Strawberry Season [Karushuu]

Chapter 8

(P.O.V : Karma)

I could barely sleep that night, remembering what happened that day.
'How can he sleep so soundly?'
-
I faced his bare back and smiled.
He really knew how to make people adore him.
I could feel his heavy coat on the foot of the Bed.
A grey coat, which seemed rather expensive.
Come to think of his clothing he rarely wore something colorful.
The brightest color I was able to discover was some shade of brown.
Although the lack of his color variants, his style of clothing was fairly fashionable.
-
Honestly, I never cared too much about what I wore but somehow managed to dress myself quite well every morning - according to Bitch-Sensei, who used to survey everyone in class.
I really missed my old teachers, knowing there wouldn't be anyone like them in High school.
The teachers of the main-building were mostly austere and boring. I grew sick of those dull faces.
-
The students weren't much different from their teachers, except for one.
The boy, who managed to make me fall for him and his stupidity in less than 2 months.
The boy, whose body is lying right in front of me.
To be honest, he was rather muscular and especially handsome.
-
How badly I wished to put my arms around him but something held me back.
Although he wasn't lying far away, he was unreachable for me.
I caught myself longing for his natural heat.
-
I never thought someone would be able make me longing for them this eagerly, but I wasn't complaining either.
It was a strange feeling but even tho the gap hurt sometimes, it made me feel special.
-
Asano never really spoke about it but I doubted that he had many friends - At least the ones one could rely on no matter what.
It might have been hard for him to befriend people, but I would doubt that as well.
He seemed quite skilled socializing.
You can tell by his reputation alone.
He never got visibly upset or furious.
His character seemed to be rather likable, friendly and respectful.
A personality a lot of people would love to own - One that seemed invisible to someone ordinary and would never allow him to let down his pride.
-
As I moved closer to get the merest hint of his heat, he turned around.
I gasped as I noticed that his face was resting only a few centimeters away from mine.
His breath was meeting my pale skin and the sudden warmth of the air reaching me caused my cheeks to heat up.
'Luckily, he's still asleep.'
-
I couldn't help but to focus on his lips.
How badly I wished to feel those lips on mine but I needed to resist this cruel temptation.
-
"What's wrong?"
He asked calmly without opening his eyes.
-
My heart began to beat faster and my cheeks flushed in embarrassment and surprise.
I didn't know what to say, nor how to react.
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"Just fall asleep already-"
He groaned and turned around again.
-
I just laid there, watching him turning his back towards me - again.
'That's not simple at all if the man you love is lying right next to you in underwear.'
-
I sighed in defeat and got up, letting my feet carry me to the bathroom.
When I faced my reflection in the mirror I tried to get rid of my flustered face by throwing some cold, yet refreshing water into my face.
'What's wrong with me?'
-
I was tired but my heart wouldn't stop beating this fast as long as I was near him.
'It couldn't be helped.'
I glanced over to Asano whose face was completely normal and returned to the bed.
Quietly I searched for my pants.
-
When I found it I took my phone out of its pocket.
It was 3 am.
'Wonderful...'
I got one new message from Rio.
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«Hey there, what are u doing?»
She asked about 4 hours ago.
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«Nothing special.»
I replied.
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I was about to turn it off but another notification appeared on my screen.
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«You're not planning any pranks on Asano? I'm disappointed in you.»
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I laughed a little while trying to be as quiet as possible.
«Sorry, I'm a little distracted atm.»
-
«distracted? wdum?»
-
I smiled as I thought of Asano but I couldn't tell her - At least not at the moment for I didn't even know if he'd like me back.
-
Suddenly Rio called me - leading my phone to make some buzzing noises and I turned off the sound as fast as possible.
As I checked if Asano was still asleep, I was relieved to see that he didn't wake up -- but to avoid another 'surprise' I went inside the bathroom once again and shut the door.
-
I accepted the call and took a deep breath.
"What do you think you're doing?!"
I quietly questioned her, trying to hide my anger.
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"Calling a good friend of mine?"
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"You almost woke him up!"
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"I almost woke up \whom\?"
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'Sh*t-'
I faceplamed myself and tried to calm down while coming up with fitting excuses - something I'm usually very skilled at - but tonight my efforts were in vain.
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"Hello?"
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"Never mind, how are you?"
-
I knew she wouldn't let it slide anymore - but there was still a little bit of hope left.
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"No way- You can't just change the subject! Tell me what's going on!"
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"It's nothing special, believe me-"
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"If it's 'nothing special' you would've told me right away and btw - sooner or later I will find out anyway."
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I hated to admit it but she was right.
I already said too much to deny it and I didn't want to lie to her either.
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"Alright- But if you tell anyone, you're dead."
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"Spit it out already!"
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"I went downtown with Asano but I forgot to buy some tickets for the way home. Now we have to share a room at a hotel."
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"Why would you-"
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"It's rather complicated."
I interrupted her while trying to keep my cool.
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"Complicated?"
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"Yeah."
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"Why?-"
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I could tell that I began to blush again.
'Damn those stupid hormones-'
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This time I couldn't allow another mistake.
I overthought my answer several times but there was no way out - It was useless.
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"I like him."
I whispered as quiet as possible.
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"..."
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"..."
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"WHAT?!"
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"Hushhh! I know it might seem - weird."
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I never really thought about being attracted to men, but I never judged people by their sexuality either.
I just didn't fall in love /that/ often to define my sexuality.
-
I didn't mind being in a relationship with someone of the same sex, but a lot of people do mind actually - not that I would care for their opinion.
There's still too much discrimination on this planet to live a life in a non-designated way as it seemed -- Yet, if spending my life with Asano is what I was meant to do, I would gladly do so without any hesitation - and no one /except for him/ could stop me.
I loved that my life included him and that was a simple fact.
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"I wouldn't call it weird- just /unexpected/."
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"What do you mean?"
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"You two are like water and fire - two opposites."
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"Opposites attract- and we're not /that/ different tho."
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"Is it just you joking around or...?"
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"No - Don't make it worse, please..."
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"...Alright- but what are you planning to do? Keeping your crush a secret?"
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"It's not a simple crush- and I do want to confess... but I need to be sure that he feels the same about me first."
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"I see- I didn't know you were such a softy! Sorry for questioning your undying love for him!~"
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"Quit it- I'm not -- I'm just telling you about my feelings for him because I prattled away. Don't make it a big deal, /please/."
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"But it is a big deal. The devil himself fell in love-"
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"Good bye."
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"You're no fun- Is it because of him?"
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"No, I'm just tired - It's been a long day after all."
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"Well- Maybe you should return to your future husband and let him make you feel bett-"
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I hung up and placed the phone on the sink cabinet.
As I got into bed once again, I pulled the blanket over my head and tried not to look at him.
After few minutes I calmed down and /finally/ managed to fall asleep.