𝙊𝙧𝙥𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝘿𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢

𝑶𝒓𝒑𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝑫𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎 (3)

The bell rang signaling the end of school.

There are no club activities today so I should just head straight home. As I packed my things and got up to leave, Sukuzi Sensei approached me.

"Miyama, you've been too distracted in class these days," Sensei said with concern.

"I apologize, Sensei. I'll try harder." I said while trying to sound convincing.

He stared at me for a few seconds and sighed. Maybe he noticed my indifference. Well, I tried.

"Miyama, you're in your third year of high school now. You're not a bad student. You just lack effort. You should start preparing for universities. Isn't there something you want to do?"

I knew. Whatever you said was correct. But I didn't have an answer to give you. Sorry, Sensei.

"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you, Sensei." I dodged his question somehow.

Sensei noticed but chose to keep quiet.

"Alright, good work. See you tomorrow," Was all he said after which I bade my goodbye and left.

That was tiring...

"But Kou-chan, why didn't you answer him?" Nana asked tilting her head as I was walking down the corridor.

Of course, all this time, Nana was right there beside me. She was everywhere I went these days. Sometimes popping out of nowhere too.

Anyway.....

"What should I have told him?"

"That you want to be a doctor."

For some reason, ever since I was little I had wanted to be a doctor.

I scoffed at myself. How dare I dream of saving the lives of others when I couldn't even protect my most cherished person?

"I don't want that... Not anymore." I told her and noticed a few students around me giving me a weird look.

It was perfectly normal to give a weird look to someone who was seemingly talking to thin air.  It wasn't like I cared.

But it looked like someone else did as she stopped talking and quietly trailed behind me.

"Kou-chan, you don't have to answer me in front of other people." Nana broke her silence as we left the school behind and walked on an empty path.

I turned my head to see Nana looking downward with dejected eyes.

Whenever she had such an expression, it tugged a few strings of my heart and I had this feeling of doing just about anything to brighten up her mood.

Like I used to.

I crouched in front of her to match her eye level. But she still hung her head down.

"Why? Then should I ignore you? You know very well that I can't and won't do that. Besides, who cares about other people?" I stated as a matter of fact.

"But they look at you like there's something wrong with you! Even if you don't care, I don't like it...." She said as she rose her head to look at me. I could see her eyes getting hazy with tears.

This girl really knew how to stir my heart, huh?

My hand reflexively moved to touch her eyes which threatened to spill tears only to be disheartened as it passed right through her... Again.

Just how many times has it been? I've lost count.

Noticing my sorrowful gaze, Nana quickly wiped her tears and gave a smile to change the mood. But unfortunately, it didn't work for her smile looked sadder than her crying.

"Ah, I'm sorry. It's my fault. I'll be more careful." She said forcing a smile.

You didn't have to force yourself. It honestly didn't bother me all that much. Even if it did, I'd rather be labelled crazy and still talk to you.

But I couldn't say that to her, could I? It would only hurt her poor heart more.

I also forced a smile. "Okay, let's do as you wish."

Hearing my reply, her bright smile returned.

"Yes! You'll show them how cool you are! So no one can talk bad about you!" She said as she clenched her fists and held them up like preparing to fight.

I was surely smiling at her cute gestures right now.

She noticed my smile and stared at me in a daze before a blush creeping up her cheeks.

I tilted my head while enjoying every pleasant change in her expression.

"Kou-chan, you...." She trailed off.

"Yeah?" I asked, curious about her thoughts.

She covered her face as if to hide her shame and continued, "You've gotten so much more handsome over the years! It's unfair!"

Saying that she dashed off.

Now it was my turn to get embarrassed. My cheeks felt hot. I was positively red.

Recovering from my shame a bit, I got up and turned to see Nana a bit ahead. She was walking slowly, waiting for me to catch up.

With quick steps, I reached her.

She glanced at me and giggled a bit probably noticing my flushed face which I was convinced was getting redder. Again.

I gazed at her affectionately.
Hey Nana, I love you.

She tilted her head cutely and stared at me for a moment before breaking into a smile and saying, "I love you more."