Kaito mulls over his feelings for Zoe.
It has only been a day since he tried to avoid her, yet it did trouble him. He missed talking to her. She liked confiding her thoughts, and he liked listening to her.
Zoe is optimistic and gullible. Her innocence is her charm. Although she seems to have a weak personality because of it, Kaito believes that she is only afraid of stepping out of her comfort zone. She got used to being pushed around and having other people make decisions for her life. Yes, she did come to Tokyo, but what she left behind is stopping her.
Truthfully, Kaito doesn't want Zoe to break up with Seth. She is faithful to their relationship, and it reflects the depth of her feelings for him.What he truly desires is for Seth to become her unwavering support, a strong presence in her life. For him to be her rock.
Kaito knows that it isn't his business, but he wants to be someone who can cheer her on while that hasn't happened yet. He is her friend after all.
When Zoe burned her arm, however, his instinct urged him to get close to her in an instant, though his mind prevented him from doing so. He couldn't show Zoe and everyone what he was feeling. Marie already saw through him. That was enough.
For a while he thought that he needed to stay away, yet he understood that it would be unfair to Zoe. She didn't do anything wrong. So, he made up his mind to continue being her close friend. He would turn these growing feelings away.
Whatever it is would die out as quickly as it came. There is no need for him to avoid her.
"Wow! This is amazing!" Zoe exclaims as soon as they reach the cliff. She strides toward the edge with Jesse, Naoki, and Taylor. The city appears vividly glistening from where they are standing.
Marie stands next to Kaito, then she asks quietly, "Are you going to tell her?"
Kaito doesn't say anything.
"You know what you should do, right? She's dating somebody else."
"Yes, I know," Kaito replies firmly. "Nothing's going to happen, Marie."
"I just don't want you to get hurt."
Kaito smirks. "I know. And I won't. That's impossible. This... This is just a crush. Or whatever. Let's not make a big deal out of it. Don't tell anyone."
Zoe spins and looks at them, her eyebrows raised. "Why are you guys still there? You're missing out!"
Marie gives him a tight-lipped smile before sashaying to join the others.
Kaito stares at Zoe from behind, contemplating whether he means what he said. Realizing that it is pointless, he takes a deep breath and also walks toward the edge of the cliff.
******
Taylor and Naoki purchase cans of beer from a nearby convenience store before returning to the cliff. The group sits on the grass, the evening sky clear and eternal, and then talks about almost anything under the sun. Taylor's voice gets progressively louder as he becomes tipsy. They have to hush him all the time.
Around 2 AM, when Jesse and Taylor are already intoxicated, they decide to return to Naoki's place. Naoki and Kaito take care of Taylor, while Zoe and Marie carry Jesse, one arm on each of their shoulders. Jesse blurts out the most random things about robots and space, whereas Taylor rambles about the English alphabet. The rest of the group is too exhausted and sleepy to contribute much to the conversation on the way home.
Strangely, it's one of the best nights of Zoe's life. All she's done was talk to her newly found friends, but happiness resonates through her. Ever since she came to Japan, she has felt nothing but bliss and excitement for what's coming next.
YOU ARE READING
The Spring I Met You
Romance"Things that are special, though temporary, tend to last longer in our memories," Kaito says. Zoe recalls the Hanami party that they had and everything that has happened since she arrived. She remembers every detail perfectly. She nods slowly. "You'...
