บท 23: He’s...

I latched onto his sleeve. "I'm sorry! I swear I'll treat you better!" I nearly cried out loud.

"..." Akira stopped moving and looked at me with a distressed expression.

"Akira, just give me a chance. I'll prove it to you. Please!" I pleaded without letting go.

Akira started peeling my fingers off without a word.

My chest constricted painfully.

"I know I'm being selfish, but you're the one who said I can rely on you no matter what! I don't know what I'll do if you're not around to make me feel better!" I finally yelled out loud.

"...You remember that?" At last, Akira spoke to me again as his hand stopped moving.

"Of course, I do! I know I was being mean then because I was tense, but when you said those words, I relaxed." I admitted as I grasped his hand in between mine. "Akira, you know I'm constantly busy. If it wasn't for you, I think I would have crumbled under the stress already."

"I know I probably don't do anything for you, but I can change! If there's anything you need, let me know!" I stated adamantly.

Akira stared at me in silence for a few seconds before breaking out in laughter.

I let go of his hand in stupor.

Hah?

"You swear you'll treat me better?" Akira started as his aura went back to normal.

"Y-Yeah." I nodded blankly.

"You'll give me anything I need?" Akira repeated with a grin.

Ah, I really shouldn't have said that, huh?

I nodded slowly.

I can't take back my words now.

But, Akira smiled so brightly that I didn't think twice about it.

"So, we're best friends again?" I meekly asked.

"When did I say we weren't?" Akira smirked as he crossed his arms.

I gaped.

"Look, before you think I manipulated you in some way, I did this because I was tired." Akira became serious again.

"I know you're not a bad person, Haru, but sometimes you're just way too cruel to me. You also take me for granted way too much. I still stand by what I said before, but I never really wanted to stop being friends. I just thought you needed a reality check." Akira softly explained before patting my head.

I puffed out my cheeks.

"You could have just said that in the first place." I grumbled as I blushed in embarrassment. Akira laughed.

"Pft! There's no way that would've been as effective." Akira smugly grinned. "I never knew you liked me this much, Haru. You were practically begging to me stay." Akira cackled.

I blushed even harder.

"S-Shut up!" I covered my face in mortification.

"What's this? Are you embarrassed? Even though you were so shameless out in public?" Akira probed as he obnoxiously poked my head.

Once he said that, I peeked through my fingers at our surroundings.

I fucking forgot we were out to buy supplies!

After Akira pointed them out, the crowd started dispersing, and onlookers pretended they weren't watching.

Fuuuuuuuuuuck!!!!!!

"Akira?"

"Oh yeah, you finally call my name casually, too. That's a nice change."

"Akira!"

"Yes?"

"..."

"Haha, you want to say something mean, don't you?"

"I'm leaving."

"Don't forget me!"

After that was... solved, we went along as usual and got what the class needed.

And for once, I got to know some of my classmates who were once just... nonexistent.

In the game, there wasn't really any mention of other students or teachers, for that matter. Only when the plot needed it were there convenient mob characters such as Student A or Teacher B. You know, like most games.

And I've been so busy with the main characters that my classmates automatically resumed that role.

It's, uh, kinda messed up now that I think about.

It's not like back in my world I was a social butterfly, but I wasn't exactly antisocial either. I knew all my classmates' names, at least. Here, I had to awkwardly assume people's names from their conversations with each other.

I mentally apologized every time I learned a name. Sorry for not acknowledging your existence til now!

I was pleasantly surprised when Akira helped me socialize, too.

As, what I dub, a "popular kid," he knew everyone's names. Not just their last names, but even their first names! He was chummy with everyone, even people from other classes! Heck! Even people from other grades!

I'm sure he noticed my struggles and smoothly slid into the conversations to help me. It made me really grateful I made up with him beforehand.

And on this day, I officially joined the class group chat I had no idea existed until today.

Of course, out of curiosity, I had to check if Ryuu and Tatsuya were in it. And, unsurprisingly, they weren't. Well, I understand Ryuu, but I thought maybe Tatsuya would have been in it.

I guess the Ice King is as untouchable as the Raging Dragon.

Anyway, the first day of preparation went smoothly.

You: Hey, Ryuu, can I come by now?

I texted as I waited by the school entrance for Akira. He wants to walk home together, but if Ryuu's ready, I'll have to reject him.

Dragon: (^-^)b

"Kuh-" I had to cover my mouth to keep from shrieking.

The gap moe is too strong!!

It's the epitome of "kawaii!"

"What's up with you?" Akira slung an arm around my shoulder and peered at my phone. I managed to pocket it fast enough that he didn't get to see it.

"Uhm, just browsing online and saw a cute clip." I bluffed as I composed myself. Akira raised an eyebrow.

"Then why did you hide it?" Akira asked casually.

Shit.

"W-Well, I just felt embarrassed b-because it would expose a hobby of mine." I prattled as I tried worming my way out his arm.

He wasn't having it.

"But we're best friends! I won't judge your hobby." Akira grinned as his hand held my shoulder in an iron grip.

Fuck.

"I-I closed the app already, so it's gone. Oh well." I nervously laughed it off as I started walking. "A-Anyway! I can't go home with you today. I got somewhere to go."

"Humph. I'll let you off this time." Akira huffed as he finally relaxed his grip. "Where you going?"

"Just, uh, a chore." I shrugged. "Nothing crazy."

Akira sighed.

"W-What?" I unconsciously tensed up.

"You know, for someone who carries themself as a "normal person," you get really secretive when it comes to anything outside of school." Akira explained with an unreadable expression. "Makes me wonder."

I clenched my fists.

Then Akira let me go to slap my back.

"Haha, maybe I'm just overthinking things. Have fun with your chore. Later, Haru." Akira did a 180 and smiled as he waved at me and left.

...

Ah, maybe I should've left Akira alone.

He's... unsettling at times.