Page 8 of The Jorogumo

"Yep, let's go." Looking up at me, he smiled. "Talk later?"

I nodded, and watched them leave. I couldn't help feeling like something had changed between us. I couldn't tell what, but something had happened. I was sure of it.

I grew even more sure of it when my text to Haruto that evening went unanswered. Had I messed everything up somehow?

I adored my friendship with Haruto, and I didn't want to lose it. While I did find him attractive, his friendship was a lot more important to me. I wanted him in my life, and that was it.

When two days had passed without a reply, I decided to put all my twisting emotions into words.

Me: Hey, Haruto. I don't know what happened, but I can tell something is bothering you. If it's something I did, I'm sorry. I like being your friend, and I don't want to lose your friendship. If there's anything I can do to make things right, please let me know.

Maybe he wouldn't read this text at all. Or maybe he'd already blocked me and he planned to never return to the store.

A customer walked in while I was still staring at my phone, and I put it away, waiting somewhat impatiently as they perused the shelves before grabbing a recent release and walking over to the counter. I billed them quickly and sent them on their way, pulling my phone out as soon as the door closed.

No reply.

The door opened before I could plunge myself into my spiraling thoughts again, and I glanced up, for some reason hoping it was Haruto. Instead, it was another of my regulars, Diego. He'd been coming to the store for just shy of two years,and while he never bought any comics, he was still one of my favorite customers. Seeing him made me feel just a little better, and I smiled as I greeted him, knowing he'd hear it in my voice even if he couldn't see it.

"Hey, Diego! Looking good in that red shirt." He was wearing a very blue, soft-looking shirt, his dark hair framing his face in gentle waves, and his soft hazel eyes sparkling bright as always.

Diego grinned like he always did when I made that joke, and approached the counter, the click-click of his cane a familiar and somewhat comforting sound.

"Hey, Liam. You look as handsome as ever," he shot back with a cheeky smile, making me chuckle. He held his phone out to me, then crossed his arms on the counter and rested his chin on them.

Familiar with our routine, I swiped the phone open and went into his notes app, finding the list of audiobooks he wanted to purchase. While he could navigate most of his phone on his own with the voice assist, he had trouble with the audiobook app he used sometimes, and after purchasing the wrong books a few times too many, he'd approached me when the Maps app had told him about my shop.

I had a feeling he'd have been too scared to approach me if he could see me, but that first meeting had led to this becoming a twice-a-month thing for us.

"Wow, you've been burning through these, huh?"

"Yep. My bank account officially hates me," he said cheerfully, making me chuckle.

I quickly purchased all the audiobooks in his list, double-checking the titles of a few I thought the voice-to-text had gotten wrong.

"Thanks, Liam. You're the best."

"It's not a problem, Diego. You know I'm happy to help."

Diego smiled, then tilted his head. "Is everything okay?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't it be?"

"You sound a little...sad."

I blinked, surprised he could tell. I hadn't thought he knew me well enough to be able to tell that, but then again, he had been coming to the store for two years now. Maybe we weren't as close as Haruto and I—which was strange, considering I'd known Diego for much longer—but we were friends.

"Uh...a friend of mine isn't talking to me, and I can't figure out what I did wrong."

"Why do you think it's because of something you did wrong?" he asked with a furrowed brow, and I stared at him, speechless.

I'd just assumed it was because of me, because I'd been thinking of kissing him when it happened. But Haruto had seemed okay afterward, and he hadn't really mentioned anything before he left. Could it be that his silence had nothing to do with me?

"Uh, I don't know."

Diego smiled, and reached out, searching for a moment before he patted my hand. "Don't worry so much, big guy. They could be dealing with some crap of their own. Just wait until you hear back. I'm sure they'll tell you all about it when they're able to."

"I suppose you're right."

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