Chapter 4

Katsuo’s POV

I had to set the phone back from my ear, when Nishikawa Ayame started to yell at me. And she hung up. Her words were harsh, but except for the last part were true. If she already thinks like that about me, is it the same for Nagata? It was not like I didn't care about other feelings…

Their opinion about me was something I didn't pay attention to. They won't be a part of my life in a matter of time. Crawlers were at high school, are now at university, and will be at a company. I didn't even want to study but my parents made me, at least my mother didn't agree to let me go abroad as my father wished for. If I had to play a student I was gonna use this time to the fullest.

“Katsuo, come on, it's your turn!”

“I am coming.” The heavy sigh left my chest and I got back to the karaoke room. “I had to pick up this call,” I explained, when another curious look was inspecting me, looking for any sign I could turn my back on them.

“I hope it wasn't bad news.”

Yuki’s voice as always was sweet and pretending to care but hiding the eagerness to control. I guessed she had some big plans with me including marriage. I was playing her game, however after talking with Ayame I wasn't in the mood.

Unexpected worry was growing in my heart, when I remembered that she mentioned that Nagata had to see a doctor, so he had hurt himself after all. I really wanted to ask if he was alright, so I made a decision to find him one more time to make sure he is fine. I didn't want him to think about me the same as Nishikawa, which surprised me. That girl asked questions I answered, however I could lie. There was no reason for me to say yes that time or to look for Nagata later and for sure there was none for me to be magnetically interested in him now.

“No bad news,” I confirmed and a few moments later got a microphone.

I could remember much better shows even when being drunk, notes missed, words mixed, lyrics suddenly forgotten, because someone else inhabited my mind without knocking.

Ryouta’s POV

A quick peek to make sure he isn’t anywhere around, just in case, because my ability to run away was reduced, as the result of the fall the day earlier. Clear. I guess this damned Shimada didn’t want this to happen, but undeniably it was his fault. For care of the rest of my health I was avoiding him and altogether I would love to not encounter him. Another person who was passing by looked at me suspiciously, thinking what the hall I was doing hiding behind the signboard.

The watch reminded me that I might be late. Considering my weakened ankle and the doctor’s recommendation to be careful with it for a few days at least I wanted to be at the campus earlier. However Sakura was so fascinated by Ayame and asked to meet her before school, so she could deal with her hair. My abilities were so poor and I saw how much having a neatly done braid was important for my little sister. She was spending hours in front of the mirror and I knew how hard it was for her to ask me about that after my behaviour towards our young neighbour and kind of my childhood pal.

I did nothing wrong, so why am I the one hiding and avoiding Shimada?! I suddenly reminded myself and proudly stood upright. I was not gonna miss the lecture, but was still hoping to not see him, as he seemed to be unpredictable.

With every hour without Shimada or Ayame around, my inner peace was regaining balance, so I decided to use this feeling to study a bit in a library, where I thought I wasn't supposed to meet any of them. The productivity hit me, being in the focus mode I couldn’t notice the danger approaching me. The book I needed was sitting on the highest shelf, my ankle hurt so I was trying to reach it by putting the weight only on one side. I was feeling that I might lose the balance, but I really was set on doing that assignment.

“Need help?” I turned in the direction of the voice, the one I was not eager to hear.

Yeah, I fell for the third time on this idiot, who was surprised by the result of his action himself, but quickly his face lightened up with a playful smile.

“I must really do have a magical power. The charm must have been working, you must have fallen for me this time.”

I sighed remembering that my fierce reaction the first time, didn't make him leave me alone. Escape last time also wasn’t enough, this time I tried to go with ignorance. The pain was barely bearable, but I tried not to show it, just to not make him ask another question, I just sat down and got back to work. Like I could expect that Shimada would sit next to me. I was feeling his gaze, maybe not intrusive but interested, it was getting harder to hold to my decision.

“I am waiting for your confirmation that you did fall for me,” he said, lying his head on the table and still looking at me.

My mind was trying to answer the question of what he expects me to do, what he wants from me and why I am his target. The awareness that ignorance probably would not be enough, I stopped writing for a moment, when I realised I have one more option to try out. More labour consuming, but at least I was hoping for it to be effective in a short time. I looked at him for the first time to see what kind of person he is, even though our faces were closer to each other’s more than I would wish for. My first impression was that he is a good hearted man with a playful soul. His face was nice and smile was kind. Auburn hair styled according to the latest trends complemented dark, green eyes. Weirdly his presence felt comfortably warm, but I knew I couldn’t take the bait, so I thought: Let’s play your game.

“Why would I fall for you?“