Hello there! I'm alive and healthy. Just busy with review schools in preparation for my boards~ Rest assured that I haven't forgotten about this fic and that I intended to see this to the end. This fic means a lot to me. It has elements of my real life mixed into the story but most of what's happening here is fiction. Although, some scenes are based on my almost relationships. Lol. Anyway, I hope you guys would like this~

Please bear with my super slow updates. But I'll try my best to update as much as I can.

Anyway, thank you for these people for giving me inspiration to keep on writing. You are the reason I'm still writing even after such a long time:

Wind of SilentBell

xoxAmuto4everxox


Chapter 12: Confessions and Confusion

Lunch break went by fast. It was a nice change to have Natsume and his friends eat over at our table. It was always fun when we hang out with them. We stood up from our tables and cleaned up after ourselves. I was about to pick up my used plates but Natsume got them before me. I felt myself blush a little and Yuu's words echoed in my head, "You guys are acting more like a couple each day."

I silently watched as Natsume cleaned up for the both of us. "Does it mean that he likes me too?" I can't help but ask myself. As I follow slowly behind Natsume and our friends, a movement in the corner of my eye caught my attention. I turned, it was Tsubasa. Our eyes connected for a second and he gave me his usual warm smile. In instinct, I let out a smile in return.

"What are you spacing out there for?" I heard Natsume say beside me.

I looked at him before shaking my head. "I'm not spacing out," I said. Natsume shrugged his shoulders in his usual nonchalant way which made me let out a sneaker. "Come on, we're going to be late in class." I unconsciously found myself linking our arms together as I said that.

Honestly, it's not even a year yet since I transferred here and befriended Natsume. Yet, things like these seem natural when I do it with him. I've always felt comfortable whenever I am around him. And times like this when Natsume just lets me be this close to him and be this touchy that makes me wonder if Natsume likes me too.

I was plucked away from my thoughts when I felt Natsume pinch my cheek. I look up to him confused.

"We're in front of our classroom," he said plainly. I continued to stare at him not sure what he wants me to say to that. He let out a sigh and ruffled his hair. I can see a tiny hint of blush on his cheeks which made me more confused. "Aren't you going to let go?"

It took a few seconds before the meaning behind the question sunk in to me. I quickly unwind my arm from his. I'm pretty sure I was blushing a deep shade of red. "So-sorry," I manage to say before I went inside the classroom and straight to my usual chair.

I heard Natsume clear his throat and followed me inside the room. I couldn't look at him straight in the eye for the rest of the afternoon period after that. It was just plain embarrassing in my part to get lost in my thoughts while I was hanging onto Natsume. Although, it was pretty sweet on his part that he didn't complain. Now that I think about it, normally whenever a girl tries to do such things to him he scowls and doesn't normally let the girl be as close. He wouldn't even do such things with Luna, whom I heard is a childhood friend of his.

I brought out my things and forced myself to focus on the lesson and pushed such distracting thoughts out of my mind. And just like that, time seemed to go so fast. The professor in front wrapped up what he was discussing and once he dismissed us, I let out a soft sigh and stretched my arms. It was such a draining and long lesson. I grabbed my things and went out of the room.

As usual, Natsume was already outside waiting for me when I did. I fell into step alongside him as if it was the most natural thing to do. We didn't talk as we walked the hallways towards our lockers.

I was putting some of my books back in my locker and finding a few more to take home with me when I felt my phone vibrate in my pants. It was a text from Tsubasa asking me to meet with him. "My classes already ended. Is your classes already done?" I sent back.

"Are you done?" I heard Natsume ask behind me. I stuffed my remaining things inside my bag before closing my locker and turning to him. An apologetic smile was on my face.

"I am," I said. "But I don't think I can go home with you today."

He raised an eyebrow at me. It was his usual way of asking "Why?" "I have to take care of something," I said but his questioning stare didn't leave his eyes. "I could wait for you," he offered.

I shook my head. "No, it's alright," I said. "We have a lot of homework and papers due. I'm fine on my own."

Natsume's ruby eyes stared at me hard. He studied me for a few seconds before giving in. He knows that when I've decided on something, it's hard to talk me out of it. He ruffled my hair. "Send me a text when you get home," he said simply, and I smile up at him. "I will. Drive safe and see you tomorrow."

