After being absent for a week for my idol unit tour, I went back to school again. Nothing interesting happened when I was away. I did my usual routine today. Went to the library to borrow a novel, watered the plants and flowers in the garden, and fed the rabbits. But, something was off. It felt...empty.

I tried to shake off the unpleasant feeling by buying steamed potatoes. I almost drooled just by thinking of it. There was a queue at the stall. I was annoyed because I have to wait. Finally, after what was like forever I could order. Unfortunately, I was too late.

"Sold out?" My mouth went agape. I was expecting a hot, sweet, yummy potato could heal me today. How is this happen?

"Sorry, young miss. If only you came a minute earlier." The stall owner looked at me apologetically. I fixed my glasses position and shook my head.

"That's alright mister." Disappointed, I walked away and decided to go to the arcade. I didn't like playing games to be honest, but I thought about getting that cute teddy bear I saw last week. I payed for the coins and went towards the crane machine. My eyes sparkled seeing that the teddy bear was still there. Keeping myself composed, I entered the 1st coin; hoping that I will get it.

After the 10th try, I found myself getting irritated. This game was surely rigged. How come it didn't fall?! I stopped myself from banging the console to forcefully dropped it. My shoulders dropped. Things hadn't been going the way I want to recently. Not just work, school, even normal live. Was there anything that will go my way?

"You need help with that?" a voice came from behind me. I turned around and looked up to the person. It was a boy, with a different school uniform with mine. His hair was black and messy. His face was quite attractive, I must say. Wow, rare for me to compliment a boy's facial feature. Didn't want to look like a helpless girl, I thought of an excuse.

"I don't really need a hand for such simple game. But since you are offering assistance, I suppose I could let you try."  I let him took over the controller.

"Okay, then. Which one do you want to get?"

"Pardon?" I expected him to retort with something else. Fixing my glasses, I pointed towards the teddy bear. He nodded.

"Got it. Just wait." He put a coin and the machine started. He looked so serious when moving the controller with his eyes following the position of the crane. Once it grabbed the teddy bear, he raised it up slowly. Then with swift movement, he pulled it near the hole and pressed the drop button. He took the teddy bear and I couldn't help but applauded him.

"Amazing! How did you do that?" I was amazed by his skill. He merely shrugged and about to hand over the teddy bear. I confused by his action.

"Um, why do you give me this?"

"I'm helping you getting it. Remember that I asked?" I felt so stupid. He saw right through me. I coughed and accepted it.

"Thank you." I looked down to hid my tomato-colored face. He chuckled at my reaction.

"Don't mention it. I could see you really want to get it. That reminds me, I need to get that one" He walked to the machine again and won a tiger cub plushie. He turned around and about to leave.

"Well, I gotta go. By the way, this game is rigged. If you want, I could teach you some tricks on getting good at this."

"Please, I don't really need some assistance. Although, it wouldn't hurt to learn a few tricks." Truth is I'm glad that he offered to help instead. I wanted to ask first but that would be embarassing. He smiled and gave me a thumbs up.

"Sure, let's meet again tomorrow, miss..." oops, I forgot to introduced myself. 

"My name is...Mariko. I am studying at Kogasaka High School, 10th grader. And you are?" I had to use a fake name. He might be a fan of mine, I would like to keep my work outside daily live.

"Eiji Hashiba. 10th grader from Ichimonji High School. Nice meeting you, miss Mariko."

"The pleasure is mine, Hashiba. Just Mariko is fine." He laughed. My face heated up when I saw that. He said goodbye and walked out of the arcade. I followed suit after that.

That was the first time I had a male acquaintance, a boy at my age. Somehow, he managed to make my bad day into a good day. I hugged the teddy bear and smiled all the way home.

Since then, I met him a lot after school. But on days when I have to work, we postponed it to weekends. We weren't just playing games. He often took me to different place to buy gifts or foods. He introduced to Takoyaki, Ramen, Taiyaki, and all other stuffs I never knew. Today we went to buy my favorite food, steamed sweet potato.

"Here you go." He offered me 1 steamed potato. My face lit up. I took it and had a bite. I felt so happy.

"Delicious! This is the best food I have ever eaten."

"Haha, glad that you like it." He ate his share and we stayed there eating in silence. I slowly realized that these past few weeks, I had been spending a lot of time with Hashiba. It's almost like we were...

"You know, eating foods together with you makes us look like we are dating, don't you think?" he said that with a grin. I almost choke. I slowly chewed and swallowed the mashed potatoes inside. How can he say that so casually? Before I knew it, he already stood in front of me with a raised eyebrow.

"What's wrong? Is it too hot? Let me check." He was about to put his forehead on mine. I snapped and pushed him.

"I-It's alright! Could you please not make me misunderstand?" I tried to hid my embarassment.

"What?" He tilted his head. I sighed and told him.

"You said 'dating'! I'm certainly not dating you!  How could you say that when you're already in a relationship? Playboy!" I was furious. That day, he got a plushie for someone. He looked more confused by my outburst.

"Relationship? I don't know what do you mean by that. I'm not in a relationship with anyone." Silently I cheered. But, there are still some questions I need to ask.

"What about the plushie? Was it for your sister?" I demanded explanation. He thought for a bit before clapping his hand. Seems he finally realized what I meant.

"Oh! That one. It was for a classmate of mine. We were supposed to meet there that day, but she couldn't."

"Your classmate is a girl I assume?" Why would I want to know so bad anyway? This isn't like me at all.

"Yes. You really think a boy would want that?" He looked at me with a look saying 'obviously'. I nodded.

"True." We grew silent again. I checked my phone to open a message. It was from Nakamura. She said her friends wanted to meet us tomorrow after a photo shoot. Misa and Ayako already agreed. I had no choice but to agree. But then, I couldn't meet Hashiba.

"Hashiba, I couldn't come tomorrow. I had an emergency appointment, sorry." I was having fun with him. Doing things when people see you as the real you, not the idol Mari Hisakawa. I wish we could do this forever. But then again, his female classmate interest me.

"I understand. I actually have something else to do tomorrow. So, we can hang out again this weekend." He sheepishly rubbed his head. I smiled and we finished our meal. We walked together to the station and passed by an advertisement of my idol unit. He looked at it with anticipation, before walking again. I rubbed my chin curiously. I felt that he looked familiar. Part of me wished we could walk side by side forever, but I laughed at it internally.

Little did I know, tomorrow would be the day I officially declared my intention on surpassing Shizu Nakamura. I would not let her win on this one. Eiji Hashiba will be mine.