"Oi! Wake up we're going to be late! It's the first day of class!" I said while pulling Chifuyu's blanket.
"Five more minutes, MOM" he really emphasize the word Mom to tease me.
"No." I pulled the blanket with all my power and it was finally removed from him.
I froze when I saw him topless. I immediately turn around and throw him his T-shirt that's on his desk.
"What?!" He said.
"Put that on you'll get cold."
"Yes, mom."
"Move faster! I'll be waiting for you downstairs."
"Hai~," he said in a lazy tone.
Chifuyu and I are best friends since fetuses. We're also neighbors that's why I'm always at his house. I've been taking care of him since we are kids. He's kinda carefree and lazy that's why if I didn't monitor him he'll be surely dead.
But what I like about him is that he's loyal friend. He sticks to me no matter what, My partner in crime. He defended me from my bullies even if sometimes they knock him out. That's why I fell in love with him but he doesn't know. I don't want to tell him because I'm afraid that it will stain our friendship.
I'm okay to be his best friend as long as he's with me.
***********
"Yo! You're stuck with me this semester!" Chifuyu said while pointing our names at the bulletin board.
"Lucky me," I said sarcastically.
"Hey! I know you'll miss me if we got separated." He said while messing my hair.
"Yeah... Yeah... whatever" I said as I chuckle.
He stops messing with my hair but his hand is still on top of my head. I saw him staring at someone. I shift my head and saw a beautiful girl walking in our direction. She stops in front of the bulletin board behind us and look for her assigned classroom.
In an instant, I knew that he likes the girl.
"2-B" the girl whispers.
"We... We're 2B!" Chifuyu said turning around to face her. He's now staring at the girl.
"Nice! We're classmates. I'm Erika." She offered her hand to Chifuyu for a handshake.
"Chi.. chi... Chi..."
"Hi! I'm y/n and this parrot is Chifuyu." I accept her handshake, it's soft! Her hand is super soft.
"Chi...Chi..." I hit his side with my elbow making him flinch
"Chifuyu!"
"Yes. y/n told me." She smiled at us. Is this even legal? She's so pretty! "See you in class!" She said as she walks past us.
"y/n I think I'm in love," Chifuyu said after Erika left.
"That fast?"
He just nods. I felt a sharp sting to my chest maybe it's only a crush It'll pass.
************
"I'll confess to Erika," He said out of the blue making me choke on the burger I was eating. "Hey! chew your food!" He gives me his juice and I drink it. We're at a fast-food restaurant.
"Will you help me?" He said after I recover from choking.
"Me? Why? how?"
"Just... Bring her to the rooftop tomorrow." I didn't speak for a while. My chest tightens what if she said yes? lately, I've been noticing her looking at Chifuyu. "Please! Please! I'll buy you your favorite food. I'll be your slave forever."
I look at him and I can see the desperation in his face. Even if it hurts I just sigh. "Fine. Buy me a lot of food tomorrow!"
"Yes! You're the best!" He hugs me tight. How I wish this hug means something else.
The next day after class I asked Erika to come with me. She happily said yes, we go to the rooftop as Chifuyu instructed. Erika opens the door. He's waiting for her holding a flower. I bet he took that from the school garden. The garden club will kill him if they'll found out.
I just stand there and watch Erika walk towards him. I saw Chifuyu asked the forbidden question and to my surprise, she said yes. Erika hugs him making him blush. What a dork he looks like he's going to melt anytime soon.
He looks in my direction and gestures a thumbs up at me. I forced a smile and put an okay gesture. I exit the place because I can't stand the sight of them but I'm happy for him, I really do!
I stop in the middle of the stairs and hold my chest. It tightens and I can't stand the pain. But what can I do? He made his choice.
Several months passed and I slowly distance myself from them.
"Hey! y/n!" Chifuyu called me but I walk faster. I just went to buy some ramen at the convenience store and was walking home when he saw me at the park where I'm passing by. "Hey wait!" He grabbed my wrist making me face him.
"Are you okay? I... We barely hang out, what happened?"
"I'm just giving you space with Erika. I'm a girl and I know Erika will feel uncomfortable if she'll see how close I am with you."
"But you're my best friend."
"I know." I paused for a good minute and took a deep breath. This feeling is overwhelming I can't take it anymore.
"You know what? I have to tell you something and please, answer me properly don't think about me being your best friend. I want to hear your true feelings."
"O...Okay, shoot."
"I like you Chifuyu! Since we are little. I like your clumsiness, your morning face, your laziness, your loyal attitude the way you had my back when I had no one. I like you so much that It kills me seeing you with Erika so please reject me so I can move on.
"He froze. He literally didn't move for a minute.
"Hello?" I wave my hands to his eyes.
"I... I didn't know that's how you felt."
"Duh! of course because I didn't tell you."
He shakes his head and took a deep breath. He holds my hands and look me in the eye.
"I love you y/n, I really do but not in a romantic way. I love you as a sister... I'm sorry."
A tear escape from my eyes as I gaze at him, I quickly wipe it with my thumb.
"That's all I want to hear. Thank you Chifuyu, now I don't have any regrets that I didn't tell you how I feel. Don't worry about me, We're still friends I'll just process this pain alone and I'll be back." I smile at him and surprisingly this is not a bitter smile.
"y/n," He said in a sad tone. I flick his forehead.
"Don't feel guilty! You did me a favor believe me!" I chuckled. "So please wait for me, I'll be back," I said as I hug him.
"I'll wait for you y/n... I will try not to die without you taking care of me." He hugs back.
"You have Erika so you'll be fine," I said. "I got to go, It's getting late. See you when I see you!" I said and wave goodbye. He waves at me too.
As soon as I turn my back at him my tears stream like a waterfall. It hurts that my first love didn't love me back. I feel like my heart is crashing into pieces.
**************
"How do I look? How's my hair?" Chifuyu nervously ask.
"You look fine! Relax!" I said as I fix his bow tie.
"Are you sure?"
"100% sure!" I smiled at him. He takes a deep breath and shakes his hand to relieve his nervousness.
"You got this!" I said and lift my camera. "Now smile!" I captured his uneasy face and it's making me laugh. "I'll print this one."
"Hey!"
"Kidding!" I said as I took another shot of him. "Wait here I'll be back, I need to take photos of the bride."
"Wait don't leave me." He said. I chuckled.
"You're a grown-ass man. You don't need me anymore." I said as I wave goodbye to him.
Ten years have passed and he's now getting married. My first love is getting married to the one he truly loves. It still stings for me but this time I'm genuinely happy for him.
I watch him walk down the aisle as I take pictures of them. I am their official wedding photographer.
The bride is now walking, I take a couple of pictures of Erika and point the lens to Chifuyu, He's crying while watching his bride walking towards him. I captured the moment but as soon as I put down my camera a tear escaped from my eye. I quickly wipe it with my thumb.
The ceremony ended and everyone is having a party at the reception. I'm almost done with covering the event and ready to pack up. I took a break and sip a glass of wine as I watch them dance.
"I can see a beautiful wallflower." Said a guy who stands next to me. I look in his direction and see a man with black hair that's parted to the side. He wears a suit and has a serious face.
"I see... A cringey pick-up line." I said and he chuckled.
"Sorry. I'm not used to this but I can't help but notice you." He looks kinda nervous despite his serious appearance. He's kinda awkward but good looking.
"Uhm... Naoto. Tachibana, Naoto. I'm Erika's friend." He offers me his hand for a handshake.
"Y/N" I accept his hand and smile.
End