Chapter 9: TICKETS


The school decided to have a small celebration for the success of our festival.

From what I heard from Naruka-san, there would be a bonfire at the school ground.

I didn't plan to join the celebration because I'd rather go back to my hotel and have some rest.

When the students started gathering at the field, I looked around to search for that tall student with long black hair.

I already had my bag with me. I just wanted to pay him before I left so I could finally be at ease.

Until...LUCKY!
It was a good thing that he was so tall.
Finding him in these crowds became easier.

I quickly approached him.

He was helping in the arrangement of the big bonfire.

"Ano…"

He turned and greeted me with a smile. "Yes, what is it?"

I leveled my hand to him. "Here."

He looked at my hand and I could tell by that face that wasn't sure what this hand was for.

To save him the trouble, I gave my explanation. "It's my payment for the cotton candy."

"My, you don't have to." He said, smiling.

He was really kind. His voice was so gentle too.
No, I wasn't attracted. I was just appreciating his good traits.

When I felt like he wasn't planning on accepting my payment, I decided to reach his large hand to place the coins inside his palm.
I bowed. "Thank you again."

He blinked at me.

Before I could turn back, I suddenly remembered one more thing. "I'm sorry too. I wasn't able to say your hello to Akashi-kun when I met him a while ago." I finished.

"…U-uh." That was all he could utter from my actions.

After that, I turned around and walked away.

It was really not proper to have a debt from someone.

I went directly at the direction of the main gate.

But before I could fully exit, I heard someone called my name.

"Izumi."

I shifted my head to my left, then to my right.

With this bunch of people around, it was hard to tell where that voice really came from.

I saw no one on my sides so I continued walking.

Maybe, it was intended for someone. Maybe there was someone here who also had that name.

I haven't made it far from school when I felt someone suddenly held my hand.

My body temperature suddenly went up, startled.

I quickly shoved my hand away and turned to my back.

I was absolutely nervous but it disappeared when I saw who it was. "Eh? So it was just...Akashi-kun." I said exhaling in ease.

Walking alone in this dark street then someone suddenly touched you, that, of course, would make anyone panic.

"Just?" he repeated looking at me disapprovingly.

"Ah no, I mean, I'm glad it was Akashi…kun." I said before recomposing myself. "What is it?" I asked him.

"Come with me." he said as he walked at the opposite street.

I see. He is so confident that I will follow him.

And yes I did. I would follow him if he wanted.

He walked and walked and walked.

My eyes fixated in his back until suddenly, he stopped.
I almost hit my face in his back.

I studied the place. It was a basketball court.

"Akashi-kun, why did you bring me here?" I asked.

He dropped his bag on the bench, unzipping it before pulling out an envelope.

"Sit here." He told me and I did it immediately.

He gave me the envelope just after I sat.

I looked at him with confusion. "Ahm, this is?"

"These are gifts from the visitors during our engagement night." He said as he went inside the court.

Picking a ball, he dribbled it three times and just like that, he started playing basketball while me, I put my attention on the contents of this envelope.
Tons of tickets surprised me upon opening.

"I didn't know that they gave these." I said while checking and reading what was written on them, one by one.

"That was your fault for drifting your thoughts away that night."

Let's say I didn't hear that harsh words. I continued reading the tickets, pretending oblivious of what he said.

Anyway, the tickets were all for two to enter a theater, a museum, a zoo, and an amusement park. It was all for different stuffs. Some were good, others were just...ahm unnecessary.

My brows wrinkled when I read this one ticket for a private hot spring. And then finally, I saw one normal ticket that I thought we could actually use. It was a plane ticket to a country of our choice.

When I finished, I glanced at Akashi-kun who was still playing.

I was about to tell him that I was done reading them but instead of calling his name, I ended up watching and admiring his skills.

He wasn't that tall but all of his shot went inside the basket so easily.

Are you trying to make me fall deeper? Seriously, I'm loving this scenery...of him...in front of me.

He was already bathed in sweat and I saw from this position that he was also gasping for breath due to the constant running around the court.

Although he looked exhausted, it won't change the fact that he was so amazing in my eyes.

I saw him glanced, "Are you done?" he asked.

I promptly replied with a nod. He made a stance as if aiming for a three point shot. But before that, he told me "Choose one from those tickets."

Ah, those all mighty voice."W-we are not using them all?" I asked.

"No. I don't have that much of free time Izumi." He said, pausing under the basket.

I looked again at the tickets that were in my possession, thinking hard.

"I-I'll choose the plane ticket, Akashi-kun." It was to any country. I could use this to visit America, I thought.

I heard him dribbling the ball again, "Okay." He replied.

"Is this the reason why you brought me here?" I asked, stepping inside the court on my own accord.

"Yes."

So that was it, I thought he wanted me to see him play.

"Will you tell me to leave now?" I said, almost a whisper, as if talking to myself.
It felt so sad to ask a question when you already knew the answer.

