My Old Hero

60: What Can I Do?

Katsuki left Takashi's place and went back to his place. Takashi walked back into the living room and saw Izumi shift back to normal just in time. Izumi's face was bright red, and her heart was racing like crazy. 

"I-I don't believe it... K-Kacchan likes me?" Izumi said. 

"You seem a bit unsure, you didn't know, did you?" Takashi asked. 

"N-No I didn't know at all! Kacchan doesn't like to reveal his emotions that much, so this is... surprising to hear." Izumi said. 

"Emra told me that she didn't want you to see Katsuki, is that right?" Takashi asked. 

"Yes, she was worried he would trouble my health." Izumi said.

"You seem fine to me from the looks of it, you're just a bit surprised, that's all." Takashi said. 

"Still... how he wanted to tell me that right away is a first! This is... unexpected." Izumi said. 

"So does that mean you have the same feelings towards your old friend?" Takashi asked. Izumi's face became a brighter red, was this okay? 

"I-I... I do..." Izumi said, Takashi smiled. 

"There's nothing wrong with falling in love, Izumi." Takashi said, Izumi looked up at him.

"I know, but... I promised Emra I would stay away from him for the time being." Izumi said. 

"That's practically impossible if both of you like each other, isn't it?" Takashi said.

"Yes, but Emra will be upset that I didn't listen to her." Izumi said. 

"I can see why Emra would be upset, but this is your decision, right? If you have the same feelings that Katsuki has for you, then you can't ignore them and try to go on with life. I'm sure Emra will understand how you feel if you tell her how your feelings are towards Katsuki." Takashi said. 

"But... she'll be worried that Katsuki will do something to me." Izumi said. 

"Has Emra seen Katsuki's good side? I fear that she's only seen his recklessness and doesn't see the good in him. Though he thinks that you're my cat, he took care of you when I wasn't around. That's a sign of how much Katsuki has changed, right?" Takashi said.

"That's... true..." Izumi said. 

"Why don't we just keep this a secret from Emra for the time being? I'm sure she would be mad at me if I told her this right away, so we won't say anything." Takashi said. 

"But she'll still get mad that we didn't tell her right away." Izumi said. 

"Yes, but we will have more proof and evidence when we do tell her. Let's just get you home for now." Takashi said, grabbing his jacket. Takashi took the lead and they walked to his car, and they both got in and went back to her place.

"Hey, Dr.- I mean, Takashi." 

"Yes?" 

"What you said earlier about Emra when you were talking to Kacchan, everything you said was true, right?" Izumi asked. Takashi smiled, it was the same exact smile he made when he was talking about Emra. 

"Yes, everything was true, and that's how much I really do love Emra. Though we didn't get along right away when we first met, we put our differences aside and got to know each other more. Emra's always reminded me of a Cherry Blossom tree that's freshly bloomed in the spring." Takashi said. 

"Why's that?" 

"Do you know the meaning behind Cherry Blossoms, Izumi?" 

"No, I don't."