354 Chapter one, 2017, flashes of summer: 8 (1/2)

”Come on man. Feel proud instead!”

Ulf glared at Yukio. Pride wasn't exactly the word he'd use. Flattered maybe. Noriko's incessant attention wasn't harmful in any way, and it didn't exactly hurt his eyes looking at her.

He realised his way of thinking might be dated, but from what he had seen good looks still helped a lot among the young, so maybe it wasn't dated after all.

Beneath him straw gave as he moved his legs. After two years in Japan he was used to sitting on the floor now and then, and being a teenager sure helped. Tatami mats. An altogether stupid construction, and yet so strangely relaxing. Ulf never could decide if he thought it was the epitome of idiocy or a superb blend of taste and function.

”So, what's the occasion?” Ulf asked.

Yukio had requested that Ulf join him in the room he shared with Kyoko.

”Dinner.”

'Strange. After pulling this one on me I could have sworn Noriko would be adamant about us two having dinner alone in our room.'

”Thank you for that one at least.”

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”Don't thank me,” Yukio said. ”Noriko insisted.”

'Why would she? Ah! I'm an idiot!' Ulf said nothing. From here on he could only pretend to be surprised at what came next. Birthdays were a lot more important in Sweden than in Japan. You just didn't forget them. Hell, they were even part of your identity with your date of birth making up most of the personal number everyone living in Sweden was assigned.

Well, at least for old people. Once again he wasn't certain about the young. Living among people who weren't prone to public outbursts of affection didn't help.

Ulf grinned at the thought of a third of their class suddenly rising from their seats to spontaneously celebrate some poor bastard by singing happy birthday to you. Back home a given, but here, maybe not so much.

He recalled birthdays from his first life, and reliving old memories it took a while until he noticed Yukio tugging at his shoulder.

”Man, Earth calling. This earth.”

”Sorry.” Ulf shook his head. ”Noriko huh?”

She had remembered, and when he thought about it, so had she last year as well. Whatever he might think about her advances, it still warmed when someone cared.

”Yeah, Noriko.”

”You're in on this one?”

Yukio glared at him. ”Giving her a hand? Sure. She's not fooling around. Damn, she had a crush on you before you and Kuri met.”

”Well, she moved on to Nao...” Ulf regretted the words as he uttered them.

Yukio grimaced, and they shared a few moments of silence. When it dragged out Yukio poured two cups of tea and offered Ulf one.

”You know,” Yukio began after he'd tasted a sip, ”did you ever speak with him afterwards?”

Ulf had, but he wanted to hear what Yukio had to say. ”Same school, so kind of hard to avoid.”

”Unless you're expelled.”