The Guy I've Always Loved (Anime Story)

Chapter 24: Acting Differently

- Takami's POV -

At the School

"Good morning, Takami!" Again, two vertical lines of guys greeted me. 

"Good morning." I smiled elegantly.

"Hey, Takami! Wait up!" Sachie ran up from behind me. 

I turned around. "How's being with Junto?" I asked while continuing to hold onto my school bag. 

Sachie started to walk and I followed. "It's amazing! I would've never thought that being in a relationship would be so much fun." She smiled brightly. 

"I'm happy for you." I fake smiled elegantly. 

"What's wrong?" 

"What are you talking about?" I opened my shoe locker and put on my shoes, like always. 

"I know when you fake smile, so what's wrong?" Sachie finished putting on her school shoes and closed her locker. 

I sighed heavily and headed for the classroom, as Sachie followed. "I just..." 

Suddenly, Junto popped out of nowhere and grabbed Sachie's arm. "Hey, can you help me out with something?" 

"But..." Sachie looked at Junto, then at me. 

"You should go, it's probably important." I fake smiled again. 

"But..." 

Immediately, Junto pulled Sachie toward his direction. "I need you to help me pick a kimono." 

I continued to walk toward the classroom until Hisao stopped me. "Yes, Hisao?" I looked to the side, unamused. 

"We still have to do the interview!" He yelled in my face. 

"Look, I'm not feeling an interview right now." 

Suddenly, an arm was around my neck. I looked to the side and saw Aki. "If she wants an interview, then she'll come to you."

My heart started to beat really fast, but I knew that he didn't feel the same way. I pushed his hand away and continued to walk to class. "Please don't get so close to me."

Aki followed me. "Soo what you doing later?"

"Stuff... Goodbye..." She quickly walked away from me.

- Akihiro's POV -

I blinked twice, not knowing what has happened. "What just happened?" I, immediately, ran to Sachie and Junto, like a crazy maniac, to an empty classroom. "You guys know what's wrong with Takami?" I looked at them, trying to decide what Junto should wear.

Sachie sighed and looked at me. "I don't know, she's been acting strange since morning."

I looked at Junto.

"Don't look at me. I haven't talked to Takami ever since the amusement park." Junto continued to look at the two kimonos laid out on the teacher's desk.

"Maybe you should ask her," Sachie suggested.

"But it looks like she hates me."

She crossed her arms. "Maybe you said something that may have offended her."

"I don't even know what I did. She just started to act differently." 

- Takami's POV -

In the Classroom

I sat in my seat and looked out the window sadly. "Why am I even acting cold toward Aki? He didn't do anything wrong... I hate my stupid feelings."

Bell Rings

Everyone in the hallway entered their classroom, as well as Sachie and Aki. They sat in their seat and immediately looked at me.

"Takami, you still never told me what's wrong." Sachie looked worried.

I looked over at Aki and my heart started to tighten. I wanted to tell Sachie but he was right there. Suddenly, a tear fell down my face.

"Takami, are you okay?" Aki walked over to me and used a tissue to wipe the tear away.

I looked up at Aki, looking down at me. Then, more tears started to fall down. "Why are you being so nice to me?"

His eyes widened, looking at me. "I..."

Ms. Ono coughed and interrupted our moment. "Can I start class now?"

"Yes..." We replied.

Aki sat back down and looked down at his desk. I want to know what you're thinking right now.

Time Lapse: 45 Minutes Later

"Takami, let's talk, okay?" Sachie got up from her seat and smiled at me.

I followed her instructions and she dragged me onto the roof.

"Now, seriously, tell me what's wrong." Sachie looked at me sadly. "I don't want to see you like this... Is it because I'm going out with Junto? Have you realized your feelings for him?"

"Of course not! I could never betray you, like that." I put my hands on my heart, as it tightens. "Aki said that he hasn't found someone he likes yet." I frowned.

"Is that what this is about?" Sachie smiled.

"What are you talking about! I can't even act normal around him." I clenched my hands. "I know I'm overthinking it, but I can't help it. This is the guy I've always loved. I just feel rejected."

Sachie held onto my shoulders. "But he doesn't know that you like him. Your relationship isn't jeopardized, besides, he was even worried about you when you started to act differently." 

"You're right! Our relationship isn't jeopardized! Maybe I'll tell him I like him too." I smiled. 

"That's the spirit! Because who knows when the time with him will end." 

I was shocked. "Sachie, that's really good advice." 

Her nose started to point up. "Hehe, I watched it in an anime." She stuck her tongue out. 

I giggled. "I'll go find him." I left the roof and headed downstairs. "Wait... Why would I confess? He doesn't even like me?" I sighed. "That was a bad plan." I continued to walk downstairs until I heard Aki coming toward my direction. 

"So what did you want to talk about?" Aki asked. 

"Um... I have been looking in your direction ever since you've entered this school... and I wanted to know if you'll go out with me!" A girl from our class yelled. 

"I'm sorry but I can't go out with you." He said cold-heartedly. 

"Is it because you like Takami?" Her voice started to tremble. 

Everything was silent for a second. 

"Yeah... I like Takami."