The Guy I've Always Loved (Anime Story)

Chapter 18: The Deal

- Takami's POV -

"Hm...." I looked out the window in thought.

"Hm...." Sachie looked at me while I was looking out the window.

Cross-popping veins appeared on my forehead. "Do you mind?"

"No, not really, but what's on your mind?" She asked me.

I sighed. "During basketball practice, Aki looked at his phone concerningly. Should I be concerned?"

"Well, he did look concerned," Sachie said in a dramatic voice. "You should go talk to him about it."

"But if I do, then it feels like I'm invading his personal space." I sighed and put my head down on the table.

"Oh, look, he's coming this way now. Hey, Akihiro." She smiled and waved at him.

"Hey, Sachie." He smiled at Sachie and then looked at me. "You feeling okay, Takami?"

I stood up wanting to tell him what I was worried about, but I was unable to and sat back down. "Oh yeah, fine, just fine."

Time Lapse

Bell Rings

I packed up his books and grabbed my bag. "You ready?" I looked over at Aki and he was still staring at his phone. I leaned over trying to see what he was looking at. "What you looking at?"

"Ahh!" Aki got scared and fell off his seat. "It's not funny." He made an unpleased face.

I started to giggle. "Come on, let's go home." I headed out of the classroom and Aki followed. As I continued to walk, I saw Junto walking towards my direction. "You know what, why don't we go the other way?" I fake smiled and dragged Aki the other way.

Aki pulled me back with his strength. "You're gonna have to face him someday."

I looked at Aki and sighed. "Fine." I continued to walk the way we intended until I was near Junto. "Hey, Junto." I slightly smiled.

"Hey." Junto avoided eye contact.

I closed my eyes and made a fist. "Can we talk?"

Junto was shocked and made eye contact with me. "Sure..."

I walked the other way and Junto followed. "You can go home first." I waved back at Aki.

On the Roof

As the wind came, our hair started to blow in the wind.

"Junto, do you hate me for what I did?" I looked back at him.

He looked down and smiled. "I could never hate you."

I turned around and looked at him. "I can't date you, I'm sorry."

His hair covered his eyes. "You like Akihiro, don't you?"

My eyes widened. "How did you know?"

He looked to the side. "It wasn't hard to realize that the way you act when you're around him is different from when you're around me."

"I'm sorry."

"But I want to prove myself." He looked at me determined. "Go out with me for a week. If I am able to make you fall in love with me, we will date. But if I don't, I'll give up on you."

I thought about his proposal. This could work. I know I'm not gonna fall in love with him and once he has given up on me, he'll go to Sachie. "Deal."

The Next Day

I walked into the school and saw Aki entering as well. "Hey, Ak..." Suddenly, a gust of wind came and someone dragged me away.

"Phew, that was close." Junto swiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Junto? Are you good?" I tilted my head. "I was just gonna say 'Hey' to Aki."

"Yes, I know, but to prove that I'm worthy, I want to keep you away from Akihiro." He looked around to see if Aki was around.

"What does that have to do with your worthiness?"

"If you see him, you're probably gonna keep having your feelings for him." He continued to look around.

My face went blank. "Are you sure you're okay?" I put my hand on his forehead to check the temperature. Suddenly, he turned red and took a few steps away from me. "What's wron...? Oh, whatever." I turned around and headed for class.

In the Classroom

"So why did Junto pull you away before?" Aki asked.

"Oh, you know..." I looked at Sachie and then at Aki. "You know... you know? Yeah." I pulled out my notebook and pretended to write in it.

Sachie and Aki looked at each other confused.

Time Lapse

Bell Rings

I looked over at Aki and he continued to look at his phone. I really want to know what he's worried about.

"Hey, Ak..." Suddenly, another gust of wind came and dragged me away from Aki.

Again, Sachie and Aki looked at each other confused.

On the Roof

"Are you serious, Junto?"

Junto tried to catch his breath. "I just want to... prove... myself..."

"Look, I want to hang out with my friends. Now, if you don't mind." I opened the door on the roof and saw Aki and Sachie standing in front of it. "Hey, guys..." I slowly backed up from them.

"What's going on here?" Sachie asked both of us.

"Yeah, why is Junto always dragging you around?" Aki looked at me.

"Uh..." I looked back at Junto and he tried to avoid eye contact. "We're dating..." I sighed.

Aki and Sachie looked at each other and then at me. "What!!!"

"How did this happen?" Aki looked at me a bit depressed.

"Well..." I looked to the side.

Sachie put her arm around my neck. "Are you trying to steal my man?"

"No, of course not! Junto asked me to go out with him for a week to see if I fall in love with him or not." I awkwardly giggled.

Aki and Sachie looked at each other again. "Oh, okay?"

I looked back at Junto. "There's nothing to hide in this situation. Besides if I go fall in love with you, they would obviously know."

Junto sighed. "Oh, fine..." He walked toward the roof doors. "But we're walking home together." 

Sachie whispered in my ear, "You're not going after my man, are you?" 

"Of course not." I looked at Aki. "Besides, I already have someone else I like."