I thought to myself,

  Hmm, the way you are saying it, I have to follow you to know your name.

  All my friends’ mouths only mention your name.

  Yes, Mayoki is wearing this outfit today.

  She used this shampoo on her hair.

  That lipstick on her lips.

  She did this good thing, she insulted that boy.

  Hearing all this, I used to get annoyed.

  Again she says,

  “How did you know my name!”

  I mean, it became like a tiger asking me,

  “Do you know me or not?”

  I answered lightly, slightly irritated—

  “Is knowing your name really a huge problem?

  Everyone in college keeps mentioning your name all the time.

  You are everyone’s idol in college anyway.”

  Mayoki smiled, curiosity in her eyes—

  “Really?

  Everyone in college thinks I am their idol?

  I just do my work.”

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  I asked her, with curiosity—

  “Well, what are you doing here at Cox’s Bazar at night?

  And how did you even come here by bus?”

  Hearing this, Mayoki suddenly got stuck.

  She started looking around.

  Light sweat appeared on her forehead.

  She kept talking nonsense to herself.

  Mayoki laughed loudly.

  Not making eye contact,

  fidgeting lightly, she answered—

  “I mean, I am here for admission.”

  “Then why are you here at night?

  What did you do all day?

  Our city had good universities.

  Instead of those, you came here?”

  Seeing me ask all these questions, Mayoki fidgeted more.

  Her speech started to get stuck.

  But she said lightly, slightly irritated—

  “Who?

  Is it written somewhere that I cannot take admission here?

  The university here is the second biggest and most beautiful in our country.”

  “That’s why I am here for admission.

  I started the journey in the morning.

  By the time I reached here, it got dark.”

  “I am here for admission.

  But why are you here?

  It does not seem like you came for admission.”

  I suddenly got scared when Mayoki asked.

  I thought—

  “What should I say now?

  I cannot say that I ran away.

  And the result cannot be told.

  Otherwise, there will be no dignity.”

  I said lightly, with a little courage—

  “I am here for admission too.

  Just like you have a wish to study in the second university,

  I also have that wish.”

  She slightly nodded—

  “Oh, really?

  Then that’s good.”

  It did not seem like she fully believed my words.

  But when I asked her questions,

  She also hesitated while answering.

  She was hiding something too.

  I asked her—

  “So, where will you go from here?

  Home, or have you decided a hotel?

  Where will you stay?”

  My questions seemed to startle her.

  For a moment, she became quiet.

  Her hands and feet moved slightly restlessly.

  She did not know what to say.

  After a while, she forced a laugh and said—

  “Ah, I have everything planned properly.

  I am just waiting for some vehicle.

  I will leave soon, really.”

  Saying this, she looked straight ahead.

  Not a single word she said was true.

  Even forcing a smile, discomfort could be seen on her face.

  So I did not ask her anything more.

  I looked straight ahead.

  Sitting there, I thought—

  Sitting here will not help.

  I have to get some help from Mayoki.

  But what should I say to her?

  I cannot stay with her.

  So what can I do?

  Ah, a good idea came to mind.

  I will ask her to lend me some money.

  I will say I lost my money on the beach.

  So I do not have money for the room rent.

  “If you lend me some money,

  I will pay you next month.”

  But even after saying this,

  if she does not lend me the money,

  then what will happen?

  No, first I cannot think negatively.

  Let’s see what she says.

  So, with courage in my chest, I raised my head, looked at Mayoki, and said loudly—

  “Mayoki, can you lend me some money?

  I forgot and spent all my money.”

  “Hiroshike, can you lend me some money?

  I forgot and spent all my money.”