Strawberry Season [Karushuu]

Chapter 5

(P.O.V : Asano)

It was a calm Friday morning.
No teachers around, no noisy students running through the hallway.
I sat down at my desk and took out my notes.
As the time passed by, I kept looking at the door, waiting for someone, who would usually be here to annoy me.
-
It's been two days since 'it' happened.
It's been two days since I saw him.
-
'He's such an idiot.'
I sighed.
-
Maybe I was too harsh.
Maybe I should have been glad.
-
Lost in my mind, I didn't notice how the door swung open, revealing a certain redheaded boy.
-
"Did you miss me?~"
-
I flinched and looked at him, while he walked over to sit on his table.
-
"Why did you skip school?"
I said, secretly happy to see that he seemed fine.
-
"I simply didn't feel like it-"
He stated and stared at me for like a minute, making me kinda uneasy once again.
-
"What do you want?"
I asked harshly, while looking right into his eyes.
-
He seemed surprised by my reaction and looked away.
-
'Gosh, he's simply unbelievable-'
I thought and a little smile appeared on my lips.
-
"Anyway-"
-
"Hm?"
He looked at me confused.
-
"Sit down like a normal person."
-
He sighed and took a seat.
-
During lunch break, we walked all the way up to the former E-Class building.
He seemed to have forgotten about what happened two days ago, or he was just pretending.
-
He told me about all the stuff he did the day before and how boring it has been.
I had to admit that I really liked the sound of his voice.
His eyes were full of joy and happiness every time he told me about his day or just listened to my stories, which I rarely tell.
I didn't like talking about my day or my past.
There wasn't much to tell anyway.
-
"Are you even listening?"
He huffed.
-
"I-"
He interrupted me once again.
-
"Anyway, I'm glad to be here again."
He said while we sat down on a quiet spot underneath a huge maple tree.
-
I took out my notes and he rested his head on my shoulder.
I looked at him in confusion while he was focusing on the notes.
-
"I'm sure you can do it without reviewing it every second of your day."
-
I was surprise. He took the notes and put them in his pockets.
"You should calm down. You can do it- just believe me."
He grinned at me, creating a small smile on my lips.
-
"I know... and thanks."
I said and stared right into those amber glowing eyes of his.
-
With slightly red cheeks, he snuggled up to me and closed his eyes.
"Tell me something about you-"
-
"Hm- There's nothing to tell."
I looked away, avoiding his eye.
-
After a few second he spoke up again.
-
"Was he always like this?"
He asked and played with the buttons of my blazer.
-
"No. There was a time he had been a good father, but it changed a long time ago-"
I paused.
-
That was the topic I always avoided.
Thinking of it still hurt.
-
"It's nothing important. Let's talk about something el-"
-
I stopped myself when he sat up.
"My father died when I was 7."
-
I was shocked by his sudden statement.
'Why would he even consider to tell me something like that?'
I thought.
-
"I hated him. He was a jerk. There was no night without him being drunk and mistreating his wife."
-
He said coldly, while glaring at the ground.
"My mom doesn't talk about him in public. Neither do I."
-
"That's why I told everyone my parents are on some kinds of business trips all over the world, saying they're successful financial day traders."
-
I listened.
-
"Actually, my mother is the one, who needs to work a lot to provide me a good life. She's rarely home and not able to do the chores. That's why I'm alone most of the time. She taught me how to cook, clean or simply being able to care of myself at a really young age and even now, I'm very grateful to her. Even tho it was just the two of us, she never let herself or me down."
-
Silence spread after he finished his last sentence.
Few minutes later, he looked at me and met my eye.
"I trust you. Please keep that in mind. You could ruin my reputation with this information!~"
He explained, while leaning against my shoulder once again.
-
"You're way more important than you think."
He whispered softly and placed his hand on mine.
-
I didn't know what to say.
He made me, the great Asano, speechless.
-
We sat like this until the end of lunch break.
Even in class I couldn't forget what he said.

'What is it with him making me think of him all the time?!'
-
I tried to figure out what made me seem this trustworthy.
-
...
-
I couldn't figure it out.
-
After the last period we walked home and he bubbled just like he always did but I didn't say a word.
-
I just didn't know what to say.
I didn't want to mention such a topic again.
Although, I wanted to know more.
-
I thought about it until we finally reached my house.
"See you tomorrow, chatterbox-"
-
"Wait a sec-"
I turned around while unlocking the door, facing the slightly blushing male standing on my front yard.
-
He sighed and looked into my eyes with a slight smile on his lips.
"Just don't forget to come over tomorrow."
-
"I will be there."
I said calmly.
-
It took us about a minute before someone eventually averted their eyes.
To my surprise, even tho I would never admit it, I wanted him to stay.
-
"I need to go now- See you tomorrow."
Akabane said and began to walk away.
-
I watched him leaving and went inside the building.