Cote: Elite in Action

Echoes of the Heart

—Honami? —I said, still not understanding Honami's strange behavior.

—Kayden~ tell me —she responded with a sweetness in her voice that made me shiver.

—Yes? —I replied, unsure of what to expect.

—Why was Kikyou-chan in your lap? Why were you stroking her hair? And why were you carrying her like a princess at the sports festival? So, Kayden, tell me... is there something you're hiding from me? —Her hands wrapped around my neck, with a softness that didn't match the intensity of her gaze.

—Eh? —was all I could articulate. Was this behavior... jealousy? Seriously? God, this girl is going to give me a heart attack.

—Answer, Kayden. —Her fingers tightened a little more, and even though her tone remained calm, there was something dangerous in the way she looked at me, as if she were on the verge of breaking.

—Honami, there's nothing between Kikyou and me. Well, nothing that you imagine —I tried to calm the situation, but I felt that any word could make her explode.

—So there is something then... —Her grip around my neck became firmer, and my lungs began to protest. Was this really happening? Honami? The always serene and kind Honami? The girl in front of me was almost unrecognizable.

—My relationship with her is... well, we could say it's similar to the one I have with Mako or Yuki, although not as close... —My voice sounded somewhat shaky, not out of fear, but due to the unbearable tension that filled the air between us.

—So that's how it is...? —she said while finally loosening her grip, but her eyes remained fixed on mine, scrutinizing every word, every gesture. I couldn't read her. I had never seen those eyes in her... so cold, so empty, yet filled with something she didn't want to acknowledge.

—Honami, you're acting... different today. You know? —I murmured, trying to catch my breath and somehow piece the situation back together.

—Different? I don't think so, I'm the same as always —she replied with a smile that tried to be friendly but only made me more nervous. There was no warmth in her, just a mask.

—No, you're not like always —I insisted, taking a step back, trying to gain some space between us, even if it were just mental.

—Well, maybe you're right... but this is your fault —her words fell like a hammer, and the cold I felt at that moment ran down my spine.

—My fault? —I asked, unable to hide my confusion.

—Yes, it's your fault that I feel this way now. Do you know what it hurts to see you so close to another girl? Do you know how many times I've wanted to get closer to you? No, you don't know, because you're too busy flirting with other girls. —Her voice broke, but not out of weakness; it was contained rage, accumulated frustration, and now it was exploding right in front of me.

The silence that followed was even more deafening. The distance between us was not physical; it was an emotional barrier that had built up without me realizing it, and now, Honami was fighting against it with all her might.

I stood there, staring at her, unsure of what to say. Had I really been so blind all this time? Honami, who had always been by my side, smiling, supporting me... now revealed a part of herself I never imagined.

—Honami, I... —I tried to speak, but I couldn't find the right words. How could I respond to something I hadn't even noticed?

She sighed, and for a moment, I thought she was going to leave, but instead, she moved even closer until our foreheads almost touched.