Don't Tell Anyone

Twenty Four

Misaki slammed the door and sinked into the floor. She covered her face with her hands, which were flushed with embarrassment. Kai caught her off guard again and she ran away.

The scenario repeated itself in her head multiple times. She could still feel his arms around her, and wondered if he heard her heartbeat. The rare smile on his face when she told him yes.

Misaki squeeled in distress. "Toshiki Kai, this is illegal. I hope you rot in prison."

Her cellphone vibrated in her pocket. It was Kai.

I'm sorry for being the reason you stayed up last night, and for the uncomfortable day as well. Still, thank you for saying yes.

I really do like you.
Please rest well.

That was probably the longest text message she ever saw him write. Even in the Q4 group chat, he'd only give one word replies to whatever that seems important. Misaki threw her phone towards the carpet. She was annoyed that she didn't hate what happened that day at all. She sighed and lied down on the floor, too overwhelmed to even stand anymore.

"Misaki! Misaki! You're going to be late!" Shin knocked on her door the next morning, but still no reply. Misaki is usually never late.

Shin opened the door, but only halfway, for Misaki who was sprawled on the floor blocked the way. He quickly went in the room and crouched beside her.

"Misaki? Why are you sleeping on the floor?!"

Misaki's eyes could barely open when she murmured, "Uncle Shin? What time is it?"

Her face was slightly red and her lips were dry. Shin also noticed the windows were open. He put a hand on her forehead. "I don't think you can go to school today. You have a cold. Why are you sleeping on the floor, in yesterday's clothes with the windows open?"

Misaki sat up while Shin closed the windows and turned up the heater. She rubbed her eyes, and they were crusty with dried tears. "I'm sorry," she said.

"Don't be sorry. Go take a warm shower and change. I'll call your school and make some porridge okay?" He patted her head as she nodded.

A shower, a change of clothes, and a bowl of hot porridge later, Misaki snuggled up with her blanket and her favourite book. She was sort of glad that she had the day off, because if she didnt, she wouldn't be able to focus on school anyway. She tried to read, but she couldn't keep her focus for very long. She saw her phone on the carpet, and instantly thought of Kai. She swore she could feel her temperature rising when she thought of him, but her phone must be dead by now.

Misaki was able to reach her phone by pulling the carpet towards her bed and charged it on her bedside table. The screen light up with a notification.

Good morning. Did you sleep well?

It was Kai again. Misaki felt something fuzzy inside her chest. This was really out of character for him. It really does seem he likes her a lot. She didn't know what to tell him, should she say she's sick? Did she actually sleep well?

Good morning. I  got a cold so I'm resting at home.

A few seconds after she pressed send, her phone started to ring. It was, of course from none other than the boyfriend itself.

"Are you okay?" Was the first thing that he said. Misaki could hear noise and chattering from his end. He must have already reached his school.

She sniffed. "I'm fine." Her voice was all nasally, and it embarrassed her.

There was a long awkward silence before Kai finally spoke. "I'm sorry. Yesterday must have been tiring."

"Ah no, I was careless. I accidentally slept on the floor with the windows open." Misaki buried herself under the covers. Although no one was in the room, she still wanted to hide her face.

"Can I.... can I think that it's also because of me?"

Misako hugged her plushie harder. "Fine. It's all because of you that I'm like this are you satisfied now?" She said very quickly.

Kai chuckled from the other end, and Misaki's eyes widened.

"Are you... are you laughing at me?!"

"No I.... I... just think that-" he spoke more softly -"you sounded really cute."

Misaki felt her head explode. The great Toshiki Kai, who is ever so expressionless and stoic, just said the word cute out loud? Over the phone? Him? Out of all people?

"Did I hear you wrongly? Do you have a fever? Are you sick right now?"

"You definitely heard wrong. I have to go to class now. Rest well. I'll call you again." He said and hung up.

Misaki stared at ths screen in front of her for a while before tossing her phone. "What does that suppose to mean?" She whisper-screamed.

"Who was that on the phone?" Miwa asked, noticing Kai was flustered. He masked it with a cough and went back to his usual cold expression.

"It's no one."