The Guy I've Always Loved (Anime Story)

Chapter 7: At the Park

- Takami's POV -

Akihiro and I both sat on the couch silently while Mrs. Suzu and my mom talked in the kitchen.

"Why didn't you tell me that you were coming back to Hakata?" I said as I looked forward.

"I didn't think there was a need to. Besides, we haven't been in contact for years." He made an emotionless straight face.

"The other day when I asked you if you were Aki, you said no." I looked at him.

"I didn't realize we were gonna see each other again." Aki continued to avoid eye contact.

I looked away. I can't believe this... "Please excuse me." I got up and walked out the door.

At the Playground

I rocked around on the swings lost in thought. I can't believe that Aki would say that to me. Aki and I used to be such good friends. I wonder what happened.

"Takami?" I looked up and saw Junto in front of me with groceries.

"Junto, what are you doing here?" I asked.

"I was heading home till I saw you kind of depressed on the swings. Something wrong?" Junto put his groceries on the ground and sat on the swing next to me.

"Aki..."

"Ahh, your crush?"

"No! Childhood!" I yelled in front of him.

He giggled. "You know he's actually pretty good at basketball."

I blushed. "Yeah... he was really great."

"So what about Akihiro that made you down?" He asked.

I sighed. "He pretends like he doesn't know me, which I don't get why!" I pouted.

"Why don't you talk to him?" Junto said.

"I did, he's at my house right now."

He smiled and stood up. "Great. Let's go to your house."

I tilted my head in confusion. "Are you sure? You have groceries with you."

Junto grabbed onto his groceries. "It's fine. Come on, let's go." He started to lead the way.

"Well, if you say so." I slowly got off the seat and followed him.

At Home

I opened the door and saw Mrs. Suzu and Akihiro planning to go back home.

"Yo, Akihiro. Let's go, play some ball." Junto put his hand on his shoulder.

"Sorry, but I gotta take my grandma home right now."

Mrs. Suzu continued to put on her shoes.

"Um... it's okay. I can bring her home." I walked toward Mrs. Suzu and picked her up by the arm.

"Are you sure?" Aki asked.

"Yeah, you guys go play some basketball." I smiled and walked out of the house.

"If you need us, we'll be at the park," Junto yelled out.

"Thank you for taking me home, Takami." Mrs. Suzu smiled.

"It's not a problem. I haven't seen for you so long, so it's nice to actually spend some time with you." I looked at Mrs. Suzu smiling. "So, did you know Aki was gonna come back?"

"Of course, he called me on the phone last week. Aren't you glad that he's back?" She smiled.

"Yeah, I can't wait to spend more time with him."

At the Park

I went into the basketball court and saw Haru, Junto, and Aki playing.

"I haven't seen you play in some long, Haru." I walked closer to him.

"You just haven't been coming frequently." Haru threw the ball to Junto.

"Well, that was because..." I looked over at Aki and blushed. "Never mind." I looked away from him.

"Hey, Takami. Wanna play?" Junto started to dribble the ball.

"Nah, last time I played, I hit Aki in the face." I sighed.

Junto started to laugh. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah, I was there." Haru chuckled.

"So was my face." Aki looked at Junto and Haru.

Why is he acting differently?

"Hey, guys!" I looked back and saw Sachie running toward our direction while holding a plastic bag.

"What you doing here?" I asked.

Sachie entered the basketball court. "The real question is, why are you here? You didn't even invite me!"

"Sorry about that," I said.

"Just because of that I'm not gonna give you a popsicle that I just bought." She looked the other way.

"Ooh, pleaseee." I begged her until she gave in.

"Oh, fine."

5 Minutes Later

Junto, Haru, and Aki played on the court, while Sachie and I ate the popsicles.

"Isn't Junto just so handsome when he plays basketball?" Sachie's popsicle started to drip.

"I guess." I continued to look at them play. 

"Are you even listening to me?" Sachie quickly finished her popsicle.

"Yeah, I'm just curious as to why he acts differently when he's around me." I started to lick the popsicle.

"You're probably just imagining things." She went to the garbage can.

"I just don't get it." I looked down on the ground. "I don't wanna be hated by him."

"Don't worry. He doesn't hate you, he just has to get used to you again." She put her back against the fence.

"You're right! All I have to do is be myself and eventually he'll open up to me!"

"Yep, that's the spirit. Also..." She pulled out another popsicle. "You think Junto will accept this?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't he?"

Sachie formed a huge smile. "Great!" She pranced toward his direction.

I giggled and looked at Aki. I wish I could tell him that I haven't stopped thinking about you.