The Guy I've Always Loved (Anime Story)

Chapter 42: Nothing Awkward

- Takami's POV -

At the School Pool

I walked through the building doors and suddenly saw Coach Mori in front of me. "Um... hello?"

"What are you doing here, Ms. Hirota?" He continued to look at the swimming team swim in the water.

"Um... I wanted Kiyoshi swim, that's all." I looked to the side, trying to avoid embarrassment.

"Even though you'll see my body?"

I looked up and saw Kiyoshi next to me smirking. Immediately, I blushed.

Coach Mori sighed. "Ugh... lovers..."

I tried only look at his face and not his body. "What's his problem?"

"He hasn't been to keep a woman in years. The team's actually been trying to find him one." He looked at Coach Mori from a distance and then looked at me. "I'm surprised that you aren't phased from seeing me like this."

"What do you mean?" I continued to look at his face without blinking, acting stiff.

He sweat-dropped and awkwardly giggled. "Never mind."

"Yoo, Takami, what are you doing here?" Satoru came out of the pool.

Immediately, I covered my eyes. "I just wanted to see Kiyoshi." I tried to hide my blush when I covered my eyes.

"What happened? I thought we were fine with seeing our bodies?" Satoru tilted his head.

I continued to cover my eyes. "I feel like I'm seeing something I shouldn't, but... I don't mind Kiyoshi's..."

Satoru and Kiyoshi blinked twice, not knowing what I was saying.

"I'm sorry! That must've sounded weird!" I quickly headed out of the pool until Kiyoshi grabbed my arm.

"I get it." He smiled. "It's because you like me and you wanna get used to us dating, right?"

I blushed and nodded my head. "I just want this to work. I don't wanna push you away because of who I am."

Kiyoshi smiled and hugged me. "You don't have to change, I like who you are."

I started to feel dizzy. I could feel Kiyoshi's body against my face.

"Awww, cute." Satoru clapped for us.

Time Lapse: 1 Hour Later

I waited outside of the building for Kiyoshi to finish changing. "I'm not even good enough for him... I'm not even capable of seeing him without a shirt." I sighed.

"You talking to yourself?"

I looked to the side and saw Aki walking up to me. My heart started to pound fast. "Um... yeah... You know me, always talking to myself..." I awkwardly giggled.

"I'm happy for you, Takami. It's great that you found someone like Kiyoshi." He smiled.

I looked at the ground. "Thanks. After you left, he helped me to forget about you and that's great because you have a fiancé now."

"Yeah... she's... great..."

There was complete silence after our talk. We just stood there looking forward, not making any eye contact with each other.

"You know, things don't have to be awkward. Why don't we start being friends again?" Aki put out his hand for me to shake.

I looked down at his hand. I wonder... what would've happened if Aki didn't leave my side that day? We would've been a couple, but what would happen next? Would our friends still have gone to different schools? "Sure, friends." I grabbed his hand and shook it. "Again." I giggled.

Suddenly, the building door opened and Kiyoshi walked out of it. "Hey, Akihiro, what you doing here?" He walked up to me and put his arm around my neck.

"Nothing, I just wanted to talk to Takami, that's all." Aki smiled.

"Welp, you guys wanna go home together?" Kiyoshi looked at the both of us.

Aki and I looked at each other for a second.

"Nah, you guys can go without me," Aki told him.

"Well, okay. See you later." Kiyoshi walked and I followed.

I looked back and smiled at Aki. He also looked at me and waved back. When I was about to turn my head around, I saw Aki clench his fist.

"Wanna go for a run?" Kiyoshi smirked.

"Wait, what!" I yelled.

He grabbed my school bag and started to run off. "Hehe."

"Come back!" I ran after him.

- Akihiro's POV -

Why did I leave when the outcome would've been the same? I could've been the one next to you. I hate myself for falling into Kaito's trap, but I can't be angry that you're with Kiyoshi. You look really happy so maybe I should start giving up on you.