What the hell is this? Why did 'she' have to come here today? I thought she got expelled.
The stress made me start biting my newly done nails. If Yoshida had seen me, she would have screamed considering how much they cost.
When did I pick such a habit?
I just started doing something like that recently–I never did such especially in there. The instructors would see it as a sign of weakness.
And weakness was an unforgivable sin, especially when it created a stark difference between us and Nakamura Eiya.
So why was I openly showing my weakness?
Perhaps it is from the stress of being with Nakamura Eiya?
I couldn't tell for sure. All I could do was stare at the stuff around my room.
My room was pink-themed—everything from my bed sheets to even something as minimal as my toothbrush was pink.
It allowed me to focus on what was more important, Tsubasa Yui.
Yui, of all people. Why now? After everything she did last term. I need to calm down—she hasn't done anything yet.
I paced around my room for what felt like hours, replaying my first term at this school in my mind.
The final exam resulted in Yui's expulsion–that was perfect and helped with my own plans yet it seemed it was deviated because I just saw her yesterday.
It was frankly surprising how I hadn't anything about how she was still in school. It was like there was something done.
Did the chairman do–
Clank, Clank, Clank.
A knock at the door finally broke the spiral of my thoughts. I went to open it, and I saw Kagura.
"Akane? What are you doing here?" I was shocked to see my closest friend arrive at my door.
Most people thought Yoshida and Yua were my closest friends, but they were easily surpassed by Kagurazaka Akane.
"Aiya, we need to talk," Akane had an unfamiliar expression; one that was barely seen at school. She looked angry—rather, she was exasperated.
"…" I silently considered why she was angry and what she was angry at.
"I assume that I can come in?"
"Yeah, sure."
Akane entered my living room and sat on the carpet because the couch had lots of books—ranging from The Art of War to The Prince.
"So, coffee or tea?"
"Do you have cocoa? I'd prefer that."
"Uh, sure."
I didn't think she would choose another option.
Luckily, I happened to have a hot cocoa mix, so I made what I had after boiling some water.
After I finished, I put it on a tray and brought it to Akane. Her expression lightened up slightly as she saw it.
"Let's cut to the chase, why are you here?" I plopped down beside her, getting straight to the point.
Akane took a sip of her hot beverage; it seemed she enjoyed cocoa very much. After she finished her sip, she spoke.
"I'm here to tell you to lay off Nakamura," Akane glared.
"Sorry but I can't; he's my boyfriend."
"Oh, is that all?" Akane rolled her eyes. "So, you can't just break up with him?"
"…Akane, I have a question."
"What?"
"You're the one who took a picture of us and posted it online so everyone could know we were dating."
"That isn't a question."
"I'll take that as a yes. Anyway, what do you want?"
"I'm sure I've already stated what I wanted."
"…Eiya isn't someone suitable for this school, so just mind your business."
"Why are you doing this to him?"
"You remember when I told you about my childhood and where I grew up."
"How could I forget? It's something that is forgettable."
"And yet you protect Eiya?"
"I-I'm not protecting him," Akane moved closer to the left of the couch–her back was touching the hand rest. "Y-Y-You know that don't you?"
I had a wide grin sprawled in my mind, of course had nothing but a calm look of quiet disappointment.
"So, you'll choose his side over mine. Is that what you're implying?" I moved closer with a blank expression.
This should be enough. She'll probably take my side.
"No, I'm not against you."
Good, because I'm no–
"But I'm also not going to turn a blind eye to this."
Hmm? What's this? What's going on?
I calmly assessed what my best friend was doing; she was indeed against me but I expected that so I guilt tripped her yet she easily shook it off.
It wasn't that much of guilt tripping, after all I wouldn't try that hard for someone I cared for, but it was surprising that she was this adamant on Nakamura Eiya.
He was a new student and Akane wasn't a saint, so then why the unwavering concentration on him.
Redemption, huh?
I planned to relent but I wouldn't let such a selfish wish exist especially when I also had a goal.
I apologise Kagura but no, I won't relent just like you.
"Kagura, I grew up in fear or rather in worship of one man. A supposed god or rather a perfect human…and weapon–a devil, if you will," my voice quivered slightly.
"Nakamura, right?"
"Yes, he was that great evil that haunted me...And now he's my boyfriend."
I had to be as vague as possible because she might have been recording this conversation, though that was unlikely but there was always a chance.
However, as a contingency, I made sure that I emphasized on Nakamura so in case this conversation was leaked, he would go down too.
"I won't let you just do whatever you want," Akane's voice turned cold.
"You are welcome to try. Might not win though."
"Doesn't matter, I have no choice but to stop you."
"Heugh," I sighed. I didn't want to fight my friend, so I had to end this right now. "You're acting like that wasn't your plan already."
Akane continued to sip the hot cocoa till she finished, she drank it like it was an ice-cold drink, she really likes hot cocoa.
"Can't you just give up trying to play a hero?"
Akane's fingers tightened around the empty cup, her knuckles whitening.
"I will be taking my leave," Akane said as she stood up to leave.
"Akane, wait—"
"No, I won't. I won't let anyone get expelled again," Kagura said as she shut the door.
"I'm sorry but I'm expelling Nakamura even if it's the last thing I do," I said to no one in particular, as Akane had already left.
The only thing I could do was stare at the floor. I held back quite a lot just now.
I could have done a number of things to make sure that Akane didn't affect my plan.
Even my supposed attempt at manipulation was half assed, at best.
I-I-I was…soft. I didn't hate it because it meant I wouldn't be that far from rehabilitation but I was still afraid because it meant that I would be able to play a coward's game forever.
"After all, I'm also a coward too."
***
Author's Note:
Aiya is really freaking shady, what the hell?! I can't believe this, she wants to expel Eiya?!
It also seems that her and Eiya came from the same place but how come he doesn't remember or maybe he does remember and has a plan.
Finally, we arrive at the mystery aspect of this book–the main fucking theme of the book btw. After now everything is important.
So, please try and understand my symbolisms and hidden/double meanings.
Anyway, remember to comment, share, and leave a review. Thanks for reading the chapter and see you in the next one.