I didn't eat rice.
I went to the restaurant, but there was a long line.
When I turned my head to look at him, he spoke first.
"Shall we go somewhere else?"
I didn't answer and just turned around.
He followed without saying a word.
So we just started walking.
As I exited through the main gate, the wind started to blow a little harder.
He zipped up his jumper, and I straightened my hair.
Strangely enough, it didn't feel awkward to walk without saying anything.
When you're walking down the street, there are moments when you stop for no reason.
I stopped when I saw the cafe sign.
He had a questioning look in his eyes.
I just went inside.
It was a small cafe, and only the two seats by the window were empty.
He took his seat without saying anything, and I went to order.
I hesitated in front of the menu, chose something, and came back.
He was taking out his earphones from his bag.
"Do you listen to music?"
I asked.
He shook his head.
"Just trying to avoid the surrounding noise."
I nodded.
He put his earphones back in and looked at me.
"The last sentence earlier had a different nuance than I expected."
I stopped my hand.
"is it so?"
He nodded slowly.
"It sounds a lot less definitive."
I wasn't sure exactly what he meant, but I didn't say anything.
After a while, the drink I ordered came out.
I took a paper cup and placed it in front of him.
"Oh, I didn't tell you what I was drinking."
He said, looking at the cup.
"But I think I'll choose it."
I didn't laugh. Instead, I asked.
"What is your basis for thinking I would choose it?"
He looked at the cup seriously for a while and then answered.
"Your face when you came back to your seat after the presentation."
I didn't know what that meant.
No, I knew but I wanted to pretend not to know.
Sunlight was falling through the window onto the table.
Until a little while ago, it was just a group project,
Now, things were going in a different direction.