JUST A CRASH - BUTTERFLY CROSSING

14. To Be Together

Towards the evening in the area around the apartment, the lights of shops and restaurants began to turn on. Workers who had just returned home were stopping by the store for a drink. If in the city, billboards will brightly illuminate the streets. But this area is more to a residential complex. The biggest store is the supermarket was closed at nine o'clock.

Shuji took a shower, wearing neat and warm clothes. The green scarf is striped in loose twists around his neck. From inside the open drawer, lay a red scarf with the motif of sama— which was unconsciously purchased when thinking of Orange. Of course, not necessarily the woman will accept, but Shuji is not discouraged and takes her along for the plans tonight.

The man walked excitedly towards the stop when the time was near and stopped waiting for the bus to arrive.

As the orange descended, a cold wind blew, making her glue the windbreaker jacket she was wearing. Just then, his eyes caught a familiar figure.

“Shuji?”

Shuji stood upright at the stop, half his face covered in a scarf but his eyes flashed a smile. “Okaeri?”

“You why here?” The night was so cold but a warm atmosphere enveloped the two; orange felt a little amused and immediately lowered his gaze.

Shuji locked onto the orange figure that was moving towards him, whispering inwardly why the woman in front of him was so sweet. Her cheeks are red, they must be cold. “I'm here waiting for you.”

“Ah.?” Orange opened his eyes. “You can wait at home, don't you have my number?” they can make a deal and don't have to wait outside like this until it's cold.

Shuji did not reply

Orange stopped beside Shuji and glanced in surprise. "Why silence?"

The one in question drew a smile—though not seen. Shuji held out a forgotten red scarf and put it on an orange. Surprised, Jingga held back her legs that were about to retreat.

Between the two there is a distance between them, but the orange seems to be able to feel Shuji's face is right in front of him.

"I can wear it myself.." whispered a soft orange that was not in the gubris. The man in front of him even paired the scarf with his kalem.

The orange felt the time spinning for so long that he heard a low voice up close.

“It's done."

"You have bad habits, you know?" The orange walks side by side with Shuji. The voices of the customers from the tavern they passed by sounded equally vague.

Hearing the unexpected criticism, Shuji immediately looked out. "Wh-wha?"

Perhaps just her feeling, Orange felt she could clearly hear her heartbeat since Shuji put her scarf on. The fragrance of the detergent is the same as mine, Orange enjoys in the heart. "Why are you surprised? Are you not aware?"

"Umm." pause. "Try me."

"Forgetit." Orange drew a smile at the end of his sentence. Shuji can't be told. If Jingga refuses, Shuji will continue to do so. Like testing the lowest limit that Orange can accept then just stop. But how does an orange say something like this?

“Where do you want to eat? I'm telling you, I'm the one who's not cool—maybe I can't come eat with you.” Orange changes the topic.

“Why? Didn't you invite me to dinner? You should have eaten.” Shuji frowned. “You said you didn't have a girlfriend.” Shuji. He thought for a moment and added. “You don't want to ask me to be your girlfriend?” She thought their dinner this time was a date, didn't she?

BT direct shuji.

The orange is sometimes speechless when hearing Shuji speak bluntly with the face of the plate.

“...Not.” Orange said slowly. “I've told you the time on bus—you didn't listen?”

Shuji lifted his gaze in any direction.

No, she remembers nothing but the phrase that Orange has no boyfriend.

Seeing that response, the orange did not wait. “We don't match—”

“Stop!!” Shuji raised his hand to the face of the woman beside him as soon as he heard that unlucky sentence as an opening.

“Kita... find a place first.” Why is this woman in such a hurry?? Not seeing the place and circumstances instantly said they didn't fit in! Especially outside so cold, Shuji did not want Orange to get sick. But if invited to his apartment room—Shuji doubts that Orange will be willing.

The two agree to sit at one of the cafes; shuji orders amerikano while Jingga orders a cappuccino. The atmosphere of the cafe that night was still a little crowded but the warm drink presented in front of the two was not touched at all.

"Do you want another message?" shuji asked glanced at the coffee in front of the orange. He did not choose the restaurant because from the words of the previous Orange, they had already entered into the core chat. How could he enjoy dinner with this kind of talk.

"This is enough."

