Lurking

Eyes lurking in the shadows, watching her every step. From every corner, every angle, they are always lurking.

“Are you okay, Yui? You look stressed,“ Sora frowns at her friend.

Yui nods, “It just feels like everyone is looking at me! Maybe I shouldn’t have worn this skirt.”

“You’re just overthinking again. Nobody cares what you’re wearing, and even if, you look amazing,“ Sora rolls her eyes and continues to walk, leaving Yui behind.

Sora was right, though Yui can’t help but to feel anxious. It feels like the whole city is looking her up and down, judging her hair, her outfit, her every step. Deep breaths, Yui. Deep breaths. she picks up her pace while keeping her eyes on Sora.

The shopping alley fills up with more people as Yui tries to keep up with Sora. They are running late for a lunch date with their other friends. Yui desperately tries to reach out to her friend, but the amount of people just seemed like a massive wave swallowing her whole. Damn it. Why are here so many people on a random Thursday, she curses under her breath. Looking around she realizes that Sora was long gone. Her heartbeat picks up pace; the panic slowly sets in as the streets get busier.

Okay, don’t panic. Just get out your phone and look up the restaurant address. It’s no big deal, she takes another set of deep breaths and continues walking while looking up the location. The map says the restaurant isn’t too far away, if she hurries up her friends won’t need to worry about her whereabouts.

A sharp pain jolts through her body, as her phone falls on to the ground next to her.

“Oh my god, I am so so so sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was going,“ Yui blurts out, quickly retrieving her phone. “Are you okay?”, she offers her hand to the person in front of her.

“Ah…uhm…yes. I am okay,“ they reply, accepting her hand and standing up with her help. Their face remains hidden under a deep hood. Yui withdraws her hand from their grip. “Again, I am really sorry, but I really have to hurry…,“she says, resuming her walk. The stranger dismissively gestures with their hand as they head in a different direction.

How embarrassing, I hope I never walk into them again. My phone screen is totally cracked too. Today is really not my day, she dusts off her clothes sighing. “Yui there you are! Let’s hurry; the others are already inside,“ Sora exclaims, waving and holding the door open.

“You guys are finally here! We almost starved, waiting for you!”, Mira slumps over her chair overdramatically making the others giggle. “So, what took you soooo long?”, Mei looks up from the menu.

“I am so sorry! We were already running a bit late, so I tried to speed walk. Yui was right behind me when she suddenly wasn’t anymore...,“Sora settles down on her chair, looking at Yui, expecting her to continue the story.

“I really tried to keep up, but there were so many people on the streets. I just couldn’t find you anymore! Then when I was almost there I bumped into some guy and totally cracked my phone screen,“ Yui pouts, putting her phone onto the table.

„Maybe we can get it repaired later? I saw a small shop nearby! “, Mei says inspecting Yui ‘s phone. „Can we please order first! I am about to die. I haven’t eaten since forever. “, Mira whines. „You’re right! Let’s eat first, we can worry about your phone when Mira is not at the brink of death anymore,“ Sora giggles. Yui nods in agreement, putting her phone to the side.

„I am stuffed. That was so much food. Oh god,“ Sora stretches out her arms towards the sky.

„We should come here more often! I’m satisfied,“ Mira smiles patting her full stomach.

„Alright let’s go get Yui ‘s phone fixed. It's time for our digestion walk! “, Mei exclaims. The girls link arms with each other and begin their short-lived walk. The crowd from before dispersed already, giving the girls plenty of space. The atmosphere is filled with smiles and laughter but there it is, that nagging feeling. Something is bothering Yui, but she doesn’t know what. Something is just off.

Shaking her head she thinks, It’s probably nothing. Nothing to worry about.

„Here we are! The YuMeSoMi Train stops here, we have reached our final destination,“ Mei says. Yui looks through the shop window, it’s so cramped in there. I’ll just go in there and-.

„Is it okay if we stay outside? It looks pretty crowded, and I doubt there is any AC in there,“ Sora looks at her with a hint of worry. Yui nods, „Yeah, it won’t take long. “

She turns around away from her friends that seem to watch her every move intensely, her hand slightly cramps when she reaches for the door, do they really think I can’t do anything without a supervisor? I am a grown woman goddamnit! she rolls her eyes. The door opens and with that a bell rings. All eyes on her, one particular pair of eyes widen at the sight of Yui.

She gulps gripping her phone tightly. Taking a deep breath, she speeds walks to the counter.

„Excuse me, I would like to get my phone screen repaired,“ Yui clears her throat.

„WHAT?! YOU HAVE TO SPEAK LOUDER,“ the man at the counter yells. His hair has gone fully white, and his eyes seem to be shut closed. „Uhm, I would like to get my phone screen repaired!“,she repeats in a louder voice. She glances around, wondering if she was too loud.

“Oh, why didn’t you just say that in the first place! Here, let me take a look,“ the man reaches out his hand waiting for Yui to hand over her phone. She hesitantly entrusts him her phone. “You don’t even have a case or a screen protector… I am not surprised it cracked like an egg”, the man shook his head. “I was planning on getting a case and a protector but just today I bumped into someone and- “, “You poor poor thing. I’ll fix you right up,“ he interrupted Yui’s monologue and went to the back of the store, leaving Yui dumbfounded.

