I wake up at 6:09 AM to the sound of the doorbell.
"Roberto, wake up, I came to make your breakfast!"
"I'm coming, Yuna!" Wow, the sun isn't even fully up yet and Yuna is already on her feet, so energetic. What bug bit her? I'm still super sleepy, but I'll go open the door for Yuna.
I get up, grab a t-shirt, and go to the door. It takes me a bit to find the right key on the ring. I open the door and come face to face with Yuna, already in her uniform and holding a grocery bag.
"Yuna, what time did you wake up?" Am I dreaming? A girl has never come over to make breakfast for me; I honestly couldn't believe it.
"Oh, around five thirty, I just wake up early," she said, full of energy. Wow, is she the early-bird version of Goku, but instead of waking up to train, she does it to go to school?
"Come in, friend, what are you waiting for?"
Yuna smiles and walks in. She takes off her shoes at the entrance, and I grab them, placing them neatly against the wall inside the apartment.
"I stopped by the grocery store and bought this for you."
She opens the bag and reveals four tangerines! How did she know I liked them? Oh right, there was one sitting on the table. Pay attention, Roberto!
"I came to make a fruit salad, want some?"
"Of course I do. I have bananas, apples, and mangoes here, and now I have more tangerines!"
Yuna flashes a smile:
"Leave it to me."
"Make yourself at home, the kitchen is all yours."
"Thanks, Roberto."
I head to the bathroom to brush my teeth and take a shower, then go to my room and put on my school uniform. I step into the kitchen at 6:40, ready for school, and I'm welcomed by the delicious smell of sweet fruits.
"Do you like it?" Yuna asked.
"It looks great!" That fruit salad was making my stomach growl, and Yuna ended up giggling softly when she heard it.
"Do you have large cups?"
"I have dessert bowls in the left cabinet."
"Take them to the table, please. I'll bring the bowls and spoons," Yuna said, handing me a glass tray.
I take the tray to the table and sit down. Shortly after, she brings the glass bowls and sets them on the table. I grab the ladle, fill her bowl, and then mine. I take the first spoonful and am completely surprised by the flavor.
"Hmm, it's amazing. The flavor of the tangerine juice mixed with the other fruits... it's all wonderful."
"I knew you'd love it!" Yuna smiles, watching my expression as I savor the fruit salad.
I look at her and smile. Her brown eyes meet my blue ones, but she quickly looks away and blushes. I remember how delicate she can be, with those tiny onigiris... and then I realize I didn't make lunch for school today!
"Oh no, MY LUNCH!!" I widened my eyes, remembering I hadn't packed anything and would have to eat that junk from the school cafeteria.
"Calm down, Roberto, I made it."
"You... you made my lunch?" Yuna saw my panic and instantly calmed me down. Am I finally getting lucky for the first time in my life, having a friend who cares this much about me? It's weird; I've never experienced this before and don't even know how to react, but I'm incredibly grateful.
"Yes, it's back at my place in a second bento box I have."
Yuna has no idea how much she just saved me. She must really be an angel, or maybe a fairy, being so small and cute.
I wrap my arm around her shoulder since she was right next to me and give her a gentle squeeze.
"Let's make a deal here?"
"What deal, friend?" Yuna looks at me curiously.
"From today on, we take care of each other, whether at school or at home. What do you think?"
Yuna immediately blushes.
"A-Alright. Roberto."
I extend my hand to Yuna:
"Best friends?"
She squeezes my hand tightly.
"Yes, true best friends!" She smiles.
I smile back at her, but when I glance at my phone—six fifty-four! I jump up, grab the bowls, and rush to the sink. I wash them quickly while Yuna puts the tray in the fridge. I dry my hands and tell her:
"We have to run, ten minutes until the bus to Liberdade passes by."
"Then let's go."
I grab my backpack, Yuna slips her shoes on, and we head out. I lock my door and we run over to her place. She goes in, grabs the bentos, and hands me mine. I shove it in my bag, and we sprint to the bus stop. When we get there, the bus is just turning the corner. I wave, it stops, and we get on. Thankfully, it was empty. We sit in the back, and I let out a sigh of relief.
