Only One Person

How I wish it's that easy to read the signs in front of me... -- Florence Joyce

xxxxxx

[Rinako]

TWO days had passed. But as for my mind... It remained on the events that happened two days ago. This was just crazy!

I couldn't believe it! What Kiho said to me that day had never let my mind rest. Like, hello? Since when did I become an angel sent from above whose mission was to free that jerk named Mitsuta Setsuji from the hate that he was still keeping in his heart? I didn't have the personality of an angel that they needed for that task, to begin with.

I just sighed heavily... again. To be honest, the moment I learned the true reason why Setsuji was like that, it only gave my mind another reason to disturb me and make me crazy even when I sleep. Not to mention, I sighed who knows how many times without any reason.

I nearly had the urge to bang my head on the wall just to make my mind stop thinking of that jerk. I didn't care if I wasn't referring him to his name every time that jerk would seriously invade my mind big time. It only means that I was that frustrated which would destroy my good mood.

"Hey, Nako-chan. Aren't you even going to fix yourself? It's almost time for the practicum. They're going to use draw lots as a way of selecting the queue for the practicum," Mayu said which put me out of my reverie.

It also caused me to let out a groan of frustration. That's right. Today was the dreaded day.

The day of our dance practicum.

Mayu just laughed which made me glare at her. "What's so funny?"

"It's you! Why are you groaning so much today? You look like you're entering a court trial with the way you're reacting right now."

"Why? Isn't this dance practicum already considered a court trial?" And I sighed once more with my head resting sideways on the desk of the armchair. This time, I sighed heavily. "But... I think it's better this way. The torture of my life would finally come to an end."

But then I thought... Was that how I would like to consider everything that had happened between Setsuji and me during the duration of our truce? It was the eleventh day today and this would be the last day. After this dance, things would be back to normal—-even that jerk and I would return to normal.

Back to the usual teasing, back to the usual clash.

Back to the distance that was formed between us before... if there was such a thing as a distance that was formed...

"Are you even sure that you're going to end it just like that? What about the days that passed that you spent together?"

I stiffened at Mayu's question. But it was just for a while. As much as possible, I didn't want to let my cousin know that I was truly affected by that.

I just looked at Mayu. This time, I couldn't hide the sad smile that crossed my face. Great! Why do I even feel this way? "It was meant to end, anyway. Besides, that's what he and I had agreed on. All we had to do is to abide with the deal."

"Can't you two even do something to break it?"

I only responded by shaking my head before I took my bag to go to the ladies' comfort room so that I could change.

But to be honest, Mayu's question continued to echo in my mind.

~"Can't you two even do something to break it?"~

What for? Just to make things even more confusing? No one knew that until now, my mind was still messed up because Kiho requested me. That if I could do it, I should do everything that I could to help Setsuji to become free from his hatred. For goodness' sake! was I supposed to be the one who should do that?

I was sure there were other girls out there who would willingly do it for Kiho.

But why did my heart keep on rejecting the fact that other girls could do Kiho's request other than me?

~"You're the only one who can save him, I know it. Ever since you and Setsuji-kun met and your clashes became a topic on the entire campus, that was when I became so sure. You're the only one who could do this..."~

I could only groan when I recalled that. I asked Kiho at the time why she said that I was the only one who could save Setsuji. Wait... Was that even the right word I was looking for?

Never mind. I'd think about that later on.

And it was the answer that she gave me. But I could feel that there was still something missing about what she said. I just couldn't pinpoint for now what could be missing.

When I entered the comfort room, I noticed that there was no one inside. I couldn't help feeling confused at that because from what I knew, it was already our ten-minute break time. But then, I guessed I could care less about that. I raised my head and faced the mirror.

There, I saw myself... including the emotions that my eyes were reflecting at the moment.

Hesitation...

Confusion...

Sadness...

Slight determination...

Fear...

I never paid attention to what could those emotions be at the moment. But I only knew one thing—only one person was the reason for those emotions that I was seeing in my eyes at the moment.

I shook my head just for me to remove those thoughts and worries I had even for a while. This was the day of the dance practicum... and also the end of the truce. For now, I should focus on that.

With that thought, I proceeded to go to one of the available cubicles to change.