"Just leave me alone!" Aya shook off his grip and ran away.
He was left there hanging...staring at his right hand that she just shook off
After 2 and a half years together. He never expected this to happen. He always knew she was sly, insecure, and shakable. A though of marriage never crossed his mind, but never before he would have thought that she would really dumped him.
The event with Katase when she left him to date that guy temporarily but later came back to him. He took her back and never asked her the reason or anything associated with Katase. He acted as if this event of her leaving him never happened.
He forgave her eventually because he knew he was a jerk to her.
"Aya tends to go along with whatever comes her way." He evedroped that phrase from Miyu while she was talking to Ran. It was during the time that Aya left him to date Katase without even officially broken up with him! He used to tell her at the beginning that he couldn't love single-minded and she declared firmly that he was her only one love. But now he starts to wonder that it's the other way around for them both.
What he realizes now that, he doesn't know how to let her go...
Or will he ever learn to...
They went to Tokyo university together. Happily as couple for the first few weeks until lately she had been avoiding him. She refused to pick up his calls nor return them. And when they were in clasess together, she would be silent. He would be the only one who initiated the conversation and would only recieve one word replies from her. She refused to go on any date with him eversince. Numerous excuses were brought up. Including that she refused him to even take her home. It's as if she only met him because they happened to enroll classes together since the registration.
As always she never mentioned why. He only had guts to ask her once " Do you have anything to say to me?" As expected she just kept silent. He was aware that things were about to change. Aya was so insecure that everytime they fought, she would just assume that they broke up. Rei was used to this. To her insecurity, but sometimes it ate him up. He wanted to just explain to her that yes couples do fight, but a fight doesn't mean a breakup.
It came the day when he found out the real reason of her avoidance of him. He met her giggling with a guy. At first he thought it was only a guy friend from her class. However, they were then holding hands and walked to the guy's car and together took off in it. That was clear. A fling or maybe more he didn't know. Aya did it again. The first was Katase and now this guy? After that incident with Katase, he's sure that he had NEVER been a jerk to her eversince. He always acted sweet and took full responsibility of her like any good boyfriend would. So, what's her reason for this affair? Or was it because she can't love single-minded...
When he met her in class, he didn't mention any of this. She was still cold to him. She checked her phone often and typed something everytime. He knew she was texting. With whoelse could it be. But, today it's his very special day. He really wanted her to be there. To be his support. He invited everyone Yuuya, Miyu,Ran, Tatsuki, and a few of his friends. But he wanted his girlfriend to be there the most. He would have his grand openjng as a DJ. of the very famous club in Shibuya.
He told her about the event and asked her to be there.
" I already invited everyone. So, after class we can go straight there. Since I have to be there 7pm. sharp for prep up."
"..."
She looked downward, he knew what she was going to say.
"Otohata-kun...Today I'm not feeling well. And to be in a place packed up crowds like that. I don't think I'm up for it.."
"You could just be there for half an hour. Then, I will go send you home and just come back for my shift later."
"..."
"So? What do you say?"
"...I'm sorry Otohata-kun I don't think I'm up for it. Sorry."
She got up and smiled weakly at me while saying see you tomorrow. When she turned to walk away, I grabbed her wrist finally blotted out
" You have a date with him?"
She looked at him bewildered in shock. She gapsed.
"Y...You know him?"
"No.,.I just saw you two holding hands the other day and took off in his car."
She started to frown. "W...Well why didn't you tell me."
"I'm telling you now, aren't I?"
Angry expression appeared on her face
"So now you know all. You don't have to ask me anything anymore." She coldly turned away and was about to storm out. But he wouldn't let go of her wrist
"Let go." She coldly told him without turning back.
" So will you be there tonight?" He asked in a monotone expressionless face.
She turned back to yell at him
" I don't think you understand the situation here. I'm WITH someone else! And now you already know it.
So, just leave me alone!" She shook off his grip and ran away.
The next day in class. She wasn't there last night, of course whatelse would he expect. Today she sat afar from him. Luckily there is a free space beside her. He went to sit there and greeted her with his casual "yo".
She didn't even shift her gaze to look at him. A very akward expression plastered on her face. And that was clear, she didn't want him to be here. She felt bothered.
She ignored him for the rest of the period.
" Today's lecture is very boring." It seems like he was talking to himself but that was how he always talked to her.
She was silent, pretending she didn't hear him.
" Why weren't you there last night?" He finally blurted out while looking downwards.
She still pretended she didn't hear him and continued to stare forward at the old professor.
"Silent treatment huh?" He turned to smirk at her.
She was annoyed to the max that she quickly turned to him and yelled quietly
" What is it that you want, Otohata-kun?"
"Want what?"
"I thought I was clear yesterday that I'm dating someone else. So, we are through. So, I don't want my boyfriend to be jealousd over me partying at the club with my ex."
