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It’s the time of the year where the blooming petals of spring dance in the love-stuck air. Despite Valentine and White day already passing by, the passion unwavers in many. Day after day, confession after confession, it repeats itself. But although Cupid is merciful to some, he is likewise strict to others.
I’m Kusanagi Nene, in class 2A. My life is alright these days, if a spear of bad luck didn’t decide to stab me so soon. It honestly sucks being surrounded by two lovebirds for classmates who think their love is unrequited, yet they are heads over heels with each other. It doesn’t help that they complain to me, out of all people for help. What do I know about love? Hell, I’m better off dying alone at this rate.
The door slams open, and I sighed after noticing who it was. It was the blackish-blue haired troublemaker or the bold girl, Shiraishi san.
“Kusanagi san! What should I do?!”
Here we go again.
“I can’t handle it anymore!! Akito is going to make me go insane-“
There was a big thud on the same door, and a panting ginger crouched down, trying to catch his breath. This is the wannabe nonchalant guy or the other annoying one by the way, Shinonome kun.
“An. Come. Back. Here.”
“No!!!!!”
And there goes Shiraishi san, running away like a cartoon character. Shinonome kun almost followed, but then slowly walked up to me. Oh no.
“Kusanagi.”
“Y-yes?”
“Help. Me.”
I quickly got a water bottle out-
“Not that. I want to confess to An. What do I do..?”
“Why are you asking me? I mean congrats on becoming confident but I’m not the right person-”
“I’ve asked everyone I know. None of them have a clue on this shit.”
And so do I?? Everyone thinks I’m a life saver or something these days. Even Rui, who begs for my help more and more. Please don’t turn into him, Shinonome kun.
I got my bag and started packing up to leave as I don’t need to do anything, but I felt a rough grip on my arm. The eager guy was standing like those creepy pastas or something, it looked terrifying.
“Kusanagi, I’ll buy a game for you, your choice.”
Suddenly, my mood became all brighter, and the problems I thought I had faded away. Guess I can help him, I don’t have any rehearsals today anyway- hold up. There’s a new game launching today. I am so not missing that.
“Sorry Shinonome kun, I’m kind of busy today.”
And two obstacles are gone. Let's go buy that game now.
…
You are joking. Why is that flashy duo here now?
For context, I am part of a theatre troupe. A crazy one at that. There’s Emu, the bubbly one; Tsukasa, the ‘star’; Rui, the eccentric one; and me. They might all have their faults, but I’ve grown to like them. The problem is that they are annoying as ever.
Forgetting my previous monologue, there’s new enemies now. And of course it had to be Tsukasa and Emu. Can people leave me alone for one day?
“If it isn’t Nene! What are you doing here?!”
I ignored the guy who uses exclamation marks for everything he says and walked towards the game I wanted to buy, a limited edition.
“Nene chan!!! Let’s go eat taiyaki together!”
“Later.”
I scoffed, and reached out for the game, but it was immediately taken by someone else. What? I felt as if my veins would almost explode and looked up to see the thief. Turns out it was the split hair Aoyagi-kun. He’s nice, I suppose, I’ll let him go just once.
“Oh, Kusanagi san. Do you want the game instead?”
“It’s fine.”
That is what I said, but I might have looked a bit too upset as he immediately handed the game to me and left with a smile. I wish everyone was like him.
As I paid, Emu twirled around me, babbling about taiyaki, while Tsukasa struck some dramatic pose about destiny. I brought the game and started heading home, but the bubbly girl dragged me over with him… and Aoyagi kun too? Tsukasa and him get along well, I just realised. I’m going straight home after this..
That is three- or two and a half obstacles added. This is bad.
…
After that filling tayaki, I found myself at my doorstep, but instead of my mother greeting me, it was Rui. What’s he doing here?
“Rui?”
“Ah, Nene. Wanna take a walk?”
A walk? It’s the evening.. yet I found myself agreeing. Moments later we were outside again, basked in the street lights of the dusk sky. The buzz of crickets all around us, the footsteps almost echoing as we passed by. I glanced at Rui, who looked like he was lost in thought. His messy violet hair, those wandering eyes radiating in the night. I’ve always gotten used to this sight, huh?
“Nene?”
“Y-yes?”
He startled me, making me realise that I stared too long to be a glance.
“It’s nothing.”
He chuckled, then continued exploring the maze in his head. It was peaceful like this, being in each other's company. There was occasional humming here and there, but it was nice. Finally, I have the quiet I deserve-
Crash! The both of us looked behind, staring at an alley that magically appeared in my mind. Was there always one here? Anyway, we etched closer and peeked through.
There were countless bodies on the floor- whAT.
I blinked a few times, and it was still there. A woman-like silhouette stood in the darkness, trying to catch their breath-
Shinonome san?! This day is filled with surprise after surprise.
I looked at the short haired girl, clutching her fist covered with bruises.
“Shinonome san, are you ok?!”
“Oh Kamishiro san, Kusanagi san.. I’m fine. A bit.”
Rui went up to the… bodies… and started inspecting them.
“They aren’t dead, but they definitely passed out. You're very strong, Shinonome san.”
“Strong? I just used a taser.”
She held up a pastel pink taser adorned with multiple gemstones of the same colour. We shouldn’t be enemies anytime soon. But I do wonder what happened there, for it to be so violent..
Hesitantly, she picked up her bag and fixed herself before passing by us, saying bye. Will she really be alright? Shinonome-san wasn’t just another obstacle, she was fighting for her feelings too, wasn’t she? Even if it meant knocking out half a street
Hopefully she’s back home safe.
We continued on with our walk as if nothing happened. City lights dazzled in the dark as a chill breeze sank into my skin. My face felt warm though, amidst the coldness of the night. I could imagine piano tiles playing a soft lullaby, my sight calming down for once. The rustle of trees, chirping of birds and their awakening slumber.
Rui was quietly humming a tune I could recognise, memories of our childhood. When it was just the two of us and our neverending dreams. The delicate, playful cheers of a successful play back then, and the “let’s try again!” from the two of us when it didn’t work out. So simple but so nice too.
Before I knew it, we were back. That felt refreshing. I waved goodbye as I entered my home and my room. My room was the same as usual, but everything was brighter.
Buzz! A notification startled me as I flimsily opened my phone.
-
⚫ Kamishiro Rui
New notification!
Rui: [voice message]
-
I pressed the voice message as I fell in my bed.
‘Good night, Nene.’
His voice sounded raspy. And tired.
So why do I want to hear more..? I clicked on the button again, replaying the same message. But that burning, lingering feeling was there. Thinking back, it didn’t come just now, did it? Since the start of the walk, it has been growing and growing. What is this?
Is it love? The thing Shinonome-san fights for, the thing Shiraishi and Shinonome-kun chase like idiots, the thing Emu and Tsukasa turn into a game, the thing even Aoyagi-kun reflects with his kindness?
I sighed as I put my phone away and closed my eyes, wanting to sleep. The thoughts were still stuck in my head, like glue. No matter how hard I try to sleep and think about something else, that eccentric guy always manages to break through. All the time.
“Rui.”
I spoke out, but felt something stuck in my throat. My face flushed again.
I really don’t know anything about love. But what I do know is that this feeling isn’t just friendship.
Though, today was insane. A fever dream with more problems than a red flag. But every one of them pointed to the same thing.
Maybe I don’t get a break because love itself doesn’t give me one.