Stalker tendencies

Umi had at least clicked 6 pictures of Sumiko from the balcony on the second floor.

She was sitting on a bench with Takeru, oblivious to anything around. They seemed to be talking about something with Takeru laughing hysterically. He didn’t want his idiot brother to ruin his pictures so he cropped him out. The reason he clicked Sumiko’s photos? Simple. He kept it as his good luck charm. He didn’t believe in such things but for some reason he felt his days get better whenever he looked at her. So, he made a special folder in the gallery and also kept it as his wallpaper.

This may sound weird to most people but he reassured himself it was normal. Everyone had lucky charms, didn’t they? Similarly, his lucky charm were her pictures.

For the past hour he spent his time gazing from the balcony. Takeru had noticed his little Umi a while back but didn’t speak anything. He continued talking to Sumiko about something or the other. She suddenly asked, “Isn’t it your birthday today?” Takeru nodded, “Yes, I’m going to celebrate it with my buddies after school. We’re going to a mixer.” Sumiko gulped. She didn’t had anything to give it to him. Not that he asked, but still she wanted to give a gift. She took off her muffler- magenta with pink blossoms. She just bought it a day back or two. She strained a smile and said, “Happy birthday! This is for you!” Takeru raised an eye-brow. The used muffler was his gift? He chuckled as he accepted. “Thanks Sumi” he smiled in a slight teasing way. He asked, “So, are you free after school?” Sumiko thought for a while. “Yes, I think so. It depends if the teachers don’t give a lot of homework.” Takeru glanced at Umi sitting on the balcony edge, “Say, want to join my friends at the mixer? It’ll be fun. And don’t worry, none of my friends are criminals. I can talk to your mom.”

Sumiko perked up. A mixer? With the seniors? She hardly had what people called ‘social life’ that’s why she was super excited to join.

Takeru helped her find them as he laughed. So, her plans for the afternoon were decided and for the first time she was probably going to hang out with someone outside school. Takeru was good at convincing people. She dialled her mother and handed the phone to Takeru.

“Hello? Hi ma’am. Yes, I’m your daughter’s friend. Takeru Ikeda. Yes, yes…ah no, she’s very polite. Didn’t hit me yet, haha. Yes. Since it’s my birthday today- ah thanks, ma’am. I wanted to ask your permission if Sumiko could join a small party I’m hosting this afternoon at four o’clock. Yes…I’ll share my number with you. Really? Thanks a lot ma’am. I’ll escort her home. Don’t worry. By 7pm? Sure. Thanks again. Have a wonderful day. Haha. Bye.”

Takeru smirked, “Done. You’re coming with me. Wait outside the school gates after dispersal, we’ll meet up and head towards the mixer.” Sumiko folded her arms, “Who all are coming? I really don’t know a lot of people other than my classmates.” Takeru wrapped ‘his’ muffler, “Etsuo, Sousuke and Natsuki. Probably Ichirou, but he’s usually tied up with his student council work.”

Who were these people? She was going to a party full of strangers. Extremely dangerous. At least Takeru was there. She muttered a thanks and left for class. The day was going to be amazing, she just knew.