I stood under the tree for a while, till the downpour cooled down while thinking about what do I do now. I thought decided to go to the convenience store near my home, as I'm sure my mother wouldn't have brought the groceries. I'm pretty sure she's training me to be a mature girl, who can socialize and even cook. If it weren't for the fact that she adores Noa too, I would have been worried and on high alert, as she could suddenly bring a random guy and introduce him as my fiance.
On my way, unfortunately, I met my Slave-Kun. I'll skip on explaining any further, as I think you know what happened. And for those who don't know what happened, long story short, I was asked to tag along with him and the other 3 girls. And the one that stood out was Michiru. It was kind of awkward, for me that was to just tag along with her, after what happened a few moments ago.
She's Nao's girlfriend!
But that fact didn't bother me, as I was myself in a relationship. I can never deny the feelings I have for Nao, but that doesn't mean I need to follow the typical cliche of ditching everything going on, cut down the superficial stuff, and just go in pursuit of him. As much as I love him, I still hate him. That fact wouldn't change. These complicated feelings, are maybe what makes you an adult. A life where simple stuff is just twisted and changed, just for one's own satisfaction, and I was close to crossing the line.
Meanwhile, I noticed that both I and Michiru were walking at a slower pace. We didn't speak much regularly and weren't on the same page in any regard. So it was rare to see her stick to me for some time now. She was busy listening to music on her iPod, as she was matching my pace. We were close to the convenience store now. She removed her earphones and wrapped them around her shoulders.
"Sorry about the other day."
"Ah no, it's fine. I didn't bother much about it."
"Harumi-san!..."
"Hmmm..."
"Stay away from my boyfriend."
She just said that nonchalantly, with a deep cold tone. It sent shivers down my spine. Before I could even give her a piece of my mind, she went into the store. This trivial exchange was enough to put me in my place. While I here was sorting out my feelings, Michiru on the other hand wants to steer clear of any trouble between them. She was serious, even after knowing the consequences.
I entered the store behind them and went for the baking section. Spending some time in that aisle, I was able to figure out what I wanted to try this time, and took the ingredients. As I just thought of what to check out next, Slave-Kun was making a commotion, and I was dragged out of curiosity.
I turned around the aisle, and there was a person I didn't think id meet. He was covered with a sling on his left arm and a bandage across his head, with a beanie and a jacket covering the individual areas. And a little further away from him...Wait, MOM?!
Why is she dressed up like that? What's going on? Is she getting hit on? And why's Nao here? Is he with my mom?
"MOM?!"
I called out to her. And I happen to get the attention of the scumbags near her. As soon as I went by them, they started asking her out on a getaway and even started pulling me in, I mean literally. How could they just throw their hands on someone? My mom was quiet, and she looked over Nao every now and then. Is she expecting him to feel uneasy or take the lead and stop this? I turned over, and to my utter dismay, he's busy flirting with his girlfriend. Wow!
Tch!
As I heard that, my mother switched gears and accepted for the getaway. Wait, hold on! What's wrong with you? Don't act like a single mom as they just described, show them your wedding ring! Speaking of which, where is it? Don't tell me that she's been doing this getaway stuff a lot. Don't cheat on dad! Wait, this doesn't feel right.
Gulp!
I can sense the yandere rising up. Please, God! Don't let her get arrested.
Phew, that was a relief.
Alright, everyone's dispersed. Now...
"Let's continue on our date Nao!"
Date?! Did she just say date? What the hell is going on here?
"Nao, what's going on?"
I persisted him, to answer me honestly, and we had a brief exchange of opinions while straying away from the topic, every now and then. All in all, he's serious about detaching away from us. This is bad. I just can't accept this! Why? Why must you push us away? That thought, of him leaving us and locking up in that darkness, all by himself. It sent a shiver down my spine. I can't, I just can't leave him alone.
"Do you love your boyfriend? Are you in a happy place now?"
Wait, why are you asking me this all of a sudden?
"Why are you so keen? I think I deserve to know that at least."
I deserve to know what are his motives.
"First come first serve."
Is my love life equal to getting some reservation at a restaurant? Ugh! He just ticks me off.
"I'm happy as the person I am now, and my boyfriend is a major part of it. Even if you ask me out, I'll reject you straight away, without hesitation. Just so you know, the feelings mutual. Even..."
It was neither a lie nor the truth. It's just complicated. But one thing's for sure.
"I HATE YOU"
I really did hate him. I really did. As for why... I don't think I would want to relive that moment again.
"I guess we don't have anything that will bring us back together then."
Huh? Wait.
"What do you mean?"
Tell me clearly.
"Well, it was just a 'what if?' kind of question. Don't bother about it."
Cut the crap. Don't give me that!
"You just asked me such a serious question, and this is what I get?"
I'm really anxious here, can't you take a hint...Who am I even bothering about? Ugh!
"I just wanted to make sure there's no turning back from here. This is a bridge that is to be burnt. So I wanted to make that neither one of us would turn back from here."
So she was right. To think it'd happen so soon. Man! I feel like a fool.
I'm watching you!
Why? Why did I remember that now?
"That being said, there's one undeniable truth Nao!"
"What's that?"
I took a deep breath and calmed myself down. My chest is starting to hurt a little, with all the different emotions I'm experiencing at this point. Huff!
"I LOVE YOU!"
"I ALWAYS DID AND I ALWAYS WILL."
"THAT'S WHY...
TAKE ME AWAY!"
INEVITABLE!
The moment I realized this, I felt the scariest glare I could have ever know, from those cold, lifeless eyes of his.
My body's frozen in its place, out of fear. What's this?
He came close to me and whispered into my ears.
The voice was icy cold, that I could feel the shivers through my whole body.
"DIE!"
DIE?
D...DIE!
So that's how it was?
I was a fool...to even think that there was a possibility...
How naive of me?
It was at that moment, I truly understood, that he wasn't human anymore.
WHO ARE YOU? WHAT ARE YOU?