Chapter 8

"Minami..."

"I'm pathetic, aren't I?" she asked as more tears started flowing out. "Confessing to the boy I like while he's just gone through a break up."

I felt like I couldn't really say anything that would cheer her up. Anything I say right now would probably not change how she feels about that, either way.

After some initial hesitation, I wrapped my arms around her.

She was shocked at the gesture, I could feel her body freeze. But after a while, she began to hug me back.

"Why...?" she sounded conflicted.

I didn't really mind that she said it now. Despite it being very sudden, I don't hate her for it. In fact, I'm relieved. Relieved to know that she liked me that way.

"Because I don't think it's terrible at all."

To be honest, I don't know how to feel about Minami. It's been so long since we last saw each other. I know we were childhood friends and all but I honestly forgot about her some time ago. The memories only rushed in the moment I saw her again.

Clutching the back of my shirt, she begins to express her feelings. "I've always liked you, Kazuya. Even before I left this town, even before Amiya met you!"

Ever since then...? But we were just kids then, barely knew how to count to anything above 20. But I didn't doubt her feelings. If she said it was from all that way back, then I'll believe her.

"But once I moved, I wasn't even able to tell you how I felt! And then, after I got that letter from you, telling me you had confessed to Amiya, I didn't know what to felt... We even stopped giving letters to each other from then on..."

Lifting her face up with my hand, I see the snot and tears all over her face.

Haha, she cries just like she did as a kid. Smiling at her, I cup her cheek and gently pull her in closer. It's ironic, huh? The girl who helped me calm down last night is the one I'm now helping. I may not be able to answer her feelings today, but one day for sure, I'll be able to tell her the words she's always wanted to hear.

"Minami...do you want me to answer your feelings?"

"Eh? Y—Yeah, I do..."

Whispering to her ear, "I'm sorry but could you wait?"

She pushed herself at me upon hearing the reply. In that moment, that single fragile moment, I remembered Amiya's expression. Those quivering lips, those shaking legs, it was the same concerned expression Amiya had.

Placing my palm on my heart, I stare her dead in the eyes as I announce, "I'll answer your feelings sincerely one day, I swear! I just don't want you to think I answered you as a rebound!"

The girl before me started wiping her tears away. A small smile formed as she walked closer to me. Standing on her tippy toes, she went close to my ear, "I'll wait for your confession, sure."

"Agh— I can reject you, you know?"

"Mhm, I look forward to it!"

And with that, I turned and saw the sun was nearly setting. It's time to go home.

"I'll keep in touch through messages, alright! Just ask my mom for my number!" I yell as I wave her goodbye.

=-=-=-=-=

After that, I seldom went back to my hometown. The same goes for the situation with Minami. She didn't really update me much on her life, that's not to say we don't talk though. It's just a rare occasion.

"And I hope you all will find success in your lives!" the principal announced in a room full of highschoolers. The gym doubled as an auditorium and here we all were, proudly awaiting for our graduation ceremony to end.

School wasn't that bad. I mostly avoided Amiya and I still think back to the time we broke up. We haven't met each other though. I saw her crying to her group of friends but that was it.

With our principal's speech nearing its end, he announces to the entire student body that they are now free to leave, which followed was a roar of cheering. The students got up their seats and started runnning towards their friends and family, crying that their struggles weren't for nothing.

As for me, I quietly slip out of the auditorium.

And right outside the door was a girl with pink hair, seemingly waiting for someone.

"...Hi, Kazuya..."

That someone was, of course me.

"Amiya...you're not inside?"

The girl shook her head.

I was shocked, no other way to describe it. I've been doing my best to avoid her these past 2 years and now here she is. After I got home back then, moving on wasn't actually that bad. After the initial shock of breaking up wore off, those lingering feelings I had slowly dissipated, getting replaced with something else...

But whatever the case, what I'm saying is that I didn't really have any romantic feelings towards her anymore. I've just been avoiding her because, well, who would talk to their ex who cheated on them?

"You waiting for someone?"

"Yes, and he's right here."

There was no one else besides us here. Everybody was still inside celebrating.

Before I could say anything, she began to walk. She turned her out as she did, signalling me to follow her. We walked to the back of the school, the same spot where I once hid.

"So? What did you want?"

"Do you remember when we broke up? When I told you I still loved you?" she asked.

Of course, I do. That scene up in the overpass has never once left my head. I've thought back to that moment so many times throughout the last two years.

"Yeah?"

"I just...wanted us to have closure on that moment. I wanted to explain myself."

I didn't really see the point, but I got the feeling that she was doing this more for herself than anything else. I don't really mind it, I've gotten over the whole situation months ago, but I can't say I'm not interested in the reason.

"I cheated on you because, well, it just felt exciting, you know? Having sex with someone at school while having a boyfriend, it felt so exhilarating..."

Expecting her to continue, I just stand there with my hands in my pockets. But she didn't. She simply looked at the ground down in shame.

There I was, expecting some sort of answer involving me. Was I not handsome enough? Was I boring? But reality's slapped me in the face with this answer.

"Is that all you wanted to say?"

She suddenly looked up, "Uh, no... I also wanted to ask if...you maybe want to try having a relationship again?"

I give her a small smile in response. Walking up to her, I ruffle up her hair a bit, "I'd rather not. But hey, if you wanna be friends, that's okay with me! Anyway, I need to get going, see ya!" I weakly wave to her as I sprinted away.

All alone there in the back of the school, the last thing I heard was, "No... Not just as..."