"We finally made it in time."
"We had to run so fast," she says, trying to catch her breath.
"This heart is really good."
"Huh?"
"Never mind."
Passing by the Liberdade neighborhood again, I see Yuna look out the window and sigh. I think this weekend I'll invite her to go there—her and Júlia. I'm sure Gabriel won't go since he has his own focus now, but I'll ask him anyway. We arrive at school, I meet up with Gabriel and Júlia, but the bell rings shortly after.
Around nine-thirty, I ask the teacher if I can go get some water. He lets me step out into the hallway. I walk to a water fountain with my bottle, fill it halfway, and take my pills out of my pocket. I pop one in my mouth and drink some water. Just then, I notice a figure standing next to me—it's Yuna. I swallow the water with the pill as if I were swallowing broken glass and end up choking.
"WHAT ARE YO— I mean, what are you doing here, Yuna?" I swallow hard.
"I came to ask why you waited to fill your water bottle here at school?"
"Well... it's just that... hey, can you keep a secret for me?"
"I can."
"I take my medicine here at school."
"Medicine for what?" Yuna stares at me with a worried look, waiting for my answer.
"I'll tell you at home."
"Wakarimashita."
We go back to class and pretend nothing happened. At noon, the bell rings; our lunch break has arrived. I'll finally get to see what Yuna prepared for me, since she didn't say a word about it. The four of us push our desks together and grab our bentos. When I go to open mine, the smell of chicken and rice immediately hits me. I pull the lid off all at once, and there it is.
"I made it for us, Chinese-style chicken risotto."
"There's a problem."
Yuna is startled.
"What is it?"
"I didn't bring any utensils."
"No problem, I brought two sets of chopsticks, you can have one."
"Thanks, Yuna."
"You made his lunch, Yuna?" Júlia asked, looking at the food and then back at Yuna.
"Yeah, yeah. Can I tell them, Roberto?"
"Tell them what?" Júlia, Gabriel, and I asked at the same time, completely curious. Not even I knew what she was going to say at that moment.
"About our deal this morning?"
"Yeah, you can," I said, relieved. For a split second, I thought Yuna might blurt out what she saw at the water fountain.
"What was the deal?" Gabriel asked.
"The deal was that since we live next door to each other, we decided to always help each other out."
"What a beautiful deal. I really wish someone who lived near me would help me," Júlia said.
"Well, my parents always help me," Gabriel said shyly.
"Mine want me to fend for myself," I said, showing no real reaction.
"But the important thing is that you have a helper now," Júlia smiled.
I smiled. I really am very lucky that Yuna is my best friend and lives so close to home.
"Guys, I need to ask you something. Gather around." I got everyone's attention.
The four of us leaned in:
"Let's keep this thing about Yuna and me helping each other just between us."
I didn't want everyone in the class or the school judging us or getting the wrong idea; after all, the girl I like is someone else.
"You got it, Roberto," Júlia agreed.
"My lips are sealed," Gabriel said.
"I'll always be by your side, friend," Yuna affirmed.
We finish our lunch, the bell rings, and we head back to class. After school lets out, the four of us walk to the bus stop.
"Júlia, who are you playing against in your match, do you know yet?" I asked curiously.
"It'll be against the sophomores."
"I can't wait to cheer for you."
Júlia giggles.
"Thanks, Roberto."
Right behind us:
"How long have you been friends with Roberto?" Yuna asked.
"Since freshman year, about two years ago!" Gabriel affirmed.
"Has he always been this good of a person?"
"Yeah, yeah, he's always been a great companion. He helped me a lot to get over... never mind, I'd rather not talk about it."
"Oh, alright. I understand."
We arrive at the bus stop. Yuna puts on her headphones, Júlia sits down on the bench, and Gabriel and I stand, waiting for the bus.
"Man, I was talking to Yuna and ended up remembering her."
