Original story:
https://www.wattpad.com/user/Crandeline
It just felt like I lacked something, something about writing a story, this story in particular. Though I could excuse it as just that; I, too, was lazy, unmotivated and had no desire in all actuality to write. Or was it that I just lost it along the way?
Nevertheless, here it is, for those very few readers of mine: here's the continuation.
_____What I've lost, what I've gained. One more time.
I was a bit delighted, seeing as that middleterms were finally over. Not only did I have time to play around—while almost dying playing sports against Ayanokōji, I was more thankful of the fact that I could finally sleep for as long as I wanted.
Certain things popped up in my head as I was lazing out and about in my room, certain things that could very well define my entire student life.
I knew I couldn't avoid thinking about it any longer, although, despite that, I still rejected the notion of me getting into an intimate relationship with that of the opposite sex. Mainly due to the fact that my reputation made it easy for me to get a girlfriend, and that my reputation was but a sham.
I wanted someone that I was able to confide with—and accept that fact.
It wasn't going to be that easy. It wasn't just about me. It was also about the other party. While some could fit the bill, their thoughts about me mattered also. And I knew for a fact that only really few liked me for who I was without looking at my status in our year.
Really few? A big part of me asked that in my head. Was I ahead of myself for thinking so? Was it just my imagination, then? If so, then even I'd pity myself.
I wasn't inexperienced in such things, that's why I knew what was the mistake of the start of my youth was nothing as serious compared to right now. Even though I really liked someone at the moment, it was probable my feelings were one-sided.
I didn't want our friendship to crumble because of those feelings no matter how much I wanted to be with her more.
–––––"What're you cooping in your room for?"
A devil asked from outside my door.
I was terrified at this being, her peeking figure through the intercom really threw me for a loop.
"It's Saturday right now, Mako-tan."
I spoke in an uncharacteristically formal manner.Weekends are supposed to be rest days, or was I forgetting something?
"Indeed! It is exactly for that reason that we should go out and have fun, dear Sadi-tan." Mako copied my manner of speaking, asking for confirmation from Honami.
With the most silent grunt I could muster, I opened the door, letting the two figure in my room.
"Good morning, Sadi," It felt a tad bit weird for Honami or I to talk to each other without a honorific, but I figured we'd get used to it eventually.
"Yeah,"
Mako chanted as she got comfortable seating.
They had some backpacks with them, so I figured only a few places fit their looks. "You guys going to the pool?"
I made a futile attempt at getting away.
"Yeah! We invited a lot of people from other classes too."
A lot, huh? I didn't need to speculate more on how many it actually was. Mako's words was enough for me to know that there would be a ton of students at the pool later. Surely, not because of decent reasons.
"Okay. Let me just invite Masumi."
For all my complaining, I was starting to like the idea of going to the pool with the premise of being dragged by Mako. After all, I was still a healthy 16 year old.
Honami remained standstill, cocking her head at my figure without so much as emotion on her face. I gave her a sidelong glance, a bit scared of her making that face. A creepy thought made its way to my mind because of that.
"What's the matter?" I managed to ask while keeping my voice level.
My question went unanswered. It didn't even seem like Honami had heard me at all. "Ah, nothing," she said finally.
"Just a bit curious." Honami added.
About what? I couldn't really ask that, though if you asked me why, I'd only answer that I didn't want to know.
"Huh? About what?" Mako was a different matter.
Honami wore a smile, one that didn't reach her ears. She seemed to be thinking about what to say.
"Hmm... it feels like prying, but how did you get to know each other?"
Ah. That. I've heard of similar, perhaps even the same questions before. From both my classmates and from students of other classes.
One of the representatives of Class-B being close friends with a Class-A student seemed like a lot of trouble.
And perhaps it was just a scheme. For as long as I could hold, I neither denied nor affirmed any of their suspicions. Perhaps it was fine to tell them, not that I hid it from those I could trust in the first place.
"Just about as any cliché story out there. I kinda... well, had a feeling we'd get along the first time we conversed. I simply followed through and befriended her slowly; in the same way, Masumi slowly opened up. Don't tell her I told you, though."
I finished my rant with that. I knew Masumi wouldn't be all that angry even if she heard wind of this, but I still made sure.
"Was it love at first sight?"
Contrary to Honami's unreadable expression, Mako was excitedly shaking on her seat. I gave it some thought and looked back to our first meeting, awkward as it was, there was a real possibility of that being the case.
"Huh," I didn't feel the need to confirm. "Maybe."
So I left it on a vague note.
"Aww. I really thought you two were a thing."
"Everyone kinda thinks so, too."
Honami giggled as she said so. For reasons I couldn't quite pin down, something about her seemed forlorn at that moment.
_____Crandeline.