A Liquid Inspiration
Summary: (A re-telling of Classroom of the Elite sparked by a certain conversation between Masterpiece and Professor.)
One day, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka receives a surprising invitation from his father, Ayanokouji Atsuomi, to join him for a drink. It was unusual for Kiyotaka, who normally wouldn't be summoned by his father without a hidden agenda.
That's why even the emotionless Kiyotaka was surprised when his father began to open up about his own experiences with love and relationships.
For the emotionally distant "masterpiece," this conversation is a rare moment of connection with his father, and it sparked a curiosity within him to explore the world of human relationships, to be more specific: romance and intimacy.
It was that spark that pushed Kiyotaka to demand something from his father:
"Father, teach me everything about human relationships."
This then begins a ripple that changes how Ayanokouji Kiyotaka would approach the world in the foreseeable future.
Do check out this fic on Wattpad. It has the same title and content, but we do have illustrations there to increase immersion for the fic. Thanks, and here's the chapter!
Vol 2. Chapter 9 - An Idol's Life
As the clock struck 7:45 PM, the comforting blanket of dusk had already descended, wrapping the world in its velvety embrace. Inside her modest dorm room, Sakura Airi paced nervously, her heart pounding an erratic rhythm against her ribcage.
The familiar solitude of her surroundings now felt strangely oppressive, the deafening quiet serving to magnify her inner tumult. Each tick of the clock resonated through the space, not a benign marker of time's passage but rather an ominous countdown, amplifying her anticipation and fear.
On her desk, amidst a clutter of books and stationery, lay a glossy magazine. Its brightly colored cover featured a girl with sparkling eyes and a radiant smile, surrounded by vibrant splashes of pastels and dazzling graphics. This cheerful, charismatic girl was so starkly different from the timid, introverted reflection in the room's mirror. Yet, this was Sakura Airi, or at least... a part of her.
Airi paused her pacing, her eyes drawn to the magazine cover. She picked it up, her fingers lightly tracing the edges of her past self's image. The memories of the bright lights, the bustling photoshoots, the palpable excitement... it all felt like a distant dream now.
She then bit her lower lip, her gaze shifting to her phone lying nearby. Inhaling deeply, she picked it up, unlocking the device to reveal their group chat – the "Ayanokōji Group." Airi then scrolled through the messages, her heart pounding in her chest as she read the recent messages. They were full of banter, camaraderie, and pictures— memories that, for Airi, brought colors to her life.
But as Airi recalled fond memories, anxiety then ate up at her as she remembered why exactly she was opening their group chat on a Saturday evening—she was planning to share with her friends a part of her world that no one else at the school knew about.
"But... can I really do this?" She whispered to the silence of her room, her voice barely above a tremble.
Soon, her thumb hovered over the keyboard, her mind scrambling to find the right words, the right presentation. It was a detail that had been ingrained in her by her indoctrination as an idol.
Although Airi was only modestly popular, she still underwent media training to prepare her for the possibility of her making it big in the industry, and this training made her overthink the tonality of her message— if it was too forceful or too much.
After letting out a deep sigh and mentally steeling herself, Airi finally began to type.
"Hello, everyone! Is it okay if we'd go to my dorm after our study session on Monday? There's just something I want to share with you." She paused, her thumb hovering over the send button.
A fleeting moment of hesitation followed her message, the silence of the room pressing onto her. With a resolve borne out of desperation more than courage, she pressed send.
Now the secret was out, hanging in the void like a specter. But before her friends could respond, she quickly added, "It's nothing urgent, so if you guys are busy, it's okay. But if you can make it, I'd really appreciate it."
Airi stared at the message for a few moments, her anxiety peaking. The thought of revealing her past to her friends was nerve-wracking, but the thought of continuing to hide it from them was even worse. She adored her friends. They had supported her and stood by her, and she wanted to trust them with her secret.
As she released her breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, her gaze fell back onto the magazine cover. Staring at Shizuku's confident face, then glancing at her own reflection in the mirror, Airi felt a surge of determination.
