Chapter Nine
I was walking on the beach, with Sendoh by my side. I sat down on the sand, looking at the red orange sky. I looked at Sendoh's smiling face. He was also watching the beautiful sunset.
"You know what." I started.
"What?" Sendoh asked.
"I have this secret I need to share with you." I continued.
Sendoh sat down with me and said, "And what is this secret of yours? You never hid anything from me."
"Yes, except this secret," I paused, "I'm in love with you."
Sendoh looked at me, surprised. "Did I hear you right? You're.in love.with me?"
I blushed and looked away from Sendoh, "I guess so."
Sendoh also looked away. He didn't say anything. Neither did I.
I looked at Sendoh, and Sendoh looked at me too. Sendoh was blushing. Maybe, he has feelings for me. He does, for he suddenly kissed me. After that.
My alarm clock rang. I woke up, and slapped my head lightly. That was only a dream.but it seemed so real. Maybe I should confess. I should REALLY confess. I felt excited, but at the same time, nervous. I took a bath, changed into my school uniform and went downstairs to have breakfast, smiling like a Cheshire cat. I greeted my parents good morning, sat down with them and started eating.
"You seem to be happy today," My dad remarked.
"I'm always happy, aren't I?" I said.
"No. You always look angry when you wake up this early," Mom said.
"Do I? I didn't know that," I said, still smiling. Mom and Dad looked at each other, befuddled.
After eating, I brushed my teeth, got my things, and hurriedly went outside, "Bye everyone!" I shouted.
"It's still early. Why are you rushing?" asked my mom.
"I have to save time. See you," I shouted, running outside the house.
"She's growing up too fast." I heard my mom said.
"No I'm not. I'm still immature." I said loudly, then continued running.
I went immediately to my classroom, instead of the gym when I got to school because I have to get something from one of my classmates. Sendoh wasn't around, but Yukino's already there.
"Hey Nanami." Yukino greeted.
"Hi," I said, "How come you're not with your *cough* boyfriend, Koshino?"
Yukino looked angrily at me, and instead of quarreling that Koshino's not his boyfriend, she said, "Well, where's your boyfriend?"
"You mean, Sendoh?" I asked dumbly.
"No, I mean Shigeki." Yukino said teasingly.
"Shigeki's not my boyfriend!" I exclaimed.
"Well, Shigeki loves and adores you doesn't he?" Yukino said out loud, as if I were far away from her.
"Who's Shigeki?" I heard one of my classmates whisper.
"I don't know. Must be the replacement for Sendoh," Another said.
"Sendoh and I were never together." I meant to say, but I said, "Hey, I don't have a relationship with Shigeki."
"You will soon, for he loves you doesn't he?" Yukino said.
After she said that, Sendoh got inside the classroom. Everyone suddenly kept quiet. Half of him looked like as if nothing happened, and another half of him looked like he was shocked.
"Uh.Sendoh." I said softly and blushed.
"Nanami, I've been looking all over for you," Sendoh smiled.
"Really?" I said excitedly then changed my tone into my normal tone, "I mean, why?"
"Ah, Nanami!" Shigeki's voice said, as he also went inside the classroom. He wore the school's uniform and he looked good in it. Why does everything look good on him? He didn't spike his hair, much, and I noticed that. he was blushing too. WHY ISN'T SENDOH BLUSHING? Well, it isn't my business if he's blushing or not blushing. Sheesh.
"Shigeki." I muttered.
Many of my girl classmates started to turn red and talk to each other, saying how cute Shigeki is and that he looks far better than Sendoh. Oh, please. They're soooo noisy! And I also heard some guy saying had seen Shigeki play and said that he's one of the best soccer players he had seen. What about Sendoh?! Almost everyone in the room was talking about Shigeki. I wonder what Sendoh felt.
Yukino gave Sendoh and Shigeki a greet-me-too look. "Oh, hi Yukino." Sendoh and Shigeki said in unison.
"Hello!" Yukino greeted cheerfully.
"Excuse me for a moment, Yukino, Shigeki. I have to speak to Sendoh privately." I said.
