Blue Heart

She’s sweet and pure. Why would she like someone like him? Yumi sat across from Toshiki in a small restaurant. She smiled at him.

“What?” Toshiki asked. She shook her head. The girl had no answer. She didn’t need to have one. They were just here.

“Tell me more about her,” Yumi said. Toshiki shrugged.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I really don’t remember much about her. I don’t know her name or who she is. All I remember is her face.” He looked over at Yumi.

“And she looks like me?” she asked.

“I think so,” he said. He rubbed the back of his head. Yumi gave him a curious look. What does she make of this? He can’t tell what she was thinking.

“Do you miss her?” Yumi asked.

“I don’t know,” Toshiki said. “I barely remember her.” He shrugged as he spoke. Yumi took a sip of water. She narrowed her eyes at him.

“I’m not lying,” he said.

“Didn’t say you were,” Yumi said. There it was again. Toshiki blinked. He shook his head.

“What?” the girl asked. Her date rubbed his forehead.

“Nothing,” he said. “Nothing.” The veteran sat back in his chair. A waitress walked over to their table.

“Are you ready to order?” she asked.

“Sure,” Yumi said. “I’ll have the short rib bourguignon.” The waitress wrote down the order.

“Okay. And you sir?” she asked. Toshiki stared at the menu.

“Hm… Lobster thermidor, I guess…” he said.

“Okay,” the waitress said. “I will be back with your food shortly.” She turned and walked back to the kitchen. Yumi’s mood perked up. Toshiki didn’t know how to deal with this shift in mood. It would be best to keep his mouth shut for now. The veteran picked up his glass and took a drink. His date giggled to herself.

“Did you like my chocolates?” she asked. Toshiki looked up at her from his drink.

“Yes,” he said. Yumi’s eyes lit up with stars.

“I’m so glad you like it!” she said. “You don’t know how happy I am!” She giggled again. Toshiki forced himself to smile back.