"Alright, Airi. You can do this." She spoke to her reflection, her voice slightly more confident. "It's time to introduce them to Shizuku."
In the profound stillness of her room, the words hung in the air, a silent testament to the monumental step she was about to take. Because sometimes, to move forward, one must first come to terms with the past.
9.1
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka
The afternoon sun was still high in the sky, the clear blue of the afternoon stretching out before us. It was Monday, and another round of our study group session was just about to wrap up.
After the midterms last May, I talked to the Ayanokōji Group (it still felt weird to call our group as such), and everyone agreed to hold our meetings every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, except if there was something important that came up, like the trial against Class D last week.
That being said, our session today involved a practice test I had prepared. As their tutor, it was my responsibility to gauge their progress, and these tests served as a fitting tool for that. Their playful banter and occasional lighthearted complaints filled the room as I collected their papers and began to review the results.
"Alright, everyone," I announced, placing the last corrected test on the table. The room fell quiet as everyone waited for my assessment. "You're all improving, which is good to see."
Modest cheers filled the room, even Ken cracking a half-smile at my words.
"But, unsurprisingly," I continued, a hint of amusement in my voice, "Ken managed to secure the lowest score. Again."
Laughter erupted in the room, and Ken's cheeks reddened, his expression a mix of embarrassment and mock outrage.
"You're a dick, Kiyotaka," Ken protested, clicking his tongue in annoyance. However, I could also sense a feeling of resignation from him, as he was already used to this. "Do you have to announce it every time?"
"It's always funny. Nothing wrong with that," Akito quipped, glancing at Ken from the corner of his eye.
Not wanting to be left out of the fun, Haruka chimed in, "Well, at least you're consistent at something, Kenchin!" She clapped her hands together, her face alight with joy at her own joke. Her cheerful spirit always managed to lighten the mood.
Amidst the easygoing atmosphere, I noticed Airi. She sat at the corner of the table, quietly observing the playful banter. Her fingers nervously toyed with the hem of her uniform, and every so often, her gaze would drift to the clock. An undercurrent of anxiety seemed to hang about her.
As the study session finally wrapped up, and we began packing up, Airi finally spoke up. "Um... are we still... um... going to my place?"
Silence filled the room, and all eyes turned to her. She flushed under the sudden attention but held her ground.
"Of course we are, Ai-chan," Haruka responded, her voice as cheery as always. "I mean, you've got us all curious with your message."
As we all agreed, I noticed a relieved smile spreading across Airi's face. It was small and timid, much like her, but it held a trace of something else. Anticipation? Anxiety? It was hard to tell.
With that, Airi led the way to her dorm room, with the rest of us trailing behind. Little did we know, we were about to be introduced to a part of her world that we didn't know existed.
9.2
The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon as our group arrived at the dormitory building. We ended up being delayed by a few minutes since Haruka needed to pee and asked Airi to accompany her to the restroom.
After riding the elevator, we finally arrived in front of Airi's dorm room.
The door swung open to reveal a space that was quintessentially Airi - neat, unassuming, and carrying an air of quiet elegance. The room was bathed in the soft glow of the dying day filtering through the translucent curtains, lending a comforting warmth to the surroundings.
Haruka was the first to break the silence, her voice brimming with amusement. "You really cleaned up, didn't you, Ai-chan?"
Ah, it seemed like Haruka had been in her dorm room before. But I guess, with how close the two of them were, it should be expected.
Airi simply smiled at Haruka's comment, opting to stay silent. She ushered us in, asking us to make ourselves comfortable. Akito settled onto the futon while Haruka eagerly made her way towards Airi's small collection of plush toys at one corner of the room. Ken took the chair near the desk, leaving the last remaining seat for me.
After we settled in, Airi moved towards the small kitchen area. "I'll get some drinks and snacks. Make yourselves at home, everyone." Her voice was soft, her usual shyness seeping through despite her attempts at playing the host.