"..." He was quite shocked but remained his motionless face." It was just a fling though. You called it that seriously?"
" No! Don't say that! I already agreed to be his girlfriend 2 weeks ago. And that's official."
" How can that be official when you didn't even have an official break up?" He smirked.
" Whatever that is Otohata-kun. There is nothing else to talk. Please leave me alone."
The bell rang. She stormed off. He followed her and saw that guy waited for her in front of the class. So, now she told him everything, that's why there was no more need to hide. So, she just asked him to pick her up here openly. No more hiding.
And I became her ex all of a sudden huh. Is that so?
"Aya. I don't think we are done talking here." He talked to her but stared sharply into the eyes of her new boyfriend.
She looked at her new boyfriend very worriedly and let out her timid sound.
"Kasuki-kun, you go wait for me in the car ok? I will wrap up this issue very quickly."
He smiled at her to agree. And looked at Rei smirkingly one last time before walking away.
She inhaled deeply and said to him assertively
" Now. What is it that you want to talk about. Let it finish here."
"Oh, you grow a backbone, huh?" He smirked.
"Do you want to talk or not?" She was so assertive and it made him realize that all this time that she was so timid with him was only because she liked him at that time. It acually wasn't her real personality.
" ...I.." He was never good with words and maybe never will. He just had feelings but just didn't know how to put them into words.
He felt very sad inside. A call that said this was it. What about her dream to enter the same university with him. What was all that for? She was this shallow? Did she really used to love him at all? He wasn't so sure anymore.
He pulled a small round box out of his pocket. There was a ring inside. He recalled that he used to ask her if she wanted a ring or not. She said no, but it's all over her face that she wanted one.
He saved up money to buy it for her. He didn't know why he did that. He just wanted to buy a very beautiful ring and let her wore it on her ring finger. That was it. So simple.
He handed her the ring box.
" I will call you later." With that he walked away.
She was speechless. Needless to say she opened it right on the spot. A ring. Big knew it cost quite a fortune. Weird enough, tears didn't swell up in her eyes. Just this weird feeling like butterflies in her stomach.
She was silent the whole way while Kasuki was driving her home. He knew something was on her mind. But, he understood well.
"Aya, see you tomorrow okay?" He smiled as they arrived at her house.
She smiled back at him and entered the house.
She was taking a hot bath, letting out a huge sigh. She looked up the ceiling and drifted in thoughts. It was 8 pm.
Ring Ring Ring
It was her cellphone. She got out of the tub and looked at the name flashing on the screen.
Otohata-kun
She sighed heavily but picked it up anyway.
"Hello..." A very tiring sound from her.
" What are you doing?"
" I'm taking a bath."
" Do you like the ring?"
She grew intense and said it assertively.
"I told you so. I have a new boyfriend. What can this ring do? I can't wear it anyway. So, I'm returning it to you tomorrow."
"...How do you feel when we were together during the first few weeks at the university? We have been together for 2 and a half years already. Time flies."
" What's the point of all this mingling to the past? I'm sorry Otohata-kun but if you don't get to the point I will just have to hang up. My boyfriend is waiting on another line."
" Why did you break up?" He blurted out.
"..." Her eyes softened while sadness slowly crept in.
" You..You are unreachable. During the first few weeks at the university, you cared and you showed affection, but...It wasn't enough. I can't be with the ice prince. I need a human A warm human that makes me feel warm not cold and lonely. It's like you are from a different world. And I think you know exactly well how you are. So, there's no need for me to go on."
A long pause from both of them. "..."
" Do I get a second chance?"
" Sorry but no. I am not going to leave my decent boyfriend here to go on an unstable adventure with you again."
" You don't have to. Just one month and you decide. Whether I...am good for you or not."
There was a long pause from her.
"...This IS the last time."
" Then, look out the window." He was standing right in front of her house.
" Can you please come down?" He smiled.
She wrapped herself in a bathing suit and tiptoed down stairs avoiding waking her parents up.
" Rei."
He smiled warmly. He walked to her and embraced her.
"Welcome back" He said it in a soft tone.
Aya felt like crying but she held it all in.
She pushed him away softly.
" You have to go now. See you tomorrow then." He smiled and waved goodbye to her.
She hurried in the house and closed the door with her back leaning on it.
Her emotions were mixed up. She couldn't state what emotions are those.
Ring ring ring
He cellphone rang, this time she's sure it's her boyfriend Kasuki
" Hello"
" Is everything okay?"
" Yeah sure!" She let out her joyful sound.
'I'm just worried about you baby. But seeing you are fine relieves me. So, see you tomorrow. Goodnight, sweetie."
She closed her eyes and let out a soft whisper" Goodnight to you too. "
And she pressed the end button. "Huhh" She let out a heavy sign and stared at the ceiling recalling that today was a huge day for her. All this drama. Rei. She knew he was a human but all of a sudden. He let her have her boyfriend and him? How could any man be so generous. She was confused between was that because he loved her too much so he couldn't let her go or he just didn't care enough about her.
