When I looked at my future, I never expected things to turn out like they have. But at the same time, I don't really know what I expected to begin with.
I like the way things are now, though! I get to spend my days with Haru and Mako like I did when we were little, and soon enough, I'll get to share them with Rin, too! Plus, there's another person to spend time with, and he blushes when I tease him! Rei loves math, science and beauty and I'm starting to think that I love him.
There was a time when I was in love with Haru. That was before I realized that he was meant to be with Mako. That upset me at first, but then I realized my special person was still on their way! Then I met him on a train and made him join the swim club!
But things can't always be perfect. He doesn't act like he's happy to see me and he doesn't laugh when I say funny things. What if he hates me? I don't know what I'd do!
I should talk to Mako about this! But first…
"Hey, Gou!"
"I thought I asked you to call me Kou. Anyway, what's up?"
"I need to talk to Mako alone during lunch. Is that alright with you?"
"Yeah, that's fine. I have to do something, anyway. Is it serious? Will it affect your swimming?"
"That's hard to say. It could affect my swimming, and maybe Rei's too, if you know what I mean…"
"Nagisa? Does that mean you're finally going to put the moves on Rei? Just cling onto his finely sculpted deltoids, look into those violet eyes and tell him how much you want to massage his rectus abdominis and his quadriceps!"
"I don't know what that means, but are you taking this from your own fantasies?"
Later, I looked up the muscles she talked about. Hmmm, abs and thighs? Sounds good to me!
Oops, almost ran into Rei! That would be bad! But I did find Ms. Amakata!
"Hello, Nagisa, how are you?"
"I'm good. Can I ask you something? Have you ever had to confess to anyone? I'm sure you've only ever been confessed to, but what kind of things would you say?"
"Well, during my time as a model," she whispered the last word, "I got many love confessions, mostly in the form of fan letters. Most of them just talked about my body, and at least two looked like they were written in blood and seemed very threatening. I wasn't allowed to actually read them. Turns out they had come from stalkers. But more recently, I got one that was very romantic. He even used a quote! 'If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.' A.A. Milne said that. I don't mean to pry, but I think Rei would like something like that, too. And I'm glad to know that you are comfortable coming to me for advice." Is she psychic? How does she know? But wait, a recent letter! Could it be from Goro? But just as I think to ask her, she's already gone.
I think I had it right the first time. Asking Mako was obviously the best idea. He gives the best advice of anyone I know. On the way up, Rei caught me and told me he was going to the library.
"Can I ask you something, Mako?" Why am I so nervous?
"Sure! What's on your mind?"
"If I like someone, and I'm not sure if they like me, should I tell them? I'm not always the nicest to them, and I don't think they like my personality." There's no way he'll know who…
"This wouldn't happen to have anything to do with our friend in the library, would it?"
I gasped. "How did you figure it out?" Okay, so that's three people who knew that I like Rei without me having to tell them. Am I really that obvious?
"Well, you do flirt with and tease him a lot." It turns out that I am.
"Yeah, I'm talking about Rei. I don't think he likes it when I tease him, but I think it's perfectly normal to tease the person you like!" He doesn't look like he believes me.
"It'll probably be a little tough at first, but try not to make fun of him as much. I don't think he likes it. You may think you're just being funny, but he may not see it that way. He may actually be hurt by your words. Things will never work out if one of you is constantly hurting the other."
"Has that worked for you and Haru?" His panicking face is hilarious! "I'm not oblivious either, Mako. I've always known you would end up together. At first I was jealous, but then I figured that my special person would show up eventually, and I think he has."
"Yeah, it's worked out pretty well. You just have to keep trying until you find what works, and then you keep working." Simple but accurate- as expected from Mako!
"That makes a lot of sense. I'm glad I didn't ask Haru- he'd probably say stuff like 'blah blah blah free' and 'get off me Nagisa I am trying to breathe.' Thanks, Mako."
I hate old people!
