To the readers of this story... I would like to apologize for uploading really late, like almost more than 1 month late. I have been pretty busy and stressed out at school lately that all I have done regarding this is to outline what I would want for this story.
Anyway, thank you for patiently waiting. Here is the 7th Chapter! I hope you guys would like it!
Special thanks to the following who gave reviews and warms my heart inspiring me to write more when I have the time:
newroz
Lady Stradivari
bukspiks
SunBabyBoss
Animelover173
(and to the Guests who left a review)
Chapter 7: A Text, Jealousy and Makeups
I was seating on our usual lunch table with Hotaru as we waited for Anna, Nonoko and Sumire. As usual, Hotaru was eating her favorite crabs along with a few side dishes. I was talking to her… well it's more like I was talking to myself.
It was kind of weird really. With all the times the two of us were stuck together, it's a usual scenario that I end up talking most of the time while she stays quiet. But of course every now and then she would indulge me with some of the most amusing and fun conversations I could ever ask for. That's probably the reason why we got along so well together. I even consider her as my best friend even with such a short time together.
I was in the middle of complaining to Hotaru about this one professor I had earlier that morning, when Anna and Nonoko arrived. I noticed that they gave me a cautious look before greeting us and settling down in our table. It was weird but I decided to shrug it off.
A few moments after their arrival, Sumire showed up. She wasn't her usual cheery self as she did so. She was just quiet. There wasn't her usual loud greeting that even Hotaru who does not normally react to things, looked up from her food. "What's up?" I asked as soon as she sat down with her food.
She looked up at me with a hard look before shrugging her shoulders. "Nothing," she said.
I could tell that she was lying. Normally, she would be talking nonstop even though no one seems to be listening. But she was not even saying anything at the moment. And, how could she even tell me that nothing's wrong when she just looked at me that way. I let out a sigh. I would not push it if she doesn't want to tell me willingly.
I focused my attention back to my food. And as I did so, Anna and Nonoko's earlier cautious look struck me. They know something. And that something concerns specifically me. I let out a sigh as a shoved a mouthful of pasta in my mouth.
Just then, I felt my phone vibrate over my pants. Since the atmosphere at the table was suffocating and very awkward for me to handle, I whipped my phone out. And instantly, my mood lifted. It was a text message from a friend whom I haven't spoken to for a long time. "Hey. Our project is already done. It was a success. How are you?"
Without even realizing it, I was smiling from ear to ear. I was about to reply to the message when I heard someone clear their throat. "And what are you smiling over there for?" Sumire asked coldly.
I looked up at the table. Anna and Nonoko were looking from Sumire and me worriedly, Hotaru has a hard look on her face as she looked at Sumire and Sumire was glaring at me. I frowned. "Why? Isn't it such a bad thing to feel happy with just a text message?" I asked quite oblivious what she's worked up on.
"I didn't peg you to be some sort of slut you know," was her cold reply.
"Sumire!" Anna and Nonoko both said telling her off but she ignored them and continued to glare at me.
"Excuse me?" I said. My ears might have failed me for a moment but it seemed to be working fine. Was she insinuating that I'm a slut.
"Oh don't act innocent," Sumire said as she rolled her eyes. "I've been seeing you around Natsume these past few weeks."
It took me for quite a while to digest what she was saying. And when it finally sinks in, my eyes widened and before I knew it I was laughing. It caught Sumire and the others' attentions. They all looked at me like I lost it or something. "What's so funny?" Sumire finally asked when she composed herself. There was a hint of anger in her voice.
"No, it's just…" I said as I tried to compose myself. I took in a breath and looked at Sumire straight in the eye. "I'm going to be honest with you here Sumire. I like Natsume… but I would never dare to flirt with anyone. And I'm definitely not flirting with him. We're friends and I was… am hanging out with Natsume because I have most of my classes with him and all we do together is study."
Anna, Nonoko and Sumire's eyes widened while Hotaru remained indifferent. I wasn't really planning on admitting that I somehow like Natsume but since this situation is happening with my friends I figured I have to tell them. I also didn't want to ruin my friendship with Sumire just because of some guy, although said guy is now my friend as well. Besides, it was true; Natsume and I don't do much with each other really. We might talk together about different things every now and then but we mostly study together.
"So… you really like Natsume?" Sumire asked.
I let out a sigh and nodded my head. "I'm sorry. I know you liked him as well… probably even before I come here in Japan. But I just couldn't help myself."
Sumire glared at me for a bit before closing her eyes and letting a loud sigh. "I've been noticing you two getting closer a few days since you came here," she said in a quiet voice. "And I've been feeling jealous. But I couldn't blame you even if I liked to. We don't really choose who we would like. It happens."
I looked at her and the both of us held each other's gaze for a while. I actually did not know what to do. I have never been in a situation where I have the same crush as one of my friends. I'm actually quiet nervous. I opened my mouth to say something but Hotaru beat me to it. "It would be quite laughable and disappointing if you two start fighting because of a guy," she said plainly. "That's for children to do. You guys should act mature."
I looked at Hotaru and smiled gratefully before looking up at Sumire. "This doesn't affect our friendship right?" I asked sheepishly.
Sumire let out a smile. "I'm sorry for acting jealous."
I shrugged. "It's okay… I guess," I said.
Beside us, I heard Anna and Nonoko let out a sigh. And before anything could get ugly again, the two of them changed the topic. They were talking about some new restaurant or café that they found online. I let out a smile just grateful that that was over before returning to give a reply to the text message. "Wow! Wasn't that one the new building or was it some resort where you were the head? Congratulations! Does that mean you're free to wonder for a few months again? I'm fine. I'm quite adjusted to the new school. Oh! I wasn't able to tell you. But I transferred to Japan. It's quite nice actually. Visit me soon." I wrote before pressing the send button.
So... that's it for 7th chapter. I'll probably be able to finish writing the next one after our finals examination at school which is probably by 15th of December or later.
And for those who were/are asking about when Tsubasa would make his appearance... he would be in the next Chapter! Get ready for that. I have actually written half of it... so please stay tuned and continue to support my fic.
Love. SilentVisionary
.FOLLOW
