10 Misunderstanding resolved

Ch 10

POV Akari Nakano

My heart is still beating fast. That was the first time I was so close to a boy, I thought, my face blushing.

I was walking home with Hinata and Shizuo after the karaoke, when,

"Akari do you like Makoto kun?", Tsukumo asked.

"Pfft" I spit out the tea I was drinking because of the randomness of the question. "No, I don't"

"Really? Are you sure?"

"Yeah, he already likes someone else anyways." I said glancing a Shizuo. "What about you Shizuo? Do you have anyone you like?"

"No, not currently" she replied

I didn't know why but when I thought about Makoto and Shizuo becoming a couple, my heart felt as if it was being squeezed.

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POV Shinji Makoto

Time flowed on, and another week passed with nothing important happening, which suited me perfectly as I could spend time watching anime and reading manga. Honestly, the time when students are most free is at the start of terms, the classes are lighter since new topics are introduced, there are no competitions, projects or any major events. Life feels relaxing.

Then one day as me and Nishikawa were having lunch in the cafeteria, he dropped a bomb on me.

"You are getting a part-time job?!!!"

"Yes, please calm down" He waved his hands, motioning me to calm down.

Our school doesn't really forbid students from getting a part time job, but they "suggest" not having one, so that it doesn't get in the way of your studies. Though that doesn't stop anyone from getting one.

"Why?" I asked after a few seconds.

"Oh, you know, just to earn some extra money for games and stuff" He averted his gaze

What a bad liar. But why would he take this sort of action? Why does he suddenly need money? Is he being extorted?

Apparently, he is going to work part-time as the clerk at a convenience store. At least he chose an easier job. Most students choose more fancy places like working at a fast-food chain or at a café as the waiter, both of which I don't think he can handle, since they involve a lot of customer interaction.

"Best of luck then", I mean, it's not bad to have a part time job. I was just surprised that Nishikawa took an initiative to do something out of his comfort zone, on his own. That karaoke incident must have hit him really hard.

"Say, Nishikawa. Do you like Hiwari san?"

"Pfft, koff koff" he choked on his food and started coughing.

"Are you alright?" I asked, while passing him a bo'ohw'o'wo'er (bottle of water).

"Yeah, I am fine now" he replied after a few gulps.

"So, do you like her?"

"N-no, why would I?"

"You are bad at lying" I stared at him questioningly for a few seconds.

Finally he confessed.

"Yes, I do. Actually we were in the same class in middle school once. I have had a crush on her since then. But there's no way someone like me can go out with her." He continued in a depressed tone.

"Don't worry. Where there's a will there's a way" I cheered him.

And when you are the protagonist, anything is possible. I continued in my mind.

That evening, as I was going home, I saw Nakano walking ahead. I ran up to her

"Yo Nakano, wait for me. Let's go together"

Actually, we didn't go home together every day. Most of the time she would wait for her friend's club activities to be over and then go with them. That is why I wanted to take this opportunity to clear up her misunderstanding about me and Hiwari.

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POV Akari Nakano

As I was walking home, I heard a familiar voice call out to me

"Yo Nakano, wait for me. Let's go together"

Ah, it's him. My face blushed when I remembered what happened on our last meeting.

"Are you okay? Your face is red. Do you have a fever?" He put his hand on my forehead.

My whole face turned into a deep shade of crimson. But when I noticed his grinning face my embarrassment turned into anger. I gripped his hand and twisted it behind his back.

"Ow, ow, ow, it hurts"

"Look, I am healthy enough to beat you up, how can I be sick?"

"I am sorry, sorry. It hurts"

"Hmph, you are pretty weak, aren't you?" I snorted letting his hand go.

"I know I am weak, I am like a fragile piece of glass please handle me with care" He said as he nursed his arms while looking at with sad eyes.

"Pfft, you look like a dog left out in the rain" I laughed

Actually, after the day I told him that I told him that I hated fake people, he didn't really change his behaviour. In class he would still wear that fake smile while talking to others. However, whenever it was only the two of us he would remove that mask.

"You should act like your real self in front of Shizuo she will like it more" I said, annoyed when I remembered about it.

"Why do you think I like Hiwari?".

What? Then why did he thank me for getting Shizuo to go the karaoke?

"Th-that"

"I don't like her."

"Then why were you trying to create opportunities with her? Even when we eat lunch, you always try to drag her into conversation"

"That is for Nishikawa. He loves her, so I am trying to get them to at least open up to each other"

"Ah" For some reason at that instant I felt a rock was lifted up from my heart.

You know those times when something good happens, like getting in the university you want to, or getting your desired gift at Christmas. The world just seems to be more colourful and your steps become lighter. That is how I felt right now.