Chapter 11

My alarm went off and I searched around for it. Finally finding it I shut if off and sat up. I felt extremely woozy. I touch my head and sighed, 'I think I got a major fever. Guess that ice cold shower to calm myself wasn't such a good idea.'

I really wanted to just stay in bed and sleep but I was suppose to meet Kaede today. Something I dreaded. I didn't know how to face him. I tried to get up and felt like barfing. I search for the phone and found it. I speed-dialled Kosh's number.

"Moshi-moshi?" came a groggy voice.

"Kosh it's me Akira. I'm not feeling well and I was wondering if you could do me a favor," I began and realized my throat was quite sore.

"You're sick!? You sound quite bad. I'll be right over," he said.

"No, it's…" I began but he already hung up.

I allowed myself to smile, 'He's such a worrywart. Worst than my mother but that's why he's such a good friend.'

.

15 minutes later I heard the door open and shut. Koshino came in, "Are you ok?"

"Just s small fever and sore throat," I said with a smile.

He put his hand on my forehead then his own, "You're burning up. You got to drink lots of liquid and sleep. Good thing it's Saturday. How did you get sick anyways?"

"Cold shower, I guess."

"Why did you take a cold shower?" he asked suspiciously, "the last time you did was because your brother got in a car accident and you were worried."

"It's nothing."

"Uh-huh. And the time before that was because you dog died."

'Ooops. I forgot he knows me well. Too well.'

"What is it this time? And don't lie. You're a terrible liar and I can see right through you Akira."

I knew Koshino well enough to know he's persistent and won't give up until I tell him. So I began to tell him and once I began I couldn't stop. I told Kosh everything.

.

Kosh looked at me in disbelief, "You like Rukawa. Why!? You're just asking for abuse. If you know he likes Sakuragi why don't you give up? You should give up."

"That's the logical thing to do isn't it? But love isn't logical," I said, "it's irrational. If it was rational I would like girls and not Rukawa. Kaede wouldn't like Sakuragi knowing Sakuragi likes Haruko. Didn't someone once say 'Some dreams if realized are nightmares.'"

"What kind of dream is this? Don't you think you've done a little too much for a guy that doesn't even like you?"

"I didn't do anything for him. It was really for myself," I said.

"The first time you kissed him, he muttered Sakuragi's name. The second time he kissed you, was a show for Sakuragi. Don't you think maybe you should give up on him and maybe open your heart to someone else?"

'Open my heart to someone else? Like who?' I sighed, "but I only like him."

I looked at the clock, "Oh no. It's late. You got to help me go tell Kaede I can't show up."

Koshino blinked, "Let him wait."

"Hiro you got to go and anyways I don't have anything cough syrup for my sore throat."

He didn't reply.

I sat up, "Fine. I'll go."

He shoved me back down, "You sleep. I'll go and no more eating sour things. It's bad for you throat."

I smiled, "Hai! And thanks."

"You are such a baka Akira," he said soft, "rest."

"Hai," I said, 'am I really a baka? Why do so many people tell me that? I think I have to re-evaluate my course of action. Maybe Hiro's right and I should give up. I mean this is like fighting a losing battle. Kaede's more stubborn and persistent than me. When he has a goal in mind he'll never give up on it. Like being #1 in Japan then he's going to go conquer America. And how can I beat someone he sees everyday, and makes him want to laugh? How can I beat Hanamichi?'

End of Chapter 11