A gust of wind blew in her direction and she looked at me. "Oh uh… hey, I'm glad I was right about this bring where you eat," she spoke in a tremulous fashion. "Did you need some thing in particular, or not really?" "Well, I just… wanted to eat with you, make sure you're okay and all."
It was nice if her to care, unfamiliar as I were to the sentiment. Something still bothered me, though, "That's all well and good, but why are you so… flustered?" Her face lit up and she avoided my gaze. "I… I just… uh…"
She remained silent for a while, I had some idea of why, though. "Ooooh, I get it, it's cause of Sato, should've guessed sooner." "Wh-what!? No! No, that's not…" She grew quiet, face bright red and her head angled towards the ground.
"So I like him… what's wrong with that?" She took a deep sigh, "I'm not here for him, I'm here as your friend, and to support you." "No matter how much I hear it, you being nice to me still creeps me out." Her face burst into flames of anger, "What was that? I don't know I heard you right," An aura of fury hovering over like a cloud. "N-nothing, nothing."
"Oh hey Aru-kun, and Aikawa-chan too!" Sato exclaimed at the sight of us. "You two are sure getting along well." In unison we both stated, "It's not like that at all!" He laughed and we both look away from one another with a, "Hmph."
We ate lunch and had only really idle banter among ourselves. I hadn't told anything to Sato at all, feeling it wasn't the right time or place yet. The bell eventually rang and we went to our individual classes. Class began and dragged on for what seemed like forever. The school day was coming to a close and I was ready for it to be over soon.
My final period had arrived, which was good, because I was accompanied by Sato. I sat down next to him like I always did, "Hey man, how's your day been going?" "It's been pretty well, and what about yours"? I was reluctant to answer, for I wasn't sure what to say first, "Um… well, it's been interesting, overall I suppose it's been okay."
"Just okay? Hmm, well alright," he left it at that, holding a bizarre sentiment over me. "Yeah…"
"Well actually, it hasn't been going the best," I forced my self to speak I knew I would regret it I had not. "What's on your mind?"
I festered over the whole problem, uncertain every which way about it. With a heavy sigh I posed him a question, "Do I… deserve the…" A knot was welling up in my throat, making it arduous to speak. "…the talent and intelligence I have?"
Sato was nonplussed by my words, adjusting himself slightly. "Why would you ever feel as though you don't?" I spat the words out in a hushed malice, "Because I'm not a good person… I've hurt people… I've obliterated their hopes… their dreams… all for selfishness…"
"I don't believe that is at all true, you're no the same person you spoken to me about being, you've changed. You may lack convictions, but that's because you hold yourself below everyone else. Before anyone can you need to forgive yourself."
I wasn't sure how to react, I never once expected him to say that. I was close to tears again, for the friends I have; were always there, with an outstretched arm, and I was just to blind to see it. I put such distance between myself and them, fearing resentment for what I'd done in the past. But that was never the case, they treated the situation as though it was nothing to fret over, and maybe it wasn't.
"Thank you Sato, I know it won't be so easy, but I am going to try my hardest to um… well try my hardest to try again."
Class had ended and so the school day with it. We stayed in class for awhile before leaving, grabbing our bags and walking outside. We waited in front of the school gate for Aikawa to meet up with us. She arrived after a few minutes of waiting, looking slightly red as expected.
"Um… so I'd like to thank you both," I stood in front of both of my friends, "thank you, for helping with what darkness I've tried to combat for such a long time now." I felt my face turn slightly hot, "With both of you helping me, I can say that I will try again, I'll put effort into what I do. Take pride in growing and getting better."
They gave me a look to confirm if I were serious. Sato burst into laughter, "Hahaha, I expect good things from you." He rest his hand atop my shoulder, "Also, remember that we're always here for you." Aikawa had walked behind myself and done the same, after that I really did shed some tears.
"Thank you both."
