An Unheard Voice // 𝘈𝘬𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘺𝘢 𝘒𝘊𝘊 𝘈𝘜

𝟶𝟸𝟹: 𝙵𝚎𝚛𝚛𝚒𝚜 𝚆𝚑𝚎𝚎𝚕

I blink, as she pants, and people cheer around us. While I'm holding the flowers, I see Ena and my mother just stand there... What?

This... It's a prank right? April isn't even here yet. No no no wait, I-

"U-Um.. Do you.. have an answer..?" Kusanagi mumbles, looking up at me. She's- she's serious?! I don't-- 

".. Toya?" Akito says, and I turn around quickly. But- Otori- "Toya, what is this..?" He scoffs, but I can tell he's taken by surprise.

"This- I--" I begin panicking, except I'm frozen. I don't like Kusanagi! I don't- Why does Kusanagi like me?! She clings onto me, wrapping her arms around one of mine. He stares at her, and back at me. Once a few moments are over, he inhales deeply.

"I should get going and leave you two alone.. Have fun." He smiles, walking away. No, I.. Akito! Wait-! Ena walks up to us, but doesn't look at us.

".. Text me later, okay?" She reaches up to ruffle my hair, following him. What- What's happening?! I can't manage to say anything anymore-! Is it the crowd..?! I feel like I'm being choked by my own words! Otori comes out from behind a nearby tree, giving us a thumbs up.

"Congratulations, Nene-chan. I.. can't believe you did it. I'm proud of.. I'm happy for the both of you..!" Her voice cracks, and she dashes the other way shortly after we can see her eyes getting glossy. Kusanagi tilts her head, but I'm completely stunned right now.

.. why was Otori here? And how long? Did- Please don't be mad at me.

".. Sweetie, I- Uh-" My mother says, as I stare at the ground. What.. What do I do? How can I- I have to reject her, but.. How will it affect her? I know she can overthink a lot like me.

I can't just say I don't like her like that, she'll think I hate her! Akito just left me, too.. what do I do? I'm terrified.

It's.. I grasp onto her hand, bringing her to the ferris wheel. I have to do it, even if I'll feel bad after. I can't just show feelings I don't genuinely have for her. What's wrong with me.?

"Toya?" Kusanagi asks, as we leave my mother standing there, confused. It was all so sudden, too. Should I have checked my phone?

Once we get on, I wait for it to start moving. It's.. it's really high now. Oh, god. It's also a very loud silence. I take a deep breath, and look her right in the eyes.

"Kusanagi.." I say, and she turns to me again.

"Yeah..?"

"I.. I am flattered you- you like me and you got these.. for me, but I'm afraid- the feelings aren't.. mutual..." My voice begins trailing off, and I look to the side while returning the flowers, watching as we go higher and higher. She just stares at me for a second, and looks down. 

"O-Oh." 

We stay silent for another long moment, but I hear her sniff. I begin to panic, and wave my hands around. Oh no, I made her cry!

"No, no- It's- It's okay that you don't like me.. I'm really weird. I don't know why I didn't just wait for these feelings to go away. I'm so sorry I did that in front of everyone, I- I wasn't thinking!" She sobs, wiping her eyes. I hold her hand, and stare at her.

"Y-You're not weird. It's- It's not.. you th-that I rejected you for. I.. I just.." I gulp, staring at the ground as well. "I like Akito," I spit it out, and immediately get embarrassed. She blinks and a tear falls out.

".. I figured." She smiles through it, and wipes her eyes once more. "So.. you don't like me because I'm a girl that's not Akito?"

That stunned me. I smile, and nod. She begins to giggle, but is still crying. "That's... That sounds so stupid!" She laughs, and I can't help but chuckling as well. "Wait, you're gay?! Nene fucking Kusanagi, what have you done..."