Running After You

#5: The Confession

Street

Mio and Hana walked the same street. "How are you?", Mio asked. "You don't have to concern yourself with me. I'm just Class pres' classmate. I won't be stealing her so don't worry", Hana assured. "There's something happening with you, right? Have you told Erina?", Mio stopped walking. "Why are you always so concerned about her? Well I know she's your friend but then she doesn't seems to be that weak for you to be so cautious", Hana continued walking. "I hope she is really that strong", Mio shrugged. 

"But then, maybe like her, there are also some people who hides beneath the shadow of being tough", Mio said under her breath. 

In the other side, Ai and Erina are also having their conversation. "I see, Rei-san told you about that night. I'm sorry. I was actually really going to move away but then...I think I want to stay here after all", Erina apologetically informed. Ai grabbed on her arms and stuck with her like a leech. "Don't you dare leave us, okay?", Ai grabbed tighter. Erina just laughed. "Because...I also wanted to change Ai. Of course I didn't leave because you're here as well as Mio", Erina looked at the sky turning bright red. 

"Change?", Ai slowly removed her grip. 

"What do you mean by that?", Ai felt a certain discomfort. 

Because sometimes, we are afraid of the changes that would happen. It feels like something from before will slowly fade away. 

"I want to get stronger. Ai", Erina said with determination in her eyes. 

___________________________________________________________________________

Saturday

Stationary Shop

"So the third years are having their mixer today?", Mio hummed while picking up the paint brushes. "Wow! Look at these pens", Ai came showing bear shaped pens. "Are you a kid?", Mio sighed. "I heard you're going to have an exhibition for the art club before summer. I'm looking forward to that", Erina clapped. "Is the club president going to be there as well?", Erina suddenly remembered. She covered her mouth when she saw a sad look at Mio's eyes. "How about you also watch me at our preliminary games?", Ai invited. 

They heard some crash on the other side. They peeked in and saw someone being scolded. Her hair was all over her face. "You're really a useless one. Come on and give me money", a middle aged man shouted. The customers are all looking at them. Mio recognized some bruise from the person's arm. "Why don't you and Ai wait for me outside", Mio looked at Ai and nodded. Ai pushed Erina away from the scenario. The security guards were already called to handle the situation. The middle aged man was pissed off and left the shop. 

Mio offered her hand. "I just happened to pass by", Mio said. Hana stood up and fixed her uniform as a worker in the stationary shop. "Mikami-san. Do you want to file against that man?", the store manager asked with concern in her voice. "I'm sorry Manager. I've caused trouble again. I will be quitting. For the damages, I will pay for it", Hana bowed very low. The people started to leave the place. "You don't have to pay for it but if you really like to quit, I will allow you", the manager patted her shoulder. 

Mio went outside and saw Ai cracking some jokes. Erina laughed with her. "Shall we go?", Erina saw her. "I ran to Mikami", Mio pushed her in front of them. "Oh, Mikami. You're also here. Would you like to join us?', Erina invited. Hana looked at the brimming light surrounding her. Is she allowed to be with her as well? "Come on. The more, the merrier", Ai invited as well. 

Cafe

The third years was able to use the whole cafe because it was owned by one of them. "You're late", Rio reserved a seat for Nami. There are total of 50 students. "So the rest of those who aren't here already have their partners", Rio sighed in disappointment. Nami laughed and looked for someone. "If you're looking for him, he's with the basketball team at the other table", Rio pointed. Nami's eyes widened and averted her stares when Rei's eyes met with hers. "Do you think this is going to be alright?", Nami whispered. 

"If you're talking about having the chance to be partnered with him, I think you'll be alright if you won't be", Rio drank on her tea. "Oh, Fushimi-kun", one of them shouted and pointed at the seat. Nami also waved at him. 

They sat in front of each other. "Its good to see you here. Well, its the last year of high school. We might as well have fun", Nami smiled. Fushimi nodded and some males started to ask him some secrets of life. How was he able to be so cool in a short matter of time?

Rei watched the liveliness of the table where Nami was. 

"I guess she's happy after all", Rei suddenly commented. 

Erina's House

The four entered. "Sorry for coming uninvited", Hana removed her shoes. Mio went directly to the kitchen to cook for dinner. Ai run towards the second floor to look at Erina's room. "They are too familiar with this place", Hana noticed. Erina chuckled and led her to the living room. "What would you like to drink? Mikami?", Erina asked. "Anything", she said with embarrassment. Erina nodded and left. 

She was left alone in the room. There wasn't that much of photobooks to scroll to. There was just a picture frame of the three of them graduating from middle high. 

She stood up and saw some photos stuck neatly at the cabinet. She reached for it and looked at it. Family pictures. She dropped it. "She's got it all", Hana commented. 

"Here is your tea", Erina served it on the center table. "Your father is really handsome", Hana showed the family picture. Erina forced a chuckle. "You got his eyes and you have your mother's hair", Hana noticed. Erina just nodded. 

"Okay. Enough with that", Erina's voice changed. They heard a knock on the door. 

Erina went to open it. "Hey", Rei waved and raised a box of muffins. Hana peeked and saw Rei. "Oh, you brought a new friend? Nice to meet you", he waved his hand. Hana shyly waves back. "Hmm? I heard that loud banana!", Ai suddenly went down and shut the door close. "Ai", Erina sighed and opened it again. "So Ishiki is also here", Rei sweatdropped.

"Shall we continue our battle?", Ai challenged. "Battle?", Hana asked. "Card games", Mio also joined them. "Hello, Saotome", Rei removed his shoes and entered.

Hana and Erina joined the card game.

"It's a bit early. What happened to your mixer? Did your partner turn you down?", Ai teased. "I'm not interested", Rei flicked her forehead.

Station

"Thank you for walking me this far, Fushimi-kun. I'm glad you ended up as my partner. See you at school", Nami patted his shoulder. "Yeah. Me too", Fushimi gave a soft stare at her. "You really changed a lot. That's good Fushimi. Unlike before, you're no longer alone", Nami commended.

The train came and Nami disappeared.

"I hope it wasn't just for that mixer that you wanted me to be your partner", Fushimi slightly laughed.

Chapter end.