It was a day like any other at Smith Company.
Footsteps echoed in the hallway, coming from left to right. The sounds approached a corner, and just before turning, voices could be heard chatting.
???{1}:Well... I've thought it through, and I'm going to do it. I'm going to buy the house.
???{2}:That's awesome, man!
???{2}:It's about time, you've been driving me crazy with how indecisive you were—buy it or not.
???{1}:Yeah... hahaha... (a nervous, embarrassed laugh)
???{2}:Well, like I said, that's good news. We have to celebrate at your place.
Both turned the corner and continued walking straight, still chatting as they headed toward the cafeteria.
???{1}: Hey, didn't you have to pick up your sister from school?
???{2}:Oh, right! —he said, surprised, realizing he had completely forgotten.
???{2}:Want to come with me, Riku?
Riku: Sigh... Sure, Shiro. How could I say no...?
At that moment, their names are revealed: Riku is the one planning to buy the house, and Shiro is his friend.
Once at the cafeteria, they take their lunchboxes from the fridge and start heating their meals in the two available microwaves.
Riku: Hey, since we're talking about going to my place… what do you think about playing a board game, eh?
Shiro: Of course! And we can chat while we play, how about that?
Riku: Yeah, we can talk about a lot of things... But let's stop wasting time. Let's eat.
Just as he said that, Riku pointed with his thumb behind him, toward the microwaves. At that moment, both microwaves beeped, signaling the meals were ready.
They take out their plates and go sit down.
Riku has fried fish with handmade rice for lunch, while Shiro has instant soup.
Shiro looks at Riku's lunch with a gaze that mixes curiosity and envy.
Shiro: I wish I knew how to cook like you, Riku.
Shiro said with envy.
Riku: Well… I can teach you, it doesn't cost anything to ask, buddy.
Riku said as he took a bite of the fried fish.
Shiro: Really?!
Shiro said excitedly.
Riku: Yeah. But for now, let's finish eating.
Shiro: Okaaay :).
The two continue eating peacefully. After eating, they give thanks to God for the meal and put their plates back into their lunchboxes. Then they return to work.
After work
Riku and Shiro leave the building and head toward Shiro's car.
Riku: Mmm...
He says it as a complaint while frowning.
Shiro: Sigh... Look, Riku, I know you don't like riding in cars, but I have to pick up my sister and I can't leave the car here, you know?
Riku: Sigh... I know, but I can't stand being inside a car...
Riku pauses, thinking for a moment.
Riku: I got it!
What if I ride on the roof of the car?
Shiro: Sigh... Fine... whatever you want.
Shiro gets into the car and sits in the driver's seat, while Riku swiftly climbs up and settles on top of the vehicle.
Shiro starts the car and begins to drive. They exit the building's parking lot and merge onto the street where other cars are passing by.
Shiro: Everything okay up there, Riku?
Riku: Yeah. All good, Shiro.
Riku says as he grabs his gray tie, takes it off, and tosses it through the rear window. The tie lands right on the back seat of the car.
After a while on the road, a police car starts following them from a distance.
Riku: Oh!?... Shiro, we've got company.
Shiro: Whaaat… seriously!?
Sigh... Tell me where to stop, Riku.
Riku: Alright. Pull over here at the corner.
Riku says as he points toward a nearby gas station.
The car came to a smooth stop by the curb, right in front of an empty gas station. In the distance, the flashing lights of a police car blinked, slowly approaching. The car's engine hummed beneath the tense silence of its occupants.
The patrol car gently braked behind them, and from inside stepped a man with a firm build, a confident stride, and a spotless uniform. He approached the vehicle with a serious, professional expression.
???:Roll down the window.
Shiro sighed in resignation and, without a word, pressed the button that lowered the window with a faint electric whirr.
Riku, still lying atop the car, peeked slightly toward the driver's side and grinned knowingly when he saw the officer's face.
???:Do you know why you've been pulled over?
Shiro:Sigh… Because Riku's on top of my car and… How've you been, Mike?
Riku:Hahahaha… I knew you wouldn't fall for the prank, Shiro. Mike, you old fox.
Mike:Damn… I had to try.
The officer's serious face relaxed into an amused smirk. Mike, head of the unit, gave a small wave to his partner who remained in the patrol car. The other officer nodded silently and drove off to continue his patrol.
Mike:So… what are you two up to, hm?
Shiro:We're going to pick up my sister and then hang out at Riku's place.
Riku:Hmm.(He nodded in agreement, no more words needed.)
Mike:Mind if I tag along? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Shiro stuck his head out the driver's window, raising an eyebrow toward Riku.
Shiro:What do you say, Riku?
Both Mike and Shiro turned their eyes to the young man on the roof, waiting for his decision.
Riku:Alright.
Mike:Nice… mind if I get in the car?
Shiro:Sure.
With that brief exchange, where tension gave way to a familiar camaraderie, Mike opened the back door and got inside the car.
The mood lightened. The engine purred softly as the ride resumed, and the car merged once more into the calm flow of the road, as if nothing had happened.
After a long drive, they finally arrived at the school of Shiro's younger sister. They waited there until classes ended—only about three minutes remained—so the three of them started talking about work and how Riku was finally going to buy the house.
Three minutes passed, and the students began to come out.
Riku: Isn't that your sister?
Shiro: No. I know what my sister looks like.
Riku: Okay.
Knock knock on the right-side window of the car.
They all turned their heads and saw a 17-year-old girl.
???: Heeey… Took you long enough to notice me!
Shiro: Sorry, Yuki, I didn't see you—even though I was looking.
Yuki:Yeah, I can see how blind and deaf you guys are.
Shiro:Hey! A little respect.
Yuki:Sooorryyy.(She rolls her eyes to the side, clearly showing her apology isn't sincere.)
Yuki gets into the car, sitting in the front passenger seat. Shiro grabs her ear.
Yuki:Oww!
Shiro:Be polite.
Shiro:Sorry about my sister's behavior.
Shiro apologizes to Riku and Mike for his sister's rudeness.
Riku:No, no no, don't worry about it.
Mike:Yeah, no worries. Siblings always mess with each other, right?
Both friends say to Shiro.
After a moment, Shiro lets go of Yuki's ear. She rubs it and asks:
Yuki:Where are we going?(She says while holding her ear.)
Shiro:To Riku's place.
Riku turns around from the roof, peeking into the car and looking at Yuki.
Riku:Nice to meet you.
Yuki:Ah?!
Yuki:Niiice to meet you, Mr. Riku...
Riku:Please, don't call me "Mr."
Yuki:Su-ure.
(She says while looking down shyly.)
Riku looks over at Shiro.
Riku:What's up with your sister, Shiro?
Shiro:Nothing. She's just your fan. She listens to all my stories about my friend with powers and what it'd feel like to fly and all that.
Yuki smacks Shiro.
Yuki:Please…
(She rolls her eyes like saying "not in front of him," her face blushing.)