Eating out occasionally is a nice thing. Feeling the gentle breeze, I put the substantial set meal into my mouth.
"I'm starting."
Today's set A is hamburger steak. The juicy hamburger steak is steaming hot and exudes an alluring aroma that is irresistible. But I still think I eat too slowly. No, maybe the person opposite me eats too quickly.
While reminiscing about myself during my period of vigorous growth and watching Abel finish his set meal in an instant, I am somewhat at a loss. Suddenly, a mobile phone appears in front of me.
"What are you doing?"
"Well, I want to send it to Blake."
While Abel answered expressionlessly, a "click" sound was heard.
"You guy."
Looking at him busily sending emails, I looked at him helplessly, and Abel smiled happily.
"This is a consolation. You didn't seem very energetic this morning. Maybe Ben will be more energetic when he sees it."
"...Don't do such an embarrassing thing."
I can't help blushing. Looking at me like this, Abel seems extremely happy. But what does Abel think of us after all?
"Abel?"
"Hmm, what's up?"
I asked cautiously. Abel tilted his head blankly and blinked.
"Abel, don't you have any thoughts?"
"What thoughts?"
"Well, that."
I stammered. Abel tilted his head in even more confusion. But he seemed to finally understand. He let out a soft cry and then stared intently at my face.
"It's okay if it's Ben. I've been with many girls or boys before. But Blake seems the happiest now."
"Ah?"
Looking at Abel with a full smile, I felt a slight dizziness. Compared to the fact that Blake seems very happy now, the fact that he said he had been in relationships with girls before and the fact that Abel said he had been in relationships with many people made me feel a bit at a loss.
I looked at the sweat on my forehead in confusion and was anxious about my excited mood.
"..."
I couldn't help covering my head because I clearly realized that I had been greatly shocked now.
"Ah, did I say something unnecessary?"
Seeing that I suddenly stopped moving, Abel waved his hand anxiously in front of me.
The sound I heard was somewhat distant.
"No, it's okay. Now Blake only likes Ben and is more serious than ever before, right. It's okay."
After being shaken vigorously by him grabbing my shoulder, I finally came to my senses. But my chest still felt a bit stuffy. I felt stupid for being shaken by such a small thing. Very embarrassing.
"Abel, when did you find out about Blake's thing?"
I asked again. Abel muttered softly and tilted his head.
"Regarding Blake's preferences. Well, I noticed this probably around the end of the second year of junior high school? Zoe seemed to know it very early."
"Well, Zoe and Blake have a very good relationship."
"Ah?"
Hearing my sudden murmur, Abel widened his eyes in surprise. Then, he stared at me blankly for a while and gently sighed.
"It's useless for Ben to be jealous. Those two just have the same interests."
"Ah? Jealous?"
Not understanding Abel's meaning, I tilted my head. He unconsciously sighed again and drooped his shoulders.
"In short, Ben doesn't need to worry about their relationship. Don't worry."
"Worry?"
"Well, it's nothing."
Abel shook his head in confusion. I could only look at his actions in confusion.
"Speak of the devil. It's Blake calling."
Abel's mobile phone placed on the table vibrated "clickety-clack". I saw Blake's name displayed on the screen.
"Ah, hello, Blake? Ah, why are you so angry! Ah? What, what, ah? Location?"
Abel's voice on the phone suddenly became anxious and hurried. I heard Blake's voice coming from the speaker and I was stunned. In front of me, Abel slightly moved the phone away from his ear.
"Well, the outdoor coffee area of the cafeteria. Yes, ah? Ben is still here."
As soon as Abel finished answering, there was a "snap" and the call was cut off unilaterally.
"I don't know what's going on. He seems very angry. He said he'll come over now."
"Oh."
Abel put down his phone and looked at me with an indescribably complicated expression and gave a wry smile.
However, encountering this side of Blake, although I am a bit confused, I also find it somewhat interesting. Because I think he may not show this side when we are together.
"Does he have big mood swings usually?"
I want to know the side of Blake that he doesn't show me.
"Well, it's not like this usually. Maybe he's just impatient."
"Oh."
There is a big age difference between me and him, and I am also a teacher. I probably know that Blake always chooses his words carefully. When I chatted with Zoe before, his words were more casual, and I felt very out of place. I don't think Blake when he is with me is pretending, but to be honest, he wasn't very interesting at that time.
"He's been very irritable since then."
"What?"
Abel was puzzled by my soft self-talk. I shook my head and said it was nothing. But for some reason, I am very happy to see Blake's usual side now.
Why is this exactly?
"Ben seems very happy."
"Ah, really?"
Looking at Abel smiling at me, I couldn't help giving a dry laugh. But why would my cheeks relax?
"I was a bit worried before, but it seems it was unnecessary."
"Worried?"
Abel sighed in relief. I couldn't help tilting my head. Abel smiled and put his hand on his face and placed it on the table.
"You didn't run away but truly fell in love with Blake."
"Well, that's..."
Hearing Abel's words, I couldn't help stammering. Last night I just said that I didn't know what it felt like to like someone.
But - I feel lonely when I can't see him. I feel happy when I think about seeing him.
"No, but I really don't know if I really like him."
"There's no need to be so hasty."
Abel looked at me covering my head and groaning and laughed loudly. I could only smile vaguely.
My heart still doesn't know which is the answer. It's just that although my mood is still completely not sorted out, I realize that as time goes by, Blake's presence in my heart is getting bigger and bigger.
But why is this the case? I still don't quite understand it now. Not much time has passed, but I want to know more about him. Why do I care so much about him?