Sendoh gave me a "why?" look, but then I dragged him outside the room.
"Hey Nanami, what is it?" Sendoh asked, "What is it that you want to talk about with me privately?"
"Well.umm.have you heard what Yukino and I talked about?"
"Partly, yes. Why?"
"It's about the thing about Shigeki."
"That you love him?"
"What?! No! He's only a friend!!!" I shouted. (You're the one whom I love.)
"Well, I heard the word "love", so that means."
"Shigeki has a crush on me." I said.
"And why are you saying this to me?" Sendoh finally asked.
Now is the perfect time to say my true feelings for him. I looked around if anyone was watching. Good thing we're alone. "That's because.." Pause. "That's because.\, I.I.I."
When I finally had the guts to say, "I love you," Shigeki ran towards us, exhausted, his uniform was quite wrinkled but he still looked good but he won't look good after I punch him on the face for ruining my confession.
"Hey," Shigeki started, panting, "Your female classmates are so.so."
"Wild? Wacky? Fierce?" I said, monotonously.
"Yes! Good thing they're not my classmates," Shigeki grinned, still panting. Good thing YOU'RE not my classmate.
"Did they harass you or something?" I said.
Shigeki laughed, "Sort of."
"SHIGEKI! COME BACK!" a crowd of girls shouted.
"Gotta run!" Shigeki said, "If they ask you where I am, tell them I went upstairs. Bye." Then he dashed out of our sight.
"Wow, it's just his first day and he's already popular." Sendoh smiled.
"Yeah." that's all that I could say.
"So.what were you trying to say?" Sendoh inquired.
"Oh, that. Well, um."
"SHIGEKI!!!" I heard the crowd of girls shout again, coming into my direction.
A fat girl bumped me, really hard. She must have been around 200 pounds I guess. Anyway, I felt myself dropping on the ground, headfirst. The next thing I knew I was lying on the bed in the school clinic.
I drowsily looked at the ceiling. I could see a face above me, smiling worriedly. It was.Shigeki.
"Nanami! You're awake." Shigeki said excitedly.
I sat up quickly and looked around. "What happened?" I asked groggily, "Where's Sendoh?"
"Oh, Sendoh?" Shigeki said seriously, "He just left. I don't know why. Anyway, a girl chasing me bumped you and you were knocked down on the ground. The group of girls stopped chasing me, so Sendoh..and I brought you here." Then, he held my hand, "I'm glad you're okay."
I glanced nervously at Shigeki's hand on my hand, then I looked at him. His expression sort of said, "I'm so glad I could hold your hand." I slowly pulled my hand, to look at my wristwatch. It was 10: 10.
"It's recess time. Great. I can now eat! I'm starving," I said gleefully.
"Mind if I join you?" Shigeki said shyly.
"Of course," I smiled slyly.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Shigeki asked.
"Yeah, I'm sure. I'm better now," I said with enthusiasm.
"So shall we go now?" he said, reaching a hand out to me.
"Sure." I answered, grabbing Shigeki's hand, and going out of the bed. But seriously, I'm somewhat not okay. I'm still quite dizzy. So that made me slip clumsily towards Shigeki (just like in my daydream yesterday). Shigeki saw this and clutched me as quick as he could. Good thing he didn't hug me, like he did in my daydream. Or else, I would do something bad to him. I'm not cheap you know!
"You're really not okay," Shigeki said, shaking his head. "You should rest for a while."
"Are you serious? I'm very very hungry right now." I frowned.
"But."
Then suddenly, Sendoh appeared, smiling merrily. I felt better when I saw him. But when he saw Shigeki holding me, he seemed to have gotten the wrong idea and his smile gradually faded away.
"I brought you a sandwich," he said.
"Umm.Thanks," I said, striding quickly towards Sendoh, "You're really a lifesaver."
"Huh? Why?" Sendoh asked, looking puzzled.
"That's because.I'm starving." I said, reaching my hand into Sendoh's bag, took the sandwich and ate it.
"Thanks again," I said, while eating.
