2 Love

So for this world, Haruka has never called Akira "Akira" out loud without honorifics. Instead, I changed it to Aki. Since that's mostly a minor change and I don't want to copy the chapters from the original novel simply to change that, I'm writing it here. The main reason for this is in the AN at the end.

###

Did I forget something?

Ah right, the cameras...

I'll do it later when Grandma is asleep.

I don't want to wake her up. She's really scary for some reason.

After setting up an alarm to go off at midnight, I went to sleep, enjoying this new feeling of love between best friends.

###

*Beep* *Beep* *Bee-* *Boop*

*Yawn~*

Alright, time to search for more cameras.

Picking up my phone and turning the camera on, I proceed to look around the house with it.

Most smartphone cameras can detect infrared lights, which most spy cams give off.

It's a start, but I'll need to get a bug and camera detector. Can't forget about mics too.

*Yawn*

Let's get this over with. I'm too sleepy to deal with this.

Let me see...

Two more hidden cameras. One in the living room and one in the bathroom.

Luckily the bathroom one was only pointed at the sink. If it was anywhere else, I would have immediately ruined my face to get rid of Yuu.

My face is the only reason Yuu even pays attendance to me. If it wasn't for 'her,' I would have done that already.

If I had to pick between my life and my face with maybe a chance of surviving, I'd pick my life 100% of the time. 'She' just wants to take a gamble.

As for why I believe it's Yuu who planted the camera...

Ryuu too dumb, Akira is on my side, and Tatsuya isn't obsessed with me. At least I don't think he is.

Is he? No, he hasn't shown any major signs of turning yandere yet.

After finding the cameras, I yanked them out of their hiding places and smashed them hard. Not loud enough to wake up Grandma though.

Time to sleep.

Laying on my bed, I keep remembering what Akira texted me.

"Best friends."

Repeating that under my breath, I smiled as I fell asleep.

###

*Beep* *Be-* *Boop*

Waking up with a smile, I felt more energized than ever.

From both being out and from feeling this new type of love.

I was just brushing my teeth when my phone went off. I glanced at it and saw Akira's name on the screen.

Something in my heart flutters when I see it. Though this feeling is completely new, I don't really mind it.

In fact, I can feel myself wanting more of it.

But I can't be too pushy. He's my best friend after all.

As I exited the bathroom, I read the message.

AkiRawr: Waiting for you outside!

I blinked before rushing to a window.

Sure enough, I saw a familiar yet unfamiliar head of black hair.

I smiled as I hurried along with my preparation. I headed out the door as I said goodbye to Grandma.

"Mornin', Haru!" Akira greeted me as I walked to the front gate. "Did you sleep well?" He held out his hand towards my bag.

"Yes!" I admitted as I smiled and handed my bag over. Seeing Akira in person instead of 'her' memories makes me so much happier. "Properly one of the best, too."

"Oh." Akira looked surprised for a second before going back to his usual grin. "That's great! What's the reason?"

"It's because I found out I have the best best friend ever." I gave Akira one of my most sincere and brightest smile.

Then I proceed to start walking, leaving the shocked and flustered Akira behind.

"H-Hey! Wait up!"

Slowing down my steps, I wait for Akira to catch up. "Oh right. I also searched around the house for any more hidden cameras last night."

"You should have said that first." Akira calms down quickly. I shrug. "Did you find any more?"

I nodded as we started to pick up speed. Akira shook his head disappointedly.

"That sucks." Akira signed. "Who the hell is behind this?"

"I don't really know either." It's a half-lie, half-truth. Though I do want to tell him, the desire to toy with Yuu is much stronger.

"Stalkers can range from someone close to you to a complete stranger, but for it to get this bad, they must be psychotic." Akira said seriously. "You should avoid being alone."

"I know." I nodded again. "I'll be careful."

Akira gave a lopsided smile.

"You know, you're taking this pretty well." Akira said in a lightly teasing manner.

Oh, that's because I know this place is full of yanderes.

Plus, iT'$ n0t L1k3 1 W@$ $An3 T0 B3g1n w1Th.

"It's creepy, but I'm not that weak. I'm quite strong you know!" I pouted as I turned to look at him.

Akira burst into laughter.

I know it's funny but it's true ok!

"You done yet?" I asked, unamused but not really mad, after a minute. "It wasn't something you were supposed to laugh at."

"Haha, sorry. Sorry." Akira wiped away some tears. "It's just, that wasn't something I was expecting from you. Pft."

I puffed out my cheeks before speeding up to leave him.

"I'm sorry! Wait for me, Haru!" Akira rushed after me with a silly smile on his face.

"Your face says otherwise!" I yelled back without slowing down.

"But I have your bag!"

So this is what a best friend is. I like it.

I want more.

At some point, it basically became a race to school. We sped past other students and ran through the school gates.

It was definitely an odd sight seeing one boy running from another boy who had two bags and was yelling apologies.

"You really hold grudges." Akira slightly panted from his seat.

