A/N: Happy Valentine's Day to anyone reading. Hope you had a wonderful day. ^.^
Chapter Twenty-Four
I couldn't think, couldn't focus. College should have been the first thing on my mind since I'd just started it last week, but there was something poking me from the back of my mind. And while it poked, it wouldn't speak. Tonight, studying wasn't coming to me easily so I took off for the convenience store where I sometimes got canned coffee.
Thankfully it wasn't cold outside anymore. Aside from a very slight chill, the walk to the store was relaxing. I got the coffee from the machine and left. Popping it open, I took a drink. It was as bitter as always.
There was another jab at me from somewhere inside my mind. I rubbed my shoulders. Out the door, I turned to make my way home and found an absentminded somebody gazing into the night sky.
"What are you looking at?" I said to her. Kotoko came to attention.
"Oh, hey," She said, "Going home now? Where were you?"
I showed her my coffee, "What about you?" I asked.
"I went to my father's restaurant." I gritted my teeth.
"Your father's restaurant?"
"Yes." She said. It gnawed at me. She must've been there with that numbskull, Kinnosuke.
"Were you seeing that guy?" I said, the words spilling from my mouth before I could control them. I wished I hadn't asked.
"Guy?" Kotoko seemed confused, so I could easily back out of the question.
"Never mind."
"I was there with my father. We talked about moving out. He says he's found a nice place to live near Tonan." The usual sparkle that surrounded her when she smiled was dull. An icy feeling entered me and swept through my veins. I didn't like this.
"What?"
"He hasn't signed the lease yet, but he will soon. We've been living with your family for a long time now. So…" She said, not looking too happy about it, either.
No. This is good. I can get back to normal. I disagreed with my initial reaction and shook it off.
"So, you're moving out?" Saying it was a bitter taste in my mouth. Kotoko studied me and then she nodded.
"Are you going to miss us?"
Yes. My mind fired out, but I wasn't about to say that and give her the wrong idea. So I didn't answer.
"Irie-kun?" Kotoko said. I finally thought of something I could say.
"My life can finally get back to the way it was." I said and left her.
…
"No! I don't agree with this." My mother cried at Kotoko's father later that night, or so I heard from the hall, "I don't want you and Kotoko to move out!"
"Calm down…" My father said.
"But, honey!"
"Thank you so much for everything you've done for us," Mr. Aihara said, "But I've made up my mind about this."
"You don't have to rush. We really do want you to stay as long as you want, and you do pay your share of the rent." My father said. I leaned against the wall. That icy cold feeling took hold of me again.
"No, I think we'd better get moving now. We've taken advantage of your kindness for too long."
"No, really…"
"And by doing this, Kotoko can maybe start giving up on Naoki. With them separated, I hope I can see her happier." A wrench was thrown into my gut. I was the reason they were moving.
"I can convince Naoki that they would be a great couple." My mother said and I fought the urge to make myself known to argue with her on that point.
"This is a matter between only them." Mr. Aihara said.
My mother choked on some sobs, "It's not that I would accept any girl. I really like her cheerfulness, her guts, and loveliness." She sniffed.
"Kotoko would be very happy to know you were saying these things. I'm sorry, but we will be going."
It was only then that I noticed Yuuki was also listening in on the conversation. I went upstairs and back to my studies where none of the words in the textbooks held meaning. I still couldn't focus on them.
Yuuki bounced into the room.
"She's moving!" He howled and flopped onto his bed, "Now she won't be able to spread her stupidity germ around anymore." He looked to me, as if waiting for me to agree, but I didn't utter a word. He continued his fit of excitement.
"I'm so happy! I'm going to have my room back!"
I simply sat there at a loss for words and not understanding why I couldn't study at all. My mind was blank for once.
