My Father's Secret

Chapter 59

"Aoi-chan? Why do you think I like her?"

"Maybe because she likes you?"

"But that doesn't have anything to do with who I like"

"Well it has some influence"

"Then I should be asking you the same question"

"What do you mean?"

"Its obvious that Taiyou likes you. Does that mean you like him?"

"He doesn't like me. We're more like in a brother sister kind of relationship. Besides, he already likes someone else"

"Really?" Tsurugi asked skeptically. "But you two give each other hugs in public like you're a couple. It's hard to believe that you don't like him back"

"Thats what you said last time. I think I'm sensing some jealousy right there"

"I'm not jealous. I'm just looking out for your public image. People don't view you in a nice way if you go around hanging out with many guys"

"Many guys? I'm on a soccer team with a bunch of guys for god sake"

"Well what about Yukimura-san? He's not in Raimon"

"It's called making friends, Tsurugi"

"But making friends doesn't require you to smile at people and bat your eyelashes"

"I do not do that, and why would you care if I did anyways?"

"I told you, I don't want people going around gossiping about you ok?"

"But its none of your business" Kimiko argued frustration rising within her. What she did was her problem. What say did Tsurugi have in this?

"Fine it's not my business, but I'm just trying to look out for you. Can't I do that?"

"I can look out for myself"

"Kimiko, why can't you understand that I'm trying to help you here"

"I understand perfectly fine whats going on. You just don't want me making friends with other people because its not in line with your beliefs. Sure."

"Thats not what I meant"

"You implied it"

"Why do you have to be so impossible" Tsurugi groaned.

"I just don't understand why you have to care so much. Whatever happens to my life is not a concern to you"

"It is. I care about happens to you ok?"

"Why?" Kimiko asked, her voice almost inaudible.

Tsurugi sighed and paused as he ran his hand through his hair several times as if he was trying to find the right words to explain the thoughts racing inside his mind.

"Fine, I admit I'm jealous. But thats only because I like you. I don't like seeing you with other guys"

The mountain on his chest had finally been lifted. He had said it. A junior high school boy admitting his love to his first young crush.

***

"Nee-san!!"

"What happened!?" Yuuka-neesan asked when Kimiko shouted through the front doorway of their condo room.

"Tsurugi said it!" She yelled.

"Said what?"

"He likes me!"