over my mouth. The tight line of her lips suddenly softened, and she gave a brief chuckle. The colors around me brightened, as though the sun had broken through the clouds—or that was what it felt like to me anyway. Without a word, the girl turned her back again and ran quickly down the stairs. “…” I think I sat there, dazed, for a full ten seconds before I came to myself with a jolt. The Big Mac box sat on the table like a special present. Lifting the lid, I was greeted by the savory aroma of meat and the soft swell of a thick bun. When I picked it up, it was heavy. Glistening cheese and lettuce peeked out from between the beef patties. In all the sixteen years I’d been alive, that was, without a doubt, the most delicious dinner I’d ever had. * * * “Shoot, we’re almost at the bus stop! Listen, when can we hang out again?” “Let’s see. What about the day after tomorrow? I have practice, but I’ll be free in the afternoon.” “Yay! I found a café with good reviews on Tabelog I’d like to go to. Maybe I’ll make reservations!” It was afternoon, and I’d been listening to that sickeningly sweet conversation on the bus for a while. The voices were coming from the back seat. I’d been staring out the window; I felt a little awkward about looking back at them. As I watched the water droplets flowing backward in complicated patterns, I was oddly impressed: So couples actually do have conversations like that. I’d never truly understood the demand for foodie apps before, but apparently Tabelog really was a thing for city dwellers. I didn’t know you could make reservations at cafés, either… My eyes went to my smartphone. My blue dot was slowly getting closer to the red flag icon at my destination. In ten minutes, I’d be there. I was getting a little nervous. Ding-dooong. An electronic chime sounded, and the monitor beside the driver’s seat displayed the words Stop Requested. “Okay, Nagi, see you later!” someone chirped. When I saw the short-haired girl who was getting off the bus, I did a double-take—she was wearing a school backpack that had Page 19 Goldenagato | mp4directs.com