"Huh? What did you say?" Sendoh asked.
I gulped what I was chewing and said clearly, "I said thank you."
"You're welcome," Sendoh said, "I think I'd better go."
"No!!" I shouted, pulling Sendoh's arm.
Sendoh looked at me puzzlingly again.
"I mean, I'll go with you," I said, "I'm feeling better. Much better."
"What about.Shigeki?" Sendoh said.
I totally forgot about Shigeki being there. "Oh, yeah. Shigeki. Well, I promised that I'll have recess with him.but."
"So I guess I'd better go," Sendoh said, walking towards the exit.
"No, it's okay if we bring you along," I said, "Right Shigeki?"
"Err.right." Shigeki smiled uneasily.
Sendoh smiled and said, "Okay. I'll go with you."
"Let's go," I said, holding Sendoh's back.
I told the nurse that I was fine, and Sendoh, Shigeki and I went outside the clinic (Finally!) and started walking, towards the school grounds.
"Have you both eaten yet?" I asked Sendoh and Shigeki.
"I have," Sendoh said.
"Me too," Shigeki said.
"I see. So uh, Shigeki, where are you staying now?"
"In the hotel, still. But tomorrow, I'd transfer to Akira's house," Shigeki answered.
"I didn't know that," Sendoh said.
"Your mom and I chatted for a while yesterday. She said it's okay if I move in your house for a while," Shigeki explained.
"How come she hasn't told me that?" Sendoh mumbled.
Shigeki scratched his beautiful glossy hair, "Well, it's supposed to be a surprise,"
"A surprise, eh?" Sendoh said, looking away.
Suddenly, the wind blew harder. I grabbed my skirt just in time. This is the big disadvantage of my school uniform! But just in case of strong annoying winds, I wear shorts underneath my uniform. Sendoh's hair didn't even get messed up. The wind ruined Shigeki's hair. But, he looked even better. He looked like one of the models in a magazine. he looked gorgeous. What am I thinking? Don't fall for Shigeki. Don't fall for Shigeki. Sendoh's the guy for me. Sendoh's the guy for me.
Suddenly, a familiar voice shrieked. I looked at who it was. It was that girl I saw the other day, the girl who hates basketball, the girl I really hate! She was like, holding her skirt, if not, her panty will be exposed. She was shrieking so loudly, that her voice can be heard 1 kilometer away.
Afterwards, the wind stopped. I looked at Shigeki, because he was trying to stop himself from snickering, which forced me to laugh loudly, not at Shigeki, but at the girl. I looked at Sendoh. I was shocked with the way he looks at that girl, Mitsuki. He was looking like he was in love! I hold his arm to check up his heartbeat. His heart was pounding so fast and so hard. I removed my hand from his arm and said to myself, "You can't be serious."
Mitsuki looked at us angrily. But, she suddenly looked like she was in love too. With Sendoh? I felt like I want to blow up or scream in frustration. I just held Shigeki's hand and said, "Hey, let's go now."
"Uh, sure," Shigeki smiled, his nervous smile again.
"Hey Sendoh, are you coming?" I asked crossly.
Sendoh didn't reply.
I playfully pulled his ear and said loudly, "SENDOH!"
Sendoh looked at me, surprised. "No, I'm not coming."
That crushed me to hear that. "Wha-what? Why not?"
"I have to do something first.." Sendoh muttered.
"Fine! Then I'll go with your cousin then, with him, alone!" I said, and snubbed Sendoh, then said to Shigeki nicely and held his hand again, "Let's go."
"Ok.." Shigeki said.
I never looked back at what Sendoh was doing. I was too annoyed with him. Why fall in love with Mitsuki, the basketball hater.
-And also the basketball player hater.
I nearly forgot what she said the last time. She said that if a basketball player courts her, she would dump him and if he's cute, she'll use him. Well, Sendoh's cute. That means, she'll just use him, after she learns that Sendoh's a basketball player. But I'm too furious to care to what Sendoh will do, am I? He's still my best friend. I have to support him in everything he does. But I also have to protect him. I could protect him from Mitsuki. But what if Mitsuki's really in love with Sendoh? I don't want to hurt two people (just one.hehehe) by ruining their relationship. I'll just have to see what their relationship will lead to.
