Hourglass [Quintessential Quintuplets]

Chapter 14 - Siren's Song

Itsuki's POV:

Have you ever felt your heart race so fast it felt like it might burst? Emotions that you used to deny are instantly attacking the walls of your heart? Feelings so sweet and soft, like cotton candy melting at the touch...

Twice. He came to my room, twice. And each time he found a way to get me out of my dilemma.  He was always there that day at the mall, and during my precious time at the festival. Ichika and Nino are used to dealing with situations like these. All the boys used to crowd around those two at our previous schools because they were always prettiest. I was never that girl.

Yet this— This is the first time I've ever experienced something like. Every time I see those silky blonde hair, those eyes bluer than the sea, every time they look at me, all my time stops.

But I'm not the only one to notice this... Almost all the girls at school have their eyes on him, Yotsuba told me about how he reject all those girls. I want to get close to him but... what if I end up the same? He's downstairs alone right now, this is my only chance to talk to him alone.

"AHH! Mochi, what should I do?" I collapse onto my bed, hugging my plush panda against my chest. "I was supposed to protect this family, but now... now I don't even know how to protect myself."

It's true that Nino is biased against men, but she's actually the softest of us... That's why I was taking on her task, but I failed. I told him to wait for me downstairs, but I'm scared. What if what I want doesn't happen, what if I end up like other girls?

"Mmmm! Mochi, help me out here!" I bury my face into the plush panda, muffling my scream. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

Uesugi is whatever, I can handle that loser. But Asuka is another matter, I tried. I tried to feel for him the same feelings that I had for Uesugi, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't. Did I fail? Or did I just not want to succeed?

 Whatever the answer, it doesn't matter anymore. I've failed to hate him.

I shift slightly, inhaling the faint scent clinging to my panda. His scent. My fingers tighten around the plush. "Soft and warm. This panda smells like... him."

I shouldn't keep him waiting any longer.

The house is quiet, the only sound being the wind of the city beyond my room's window. The girls and Uesugi-kun must have gone to sleep by now. I rise from my bed and, make my way downstairs. Each step slower than the last body— Is my body giving me one last chance to turn back.

He was there and hadn't slept yet. Asuka was staring out the living room window at the city view, something I do on my own. You'll be shocked at how beautiful the night view is from the thirtieth floor.

''. . .''

Oh my. Did the heavens spill an entire bottle of beauty potion when they created him? Because seriously—holy shit? Asuka isn't just attractive; he's beautiful even than myself! And that's coming from me, a girl, who's supposed to have some confidence in her own looks.