people pleaser | nishimura riki

20. left him

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

"Okay so is it just me, or are you glowing today?" Remi started at her friend with her mouth full.

As Remi did not feel assure with her eating alone, she decided to ditch her friend group to sit with her younger friend. Aira was grateful, though it didn't matter whether she ate alone or not.

Just as long as she wasn't eating with him.

"Mei bought me a pack of face mask." Aira smiled at her friend whose eyes were widened.

"My idol? Oh my god, I still remember how shocked when I realised you were her cousin." Remi fangirled. She was a figure-skating fan which lead to her discovering of her cousin.

"Mine too." Aira laughed before taking a bite into her bread. "Oh also, I heard the town is holding their annual spring festival this weekend."

"Tell me about it! I am so excited." Remi squealed. "There is going to be so much food and activities and stalls!"

"My first time." Aira reminded he friend.

"Oh my god. Yes! You should join my friend group!"

"Oh right...are you sure? I could always just wander alone. Don't want to interfere."

"Are you kidding me? They are always saying how cute you are. I was just afraid they might scare you away."

"Then if i may~" Aira smiled until she watch her friend's expression drop.

"Code Red." Remi coughed as she whispered.

"What?"

"Aira." Another voice. Oh. So that was code red.

"Hi Nishimura. How can i help you?" Aira turned to face the tall boy.

"Can I talk to you." Riki sighed. It was obvious that whatever he was about to say, had been bothering him a lot. "Please."

"Uh okay. Aira, call me when you're done." Remi picked up her tray and left. However, she did not forget to glare at the male who was a head taller than her.

"Sit." Aira casually gestured him before taking another bite of her bread.

"I'm sorry." He began. "It was never my intention to compare you to..."

"Your ex? It's fine. You didn't really use me to your advantage."

"No, I did. I used your company." He confessed. Never has she seen him so sincere.

What a rare sight.

"Then so did I. You pretended I was your ex and I enjoyed your company. We're even." Aira forced a smile. "But Nishimura, in order for you to get over her, i can't be near you. Or else, all you'll remember is her...and not me." She muttered the last part.

"You're not the problem Aira. I was just surprised at how similar you two were."

"When we were both timid and shy?" Aira chuckled. "How helpless we were? Or how much you just wanted to protect us."

All those assumptions yet he didn't deny.

"But you're not like her."

"Because I am not her, Nishimura." Aira sighed. "We have different DNA, different ways of thinking, different hobbies and...different stories."

"I know." Riki spoke. "So I will only see you as Kim Aira from now on."

It was warming.

Almost warm enough for her to give in.

"Thank you." She smiled. "I really enjoyed being your friend, but let us stay as classmates from now on."

And with that, she left him.

Aira, who had always relied on Riki, left on her own this time.

Perhaps one of the greatest decision she had made alone.

However, she didn't know whether it was the right one.