~Perspective Change~
After I ate dinner, I lay down on my bed thinking about Saihara. I didn't talk to him at all today. I missed him so much, even one day without him hurts.. I felt tears form on my eyes but I quickly rub them off. It's the only way, I'm a horrible girlfriend and I'd just cause problems..
I scroll through Me and Saihara's previous messages. We texted a lot over summer ever since we first met.. I smiled seeing his reactions to my teasing. I laughed at our stupid inside jokes that we made up on text. My face felt warm whenever he tried to cheer me up whenever I was in a bad mood. Saihara was.. An amazing best friend. I start tearing up at the thought of him avoiding me forever.
It's okay.. He just needs time alone.
If I had asked someone out, and they rejected me, I would probably need a day to myself. Possibly even longer. I'm such a horrible person for doing that to Saihara but.. It's better than breaking both of our hearts. I know I'm just a bad girlfriend and he'll start hating me..
I eventually drift into sleep, my phone still in hand.
...
The next morning, I wake up and head to the bathroom. My eyes were still red! I washed my eyes until I didn't look horrible and went back to my room to change. After I changed, I headed to the living room and I saw my mom sitting on the couch with my dad.
"Hey sweetie! Ready for school?" my mom says to me.
"Yep." I reply nonchalantly. I was in a pretty bad mood..
She stares at me confused because I'm usually enthusiastic. "Is something wrong, Kaede?"
I sigh and look down. "No, mom. I just didn't get a lot of sleep last night."
She just looks at me. "You know, I can tell when you're lying."
"Mom, I'm fine. I promise."
She just shakes her head. "Alright, fine. But know that you can tell me anything, okay?
I nod and thank her in my head for not asking anything else.
~Perspective Change~
I got up, my arms were a bit sore from yesterday. It was the first time I did push ups since middle school.. I got dressed for the day and my uncle and Fuyuka were eating breakfast as usual.
"Heya, Shuichi."
"Hey uncle. Good morning Fuyuka." I say as I sit on the couch and check my phone.
I stared at her contact..
Kaede Akamatsu
I know I told Momota I would try to talk to her but.. I think it's too soon. It's still awkward. Maybe I'll talk to her at lunch..
...
I arrive at class, and Akamatsu was already there, talking to Chabashira and Yumeno about something. She sees me and awkwardly waves at me, I wave back just as awkward.
I sit near Momota and Harukawa, they were already talking. They've become like best friends over the past 2 weeks.
"Hey, Shuichi! What're you doing with us and not Kaede?" he asked with smile.
"O-Oh.. S-Sorry.. It's still awkward, yea. I know what I said yesterday.. But give me more time." His smile faded.
He clicks his tongue. "Shuichi, dude. You gotta take that first step, man! I know it's hard, but you have to do it eventually. Might as well do it now to get the awkward tension over with."
"I'm sorry.. I-I still can't."
"Momota's right, Saihara. He hasn't told me what happened, but I feel it would be best if you would at least talk to her instead of making things worst." Harukawa added.
"Guys, please-"
Mr. Harada interrupted suddenly. I wouldn't be surprised if his Ultimate Talent was "Ultimate Inconvenient Timing"
"Yo, what's up class, today we'll be learning about something that I have to teach or else I get fired," he says with a deadpan expression, "let's begin."
Momota and Harukawa looked annoyed that we couldn't finish our conversation, but looked up to the front.
The rest of class passed and now it was time for lunch. I sat with the usual squad. Keebo was of course accusing Oma of robophobia. I don't think there's ever been a day yet where Keebo hasn't called him robophobic.
Suddenly, Momota nudged me with his elbow. "Yo, try to talk to Kaede today."
"H-Huh? Why?"
"Dude, I already told you why. Things are gonna get worst if you keep avoiding this."
I might as well listen.. It's better for me anyways and if I don't, he'll probably just keep bothering me about it. "Fine.."
"Alright!" He gives me a thumbs up and stuffs his mouth with more chips. He always brings money to school, but only enough to buy some chips from the vending machine.
I guess I have to try to talk to Akamatsu soon.. I got nervous thinking about it, hopefully I don't make things worse.
~Perspective Change~
During class, I just kept on looking at Saihara. I couldn't focus on Mr. Harada's tiring teaching. My focus was only on him. I couldn't understand why. My inner thoughts answered my question.
I love Shuichi Saihara.
...
I .. have a crush on Saihara?
...
Yes, I've known for a long time actually. I've just been looking away from the truth. It's always been a wandering thought in my brain, I've never stopped to think about it genuinely.
