Requested by Gh0st16
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You reclined against the riverbank, basking in the warmth of the sun during your school lunch break. It had been a grueling day, and this brief respite was a welcome escape. As you took a sip of your drink, you gazed up at the sky, feeling a sense of peace wash over you.
But the tranquility was soon disrupted by an intrusive voice that reached your ears. You turned your head to see three girls huddled together, engaged in a spirited conversation just a short distance away.
"Hey, did you hear about what Akane did?" one of them exclaimed, her tone dripping with gossip.
"Oh my gosh, yes! How could she scratch her face like that?" another chimed in, their voices filled with judgment and speculation.
Your brow furrowed as you involuntarily became the unwilling eavesdropper. The subject of their chatter was none other than Akane Kurokawa, the object of your long-standing crush. You had been discreetly observing her as she embarked on a reality show adventure, one that featured two other girls and three guys. Lately, you'd noticed her efforts to stand out from the rest, often approaching one of the male contestants with a provocative demeanor. Unfortunately, her attempts had backfired, leading to an unfortunate accident where Akane had accidentally scratched the face of the other girl, causing a visible wound.
Lost in thought, you were suddenly jolted back to reality when you caught sight of Akane. Her turquoise hair, usually vibrant and eye-catching, now hung limp as she made her way out of the school premises. Her head was bowed low, attempting to conceal her face, and it was evident that she was not in a good state of mind.
Concern filled your gaze as you watched her fragile figure shuffle towards the school gate. Despite your innate shyness, a wave of determination washed over you. You couldn't stand idly by, not when she seemed so distraught.
"Akane!" you called out, your voice carrying your worry and care for her.
Akane halted in her tracks, her dull eyes meeting yours as you stood in front of her, determined to offer your support. There was a heavy silence in the air as you mustered the courage to voice your concern.
"Akane..." you began, your voice laced with genuine worry, "are you okay?"
The seconds seemed to stretch as you awaited her response. Then, to your surprise, Akane let out a bitter, scoffing laugh. Her response was nothing like you had anticipated.
"Why? Did you lose a bet against the guys to approach me at this point?" she retorted, her words stinging like a slap in the face. You felt your heart sink as the misunderstanding became painfully clear. It had taken an extraordinary circumstance for you to finally speak to her, and now she believed your intentions were insincere.
"No, that's not..." you stammered, your voice trailing off as you struggled to find the right words. Before you could clarify your true feelings and intentions, Akane pushed you away with an angry, forceful motion.
"Don't ever come near me again!" she shouted, her voice filled with anger and hurt.
Your heart ached as you watched her storm away, the distance between you growing with each step she took. You had hoped to be a source of comfort and support for Akane, but now it seemed that your chances had slipped through your fingers, leaving you with a profound sense of regret and sadness.
-
You stood there, grappling with your emotions after Akane's harsh words. While her comments had stung, you couldn't shake the genuine concern you held for her. You knew that her reaction was fueled by anger and hurt, and you were determined to find a way to navigate through the turmoil of the situation.
As you reflected on your feelings, it became increasingly clear that a different approach was necessary. You understood that confronting Akane in the heat of the moment might not yield the desired result. Instead, you needed to find a way to reach out to her that would convey your true intentions and show her the depth of your care.
An idea began to form in your mind, one that involved a more thoughtful and heartfelt gesture.
-
"Flowers?" Akane murmured in surprise as she discovered the bouquet waiting for her in her locker. Delicately, she plucked the fragrant arrangement from its place, revealing a small letter attached to the bouquet.
"I believe in you!" the letter declared in elegant handwriting.
As Akane stared at the message with a perplexed expression, you observed her from a distance, silently willing your gesture to have a positive impact. You couldn't help but hold your breath, hoping that this small token of encouragement would bring some cheer to her troubled heart.
With the bouquet in her hands, Akane began to walk away, the flowers a vivid contrast to the turmoil in her eyes. Your heart ached with the desire to offer her solace and understanding, even from a distance, and you hoped that your message would serve as a reminder that someone cared about her and believed in her strength to overcome whatever challenges she was facing.
-
"You have a secret admirer, Akane!" The taunts and jeers of their classmates echoed around you as you stood outside the school building. Akane, the girl you secretly admired from afar, walked past you, surrounded by a group of people who were reveling in teasing her.
Your heart ached for her as you clenched your fists in frustration. You couldn't stand seeing her being ridiculed and humiliated like this.
As Akane continued walking, you knew you had to do something, but your initial approach hadn't been successful. It was time to try a different tactic, one that would hopefully change her day for the better.
-
Determined to bring a smile to Akane's face and offer her some encouragement, you decided to leave a small box of chocolates in her mailbox. Along with the chocolates, you attached another heartfelt letter, hoping it would brighten her day.
As you carefully placed the chocolates inside her mailbox, you couldn't help but feel a mix of nervousness and anticipation. You waited anxiously, hidden from sight, as Akane eventually arrived home.
When she opened the mailbox and found the chocolates and the letter, you watched her reaction closely. To your relief and joy, a warm smile spread across her face. It seemed that this small gesture had managed to bring her some happiness and relief.
"Don't give up!" the letter inside the mailbox read, your words of encouragement reaching her when she needed them the most.
-
As you were about to discreetly place another thoughtful present in Akane's locker, a voice suddenly pierced through the air behind you, causing you to freeze in place.
"You can stop with that, right now."
You turned around to find Akane standing there, her expression a mix of disappointment and disbelief. Your heart sank as you watched her approach, her gaze never leaving your trembling hands clutching the present.
"Why would you do this for someone like me?" she choked out, her voice quivering with emotion.
Stammering, you attempted to form sentences, trying to explain yourself, but the words caught in your throat. Finally, you summoned the courage to speak your truth.
"Huh? Because I..." you started, your hands rising slightly in a defensive gesture, "I like you, Akane."
Akane scoffed in disbelief, taking a few steps back as if your confession had pushed her away.
"You? Me? Why would you?" she questioned, tears welling up in her eyes, her voice filled with anguish.
"Akane..." you said softly, gathering your resolve and taking a few tentative steps toward her, "I just like you for who you are, Akane."
Her response was a broken sob, and you couldn't bear to see her cry. Without thinking, you reached out and gently wiped away her tears with your thumb. Your touch seemed to surprise her, and she stared at you, her eyes filled with a mixture of vulnerability and uncertainty.
You cupped her face with your hand, caressing it gently. Akane's emotional dam broke, and she began to cry in earnest.
"I've been treating you so badly... so how-?!" she cried out between sobs, her words muffled by her tears.
"Because my feelings are real," you replied, your voice filled with sincerity and warmth. You watched as Akane's tear-filled eyes locked onto yours, searching for any hint of insincerity.
In that fragile moment, Akane finally broke down, and you pulled her into a tight embrace. You held each other, tears mingling, neither of you willing to let go. It was a moment of vulnerability and acceptance, a turning point in your relationship that allowed you both to see the depth of your feelings and the possibility of a genuine connection.
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(A/n): I love being single.