Kessoku Kokoro | A Bocchi the Rock Fanfic

Chapter 44: Culture Festival Part 1

Author: This might be Part 1 of 3 since this chapter is.... LONG

Author: So long that we decided screw it divide it into three. 

Author: So if the pacing feels kinda off... Sorry. 

Author: But it does feel nice to be back.

-

He woke up. Actually feeling happy that he's awake for once. 

Only for it to be replaced with anxiety regarding what's going to happen next. It's not the performance. That... can work out by itself. He's got the band with him. It's not the festival. That can work itself out too. He's not doing that alone. He's got the teachers and his classmates. Social anxiety is but a thing of the past for him.

He can just make small talk. It isn't that hard. Nobody's out there to get him. 

The only thing that was remotely difficult is reconciling the fact that... Ryo. Likes him. Great.

How do you deal with the fact that your own best friend is in love with you?

Better question is... how do you... choose between your crush and your best friend?

Because either way you lose. Hard. 

Tokumei didn't think about that. He shouldn't be thinking about that. Those come later. What matters is what he needed to do. And what he needed to do is just go about his day as if everything is normal. He can confront Ryo about that later...

Since he still needs to assemble his scrambled thoughts about her now that...

He actually feels the same way. 

It's not like he prefers her over Hitori. In terms of like actually loving her. They're both equal in his heart. He hoped. Maybe? He doesn't know. 

God.

Why's love so complicated?

-

Kita was surprised that she was getting a call from Ryo. First thing in the morning. Early as the rising sun. She pressed: Accept and... swallowed. 

"Hey," Ryo's voice was... somewhat guilty. Surprisingly. Either that or she was a great actor. 

"Hi," She replied awkwardly. What is she supposed to feel? Hate? Sadness? Righteous anger? She doesn't know. 

"Sorry for... well... I'm sorry. Ikuyo, you're... You're a wonderful person. An excellent singer and an even greater friend than even I could be. I should've treated your heart better but... I'm not entitled to repay your feelings... I hope you can understand that."

"I can... but it'll take some time for me to accept it."

"I see."

"Doesn't mean I'll forgive you anytime soon, but... Thanks for apologizing."

"I deserve that. See you, Ikuyo."

"...Hey, you won't... You won't hurt Hitori just because you love him right?"

"I won't... I... I won't. I promise you that."

"Good, but ultimately.. it's his choice. Bye, Ryo-senpai."

She hung up the call. Laying down on her bed, she felt... weird. But relieved. She finished up dressing up, got her things and went to school... 

-

School... was different. 

Everyone was more active at noticing him. Much to his discomfort. It was the broken hand. The classmates that he didn't bother paying attention to... The classmates that he never cared about enough to learn the names of... They were all saying things like...