Mina

"Do you have a minute?"

Mina stopped me just outside the school gate as I was heading home.

"Oh, hi. What's up?"

Mina was a beautiful girl whom everybody liked. She had shoulder-length hair that was almost shimmering in its jet-black color, and eyelashes so long that you would think they are fake yet they looked so natural. This made her big round eyes look very pretty, and her high nose gave the impression that she was some kind of a noble girl.

"I'm sorry to suddenly stop you here. You are Nanaka right?"

"Erm, yeah, but please call me Nana. Everybody does"

"Right…"

She paused for a moment before continuing her sentence as if she was hesitating.

"I heard you are a good friend with J..Ju…Juno right?"

I never knew she had a bit of a stutter.

"Well, I guess. I've known him since elementary school and he's like my brother's best friend, so I see him a lot"

"That's great. I'm sorry for being so forward, but do you think you could help me perhaps?"

"Depends what it is. But what about Juno?"

"Well…"

Mina usually had a calm demeanor yet she was also outgoing at the same time. She never spoke excitedly yet she could always keep any conversation interesting. Despite her pretty feminine face she never seemed to appear trying to be girly, and yet her extrovert personality made it easy to hang out with the boys too. I guess for these reasons you could say Mina was the most popular girl in the class, as evidenced by how she became the class representative with an overwhelming number of votes.

I on the other hand was an uninteresting boring girl. I wouldn't say I was a loner or social outcast, but I was never the one to first approach anyone like Mina did just now. I looked as plain as one can be, not pretty, not ugly, just plain and 'normal' that if anybody asked someone "how does Nana look?" they'd struggle to come up with descriptive words.

But why is she suddenly talking about Juno?

"… I like him"

"Yeah, he's a decent guy. I like him too"

"I mean I LIKE him"

"Oh....."

That was a big surprise. I don't know if I'm biased because I've known him for so long, but there is nothing special or interesting about that boy. He was average looking (whatever that means), average physique, was average at sports and studies, and personality that does not really stand out as being different from any other boy of his age. So how did someone so pretty and popular like Mina fall for him?

"I'm sorry. I must sound really weird. We've hardly talked since school started yet I'm telling you all this"

"Well, no problem. I'm impressed you are so brave and forward about this"

"Heh, thank you"

She looked like a child when she tilted her head slightly to the side and let out a giggle.

"So, what can I do for you?"

I think I knew where this was going. I may not be a love expert but I'm not so dense.

"If you don't mind, could you help me with Ju... Juno?"

"You mean like set you up with him?"

"No, not exactly. I know some things I have to do by myself. I can't claim to be sincere if I'm asking someone else to do it for me"

"Makes sense."

"I want to know more about him"

"Why don't you just try hanging out with him? Like going over to his group with a few girls and chit-chatting, joking around, and stuff? You are pretty popular and you get along well with everyone"

"Yes, I do. But when it comes to him I get embarrassed even just saying his name"

"Ah, I thought something was odd"

"Yes… and to be honest if I suddenly asked him out he will think I'm such a shallow girl. He will be like - how can this girl ask me out when she doesn't even know me?"

"Don't worry at all. I'm sure he will say yes if YOU asked him out"

"But I want to know about him a bit more before I do that... I'm quite sure I like him but I don't know anything about him and we haven't even talked once."

"I'm so amazed of all people, you like Juno"

"Why's that? Is he weird?"

"Not really. He's just normal. I don't see anything special about him as a guy"

"Well… I have my reasons."

"I'll never understand haha. But anyways, so you approach me because I'm his childhood friend?"

"Yes"

"Right, then ask me anything. I could probably answer most of your questions"

"There are so many things I want to know about him I don't even know where to start…"

Oh man, is this gonna take like forever? I just want to go home.

"Do you mind telling me your email address?"

"Email? No phone number?"

"Yes... I think it would be easier to write things in an email. I've already kept you here for so long. I'm sorry"

"It's ok. So here it is then. I'll give you my phone number as well if you want just want to message me something quick"

"Thank you so much. Let's keep in touch"

"No problem. Let me know if you need anything"

"Thank you. And please don't mention anything to Ju…"

"Juno. I get it. Don't worry"

Mina beamed a very happy smile, bowed her head slightly, and walked away.

So she likes Juno huh?

Then I walked home thinking how weird it is, but heck, everybody has a different taste I guess.