I love him. I love him, and he loves me. He said it himself. When he confessed to me, I thought I was happy that he thought of me like that, I thought it was sweet. But no, it's because I feel the same way. I was just.. lying to myself back then. Too afraid to accept the truth. He's always been there for me when I was upset, and it's always fun being around him.
But..
I don't deserve him. I know I'm not capable of love. I won't risk him breaking up with me. I won't be able to handle that emotional stress. I'm just a bad girlfriend, so I'd just ruin everything. He probably lost feelings when I rejected, so it's okay. It's better if we were just best friends. I'm fine with that. I'm completely fine with that.
I slump back in my seat, and bite my thumb so I wouldn't cry in front of everyone..
After class ended, I sat with my usual friend group and Saihara did as well. It was convenient though because I probably would've been a nervous wreck around him. I sit down and take out my lunchbox. My mom packed me sandwiches. I took a bite and looked at Saihara's friend group. It looked like Oma was throwing food at Keebo, making fun of him for not having the ability to eat. Gonta looked to be feeding something in a plastic container.. Saihara was talking to Momota about something, and he looked happy.
"Hey, earth to Bakamatsu? You listening to what I'm saying??" Iruma says to me angrily.
"A-Ah! Sorry, what were you saying?" I ask, taking a bite of my sandwich.
"Jeez, whores like you don't know how to listen, probably have dick on your mind 24/7!" she cackles.
"I don't really think someone as peaceful as Akamatsu would have that on their mind.." Shirogane nervously said.
I sigh at Iruma. "If you talk to people like that, people won't like you, you know?"
"Psh, whatever! I have like, loads of friends, I have men coming over to me 24/7!" she cackled.
"Oh really? I've never seen you talk to anyone else besides us though." Harukawa casually says before biting her onigiri.
"T-That's because.. That's because you've just never seen them.." Iruma looked depressed.
She immediately cheered herself back up though. "Anyways! Bakamatsu!"
"..Yes?"
"I was asking about what happened between you and your wallet Saihara! You two haven't been talking to each other!"
"I'd rather not talk about it.. A-And don't call him that!" I took a bite of my sandwich, annoyed.
"Yes Iruma, you shouldn't intrude with a lovers quarrel." Shirogane pushed up her glasses.
"Thank you, Shirogane." I smiled at her. Then I realized what I had just said. "W-Wait no that's wrong! We are only best friends, not lovers!" I put my hands up defensively.
"That's just a common trope.. The childhood friend always says that." she sighs and slurps some of her ramen. "I wonder when you guys will just confess to each other already.. This is taking longer than Ryuji and Taiga.."
"Hey, don't you guys think we shouldn't invade Akamatsu's personal life? We shouldn't put ourselves somewhere we don't want." Harukawa glared at the both of them. Shirogane gulped.
Thank you, Harukawa..
"Hell no! That's for pussies! Tell us all the tea!" Iruma said still laughing.
"Do you wanna die?" Harukawa glares at Iruma.
"E-Eee! I-I'm sorry, so please don't kill me.." she says weakly.
After lunch, I walked into my talent development room and started playing Claire de Lune to calm myself down. It was a calm song, and I always played it whenever to.
This was the song that Saihara and I first had a duet in..
I keep thinking about him.. I just sigh and cover my face. I really can't hold back my feelings for him..
I keep trying to play a different song, but my brain automatically makes me play Claire de Lune. Every time my brain automatically made me play it, I would think of Saihara. I just groaned. At this point, I'm just gonna be a blushing mess all the time around him.
It was time to go back to class, so I headed back. Saihara looked happy talking to Momota and Harukawa.. I shouldn't bother but I wish he'd talk to me again.
The rest of class ends and I say goodbye to everyone.
"Bye Shirogane, Iruma!"
"See you, Akamatsu!" Shirogane responded with a smile
"Shut up, Bakamatsu, I'm doing something over here." said as she was editing a machine on her desk. She'll never change..
I headed outside and I saw a familiar boy waiting there for me.
"S-Saihara?!"
He awkwardly chuckles. "H-Hey, Akamatsu.."
I feel my face start to heat up as he approaches me. "Do you um.. Wanna walk home together again?" I feel a stupid grin form on my face but I cover my mouth. I really missed him, I was overjoyed that he was talking to me again.
"Yea!" I say with a tint of red on my face.
...
Silence. There was just awkward silence as we walked. None of us said anything. I wouldn't even say we enjoyed each other's presence, it was just awkward..
"S-So, how was your day?" he broke our awkward tension.
"Oh, it was okay. How about you?"
