Finding Beauty || Rei Ryugazaki

Part 6: Akemi and Rei, The Final Moment

Third Person POV

It was finally the third and last day of the school festival.

Everyone of Iwatobi High was waiting in anticipation for the announcement for the competition from yesterday. No one wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to hear who the winners of this year will be.

However, Ryugazaki Rei wasn't thinking too much on the contest itself. His friend's words from yesterday buzzed in his ears instead.

"Say, Akemi-chan, if we both win tomorrow, I want to tell you something."

The butterfly swimmer couldn't sleep a wink last night thinking about it. He was positive that Nagisa was going to confess to her right then and there when the names are called out. He knew his friend well enough that he will do it. His stomach churned and he couldn't concentrate clearly. He was so angry. He wanted to tell Akemi that he liked her before Nagisa could.

He has to do so today.

Rei made sure to wake up earlier than usual and get ready for school. He must have the earliest chance to find the girl he likes and confess. The boy even tried practicing his lines in front of his mirror while he was changing into his school uniform. Of course, his confession has to be of utmost perfection and beauty. He cannot mess this up. Additionally, the free tickets he won to the aquarium were a confidence booster. That would be the perfect place to take Akemi on their first date... if he manages to pull everything off.

But, luck just had to have a little fun with him.

Nagisa must have been extra excited that day. Rei wasn't expecting his blond friend to be at the doorway the moment he opened his door. His violet eyes widened as he asked him, "Nagisa-kun, what are you doing here so early?"

"Well, isn't it obvious? I was going to text you that I was coming over earlier than usual but it must have slipped my mind!" Nagisa replied with a bright grin. "Looks like you're ready to go too! Shall we get going?"

Rei had to comply. It's not like he could decline at this point.

The two walked along their usual path to school. Once making it to the train, Rei finally had the courage to ask him, "You're planning on asking Akemi-san out. That was what you're planning to tell her today, am I correct?"

"Ah, Rei-chan, I knew you'd be able to figure it out," the blond chirped. The way that he had been so casual to saying that to Rei, irked him. He wasn't sure why he did, but there was something about the blond's tone that threw him off. "Don't you think it'd be great? I really hope I win."

"So you wouldn't confess if you lose?" The blue-haired boy pressed on, his eyebrows furrowed in both curiosity and irritation.

Nagisa caught onto the change in attitude in his friend and smiled subtly to himself. Rei was close to cracking, he could sense it. "I don't know. Maybe I would ask her out either way! But that wouldn't follow the tradition of the competition, now would it?"

Rei's lips twitched downward.

Nagisa grinned even more.

"You don't just so happen to be asking her out only because it's the tradition of the competition?" the taller of the two questioned, his voice threatening.

"Of course not!" Nagisa paused for a second, savoring the sweet sight of his friend being mad. C'mon, Rei-chan, you need to show me that you want her more than I do. "But how would you react if I was?"