Akari's Time (Assassination Classroom fanfic)

Chapter 13

Akari

Love is always such a curious little thing. You didn't expect it to come. Yet it always finds a way to reach your doorstep, no matter how many times you push it away. It sneaks up to you without any notice or warning. It takes you by surprise. So surprising you wouldn't know how to react.

I stop crying once I hear Isogai. I straighten myself. "What?"

Isogai looks at me, with a sweet smile on his face. The blush dwells on his face, but it is not the colour of a tomato. It is the rosiness of a pink rose, subtle, yet beautiful. He repeats himself. "I love you, Akari."

I stare at him. My mind cannot process the words he said.

"Umm... Isogai, I..." words fail to form from my gaping mouth.

"I know. You can't reciprocate my feelings," he says.

I need to change the topic. I feel my cheeks burning. "W-we should get your bruises t-tended." I fumble for the plasters in front of me but his hand touch mine. Instinctively I pull away. I don't look him in the eye because it will aggravate the burning in my cheeks.

"Is it because you like Karma?" he asks.

I paralyze. "N-no." I reply. It's partly true and partly a lie. Honestly I still haven't figured it out.

"I understand. It only means I still have a chance." He looks into the distance. "At first, I hesitate to confess because if I did, it'll change our relationship forever. We can no longer be just friends. I really do treasure our friendship. But I can't keep these feelings welled up in me forever." His fist clamps over his heart like it hurts as he breathes.

"Isogai..."

"So I'm going to tell you. I don't care if you reciprocate them. I really hope you do. But love cannot be coerced. I understand that. However, I don't want to sit quietly in a corner and do nothing to vie for your love. I never expect you to notice, after all, you aren't the sharpest knife in the drawer when it comes to love."

"Hey! You don't have to be so blunt about it," I retort. "I know I'm dense."

He chuckles, a nice melody to my ears. "But..." he grabs my shoulders and stares into my eyes. "I'll wait. I'll wait until you realize who your feelings are directed. Be it Karma, or me, or anyone else. Till then I will stay by your side and protect you, no matter how many times you'll try to push me away. I won't budge. I won't falter. Anyone who tries to hurt you, they have to go through me first."

"Iso-" he pulls me into a hug. His warmth feels nice. I relax.

"Just let me protect you. That's all I ask for," Isogai whispers.

We stay like that for some time. I indulge myself into his warmth that comforts me from my fears. I take it as a friendly hug more than something romantic, though I have qualms. I'm probably lying to myself to avoid any unnecessary overthinking.

The door slides open and Korosensei's head pops in. We immediately break apart.

"Nuya! Isogai-kun, Akari-chan! Are you okay?" Korosensei's tentacles reach out for my arm, examining it carefully. "Some blood seeped through the bandage. I'll change it for you." Another tentacle grabs Isogai's chin and flips his head side to side. Then he examines his limbs. "Isogai-kun, I'll put some disinfectant on your grazes just in case." Tentacles busy themselves as they grab the appropriate medication.

"Korosensei," Isogai says. "What happened to Takaoka?"

"Nuya?" Korosensei looks up. "Nagisa-kun defeated him and the Board Chairman gave him a scarlet letter."