Chapter 5 Not Going Anywhere
Akito's POV
The Next Day
Toya and I walked up to An's classroom, where we saw Mizuki.
"Akiyama-San", Toya greeted as he walked up to them.
"Hey, Toya-Kun", they greeted. "Hey, Lil Bro-Kun."
"Did An come to class today", I asked. "We waited for her in the locker room, but she never showed up."
"No", Mizuki replied. "She didn't come to class today. Did something happen?"
"It's a long story", I replied. "Anyway, could you let us know if you hear from her?"
"Yeah", Mizuki replied. "I'll let you guys know if I hear anything."
"Thank you very much, Akiyama-San", Toya said.
Then, we started walking away.
"So", Toya started. "Shiraishi-San didn't come to school today after all."
After Toya said this, I suddenly became angry.
"Okay", I exclaimed as I suddenly stopped walking. "That's it! I know we said we'd give An some space, but she didn't reply to any of our messages all weekend, and now she's skipping school to avoid us!"
"What should we do then", Toya asked.
"After school, we get Kohane and head over to An's place."
…
Toya and I were on our way to pick up Kohane from her school, but as we were walking, I suddenly got an alert on my phone.
I took it out. Then…Luka appeared on it.
"Luka-San", Toya started. "Is something the matter?"
"An is in Sekai", Luka revealed.
"Really", I asked in shock.
"Yes", Luka replied. "We have already informed Kohane, so please come over!"
…
Once Toya and I arrived in Sekai, we rushed into Meiko's café.
When we got there, we saw Kohane talking to her.
"Shinonome-Kun", she said when she saw us. "Aoyagi-Kun."
"Where's An", I asked.
"She's in another part of Sekai with Miku", Meiko revealed.
"Rin and I know where she went", Len revealed. "We can take you to her!"
"Quick", Rin exclaimed. "Follow us!"
…
Rin and Len led us to the spot where An was.
When we got there, we all hid behind a pillar to watch her.
She was trying to sing, but whenever she was about to do it…she would freeze up.
"No, no, no", she exclaimed angrily. "Why can't I sing?!"
"An", Miku started as she put her hands on An's shoulders. "You shouldn't be pushing yourself so hard…"
"I have to", An exclaimed angrily as she pulled away from Miku. "I have to sing! I have to!"
Hearing this made Kohane react.
She ran out from behind the pillar, and started running up to An.
"Kohane", she said in shock. "What are you…"
Before An could finish, Kohane tackled her into a hug.
"An-Chan", she cried out. "Please stop pushing yourself so hard!"
After Kohane said this, tears started forming in An's eyes.
"But…", she started. "But…"
"Azusawa-San is right", Toya said before walking up to An. "You shouldn't be pushing yourself too hard."
"But I have to", An exclaimed as she pulled away from Kohane. "Nagi-San believed in me! I can't let her down!"
After An said this, I walked up to her, before putting my hand on her shoulder.
"An", I started. "I never knew Nagi-San, but from what I have heard of her, I don't think she would've wanted you to be doing this to yourself."
After I said this…the tears started falling from An's eyes. Then, Kohane pulled her into a hug again.
"It's okay, An-Chan", she reassured.
"No it's not", An exclaimed before pulling away from Kohane again. "I don't want to hold you guys back! I don't…want you guys to leave me behind."
When An said this, we all looked at her in shock.
"Shiraishi-San", Toya started. "Is that why you were pushing yourself to sing again? You were worried…we would leave you behind?"
When An was asked this, she nodded in response.
"An-Chan", Kohane exclaimed before grabbing onto her hands. "I would never leave you behind!"
"But…", An started. "I'm already so behind you in skill level, Kohane. If I take a break, you're gonna get even further than me. So far…that I won't be able to catch up."
"What", Kohane exclaimed in shock. "That's not true, An-Chan! And even if it was, I would never leave you!"
"You wouldn't", An asked.
"No", Kohane replied, before pulling An into a hug yet again. "I wanna sing with you forever, An-Chan!"
"Kohane", An breathed out.
Then, she looked up at Toya and I.
"But…", she started as she pulled away from Kohane. "What about Akito and Toya? Are you two going to leave me behind?"
"Of course not", Toya replied, before walking up to An and putting his hand on her shoulder. "We're your teammates, Shiraishi-San. We won't leave you."
After Toya said this, An looked at me.
"And what about you, Akito", she asked. "I know how much surpassing RAD WEEKEND means to you. Do you still want to be teammates with me, even if I end up holding you back?"
When An asked this, I began thinking. Then, I realized my answer.
"Yes", I replied. "I'm willing to still be your teammate, even if you end up holding me back."
"Huh", An said in shock. "Y…you are? Why?"
"Because we're teammates", I replied. "We either do this together, or not at all."
"Akito", An said in shock. "Do you…really mean that?"
"I do", I replied. "Take all the time you need, An. We're not going anywhere."
After I said this…An began crying once again, so Kohane hugged her once more.
"It's okay, An-Chan", she reassured. "We're here. We're right here."