"You seem to be quiet," Shigeki observed.
"Yeah." I said, "Oh, I forgot to thank you for rescuing me earlier this morning."
"No problem. As long as it's you." I looked at Shigeki questioningly, "I mean you're my friend, right?"
"Yes.."
"You're jealous, aren't you?"
"Huh? Of what?"
"Sendoh's obvious liking to that girl we saw."
"Does he really like her?" I muttered. Shigeki heard this and gave me an inquiring look. "I mean."
"Yes, he does. I can see from his face that he has a crush on that girl."
I looked away from Shigeki. Why the heck am I discussing this topic with him? But it's only a crush. I don't need to get jealous, do I? It's like Shigeki doesn't have a crush on me anymore. He's more like a friend. I don't feel uneasy with him anymore.
"What do you think Sendoh is doing right now?"
"He's probably introducing himself to that girl."
"Then I won't speak with him." I suddenly said.
"You really like him, don't you?"
I pretended that I didn't hear him.
Shigeki just continued talking, "You can't love someone who doesn't love you back." Pause. "I know Sendoh very well. He does love you. Only as a friend."
"Okay! Stop it now! Please?" I snapped.
Shigeki paused. "I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay. I just realized that Sendoh and I.would never be together.as a couple. Are you happy?"
Shigeki didn't respond.
"Hey, please don't tell Sendoh about our little conversation."
"I won't."
We haven't said much after that. Recess time's over. We walked silently to our classrooms.
"Oh, Nanami?" he called, when I was about to enter my classroom.
"What is it?" I said softly.
"Find somebody who could love you, not like the way Sendoh does."
"And who could do that?" I angrily said, crossing my arms. Shigeki looked down and didn't say anything, so I started to enter the classroom.
Shigeki suddenly held my shoulder tenderly, and said, "I can."
I was walking on the beach, with Sendoh by my side. I sat down on the sand, looking at the red orange sky. I looked at Sendoh's smiling face. He was also watching the beautiful sunset.
"You know what." I started.
"What?" Sendoh asked.
"I have this secret I need to share with you." I continued.
Sendoh sat down with me and said, "And what is this secret of yours? You never hid anything from me."
"Yes, except this secret," I paused, "I'm in love with you."
Sendoh looked at me, surprised. "Did I hear you right? You're.in love.with me?"
I blushed and looked away from Sendoh, "I guess so."
Sendoh also looked away. He didn't say anything. Neither did I.
I looked at Sendoh, and Sendoh looked at me too. Sendoh was blushing. Maybe, he has feelings for me. He does, for he suddenly kissed me. After that.
My alarm clock rang. I woke up, and slapped my head lightly. That was only a dream.but it seemed so real. Maybe I should confess. I should REALLY confess. I felt excited, but at the same time, nervous. I took a bath, changed into my school uniform and went downstairs to have breakfast, smiling like a Cheshire cat. I greeted my parents good morning, sat down with them and started eating.
"You seem to be happy today," My dad remarked.
"I'm always happy, aren't I?" I said.
"No. You always look angry when you wake up this early," Mom said.
"Do I? I didn't know that," I said, still smiling. Mom and Dad looked at each other, befuddled.
After eating, I brushed my teeth, got my things, and hurriedly went outside, "Bye everyone!" I shouted.
"It's still early. Why are you rushing?" asked my mom.
"I have to save time. See you," I shouted, running outside the house.
"She's growing up too fast." I heard my mom said.
"No I'm not. I'm still immature." I said loudly, then continued running.
I went immediately to my classroom, instead of the gym when I got to school because I have to get something from one of my classmates. Sendoh wasn't around, but Yukino's already there.
"Hey Nanami." Yukino greeted.
"Hi," I said, "How come you're not with your *cough* boyfriend, Koshino?"
