The Spring I Met You

Thirty: Take It Easy

Marie's mouth falls open, her fingers touching her lips. "H-How did you know? Did he tell you? God, this is embarrassing."

Embarrassing?

"No, it wasn't Kaito. He didn't say anything. I happened to hear it from Taylor."

Marie scowls, sighing heavily. "That Taylor..."

She licks her lips before looking Zoe in the eye again.

"It was last winter when my boyfriend broke up with me. It was terrible. I needed support from the people around me, unlike you, who took your time and built yourself alone. I know now that you avoided us because of what happened. Am I right?"

Zoe nods, wincing.

"Anyway, Kaito is too... Uh..."

"Kind," she finishes her sentence because it's true. Kaito is one of the kindest people she has ever met.

"Yes, Kaito is too kind," Marie utters, grinning. "He's supportive and a really good listener."

The reaffirmation that Kaito is just being Kaito pierces Zoe's heart once again, yet she conceals the pain with a faux smile.

She wanted this anyway. She wanted to know how far her tiny, tiny crush could go. And she got her answer—nowhere.

"We went on this trip to Hokkaido, and he kinda looked after me. He was there all the time, even more than Naoki and Taylor. He always tried to make me laugh... And I... Got ahead of myself. I thought there was something more. That maybe, he liked me..."

Marie cringes, covering her face with both her hands.

"...So, I tried to kiss him."

Zoe swallows the lump that forms in her throat, bracing herself for what's coming next. Meanwhile, Marie places her hands on her thighs, fingers curled.

"But he gently pushed me away. He looked worried and then he asked me what was wrong. It was so embarrassing! Taylor saw what happened and told Naoki about it. And now you also know about it. Tsk. That loudmouth."

Zoe feels an unexpected release of tension in her body, the jealousy lingering, though not as painful.

Because Kaito didn't kiss her back.

"I thought our friendship was over. But Kaito was, like what we agreed on, kind. So we talked about it. I asked him what he felt for me, and he explained he didn't see me that way. He was merely trying to be a good friend. He even apologized to me!"

Marie exhales, and with a toothed-smile, she adds, "It was my fault. I thought I was special. I mean, I was special, but not in any other way than... Um... You guys are. Now here we are, still close friends. It was more than I could ask for. And I realized I didn't like him that way! I was only vulnerable and frustrated."

Marie's confession makes Zoe realize that the two of them might be the same. They were both helpless, and Kaito was just being nice because they needed someone to be there. Perhaps, it was really because she was also vulnerable.

Zoe's insides twisted at the thought.

"Sorry if I'm blabbering to you like this. I figured you're interested in what happened so..."

"No, it's okay. I asked. I was curious because Taylor didn't say anything and... We're all friends... Sorry, maybe you think I'm being nosy."

"Absolutely not. I also think you have to know."

The conversation ends when they hear Jesse's voice calling their names. The two get up and see Naoki, Taylor, Kaito, and Jesse approaching. Zoe immediately pulls the crop top lower to make sure that her belly is covered. At least, for now.