The Guy I've Always Loved (Anime Story)

Chapter 46: An Eventful Birthday

- Takami's POV - 

On the Park Swings 

Kiyoshi walked away with a smile on his face.

I held my hands close to my heart. "I don't think he's fine." I took a step to try to catch up yo Kiyoshi, but Aki held me back.

"Takami... I told you to forget because I didn't want to continue hurting you. I don't know when my brother will finally let me be free and do what I want." He gripped onto my arm harder. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen."

I turned around and smiled. "No... I'm glad that I finally realized my feelings. I couldn't keep on lying to Kiyoshi, even though I feel bad for hurting him."

Aki walked closer to me. "Will you wait for me? Until I break free from Kaito's grasp?"

"I tried so hard to forget... but I guess I'll be waiting for you again."

The Next Day

At School

Aoi jumped onto my desk and sat on it. "What are you planning to do for Kiyoshi's birthday?" 

I sat at my desk, looking at the ground. "We kinda broke up the other day, but I still wanna take him to the aquarium for his birthday." 

She pouted and then sighed. "Since you guys broke up, let's invite everyone to the aquarium. I bet it'll be really nice for everyone to spend time together." She smiled brightly. 

"You're not mad that I broke up with Kiyoshi?" I tilted my head. 

"There's no reason for me to be mad. If it wasn't meant to be, then it wasn't meant to be. I can't force it upon you guys." She wang her legs back and forth. "Even though I did think you guys made a cute couple." 

I smiled and then looked at Kiyoshi's desk. "Seems like he's not coming in today." 

Aoi looked at Kiyoshi's desk as well. "Yeah... the other day he came home with a smile and then slammed his bedroom door shut." 

My heart started to feel heavy. "I guess he wasn't fine with it." 

"Oh, come on, Aki. Can we please go check out the new store at the mall?" Mariko clung onto Aki, as they both walked into the room. 

Aki had his arms in his pants' pockets. "I don't really want to go to the mall. You can go yourself if you want." 

Mariko pouted. "It's not the same. I don't want to go alone." 

Aki walked closer to me and made eye contact. "Good morning, Takami." He smiled softly. 

My heart started to beat fast and I blushed. "Good morning." 

Suddenly, Mariko stood in between us. "Come on, Aki, let's go to the mall. Please?" 

He sighed. "Maybe another time." 

"Akihiro. Mariko. Do you wanna go to the aquarium for Kiyoshi's birthday?" Aoi interrupted. 

Mariko formed a huge smile. "Aquarium? Sounds fun! Come on, Aki, let's go." 

"Will Takami be going?" He asked. 

I looked at him shocked, for asking. From my peripheral, I could see that Mariko was annoyed. "Um... yeah. It's Kiyoshi's birthday after all." 

Aoi put her hands together and smiled. "Great! I'll try to persuade him to come, but I mean he already agreed with Takami." 

In Front of the Aquarium

I stood in front of the aquarium, holding onto a gift bag with a goldfish inside. "Hopefully,  Kiyoshi likes his gift. I didn't know what to get him." 

"Takami!" Aoi, from afar, waved at me with Kiyoshi by her side. "You got here early." They walked closer. 

I smiled. "Yeah, I didn't want you guys to wait for me if I was late." I handed the gift bag to Kiyoshi. "Happy Birthday! I hope you like it." 

He opened the bag and looked inside. "A goldfish?" He asked. 

I blushed and scratched the back of my head. "I didn't know what to get you. That's why I suggested that we go to the aquarium." 

"Oh, you guys are here already?" Aki walked up to us with Mariko by his side. 

"Happy Birthday, Kiyoshi!" Mariko gave the gift bag to him. 

"Thanks." He said. 

"Shall we go in? It's getting boring out here." Aoi stuck on her tongue and winked. 

In the Aquarium 

"Wow, there's so many fish!" Mariko grabbed Aki and pulled him toward the fish. 

Aoi, Kiyoshi, and I stayed behind them and looked at the fish as well. 

"I thought you and Aki became a couple after that day." Kiyoshi crossed his arms and continued to walk with us. 

I looked forward to Mariko and Aki and frowned. "It can't be helped. They are in an arranged marriage right now." I tried to form a smile. "But Aki is trying to get out of it so all I could do is wait." 

Kiyoshi's eyes were full of pity for me. "It doesn't look like he's doing anything." 

I sighed. "I waited for so long... there's no harm in waiting a little longer." 

Aoi put her arm around me. "Don't worry, you'll get your happy ending soon." 

Kiyoshi gave his gifts to Aoi. His hair covered his eyes and he walked closer to Aki. All of a sudden, he punched Aki to the ground. Everyone in the aquarium stopped looking at the fishes and looked at them. 

"Do you know how much pain you're giving Takami?!? While you're here having fun with someone else, why don't you think about her feelings for once?!? She has to wait so long for you to finish your problems! I don't understand why she still wants to be with you." Kiyoshi looked at Aki with hatred and then walked toward me. 

Aki put her hand on top of his cheek, where Kiyoshi punched him. He looked at me from the distance with his eyes widened and sadness in them. 

"Even though I acted I was fine with you breaking up with me, I wasn't." Kiyoshi clenched his fist. "I do still like you, and hopefully, you'll realize your feelings for me." 

My eyes widened. "Why did this happen?"