Yukino looked angrily at me, and instead of quarreling that Koshino's not his boyfriend, she said, "Well, where's your boyfriend?"
"You mean, Sendoh?" I asked dumbly.
"No, I mean Shigeki." Yukino said teasingly.
"Shigeki's not my boyfriend!" I exclaimed.
"Well, Shigeki loves and adores you doesn't he?" Yukino said out loud, as if I were far away from her.
"Who's Shigeki?" I heard one of my classmates whisper.
"I don't know. Must be the replacement for Sendoh," Another said.
"Sendoh and I were never together." I meant to say, but I said, "Hey, I don't have a relationship with Shigeki."
"You will soon, for he loves you doesn't he?" Yukino said.
After she said that, Sendoh got inside the classroom. Everyone suddenly kept quiet. Half of him looked like as if nothing happened, and another half of him looked like he was shocked.
"Uh.Sendoh." I said softly and blushed.
"Nanami, I've been looking all over for you," Sendoh smiled.
"Really?" I said excitedly then changed my tone into my normal tone, "I mean, why?"
"Ah, Nanami!" Shigeki's voice said, as he also went inside the classroom. He wore the school's uniform and he looked good in it. Why does everything look good on him? He didn't spike his hair, much, and I noticed that. he was blushing too. WHY ISN'T SENDOH BLUSHING? Well, it isn't my business if he's blushing or not blushing. Sheesh.
"Shigeki." I muttered.
Many of my girl classmates started to turn red and talk to each other, saying how cute Shigeki is and that he looks far better than Sendoh. Oh, please. They're soooo noisy! And I also heard some guy saying had seen Shigeki play and said that he's one of the best soccer players he had seen. What about Sendoh?! Almost everyone in the room was talking about Shigeki. I wonder what Sendoh felt.
Yukino gave Sendoh and Shigeki a greet-me-too look. "Oh, hi Yukino." Sendoh and Shigeki said in unison.
"Hello!" Yukino greeted cheerfully.
"Excuse me for a moment, Yukino, Shigeki. I have to speak to Sendoh privately." I said.
Sendoh gave me a "why?" look, but then I dragged him outside the room.
"Hey Nanami, what is it?" Sendoh asked, "What is it that you want to talk about with me privately?"
"Well.umm.have you heard what Yukino and I talked about?"
"Partly, yes. Why?"
"It's about the thing about Shigeki."
"That you love him?"
"What?! No! He's only a friend!!!" I shouted. (You're the one whom I love.)
"Well, I heard the word "love", so that means."
"Shigeki has a crush on me." I said.
"And why are you saying this to me?" Sendoh finally asked.
Now is the perfect time to say my true feelings for him. I looked around if anyone was watching. Good thing we're alone. "That's because.." Pause. "That's because.\, I.I.I."
When I finally had the guts to say, "I love you," Shigeki ran towards us, exhausted, his uniform was quite wrinkled but he still looked good but he won't look good after I punch him on the face for ruining my confession.
"Hey," Shigeki started, panting, "Your female classmates are so.so."
"Wild? Wacky? Fierce?" I said, monotonously.
"Yes! Good thing they're not my classmates," Shigeki grinned, still panting. Good thing YOU'RE not my classmate.
"Did they harass you or something?" I said.
Shigeki laughed, "Sort of."
"SHIGEKI! COME BACK!" a crowd of girls shouted.
"Gotta run!" Shigeki said, "If they ask you where I am, tell them I went upstairs. Bye." Then he dashed out of our sight.
"Wow, it's just his first day and he's already popular." Sendoh smiled.
"Yeah." that's all that I could say.
"So.what were you trying to say?" Sendoh inquired.
"Oh, that. Well, um."
"SHIGEKI!!!" I heard the crowd of girls shout again, coming into my direction.
A fat girl bumped me, really hard. She must have been around 200 pounds I guess. Anyway, I felt myself dropping on the ground, headfirst. The next thing I knew I was lying on the bed in the school clinic.
I drowsily looked at the ceiling. I could see a face above me, smiling worriedly. It was.Shigeki.
