lend me your ears | bokuto kotaro

15 ' A rival?

The date surprisingly went well. It shouldn't be much of a surprise in the first place though, since Bokuto not getting along with others is a much rarer occurence.

"Thank you for the meal, Bokuto-san," she said as they walked out of the restaurant.

"The food was delicious, thank you too," he spoke with a bright smile. How could anyone not fall for that? she wondered.

"Well then, I'll see you around in school. And I'm keeping my word, Bokuto-san. I'm not giving up on you," she remarked, quite confident.

"Oh, uh, well-"

"Good night, Bokuto-san."

"Good night."

BOKUTO_Kotaro
sent you a message!

BOKUTO_Kotaro: nanaooo

BOKUTO_Kotaro: I just went on a date with the girl who confessed yesterday, I still dunno her name but it was okay.

BOKUTO_Kotaro: anyways, hby? how are youuuu?

BOKUTO_Kotaro: well good night :((

That night, Bokuto checked his phone before sleeping, still no replies. He checked it again first thing in the morning, and still no replies. He was getting worried and of course, a little sad.

BOKUTO_Kotaro sent
you a message!

B

OKUTO_Kotaro: akaashi!!!!

BOKUTO_Kotaro: this is an urgent matter!

Keiji05: Yes, Bokuto-san?

BOKUTO_Kotaro: Nanao is missing!!

Keiji05: What?

BOKUTO_Kotaro: she has been MIA since friday night

Keiji05: Bokuto-san, if she was missing, her younger brother would be contacting the police.

BOKUTO_Kotaro: can he do that??

Keiji05: I believe he's in his last year in middle school. I think he can.

BOKUTO_Kotaro: what if something happened to her :(

Keiji05: I'm sure she's fine. Hoshino-san can handle herself.

And so, Monday came but Hoshino's desk was empty. None of their classmates had an idea about her whereabouts, much less, even cared. Tuesday came but her seat remained empty. Wednesday was no different.

Thursday, 3:15PM. While everyone busied themselves packing their belongings and readying to go to their clubs, the class president came in front for a quick announcement.

"Everyone! I need to ask something!" he began, looking over the class. He spotted Bokuto in his seat, hanging his bag on his shoulder.

"It's a Thursday but still no Nanao," Bokuto sighed and stared at the window. Normally, she'd at least go to their practice once a week.

"Hoshino-san has been absent for four days now and can someone bring her notes?" he asked in a loud voice.

"Nanao?" The mention of her name peaked his interest.

"Anyone?" the class president asked and glanced at Bokuto.

"I can do it," Yukimura volunteered, which got Bokuto's attention. He was the guy who saved Hoshino from getting hit on the head, he wouldn't forget that.

"Oh, a rival?" Shirofuku mumbled.

"No, I can do it!" Bokuto raised his voice and waved his hand.

"I can, my notes are complete," Yukimura protested.

"Mine too!" Bokuto proclaimed, which was a total lie. For the four days that Hoshino was gone, his emo modes came quite more often.

"Yukippe, please?" Bokuto whispered at her. She knew exactly what he was thinking.

"Fine."

"How about you two go?" the class president tried to compromise.

"I can do it myself," Yukimura protested even more.

"You know what?" Bokuto spoke as soon as Shirofuku slid a notebook on his desk, "I'll be going now, good bye!"

"W-What?!" Yukimura exclaimed while Bokuto swiftly dashed out of the classroom, already on his way to Hoshino.

"That's sly!"

Bokuto laughed at his unbelievably "genius" plan for Hoshino though he had no idea what her unit number was. All he knew was the location of her apartment and the rest? He's going to think about it once he's there.

"But seriously, where did Nanao go?" he questioned himself, "No texts, no calls, nothing.

Amidst his obvious disappointment with Hoshino, he had some hope that it was all for good reason. He wouldn't really be going out of his way, missing a day of practice if he's mad at her. Just a little hurt.

But all the hurt went down the drain unexpectedly once he laid his eyes on her once again. Not long after, he spotted her and he paused, as if time had just stopped. There she was, walking towards the building entrance, dragging a large wheeled luggage.

She was different this time. Instead of her black hair that didn't even reach her shoulders, it was long, touching her waist too. And instead of her usual bare face, she had makeup on. Lots of it.

"Nanao!" he exclaimed her name, shocking the poor girl.

"Kotaro-san?" she mumbled and quickly swayed her head to her left. She paused and let go of her luggage.

"Kotaro-san," she confirmed, her eyes widening just by the sight of him.

"Where have you been? I missed you!" His voice was beaming with energy and excitement. He rushed towards her, wanting an embrace, or at least a closer look at her.

"I have a lot to explain," she admitted, now in sorrowful tone, "I'm sorry," she averted her gaze to the cold hard grount, regretful.

"It's okay, it's okay," he reassured and shook his head.

"I've done it again," she added. She felt her tears pile up, causing her eyes to appear glassy.

He lifted her chin gently with one hand, his other one patting her head. "Whatever it is, Nanao, I'm not mad," he reassured again, "I swear, I'm not mad."

"I'm still sorry."

"It's okay. It's okay."