"It was alright as well. It just feels wrong without hanging out with you.." he says. I blush at his comment
"Yea, u-um.. I-I missed you, Saihara." Why did I just say that? He's making me say embarrassing things again..
His face turns red. "..I missed you too.."
While we're walking, I just gaze at him. He really was adorable.. I want to play with his hair.. I wouldn't mind being his girlfriend if he asked right now..
I groan and cover my face.
I already said I was fine with being his friend.. I'm doing this for the both of us.
I need to figure out how to reset my emotions, I don't want to be a nervous wreck whenever I'm around him. Why is this happening right now..
Saihara looked at me concerned. "A-Akamatsu, are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm f-fine! I just keep remembering something embarrassing, haha.." I awkwardly laugh.
"..Alright. I don't want you to be uncomfortable around me so tell me if I'm doing something wrong.." he said with a caring look. He's too sweet.
"N-No nothing is wrong, I promise, Saihara." I mutter out.
He grabs my hand and looks at me. My face turned red immediately. "W-Wha- Whaa-"
"Akamatsu, I'm really sorry for avoiding you. I just want to forget about what happened and be back to normal. I.. I just felt really annoyed with myself for trying to rush our relationship. I'm sorry.
I feel my mind start to blank out.
H-He's holding my hand! I mean, I've held his hand before, but when he takes the initiative..
I start blushing furiously and I force my hand back.
He looks at me confused. "S-Sorry S-S-S-Saihara! I.. I have to go!" I run off.
"Ah! A-Akamatsu!" I hear him yell out to me, but I was already gone. I placed my hands on my cheeks to calm myself down.
This is for us.. I won't catch any more feelings... I won't catch any more feelings..
I felt bad for just leaving him though..
I'll apologize over text..
~Perspective Change~
My name is Kaito Momota, Luminary of the Stars! Right now..
I'm waiting for my sidekick to show up at our training area. I see him walking towards me.
"Yooo! Shuichi! Glad you made it!" I yell out to him.
"Y-Yea." he muttered.
"Something wrong bro?" I ask him.
He sighs. "Akamatsu is acting really weird around me. When I tried to talk to her she kept facing away and started blushing.. She probably still thinks it's weird to be around me after I confessed, doesn't she? And when I tried to apologize for avoiding her, she ran away.."
Was this kid for real?
"Shuichi.. Are you kidding me, you think she thinks you're weird??"
"Yea, why else would she be acting that way around me?" he asked in a genuinely confused tone.
"Shuichi... You're a pretty smart but dense guy.." I mutter under my breath.
"What'd you say? I didn't hear you, Momota."
"Ah, nah, it's nothing. Alright! Let's start these push ups! Let's strive for 75 today, GO!"
I lay down on the grass and stare at the stars as Shuichi does his push ups. I've got to get them both together. These guys won't get any progress with each other unless I do something.. How could they be that oblivious to each other, they won't know unless it's literally spelled out to them.
Alright, it's time for the Luminary of the Stars to shine!
Suddenly, I hear Shuichi call out to me through his struggling. "K-Kaito.. Aren't you gonna do push ups too?"
Oh shoot, I've been caught. "Ah! Actually sidekick, I did 75 push ups waiting for you, so I'm already done." I lie.
He just chuckles. "Sure, Momota.."
After Shuichi finishes his push ups, I give him a slap on the back. "Nice, Shuichi! 75 push ups is like 1 million more than yesterday!"
He was panting. "It was 25 more than yesterday.. And thanks.." I hand him a water bottle.
"Alright, tomorrow we're doing sit ups to get some aerobic exercises in!" I gave him a thumbs up.
"Alright!" he smiled as he drank the water.
He seemed more enthusiastic, and seemed to want to actually improve himself. I was so proud of my sidekick that I could've cried.. Except, I'm too manly to cry!
"Okay, see you tomorrow Momota!"
"See ya', Shuichi!"
As soon as he leaves, I bring out my phone and go to my contacts.
Maki Roll (SIDEKICK #2!!)
I give her a call.
"Hello?"
"Maki Roll! What ya' doing?!"
I heard her sigh. "I was cleaning my apartment, why?"
"You remember that place I took us when we watched the stars?"
"N-Not so loud, Momota.. And yea, I know, that place with the lake, right?"
"Yea! Come over real quick."
"..Why?"
"Please Maki Roll! I'm begging ya', I know you like lakes so it'll be fun!"
"I like morning lake shores, it's the afternoon.. But sure, give me a few minutes."
"Thanks! That's why you're my sideki-"
She hung up.
Well, whatever. I'll discuss the plan with her once she gets here.