How could it be enough? You must be hungry and thirsty, right? But Shuji can't offer at this moment. “I admit I didn't focus time on bus.” Shuji. “I'm still sleepy.” Continued reason.

“Hm.”

"I really like you. I'm just sorry I didn't say it at the right time." Shuji. “Explain to me.” he added. "Why haven't you told me yet.... that we are what." doesn't fit in? What kind of curse is that.

“...You know clearly that we are different.” The word orange begins. Shuji did not interrupt, he held back for the sake of listening until the end. “I am a Muslim, and I am a Muslim.”

“...Islam.” Shuji frowned and took notes in his heart. It seemed like he had heard of this term. Isn't this a world-level suspicious organization?

Shuji refocused his mind as Jingga continued.

“Many people here don't know what Islam is, and I don't think you know it either. I'll try to explain it briefly.”

“You don't need to explain briefly.” Shuji says. The more detail the better. Again, in case of hurry, they will soon disperse, return to their respective apartments. The longer, the more he could spend time together.

“There are many types of prayers, and there are many things to avoid. Many people who judge that this rule is too restrictive—I want to tell you that I am running all this happily. Like a parent who forbids this child and that, all done because that person loves his child.”

The orange tries to explain as easily as possible without going out of context.

“One of the most important is, as a Muslim, I can not be together other than with a Muslim.” Suddenly desperate. She doesn't know if Shuji understands, nor does she feel disappointed in herself. “From here, I'm sorry, because I can't return your feelings. And whatever you expect in the future, I can't be the one.”

Jingga opens the scarf that Shuji dresses up, intending to put an end to this depressing chatter.

“Do you not like me?” Shuji asked slowly.

“What?” orange hands shook, almost hitting a coffee cup nearby.

“You keep talking and don't let me say anything, isn't that outrageous?” Shuji said with a frown.

“...” Orange glance at any direction. Already on this topic, is there anything else to talk about?

Looking at Shuji who was looking at him demandingly, Jingga fixed her sitting position.

Shuji nodded looking at her and started. “May I ask honestly, and ask you to answer honestly too?”

Orange had guessed Shuji's question but he still nodded despite the weight.

“What.... Do you have feelings for me?”

“....hm.” with small voice Orange thumping.

“Likes the... more than just friends?”

“...hm.”

“Like the—”

“I like you. Yes, and not as friends.” Replied Orange, holding back the embarrassment of crawling her face.

Hearing that Shuji's eyes immediately sparkled. “I understand. You can't betray your faith.” He started. “You who have been a dozen years with this belief, it is impossible to throw it away for the sake of superficial likes.” Shuji said, trying to put aside his feelings which are now like being stabbed.

Orange does not seem to accept. Shuji raised his hand, asking for himself to finish his sentence. Shuji knew, in his heart, his self-love and the kind of love that Orange felt was different.

The orange likes him, but only likes him. Fragile feelings that can change at any time. While Shuji, he can't be saved—he already loves Orange.

“But why didn't you pull me with you? I know, you don't want to force me.” Shuji. “You actually want me to follow you, right? Because this is the only answer.” Isn't it just one religion? What's so hard?

“...I do not want to force you. You can choose to reject—”

“You may not be aware, but leaving you is an impossible thing to do.” Shuji. “I never believed in God.” Said Shuji bluntly. “But I want to know what kind of God you have, I want to try to know.”

This way, he can be with the orange.

The orange listens and thinks there is nothing wrong.

But his heart felt a foreign discomfort. Like a puzzle thrown out of position.

“...You...”

The two looked at each other for a long time. But eventually they accepted each other.

Orange with his unwillingness to refuse, Shuji for his wish tied the orange to his side.

The two decide the path by following the passion in each other's hearts.

**

To Shuji, the orange figure was like a light in the middle of darkness.

His curiosity changed from curiosity to interest. Growing from obsession, love, then love.

The feeling arises, allowing Shuji to live in the future.

Orange is Shuji's hope. Ever since realizing his deep feelings, he was determined to live with the Orange.

He does not know the definition of God. But if God is the entity that holds life, that determines life and death then Orange is Shuji's god. He will live when the Orange lives, die when the Orange dies.

He said he was trying to recognize the belief of the Orange just so he could chain it with him.

What's wrong?

While Jingga, Shuji will make the woman's love feelings deep. To the point where an orange cannot live without him.

In this way, no one can separate them.