As Airi moved about her room, arranging drinks and snacks for us, I couldn't help but observe her. There was an elegance to her actions, a precision that was distinctly hers. Her movements were careful, almost too careful. There was an underlying jitteriness that seemed just a tad more pronounced than her usual nervous demeanor.
Her gaze kept flicking back to the clock on the wall, as though she were anticipating something. I couldn't help but find it unusual. Although Airi had always been timid and anxious, there was a noticeable increase in her nervousness today.
Just what was Airi planning to reveal to us later? With how antsy she looked, it seemed like she was about to share something big, contrary to her message in our group chat that it wasn't anything too important.
Looking at the others, it seemed like they weren't able to pick up on the subtle changes in Airi's behavior. Haruka was entranced by a particularly cute plush toy, Ken chuckled at one of Akito's dry jokes, and the room was filled with the typical, comfortable atmosphere that usually accompanied our gatherings.
After a few minutes, Airi returned with a tray laden with glasses of juice and a variety of snacks. She carefully placed the tray on the table, a faint blush creeping on her cheeks as she mumbled a soft, "Please, help yourselves."
We each reached for the refreshments, filling the room with the sounds of clinking glasses and crinkling snack wrappers. The atmosphere was pleasantly casual, with Ken and Akito discussing something about barbeque, Haruka fiddling on her phone, and me sipping on the juice Airi had provided.
Despite the normalcy of it all, there was a palpable sense of anticipation lingering in the air - a testament to Airi's pending revelation.
Speaking of Airi, the pink-haired girl took a seat on the futon next to Haruka, clasping her hands tightly in her lap. She seemed to watch our every move, her eyes flicking between each of us with an intensity that was uncharacteristic of her. She was silent, the usual shy smile absent from her face as she observed us.
As the chatter slowly died down, Airi cleared her throat, the sound echoing in the now quiet room. "Excuse me," her soft voice floated into the room, momentarily grabbing our attention. "I'll be heading to the bathroom for a moment."
I watched as Airi headed to her closet, seemingly picking up clothes before heading to the bathroom. It seemed like she simply just wanted to change into a more comfortable outfit.
But why would she wear such flashy-looking clothes?
I shook my head at the thought, inwardly telling myself there was no use thinking about it. If it were going to be a part of Airi's reveal, then we would eventually find out about it.
9.3
Airi returned sooner than expected, the bathroom door opening with a soft click. All of us turned our heads towards the sound, only to be met with a stunning surprise. Airi was now wearing a brightly colored outfit, a stark contrast to her usual outfits, which would look modest compared to what she was wearing now. It suited her.
"Waah! You look really cute, Ai-chan!" Haruka gushed, her eyes shining like stars as she examined Airi's clothes. She broke the silence that had enveloped the room, bringing back a sense of familiarity. "But... why did you change into that, though?"
Airi looked at the ground, her hands nervously playing with the hem of her clothes. She was quiet for a moment, the tension growing in the room. Everyone's attention was on her, waiting for her to break the silence with her answer.
She then took a deep breath before lifting her gaze to meet ours. Her eyes shimmered with a mix of anxiety and resolve. "There's a... a reason for this, Haruka-chan," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's about what... I... talked about... in our group chat."
"Oh? Are you telling us you're into cosplay?" Haruka excitedly asked. "That would be cool! You have the figure for it!"
While Haruka was... right in her assessment that Airi would make for a good cosplayer, I highly doubt that was the case.
There was no way Airi would be extra anxious if all she wanted to say were that she was interested in cosplay.
"E-eh? N..no, that's not it... Haruka-chan," Airi stammered, waving her hand in front of her.
"Ah! I apologize, Ai-chan," Haruka apologized, giving Airi a sheepish smile. "It's just that... I was excited about what you wanted to show us. It's got to be something great, right?"
"You really should calm down sometimes, Haruka," Akito chimed in, glancing at her from the corner of his eye before turning his gaze to Airi.