"Nanami! You're awake." Shigeki said excitedly.
I sat up quickly and looked around. "What happened?" I asked groggily, "Where's Sendoh?"
"Oh, Sendoh?" Shigeki said seriously, "He just left. I don't know why. Anyway, a girl chasing me bumped you and you were knocked down on the ground. The group of girls stopped chasing me, so Sendoh..and I brought you here." Then, he held my hand, "I'm glad you're okay."
I glanced nervously at Shigeki's hand on my hand, then I looked at him. His expression sort of said, "I'm so glad I could hold your hand." I slowly pulled my hand, to look at my wristwatch. It was 10: 10.
"It's recess time. Great. I can now eat! I'm starving," I said gleefully.
"Mind if I join you?" Shigeki said shyly.
"Of course," I smiled slyly.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Shigeki asked.
"Yeah, I'm sure. I'm better now," I said with enthusiasm.
"So shall we go now?" he said, reaching a hand out to me.
"Sure." I answered, grabbing Shigeki's hand, and going out of the bed. But seriously, I'm somewhat not okay. I'm still quite dizzy. So that made me slip clumsily towards Shigeki (just like in my daydream yesterday). Shigeki saw this and clutched me as quick as he could. Good thing he didn't hug me, like he did in my daydream. Or else, I would do something bad to him. I'm not cheap you know!
"You're really not okay," Shigeki said, shaking his head. "You should rest for a while."
"Are you serious? I'm very very hungry right now." I frowned.
"But."
Then suddenly, Sendoh appeared, smiling merrily. I felt better when I saw him. But when he saw Shigeki holding me, he seemed to have gotten the wrong idea and his smile gradually faded away.
"I brought you a sandwich," he said.
"Umm.Thanks," I said, striding quickly towards Sendoh, "You're really a lifesaver."
"Huh? Why?" Sendoh asked, looking puzzled.
"That's because.I'm starving." I said, reaching my hand into Sendoh's bag, took the sandwich and ate it.
"Thanks again," I said, while eating.
"Huh? What did you say?" Sendoh asked.
I gulped what I was chewing and said clearly, "I said thank you."
"You're welcome," Sendoh said, "I think I'd better go."
"No!!" I shouted, pulling Sendoh's arm.
Sendoh looked at me puzzlingly again.
"I mean, I'll go with you," I said, "I'm feeling better. Much better."
"What about.Shigeki?" Sendoh said.
I totally forgot about Shigeki being there. "Oh, yeah. Shigeki. Well, I promised that I'll have recess with him.but."
"So I guess I'd better go," Sendoh said, walking towards the exit.
"No, it's okay if we bring you along," I said, "Right Shigeki?"
"Err.right." Shigeki smiled uneasily.
Sendoh smiled and said, "Okay. I'll go with you."
"Let's go," I said, holding Sendoh's back.
I told the nurse that I was fine, and Sendoh, Shigeki and I went outside the clinic (Finally!) and started walking, towards the school grounds.
"Have you both eaten yet?" I asked Sendoh and Shigeki.
"I have," Sendoh said.
"Me too," Shigeki said.
"I see. So uh, Shigeki, where are you staying now?"
"In the hotel, still. But tomorrow, I'd transfer to Akira's house," Shigeki answered.
"I didn't know that," Sendoh said.
"Your mom and I chatted for a while yesterday. She said it's okay if I move in your house for a while," Shigeki explained.
"How come she hasn't told me that?" Sendoh mumbled.
Shigeki scratched his beautiful glossy hair, "Well, it's supposed to be a surprise,"
"A surprise, eh?" Sendoh said, looking away.
Suddenly, the wind blew harder. I grabbed my skirt just in time. This is the big disadvantage of my school uniform! But just in case of strong annoying winds, I wear shorts underneath my uniform. Sendoh's hair didn't even get messed up. The wind ruined Shigeki's hair. But, he looked even better. He looked like one of the models in a magazine. he looked gorgeous. What am I thinking? Don't fall for Shigeki. Don't fall for Shigeki. Sendoh's the guy for me. Sendoh's the guy for me.
