Hikage Birthday 2

Each night I'd return home by train and on the nights I'd stop by the supermarket I would occasionally bump into a woman with short green hair. She'd watch me with heavy eyelids and vacant eyes as I'd enter and leave and she was always dressed in either a sweater or a flimsy top and torn jeans. As I walked by her one night I made eye contact and said hello. She returned my greeting in her monotone voice and from that point on I saw her hanging around the store more often and we'd always exchange a greeting.

 

It all changed one night when I went in for some meat for dinner. This time I said hello but instead of just resting against the wall like she usually would, she perked her head up and sniffed the air. I didn't think anything of it and kept walking it wasn't until I got away from the intersection and the local traffic that I could make out the sound of heels clacking against the pavement. I turned around and there she was a few paces behind me like a lost puppy. 'Uh, hi again, are you following me?'

 

She stared blankly at me. I had to have blinked twice but her eyes were locked on me. 'You bought steak, right?' She asked.

 

I did. Though I'm not sure how she could tell. 'Yeah, why?'

 

'Did you buy enough for two?' I actually saw her blink now but her eyes were still empty, like dolls eyes.

 

'I could make a meal for two I guess.' Was she really making a move here and now? I had to be imagining things.

 

She walked forward and stopped beside me, keeping her eyes forward 'I don't know how to get to your place so you're going to have to show me.'

 

Did she just invite herself over? She's still a stranger 'Shouldn't you give me your name at least?'

 

'Hikage.' She mumbled.

 

'Okay, Hikage, it's nice to meet you.' I tilt my head to see if she'd turn and face me but she looked forward. 'You want to go to my place? It's weird you'd just go along with some guy like that.'

 

She just shrugged her shoulders 'You're not bad looking and I guess if you tried something funny I could take you.'

 

What was that supposed to mean? If anyone was going to do anything "funny" it would be her. She was some strange woman off of the street who acted weirdly. Yet for some reason I let my guard down and let her come with me. Hikage was polite enough to take off her boots before entering and wandered around of her own accord until she settled down on the couch. She quickly figured out how the television worked and made herself at home.

 

While she lounged about I made our dinner. I don't know why I was going with the flow like this but there was something about her that lured me in. I brought our food into the living room and found her sprawled out with her head tilted back. You would think she'd never sat down before in her life. She snatched up her plate and shovelled the food down and once finished she celebrated with a burp she contained in her mouth 'Not shabby' she praised.

 

'I'm glad you liked it.' I scoffed. I was actually impressed by how quickly she finished but she wouldn't just want her own share she looked over at my serving and watched me take every bite like a dog waiting for scraps.

 

Hikage snatched up a piece from my bowl and muttered an apology 'Still hungry.'

 

'Hey, I need to eat too.' I was forced to defend my food from another assault by her chopsticks and Hikage allowed me to eat. She kept staring at me though. 'So why did you follow me home? It can't just be for the food.'

 

'I didn't want to be alone today for some reason.' Hikage stiffened and avoided eye contact.

 

'Oh, is there something special about today?' I asked.

 

'It's my birthday.' Hikage looked at me again with those heavy, green eyes. 'My friends aren't around until tomorrow so I needed someone else to celebrate with. I guess people celebrate birthdays together right?'

 

'But why me?' I nervously laughed.

 

'Like I told you before.' Hikage didn't put a hint of emotion in her voice even for this moment 'You're not bad looking and I watched you with people and you seemed okay.'

 

I suppose that was her way of showing affection but I reeled from her backhanded compliments 'I seem okay, huh?'

 

Hikage just blinked at me 'I'm not good with the touchy feely stuff.'

 

'So wait do you like me or not?' I scratched my head.

 

'Yeah I like you I guess.' Hikage poked me. 'Dummy.'

 

That was about as much as she was willing the admit at the time but she did open up about other parts of her life, mainly her friends, and we spend the evening together. We even left to go down to the convenience store to see if we could find a cake but all we could find were cupcakes and some cheap birthday candles. She didn't seem to mind though, she was just content to have someone by her side.

 

As the hours went on it got late and Hikage let out a yawn 'Hey, can I stay the night?'

 

'Well there's only one bed but I do have a spare futon-' I didn't manage to finish before Hikage jumped in.

 

'I'm taking the bed!' She called out.

 

But where was I supposed to sleep? I couldn't sleep on a futon especially with work tomorrow. 'Well I thought I'd have the bed since it's my place.'

 

'Get in with me.' Hikage's tone remained tired and bored. There wasn't a hint of flirting even though what she suggested could be taken the wrong way.

 

'Yeah, sure I guess that could work.' I went along with her plan and I spent the night curled up with her and by the time morning came she suggested we spend more evenings together. Hikage was strange and aloof but I was charmed by her eccentric behaviour and I agreed to more time together. It would be a decision I wouldn't regret.