights flicker. ‘I’ve always wanted to visit Japan, anyway. So, two birds with one stone.’

Something shifts in his eyes, but you can’t decipher it fast enough.

‘So, you’ve never been to Japan before,’ he muses, although it puzzles you how it sounds much more like a statement, rather than a question. ‘Which major are you in?’

‘Same as you, engineering.’

‘We may be sharing some classes in the future, then,’ Okabe nods, his smile growing as a joyful glint appears in his eye. ‘If you need help with anything, don’t hesitate to ask.’

You beam up at him. Somehow, you feel at ease when talking to Okabe, despite the fact that you two have just met — well, officially, anyway. Even though you also clicked just as quickly with Naoko, there is something different about this student that makes you feel so comfortable. ‘Thank you! That’s actually very kind of you.’ You will certainly need all the help you can get.

Suddenly, something comes to mind.

‘Wait, hold up,’ you raise her hand, frowning. Okabe blinks. ‘Weren’t you the one, just now, who argued with the audience?’ His back straightens. ‘Something about how skepticism would “stop the progress”?’

The young man grimaces, rubbing the back of his neck. You swear you see a touch of pink beginning to bloom across his cheeks, and you smirk. The amused expression causes him to look away. ‘Don’t laugh,’ he murmurs. ‘It’s embarrassing.’

You cover your mouth, attempting to muffle your giggle. Not that it stops Okabe from hearing it.

As impossible as it would be to believe, his face gets redder by the second. ‘I just—’

‘It’s alright, Okabe,’ you say. ‘You don’t have to explain yourself, especially to me of all people.’ You straighten your back, giving him an approving nod. ‘I actually think you did well to speak your mind. It was brave, and I personally didn’t enjoy the man’s tone, either.’ Okabe pauses, staring at your faraway expression before it quickly morphs into another teasing smirk. ‘For someone who looks so shy, you actually have a lot of guts, huh?’