The next day, I hear my front door exploding downstairs. I jump from my bed. A burglar? Police? Or even worse..

  But then I hear that voice.

  “Kaitoo! Come on, you’re going to be late!”

  It was Mai.

  She rushed up to my bedroom and started explaining the situation.

  “Come on! Akane is waiting for us downstairs! We’re going to the mall, it’s Saturday after all!”

  “Uh…what a pain. Let me sleep.”

  She then calls Akane upstairs and she comes through like a tornado.

  “GET YOUR ASS UP FROM THE BED KAITO!”

  “Y-yes Madam!”

  “Hmph. Such a child.”

  She’s back to the cold tone. Whatever.

  “Get out of my room, Mai. I want to get dressed.”

  “No! I’m picking your clothes today! Look at your wardrobe, such a small selection…okay, we’re going shopping!”

  “I can pick my own clothes, thank you.”

  I pick her up and leave her just outside my door, locking it. She bangs on the door but no use.

  On the other side of the door, Mai falls to the ground and puts her head on her knees next to the door.

  Did I overdo it again? Why is he so mean to me...we used to do this all the time. On important days I was the one to pick his outfits.

  Teardrops fall from her face.

  I don't want to feel alone all again...it feels like he started to avoid me...the only one I had at my lowest.

  I dress up slowly. After I was done, I opened the door, and there she was, on the verge of crying.

  “Why are you being so mean to me? We used to do this all the time…”

  “Mai…we’re not kids anymore.”

  “But I’m still your best friend. Don’t leave me all alone again…please.”

  Mai had a sad childhood. Her mother passed away when she was about 5 years old. She didn’t have that many friends back then, just me and Akane. Our parents were childhood friends after all.

  After her mother’s death, her dad started working twice as much in Osaka, coming back home just once a year. The solitude was unbearable for Mai, yet she was always cheerful. She used to eat alone if neither Akane nor I came by her place. To help her overcome it we would always go to her house and spend time with her; it was always fun. Playing house, video games, board games, trying to cook togheter, watching movies, they were memorable things which helped Mai overcome a tough period of her life, when she needed someone in her life.

  But as we grew up, we didn’t have that much time to hangout anymore. Especially last year, when we were preparing for the high school exams. She must have felt abandoned and alone. And now, she wants us to spend as much time together as possible. She has sleepovers with Akane every now and then (and Mizuki now that she lives with Mai), but I always turn them down. She reinvented herself to become a star student and quite the looker. I always liked her just as she is. She’s my precious best friend after all. But I can’t let myself be too close to her. Not after that incident.

  Realization strikes me.

  Wait! She felt lonely!

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Without any delay, I hug her tightly.

  “Mai, I swore to you 7 years ago that I will never leave you alone. Sorry for being so mean to you.”

  Her eyes widen. She starts crying, hard.

  “Kaitoo…thank you. I really don’t want to be all alone again.”

  “I will never leave your side. I will be here for you.”

  Akane overheard us. She also comes and hugs Mai tightly.

  Why didn't she tell me she feels lonely?! I would've came to her in an instant, I know your background too!

  “Mai, I will always be here for you! You’re my closest friend! Let me know when you feel alone and I will instantly come by your place!”

  “Guys…thank you so much.”

  We then head to the mall. Mai starts dragging us through the nicest clothing shops. Akane particularly loved it since she was a gyaru.

  “Wow! Such nice clothes!” said Akane cheerfully.

  “Kaito, you aren’t getting anything?”

  “I’m not really into fashion.”

  Akane knew this was an opportunity for her.

  “Kaito, I need an opinion for this outfit. Help me.”

  “Okay…”

  I wait outside of the cabin while she changes up.

  Akane dresses in one of the most daring outfits. A white tank top and shorts. “This will definitely get him!”

  She puts up a model pose and asks me.

  “So? What do you think?”

  I'm astonished seeing such a mature outfit.

  “Looks great!”

  She’s flustered, smiling slightly and looking proud.

  “They look very cool on you! Just what you’d expect from our class’s Gyaru!”