He stopped and looked at me. His eyes were serious but it was not a glare. They were different. For the first time, he wasn't annoyed of my question.
"You should know the answer to that." Yet, there was a trace of bitterness in his voice.

That's right. I know that the answer is 'yes', but I don't want to go. Not yet.

I still want to look at him.

"Can I stay for a while? Um, I can pass the ball to you so you won't have to pick it up repeatedly." I suggested, running on the direction near the basket.

He sighed, "Do what you want." He said before shooting another 3 point-shot.

I counted his shots in my head and when he reached 50 points, I accidentally shouted a "You just scored 50! Akashi-kun, great!" while smiling ear to ear.

Realizing how bold my reaction was, I immediately bowed and apologized. I lost my control again. Funny how a simple thing could make me this happy.

But it seemed like he didn't mind what I said because he didn't react or say something.
He just went and sat on the bench.

He probably felt the tiredness. I watched him quietly.

What should I do in this kind of situation? Oh, that's it.

I quickly went to my bag to get my handkerchief.

I walked in front of him and offered my handkerchief.

He looked at my hand for a few seconds before taking it. My eyes slowly widened. H-He took it! I almost passed out due to the sudden happiness I felt.

"Thank you." he said.

I remained standing while staring at him. "I think you should change your t-shirt Akashi-kun. It's bad to let the sweat dry especially on your back." I told him.

"Don't tell me what I already know Izumi." He said as cold as the breeze of the air in the atmosphere.

I just smiled. He then threw the handkerchief on my face.

Now, all I see was a white cloth.

When I removed it, I saw Akashi-kun already wearing a new shirt.
Okay, did he purposely throw this to me?

Moving on, I sat beside him but we were not that close, probably a meter apart.

I picked the plane ticket that I chose.

Staring at it, I said "Akashi-kun, I…actually have a selfish reason for choosing this. I want to-"

"You want to visit your country." He interrupted using a statement. That showed how sure and confident he was.

"Yes and…you don't have to accompany me if you don't want." I told him.

He smirked at me wryly. "Are you sure Izumi? Because, I could tell you want me to come."

My jaw dropped, abashed that he was right. He was like reading my mind.

I looked away, "What are you saying, Akashi-kun? You're busy in school and in your club so it's okay if you say no." I said even though I want to say 'Yes, please come with me'. That would only be a self-centered decision.

Akashi-kun chuckled softly. I looked in the corner of my eyes and saw his arms leaning on the surface of the bench as he stared at the sky.
"Can't you be honest sometimes? You're so easy to read Izumi."

My eyes narrowed. "W-what do you mean Akashi-kun?"

"I'm saying that you don't have to show that kind of facade in front of me."

He was starting to baffle my thoughts, "I don't get it." I said placidly.

He sighed, "You always pretend serious and calm when the truth is…you get annoyed, scared and embarrassed easily."

I didn't respond immediately, for it took me a moment to fully digest what he said.
And when I did, somehow, I was at loss of words.

He smirked, "See, are you surprised to understand your attitude?"

I frowned, "…you can't be sure Aka-"

"Are you doubting me?" I winced with the tone he used.

"No." I gave another thought about it as I looked him with a quizzical face. "Is that wrong?"

"You already knew the answer to that." he replied while fixing his bag.

It was silly of me to ask that. He was right. I knew the right answer. I just didn't want to admit it.

I would always try my best to mollify what I really feel. That was how I usually act most of the time. What can I do? It was just how I should be.

He might not care about this but I knew I had to explain my reason. "…My father..." I began and I saw him glanced for a second "…since I was a kid, he would always tell me to act properly and well mannered in front of everyone." I explained.

He stood up and slid his bag in his shoulder. "Izumi…you don't have to do everything that your father tells you to do." He said.

"But, he's my father and…and he said that he knows what's best for me." I stated.

"I know that you're naive but I didn't expect this extent so let me give you some knowledge. You, yourself is the only one who knows what is best and not for you. Generally speaking, just do what makes you feel good."

I was awestruck and at the same time hurt with his forthright attitude and the way he delivered it.

How could he be so straightforward when it comes to a topic like this and be secretive about his personal life?

It was like I was being lectured.
I comprehended everything he said while gazing at his figure.

I could only put a smile, unable to think of a good retort to that.

"I'll go now." He said, turning his back at me.

I stood up. "Then…" I blurted out.
No need to resist my manner this time. He said it. Just do what makes you feel good.

He shifted the side of his body to face me. "What?"

I didn't hesitate. "…if I tell you something that feels really good…but doesn't seem right, what will-"

"Izumi." he interrupted. "The fact that it doesn't seem right means there's something wrong." he finished as he slightly plastered a smile in his face.

With that, he proceeded on walking, leaving me behind.

I could only watch him as he disappeared.

There's something wrong?

What's wrong?

I sat again on the bench, followed by a long sigh.

I was a bit doleful because of my situation.

If I would think the possible reason as to why it might be wrong, it would definitely be that.

He didn't feel the same.

That was the reason why it didn't feel right.

Our feelings weren't mutual.