Bestfriend | Ran Takahashi

Riri

Riri's POV

Aya-san gave me a small velvet box, a present for Ran-niisan. It was pretty obvious that she was not having it between Hana and him. Even I was surprised when Hana turned up earlier. I watched Aya-san leave and enter her house before I went back to the dining room. Rui-nii already turned in for the night as he has plans for tomorrow. Mama and papa are still in the dining room, having dessert. Hana and Ran-nii were chatting away. I don't think he even noticed that Aya-san left.
I decided to give him the present later, when he's not distracted.

I excused myself and told everyone that I will be heading to bed, I lied, but I don't think I can last another minute there. I did get ready for bed, but I was waiting for her to leave and for Ran-nii to retire to his bedroom. I looked at my window and saw that Aya-san's light is still on, I texted her, asking if she's still awake. I noticed her opened her window and waved at me. She replied, saying that she will be sleeping soon. I gave her a thumbs up and waved good night. I waited for another 30 minutes before I hear Ran-nii enter his room.

I knocked on his door, he didn't answer. I opened it slightly and saw him on the phone, I guess he's trying to reach someone. "Kuso.." I heard him whisper. I knocked again even though the door was slightly opened already. He looked my way and he just sat on his bed.

"She's not answering my calls or messages"

I entered his room and sat on his computer chair across from him.

"She? She who?" I asked.

"You know who"

"Actually, I don't, I guess I used to know who, but after tonight...well.. yeah"

He sighed again, "Aya's not answering"

"I wonder why"

He laid down on his bed as he tried calling again.. and again, no answer. I could tell he was getting frustrated at this point. The torture is fun, way to go Aya-san.

"Head's up," I said as I toss him the present from Aya-san.

He sat up and caught the velvet box with his free hand. "What's this?"

"No idea, I just offered to give it to you since you were too busy chatting away"

He opened it and smiled a bit. Curiosity got the best of me so I went over to his bed to check what he got. It was a simple necklace with a volleyball. The back of the volleyball was engraved with his initials and his national team number, 21. There were tiny diamonds along the volleyball, it was beautiful. Also, I've seen it at one of the jewelry stores in Tokyo back then. It was pretty expensive. No wonder she took on a part time job. Ran-nii took a picture of it before wearing the necklace.

"How long are you going to make her wait?" I asked.

"What are you talking about?"

"She's had many suitors and she turned them all down" I tried explaining.

"Why would she do that?"

I might have to spell this out for him. I didn't know that he was this clueless. I mean they spent a whole night together. They've been bestfriends since they were 6... bestfriends... did he friendzone her? Is that why they haven't moved past the bestfriend phase?

"Ani, what do you think about Aya-san?" I asked.

"Well, she's my bestfriend, everyone knows that," he started.

"Uh huh.."

"I think she's an amazing person, she's been there since we were little. She's supported my volleyball career.. or should I say my path to being a professional player. She's never broken any of her promises."