Chapter 4:
It is always acknowledged that unrequited feelings will get you nowhere in life, assuming that the object of attention has not but a single ounce of interest. Kotoko stared blankly at her bedroom ceiling, pondering everything in her life at the moment.
'Am I really that bad?' she thought, 'Irie-kun barely even tolerates me, let alone likes me, so why do I keep liking him so much?'
Scratching her head, nothing felt right on this particular morning. Having to face Keita and Naoki at the same time, it was too much to handle. It was irritating because the only thing on her mind were her 2 housemates, and the said topic gave her a quaint rest, not even ready to put on her clothes.
Walking down the stairs, Kotoko could hear the buzzing downstairs, knowing that she was to be expected downstairs, no way to get out.
"Hmm, where's Kotoko-chan? She usually isn't this slow to get to the table, her eggs are getting cold!" said an impatient Mrs. Irie. "Ah! Keita-san, how was your night yesterday? I knew you went out, did you make any new friends?"
"Well, u-" started Keita before being interrupted.
"Good Morning Kotoko-san!" said the lively Mrs. Irie, "You know, you don't usually show up to the table this late."
"Oh, I'm sorry, it's just last night-"
Before finishing her sentence, Irie cut in, "The reason why she's so late is because she was out with Kamogari, I'm sure they had a great time." Not long after casting an unrecognizable look at Keita.
"Really? Well that's… nice, I hope you enjoyed yourselves." Mrs. Irie said, a glimmer of disappointment showing on her face.
After looking at Irie for a few seconds, Keita spoke up, "I really had a fun night Kotoko, and maybe you should consider what I said."
Startled by the recent interaction, Kotoko choked on her food and barked up, "Uh, I think I'll be going to school now." Not long after bolting out the door, leaving Naoki and Keita to talk.
After a long 30 seconds, Keita spoke up, "You know, that Kotoko is really something, a girl you could easily get along with, I'm guessing the boys really fawn over her."
"If you could say that, the only admirer in Kotoko's fanbase is currently in a steady population of 1." After a sigh, Naoki continued to talk, "Kinnosuke is really something, but I don't tend to think too much on class F."
"I stay true to my words, Irie. Kotoko deserves to be loved by someone who really cares about her, not judging based on intellect. You know, I'm wondering if you ever had any interest in her at all, Irie?"
"I wouldn't care about anything that girl does, the only reason I've noticed her is because she currently lives in my house, but, I don't think Kotoko can move on so quickly." Dancing on the subject of his love interest, Naoki continued. "She'll always stay true to herself, and being with you is not in her best interest."
"Kotoko! Come on! We're gonna be late!" said an overly anxious Kin-chan, who's best interest was the one he was made for, Kotoko. As far as he knew, Kotoko was living with that snobbish scum, Irie. He would save her one day, and they will build a live of their own. But, love takes time, right?
"Okay, I'm coming. I just have to-" right before finishing her sentence, Kotoko had accidentally stumbled into exactly who she didn't want to see: Keita Kamogari. Right before taking in everything that had happened in the past millisecond, Keita suddenly grabbed her arm and lead her into a desolate classroom that hadn't been used since last year.
"Keita! What are you doing here? Grabbing me and forcing me to enter this-" After looking at her surroundings, Kotoko continued with, "This place."
"I know what I'm doing is a little overbearing, but hear me out." Before Kotoko could say anything, he continued his speech. "You know Kotoko, I don't meet much girls like you, so opening and welcoming, and yet so hung up on something that they could never have. Even if the perfect opportunity rises up, an opportunity to be happy, you'd still be entranced by this impossible scenario. I'm just stating that anyone could be happier being loved, than to be in love without a slither of reciprocated feelings on the other side. I like you, Kotoko. I have ever since I got to know you yesterday night, even if it was a short time. Even if you can't like me, I'm sure you would be happier being admired and respected, then scoffed up as an idiot girl, which is the opposite of what you are. Irie can't understand something right in front of him, he can't recognize this amazing girl."
Kotoko couldn't speak, and after a short amount of time, she finally spoke up, "You… like me? But how could I ditch someone because they liked me." After her face darkened, she continued, "I never thought someone could have these feelings for me right from the get-go." Then, she thought of all those years she had spent idolizing Irie, and quickly continued. "Even if I couldn't give return all the feelings you feel for me, you'd still care about me? I've never seen any interest in Irie, I know he doesn't care about me."
"Then let's get to know each other, I don't know if and when you are going to be ready, but we could go on a… date. Kotoko, if you really knew yourself, you would know that all those feelings on Irie will amount to nothing. So, then let's get to class." He took out a hand for Kotoko to hold.
After careful consideration, Kotoko took it.