Maybe it was similar to the case of Yuuya when he still loved and committed to Ran's plea, even after she got a boyfriend and even after he realized that she never liked him and never would.
So, she's charming in her own way after all. A cold guy like Rei. Let's see how far he would go for her
...
Rei couldn't sleep. He knew he was stupid. Gravely stupid. She slapped him in the face by having a new boyfriend without breaking up with him. And just coldly told him today that he was her ex. That was...cruel. And he thought if he didn't find out, she maybe would never tell him but rather just faded away from him.
And this is Aya we're talking about. A naive, shy, and timid girl.
"Aya tends to go along with whatever comes her way." That sentence from Miyu kept ringing in his head.
She's her bestfriend and she was right after all. So, how's self proclaimed "can't love single-minded" Rei? Just sitting here letting his girlfriend juggled between two the worse part was that he was dumped. He liked her that much? Or was he just completely stupid. No answer to be found.
,-;
Next day in clsss
"Aya" He smiled sheepishly at her ( He realized that from his facial expression.
She stared at him coldly and just nodded a little with a very weak smile.
And I thought yesterday we were? A hugging scene flashback replayed in his mind.
"Aya. You..." He didn't know what to say. " Can you wear the ring? In this room." He said it in a monotone and expressionless face as usual.
She stared at him puzzled " I didn't bring it."
"...," He looked downwards. Didn't know whatelse to say.
He couldn't or didn't want to concentrate on the lesson for half the class.
Finally, he murmured to her.
" Can we go watch movie today? The new gig just arrived."
"...Today I have to go somewhere with my boyfriend, Kasuki."
"...Tomorrow then."
"We will see." She said plainly without turning to face him.
He grapped her wrist annoyingly. It was a light gripse. Still, it showed her that he was angry. She was shocked. He asked her expressionlessly and his usual monotone
" Don't you think you should tell me your schedule of when will you go out with me? I thought we were clear last night"
She frowned angrily but remained a casual tone.
" Are you forcing me?"
He let go of her wrist and went back to his cool collected self.
" I need to know. I am lonely Aya."
He said that closing his eyes with his usual cool gesture. That line made her feel shocked more than anything.
" Why? Yuuya is always with Mami right? But you are a grown man. And it's you we are talking about, so I don't think..."
She couldn't hold it anymore so she let out a light chuckle.
He reached out and held her hand under the table. It was his secret way of showing love. Unbeknownst to public. It was cute.
She felt warm and sad at the same time. Should he just left her? She wondered while staring sadly at him. His eyes looked straight to the professor in front of the class. But if she could go back 2 weeks prior, she wouldn't change a thing.
Kasuki was greatly devoted to her. An ideal boyfriend she dreamt of all along. She made the right decision.
" Today, I'm free till 9 pm. We can go." She smiled lightly at him.
" After 9? Where would you be going with your boyfriend that late?"
" A beach."
" A beach?" He turned to her looking puzzled.
"He has a vacation house there"
" And how do you expect to make it to class at 8 tomorrow?"
" I won't. We will sleep there and come back tomorrow noon." Face to face. She smiled like nothing happened, but he felt this undescribable feeling. She would sleep there with him tonight. Period. And that's.
He should give up now. This is too much. During their 2 and a half years they never even kissed. But here she's...He stared blankly at the board.
"Don't you feel jealoused at all? Are you as cold as ice? Do you really want a second chance?" Tears welled up in her eyes and he saw that. The bell rang while he was still shocked.
She turned and walked away. She knew she shouldn't expect anything but. She couldn't control her emotions. And he just sat there blankly didn't know what to do. It was all blank in his mind and feeling. Like he was drunk or recently just woke up.
Kasuki observed from outside the class. He didn't know what it was about but surely they had an arguement. If he could withdraw his girlfriend from all the classes she's with her ex, he would. Unfortunately, he would have to wait for the end of the term.
He grabbed her hand and led her out of the building.
Rei just sat there didn't know what to do. He had had many girlfriends before Aya came along. 6 or 7 he recalled. But, he never had any tough time with them. Maybe because he was too young at that time so all those relationships weren't serious.
He texted Aya telling her to meet at Shibuya, 4 pm.
She read it and agreed. She told Kasuki to go home and packed his staffs and picked her up at her house at 9 pm.
Then, she saparated from him and went straight to Shibuya. She waited for Rei at the east exit. He came smiling faintly. He asked her politely" Where do you want to go?"
"A movie?" He nodded and held her hand then they walked away.
This is a mistake. He knew. But, he didn't know what to do. He respected her decision. She chose the new guy over him. That's ok. But doing like this. Being her affair. Probably it's true that he didn't know how to let her go. He looked up at the blue sky and thought to himself whild holding her hand in his.