Denial Demeanor | Kenma Kozume

Chapter 6: -Turn Into Sudden Reality

After class, Kenma immediately ran up to you. "About earlier.." he whispers. "What?" You reply, expecting some kind of insult. "Your hand was pretty cold."

"Like you, right?" You smile cheekily. Kenma rolled his eyes. Kenma held your hand and raised it. "See? They are cold." You were perplexed, flustered as he kept talking about how to warm it.

"Okay okay! I get it, it's cold. I'll warm it later. Now go!" You reply, shrugging off his hands. Kenma sighed, leaning into your ear. "Meet me at the garden tonight at 7." 

"Huh? What? Why?" You ask. But he already walked away, ignoring your countless questions.

You mentally facepalmed. You were curious on what this man would want.. You? Nah. Not in a million years. But even if you were angry at him, there wasn't a speck of hesitation to not  go meet him. You sigh, preparing the things you need for the next class.

You were headed home now but Kenma was nowhere to be found on campus. There was two hours left to spare in time for your meetup so you decided to stop by the bakery and grab yourself a self-indulging apple pie. 

While chewing, you spotted Kenma hanging out with Kuroo. 

Huh.. he looks nervous. 

Oh right! There's gonna be an upcoming test. Fuck.  You thought, gobbling down the last bit of your apple pie. Leaving the bakery, Kenma now spotted you.

"Hey!" Kuroo called out. You turned around, Kuroo smiling at you. "Oh hey!" You greet back. Kenma was beside him, still looking oh-so nervous. "Is he alright?" You ask, walking towards the both of them. 

Kuroo heaved a deep breath, shrugging.

"Still up for the meetup, Kenma?" You ask him teasingly. "Yeah, mhm."

After chatting for a few, you said your goodbyes and went home. 

It's almost seven and you started to get ready. And by ready you mean tying your hair up wearing lip balm in your pajamas.

You walked quietly to the school grounds, wondering how you were going to sneak in. Suddenly, the calico cat appeared, purring softly and pushing his head against your leg. Before leaving, he looked at you. You silently pointed yourself, confused. He walked away, you trailing behind him.

There you found yourself entering the garden from a hole in the old wooden fence. You then see a peculiar blond hair.

"Hey, Kenma." You whisper, the moon as the only source of light as it illuminated the fountain water and the face of your first and only love: Kenma Kozume.

He waved, with a soft smile on his face. "I thought you didn't know the way. I was going to try and find you myself." He chuckles. "I didn't know, actually. This cat showed me the way." You smile, glancing at the calico cat licking himself. 

"So.. why did you want to meetup this late?"
"Nothing, just wanted to talk."

"What!?" You say with a breathy voice. You turned your back but as you were leaving, Kenma stopped you, holding your wrist. "Okay okay! I asked to meetup but it isn't for nothing. I do really need to talk to you." He replies, embarrassed. You sigh, turning around again. 

He then suddenly hugged you. "I still kept your necklace."

Flustered, you unconsciously hugged him tighter. You looked up, Kenma looking back at you. You averted your gaze asking him: "Why'd you keep it?" 

"It's.. pretty cute. Especially the memory it holds." He whispers softly. You blush, letting go of him. "G-Get to the point.." You tried to demand, hiding your face. "I'll keep this short." he says. 

"Do you like me?"

Dumbfounded, you did realize your feelings were even more obvious than in high school.

"No." Hesitation in your voice. "Really?" He asks you, confused. But you could sense there as some sadness in his tone.

You awkwardly chuckle. "Why? Do you like me?"

"Nope." Hopefully it doesn't stay that way.

"Wanna go get ice cream and come back here?" You offer. "I'd love that." He replies, smiling warmly.

You both chuckle, walking to the convenience store. 

You prayed to the heavens above that you will soon win his heart. Even if it means suffering his mixed signals.