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“Oh, it's fine.. it's okay.”
After that, a small nod.
“I’m sorry..”
“No, really, Aika. It's okay. It's just… I— think I asked too soon. I’m sorry, too. I should've just given you time.”
“I’m really sorry, Zira.. But I just—”
“It's okay. I promise. Actually, uh.. My mom called me a little while ago, uh— I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
The sound of quick steps on the sidewalk only added onto the swirl of negative emotions inside of Aika.
Sadness, anger, guilt, shame.
“I’m sorry.”
Those words were stuck in her throat. She couldn't get them out again, say the same apology over and over again.
“It's not your fault.”
“It's okay, really.”
The gentle voice of them haunted her mind like a spirit.
Staring at the ground wasn't an escape from it, as the silence only made her thoughts louder.
Guilt.
It's okay. Just go home. Do your homework.
It's okay.
Aika turned around and took slow strides. She wished, so badly, that she could walk a little quicker. Unfortunately, her body felt too heavy.
Heavy with guilt.
Scared of the outcome.
What would happen after this?
Would Zira ever even look at her again after this?
Would she lose them?
It wouldn't take a genius to see how hurt they were. The cracked, strained voice, the slightly shaky hands.
Why did she do this?
Rejecting someone you know loves you, just because you barely know how that stupid, dumb feeling works.
“Aika!” A voice called out to her.
“I was waiting for you two to finish talking, and.. You look miserable.”
Aika thought carefully before answering,
“It's nothing, Hoshi.”
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