Do you have any idea?
Do you have any idea?
"Hamano shut up. I'll stop playing nice now. It seems like you have the wrong idea about me, you know? I'll tell you straight. That girl has been suffering so much in more ways than one. Do you have any idea how many times she's cried because of you? Do you have any idea how much she actually loved you? Playing around with her feelings like that and tossing her aside, you your-"
Her gaze softened, so that's it. She knew, of course, that everyone's perfect prince Ichiko Daiki wasn't the kind-hearted prince they all assumed. Instead, he was more of a loner, cold - yet with small moments where he would smile. Someone who would watch over the person they cared the most more than anything.
"I don't know much about it. Because every time anyone asks, she always has such a look of depression. Loneliness, sorrow. She always seems so far away from the rest of us. That girl more than anything, I do truly want to see her smile. Just when it looked like things were about to be that way, you showed up again." Daiki said angrily.
Futaba raised her eyebrow. Ah, Daiki-kun is deliberately bating Hamano-san. Succhan has actually been very happy these days, and she doesn't seem to mind having Hamano over for lunch.
"You say all that, but she hasn't even glanced my way once since the time I saw her," Atushi grumbled, frustrated.
"Are you an idiot? What have you been looking at? She's always stealing glances at you. She's always trying to reach out to you with her hands. You're a fool not to have noticed."
Always stealing glances, huh? Futaba could see that happening. After all, Succhan is that kind of person. She cares for others but has a hard time expressing it. She must have been trying to reach out to Hamano-kun, and that's why she casually invites him to lunch. She didn't do that to force him to apologize.
"Seems like it will start getting out of hand soon." A voice from behind her commented.
So it was him. Futaba isn't surprised to see Tachibana Masaru. He is the only one who could have provoked or convinced Daiki-kun to confront Hamano-kun.
"You're quite sly, aren't you?" Futaba said to the Masaru. "Putting up such a false act. You tricked everyone."
Masaru chuckled. "I suppose. But I can't trick her. Right now, she should be with Kensho-San. However, knowing her, she will learn about this and blame me."
Futaba stole a glance at him and, indeed, saw the expression in his eyes. This person probably has feelings toward Su-chan. The guys in nanairofeather all like her. It was something Asahi always mentioned, but like Succhan, she brushed it aside. Even if she noticed it too, she didn't want to admit it since she feared that it would break their little circle.
Futaba turned her attention back to the scene to see that it had become more violent.
"I really think I should step in."
Masaru shakes his head. "It's fine. I dropped the lady a little hint. She will eventually come here."
"I see."
Still, Futaba turned her attention to the scene before her. If they go overboard, she will have to step in.
_________
His suspension lasted only two days. He knew the school was being lenient on him because he was new. Ichiko-san's suspension was a week, however. It seems like this was the first time Ichiko-san caused trouble, but the school board didn't want to look like they were making exceptions.
'When did I fall in love with Sumire?' The past two days, he has been cooped up at home, asking himself that question.
When did it happen? He didn't know. But knowing wouldn't make a difference. He knew that deep down, he had always had these feelings for her. Yet he didn't want to admit it. That's why even now there connected, what he wanted to tell her.
Getting suspended within his first month in high school, his parents will kill him once they find out. Atushi lets out a large sigh, though it's already been almost two days since he was suspended, and the suspension was lifted now. Many people were still staring at him. What a great start his career, and just when he was starting to get along with everyone.
He was surprised to receive a text from the person who got him suspended in the first place. Yet Atushi did feel the need to talk to him as well. After all, they've both had time to think through everything. Let's hope they can talk about this in a calmer manner now.
Atushi heard footsteps approach him and looked up. "You're late ----" He stopped in mid-sentence. He couldn't believe who he was seeing. Instead of the navy blue hair boy, it was a girl with brunette hair.
"Sumire."
Of course, it was Sumire. Ichiko Daiki still has five more days of suspension left. He should have suspected that a model student like him wouldn't break the rules.
"Atushi." Sumire looked at him for a few minutes, and so did he.
He didn't know what to say. No, he had so much he wanted to say to her, but finally, the words came out.
"I did love you." Atushi finally said.
There he said it, after all these years. He finally admitted it.
Sumire seemed surprised about the words that left his lips and suddenly crouched down on the ground. "Ah geez."
"Sumire? Wait, are you okay?" Atushi said, rushing over to her and bending down. He was about to place his hand on her forehead when she grabbed hold of it.
"You beat me to it. That's what I was supposed to say."
Were they both thinking the same thing?
"Say Sumire I.-" Atushi started when the girl suddenly turned her head. On an impulse, he, too, had done the same, causing their heads to collide.
"Ouch." They said simultaneously and turned to look at each other before bursting into laughter.
In the end, they went to the bridge area between the regular building and star class. Because it was class time, there was no one sign of other students or even teachers. For the next few minutes, neither of them spoke, and as he racked his brains for something to say. Sumire breaks the silence.