8 Chapter one, 2016, school start: 4 (2/2)

”And how can a club help me to understand? That's your real question, isn't it?”

Yukio nodded

”I don't know, but I have to do something,” Urufu-kun continued. ”Look, it even gives her a way to speak Swedish if it comes to that.”

”If it comes to what?” Yukio teased.

This time Urufu-kun's face went all the way to a deep tomato red. Yukio knew the reason wasn't any ulterior motives but rather the thought of ulterior motives. Urufu-kun was funny that way. One reason why he made such a good friend.

A right way and a wrong one. No simple truths, because truth was relative. Still, a right way and a wrong one. Urufu-kun, a contradiction in terms walking on two legs.

In the end, after school, they agreed upon one week. If in one week Ageruman-san still hadn't joined a club, and Yukio had gathered enough courage to approach Takeida-san, he would venture over to 3:1 and ask not one, but two questions.

”Be honest with your feelings,” Urufu-kun had said, ”but suggest starting out as friends. That's the lesser commitment. Still, she should know where your real interests lie. She'll know what you want, but it'll be less awkward this way, and you can let things proceed from there.”

After that promise they parted ways. Urufu-kun unlocked his bike and wheeled down the street.

Yukio watched as Urufu-kun's back vanished behind an office building.

'I wonder what's on your mind.'