デカセクト

Chapter 17

Once again, Shouko felt like she was having an internal battle with herself. A part of her wanted to 'go out' with Dori even though she was aware he wasn't actually interested in her but the other part of her didn't think it would be a wise idea to do it as she had just gotten out of a fake entanglement.

Nijiro popped up in her mind, instantly killing her mood. She wasn't sure what to think of him. He had told her a lot of things that got her completely confused like any other girl would. Then when she thought that she finally had her head straight, he just had to go out with another woman. It was like she got played. Luckily, it was before she confessed to anything.

After receiving the message from Dori yesterday, Kento went back to his place to give her some alone time.

Now, even in school, she couldn't help but think about all that's happened in less than a month. A lot of things had changed since then and she even felt like a different person.

"A double chocolate with extra fudge, chocolate chips and marshmallows please." Shouko spoke as she looked down at her phone.

Class ended earlier than usual that day and she had planned to get ice cream with Haru but he was held up by basketball practice so she had no choice but to eat out alone.

"Haruno."

Shouko looked up in shock at Dori who seemed to have magically appeared beside her. He was wearing his usual street attire, looking like he just showered.

"S-Sakurada.." She stutters, a bit nervous about his sudden presence.

Dori smiled to himself and told the one behind the counter that he wanted the same order as hers. The two waited at the side until their orders were finished before going over to an empty table facing the streets of Tokyo.

It took them a while to finally get comfortable with each other, forgetting about the conversations they had before.

"I apologize for what I've said before." Dori muttered. "Clearly, it has made you more uncomfortable with me."

"N-No, it's not like that at all." Shouko denied though what he said was true.

Dori chuckled lightly. She was still trying to deny it for his sake. But in the end, Shouko sighed and just ate her ice cream in silence. She knew she was a terrible liar at most times so it was basically useless to deny it.

"I'm not actually a flirt so I apologize for coming off as something like that too." Dori added, seeing her cheeks heat up.

Shouko noticed that he was staring at her with a smile and realized that he could actually see her blushing. She chuckled nervously and tried to cover her face but ultimately just let it be.

"I'm sorry, I just thought of all the drama series you've been on." She spoke in a soft voice, a bit sheepish that he somewhat caught her.

"Ah, I get what you mean." He replied. "But I'm actually the opposite in real life, I'm really not a flirt."

Dori chuckled and finished off his cup before staring out of the glass wall again. He was deep in thought when his eyes caught a glimpse of a familiar face walking along the street.

"Oh, Murakami." He muttered, a bit surprised to see the guy in this part of the city.

It was such a coincidence to see him there at that particular time. Dori glanced at Shouko who didn't seem to have noticed the guy and casually slung an arm on the back of her seat.