Suddenly, a familiar voice shrieked. I looked at who it was. It was that girl I saw the other day, the girl who hates basketball, the girl I really hate! She was like, holding her skirt, if not, her panty will be exposed. She was shrieking so loudly, that her voice can be heard 1 kilometer away.
Afterwards, the wind stopped. I looked at Shigeki, because he was trying to stop himself from snickering, which forced me to laugh loudly, not at Shigeki, but at the girl. I looked at Sendoh. I was shocked with the way he looks at that girl, Mitsuki. He was looking like he was in love! I hold his arm to check up his heartbeat. His heart was pounding so fast and so hard. I removed my hand from his arm and said to myself, "You can't be serious."
Mitsuki looked at us angrily. But, she suddenly looked like she was in love too. With Sendoh? I felt like I want to blow up or scream in frustration. I just held Shigeki's hand and said, "Hey, let's go now."
"Uh, sure," Shigeki smiled, his nervous smile again.
"Hey Sendoh, are you coming?" I asked crossly.
Sendoh didn't reply.
I playfully pulled his ear and said loudly, "SENDOH!"
Sendoh looked at me, surprised. "No, I'm not coming."
That crushed me to hear that. "Wha-what? Why not?"
"I have to do something first.." Sendoh muttered.
"Fine! Then I'll go with your cousin then, with him, alone!" I said, and snubbed Sendoh, then said to Shigeki nicely and held his hand again, "Let's go."
"Ok.." Shigeki said.
I never looked back at what Sendoh was doing. I was too annoyed with him. Why fall in love with Mitsuki, the basketball hater.
-And also the basketball player hater.
I nearly forgot what she said the last time. She said that if a basketball player courts her, she would dump him and if he's cute, she'll use him. Well, Sendoh's cute. That means, she'll just use him, after she learns that Sendoh's a basketball player. But I'm too furious to care to what Sendoh will do, am I? He's still my best friend. I have to support him in everything he does. But I also have to protect him. I could protect him from Mitsuki. But what if Mitsuki's really in love with Sendoh? I don't want to hurt two people (just one.hehehe) by ruining their relationship. I'll just have to see what their relationship will lead to.
"You seem to be quiet," Shigeki observed.
"Yeah." I said, "Oh, I forgot to thank you for rescuing me earlier this morning."
"No problem. As long as it's you." I looked at Shigeki questioningly, "I mean you're my friend, right?"
"Yes.."
"You're jealous, aren't you?"
"Huh? Of what?"
"Sendoh's obvious liking to that girl we saw."
"Does he really like her?" I muttered. Shigeki heard this and gave me an inquiring look. "I mean."
"Yes, he does. I can see from his face that he has a crush on that girl."
I looked away from Shigeki. Why the heck am I discussing this topic with him? But it's only a crush. I don't need to get jealous, do I? It's like Shigeki doesn't have a crush on me anymore. He's more like a friend. I don't feel uneasy with him anymore.
"What do you think Sendoh is doing right now?"
"He's probably introducing himself to that girl."
"Then I won't speak with him." I suddenly said.
"You really like him, don't you?"
I pretended that I didn't hear him.
Shigeki just continued talking, "You can't love someone who doesn't love you back." Pause. "I know Sendoh very well. He does love you. Only as a friend."
"Okay! Stop it now! Please?" I snapped.
Shigeki paused. "I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay. I just realized that Sendoh and I.would never be together.as a couple. Are you happy?"
Shigeki didn't respond.
"Hey, please don't tell Sendoh about our little conversation."
"I won't."
We haven't said much after that. Recess time's over. We walked silently to our classrooms.
"Oh, Nanami?" he called, when I was about to enter my classroom.
"What is it?" I said softly.
"Find somebody who could love you, not like the way Sendoh does."
"And who could do that?" I angrily said, crossing my arms. Shigeki looked down and didn't say anything, so I started to enter the classroom.
Shigeki suddenly held my shoulder tenderly, and said, "I can."