Okay, not really, but I do hate Mr. Honda! It's not my fault he's 900 years old and he can smell cell phones! And it was important! I was texting Rin!
N: Hi Rin Rin how are you
I hate having to wait for replies. That's the only real downside of texting.
R: Don't fucking call me that
I guess I'm fine tho
N: Good! Rin needs to smile more!
R: …How is everyone
Awww! He really does care!
N: I think we're good but Haru didn't come to school today lol
R: I see
N: How's everyone at Samezuka
R: Captain is still trying to get Gou's number form me and all that same old shit, but Nitori…
N: He's the gray one right? What about him
R: He's been acting weird since I made up with you guys eh's always been clingy but now he's trying to spend every second with me
N: I think he liiiiiiiikes you~~~
R: That's ridiculous he just looks up to me
N: I bet he likes you just ask 500 yen says he'll say yes
R: Well what about you and speedo glasses you guys are about as bad as mako and haru
Our relationship is just like Mako and Haru's? Yay yay yay! Senpai has noticed you, Nagisa!
N: Thank you!
R: Not a compliment
Suddenly, my phone was snatched from my hands. "Enlighten us, Mr. Hazuki. What isn't a compliment?" Shit! Shit shit shit! What do I say? "Well, no matter. You can tell us all about it during your extra cleaning duty after school." I hate cleaning!
Detention is finally over for the day, and I think I need to see Rei. Mako's words still ring true, but maybe I should do things my way.
I reach his door and hesitate just a little before knocking. He opens it, and he looks a little frazzled. He must have done some homework.
"You should have told me you were coming. Or, you know, asked for permission. Oh well, come in. Are you hungry?"
"Oh, no, I just ate." That was kind of a lie. I'm way too nervous to eat!
"That's never stopped you before. I have snacks if you want them, though." Oh wow, he's adjusting his glasses the way he always does! Does he even know how cute he looks when he does that?
What is with this silence? It's horrible! But Rei keeps adjusting his glasses, and it's too hard to think!
"Ummm… Rei?" I sound so confident!
He looks up. "Yes, Nagisa?"
"Do you like it when I tease you?" I probably shouldn't have phrased it like that, but I can't go back now!
Rei's face has turned all red! Adorable! "Ummm… Well…" He's so cute! "Honestly, there are times when I don't. For example, that time on the island when you didn't want to sleep in the tent with me, and you and Makoto fought over the chance to sleep with Haruka. I know it's silly, but I felt completely left out, and I was genuinely upset. That night, Makoto told me that was just your way of showing affection, but it still hurt. I wished that you couldn't hurt me so much, but you pulled me out of my comfort zone, and I'm glad you did. Thank you, Nagisa." Awww! He is so cute! I have to say it now before I lose my nerve! Breathe, Nagisa…
"Well, I talked to Makoto today, and he said I should stop teasing you so much. It'll take a lot of work on my part, but I'm willing to try if it's for you. I really like you, Rei, and I think I want us to be together."
"You want to be with me, even after I said all those terrible things?" I nodded. Of course I want to be with Rei! "Well, alright! If that's what you want, I'll take care of you! But wait, should I have asked your family for permission? What if they don't like me? What if one of your sisters knew and dated my brother?" Why is he even thinking about that?
I couldn't help but laugh. "No, you don't need to ask my family for permission. My oldest sister is married, and her husband didn't ask for permission. And my family will love you! Besides, I highly doubt any of my sisters have even seen your brother. He lives in Osaka, right? None of my sisters live there. You don't need to worry so much!"
He smiled, and everything was fine! Rei may be a huge dork, and he might think too much, but I don't want him any other way!
Shoot me. I am so completely the opposite of Nagisa, and this is probably horrible. I'm not nearly sunny enough to be him. But at the same time, I can't think of anything to add. Rei's technobabble will actually be easier for me, somehow. I'll probably rank the difficulty when I've finished.
Thanks for reading!
~Aurora
