The Boy With The Blank Stare

Chapter Thirty Two: What is this feeling?

I stared at the conflict of Ouma and my Aunt finally end as she left the room looking over her student one last time before leaving the room.

I looked down at Ouma who was wiping their eyes "hey...Ouma...I" I started but he shushed me.

'It's ok...I understand...just kind of opened my eyes a bit to some things' I shifted nervously "you know that I truly do think of you as a friend though, right?" I asked him and he nodded.

'Yeah, it might not be smart but I do truly trust you Saihara' he signed and I smiled "I'm glad"

'Also now might not be a good time to mention I don't really like people stalking me' he signed and I paled.

"Oh..so you did notice me at the school? Yeah that was the only time sorry, I just wanted some clues" I apologized and I heard a chuckle 'you are as stealthy as a rhinoceros in the artic Saihara' and I groaned.

"Was it that obvious?" I asked him and he nodded 'yeah for one thing you make so much noise it's not even funny and second of all I'm not completly blind I can see light and shadow so yeah' I groaned embarassed.

Well...at least he seems to enjoy the teasing...heh he actually has never teased me before. And I never really heard him laugh much, sure I had to make a fool of myself but still...

"You seem livelier than usual" I pointed out and he paused 'am I?' He asked.

"Yeah you've changed a bit since when I first met you...for one you usually never really said much and now your actually talking sometimes and occasionally making jokes...I like this side of you" I told him "I hope this is you acting genuine and not an act though" I told him.

'No it's not an act, I didn't really notice me acting different' he admitted and I grinned "well still...your actually the first friend I've ever had Ouma...I've been home schooled my whole life and me and Chiasa we're never really close to be honest" I admitted.

"I mean she was always outside having fun with you and the rest of your friends" I laughed and Ouma looked uneasy 'I never actually heard much about you, if I had known I probably would have snuck you out so you could join us' I laughed.

"My Father would have killed you if you tried that" Ouma shrugged 'if you learned anything from how I used to be I never really cared much about rules'

I snorted "yeah, still that was never really the real you huh? The person who broke into buildings, you just want to make people have fun huh?" Ouma shrugged.

'I don't know to be honest who I actually am anymore' he admitted and I paused.

"Well then...let's figure that out together Ouma" I told him and he nodded.

Why does my face feel so warm...? I paused upon this realization. I'm blushing...aren't I? No, this is wrong this is so wrong this is not what Ouma needs to deal with right now.

He needs to put focus on himself and I shouldn't add more drama into his life right now...what Ouma needs is a friend.

Which means that's what I need to be. Besides it might be best anyway to make sure these feelings aren't something different- after all I never had a friend before so it might not even be like that...

But if it is truly what I am feeling...then that means...oh no. I might be gay. Or bi, never had attraction to be honest. How am I ever going to explain this to my Father?

'Saihara?' Ouma snapped me back to reality and I just scratched my head awardly "sorry, I got distracted...yeah you can stay the night I guess if you want" I told him.

'Just for tonight cause my Mom is in the hospital, you sure your Aunt is ok with it?' I took a deep breath.

"More so than before?" I answered honestly and he paused. He sighed 'yeah can you call Kiibo on your phone? He's my cousin so it's probably better I stay with him'

Uh...remembering me and Kiibo's previous conversation didn't give me much condidence as I got out my phone "need the number" I told him and started dialing the number as he signed it off to me.

-/-/-

"Ugh...why does Kokoro always do this to me" a voice groaned and my eyes widened as I recongnized this women.

"Ouma I don't know why you are making me do this for what, third or fourth year in a row?"

She's the one who took Ouma to the school! I gasped in shock as she seemed clearly annoyed.

'My Mother passed out from exhaustion' Ouma told her and she rolled her eyes "yeah right, I bet she was getting drunk or something you don't need to lie Chichi" she told him.

'It's Kokichi, and she only asked for help once before this' he corrected and she shrugged "whatever seriously your Mother's a b*tch..." Ouma gritted their teeth.

'Your the one who asks my Mom for everything, all you ever did was take care of me for one year when she was getting rehab and sometimes take me places' Ouma snapped back and she shushed him.

"Kiibs take your cousin to the car and help him in" she told him and Kiibo nodded and I noticed Ouma turning his head to me as I just watched in shock as he waved goodbye.