"But... but... you guys can't blame me for getting excited! It's rare for Ai-chan to invite anyone into her room, you know? Even I've only been here twice... and we're best friends," Haruka defended herself, pouting.
This interlude seemed to have calmed down Airi a little as a small smile spread on her face. "Please, give me a moment. I'll... show you guys something," she said before she turned away and walked towards her closet again.
From the corner of my eye, I saw her pull out something, but I couldn't make out what it was. She held it tightly against her chest, almost as if she was trying to draw strength from it. With a final deep breath, she turned back to face us.
In her hands was a glossy magazine. The cover bore the image of a girl striking a pose, her face painted with a cute, cheerful smile.
The girl was beautiful, undoubtedly so, with long pink hair cascading down her shoulders and a glimmer in her eyes that was both captivating and energetic. But what caught my attention was the undeniable similarity between the girl in the picture and Airi.
After all, Airi was currently wearing the clothes worn by the girl on the magazine cover.
Although there was an obvious contrast, with Airi being shy and timid and the girl on the cover being the polar opposite, based on the photo, there was no mistaking the fact that the girl on the cover... was Airi herself.
So that was the secret she was keeping...
"Do you guys... know who this girl is?" Airi asked, her voice quivering as she held up the magazine for everyone to see. Her question hung in the air, a palpable silence engulfing the room as everyone studied the magazine cover.
"That's you, right?" I replied, getting straight to the point.
Haruka, Ken, and Akito then turned their heads in my direction, looking stunned at my interjection.
Their expressions were a mix of surprise and bewilderment, their gazes darting between Airi and me. For a moment, the room was silent, everyone grappling with my straightforward answer.
Then, Haruka broke the silence, her voice pitched higher with surprise.
"Huh? That's... Ai-chan?" She blinked rapidly, her gaze darting back and forth between the magazine and Airi. "Are you sure about that, Kiyopon?"
Ken leaned in closer to scrutinize the magazine. "Huh? I don't really see it," he mused, his eyebrows furrowing in thought. "She's so... lively. And Airi is..." He trailed off, glancing at Airi uncertainly.
Akito, on the other hand, opted to remain silent, but I could see that he was also wondering if I was right in my assertion.
As the disbelief in Haruka's, Ken's, and Akito's faces hung in the air, an odd glimmer of amusement entered Airi's eyes. It seemed like she found it funny how the three were still struggling to come to terms with my assertion that she was, indeed, the girl on the magazine cover.
"Yes, that's me... Kiyotaka-kun," Airi confirmed, her voice barely above a whisper. As if to further prove her point, she slowly took off her glasses and set them down on the table. The gesture was small, but the effect it had was profound.
As her glasses came off, Airi's features were on full display. The similarities between her and the girl in the magazine were uncanny. The hair, the eyes, even the curve of her lips - everything about her echoed the girl on the cover.
"This... is what I wanted to share with you guys. I feel like... it would be great if you knew... this part of me," she continued.
Just as the silence was about to suffocate us, Haruka let out a high-pitched squeal, rushing over to grab the magazine from Airi's hands. "No way! So is this really you, Ai-chan?" she asked excitedly, her eyes wide with disbelief as she scrutinized the picture.
"I can't believe it! You're so beautiful here! I mean... you're already pretty cute, but this one's different!" Haruka continued to gush, her eyes constantly shifting to the magazine and back to Airi.
"You gotta be a big deal if you made it to the cover, right?" Ken joined in, his face a mask of disbelief.
"This is... crazy, Airi. I mean... crazy in a good way," he added, correcting himself upon seeing a flash of worry on Airi's face.
It seemed like he was starting to be more emotionally sensitive, huh? Kayano sure was a miracle worker.
"I... I wasn't really a big deal," Airi admitted, averting her gaze shyly. "I only made it onto the cover because the original model fell sick and they needed a replacement. I wasn't a popular idol or anything like that."
"But that doesn't change the fact that you were chosen, Ai-chan," Haruka exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with awe. "You don't just pick anyone off the street to be a cover model. You must have had something special."