She sighs and leans onto the counter facing away from where the man went. She looks around the shop, wondering how long it might take. There it is! The weird feeling, she frantically looks around until her eyes lock with someone else. They burry their face deeper into their black hoodie, quickly turning around again. Sweat drips down Yui’s forehead, what the fuck was that?

Could it be? Is that the same person from before? Yui shakes her head and turns around again.

Even if it’s the same person, why would it matter anyway? She shrugs.

Yui sighs, swaying from foot to foot as she waits for her phone. The rhythmic chime of the small bell, as the store becomes less crowded and the distant chatter outside the big windows fade into the background. Losing herself in thought.

“Okay so, it will take a little bit longer than I expected. You can come back in an hour and your phone will be like new. I recommend buying one of our trusty phone cases. If you would like I could also install a screen protector, for some extra cash, of course,“ the shop owner abruptly brings her back. “Oh okay, I just need the screen fixed. So, I can just leave now, right?”, she asks feeling unsure about leaving her phone with a stranger.

The man nods, not happy with her decline of his offer. “Alright! Thank you so much,“ She gives him a small smile and turns around to leave. On her way out she feels that weird daunting feeling again, she blinks around and locks eyes with the hooded figure. Yui gives them an awkward smile which they return with a small smirk. She frowns and leaves the store. She looks around for her friends, wiping away all the sweat off her forehead.

“And? How’s your phone?”, Sora walks up to her with the other two behind. “It’ll take a while, I can come back in an hour,“ Yui sighs, still thinking about the weird encounter. “Well, you know what that means! Shopping! Oh, and let’s take some Instagram pictures, too. Yui looks amazing today!”, Mira throws up her arms enthusiastically. The latter one blushes a bit at her friend’s compliment. “Good idea, I’ve been wanting to post a group pic of us all anyway,“ Mei agrees. “Then it is decided! Let’s go!”, Sora smiles brightly.

The three of them interlock arms again while Yui falls slightly behind, still thinking about that hooded person in the shop.

“Woah, look! The sky is so pretty.”, Mei looks up in amazement. Yui nods in silence, the sky is indeed very pretty. The sun has begun setting, painting the light blue sky in a shade of fiery pink. I did not think, it would take this long. I just want to go home, Yui thinks. Her feet hurt, she feels dehydrated and exhausted. “Okay now get your phone and let’s leave. My feet and wallet hurt,“ Mira slumps onto the nearest bench.

The shop’s bell chimes again. “Oh, there you are! I was already getting worried, you wouldn’t come back anymore.”, the man chuckles. “Yeah, sorry about that. My friends dragged me around the city today,“ she smiles as she walks up to the counter. “Your phone is all fixed and bandaged up,“ he hands it over. She hastily puts it in her bag and pulls out her wallet, waiting for the man to announce the price. She really just wants to leave. She already has plans for tonight. Getting in a well deserved 10 hour nap.

“Thank you so much,“ she says in relief, the day is finally over. “No problem! If it ever breaks again, you know where to find me,“ he smiles at her. Yui smiles back, feeling the warmth of his sincerity. “Now, I just hope that other customer comes back before I close,“ the owner mutters under his breath and walks back through the backdoor.

Yui takes that as her sign to leave and walks out the door. “Let’s go home!”, she exclaims pulling out her phone. They had already walked quite a bit, when Yui suddenly realizes the phone in her hand is not hers. She finally turned it on again, the wallpaper and passcode were totally different from hers. She looks at the time and the store would still be open for another five minutes. If she runs back at full speed, maybe she could make it, if the owner didn’t give her phone to someone else that is. “I have to run back really quick,“ she puts the phone in her purse.

“Uhm excuse me!”, a soft voice calls out. Yui turns around, her eyes widen. She doesn’t know if she should run, hide behind her friends, or just stay still and pretend to be dead. A hooded figure comes charging at her. “I think our phones got switched,“ they huff extremely out of breath, finally pulling down their hood. Yui looks at him confused until she finally understands what he’s trying to say.

“Oh, oh yeah of course!”, she says hastily goes through her bag, looking for the phone. I just put it in there, why can’t I find it? Did my purse just eat the phone, or what? she rolls her eyes. Her hands start to sweat, and it feels like an eternity until she found the phone. “Sorry, here it is,“ she murmurs, handing over his phone. “No worries, I am really lucky I could still catch up with you,“ the guy says in a shaky voice and gives Yui her phone. “Oh, by the way. Uhm, I am sorry, uhh our accident broke your phone,“ he stumbles over his words and looks away. “It’s okay, I wasn’t looking where I was going, and your phone also seemed to need a fixing after today. Let’s just say we’re both even!”, Yui smiles awkwardly. Hopefully I won’t have to see him again after today. These two encounters were already embarrassing enough.

“Uhm okay, I will leave then. Have a nice day,“ he stiffly waves and walks away.

“Who was that?”, Mei raises her eyebrow the moment he was out of earshot area. “He was kinda cute, oh my god. Like a lost puppy!”, Sora giggles. “What do you think about him? Isn’t he just your type?”, Mira nudges Yui.

Yui exhales in exhaustion and decides to ignore her friends. I just want to go home.

She walks away leaving her friends behind with dozens of questions. The yell after her, wanting more details on the guy.