Contradiction

Oddly enough, I didn't feel like I was blushing. More than feeling embarrassed, I was confused and shocked. I didn't know how to process it.

"Haru?" Akira didn't back away. In fact, he inched in even closer to my face.

"I'm... better." I sighed while turning away from him so that his face wasn't mere centimeters away from mine. "Ah, I can't believe that happened." I groaned as I rubbed my face in exhaustion.

"You can't believe it? Imagine my surprise when I turned to see tears streaming down your face. You were so quiet that no one would have noticed!" Akira described his own experience. "I knew something wasn't right." Akira finished with a huff.

My only response was bringing my knees closer to me and wrapping my arms around them so that I could rest my chin on them.

"But you don't want to tell me... Why?" Akira sounded hurt but also concerned.

"Because I can take care of myself." I mumbled like a stubborn child.