Akito, who had been silently observing until now, finally decided to voice his thoughts. "It doesn't matter whether you were popular or not, Airi. The fact that you were a model, to begin with, is pretty cool," he said, a hint of admiration in his eyes.
Suddenly, everyone's gaze turned to me. They probably wanted to know how I easily picked up on what Airi wanted to tell us and maybe my comment on the newfound discovery of Airi's secret identity.
Honestly, it didn't change much of my view about Airi. Yes, it was surprising, but it only added another layer to her character. It made me understand her a little more. However, seeing the expectant looks from the others, I decided to break my silence.
"It's not my fault you weren't able to notice it right away," I quipped. "She's literally wearing the same clothes. That's on the three of you."
While I couldn't blame them for it, I decided to poke fun at them to ease up the accumulating tension from Airi's reveal.
"Wha? Shut up, Kiyopon! Not everyone can have a supercomputer brain like yours," Haruka protested, pouting.
Akito merely shrugged, the hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "Well, Kiyotaka does have a point. We should've picked up on it sooner."
"But, Ken's the biggest loser here... again," Akito continued, looking amused. "He said he just can't see Airi being the girl on the cover."
"What?! Don't act like yer' better than me, Akito, just because you remained quiet," Ken countered, glaring at Akito, who simply chuckled at his irritation.
Airi was silent, her gaze darting from one face to the next as she took in our reactions. The room had erupted into good-natured teasing and laughter (mainly from Haruka, who was having a field day over Ken getting agitated), a sharp contrast from the anticipative quietness that had dominated the space moments ago.
Finally, Airi's gaze met mine. In the warm, soft glow of her room, her eyes were a pool of emotions— relief, happiness, and perhaps, a newfound sense of acceptance. A genuine smile spread across her face, her features softening as a quiet laugh escaped her lips. It was as if a burden had been lifted from her shoulders, her secret finally out in the open among her closest friends.
"Thank you, everyone," she murmured, her voice almost lost in the light chatter that continued to fill the room. She clasped her hands together, her gaze dropping to the glossy magazine that was now laid down on the table. "I... I'm glad I could share this with you."
Following her words, silence fell over the room, like a blanket thrown to muffle the previous chatter. Everyone's attention was once again focused on Airi, touched by the sincerity and relief in her voice. The friendly banter and playful arguments ceased momentarily, replaced by an understanding silence.
Once again, Haruka was the first one to break the silence. She sure had a knack for it, didn't she? Not that I was complaining.
Haruka then stood up from her place, a soft smile on her face. "Ai-chan, I think it's really cool that you shared this with us," she said, walking towards Airi to give her a warm hug. "To think you trust us this much already... I love you so much!"
It was a rare mature moment for Haruka, but it also reflected how much her friendship with Airi meant to her.
Akito and Ken echoed Haruka's sentiment, reassuring Airi that this revelation didn't change their view of her. Rather, they felt privileged to be trusted with such a crucial part of her life.
As for me, I sent Airi a reassuring nod. While not as expressive as Haruka's affirmation, she appreciated it nonetheless.
And after Haruka's insistence on a group hug, the conversation soon shifted to more casual topics, the shock from Airi's reveal slowly subsiding.
9.4
As the evening deepened, Airi revealed more about herself, gradually peeling back the layers of her identity. She confessed to us that her idol persona was known as Shizuku, a name she chose for its symbolism— a mere 'droplet' blending into the vast world.
In addition to that, Shizuku was a persona born out of her desire to experience life as a cheerful, outgoing person, to transform herself into the lie she had crafted.
But, according to her, keeping up this pretense was ultimately exhausting. "Maintaining Shizuku drained me completely. It was as if I had to erase my very existence, suppress my emotions, and surrender my will to the camera's demand. I... I couldn't keep up anymore," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.
After that confession, Haruka came up with the suggestion of us helping Airi reignite the dream that she gave up on, but instead of pretending to be one, we would be helping Airi continuously improve her confidence until she would reach the point where she could reach her ideal, even by a little.
