Awaited Encounter

Part 5

I kicked my legs in the air with my frail hands gripping onto the chains of the swing. A small smile graced my lips while I stared at the idiot in front of me. His booming laughter filled my ears as he ran in a straight line. "Kou, your shoes are untied." I commented while the little boy dashed through the field.

The gray-haired boy ignored my words and continued to zoom around. It didn't take long for him to trip and face plant onto the ground. "I told you." I hopped off the swing and walked over to my best friend.

Bokuto picked up his head and looked at me as I took a seat beside him. The gray-haired boy giggled, causing me tilt my head in confusion. "What?" I asked before leaning my head back to look at the clear sky.

Small gushes of wind got caught in my hair, making my curls bounce in the breeze. The smell of fresh cut grass and mulch glided through the air. Along with your average kindergarten chatter.

"You always watch me." Bokuto uttered. I looked down to meet his eyes, but instead I was met with his large smile. Bokuto's toothy grin spread across his face, scrunching his slightly red nose. It was a marvelous sight.

My cheeks reddened as my dark orbs scanned his face. "You wouldn't survive if I didn't Kou."

Bokuto only laughed, flipping over and landing on top of me. My arms supported my body to steady myself. Bokuto's hair brushed against my chin as his hands wrapped around my back. His laugh only grew louder, which made me wonder what was so funny.

"You're the best Keiji!" Bokuto exclaimed. Just when I was about to respond, Bokuto picked up his head and did something unexpected. Soft, small lips pressed against my uncovered forehead. My thoughts became hazed as my body became flustered.

Bokuto backed his head away and looked down at me, "my sisters do this to me all the time! They say it's a way of showing you care about someone."

I pressed two fingers on the spot Bokuto kissed. It still felt warm. "O-oh I see."

Bokuto got off me and continued to waste his energy in the field. I sat there, watching him with a dorky smile I could not suppress. Kou cares about me.

"Look it's him." A voice from behind me uttered. From the soft tone I could tell it was a girl. "He's so weird, I keep telling you we should stay away from him."

I tilted my head to look who was behind me. I was not surprised to see two girls from our class a couple feet away. I didn't remember their names. To me, everyone else in this school is irrelevant.

The girls turned their head towards me and jumped a little from my stare. One hid behind the other, whispering to herself. "H-hi Keiji!" Both girls said in unison. They both giggled as if I said something funny, but I only stared.

They walked closer to me, so I stood up to face them. One of the girls were taller than me while the other was an inch shorter. "Don't call me that, call me Akashi." I insisted with a monotonous tone.

Both girls grew more nervous from my voice. The one behind clung to the taller one in front. "Akashi then. Would you like to be friends?" The smaller one managed to push out. Her teeth dug into her bottom lip.

"No." I responded simply.

The girls were taken back from my answer. Apparently being rejected was not something they were used to.

"Why? Don't you want friends?" The one in front asked. She seemed to be the more courageous one of the two.

"I have friends." Both girls looked at each other before looking back to me. "You mean the weird kid."