Arbitrarily Taste

-Chapter 4-

"Oh, this looks delicious. Hey, let's get this."

"Hey what's this? It looks ugly...let's get this."

"Woah! I've always wanted to eat this! Hey Yoruko, I'm gonna put it in, 'kay?"

It's never-ending...

Why did I even agree to do this in the first place?

[FLASHBACK...

"Good evening to you two. You're quite late today."

"Yoruko was being persistent a while ago."

"I told you, I'll just go home tod—"

"Don't lie to me, you're just gonna go back to the library. I brought you here to relax, so I'm asking you to do it."

Not far from us was a burst of tender laughter that surrounded the room. Yumeko-san was listening to the argument we're having in front of her.

"Forgive me. I just thought how lively you two are. It's hard to see Fujiko argue like that ever since high school."

"Recollecting memories, is that so Yumeko?"

"You were quite famous in school. Did you know Yoruko, Fujiko never completes a day without arguing with someone. It was like a routine of hers from 1st year to 3rd year."

Grandma pushed Yumeko-san to stop but she did not plan to follow her command and just continued with her stories.

They were good friends from high school to college. Yumeko-san moved to Tokyo to pursue teaching while grandma stayed here to study accounting.

When Yumeko-san got married, grandma flew to Tokyo just to attend her wedding. She even became to godmother of Yumeko-san's children, which now have their own families. But they would still have time to visit Yumeko-san. She said she didn't mind if they don't visit because she knows they have other things to do— adding the fact that their children have classes, it's hard to make a schedule to visit her.

"I remember when you first made that udon, the noodles were very dry and we had no choice but to eat it because your mother will get angry."

"Oh, if you'd see how she smacked me after you left. She was angry because we forgot to clean the kitchen." Grandma said between her laughter. "Speaking of that, I forgot to buy groceries yesterday. What time is it?"

"I believe it just turned 7."

"Then I have to hurry, the store will close soon. I'm so sorry Yumeko but I—"

"I'll buy them." I took the initiative as I head closer to her.

Grandma is the sole person who I can talk to freely like this. But that didn't affect me deeply as anyone would. I've hated social interaction for so long I forgot how to talk nicely to other people. Every time someone would try to talk to me (mostly my classmates), I would always give them the cold shoulder and ignore them. Sometimes, when I'm too pissed, my mouth immediately bursts out and curses at them.

This is the reason why most of them won't try to befriend me.

"Are you sure?" Grandma questioned me. As if I wasn't old enough to be alone. This grandma, really...

"I am."

"If you say so..." Grandma asked Yumeko-san for a piece of paper to write down everything to be bought. Gladly, the woman stores a book journal in the drawer.

"Make sure to walk on the side, okay? Don't go anywhere else after this."

"I know that..." Giving out my full trust in her, she still doesn't buy it. How much more does she need to trust me in this? It's just simple grocery shopping. Not like I'm gonna go to abroad or something.

"I'm goin—" Just as I was about to open the door, someone beat me to it. The door opened widely and enters Yuki, who I guessed was surprised as well.

"H-hey there," He said a few seconds after the silence.

"You're early Yuki." Yumeko-san greeted Yuki who had just entered the room.

"The doctors saw me, so they scolded me and followed me all the way here." His eyes focused on mine as he greeted me with a slight smile.

"I told you you shouldn't sneak out again." Grandma scolded him as he bow his head in repentance.

You know...

I'm feeling something strange as it got longer...

What was the word called again?

...I forgot.

"I think you should get going now." Yumeko-san who was beside me leaned closer as she did not want to bother the two people in front of them. "They will take a while and the store will close soon. Fujiko might get mad."

I understand her. Grandma gets pissed when she fails to do something. I get that most people experience it as well, but grandma is very different.

Like last time, she got too busy with her knitting that she didn't know that it was already 8. She couldn't buy the lamp that she said will buy and as a result, she got irritated that she cut the towel that she was making using a scissor.

"Where are you going?" Yuki asked before I could hold on to the knob. Why bother stopping? I should've just left already.

"I asked him to buy some groceries since we ran out. The store will close soon so I told him to hurry."

Before I could hear another word from them, I quickly left the room and shut the door in. I plan to do what grandma says and hurry up, but little did I know that the plan will just dissolve.

"It's quite cold here. Achoo!" A man was following me from behind. The more I ignore him, the more he tries to get closer.

"How are you so resilient? Is your body made of stone, huh?" But at least my plan to ignore him might succeed.

"Oy! Seriously! You always ignore me!" I can feel his presence getting annoyed when I didn't answer him. "FINE! You want a not-talking-bonding?! Sure, I can do that! Don't expect me to talk to you later!"

FLASHBACK END]

Much to his expectations...

"Hey, does this taste good?"

"Uck! Who buys squid ink Ice cream?! Maybe I should try and taste them."

"O-Oyako-don? What's that? It sounds weird..."

"WAAH! CHOCOLATE! I'VE NEVER EATEN THESE IN AGES! LET'S GET THEM!"

"Hurry up, Yoruko! We got to find a new stall! That woman just stole our spot!"

I feel like a mother bringing her spoiled child outside. Every direction we made, people would look at us like we were exotic prey in the jungle. The fault was mainly to be stabbed to this guy (Yuki). I feel embarrassed every time I'm with him. He was too loud earlier I noticed a staff about to come into us if it weren't for that announcement.

