COTE: The Best Version of Me

Chapter 22 - Mutual feelings

(A/N: This chapter is way longer than the others, so I recommend you read it when you have plenty of time!

Enjoy!)

                                            𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕭𝖊𝖘𝖙 𝖁𝖊𝖗𝖘𝖎𝖔𝖓 𝖔𝖋 𝕸𝖊

Honami POV

I could hardly believe what I had just done. The door to my room closed behind me, but I stood there for a moment, hugging my phone tightly to my chest like it was a lucky charm. My heart was beating so fast it felt like it was going to explode, and my face was so hot I was sure my cheeks were completely flushed.

But I just can't help it, it's Kiyotaka-kun!

A Date with him... 

I let the weight of those words wash over me. I threw myself onto the bed, burying my face in the pillow as the memory of the scene played over and over in my mind, as if it were recorded on a tape that someone had put on repeat.

It was so embarrassing to say those words. Not because I didn't want to—in fact, it was the opposite. 

I wanted so badly to spend more time with him, to know more of his thoughts, to see that rare, genuine smile that sometimes appeared at unexpected moments. But at the same time, I was afraid of how he would react. 

"He accepted... He accepted!" 

A huge smile formed on my face as I turned over in bed, clutching the pillow tightly against me, as if that could calm the wave of feelings that was overflowing in my chest. I felt so light, so happy, that it felt like I could float away.

"Kiyotaka-kun..."

Still lying on my bed, hugging the pillow as if it were Kiyotaka-kun himself, I couldn't help but chuckle softly. It was so silly... but I couldn't help it. Just thinking that he had accepted, that tomorrow I would spend hours by his side, made my heart dance.

I rolled back and forth in bed, feeling my face burn even more, but this time, I didn't try to hide from the feeling. I let it take over me completely, like a wave of happiness that came and went, each time more intense.

I sat back down, pulling my legs up to my chest and rocking back and forth gently. It felt so good to feel this kind of joy, this kind of warm nervousness that came with being in love. I always thought that loving someone was something sweet and easy, but with him, it was like a whirlwind—intense and impossible to ignore.

I picked up my phone again, opening the conversation with him only to read his response once more. Those simple words made me sigh for the hundredth time that night.

He's so cute without even realizing it... how can someone be so perfect?

I stood up again, unable to stay still. I walked over to the window, looking at the sky that was already starting to turn the soft colors of dusk. It was beautiful, but nothing compared to the feeling I had inside me right now. 

The orange light seemed to reflect the flame that burned in my heart. 

Is he thinking about this right now? 

I couldn't help but wonder as I rested my chin on my hand and looked outside. Well, regardless of what he was thinking... just the fact that he accepted was more than I could ask for.

I touched my face with my fingertips, still feeling the heat that didn't seem to want to go away. My mind wandered through all the possibilities... what will happen tomorrow?