A friend

The day ended on a tense note. Mio noticed how people would look at her and then look away. Their eyes were filled with pity and she was beginning to get annoyed.

She walked outside with Dana and saw Kei and a couple of his friends walking towards the basketball courts.

Kei saw Mio and waved at her. He was dressed in the school's basketball attire, with his arms showing and Mio felt Dana duck behind her.

She looked behind her at Dana who's pale cheeks became red and the focused on the approaching Kei.

A grin spread across her face and she smiled.

" Mio, I haven't seen you in a while. Are you okay? I heard Eiko was giving you trouble because of Jacob. If you need me to step in -"

Mio cut him off, " No no Kei I'm fine really. Oh yeah" Mio stepped aside and pulled Dana to her side.

" This is my beautiful friend Dana."

Kei looked over at Dana who had her head lowered.

" Hi Dana I'm Kei", he held out his hand and Dana looked at it then at him.

Her eyes widened as they rested on his handsome face.

" H-hello", she shakily reached out and touched his hand giving it a light shake.

" Hey Kei! We're going to be late!" One of Kei's teammates shouted.

Kei looked to Mio, " Ah, I'm sorry I can't talk for longer. But maybe we could hang out sometime".

Mio jumped at the chance holding onto Dana's arm.

" That would be awesome, I'll text you and maybe all three of us can go out".

Kei shifted, " U..uh yeah. Well bye"

He then ran towards his friends and Mio nudged Dana.

" Oh my word you like him!" she squealed.

Dana's face became tomato red.

" N-no I mean he's only an acquaintance."

Mio wiggled her eyebrows " Oho, acquaintance? Well, I think we can change that".

Dana flinched looking at the wide smirk on Mio's face. Mio rubbed her chin and stared at Kei from a distance.

" Please no!" she clutched Mio's arm realising what she wanted to do. " Why not? Kei is a great guy and I think you guys could make a great couple".

Already Mio was beginning to plot in her head how to set Dana and Kei up. She had not been involved in setting up relationships before. However, saw it as her duty to help Dana out and was also quite excited about it.

Dana facepalmed herself.

" Mio.. please don't do anything" she pleaded. " I- I do like him. But I know my reach."

Dana stared off into the distance and Mio settled down. She placed her hands on each side of Dana's shoulder. Her eyes looked directly into Dana's hazel eyes.

" Dana. Nothing is ever out of your reach. You are the one who determines what you can and cannot have."

The words coming out of Mio's mouth was something she believed Dana should live by. Though she herself could not always live by those words.

Bringing her friend in for a hug Mio squeezed Dana tight. She didn't like that Dana lacked confidence in herself and wanted to help her become surer of herself.

" I won't meddle", Mio said.

Dana squeezed her back " Thank you".

The two girls walked off the university campus in pursuit of a coffee shop. On the way, Mio teased Dana and they enjoyed their time together, in each other's company.