And although we had collectively agreed on helping Airi, I still made my thoughts about the matter known.
"It's admirable that you wish to change, but there's really nothing wrong with how you are. If you really want to be who Shizuku was... take it slow and don't force it. Because changes don't happen overnight."
Haruka, Ken, and Akito all nodded in agreement, reinforcing my sentiment. Haruka even squeezed Airi's hand reassuringly, her eyes shining with determination. "We'll be here for you every step of the way, Ai-chan," she declared, her tone filled with warmth.
As hours passed, conversations waxing and waning, nightfall crept in. The room bathed in the dim glow of the lamp was our silent reminder— it was time to take our leave. It was surprising to see how quickly time passed, but as they say, you don't notice the time when you were having fun. We began gathering our things, ready to head back to our respective rooms.
But as we were about to leave, Airi pulled me aside. Her touch was hesitant, like a question in itself. "Kiyotaka-kun, can you... um, can you stay for a bit? There's something else... I want to talk about," she stuttered, her gaze firmly on the ground.
Haruka, who was halfway out the door, turned around abruptly, her face filled with shock, but it was eventually betrayed by the mischievous glint in her eyes. "Ehh?! Ai-chan.. are you trying to steal Kiyopon from Yuki-chan? You can't do that!"
Airi immediately turned beet red, shaking her head vehemently. "N-no! It's not like that, Haruka-chan!"
From the spark in Akito's eyes, I could tell he found amusement in Airi's embarrassment. But in typical Akito fashion, he spared her from Haruka's antics, grabbing the blue-haired girl by the arm. "Alright, let's get going, Haruka. Give these two some privacy. Airi must have something important to say."
"Hey, wait! I still have so much to say!" Haruka complained, but her protest fell on deaf ears as Akito gently ushered her out of the room, followed by Ken.
With a last wave of his hand, Akito closed the door behind him, leaving me alone with Airi in her room.
"It's... really not like what Haruka-chan thinks, Kiyotaka-kun," Airi said, fumbling with her fingers.
"I know, and Haruka knows as well. She was just making fun of you, Airi," I replied, finding myself amused at the fact that she felt the need to clarify things.
"Tha... that's just mean..." she mumbled.
"Haruka is Haruka."
"...That's true."
After a brief moment of silence, I spoke again. "So what do you want to talk about, Airi? Since you've waited until everyone had left, I'm guessing this is something serious."
Airi seemed to hesitate for a moment before finally steeling herself. She took a deep breath, as though gathering up the courage she needed, and then looked me straight in the eyes. Her expression was grave.
"I... I think it would be better if I just showed you."
Without a word, Airi led me to a corner of her room, to a hidden compartment beneath her study desk. With a quiet sigh, she slowly opened it. My eyes widened as I took in the sight before me - stacks upon stacks of unopened letters. They were all unsigned, without any return addresses, but upon checking about five of them, I realized they came from the same person, with the handwriting of each letter being identical to one another.
"Someone... sent all these," she admitted, a shiver running down her spine as she confessed. "They started appearing at the beginning of the school year and slid under my door. I think... no, I know they know who I am... that I am Shizuku."
My eyes narrowed at Airi's revelation. It wasn't uncommon for idols to gain their fair share of fans. However, some of these fans went beyond the lines of fan and idol, thinking that their "connection" with the idol entitled them to be closer to them.
What was it called again?
Ah, right. A parasocial relationship.
This situation was gravely concerning. There have been many documented instances where an idol's life was endangered by an obsessive fan. Worst-case scenarios even led to death, as with Hoshino Ai.
Airi's voice pulled me from my grim thoughts. "I... I thought if I ignored them, they'd just... stop. But they didn't. The letters kept coming, and the things written inside... they're getting more personal. I... I didn't know what to do."
The tremor in her words, the uncertainty that clouded her voice, nudged me to ask the next question.
"Airi... you know who your stalker is, don't you?"
