Today's Saturday. Tomorrow's the big day day. Just knowing the gig's tomorrow makes me unable to stop thinking about it. It's going to be my first time ever performing with a band! It's all still so insane to me. I need to thank Kita for everything. What would've happened if I never had classes with her?
I look up at my room ceiling thinking.
My life would be completely different honestly. I would just be a kid with a dream and that's all. Kita was what gave me this opportunity. And Bocchi was what made me start working hard to be the best I could be in the band. She was what made me start caring for her. We are alike, so I guess that's where it started. Masaru was when I first started having feelings for her... I think. After that day I felt so inclined to protect her.
When she grabbed onto me in tears... I really felt like I did something right. It hurts me so much to see her sad.
Suddenly the sound of my phone vibrates.
Hm? Now what could this be?
I check my phone to see a message from Bocchi.
Hitori: Are you free right now? 2:23 PM
Y/N: Of course I'm free! What's up? 2:23 PM
Hitori: I wanted to talk with you for a little while in person. 2:24 PM
Talk with me?
Y/N: Oh ok. Where did you wanna meet up? 2:25 PM
Hitori: Is by the park okay? I like it there. 2:25 PM
Y/N: Yeah that's fine. I'll be on my way in a few minutes. 2:26 PM
Hitori: Ok. 2:26 PM
This reminds me of when she got fired from the café job. Don't tell me she's quitting the band now.
Within a few minutes, I was out and on my way to the park. The park is such a great place to talk and chill since nobody is ever there. I sit on the very same swing from last time and wait for Bocchi.
Maybe she wants to fix things that happened that day at her house. We haven't really talked since. And the gig is tomorrow. I was thinking of talking to her these past few days but I thought we could just forget about it all since tomorrow is a big day.
WAIT!
Maybe she might have to tell me something really important. Does she like me back? No no no don't get it twisted! It wouldn't make sense for her to tell me something like that a day before a concert-
"H-Hey..."
I look up to see Bocchi standing before me. She sits on the swing right next to me.
"Oh uh hey! Didn't see you there."
"You looked deep in your thoughts."
"Hehe, I sure was. I've got tomorrow on my mind."
"Oh... t-that was kinda why I wanted to talk to you..."
"Oh uh, what's up? You can't go or something?"
Bocchi shakes her head profusely.
"N-No not at all! I just... wanted to see if you were ready. I-I also wanted to just walk with you too."
"Ah, I see. I'm ready, but at the same time still nervous of course."
"At my first gig I played in a box..."
Holy crap...
"....."
"B-But it was only one time!"
"No, that's okay. It's just..."
I started bursting out laughing.
"Picturing you playing in a box is hilarious. But at the same time adorable."
"O-Oh..."
Bocchi tries to laugh along awkwardly but eventually starts laughing for real. Moments later I rub my eyes.
"Ah, that was funny. But thanks for deciding to talk to me out of all people. Means a lot!"
Bocchi blushes slightly.
"A-Actually... there was something I wanted to talk about."
"Hm? What is it?"
"I..."
Bocchi takes a deep breath.
"I wanted to say sorry about what happened! I-I wasn't thinking right and rested on your shoulder and asked for head pats! P-Please don't think of me weirdly for that!"
"Aw, Hitori you don't need to apologize... I don't mind anyway... we all need a little comfort here and there ehe!"
"Y-Yeah... I-It's just when I'm with you I feel safe. Is that weird?"
"Uh no not at all! It uhhh shows how great of a friendship we have!"
"Friendship..."
"What's wrong? Are we not friends?"
"N-No we're friends! I-It's just this doesn't feel like a normal friendship. D-Do friends really comfort each other like that?"
"... I mean I don't mind doing that stuff with you. So who cares what people think? You're special to me and I will always be there for you."
Bocchi looks at me with wide eyes and smiles brightly.
"You're so kind to me... when you say words like that it makes me really... really happy."
"Well, you deserve to be happy!"
Bocchi frowns like a little puppy,
"A-Are you sure? I'm just a piece of trash..." Bocchi says quietly.
"You're not no trash! Don't say that about yourself. You're a beautiful amazing girl!"
"A-A-A..."
Bocchi's face turns bright red and looks at me with utter shock.
I know I shouldn't have said that but I couldn't help myself!
"I-I'm sorry... but it's true! Stop thinking so lowly about yourself.
"Y-Y/N-kun... I-if you keep saying those things... it'll be too much for me to handle..."
"It's okay, let it all out-"
Before I knew it Bocchi was hugging me tightly. I thought she would cry but she didn't. It seemed like she just wanted some affection.
"C-Can I stay like this for a while?"
I smile sweetly.
"As long as you like Hitori."
As long as you like my love.
Bocchi hugs me for several minutes while we both enjoy the silence.
"I... I was actually pretty nervous about this gig since it's been a while since the band's done one. I was worried we would all split apart. But when you joined it felt like you brought everyone back together in a way. T-Thank you for that! I feel ready now that I have you."
"I feel ready too! I realized now that we're all in this together! We're not alone here. Thank you for making me realize that."
"G-Glad I was able to help!"
"Oh yeah, how did selling the tickets go for you."
"It went well... I street performed to give away the tickets."
"........."
I SHOULD'VE ASKED HER TO BUSK WITH ME AFTER ALL!
I'm so stupid. How else could she have sold the tickets? It's not like she can go up to people asking them to buy it.
"I see... Me and Kita-san did the same as well."
"R-Really? That's cool..." Bocchi says quietly while frowning.
"I was gonna ask if you wanted to busk as well! But I thought you might be busy or something... I didn't just wanna call you out of the blue asking to meet up right then..."
Bocchi looks at me in the eyes and smiles ever so sweetly at me.
"I'm never busy if you want to hang out with me Y/N-kun. I'll always be available for you whenever you want!"
My heart skipped a beat the moment she said that. She's so kind to me. No one has ever cared about me like this before.
I wanna marry you.
"O... Ok, how nice of you."
Bocchi continues to smile.
I'm ready for tomorrow for sure now. As long as I have Bocchi nothing can scare me. And this gig will turn out great. Because I am going to tell her I love her!