It was finally a day off. Akane could take a much needed breather. It was only the first week, so why did there have to be so much unneeded stress? Things had not changed from all her previous years in highschool. Every day felt like a fight for survival. She couldn't catch a break. No matter what she did, she couldn't seem to fit in. None of the other students would listen to her. The only time she was acknowledged by another student was when she was being mercilessly picked on. The rumors about her being easy were nothing but that. Just rumors. She couldn't even fathom where the rumor came from. She didn't talk to anyone, let alone boys. She was completely alone. She only had one true friend who didn't even go to the same school as her.
Akane grinned as she recieved a message on her phone. The message read, "Hey Akane! I have this weekend off if you want to catch up. Ive missed you a lot. Love Fumiko."
Akane quickly replied to the message she had just received before grabbing her handbag and leaving her room.
Walking down the street, Akane hummed. It was a song that looped through her mind, but she couldn't remember where she had heard it before.
She approached a small coffee shop on the corner if the street. It was a rundown building that seemed to not attract many customers. Although the building was run down, you could tell this quaint business was cared for with love.
Akane opened the front door and was greeted with the warm smell of freshly brewed coffee. A small bell on the door rang out.
"Welcome! Just take a seat wherever you like!", an old man called from behind the counter.
Akane walked over to a small booth. She set her bag down on the red leather seats. Akane sat down and pondered for a moment.
The front door bell rang again and a woman with short, curly red hair walked in the door. She was wearing a short blue skirt and a white button up top.
The woman turned to face Akane before smiling and walking over.
"Akane! How are you doing?", the woman asked.
Akane smiled and stood up giving the woman a hug.
"It's so nice to see you Fumiko!", Akane exclaimed.
They both took their seats and began conversing. Fumiko had been with Akane during all her middle school days. When it came time to choose highschools, they were unfortunately separated.
"So, how has highschool been treating you? Anything exciting happen?", Fumiko inquired.
Akane looked down for a moment. She shot her head back up with a forced smile.
"It's gone alright... i guess?", she stuttered.
Fumiko looked at her curiously before taking a sip if the coffee she had ordered. She sighed.
"Still having trouble making friends?", Fumiko asked.
"Yeah something like that... no one seems to get me like you do Fumiko.", Akane admitted.
"You know, you're already in your last year of highschool. You won't have many more chances to make friends...", Fumiko said.
"I know, I know. Its not as if I haven't tried to. No one seems to talk to me. Or want to talk to me for that matter.", Akane sighed.
"What about Shido? Didn't you two go to the same school?", Fumiko asked.
Akane's expression dropped and her heart sunk.
"I... well... Shido and I don't really talk anymore.", Akane sulked.
"That good for nothing bastard! I thought I told him to watch out for you during highschool!", Fumiko angrily shouted.
"No No! Its not his fault. Things have just been... awkward between us lately.", Akane said while waving her hands.
Fumiko raised her eyebrow out of curiosity.
"Oh? Did you two finally become a couple?", Fumiko asker while giggling behind her hands.
Akane shook her head in disagreement before letting out a heavy sigh.
"No... we did not.", Akane said with a sad expression before starting to sip on her tea.
Fumiko, who couldn't take a hint, grinned fiercely.
"Ah so there's another man you love eh?", Fumiko laughed.
Akane spit out her tea and slammed her cup on the table blushing. She immediately thought of Takeo's face smiling at her.
"N-no way!", Akane snorted while blushing.
"Yeah right! You totally have your eyes on someone!", Fumiko smirked.
Akane pouted while looking at Fumiko. She wasn't wrong... or maybe she was. She couldn't tell. Akane let out a heavy sigh.
"It's not so much that I have someone. I couldn't even tell you what we have. Even if our feelings were mutual, I don't see how it would work between us.", Akane explained sadly.
"Ah so a forbidden love is it?", Fumiko questioned.
Akane pondered for a moment before answering.
"I guess you could call it that. Ive only met him recently. After what happened with Shido, he saved me. Or rather he saved me from myself." Akane answered.
Fumiko had a curious look on her face.
"What happened with Shido?", Fumiko asked curiously.
After realizing she said more than she wanted, Akane covered her mouth with her hands.
"N-nothing! Just forget about it!", she exclaimed.
Fumiko had a disappointed look on her face.
"The point is, this man... he just seems far away. He always has a depressing look on his face. He seems pained. I just... I don't know.", Akane said.
"You want to save him like he saved you? Right?", Fumiko completer Akane's thoughts.
Akane thought for a moment before blushint hard. It's true that she wanted to repay that debt to him, but how could she do it? She didn't even know what pained him. Then again, Takeo didn't know what pained her either and he still helped. That's just the type of man he is. Akane blushed harder.
"I want to get closer to him! I want to save him too!", Akane concluded.
Fumiko grinned.
"Well alright then. Tell me all about this so called 'savior' of yours."