Hidden Feelings

Yeah, I hate school. Because I missed four days after winter break, I had to make up all of the homework and lessons. The professors presented me with the recordings of their lectures as well as some paperwork. I have to turn all of it by next week. That's definitely not going to happen no matter how late I stay up working on them. Maybe I'll just fill them out randomly.

I walked along a sidewalk near one of the engineering buildings. I wonder what they do there.

"Oi, Tsuki!" a familiar voice called out.

Walking out of the front entrance was Sakuno waving at me with that same old exaggerated grin. As he approached me, the eyes of the masses turned to him, endearing and admiring, especially the girls. Even though we're around the same height, I've always thought Sakuno was better-looking than me. He probably gets this treatment every day.

"Ah. Hey, Sakuno," I greeted him.

"Whoa-ho~! Hey, you're lookin' better already!" he exclaimed as he threw his arm around my shoulder.

"Does it really seem so?"

"Sure does. Before, your eyes were all droopy and you had some dark ass bag. You seem wa~y more like your normal self."

"Is that so? Well... Admittedly, things did get slightly better."

"Oh. Oh...? Things got better, huh? Between you and Taiyori?!"

"Can you get any louder? Announce it to the whole goddamn courtyard, why don't you?"

"Ah, Tsuki!" Yet another voice called out even louder.

Running down the path was Tayori with a big rolled-up poster in her arms. The attention she garnered just by her presence alone was nothing close to how much Sakuno received a minute ago. Once again, all eyes were on us.

"Looks like she did the job for me," Sakuno chuckled under his breath. "Hey, Taiyori!"

"Hello, Taiyori," I smiled.

"Hi, Tsuki!" She greeted us with a friendly grin. "Hi, Sakuno! How are you?"

"I just received some good news, so I'm doing swell," Sakuno smirked at me.

"Is that so? I'm glad to hear that, and I'll take an apology later. And you, Tsuki?"

"...I'm doing fine as well," I said. "Did... something happen between you two?"

"Hm? Nothing at all. Right, Sakuno?"

"Yep!" he smiled.

That's not suspicious at all. Oh well. If they want me to drop it, then I'll drop it. They're probably not gonna tell me either way.

"What about you, Taiyori?" I asked. "What are you up to?"

"Ah, I'm about to go back to my place," she replied. "I need to get some homework done. I'm behind right now because... Um... I was... preoccupied."

I tilted my head away. She never got around to it because of what happened between us. I should apologize again when I get the chance.

"Then, good luck with that," I said.

As I attempted to walk away, Taiyori snatched my wrist, a sudden look of repressed annoyance overtaking her face.

"T-Taiyori...?" I gulped. "What's wrong?"

"Tsuki... You didn't read my text, did you?"

"What?! I definitely did!"

I quickly pulled out my phone only to be smacked with a new notification from Line. Hesitantly, I opened up the application.

Taiyori: "I went to the bubble tea shop again. Got a drink for you. Oolong milk tea, right? Text me when you're done with your classes so I can bring it to you!"

I stood there for a second, silent and ashamed. How in the world did I miss this? I made sure to answer every text she sent me. I even disrespected my professors by pulling out my phone during the lectures.

Sakuno let out a chuckle. "Whoops, haha. Looks like you just got busted, my guy."

"Shut up," I muttered before turning to Taiyori. "S-sorry. I must've missed it.

"It's fine, as long as you understand," she said with a pout. "So? Do you want it?"

"I do, but... Can I swing by later to pick it up?"

"Ah... Are you... going out again?"

"It's not like that. I just couldn't sleep last night because... well..."

Her eyes widened at the realization. "Oh... R-right."

Sakuno came into view from the side, rapidly twisting his head left and right. We tried to avoid eye contact, but I think that only made it worse.

"Eh~?" he grinned. "What did you two do last night?"

"Not what you're thinking, you pervert," I muttered as I shoved his face away, before turning back to Taiyori. "Would that be okay?"

She let out a sigh as that adorable smile reappeared on her face.

"Fine. But make sure you come, okay? And let me know when you're coming."

"Yeah. Then... See you later, Taiyori."

"See you, Tsuki."

With that, we parted ways. As soon as I made it back to our dorm room, I plopped onto my bed and relaxed, but I wasn't even allowed to do that. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stay still. And my heart... It's beating so fast.

"You know, seeing you like this... I would never have guessed that this guy is the most feared assassin in the underworld," Sakuno sighed.

"Shut up..."

"Heh. So! She knows you're an assassin, yeah? She's okay with it now?"

"I guess."

"And what sparked that?"

"Well... To be honest, I'm not sure. It's still so surreal to me."

"Whatever the case, I'm glad it worked out between the two of you."

"Stop the cringe."

"...I was just trying to be nice, man."

Everything she said yesterday was still fresh in my mind, and I doubt it’ll fade anytime soon. She missed me... No matter how many times I try to twist the meaning, there isn't another one. Taiyori missed me. That’s why she went to such lengths to reach out, bombarding me with all those calls and texts.

I pressed my hands over my face, feeling the heat rise. I wanted to scream, not out of anger or joy, but just... because.

Eventually, I drifted away, deep in slumber, only to be jolted awake by the sound of my phone ringing. I shot up, realizing it was already dark outside. Sakuno was nowhere to be seen. And my phone...

I picked up.

"Hello?" I mumbled.

"Whoa," Taiyori scoffed. "You really did fall asleep. You got that morning rasp."

"Yeah, I took a nap. Anyway, what's up?"

"Hm? Did you forget? You were supposed to come pick up your drink."

"Oh... yeah... Just give me a moment."

"Mhm."

I put the phone to the side and blinked a couple of times, the lingering haze of sleep still clinging to my thoughts. The room felt colder than before. Is the window open? Doesn't look like it.

I took a deep breath, letting it steady me as I stood up, stretching slightly to shake off the stiffness. With a sigh, I picked the phone back up.

"Alright," I said. "I'm awake. I think..."

"You don't have to come if you don't want to, Tsuki. I can just leave it and you can pick it up tomorrow?"

"No. It'll taste watered down by then. I don't want it to go to waste, especially since you bought it for me. Besides... I want to see you."

"W-wha—!"

A series of subtle crackles and thuds came from the phone... as if she dropped it.

"Taiyori? Are you alright?"

"Eh?!" she exclaimed. "D-do you not see anything wrong with what you just said?!"

"What? That I wanted to see you?"

"Gosh... Sometimes, I forget that you're not from the normal world. Listen, Tsuki, you can't just say that to a girl. It implies that... t-that... you feel some type of way towards them."

"Well, that's the case, isn't it? I do feel some type of way towards you."

"Um... Really? L-like what?"

I tried my hardest to hold in my laughter. Of course I know what saying something like that would imply. I'm not that ignorant. Although... There is some merit to what I'm saying now.

"I'm just messing with you, Taiyori," I chuckled. "I was trying to see how you'd react."

"W-what?! Y-y-you... But you...! Ugh! I hate you, Tsuki!"

"Haha, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I couldn't help it."

"Just get over here already! And... hurry up. I... I miss you... and I meant that."

I would've assumed that she was attempting to give me a taste of my own medicine, but that last line sounded pretty genuine. She could still be playing with me, but I'll cave in this time... because I also meant it when I said that I wanted to see her.

"Hah... Keep an eye on the balcony. I'll be right there."