16. The Orc's advice

"So what's going on? This is the first time it's you visiting me and the whole class was surprised. Given your penchant for avoiding attention, is this something urgent?"

In front of me, Asakura was unwrapping the candy I had given him after he finished his extra spicy serving of curry.

I had no fear of anyone eavesdropping on us despite the fact that we were in the cafeteria during rush hour since our presences formed an "impenetrable" zone for the students who saw us only as people to be avoided.

... Not that I was proud of it, but for this one time, I would say I was grateful.

"... I need some advice."

"... Oh? Isn't this just a consultation?"

Our typical consultations were always along the lines of listening to each other.

Nothing more than that.

No one demanded a solution and it was a method of venting all the accumulated stress.

Although Asakura confided in me on a weekly basis, I didn't have many topics to talk about, since... most of them were about my past.

A phantom pain appeared inside my chest.

Gritting my teeth, I had to endure.

I remembered Shibata's forced smile from last night.

It was a smile that did not suit her.

"So, I'll be waiting."

This waiting, how long could it last?

A month?

A trimester?

A year?

I don't want to see her face in tears again.

...?

Her face in tears?

I have never seen her....

"Earth to Fujita?"

Calling out to me, Asakura brought me to my senses.

"You had a really dark expression. If you squeeze any harder, you'll smash those chopsticks."

Having pointed this out to me, I let go and the chopsticks fell into the soup, bouncing a few drops off my uniform.

Grabbing a wet tissue, I tried to make up for the mess.

"You're completely distracted. What happened?"

Admonished by Asakura, I knew I had to do something.

To respond to her feelings, I had to start changing.

Therefore.

"Asakura, the situation is this..."

Without interrupting me, Asakura was paying full attention to my story.

About how last night, Shibata ambushed me at the restaurant and how she knew something about my past.

But all I got was a laugh so exaggerated that it drew the attention of the students near us.

"What's so funny...?"

"I'm sorry... Don't make that face, I wasn't making fun of you or Shibata."

Was my face weird...?

"Here's my advice: don't think about it."

As if he had finished to give the advice, he seemed ready to get up to bring back the tray with the used utensils.

"Wait, what do you mean!?"

More panicked than I imagined, I wanted to stop Asakura and ask for more details.

"There's nothing you need to worry about and you just need to be yourself."

With tray in hand, Asakura stood.

"Her confession was not addressed to you, but to herself."

"To herself...?"

I couldn't understand the situation.

"If she hadn't stated those words, I'm sure she would have gone down a path she would have regretted and not made you happy"

"Would she have done that... for me...?"

Holding the tray with one hand, the other gave me a gentle tap on the shoulder.

"Therefore, just act normally. I'm sure your original personality will single-handedly open a path to her heart. Don't be afraid of yourself, because you are someone I respect and consider as a friend, Fujita."

Not willing to elaborate further, Asakura continued on his way.

All I had left was a half-finished plate and an unexpected revelation from Asakura.

Do you consider me... a friend?

An emotion I didn't know how to describe was forming inside of me, and I still didn't know if it was a positive reaction or a negative one.