Chapter 20.1: Lie?

As Chika and Kai walked side by side, making their way home, a comfortable silence settled between them. The night was warm and the air was infused with the sound of their footsteps on the sidewalk.

Suddenly Chika ask "Why did you lied?" Kai glanced at Chika, a mixture of surprise and guilt on his face. He hadn't expected her to bring up his earlier lie.

"I... I just didn't want to reveal my real crush," he admitted, his voice low. "I wasn't ready to share my feelings yet."

"Do you like Charmel?" Kai was caught off guard by Chika's question. He hadn't expected her to suggest that he liked Charmel. He took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding.

"What? No... no, no," he protested, his voice tinged with denial. "Charmel's just a friend. I don't have any romantic feelings for her."

"You lied again."

Kai sighed, realizing he'd been caught in another lie.

"You're right," he admitted, a hint of sheepishness in his voice. "I did lie. I have feelings for Charmel. It's just that...I don't know, I don't want to ruin our friendship."

Chika listened intently, a compassionate expression on her face. She could see the conflict in Kai's eyes as he struggled with his emotions.

"You know," she said softly, "it's okay to have feelings for Charmel. It doesn't have to ruin your friendship if you communicate your feelings honestly."

"But I don't like you to have a relationship with Charmel." Kai was taken aback by Chika's unexpected declaration. He hadn't expected her to reveal her own feelings for him. "Wait, what?" he said, confused. "You don't want me to date Charmel? Why?"

"Charmel is too good to be with you." Kai's eyes widened at Chika's blunt remark. "Too good for me?" he echoed, a flicker of hurt crossing his face. "What do you mean by that? You think I'm not good enough for her or something?"

"Yes!" Kai felt his heart sink at Chika's harsh words. He couldn't help but feel stung by her statement that he wasn't good enough for Charmel.

"You have no chance to Charmel." Kai's frustration grew as he listened to Chika's assertions about his chances with Charmel. He wanted to defend himself, to tell her that he did have a chance.

"You don't know that," he retorted, a hint of anger in his voice. "You can't predict the future or how Charmel feels about me."

Chika's sudden departure took Kai by surprise, and he watched as she walked away, her figure disappearing into the night. He was left standing there, grappling with his mixed emotions - frustration, confusion, and a lingering sadness.

Hours later, Kai lay in bed, still seething over Chika's hurtful remarks. His mind replayed the conversation over and over again, and he couldn't shake off the feeling of inadequacy. He knew he had feelings for Charmel, but Chika's words had cast doubt in his mind.

As he wrestled with his thoughts, a realization slowly dawned on him. Perhaps Chika's harshness had a different meaning behind it.