30 Chocolate Ice Cream

Our scores for the last months' exam were given to us, and we didn't change.

"I still can't believe I scored high on math, how about you?" Carrying these stacks of papers we were told to drop them at the faculty office.

"Same as usual, don't mind our scores we are still highest in the school," Yasu replied while finding a way to comfortably carry these sheets.

"Yeah, I know but I'm kinda bored being on top, to be honest."

"Say that to your girlfriend and get slapped about it."

"I wouldn't try even if you did ask me to."

Yasu and I were walking down the hallway exchanging words.

"Oh, by the way, I'm going on a Christmas date with Kozue to see the lights and hear the choir. She wants you guys to be there too."

"I'm sorry but I am going to start warming up for the art."

"Figures, she said no, too."

"You'd better not get too busy with Kozue and forget about writing our storyboards," I commented in a mocking manner.

"Never will, we know our priority," Yasu replied waving his hand.

*********

[Yasuyuki and Kozue's POV]

"Sorry to keep you waiting." Kozue dressed beautifully on their first date.

"No, I'm good I just got here too. So where do you want to go first?" Yasu grabs Kozues things and hugged her.

"Let's go get ice cream."

"Okay, let's go."

The line is long, as they waited in line they exchanged thoughts.

"You know, I've been meaning to ask you about Fumi and Kenji, I just don't understand them. They're too focused on the manga, serialization, and the school."

"...." Yasu remained silent for a while.

"I do get it, they're both in love with each other. But they should make their own private memories just the two of them. Aah.." letting out her frustration. "Maybe they need a little push."

"Kenji and Fumi are a little too serious, right? I mean Fumi cried when Kenji was so down after losing the first battle."

"Whoa, I never know that...Fumi really cried? He must've loved Kenji so much."

"Yeah, even more than you do."

"Hey, why is this about me now?"

"No, I mean you're strong that's why I love you. This is just my opinion upon hearing the story from Kenji, Fumi truly believed in Kenji's ability to make a beautiful manga."

"Yeah, that's what I realized in the days I'm moving on. They're both believing each other."

A brief pause in their conversation,

"One chocolate ice cream please."

"Same for me."

They walked near the Christmas tree and the choir.

"I think those two are in love beyond our imagination."

"That's creepy, putting it like that."

The lights twinkle like the stars in the night and the choir started to sing. And Yasu is deep in his thoughts.

"Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright"

Maybe she's not being romantic cause she knows, that if they started going out on dates, or giving them some time, she'd be all that Kenji could think about.

"Around yon virgin Mother and Child

Holy infant so tender and mild."

She cried because she is having doubts about herself too and that she doesn't know what to do if some bad thing could happen to Kenji, she is debating with herself.

"Sleep in heavenly peace

Sleep in heavenly peace."

"Yasu! Yasu! Oy!" Kozue kicked Yasu for spacing out.

"Ouch, sorry I spaced out...Anyway, we will understand them sooner or later, now that we are close to our goal."

"You know Kenji better than I do, so act like one around him."

"Yeah, yeah."

*********

[Kenji's POV]

As I warm myself up to draw, I can't stop thinking about Kozue and Yasuyuki going out for Christmas.

"Sheesh, do they not have enough being always together in school, going home." I sounded stubborn but that what it is.

I received a call from Nami,

"Hey Kenji, are you at the studio tonight?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Can I come over, just me…"

"Why though?"

"Just want to see the studio, and there is something I need to talk to you about personally."

"Well, okay then."

I wonder is does Nami want to talk about,

A few moments later, Nami arrived in a Santa costume.

Nami looks good in this Santa costume but why so sudden.

I let her in,

"Come on in, what are you doing, and why are you wearing that?"

Nami looked cold and nervous but I want to hear her answer,

"Uhm, this has been going around me lately, I'm sorry this kinda weird appearing in front of you in Santa costume. No, nevermind that, Kenji…."

I had the feeling I know about this,

"My life was dull ever since, back in our old school, I never had any friends, it was just me and Nagi, but she was more popular than I was. Then I met Hanako, who give me a chance to see the world but it was all black and white."

I knew it, she's been holding on for a while now.

"Then after I met you, everything changed, in the past months working with you. I realized I was having fun, and that was because of you. You brought color to my life, you changed my whole life. Everything is bright and colorful."

I felt my heart is pounding really hard and fast it was hard for me to speak but still I have to, "But you know Fumi and I are already going out, right?"

"Yeah, I know and you two are in love with each other, but if I continued to keep these feelings my heart would burst. Love, why do we get caught by such dangerous feelings, the mind couldn't even help and think straight, and if you fight hard over it you'll lose control of yourself."

I am speechless, I don't know what to say…

"I'm sorry…" No that is not all I want to convey.

"I understand, there are things that aren't written in the mind of a person because one might get hurt, but it is also possible that it could heal another. Don't worry, this was my biggest mistake falling for you, knowing that you already love someone else."

"Nami, I will never forget this day, that you became strong, fight on that feeling, and faced me with all your might." I grabbed Nami close to me and hugged her tightly and I added,

"I don't want to forget the day I met you, I want to remember all the time we spent together. Even the little things, more than that I don't want to stop being friends with you!"

"I see, that's how you feel for everyone right?"

"Yes!"

"Hey, Kenji what if it was you and me, what would it be like?"

"If it was you and me, then it would be a rollercoaster ride, just like everything else."

"Hahaha, I see, wait can I use the room I need to change my outfit, this is from my work."

"Sure, sure."

"Hey, someday, or maybe she will one day look at you like you the best thing in the whole world for her."

"Same goes for you, I'm pretty sure of it. You're a strong person Nami."

"Thank you." Letting out a beautiful smile as she closes the door.

I'm glad Nami was able to conquer her fears, what matters the most is that she knew she can feel the same way she does right now. Even if that just makes us friends, companions. Because that is the most important lesson here.

Love can hurt someone, but on the other hand, it can heal another.

I speak to myself, "There was no place for me, so I had to make one for myself, however, it was all failures, so I thought I'm better off myself but these people had me thinking to give it one more try. And surprisingly it was the place I've been longing for."