𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧 [ 𝐒. 𝐊𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐲𝐚𝐦𝐚. ]

Chapter 8

I'm lost, I don't know where I am.

"Shige!"

Someone called out in a distance. I opened my eyes to see myself surrounded by tall sunflowers. I look down to see myself in a white t-shirt and I'm currently holding a straw hat. This somehow feels familiar.

"Shige-chaaaan! I finally found youuu!" It was (Y/n)'s voice.

I look over in front of me to see her, but she's a child.

Oh, this is a memory from my childhood. Why am I dreaming of them now?

She was holding my hands as she looked back at me while we were walking out of the maze of these tall sunflowers, "Were you scared, Shige-chan? Ritsu is crying since he said he couldn't find you. Don't wander too far in this garden Shige, even my grandpa gets lost here," She said as she gives me a toothy grin.

Her front tooth has a gap since she lost one of her frontal teeth. I nodded, "Sorry. But thank you for finding me!" I said as I smile at her.

"Of course! I will always make sure you're alright, Shigeo," She said.

I don't know what came over me, but the words that she said made my cheeks heat up. I smiled and nodded, "I will too!" I replied.

.

"I like you, Shigeo! I really don't want to ruin our friendship, but the feelings I have for you are too strong for me to ignore." (Y/n) said as she bowed in front of me. Her eyes were closed shut as a visible blush spread across her cheeks.

I felt a tug on my heart. She sounded so sincere, and it feels different from the past confession I had with Emi-san. I don't know what I should say, even Ekubo beside me stayed quiet and seemingly waiting for me to reply to her words.

"I'm sorry, But I like someone else, (Y/n)-san," I said.

I felt a tug on my heart once again.

(Y/n) laughed nervously, "Oh! Uh...I-I understand, Shigeo!" She said.

She sounds like she's holding back her tears. Her voice is slightly trembling. Was I too harsh with my words? Why do I feel guilty saying that I like someone else? Most importantly, why does it hurt me to see her with that expression? She's smiling, but I know that she's not happy. She's concealing her sadness and disappointment through a smile.

I don't like that.

"Shige! Wake up! You'll be late for school!"

Shigeo slowly opened his eyes to see the familiar boring ceiling his room has. His eyes flutter as he rubbed it gently whilst getting up from his futon. A weird dream.