Bestfriend | Ran Takahashi

See You Around

Ran's POV

I sat on my bed for a few minutes after Riri left. I am so confused. I needed some air and think things through. I snuck out and went to the park. I sat on a bench and looked up at the starry skies. It was still a bit chilly out, but Spring is just around the corner and then I'll be moving to Tokyo to start a new chapter. I remembered what Riri said...

Do I like Aya?

Sure, we've been inseparable since we were little. We've spent almost every second each day together. We've been through a lot and we've always been there for each other. But does that mean that we should be together? I like her sure, but I just don't see her more than as a friend, bestfriend. I did have a crush on her back then, but that all changed after meeting Hana and spending time with her... I'm so confused.

I closed my eyes and shook my head and when I opened them, there she was.. standing there, staring at me. She was wearing her pyjamas and a thin hoodie. Her hair in a loose braid resting on her shoulder, eyes red and puffy. She looked surprised, I guess she wasn't expecting me to be here. Wait.. eyes red and puffy? Has she been crying?

She turned around to walk away. I stood up and reach out to her, grabbing her hand. "What's wrong? You've been crying," I said as I turned her around.

I noticed how she's trying to avoid any eye contact. Tilted her chin up so I can look at her directly. She was hiding something, that I could tell. "It's nothing, just sad that my friends and I are parting ways after graduation tomorrow," she lied. I could always tell when she's lying. There's not one bone in her body that's able to lie.

"Uh huh, is that it? You can always tell me everything, you know that. No secrets between us, remember?"

I'm such a hypocrite, no secrets between us? I went out with Hana a few times and I didn't even tell her. You're an idiot Ran. "What are you doing here?" I heard her ask.

"I needed some air and I need to think things through" I answered.

"Oh, I see, best to leave you with your thoughts then," she started to leave again.

I need to clear things up. Make up my mind and tell her. Riri was right, she needs to know as soon as possible, it's the least I can do. "Aya," I started. She stopped and turned to look at me.

"Hmm..?"

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm really grateful for everything that you've done for me," I started, "You have no idea how much that means to me and I don't think I could ever repay you."

"You don't have to repay me, you know"

"Yeah, I figured you would say that, but I don't want to hurt you. You mean so much to me, I hope you know that, and I don't think I'd even make it to the team without your words of encouragement and constant support, but I just have to let you kno-"

"I know.. I saw the way you were looking at her tonight," she cut me off.

"I didn't mean to.. the last thing I want is to hurt you. We just had that connection while we were in Tokyo. I would never hurt you on purpose, you know that"

"You used to look at me the way you were looking at her, the smiles you gave her tonight, I used to get them too. It's not your fault, I didn't have the courage to tell you how I feel about you. I got distracted getting back on my feet and didn't realize that those looks and smiles changed. So, please.. don't blame yourself"

I stood there, not knowing what to say. She's taking all the blame. "Aya.."

Instead of crying.. she smiled at me. It was forced. "I hope she treats you well, better than how I treated you," she added. I then see her removing something from her wrist. She asked me for my hand and once I felt it touch my hand, I knew what it was.