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You're shocked to see Kaito waiting for you at the exit at 5pm. There's no way, why's he doing this?

You tried to pretend you did not see him but he calls on you as soon as he sees you.

"Kisa-san!"

There's no escape for you this time. With a forced half smile you said, "Kaito-san."

"Want to grab a drink? Let's catch up."

You really want to reject his offer. But it's gonna be too rude on your part. And besides, getting rejected is one thing you don't really do. Be it a simple thing, cuz you know how it feels. You know how it hurts. So without thinking much about it, you obliged by walking along with him.

Somewhere far behind, Fumiya sees you walking away with Kaito and he's obviously not amused.

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You go with Kaito onto a nearby restaurant and have a couple of drinks together as you chatted about things that came to mind. Until he touched the topic you don't really want to talk about. 

"Are you dating that guy?" He started asking.

You don't want to answer but you're honest enough to lie, "I'm not. He's just a friend."

"That's a relief..." he expresses a sign of ease which got you confused. "I thought I was too late."

Too late for what? You thought as you side-eyed him.

"I'm glad I saw you again here," he starts after drinking his third glass.

The alcohol must be getting into his system, you thought again.

"You're drinking too much Kaito. Maybe we should call it a night. We've talked a lot anyways."

"Maybe I want to talk to you more."

Maybe what? This is getting nonsense. You're finding it bizarre. But he's looking down on his drink pondering on something. So you thought maybe he's hit his limit.

"Are you drunk now? I'll call a cab for you."

You try to stand up but he stops you by holding your hand. You're a little confused why, it's spelled all over your face.

"I'm not drunk yet Kisa-san. There's just so many things I want to talk to you about."

You grimace at him, "Like what?"

"Like I'm sorry for rejecting you before," there's earnestness in his eyes.

You turn speechless that he's bringing it up now. Why would he?

"I hurt you and I didn't get to apologize enough."

Before he says more, you want this topic to end right away so you said, "That's the past. You might want to just forget about it."

He pauses for a moment and you notice he smiles halfheartedly to himself and said, "Yeah."

You get home later in melancholy. Seeing Kaito again relived the memories of heartbreak you wished to bury with your past. You've just been starting to move on, you've just been beginning to find a new way to find love. But here comes back the past trying so hard to meddle with your plans and ruin your future. Seeing him again reminds you of the pain of almost a lifetime. How can you win against that? You don't know. You have no idea.

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"Is he bothering you?" Fumiya asks you at lunch. Kaito seems busy he's not loitering around you today.

You shake your head at him, "No, it's okay. We used to be close back then. I'm just not getting used to it again."

"Just tell me if there's anything wrong okay?"

"Hai, daijoubu Fumiya-san."

"I just don't want anyone bothering you. Anyways are you free tonight? Wanna grab some dinner together?"

"Hai!"

He smiles at you the same way you do at him. It feels calm whenever you're with him. Aside from the fact that he likes another girl, it feels almost perfect. The two of you being together.

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After dinner, Fumiya is walking you home tonight. He said there's somewhere he needs to go to along your way.

"Where are you going at this time of the night? Can't that wait for tomorrow?" You asked, curious of where he's going to.

"I have to go there now. I have no time tomorrow," he answered.

"Is it a secret that you can't tell me?"

"Well..." he pauses for a moment and stares at you.

You look at him waiting for his words but it never came. Till he finally diverts his attention on the road.

"Is that guy hitting on you?"

The question came out of nowhere that it surprised you. "What? Who?"

"I'm talking about Kaito."

This time, you're the one who can't look at him. Why would he even think that?

"Of course not," You replied and thought why would they even ask the same thing?

"He does seem interested in you."

"He does? Masaka. (No way.)"

"I'm telling you from a guy's perspective."

"There's no way. You must be mistaken. He can't be interested in me. He never was."

"Never was?"

Ah, the slip of tongue! Now you have to explain it to him. Or maybe not.

"Never mind. I was just talking to myself."

He sighs hard you notice. And then he stops walking.  "Kisa-san... anata ni hanashitai koto ga ari masu. (I have something to tell you.)"

You turn to him and see a very different expression off his handsome face. He looks serious about what he's about to say. You wonder what it's about.

"Ore wa... (I...)"

"Kisa-san!" Someone from a distance called on you.

Both of you turn around to see Kaito approaching. He seems to be around the area too.

"You guys, what are you doing here?" He asked.

"I'm the one supposed to ask you that," Fumiya interjects and he seems to be in bad mood cuz he's crossed-browed glaring at Kaito.

"He's walking me home," you said to break the tension.

"Then let me join you!" Kaito uttered with excitement.

Fumiya just keeps on glaring at him but he doesn't seem intimidated at all. All he cares about is you. You don't like how it's turning out to be so to make the situation lighter, you voluntarily slip out on your own.

"No, you guys, this is far enough. I'd just go home by myself. Okay? I'll see you guys tomorrow. