Falling for my best friend [OFFICIAL]

Chapter 19: Jealousy of a best friend II

"You did. I'm happy for you, Kaede." I smiled at him, but noticed that he seemed a little down.

"Are you okay, Shuichi?"

"Yeah, just thinking about Kokichi."

"Hmm, you're right, he hasn't showed up. Maybe he got captured by the government for stealing something!" He laughed softly making me relax.

"He would get into something like that." He still remained quiet while we hung out, but I didn't pay much attention thinking about how Rantaro and I are going to talk tomorrow.

The next day came and I felt more confident and closer to my math partner. I had already written some questions on notes, but I noticed him not wearing his earbuds.

"Not listening to music today?"

"My earbuds broke." He examined me up and down and smiled. "You look pretty." My eyes widened and I blushed softly. His smile was pure and genuine.

"T-thanks. What do we have left for today?"

"Just drawing out the cake." I thought back to my previous drawings and laughed nervously. Thankfully, he noticed my expression and pulled out a piece of paper to start drawing.

"Wow, Rantaro, you're amazing!" He smiled softly. His cake looked so delicious that I wish it came to real life. "Do you take classes?"

"I... was forced to draw by my parents." I gave him a sympathetic look.

"You don't have to tell me. I'm sorry for assuming." He smiled again looking up at me.

"It's fine. If I'm being honest, I don't mind drawing. But because of them, I try not to do it unless I have to."

"But you're amazing, Rantaro! I don't think you should let your parents take away the talent you have. I took piano classes when I was young, but when my..." I paused wondering if I was really going to tell this boy, that I barely knew, my vulnerable memory. I thought about Shuichi holding and supporting me and smiled. He helped me and now it's my time to help someone else. I took a deep breath and finished my sentence. "When my parents died, I couldn't even look at it again." He whispered, 'I'm sorry' with a sympathetic look.

He paused, then asked softly, "Why did you come back?" I felt my heart beat and smiled.

"Someone encouraged me to never give up on what I love. Now, I always play from my heart for him and my friends. I want to be the one to encourage you to continue drawing because you're amazing."

"Thank you, Kaede." We talked for the rest of the period while coloring in the cake and decorations. I stood up to leave class, until I felt him grab my wrist. "Could I get your number? F-for messaging you tomorrow." He had a pink tint on his face and didn't make eye contact with me that entire time. I nodded and we exchanged numbers before leaving class.

~ Shuichi's POV ~

I couldn't get that Rantaro guy out of my mind. Does Kaede like him? Does he like Kaede? I wonder what they talk about. I shut those ideas out as soon as they appeared. I told her I wanted to remain friends. She's just my best friend. So why do I feel this way? I shook my head and walked towards my locker. My heart felt heavy as soon as I saw Kaede talking to Rantaro in front of her locker. I bit my lip and put my books away not looking at them. I've never had this feeling before and I don't like it. I headed straight to the tables where we all hung out. I walked up to the girls who were expectedly there. "Hey." They all turned their attention towards me.

"Hey, Shuichi. Where's Kaede?"

"She's with... Um, do you girls happen to know a guy named Rantaro?"

"Hmm? No, but I don't really pay attention to guys," Tenko replied.

"He's in our grade. Green hair and super quiet boy," Miu answered.

"He's in my science class," Maki said.

"He's so handsome! I love quiet and mysterious guys!" Mikan exclaimed. The girls seemed to be in agreement talking about him. Well, that didn't help. I felt a pat on my shoulder and looked to see Kaito.

"Kaito, do you know a guy named Rantaro?" The boy had a confused expression.

"Don't tell me you like him, too."

"No! I'm just asking."

"Yeah, he's this awkward, quiet dude. Nothing much to him and no one really pays attention to him, but I also heard he's rejected a lot of girls." He doesn't seem quiet around Kaede...

"I see... Have you gotten any news on Kokichi?"

"Yeah, actually. He sent me a text saying, 'Sorry, dude. Will be out on a family vacation'."

"Well, that explains it!" Tenko exclaimed.

"So that means we'll have some peace and quiet!" All of the girls cheered. Kaito gave me a more concerned expression.

"This isn't how he normally texts... He's so serious. Kokichi is never serious, and why is he telling me now?"

"Maybe he finally got internet. Do you know where he went?" He shook his head looking down. Maki walked up to put her hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, you have friends here, too. If you want to talk we're here." I was surprised by her statement and so was Kaito. Maki barely said anything and this was really bold and sweet of her. He gave her a big smile nodding his head.

"I will. Thank you, Maki." She had a soft smile and returned back to the girls.

"That was interesting." I looked at Kaito who was still staring at the black-haired girl. I sighed and headed for my next class unable to get the thought of Kaede smiling with Rantaro out of my head.

As soon as class ended, I smiled as I saw Kaede by her locker. "Hey, Kaede. Ready to go?" She nodded and we headed off to her house like we normally did. I noticed she was on her phone the entire time while we were hanging out. She didn't play the piano and rarely focused on her homework. I slammed my book shut startling her. "Sorry, we should focus on homework." I wasn't sure what came over me, but I was curious as to what or who caught her attention.

"Right! Sorry, Rantaro and I have been talking about the project." Of course. I got up and went to her bathroom washing my face. It's such a strange and disgusting emotion. You cannot feel this way. She's your best friend and if she likes Rantaro you'll support her. You can't like her... You don't like her. I dried my face with my shirt and as soon as I exited the bathroom, I saw Kaede jump and put her phone away.

"Everything alright?"

"Y-y-yeah! Why wouldn't it - I be?" I just smiled, but inside I felt confusion, worry, and a reocurring feeling. She wasn't on her phone anymore and she seemed to be blushing the entire time. I left her house after we finished homework. Once my head landed on my pillow one thought came through my head. I can't like her. I don't like her. I can't... I don't... I can't... I don't... I -... Do I like her?

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