Again, just want to remind everyone that we don't own ARISA. -sigh- Oh, disclaimers, disclaimers...
Also, this chapter is only from Tsubasa's point of view. Manabe's not in this one. -Ariah
I'm on my way home now, walking alongside Takeru.
He's talking about stopping at the convenience store to buy his sister some stuff she needed, but I'm thinking I should really head home for the night.
"...Wait here!" Takeru said, after a long pause to think. "I'll be right back! Don't you dare move!"
He pointed at me as if he was magically gluing me to my spot at the light pole, before turning to run down the street and into the convenience store.
Geez... I thought, scratching my head in confusion. ...What's gotten into him?
I shrug my shoulders at myself and take a seat at a nearby bench. It was beginning to get dark out, the mosquitoes were coming out for another feast and I kept thinking that the longer I had to wait, the more I'd get bitten and the more bruises I'd land on Takeru's coconut shaped head.
Suddenly, I heard two voices from behind me and I turned my head to see who it was.
It wasn't anyone I knew, but it wasn't anything I was expecting either.
"...Will you go out with me?"
The guy said, his hand shyly rubbing the back of his neck as he spoke to the girl in front of him.
"U-um..." She began. "...If you don't mind me..."
And then, the girl caught me staring and she turned her head away in embarrassment.
"Ah... Uhh..." I looked around quickly then turned back to them. "...Sorry Sorry, please continue."
They stood in awkwardness and I scowled to myself while scratching the back of my head.
Goddammit! Why did I even- Ugh...
I turned my head away and slunk wayyyy down into my seat.
Hrm... Love huh...
I closed my eyes and laid there, letting the cool breeze blow through my golden locks.
I love Arisa...is that the same? If so, then I should love Manabe, Shizuka, and Takeru just the same...
I cock my head to the side and sigh, shifting my body so I was upright again.
Nope, as I thought. It's not the same...
My thoughts flew back to a certain black haired male, and I began to chew the insides of my cheeks.
Midori...
Gosh, I hated him.
But at the same time I think I actually started to 'like' him.
But the fact that he turned out to be the king was a total shocker... he didn't seem like the type to hurt people.
Then again, he had a reason to. His mother was horrible.
Because of her, his younger twin brother died. If it was Arisa and I instead of Midori and his brother... if Arisa had died...would I have ended up like that too? Would I still have fallen in love with Midori?
I shook my head violently.
What am I saying? He's Arisa's boyfriend!
I don't want to think about it!
Midori and I...are the same.
No! I don't want to think about it!
Midori and I...kissed.
No! No! That was his ploy to drug me!
Don't think about it Tsubasa! You hate him! He hurt so much people for his own selfish reasons!
But... So did I.
He could've changed! It could've ended differently!
The war in my head didn't end and I squeezed my eyes shut.
"Ugh! I hate him!" I shouted, rolling my hands into fists. "...But dammit, I just can't bring myself to hate him that much...because he actually really cares about Arisa..."
In frustration, I brought my knees up to my chest and slammed my forehead down onto them. I sat like that until something cold came in contact with the back of my neck.
"Here," Takeru said, now handing me a strawberry flavored Popsicle. "... I saw my sister eating a bucket of icecream once when her boyfriend broke up with her- not saying that you're depressed or anything...- but hey, take your time."
I took the Popsicle from him and stared at it, the paper wrapping still secured over the cold treat.
"I'll be here if you need me." He said again, taking a seat beside me.
Takeru took out his own Popsicle from the bag he was carrying, and ripped open the wrapping before taking a hesitating bite into it.
Through his kindness, I could feel tears swell up in my eyes and I quickly wiped them away.
"I didn't say you couldn't cry, y'know" Takeru said, noticing my small gestures. "Cry all you want."
"Ugh, nevermind THAT..." I scowled, unwrapping my Popsicle. "...Why didn't you buy me a 'bucket' instead? So much for 'true friendship', Takeru!"
He jerked upwards in surprise and laughed.
"Pfft, there we go. Same ole Tsubacchi!"
"What's THAT supposed to mean?"
"Nothin', Nothin'..."
We finished up the Popsicles and went our separate ways.
"Love huh..." I sighed, my hands stuffed in my skirt pocket as I thought aloud. "Hrm...Maybe I should head back and tease Shizuka for a bit. Her embarrassed face should be priceless~ Plus, it'd release some of my pain!~"
Ugh, I sound like a sadist...
My face crinkled up into a frown and I let out a sigh of exhaustion.
"I wanna go to sleep!" I yelled at the sky. "I don't wanna think anymore!"
My fist flew up towards the darkened sky and I waved it around as if I was begging God or whoever was up there to release me from all this pain.
"Tsubasa!"
My fist slowly came back down to a rest at my sides and I looked up.
"Huh? Arisa?"
Ariah: You know the drill, RxR for more!(Well, there'd still be more anyway, but it always helps). Favorite or Follow will always be a great help too, annnnnndddd... Yeah.