"That will be ***** yen." I paid the amount before heading home with the groceries in my hands. Of course, he is behind me, holding the other bags that I cannot hold. I sigh in relief when we manage to pay before the store closes. Yuki was very reckless and would go from every spot in the supermarket. He even managed to have a conversation with the clerks and other customers.

Honestly, I didn't know whether to be amazed by him or be pissed.

In the end, I was the one who paid for his stuff which made me mad. Now I don't have enough money to buy that textbook I need for tomorrow. On our way, Yuki continued talking despite no responses. I would often notice him greet strangers and talk to them like they've been friends for so long.

...I somewhat felt disturbed.

I felt left out...

...Yet I don't ever want to join.

I may be feeling envious yet I don't mind the situation. I don't care at all.

"You're so quiet Yoru..." Yoru? Excuse me? Who told you to call me like that?

"Hey, how about we hang out for a bit. I haven't gone out with someone before." As if I'll agre—

"Come," he grabs hold of my hand which surprised me. I glared at him but he smiled back before dragging me to where we might head off.

There was still time before grandma finds me...so I guess I had no choice but to let this guy be.

.

"There you two are!" Grandma welcomed us. "Did you manage to buy the groceries?"

I nodded and placed the groceries next to grandma's bag—just to make sure it won't be forgotten when we leave.

"Ta-da! I got souvenirs! Who wants some!?"

"That's a lot Yuki-kun. What did you buy?" Yumeko-san asked, looking at the bag the guy was holding. Technically, it's my money so that means I bought it, not him.

"Just...stuff. I got chocolates, marshmallows, candy pops, lollipops, Oyako-don, onigiri, strawberry yogurt, this weird ice cream that I already ate, and...Oh! This ramune! I got each for everyone!" Yuki placed each on his bed and gave the bottles to each of us.

I don't really drink ramune because it's hard to open. Don't act like no one got pissed while opening them. My first time drinking them, it took me 10 minutes to open one.

Yuki began eating the chocolate with the others. I didn't bother joining because of the fact that I don't want to meddle. I held the ramune in my hands while I try to find a way to open it.

I'm still struggling to do it, but I won't let them know about it. It feels embarrassing if someone finds out that a 17-year-old like me can't open a simple ramune drink.

In a couple of minutes I gave up and placed the bottle near the chair I was sitting on. There was no use of it. I guess I have to sleep early from tonight. (I'm too stressed that's why I'm getting weaker)

"Here." I heard a voice from behind. I slowly turned my head and saw Yuki, holding a ramune in his hands.

I stared at him confused. Why would he give me his ramune?

"I opened it for you." He said that immediately made me look down. My drink is gone. That ramune was mine.

I took the ramune in his hands and shortly after he left to continue talking with grandma. I stared at the ramune for a while before drinking it.

'Sweet...'

.

"I'll go take a bath."

"Alright. I'll call you when dinner's ready." Grandma says before heading to the kitchen. I made my way to the bathroom and took off my clothes.

Having an extra chore is so tiring...especially when you have a child accompanied. I felt like I've been saying that in my mind quite a lot of times. This isn't usually me. I guess ever since we've visited Yumeko-san, things got a little...crowded. Time sure flies fast. It's been a month since I've them.

I wonder... Is this how we're gonna do it from now on? I'm not used to it yet.

I don't think I'll last though...

"Yoruko! Dinner's ready!"

"Coming."

We ate dinner while talking about our day and honestly, it felt nice. This feeling is very bliss to me. Even if I don't show it, I never hated having a conversation with someone, maybe those who are very noisy are excluded.

But hearing about how Yuki and I have become close, my mind suddenly turned quiet. I didn't really think of it that much. But he's not entirely bad. Just a little annoying sometimes.

"Don't stay out too late. You have classes tomorrow." Grandma said as she peek through the door. We usually sleep at 10, it's already 10:30 in the evening.

"I got it. Good night grandma." I replied.

"Good night to you too." Grandma quietly closed the door and turned off the lights before heading to her room. There are only a few days till exams and I have to study. Although I'm not aiming for the top spot, at least a passing grade will do.

It's been an hour and I felt a bit thirsty. I headed down quietly and went to the refrigerator to get some cold water. I enjoyed drinking cold drinks rather than hot ones. Hot drinks burn the tongue and I don't like it.

In a glimpse, I saw a familiar object from inside. I took it out of the refrigerator and sat at the dining chair.

[FLASHBACK

"It's time already?" Yuki asked when he noticed we were about to head off.

"It's getting late. We have to get going." Grandma explains while holding the other plastic groceries. I sensed Yuki's dismay when grandma said it. I guess sometimes two people in a room can feel a bit, quiet.

"See you tomorrow," Yumeko-san said, waving goodbye to us.

When I opened the door, a hand brushed through my arm. I turned and saw Yuki. What's with him?

"Here." He hands out a bar of chocolate from his bag of food, which I paid for. "You can have this." I began doubting it but still took the chocolate.

"That's unusual of you to give chocolate. You usually wouldn't share." Yumeko-san said.

Yuki moved to Yumeko-san and explained. "I don't really like the brand. I must have placed it in the basket by mistake."

While walking down to the train station, I take another look at the chocolate and hid it in my bag.

Well, this is a first.

FLASHBACK END]

I took a small bite of the chocolate and slowly chewed it. I never really liked chocolates because they were too sweet for me. But I wasn't the type of person to not accept gifts like this.

"Bitter..."

I don't hate it.

-AR PHANTOM