He nodded his head and waved goodbye. I watched him walk away before checking on my phone for Tsubasa's reply. "Meet me at the entrance," it read.

I found myself standing in front of the university entrance a few minutes later. I look around trying to look for Tsubasa. The entrance was full of students walking out and a few cars can be seen exiting as well. I was on my phone when a familiar car pulled up in front of me. "Get in,"

I looked up. It was Tsubasa. He has his usual goofy look on his face although there was something in it that I could not seem to put my finger to. "Where are we going?" I asked. "And why'd you suddenly want to meet up when you're staying at our house?"

"Just felt like going out to eat," he said with a shrug. "Come on. Get in. I've made a reservation."

I eyed him for a few seconds before giving in and getting in the car. This kind of scenario isn't new to me. We've known each other for so long and we've been friends for so long that whenever one of us is craving something, we usually call each other and go out without notice.

The drive to the restaurant was normal and it didn't take long. I asked him how being a professor was and how his day went. And he asked me the same. We joked around and played our usual car games.

The restaurant was nice. Although I haven't been into it. Tsubasa must have searched over the internet for him to learn of such a place. The food was really great. It was Italian. My favorite western cousin. Everything seemed normal to me. I've enjoyed myself. And we shared those nice small talks that turns into deep conversations like always.

Dessert came. And like the rest of the food, it was great. "Mmm," I said as I took a spoonful of gelato. "Their gelato is great. I love this."

"I thought you'd like it," Tsubasa said with a proud smile which made me giggle.

"It's a good thing that you found this place. I'd definitely go back here again. Their food is just amazing and just right to tickle my taste buds," I said as I dig into another spoonful of gelato. "Why'd you suddenly want to eat here?" I asked out of curiosity.

Tsubasa cleared his throat and I looked up at him expectantly. "I miss hanging out with you like the good old days before I went to Dubai for that project," he said. And I nodded my head. "I missed this too." I said with a soft smile on my face.

He let out a soft sigh and shook his head. "I'm not sure we're in the same wavelength," he said which made me confused.

"What do you mean?" I asked while happily eating my gelato.

Tsubasa stared at me. I could tell that he was serious, and this wasn't the usual friendly talk we've always shared. I put my spoon down and looked at him. "What is it?" I asked a bit worried.

His intense stare didn't leave their hold on my eyes as his right hand reached out to my left hand. I looked down at our hands before looking back at him. "I've been meaning to tell you…" he started and somehow, I felt my heart skipped a beat. It downed onto me that this wasn't the usual friendly dinners that we go to.

Tsubasa squeezed my hand and look down to them. "Mikan," he called my name. He must have felt me become nervous. I looked at him once more. "I know I'm being selfish. But I want to put it out there. I love you. I've loved you for a long time now."

My eyes widened but I composed myself quickly. I let out a nervous laugh. "I love you too, Tsubasa," I said. "You know I love you."

He shook his head. Once more he squeezed my hand. "It's not the same Mikan and you know it," he said. "I love you as a woman. I've always had."

I pulled my hand back and looked at him. I don't know how to process this. My long time best friend. The person whom I regarded as a brother for all these years has confessed to me. "I…" I started but not really sure what I would say.

I heard Tsubasa sigh as he watches me process what was happening. "I'm not asking for a reply now," he said which made me look at him. I could feel myself get a little teary.

"Tsubasa," I said. "I… you're my best friend. You're like my brother. This… it's a bit hard to process. But… I… I like someone else. He might not return the same feelings as I have but…"

"I know Mikan," he replied. "I see the way you look at him. I see the way act towards him. But I can't just give up without even telling you how I feel. I… wanted to tell you and come clean and hopefully you'll consider my feelings towards you."

I looked down on the table. The gelato I was eating a while ago was a bit melted, half eaten. It suddenly doesn't look appealing as it was a few minutes ago. It's just all too much to process. And somehow, I couldn't help but scold myself. I've called myself Tsubasa's best friend, but I was oblivious to his feelings towards me.

"I…" I said after a while. "I want to go home."

Tsubasa let out a sigh before nodding his head. He called for the bill and paid. The ride home was silent and very uncomfortable. It was probably the first time I have felt like a stranger with Tsubasa.


And that's it for now. What do you guys think? I think we're almost to the end of this fic. Maybe 10 more chapters or lesser? I hope you'll continue to support this fic.

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