"I don't... want to hear... that from you." Fuck this body is weak.

I'm definitely working out every morning from now.

What if I get kidnapped? I know that wouldn't happen any time soon, but I don't want to get kidnapped that easily.

"You need to work out more, Haru." Akira smirked after catching his breath. I frowned.

"Shut... up." I leaned back in my seat as I continued to breathe heavily.

"I'll go get us some drinks, You'll accept that apology, right?" Akira stood back up.

"Only if you get me water and strawberry milk." I finally managed to speak without sounding like I'm dying.

"Such an expensive apology." Akira smiled fretfully as his hand dug around in his pocket.

"I'm willing to pitch in." I rolled my eyes before looking for some yen.

"Haha, thanks for the help!" Akira merrily spoke as he held out his hand.

"What help? I'm buying my own drink. This doesn't count." I smugly grinned as I dropped the coins in his palm. "Looks like I won't be forgiving you yet, huh?"

Akira's smile froze before falling sadly.

"Haru!" Akira whined.

"I'll be waiting for that strawberry milk, Aki." I patted his shoulder. Akira pursed his lips.

"This is extortion." Akira muttered.

"What was that?" I pretend to be oblivious.

"Nothing~ I'll get going, my friend~" Akira smiled before leaving.

Once he left, I scanned the classroom.

Yuu wasn't here, a shame, and neither was Ryuu. Mr. Ice Cube was, but he was facing forward, minding his own business.

I leaned onto my desk and smiled.

I wonder what lunch and break are gonna be like today.

'She' failed quite beautifully last time. I wonder how I would do?

Speaking about 'her,' how is 'she' right now? Checking 'her' safe space, I can see 'she' has calmed down a lot. It'll still take another day before she-

"Good morning, Haru!"

I turned around to whoever poked my back. When I looked beside me, I saw the culprit smiling, though I can still see that sliver of disappointment in his eyes.

"Good morning, Yuu." I inwardly smile at the fun I'm going to have with him.

"You're here early." Yuu sat down in Akira's seat. "I see Aki-kun's here, too." Yuu tapped Akira's bag with his foot.

"Oh, yeah. We kinda ended up running here."

"Eh? You're walking to school together again?" Yuu asked with a smile, though I could feel his dark aura peeking out.

Jackpot~

"Of course we walked together! We're best friends!" I said with a bright smile. It's not like it's a lie or anything.

I feel that Yuu's dark aura darkened a bit more. "I-"

"I'm back!" Akira announced as he entered the classroom. "Got your water and--oh." Akira stopped when he saw Yuu in his seat. "Hello, Yuu-kun."

Yuu's smile twitched.

He's back earlier than I expected, but it works.

"Hi, Aki-kun. You're back fast." Yuu answered politely, though it sounded prickly.

"Yup, so could you give me my seat back?" Akira's smile also seemed to not reach his eyes as he placed my drinks on my desk

"Thanks for the drink, Akira." I grab the strawberry milk and open the cap.

Then right as I was about to drink it, I glanced at Akira and Yuu. Seeing the looks of surprise, I raise one of my eyebrows. "What? I thought we were close enough, especially after what you texted me last night."

Then making myself look sad, I continued the guilt trip. "I'm sorry if it made you uncomfortable. I shouldn't have assumed. I'll stop calling you Akira then."

"N-No no! It's fine! You can call me that. I'll call you Haruka then." Akira smiled gently, this one I can tell that he's truly being sincere from the bottom of his heart.

"Ok!" I smiled back with the same amount of sincerity.

"Hey, then could I also call you Haruka then? You could just call me Yuu, too!" Yuu butts in, not wanting to be left out. Also probably wants to get closer to me and he doesn't want to let Akira get in the lead.

"No." I gave a simple and direct answer.

Yuu suddenly looked shocked as if not expecting that, while Akira was trying to contain his grin.

Seeing Yuu's shock, I turned to face him. I tilt my head and look at him questioningly. "Why should you? I'm only letting Akira call me that because we're really close."

"Aren't we really close, too?" I can see his mask cracking.

"Sure we're close." Yuu's eyes brighten up a little. "But he's my best friend. You are only my 'friend.' Those two very different things."

"I-"

*Ring* *Ring* *Ring* *Ring*

"Oh look, class is starting. You should return to your seat." I gave Yuu a 'smile' and slightly emphasized my next few words. "Yuu-kun."

"R-right, I should leave now. See you later, Haru." Yuu got off Akira's seat and walked to his.

Akira sat in his seat as he barely contained his laughter.

"Uhm, you good?" I asked with a light smile.

"Y-Yeah! I'm good! I'm just surprised, that's all!" Though Akira's calmed down, he's still shaking. "I never expected you to say that."

"What do you mean? All I said was the truth." I gave Akira a pondering look. "We're best friends and I'm not that close to Yuu-kun."

"Right, of course. Best friends?" Akira holds up his fist, wanting a fist bump.

I gave him what he wanted and fist-bumped back.

"Best friends."

And the only friend I need.