Airi seemed surprised. After a brief silence, she nervously fiddled with her fingers. "It's that obvious, huh? But I guess... I just can't escape you, Kiyotaka-kun," she finally said, her voice filled with a heavy admission. "...Yes... I do."
She slowly raised her gaze to meet mine. "It's... it's an employee at SIVCAMERA—the one in Keyaki Mall. When... I bought my camera there... I noticed him staring at me a lot. And... and the way he looks at me... It's... it's like he knew exactly who I was... who Shizuku was."
Airi gulped hard, her face pale as she recounted her encounters with her stalker. Her face showed the terror she was feeling, her fear of being constantly watched, of her every move being monitored.
"I'm not doubting you, but how certain are you of this, Airi?"
"I am... very sure it's... him," she responded, her voice barely audible. "The letters... they started appearing the day after that encounter. And... and they're always about Shizuku. How... how much he loves her. How he felt so close to her. How he wishes to see her smile... It's... it's creepy."
The restriction of outside contact in ANHS was meant to safeguard students like Airi, but it seemed that even within the confines of the island, she wasn't safe.
And so, my mind raced as I thought of potential countermeasures. Of course, we should report this to the school administration, but would they take the necessary steps to ensure Airi's safety?
I wasn't willing to leave anything to chance.
As I was lost in thought, I realized my silence might have made Airi anxious. I met her gaze and offered her a reassuring smile.
"I see... but tell me, Airi. Why was I the only one you told about this?"
"Because... Because you're Kiyotaka-kun. You... were always there... and even if you weren't... you didn't let me feel alone. I thought that maybe... I could share this with you as well," she admitted, her voice faint but sincere.
The words carried a weight, revealing a trust in me that I hadn't fully realized until now.
"And I'm... scared, Kiyotaka-kun. I've been pretending it's okay, but it's not. Every time I see another letter, every time I see him... I feel like I can't breathe." Her voice quivered with an undercurrent of fear, a raw emotion that made me clench my fists unconsciously.
But I remained silent, allowing her to collect her thoughts and emotions. Her words hung heavy in the room, filled with desperation and vulnerability. But there was also a fire in her eyes, a surprising sight, all things considered.
"However," she continued, her voice gradually steadying, "I can't just keep hiding. I need to face him, face this fear... Because if I don't, it will always haunt me, always control me. So, I... I want to handle this myself, Kiyotaka-kun. I... I want to deal with this alone."
I blinked at her unexpected declaration. Her resolve, her decision to take charge of her own fate, was something I had not foreseen. But it was a welcome development. Her words not only reflected her strength but also her growth as an individual.
Still, I couldn't help but worry. "Are you sure, Airi? This could be dangerous."
She nodded, her eyes meeting mine with a firm resolve. "I know. But that's why I told you, Kiyotaka-kun. You're the one I trust most, someone... who I know would understand why I need to do this. I thought that maybe... by sharing this with you, I could gather the courage to confront this situation alone."
I found myself nodding in understanding. It was a big step, a huge leap of faith on her part. But if this was the path she chose, the least I could do was support her.
"Alright, Airi. I'll respect your decision. But promise me, if things get out of hand or if you ever feel overwhelmed, you'll tell me immediately. You may want to handle this alone, but remember, you don't have to go through it alone."
The dim light of the room cast a faint glow on her face as she nodded, a weak but resolute smile pulling at the corners of her lips. "I promise, Kiyotaka-kun."
We held our gaze for a moment longer, an unspoken promise of support passing between us. No words were needed; our actions were more than enough.
I would let Airi deal with her stalker problem on her own terms, as this would be a necessary step for her to continue her growth.
But if things did go awry... I would not hesitate to take matters into my own hands.
End of Chapter
A/N: Just two more chapters and Vol 2 is over (to be closed by a Honami SS).
I missed writing Airi and Haruka, so I did what I could to do something with them here. Hopefully, you guys liked the alternative route that I went for in the "Airi rejects Yamauchi's dad" scene (but it's more of in the mentality of the characters than the event in itself).