  “Haha…I guess.”

  Akane’s mind was a mess.

  W-what?! He said it sounds cool…why does my heart keep beating so fast?! It’s not like I care or anything…but…it makes me happy!

  Mai saw the scene, and decided to do the same.

  She clung to my arm. “Kaito, help me pick out an outfit too!”

  Really?! Again?!

  She grabs me and drags me to another part of the store.

  Mai looks at everything. EVERYTHING.

  “What should I get?”

  “Your main outfits consist of skirts and a blouse..”

  She looks at me curious.

  “How about some jeans and some t-shirts?”

  “Sure! Is this white one to your liking?”

  “I don’t have to like it. You must like it.”

  She pouts, annoyed by my ignorance.

  “Come on! At least act more interested…”

  “Okay…oh, these jeans look great! These trainer pants too.”

  She grabs both pairs from their place, a standard blue pair, and a black pair with washed imprint.

  Leaving that area of the store, Mai clings happily to the clothes i picked for her.

  Yay! I already feel myself more fashionable...maybe I should go with Akane one day and have me teach her secrets. Moreover, this one's picked by my best friend!

  Moving on to the T-shirts section, two t-shirts catch my eye.

  “Speaking of t-shirts…look, get these two. They suit your taste!”

  A teddy bear and a bunch of flowers. Simple, yet effective!

  Mai looks at me delighted.

  They are so cute!!

  “Okay! Let me go try them on!”

  While I wait for Mai to get out of the dressing room, Akane comes up to me, holding a pair of black sunglasses in her hands.

  “What do you think of these? Are they suitable for me?”

  “Hmm…yes! Put them on for a second.”

  She puts them on and looks like a famous celebrity.

  “You look fantastic!”

  Her hearts starts pounding faster. Inside her mind she is overjoyed by the barrage of praises.

  Praise me more! I love it!

  Mai gets out of the cabin and we both take a look at her.

  “Cute!”

  She lets out a smile.

  “Well, thank you!”

  That’s that. Back to normal.

  Mai had other plans. “Akane, since we’re here…let’s shop for Kaito too! Let’s choose clothes for him!”

  I'm sorry, what?

  Without any hesitation, Akane agrees, almost too fast. “Great idea! Let’s go!”

  I put my hands in a position to try and signal them to stop, “Wait…you two, I can pick my own clothes."

  But before I said another word, they started searching for gold in the shop. They picked about 10 different outfits and bought them for me.

  I didn't pay a single penny, so I guess that's great! Not that I mind paying for my own but it's nice to recieve a gift from your friends.

  “You didn’t need to do that. But thanks. Appreciate it.”

  Mai looks reassuring at me. Akane was calm.

  Springing from one foot to the other, she releases a statement hotter than the sun.

  “No problem! Your wardrobe was dry, that’s all. In exchange, for the money, I have a request to make.”

  “Sure, what’s it?”

  “Well…you know what I said about me being alone?”

  “Yes, what about it?”

  “I decided I will live with you! I’m getting Mizuki along with me!”

  Akane and I freeze.

  “W-WHAAAAT?!”

  Then she snaps.

  “If you’re going to live together with him, I’m coming too! I’m not letting him be alone with 2 cute girls in his house!”

  I was trying to process it. It seemed straight out of a comedy show.

  “Akane, what are you saying?!”

  She turns her head sideways, while her face was flushed.

  I mean...it's not that bad to be honest. It would be good to have some company around, even more as it sometimes gets lonely at home, and there's Mai too, Kaito and that girl, it could be fun...okay, let's do it!

  “It’s already been decided! Just accept it!”

  “Eh?!”

  I accept my defeat. In the end it was not all that bad, since the house was so quiet without Mai…but, is it really ok to live together with them? Won’t that bond us…too close?

  Mai looked smug. “Yes, one step closer to him!”

  Akane was demolished. Embarassed to her core. What did I just say?! I mean since I love him I’d like to live together, but…isn’t that too soon?!”

  Everyone was scared.

  That’s it, malls are scary.