The query came as a surprise to the young lover, not expecting to be asked such a loaded question, especially from the typically shy Anri. Of course, Anri was not incapable of vocalizing her opinions when the situation came, a trait that Mika witnessed firsthand within their many years of friendship. Although it was still stunning to hear such a blunt question.
The easy thing to do would have been to smile happily and reply ‘of course Anri-chan, how could you ask such a thing?’ And perhaps that’s all that question needed in order to be answered. But considering their history, their dynamic, and the present itself, that reply would have been rude and delusional. It was clear that this wasn’t so obvious between the two of them, hence Mika’s need to approach Anri in the first place.
In all honesty, Mika was being incredibly hypocritical. On one hand, she had just finished preaching that she wanted Anri to have more control in their relationship, and to decide whether or not their relationship was worth it. But on the other hand, she wanted Anri in her life no matter what she or anyone else said. This sentiment was probably the best answer to the question posed, yet simultaneously a terrible one. And while Mika wanted to be honest about it, there was no way she could take back her word.
‘Am I really that important to you?’
The answer was simple, and painfully so. It was just the delicacy that Mika wanted in her response made it more difficult to say anything, quite the opposite of her normal temperament.
Ah, this is so unlike me.
A look of determination struck the girl all at once, and she smiled with such vigor at her childhood friend.
“Anri-chan. You’re important enough that I actually want to keep you in my life. I say that because my priorities have definitely changed over the past year, you know that. But here I am, wanting to make it right with you, when I could be trying to make someone fall in love with me.”
Her look softened, and Mika let out a small giggle and shrugged.
“Although I guess I’m doing almost the same thing right now. Almost, because my heart is already stolen. But somewhere in the same effect. You know what I mean, right Anri-chan?”