I am a girl after all [WINDBREAKER - Umemiya Hajime]

Chapter 10

Chapter 10:

I can't believe I just told Umemiya Hajime, the person I've been in love with for years, that I love him. I didn't know where I got the courage to do so but after all these years, I've finally told him how I truly feel about him.

Ume stood there a little bit wide-eyed but he didn't look surprised at all.

"Yuzuru--," He started off, "I'm surprised it took you 7 years to tell me this, I always knew you do," 

"Y-You d-d-do?" I stuttered nervously, I was internally panicking, if he always knew then why did he favor Kotoha more than me? Why has he been so distant with me all this time?

"Of course, because I feel the same way," He said with a sincere smile, "I love you too," 

NO FUCKING WAY?! I'm not dreaming this, right? Did Ume really say that he loves me too?

"R-R-Really?" I was at a loss for words, my heart was racing and I couldn't breathe. No way is this really happening, this is too good to be true.

"Of course, I love you," He said flashing me his pearly whites, "We're family after all,"

It was too good to be true,

Why did I actually think for a second that he would love me the way I loved him, he never once showed interest in me. 

It was always Kotoha,

Heck, whenever Kotoha was in trouble, he would be there for her in an instant while when 30 guys ambushed me, he didn't bat an eye. He sent out Hiragi to check up on me, he didn't even ask how I was after the whole thing.

"Right.. Family--," I mumbled lowly, I could feel my heart shatter into a million pieces but I tried my best to smile so he wouldn't notice, 

"So how's your training coming along? Your competition is coming up soon," He asked, completely oblivious that I was heartbroken, 

"It's good," Was all I could say, "Ume, it's getting pretty late, I better head home. I have to be early for school, I wouldn't want to be late and all," I didn't wait for his response and just turned around and walked back to the cafe, trying my best not to cry.

"But you're suspended, you don't have school tomorrow," I heard him say but I just ignored him and went straight home,

Kotoha was outside the cafe waiting for me, she looked worried sick but I couldn't be bothered right now,

"Where have you been, you just went missing all of a sudden! I was worried!" She said but I completely ignored her and tried to walk past her.

She didn't like that I was ignoring her,

"Yuzuru, I'm talking to you!" Kotoha grabbed my wrist, stopping me in my tracks, "Where did you--," She stopped midway through her sentence when she saw me crying,

Kotoha didn't say anything after, she just pulled me into a hug and let me cry in her arms. 

I cried for a solid 15 minutes before calming down,

Kotoha served me a cup of hot chocolate after I was done crying, she didn't ask me what happened and waited until I was comfortable enough to talk about it which I was thankful for.

"I told a guy I liked him," I told Kotoha who was surprised with my revelation, "But he doesn't like me back,"

"Oh~ Sweetheart, I'm sorry," She comforted, "So the reason you went out is because you confessed to this person?" 

"Well, yeah~" I responded shyly, 

"So it's someone in Bofurin," She teased with a sly smirk on her face, I then started to panic when I realized I narrowed down the person I liked to 6 people, "It's Ume, isn't it?" 

"W-W-What?! N-N-No way!" I stuttered, stupid! I was so obvious with the way I was acting! "I-I-I d-d-don't like U-Ume like t-that!" She was giving me this weird look, she didn't believe me! I have to do something, she can't find out it's Ume or she's going to tell him what happened! "I-It's--uhh-- It's-- It's Sakura!"

Kotoha stood there completely stunned,

"Really?" She asked in disbelief, 

I screwed up big time, what am I supposed to do? Should I just tell her the truth? If I tell her it was Ume she's going to tell him I cried after getting rejected and he's going to feel bad about it, and if he feels bad about making me cry, he's definitely going to be super clingy with me to make me feel better but we all know he's only doing it because he feels bad.

But if I told Kotoha it's Sakura and she tells Ume about it, he's going to get the wrong idea. I don't want Ume to know I like someone else, whatever chance I have with him will crumble into fine dust.

I have to tell Kotoha the truth, I don't want to make things complicated.

"Yeah, I like Sakura," Why the fuck did I say that!? 

What was I thinking?! I thought I didn't want to make things complicated so why did I tell her I like Sakura!? 

"I honestly did not expect that at all," Kotoha was still in disbelief, "Well, you did fight with him and you seem to be the type to like strong guys--," She actually believes I like Sakura, what am I going to do now?

"Y-You could say that," I responded nervously, still annoyed I said I liked Sakura instead of Ume, "But maybe I could use this as a way to get some advice from Kotoha, "S-So... How do I get him to like me?" I questioned meekly, this question made Kotoha extremely happy, but why?

"I've been waiting for the day you come to me for some sisterly advice!" She cheerfully exclaimed, "I don't know what Sakura's type is but normally boys would like girly girls, why don't you try dressing a little more feminine?"

I couldn't help but cringe at the thought.

No way would I ever wear dresses and stuff like that, 

How am I supposed to beat up guys if I'm wearing a skirt?

But Kotoha did have a point, boys would usually go for girly girls, I mean just look at Kaori, she had every boy wrapped around her finger. She even caught Ume's attention so I guess this is something that Ume would be interested in.

"And how am I supposed to dress more feminine?" I asked Kotoha who smiled confidently before pulling out her phone,

"I know the perfect person to help you," She said then started typing on her phone, it didn't take long for her to receive a reply, "Saturday at the mall, 11 AM," She instructed, 

I didn't understand what she meant or what was going to happen but I do trust Kotoha and if she believed in this person then I should too.

Besides it's only Monday, I still have 5 days to think about this.

I shouldn't worry about this right now, I should worry more about Ume's fight against Tomiyama Choji tomorrow.