"Now is not the time to be remembering her, man. You have a mission to accomplish. Remember, an astronaut cannot cry. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, Roberto!"
I slap his shoulder...
"You're strong, I know you are, and when you're on the International Space Station, I want you to remember your victories."
"Alright, man."
The bus arrives, a few people get off, and we step inside, taking our seats in the back. Then I make the invitation:
"Guys, how about we go to Liberdade this Saturday?"
Yuna's eyes sparkle.
"Are you serious, Roberto?"
"I've never been, I really want to check it out. I'd love to go!" Júlia said.
"I'll take a break on Saturday. If everyone is going, I'll go too," Gabriel said.
"Then it's settled. Saturday, we go to Liberdade."
"Arigatou, Roberto-kun." Yuna bowed slightly.
Júlia and Gabriel smile, but their stop soon arrives. They say their goodbyes and hop off. Shortly after, it's our stop. We get off and start walking.
"Well, I'm still curious about the medicine. I didn't want you to hide it from me; after all, I can help you a lot with that."
"Patience, young padawan! I know it's something you lack, and that you've held back a lot since this morning. I'm just asking for ten more minutes."
Yuna looks straight ahead, but lowers her head right after. We soon arrive at my apartment. I unlock the door and we step inside.
"I'm just going to change my clothes, I'll be right back."
"Alright."
I walk into my room to take off my school uniform and put on just a pair of shorts.
"Yuna, can you come here?"
"Sure."
When she gets to the door, she opens it, realizes I'm shirtless, and shuts it incredibly fast.
"Gomen-nasai!"
"It's okay, I'm not naked. I want you to see. I trust you. Do you trust me?"
"I-I trust you," Yuna said, her voice full of shyness and embarrassment.
"Then open the door."
Yuna opens the door. The first thing she notices are the massive scars on my chest.
"R-Roberto, what happened h-here?" She can't hide her expressions of worry and shock.
"This was the result of a very unhealthy childhood. When I was a kid, I ate almost every kind of junk food imaginable, only played video games, and never left the house for anything. Because of that, I kept gaining weight, gaining weight, and gaining weight. I reached 110 kilos by the time I was nine years old, and unfortunately, my parents thought it was normal. Until I was eleven, when I suffered a heart attack. It's a good thing I was rescued quickly. At the hospital, the doctors said my heart was completely useless now, and I would need a transplant. My parents emptied all their savings and paid for it. Well, I got a healthy heart that day, and I started going to the gym and doing Muay Thai classes. I lost sixty kilos in two years, and I'm fine now! Those pills I take are anti-rejection meds; I'm doomed to take them for the rest of my life."
Yuna is completely astonished, a tear falling from the corner of her eye. Then, she walks over and hugs me tightly.
"I will never abandon you, friend! I'll always be here to take care of you! I'll take care of your diet and your exercises! I don't want you to die!" Yuna hugs me hard, crying copiously against me.
I hug her back.
"Thank you, Yuna. And I promised to take care of you, and I will. You will never walk alone again. I will always be there to protect you, and when you need someone to comfort you, I'll be there."
I don't know, but I'm starting to feel something more for her. I don't know what I felt getting wrapped up in that hug with her. But of one thing I am absolutely certain: she is my best friend. I loosen my arms, she lets go of me, but keeps holding my hands...
"Thank you, Roberto."
"How about we go to the grocery store to stock up your house? I know a market nearby that sells Japanese stuff."
"I'll go home to change clothes and we'll go."
"I'll put on a shirt and wait for you downstairs."
Yuna smiles.
"Alright."
I walk her to the door and we temporarily say goodbye. I think about how relieving it was to tell this to someone! Not even Gabriel knows about this, but... why did I tell her? Do I trust her with my life? It doesn't matter; if we take care of each other, I can believe she will take care of me. Will she help pull me out of this well, or throw me even deeper? I've only known her for a short time, but I feel like I can trust her. I'm just afraid the same thing as before will happen, and I'll close myself off even more. I guess only time will tell.