one [sachio ueda]

s e v e n t e e n : m a i

I rushed back to Yuken's house with Coco right after Fujio left for Oya.

I couldn't wait to see Sachio. I'm going to tell him everything. Well, not everything. Just how big my crush on him was. I felt charged like a battery. I suddenly developed motivation that I didn't have in many years.

I held onto Coco tightly as I ran up the stairs. I could already smell the dinner Sachio was making. When I went to the kitchen, he had his back turned towards me.

"Sachio." I called out to him, putting Coco down on the ground. "What's there for dinner?" I tried to hide the excitement in my voice.

"Nothing special. He replied, his front still facing the stove. "Just rice and vegetables."

Okay, my excitement level went from hundred percent to ninety nine percent.

I walked further and stood beside him. "Looks good." I lied, making him glance at me.

He seemed a bit off. I mean he always was upset but this time it was a bit different. It could be because I didn't say anything back to him. Go on Mai. Tell him that you like him too.

"About what you said earlier-"

He cut me off immediately. "Yeah, don't mind that."

"Huh?"

"It was a dare." He didn't even look at me while speaking. "Just forget about it."

I blinked. I could feel my heart sink in immediately. What did I even expect? Of course, a guy like him would never like me. At least not in that way.

"Right. No wonder." I scoffed. "It would be so unusual and weird if you liked me."

Sachio glanced at me again with guilt which lasted for a second. He definitely didn't want to do that dare.

"Should I go back to ignoring you then?" I murmured, hoping he wouldn't actually hear it.

"No. Don't be so immature." He scowled as he set the table.

I sighed, sitting down at the table. I was slowly absorbing the words Sachio said. It was just a dare. Why did I even get so excited?

There's no way I can eat right now. My tongue felt bitter already. I think I would start crying in a few minutes and I definitely can't do it in front of him

"I'm going to sleep."

"I just made the food." Sachio turned around.

"Save it for tomorrow."

"Mai, are you having mood swings again?"

"No?"

"Then eat." His voice became firm and he crossed his arms over his chest. "And don't cause a scene again."

Fuck Sachio. Fuck him and everything about him. And fuck Fujio and the Murder Corps for giving him the dare.