XIV — Her Dazzling Sun, His Apricot Tree

By the time they walked away from her house, other students were there.

Watching them, or maybe that's what anxiety and paranoia would do to someone.

However, Riku didn't know, or maybe he didn't care enough.

What should I do?

Anna simply didn't know what to say, as she was just following his footsteps if anything.

She never cared before, but his presence right beside him made her want to.

She wanted to speak yet she didn't know what to.

I need to bring a topic. Like... anything!

However, all of a sudden—

"Anna."

Eh? What?

She never answered. Especially when she never gave him any permission to.

"May I call your by your surname from now on, Anna?"

Her mind was blank. She didn't even understand why.

But we just become friends yesterday!

In many ways, these all were too quick for her to digest.

"After all..."

"We are friends... right?" He continued. His tone was reassuring.

Yes, but... does it really have to be like that?

Calling each other's first name was a bit too embarrassing for her.

Yet, she didn't even know the way how 'friendship' exactly works either.

If she did, she definitely wouldn't be in this situation. Never.

I feel so silly...

Yes, she indeed was so silly to be this clueless.

"S-sure..." She replied hesitantly along with a nod.

"Riku-kun." Then addressing her name, ceased the topic immediately.

"Nice!" He answered confidently.

Riku couldn't help but put a grin in his face. He always wanted to have a friend like her.

Or... did he? Either way, he was happy. However, he didn't know what's next from this.

He had never thought of befriending someone with whom he never really considered as anything but his rival at school. In-fact, the thought of him talking to her never really crossed in his mind.

But rival that never talked to each other? That sounded ridiculous.

It's been three months at the same class yet we never really talked? You're kidding.

"Etto... Riku-kun?"

She waved her hand in front of him, as if saying, "Are you thinking about anything stupid?"

"Ah, yes yes! Riku-kun is here, sir!"

Did he just... stutter? That's funny.

She muffled a laughter, then falling on the ground.

For him, it was definitely unusual to see the quietest girl in his class to act like that.

"Shut up. That's not funny." 

He looked away, carrying his shame or at least refrained from talking about it any further.

"No..."

"It is!"

Now she screamed? In front of me?

Again, that same Anna... for once more. She laughed and screamed.

She was letting off her guard in front of him. Riku Reita.

"Don't sound so silly." That was the only comeback he could give as a response.

"Heh... really~?" Anna teased him. She leaned in closer.

He only sighed and nodded.

She no longer cared if anyone saw this. She just wanted to play with this unspoken rule of hers.

There is no way I will ever fall in love with this idiot. My comedian.

Yes, exactly that. The one had been carved in her mind by the time he breached her mental space.

"Yes."

"Kazuko."

Heh, that's cheating. Unfair!

She froze again. The fact that vulnerability of hers was uttered so casually hurt her.

She would love to playfully punch his shoulder, like a romcom couple from any manga.

Yet she could never dare to. At least, for now.

However, her hand already hovered near to his shoulder. Yet, it was awkward. It seemed she was about to punch him as a serious backstab, or the action scene where a character was betrayed.

That's not what I wanted to do...

His eyes meanwhile were aware. He clearly saw and noticed her hands flying for a bit.

However, he didn't care and ignored it. Despite knowing her intention.

"Don't think of anything childish."

That expression again...

For once more, she perhaps has seen his true self.

Serious, inexpressive, detached.

However, she didn't want to assume.

"No, I'm not." Her reply did come off as blunt and dry.

"Now let's go, shall we?" She insisted.

He nodded nonchalantly, as if it was a cool act to do.

"At least, answer it with yes."

Idiot. You are not that kind of guy.

"Yes yes. Sure, let's go."

"Better?"

Much, much better.

They kept walking, and it was as if the short trip lasted longer than what it should've been.

And after spending time without talking, they already arrived at the gate.

The situation was more or less the same, except it was unusual for them together.

Let alone coming a bit late, maybe because they walked much slower than usual.

A group of people then was formed. Some others were joking around before entering the school.

There were also students who walked alone. Among of them used to be Anna herself.

The scene then moved into the classroom's corridor, where they stumbled with Riku's friend group. And they already pointed at him, with one of his friends suddenly approached.

Like a child missing his mother.

Kaze Fujimoto. The enthusiastic flower of the boy's group.

"Riku-chan!"

He was already waving without actual manners in front of them.

Yes, that exaggerated smile, with a jump that lasted for a few seconds before running towards.

Ugh, not again...

Meanwhile, Anna wondered why he was suddenly all sighing as he looked below to the floor.

Did something annoy him?

He never really wanted to explain as he smashed his hand with his, followed by a punch and then a shoulder tap. The signature of their friendship, which ended with a smile.

Is he always doing that in front of them?

An irritated yet artificial smile.

"Anything you need, Kazecchi?"

He knew. It's always been like that.

And Kaze himself ignored Anna's presence, as if she was invisible to begin with.

Not that she even cared about it.

"Of course! I mean..."

"My parents, Riku-chan!"

Eh, how childish...

What Anna saw was truly something else. She couldn't believe it.

Maybe she already observed it in the past when she was already inside, but—

He kneeled.