Chapter 10: I Like You

After school, rumors spread around about a girl who had finally captured my heart.

Most of the female student body are currently getting ready for a witch hunt for this elusive individual.

Thankfully, not many people know Natsumi by name so most people couldn’t identify her apart from a handful of students who were there when Natsumi confessed.

Himeko, being popular and easily identifiable by all the students, had become the go-to for all of the girls’ inquiries. Thankfully, Himeko has no plans on telling anything – looking out for her friend.

Both Natsumi and me couldn’t really meet up after school. We have our responsibilities in our respective clubs, after all.

Natsumi and Reimu went to basketball practice, both not being their usual selves. Natsumi still feels flustered with what she said earlier while Reimu is shocked that her best friend likes their senpai.

I have it rough as well. Droves of my fangirls are swarming outside the literature club’s room demanding answers.

Being the president of the club, I possess the keys to the club room and had locked the doors the moment I entered, with only a few literature club members inside with me.

I had sent out a message to the rest of the club members in our group chat that there’d be no meeting today. Of course, it’s because of the students loitering outside but I can’t tell them that.

Nonetheless, I still want to proceed with club activities like it’s a normal day.

There were only four of us, including me. My junior, Akabane Airi is there too.

For today’s activity, I instructed everyone to write a poem and perform it in front of everybody later on.

Everyone starts writing as they try their best not to get distracted by the noise outside. I send a message to Yuu to help disperse the crowd. I await his response as I hovered around the other club members.

I noticed that Airi keeps sneaking glances whenever I passed her. “She’s probably upset with the crowd forming outside the club room. I hope Yuu answers soon.” I think to myself.

I go to the window and opened it ajar to let in a fresh breeze. I close my eyes as the air hits my face. It feels nice.

Most of the sport clubs are out and about doing their respective activities. I gaze towards the gym where the basketball teams are practicing.

“I hope Natsumi is doing well.” I think to myself – hoping that nobody would harass her.

As I contemplate by the window, I feel a tug on my shirt from behind.

“Senpai?” A cutesy voice spoke from behind me.

“Yes, Akabane-kun?”

She hesitated as she fiddled with her uniform’s ribbon. I wonder what she needs.

“What can I help you with?” I rest my lower back towards the wall and cross my arms.

“Um, is it true?”

Oh. She heard of it too.

“Well… I don’t know what you heard but…”

“Did you say yes?!” She cut me off. Her eyes started to form tears at its edges.

What’s up with her? Is she that curious about my personal life? Still, I’m not sure how much I can tell anyone about this.

I wish I got to talk to Natsumi – get our story straight.

“Well…” I got cut off again. This time by a loud knocking at the door.

With all the ruckus happening today, everybody else didn’t even bother looking towards the loud noise.

My phone started vibrating. I pulled out my phone expecting Yuu to finally have responded with what I asked of him earlier.

I went to a spot in the room where it’s private enough to answer the call. As I walked past Akabane-kun, I put my free hand on her head and told her, “Let’s pick this up again later.”

She nods softly as she walked back to her seat.

The caller is Yuu.

“Can you open the door for me?” I look towards the door and immediately opened it. I’ve known Yuu for a while now and I fully trust him.

As the door slides open, Yuu is completely face to face with me – both of us still have our phones to our ears.

“Okay. What next?” Yuu furrowed his eye brows. He didn’t like my joke.

Yuu puts down his phone and entered the room.

“You owe me. There were so many of them.”

“Thanks as always, man.”

“No problem. I have to get back with everyone in the student council now though. We have to make some sort of rule for this kind of issue.” I waved him goodbye.

As always, Yuu is very reliable. No wonder he’s the student council president. It’s going to be a tall order for his successor to be able to achieve what he has done.

As he disappears by the corner, I went back inside and closed the door. It’s time for everyone’s presentation!

Everyone presented their poems although all of them did it badly. Monotone and wrong execution of words – it reminded me of myself during my middle school years when I was still shy. Well, I kind of still am. They’ll learn though. Just like I did.

I ended up doing an impromptu presentation of my own poem as an example for them to follow. Shortly after giving them pointers and words of encouragement, we ended today’s club activities.

