87. Ride
"Let me get this straight. He begins to date his college sweetheart after you two mutually break up. However, you still like him, maybe even love him. You don't want to be petty, but you wish that things between them don't work out."
Kaoru nodded abjectly as she contemplated taking another piece of Belgian chocolate – courtesy of Kamatari.
"And before I called you, you actually thought about going to the place where they're having a date?"
Another nod.
"Sweety, sorry to say this, but I never knew you were a date-crasher."
"I'm not!"
A brow lifted in disbelief.
"They… They just happened to choose a very popular pizza place. And I wanted some pizza. But you call, so… so I'm staying here with you instead!"
"I was teasing, love. It's okay. You have the right to feel hurt."
Kaoru wasn't sure what happened, but right after Kamatari spoke, she broke into tears.
Looking at his dear friend with sympathy, Kamatari dragged Kaoru into a hug. As she sobbed and cried and called this Kenshin guy a series of names that involved references about his legitimacy as his mother's child, Kamatari resigned himself to serve as a human handkerchief.
Rubbing her back in soothing motions, Kamatari waited until Kaoru became a bit calmer before speaking again, "I got a car."
"Really?" Kaoru answered, knowing that this was one of Kamatari's ways to distract her from the pain she felt. "What kind?"
"Well, it's not as nice as my old VW, but it's an awesome ride."
"Good."
They sat on the couch silently for a few minutes. Kamatari's arms were around Kaoru's petite form, one hand still rubbing her back and the other one playing with her long hair. They said nothing and it was okay. Words were not needed. Kamatari's presence was enough comfort for Kaoru.
Suddenly, Kamatari stood up, carefully unwrapping his arms from his best friend. "Go wash yourself and change. We're going out."
Frowning and scratching an itchy spot on the right side of her head, Kaoru stared at her best friend in confusion.
"I want to show you my car, and I'm hungry. I want some pizza." He said with mischievousness, his eyes sparkling.
Kaoru opened her mouth to say something but she was too surprised to say anything. She blinked a few times before matching Kamatari's mischievous smile with one of her own.
He was hungry and he wanted some pizza. She just knew the perfect place to get that.