arcturus × k.akaashi

三

"Aki, you need to tell him about your feelings." said the girl who sat next to her during PE, Ayumi.

"You know I can't. I'm not the type of girl he want plus, it's obvious that he had a crush towards Nanase," she said along with a small sigh.

It stings her heart everytime she mentioned her name.

Hayashi felt like a total loser compared to Nanase, who actually particularly good in everything and she's feminine too.

"I'm way too far from his league," she thought.

"But hey, isn't it the right time for you to choose either to stay or not?" Ayumi said , carefully. Afraid that she might broke Hayashi's heart even more.

To Ayumi, Hayashi might look tough but she's fragile. She's afraid that if Hayashi stay a little bit longer, she might broke herself even more and as a friend of her, she would rather die than seeing Hayashi cry.

She then patted Hayashi's shoulder lightly, cheering her up.

.

Hayashi walked quietly, almost tiptoed towards class 6, where Keiji stayed.

She silently prayed that Keiji somehow outside of his classroom just to avoid any big fuss that might happen.

Her wish was kindly granted.

He's there, standing against the corridor , the wind that blows softly touched his hair , making his hair slightly swayed.

Flushed. Her face blushed as she came closer towards him.

"Um, Keiji-san . Can we meet today right after school finished? I have something to tell you." Hayashi said , almost whispering while playing with her fingers.

Keiji could see how nervous she was by seeing how she played with her tiny fingers , cute.

"Sure." He replied in monotone but with a slight smile. He then went into his classroom right away.

.

"I like you." Hayashi said it in one breathe but she looked down, it's like she confessed her love to the ground instead of the person in front of her, Keiji.

"I don't," he replied right away, not looking at the small figure in front of him.

He felt like he just ruined someone's life, he's sorry but he already decided to stick with the decision he made.

She could feel her eyes swelled up with tears , it feels like as if someone pulled your soul apart by force. She didn't even dare to look at him, she decided to kept her head low , afraid the he might freaked out if he sees how weak she is.

Keiji gulped. He knew it hurts her but somehow, he's hurt too. The view in front of him is no joke, the guilt began to shower him.

He doesn't want to hurt her and he doesn't want to hurt himself too.

He then reluctantly turned away, decided to just brush away the guilt and pretend that nothing happened eventhough god how much he wanted to wiped that tears of her.

"Please, give me a chance. I know you had a crush on Nanase , but please. Give me a chance." Her voice trembled, even worse for Keiji, he felt like he just murdered someone.

"Maybe, maybe.. I need to move on from Nanase too." He thought.

"O-okay." He replied , unsure of his sudden decision.

He saw how Hayashi's body flinched a little bit , probably shocked with his decision.

He then took a step closer towards Hayashi, slowly lift her chin up and god, he just can't afford seeing how much she tried to not cry.

Her body trembled as she gritted her teeth. Unfortunately, the tears won't stop falling.

Keiji carefully wiped that tears of her , slightly tucked her hair behind her ears. He then pulled that tiny body into his embrace.

Hayashi was speechless but she gripped Keiji's shirt , she's too afraid to let it go now.

"Now, tell me. What is your name?" Keiji said quietly while patting her back a little bit.

Hayashi could feel how warm his breath, teasing her left ear.

"It's Hayashi, Hayashi Aki."