Chapter 8 - Tragedy at the School Garden

It's a beautiful day outside, a calm day like it used to to keep me company.

I'm sipping my drink from the vending machine, and like always, I bought coffee milk.

And just like yesterday, today Akari is with Shimizu again, but she didn't invite me this time.

It's not like I was hoping that she would invite me though.

It has been 5 minutes since lunch break started, and because today I also ate too much breakfast, I'm not hungry at the moment.

Maybe I should just chill in the garden until lunch break is over...

"Yo, Yuuto."

"Ah, Yuuki."

Yuuki stared at me, and then asked. "You're not with her today?"

"No. She's with her friend. Why?"

"Nothing in particular, just curious."

I give him an annoyed stare.

"And you're also not with Yuuko today."

"She's with her friend."

"Don't copy me, you moron."

Yuuki laughed. "You called me a moron but you yourself are behind me by 3 ranks, and never been able to catch-up or even race me since junior high."

"Ugh... That's fair."

Yuuki bumped me and laughed.

"So... What brings you here?" I asked.

"Nothing, I was just taking a stroll. And somehow I see you."

"So you thought to greet me?"

"You read me, eh..." He let out a big sigh.

"Come on, that's not a big deal, don't dramatize it."

"I know... Why are you so serious." He stared at me annoyingly, and suddenly took my drink. "Share some with me." He drank it and gave it back to me.

"Are you for real..." I flipped my drink and not a single droplet came out.

Yuuki just laughed.

We chatted a bit more about random stuff like what subjects we didn't understand and what subjects we have interest in.

"Hey Yuuto, look over there." When we walked past the garden, Yuuki pointed at two girls.

It was Akari and Shimizu.

"Yeah I see them."

"Don't they seem like they're in the middle of something?"

"Seems like it..."

When I look properly at them, Shimizu is standing in front of her. I can't quite hear what they are talking about.

"Hey, let me tell you something, butting in won't do anything."

"Who said I wanted to?"

"Hahaha, by the way, wanna go somewhere else?"

"Sure." 

When we're about to go, I suddenly hear a voice that is familiar.

"Homura is my friend! You can't decide who I want to befriend!"

I can hear Akari shouting that.

"Hey dude, seems like if you butt in it would do something." Yuuki smirked.

"Why is that?"

"Because she said your name."

"Is that your reason? I think you're a lot smarter when listening to my problems before."

"Hehe, no need for that right now. Just go." Yuuki pushed me.

"Fine, fine... Geez..." I looked at him with a tired look.

Yuuki said goodbye to me as I started walking towards Akari and Shimizu.

As I walk closer, I can hear their conversation clearly.

"You can't just let a boy or someone else you don't know to help you!"

"Homura is not someone I don't know!"

"But you don't know if he has hidden motives or not!"

"I trusted him! I know he wouldn't have something like that!"

Akari... Trust me...?

That's a relief to hear, but... I need to stop them right now.

"Excuse me..."

"Hmph, so the boy itself is here now." Shimizu glared at me.

"Homura..." Akari's voice sounds a little sad.

"Can you guys stop this? You two are best friends right?"

"Yeah, so that's why I told her to stay away from you and also told you to stay away from her!"

"But why?! He is my friend! I may not know him very well but I know he is a good person!" Akari said.

"Both of you..."

"What? Do you have something to say? If you don't have any, then go away!" Shimizu crossed her hands.

Something to say...

I think I do have one.

"I've got one idea." I said, raising my hand.

"What is it?" Shimizu asked.

"Why don't you give me time to see if I do have hidden motives or not?"

"Huh?" Shimizu raised one of her eyebrows.

"I mean... While I'm with Akari, in any case, whether it's helping her or just keeping her company. Why don't you also be with us? To see if I do have something hidden under my action." I propose the idea as clearly as I can.

"That would be a waste of time, you can just delay your hidden motives."

"What...?"

"Just leave me alone. Yuna, if something happened to you... It's your own business," Shimizu said as she left.

...

Is she really her best friend?

Or am I the one who breaks their friendship?

...

I looked down on the ground, and I don't know what to say to Akari.

"Homura."

"Yeah?" I answered, still looking at the ground.

"I'm sorry for her attitude... I tried to reassure her, but..."

"Don't worry Akari, it's not your fault. I'm afraid this is my fault, because if you never know me, your friendship with Shimizu will stay as it is..."

"What do you mean Homura?! You shouldn't say something like that!" Akari's tone is high.

When I looked at her, I could see her eyes were teary...

"Akari..." I looked away.

"Give me some more time okay...? I will reassure her until this misunderstanding is gone..."

"Okay..."

I hope this problem will be cleared as soon as possible...

I don't want to see her sad like this... Nor did I want to stay away from her...

"Homura, let's lighten up the mood. Why don't we go back to class and talk about the next subject? I can teach you some quick English lessons." She's back to her normal, cheerful state.

"Oh... I think that's a good idea," I gently replied.

After thinking about it for a while.

I have decided to help her clear this misunderstanding.

Mmm... I think that what should I do since the very first time this has happened, isn't it?