「 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐫 」𝘸. 𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘫𝘪𝘮𝘢

v | simple texts

Rinoa and I chat lively as we plan out the advertisement for the badminton team. I unlock the door and welcome my friend in.

"Thank you for letting me come in," she says as the two of us take off our shoes and leave them at the foyer.

"Of course, come in," I say, leaving my school bag and equipment bag at the front. Rinoa does the same and I go to the kitchen.

"Do you want anything to drink?" I ask as I stick my head into the stainless steel rectangle, feeling the soothing coolness stick to my face and embrace my tired body from the first day of school.

"Do you have milk?" she asks. I hum in response and get out two glasses. After returning the milk to the refrigerator, I take out the cookies I made earlier in cooking class and place them neatly on a plate. The two of us move to the biggest room in the house, in front of a big flat screen T.V. and sliding glass doors, low sunlight easing their way through the beautiful stained glass higher up. I open the sliding glass doors, a temperature breeze filling the atmosphere. I take out multiple sheets of regular copy paper and some colored pencils. The next hour and a half, Rinoa and I compose an eye-catching advertisement welcoming newcomers to badminton practice. We look at each other and are satisfied with our work. I refill Rinoa's glass and offer her the last cookie.

"Thank you!" she says and gladly takes it.

"Ahh, so yummy," she smiles widely, munching slowly to take in each chew.

"You should work at a café or pastry shop part-time," Rinoa suggests. I nod, considering the idea.

"That's a good idea, I'll look around for a part-time job if I have time." I smile and put away the plate.

"When are your parents coming back to the house?" Rinoa asks.

"Mm, in time for graduation I think," I say as I wash the plate.

"You're parents are always so busy, business trips here and there. But I guess it's for a good cause, they're Japanese Ambassadors," I nod in response, placing the plate on the drying rack.

"It's peaceful to be by myself. I can go at my own pace, and I enjoy that," I smile at her. She nods, happy for me.

"I should get going," Rinoa says as she gets up. I follow her as she walks to the front of the house, picking up her school bag and badminton equipment.

"Thanks for having me over, and your cooking was delightful as always," she says as she puts on her shoes.

"Do you want me to walk you home?" I ask as I put on some slippers, opening the door for her.

"No, it's okay. Thank you though," She waves at me and walks down the stairs. We wave to each other one last time before she walks around the corner out of my view. I close and lock the door behind me and tidy up the area where we were working.  I close the sliding glass doors and the shades. The big room is now dark and depressing. I stand there for a few seconds, closing my eyes and thinking of my favorite times in love, almost all at night. I open my eyes and sigh, taking my bags upstairs and turning on the light.

I look at my room. Light grey walls greet my eyes as a king-sized bed is positioned low on the floor in the left corner of the room. A large tapestry of the Great Wave of Kanagawa is decorating the wall right above my headrest. A desk is near my bed, lights attached to the wall above. A small lamp and paper filers are on a side table. Fairly lights are strung on the ceiling and base of the bed.  A few stuffed animals and badminton magazines are neatly arranged on a shelf. I set my bags down and tuck the advertisement into a clear folder and place it on my desk. I take a quick shower and make dinner downstairs. Cold noodles with an egg omelet hit the right spot.  After cleaning up, I make breakfast and the next day's bento. I place everything neatly in the refrigerator and head back upstairs. I sit at my desk and begin homework.