Disclaimer: I do not own PoT.
Chapter 4:
That day, time seemed to be so slow; Mai felt really uncomfortable and she couldn't concentrate on any of the teachers' blabbering. Finally, last period has arrived and she fought the urge to let out a one relieved sigh. Nothing could get any worse now, just wait patiently. She couldn't help but glance at her left-side from time to time, only to find Kenya scribbling something on his notebook or looking with yet another bored expression at the window. Her lips slowly curved up to a small smile when she noticed that her classmates are bringing out their books for Economics which is something she doesn't have yet because it was out of stock at the moment. Pools of cerulean orbs scanned the room to look for someone she can share with. Unfortunately, she doesn't know anyone else yet because she spent her whole lunch break walking around the school to avoid Kenya.
The female quickly shifted her gaze to Shiraishi who's already sharing his book with his seatmate. Then accidentally, her eyes fell on Kenya who's now opening his book when he noticed her looking at her. He blinked a few times which made her twitch and blush slightly in embarrassment. He caught me! Please kill me now. She looked straight in front to hide her blush when Kenya's mouth fell agape to speak.
"You don't have a book?" He asked, his gaze not leaving her.
Her blush deepened as she looked down, shaking her head. Oh how she wishes to disappear. She could feel how her heart was beating so fast and if he's anywhere nearer than that, he would probably feel it. That was when she felt that someone actually went nearer to her; taking a glance to her left, she saw Kenya who's now beside her – their tables joined together.
"Let's share, then." He said with a smile.
How could he act normally? She couldn't help but wonder. It was probably because he has moved on completely and she's the only one stuck at the same place, same feelings. Get yourself together. Stop being so stupid and focus. Gathering all the courage she has, her lips slightly twitched as she sent him a smile. "T-Thanks, Oshitari-san." She said. Clearly proud of herself for being able to reply, she shifted her gaze to the open book and Kenya did the same.
"No need to thank me. You're my girlfriend's best friend after all." He said; his expression remained impassive.
Mai felt her world stopped for a bit to be able to process those words, however, she shook her head inwardly and just gave him a light nod. She met Chiyo during first year in Tokyo and they studied in the same school but Chiyo moved to Osaka during her second year because her parents bought a new house there. Chiyo kept in contact with her, though. They always exchanged messages through phone and her friend would always tell her all about her crush, telling her that he finally noticed her and they got together. Mai felt happy for her best friend of course, but even when years passed already – she still couldn't help but think about Kenya everyday. Now that he's here, right beside her – she was supposed to feel happy; all she is feeling right now is pain and she couldn't help but wish the class would just end already.
At last, her most awaited moment arrived and she quickly got up to pack her things and when she finished, she carried her bag before looking at Shiraishi. "Shiraishi-san, I'll be heading home now." Mai said with a smile. "Oh. Take care. See you tomorrow. We still have practice today, sorry if I can't tour you around Osaka." Shiraishi said with an apologetic smile. The female giggled a bit because it's not really his responsibility to do so, however, he's really nice and she's glad to have him as a classmate. "Practice? Wait, you play tennis too?" She asked, tilting her head to the side slightly and she earned a nod from Shiraishi. "I hope you can come and watch our practice next time. If you do, the rest of the team will treat you to the Osaka's special Takoyaki place." The tennis captain added with a grin. "That's quite tempting. I'll be watching next time for sure." She replied once again with another light giggle.
"Please do so." Shiraishi said and carried his bag too.
Mai just smiled before walking out of the classroom but her steps came to a halt and she turned to Shiraishi once again. "Oh and I hope you tour me around Osaka next time." With that, she left the room – feeling satisfied to be able to make friends with her seatmate.
Blinking a few times, Shiraishi just nodded with a smile and turned to look at Kenya who has been watching the whole time with a bored expression. However, his lips curved to a slight smirk.
"What?" Shiraishi asked, obviously crept out by that expression.
"Hmm. I can see you're making a move now. So she's your type after all. Huh?" Kenya stated with a teasing tone.
An eyebrow elevated in response as Shiraishi started walking with Kenya. "What are you saying. I don't have that kind of intention. You're the only one who's fast even at such things, you know." He replied with a shrug. "And you're so slow, don't make this Naniwa's speed star wait again."
"Ken-kuuuun!" A female yelled through the hallway and quickly clung on Kenya's arm. "Huh? Where is Mai-chan?" Chiyo looked around, noticing her friend is nowhere to be found.
"She already went ahead." Shiraishi replied as they walked out of the school building. "EEEEEEEEEHH?" Kenya and Shiraishi covered their ears at the female's response. "But I told her to watch the practice with me! She promised me!" She exclaimed, slightly tearing up. Kenya looked at his girlfriend, sighing. "That's just how she always is." He said, earning a stare by the two. "You talk as if you know her well, Kenya." Shiraishi said and Chiyo nodded with a pout.
Realizing what he just said, Kenya's eyebrow twitched slightly. "Ah, n-no. That's not it. I mean it's easy to figure out a person like her." Kenya just shrugged and hurried to the tennis courts, shouting. "No speed, no life!" Shiraishi's steps came to a halt as he eyed his friend suspiciously. As a male himself and Kenya's close friend, he knows it when Kenya is acting strange or not. Chiyo then poked Shiraishi's shoulder and he quickly snapped out of his thoughts, smiling. "Sorry, sorry. Let's go." He said as he thought of observing his friend more to find out what's going on.
Mai finally arrived home and quickly sent Chiyo a text message, saying that she had to go home to help her parents unpack the stuff from Tokyo. She quickly headed to her room and flopped down on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Memories of her wonderful childhood with Kenya flashed through her mind. They have been friends ever since they were little and because of just one mistake, all of it vanished as if nothing has ever occurred between them. Are the bonds formed by humans really this shallow? She asked herself, knowing that she won't and will never know the answer. Slowly, she dragged herself up from her bed and looked at the closed box on the floor.
The female got off the bed and headed towards the said box, leaning down to open it. Hues of cerulean orbs widened at the sight of what's inside the box. At the top of the piled things inside the box, there lay a picture of her and Kenya during their last year at elementary school. She was clinging on Kenya's arm with her cheeks tinted red, wearing a wide smile while Kenya tried to look not interested but she could see that slight smile on his lips – hiding thousands of emotions and feelings.
Mai felt her eyes water as she stared at the picture. Teardrops fell on the said picture as her hand trembled slightly in pain that she's feeling. Why did things have turn this way? It was so painful. She held the picture tightly in her hands and placed it against her chest as she trembled, trying to suppress the unstoppable tears coming from her eyes. "I'm sorry… I'm really sorry… please forgive me.." She muttered under her breath between her sobs. She wanted to hug him tightly and apologize nonstop. She doesn't care if he don't feel the same way anymore. It doesn't matter anymore, she just wants something; that important thing back.
She just wants her precious back. Even just that…
End of chapter 4.
AN: Thank you for the review! Reviews are very much appreciated. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. :)