Are you the one that loves me? (Yōu x MC)

Chapter 13

Riko soon left to go home as her house was in the opposite direction as Yōu and Sumio's.

She said her goodbyes and headed off, leaving just the two there.

"We should probably head home too." Sumio said as he began to walk ahead. "Yōu?"

"Huh? C-coming..." she followed.

They walked in silence, which happened often. Yet this walk felt different...

"Yo, Sumio... do you have someone you like?" Yōu blurted out.

"Um... no not really, why?" He asked hesistantly.

"No particular reason... just curious."

"D-do you like someone?' He asked causing her heart to skip a beat.

"N-no..."

"I see," he said quietely.

"What do you think of Riko-chan?"

"She's cool, she's really chill." He answered.

They walked by a group of middle school girls just then.

"High school love is the best isn't it?" One of them said.

"I'll get something like that when I get to high school!"

Hearing these comments caused Sumio and Yōu to jump.

Was that how people viewed them together?

But... they were just friends... right?

When they were out of earshot Sumio continued, "People really think we're a couple, that's kind of crazy." He said.

"I don't think it's that crazy." Yōu said quietly.

Sumio felt himself tense up for a second.

"I mean, we're always together." She continued. "And w-well most couples are always with each other."

Sumio mentally slapped himself. He'd made it more awkward. Yōu probably thought he was weird for even suggesting that.

There was a long moment of silence. Both of them were attempting to process what was happening.

What was Sumio even suggesting? And why did Yōu react that way? Countless questions entered their minds.

"S-sorry." Sumio said, "I-" he had no clue what was happening. Why was he apologizing exactly?

The two walked in silence once again, arriving at Yōu's house. She quickly opened the gate and dashed to her front door. Seeing her open the front door Sumio sighed.

He felt his body relax once again. What the hell just happened? And why was he so tense? He pondered these thoughts all the way home.

Yōu burst through the front door, slammed it shut, and ran upstairs. 

"Yōu?" her mom asked.

"Sorry, I feel sick." she stormed into her room and threw the covers over herself. 

What... why... 

All she could think about was the conversation. She admitted that it didn't seem that crazy to her. What did that even mean?

She recalled what he said as well, "People really think we're a couple, that's kind of crazy."

Why was she so bothered by it? 

All he said was that people thought they were a couple, even though they weren't. So why did that make her stomach hurt?

Did she... want them to be a couple?