At this time, the sun is starting to set although there are still some students hanging about, mostly those who were attending their clubs.

As I reached the school gates, a voice called out to me from behind.

“Senpai!”

I looked back. It’s Akabane-kun.

“Sen… pai… wait-.“ She’s out of breath. It seems like she chased me after I left the club room.

“Calm down, Akabane-kun. Breathe.”

I slowly inhaled and exhaled in front of her, prompting her to follow my lead. After a short while, she calmed down.

“So? What’s up? What’s got you so out of breath?” I asked.

“Um… Our conversation earlier! Can we pick it back now?”

I wasn’t so sure why she’s so adamant in knowing about it but I did say that we’d talk about it later. I guess I’ll indulge her. I’ll just try to play it lowkey.

“So, what is it you want to know exactly?”

“Is it true someone asked you out during lunch break? And that you said yes?”

Obviously, the former is correct but the latter is quite the stretch. At the very least, I said that I’d give Natsumi my answer at a later date.

“Well… That’s not entirely true. I mean, someone did ask me out during lunch but I haven’t given her my answer yet.”

“Why?”

Why? Actually, why did I not just give her my answer then? Everything could’ve been halfway over already had I just said yes at the time.

“I… don’t know.” I answered honestly.

“…” Akabane-kun went quiet. Perhaps she feels like she shouldn’t have asked that question.

“Can I ask one last question?” Akabane-kun seemed sad with all the answers I gave her.

“Sure.”

“Can you tell me the name of the person who confessed to you?” She looked me straight in the eyes with a fierceness in her gaze.

“I can’t tell you that.” I answered immediately.

She shifted her gaze elsewhere, flustered with what she just asked.

“It was me. I’m the one who confessed to him” A disembodied voice said from behind me.

I turn to see Natsumi and her friend who seemed to be eavesdropping in our conversation.

“Morino-san?” Akabane-kun uttered under her breath yet, I still heard it.

“You know her?” I asked her, curious about how she knows Natsumi.

“We’re classmates.”

“I see…” I never knew. Natsumi never mentioned it – though I guess there really was no reason to do so.

Natsumi marched until she’s beside me, to my surprise. She stood confidently as she crosses her arms. Her usual pose.

Seemingly intimidated by her, Akabane-kun took a step back. “I... I’m going home! See you tomorrow, senpai.” Before I could even say anything, she ran and ran until she disappeared as she turns a corner.

It’s now just me and Natsumi. I ended up looking her way and vice versa. It went on for a short time until we hear coughing from nearby. It’s her friend, Reimu. Whether it’s intentional or something really did get stuck in her throat, we returned to our senses. We can’t act like this in public! At least not yet.

“Morino-san!”

“Yes, senpai?”

“About earlier… I think I have my answer now.”

“I see…”

I bowed my head and reached my hand forward.

“Morino-san! I would like to go out with you!”

Reimu and some spectators who happen to pass us were shocked. Some pulled out their phones and either took pictures and videos or messaged their friends about what they just witnessed.

I couldn’t see or hear anything from Natsumi but I did feel her hand on mine. I look up to see her smiling blissfully.

“Thank you!” Tears start to form on her eyes. “I’ll do my best!”

“I’ll do my best too.” I replied.

Even though we’ve already been together for a while now, at least we won’t have to hide anymore. I’ll make sure nothing bad happens to her. I can protect her; I’ll protect her!

We continued holding hands as we continued smiling. It’s hard not to.

“Um, congratulations, you two!” Reimu finally mustered up the courage to speak up. I forgot that she was still here! Talk about awkward.

“Thank you, Reimu-chan!” Natsumi lets go of my hand to hug her best friend. It was a very tight hug that, despite Reimu’s height advantage over Natsumi, she was able to lift her off the ground.

“Well, I’ll leave you two to your own devices then! Reimu left excitedly, almost skipping.

Me and Natsumi also went home, our hands in each other’s embrace.

I’m not sure how the rest of the student body will react to this news. Tomorrow is the weekend so we’ll have a couple of days to ready ourselves, although, Natsumi still has her check-up tomorrow. That’s another thing to worry about but for now, I just want to feel this feeling. The feeling of finally being free.