Tsurune Fanfic-Shot Your Heart!

Chapter 12

"Cousin? You are Andini-chan's cousin, Nikaido Senpai?"

Nikaido Eisuke snorted and glanced at Takigawa Masaki. Since then, the blue-haired man has been silent. But, Eisuke knew that his blue eyes continued to stare at Ishida Andini. Eisuke was confused. He wanted to know what happened between Andini and the man in front of him, and what relationship they had. Then, Eisuke blinked when the high school girl in front of him immediately ran towards Andini and hugged her.

"You make me worry, Andini-chan!" Kurosaki Inga exclaimed. "You scared me half to death! What are you doing? I've been waiting for you for a long time and I thought something bad happened to you."

Ishida Andini cleared her throat and released herself from Inga's arms. The girl smiled faintly.

"I'm sorry, Inga-chan. I... I've come but I'm waiting for you there," Andini pointed towards the bridge. Inga looked in the direction Andini was pointing and froze. Likewise with Masaki and Shu. Of course, this is because they know that under the bridge there is a flowing river. Eisuke seemed to be able to guess what was going through the minds of the three people in front of him. "Then, Eisuke Oniichan came and asked me to chat. He was also the one who brought me here."

Takigawa Masaki gritted his teeth. He clenched both of his hands tightly. The man looked at Eisuke and said, "I want to talk to Andini for a moment. Can you give me permission to talk to her?"

Nikaido Eisuke was silent. The man looked at Takigawa Masaki with a sharp gaze. This man is a stranger to Eisuke. He couldn't guess what Masaki would do to Andini.

"Err... Nikaido-san?"

Eisuke blinked and turned his head. The high school girl who Andini had called Inga-chan smiled hesitantly at him.

"I'm Kurosaki Inga. I'm Andini-chan and Shu-kun's elementary school friend. And this man is the Kyudo coach at Kazemai High School. My high school and Andini-chan's. His name is Takigawa Masaki. He's not a bad guy. He's a really nice guy. I can guarantee it for you. And what's more... Masaki-san and Andini-chan's Mother know each other."

Eisuke was silent. The man took a deep breath and rubbed his face with both of his hands.

"Fine. But, don't do anything that could make Andini-chan sad or angry."

Masaki nodded and thanked Eisuke. Then, the man looked at Andini who looked down. He approached Andini and held her arm.

"Can you come with me for a moment?" Masaki asked in a gentle tone.

"I—"

"Just for a little bit," Masaki said in a firm tone, interrupting Andini's words. "I have something to discuss with you."

Andini couldn't do anything anymore. She nodded and let Masaki take her away. The man took Andini to a place that was not crowded but could still be seen by Eisuke, Shu, and Inga. When he was far enough away from the three people, Masaki looked at Andini. But, the girl still looked down.

"How are you, Andini?" Masaki asked.

"Good." The girl only answered briefly. Her voice sounded flat. Realizing this, Masaki took a deep breath and was silent for a moment. He knew that Ishida Andini must be stressed and depressed because of what happened at the hospital at that time.

"What were you doing on that bridge?" Masaki asked.

Andini froze. Her brown eyes widened. She looked up and could see the firm look Masaki was giving her. A gaze that made her comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time.

"May I know what you were thinking when you were on that bridge?"

"Masaki-san," Andini said in a cold tone. The cold tone which made Masaki freeze. "I don't feel the need to tell you what I was thinking and what I was doing on the bridge at that time."

"Are you... intending to jump?" Masaki asked, not paying attention to Andini's words just now. There was fear inside him when Masaki thought about that terrible possibility. "Are you... intending to commit suicide?"

Andini didn't answer. The girl looked away. However, from Andini's actions, Masaki knew that what he had just said was true.

"Masaki-san?"

The call made Masaki and Andini turn their heads around. Masaki blinked and smiled at a beautiful, petite woman wearing formal clothes. Andini glanced at Masaki. The change in expression on Masaki's face, the way he looked at the woman in front of them, and also the way he smiled, made Andini feel a little... angry.

Who is she?

"Kanao-san?" Masaki laughed. He released his grip on Andini's hand, making Andini look down. An adult man like Takigawa Masaki deserves to have a lover like that woman named Kanao. "It's been a long time since I saw you. How are you?"

"I'm doing great." Kanao approached Masaki and hugged him. Of course, Masaki returned the woman's hug. "How about you? Oh, am I interrupting your conversation with that girl?"

That girl?

Masaki frowned at Kanao's words. He let go of Kanao's embrace and turned his head around, then realized Ishida Andini had walked away. Masaki was wide-eyed. The man panicked and looked at Kanao.

"Kanao-san, I'm glad to see you again. But, I have to go now."

Kanao smiled and nodded. She waved when she saw Masaki running to chase after the girl.

Meanwhile, Masaki managed to catch up with Andini and immediately grabbed the girl's arm. He stopped Andini's steps, then stood in front of the girl.

"Why did you run away from me?"

"I just don't want to disturb your happy reunion with that woman."

Masaki was silent.

"Andini, are you jealous?"

Andini froze. She looked up and stared intently into Masaki's blue eyes.

"What do you mean? I don't—"

"You are jealous." A statement and not a question. Masaki couldn't stop the warmth spreading in his heart. "You don't want me to get close to other women. Gosh, what should I do? I'm so happy to know that."

Andini was silent.

For God's sake, what was Takigawa Masaki thinking?!