Chapter 14: Delayed Confession
Author: Mitsui no Miko
After downing quite a few, Rukawa began to talk. He held his alcohol quite well, so it took some time for his defenses to break down.
And so he told his tale. He told Sakuragi from the start to the end, about how he fell for Sendoh. And how he once fell for Sakuragi himself.
To his surprise, Sakuragi remained calm after this confession.
"sakuragi… Other people would have freaked out… Why?"
He took a sip before he answered.
"You see, Rukawa, I fell in love with you too."
Rukawa stared at him with wide eyes.
"Haruko?"
"I still like her."
Silence.
"I'm over you now," he said to Rukawa. "The same way you're over me now," he continued. "The question is, what are you going to do about him?", he asked Rukawa.
He paled and replied, "I don't know…"
"Love's precious, you know."
Rukawa could only smile a little bit.
"Don't waste it.'
"So that…"
"So that you could be together," he answered. He himself fell victim to this scenario a few months ago. If only he had known… If only he had the courage to do something about it, then this would be a very different story now.
Now, both of them had other people to attend to. Hanamichi had Haruko, and Rukawa is now in love with Sendoh.
"Thanks… Sakuragi…"
"No problem…"
"How did you… make such profound statements?"
"Well, I wasn't dumped 50 times for nothing, you know?", he said sheepishly.
Unknown to the two of them, Sendoh was at the other end of the bar, watching them.