Clarification.

“Echoes of Love: A Second Chance.”

Chapter 36

We were now alone on the rooftop. Haruno’s hair blows majestically as the wind rush passes us. I accepted the lunchbox without any questions. It smelled amazing. A smile drew upon Haruno’s face as her cheeks got painted pink. “Good luck on the test.”

“Thank you,” I replied. She turned back as she stroked through her hair.

“Please tell me how it was.” She said as she went to the stairs. Before going down, She gazed back at me with a smile sweeter than sugar. “I’m looking forward to it.”

I was now standing alone on the roof, trouble brewing downside, holding a lunchbox made full of love. I really thought she was going to propose to me or something. Although, I wasn’t ready at all. Trust me, I wanted to munch on this food so hard yet I had to hold back since if Chako caught me eating lunch before lunch break, There’d definitely be trouble.

I head back to the student council room only to find rock-drilling-stares right at my face. Haruno wasn’t present there. I head to the couch and place the lunch to ignore the stares. I feel someone marching toward me.

“Hey, Iharu, can I talk to you for a sec?” Asked Jun.

I wasn’t confident enough to reject him so I agreed. “Sure.”

“Can we go outside?” He asked with a sad face. I could feel him doubting me within every cell of his body.

“Make sure you return before the test starts,” Chako said. At least let me answer before going to the conclusion yourself. I stood up and followed Jun since I didn’t want there to be any misunderstanding between us. We slowly slowly march toward the area behind the classrooms. Usually, people go there to confess to each other. Hopefully, this doesn’t go that way at all. We didn’t talk to each other at all while on the way. I wanted to break the silence somehow.

“How was your preparation for the test?” He didn’t answer at all. The situation was pretty heavy now. We reached the place. No one was here, as expected.

He turned to me with a serious face. “What’s your relationship with Haruno?”

“Friends,” I reply with no crack in my voice. He was pretty intimidating. But since I wasn’t in the wrong anywhere, I replied with confidence.

“You don’t look like friends at all to me. I have been friends with her since childhood, she never gifted me a lunch before.” His fingers twitched. I could feel his sadness.

“Don’t tell me you forgot she used to cook in your house when you didn’t know how to cook.” If I get scared now, I’ll definitely be framed. I need to win somehow.

“How do you know that?” He was visibly in shock. His eyes wide open, A face full of surprise.

“You say you are her childhood friend yet you don’t even know how much she cares for you.” He started to get angry.

“What do you know how much I care about her? I’d give my life away for her if I can.” He replies. Somehow his takes don’t feel like they are false at all. I fully believe what he says.

“Then how can you doubt her so easily?” His anger plummets and his tone gets light. “You’re right, but… how can I not? She’s everything to me.”

“Then believe her a little. Believe in your love for her.” I'm slowly convincing him.

“I– I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to vent my anger on you.” I win.

“Don’t worry about that at all. After all, Aren’t we friends? I can feel how you feel. The lunch she gave me was a thank you from her because I helped her. It seems you’re pretty busy so she doesn’t want to disturb you at all. That’s why she asked for help from me. She cares a lot about you.”

“I– I see,” He’s completely lost. I don’t need to answer him anymore. I wonder whether I should bring his sister into this conversation or not. Let’s not. I place a hand on his shoulder. "Make your moves too now. You have had a lot of time to form a bond with her. Now is the right time to strike.”

“What– do you mean?”

“I mean that you should confess to her now.”

“But– what if she said no?”

“That’ll be a problem now, wouldn’t it? Why should you worry about ifs and thats when you haven’t even tried yet? Be more late and a handsome son of a bitch will steal her from you.”

“But…”

“Don’t complain to me that I didn’t help you.”

“I– I’m not confident at all.”

“Then what about after the festivals end? The trip to Okinawa’s comin’ right? Just strike at that perfect moment.”

“But… What if—”

“Say that one more time and I’ll ruin that womanizer face of yours.”

“What’s the point of a womanizer face if the girl I like isn’t even attracted to me.” Now he’s making me angry.

“Did she ever reject to hang out with you?

“N-No”

“Did she ever decline your requests?”

“No” I look at him angrily. “Then motherfucker what’s the damn problem?!”

“It’s just— I’m scared.” I now look at him with the scariest face I can make.

“O-Okinawa it is!” he says stutteringly.

“Okinawa.”

“Y-Yes yes, Okinawa. Ha-ha.” I scared him successfully.

“Let’s return to the class before the demon falls upon us.”

He gets straight. “Yes, you’re right. The time should be near now. Let’s head back.” I’m glad we cleared the misunderstanding. Now the only problem is…

“Playboy! Pervert! Inhumane!” I entered the student council room just to hear these words. Why did Ayame have to be present there!? Chako was staring at me with judgemental eyes. The word ‘Pathetic’ was written all over her eyes.

I take a step inside, “Gyah! Stay away from me.” God, how can I shut Ayame the fuck up?!

“What’s the time?” I ask Chako.

“Do I look like a clock to you?” Why did Chako have to get in this? Like I didn’t feel miserable enough.

“It isn’t what you think.”

“Shut up, you pervert. Trying to flirt with every girl you see.” Literally, when did I do that?! I feel the urge to punch Ayame quite a lot.

“It isn’t how you guys think.” Nice! Jun is vouching for me.

“He already— I mean, he is full of his single life. It was just a gift from Haruno as a thank you since Iharu helped her.” Can I punch him instead? I know he’s vouching for me but god have I never clenched my fist harder than now.

Beep Beep

Chako’s alarm rings.

“There’s your answer. 5 minutes left.”

Chapter 36 End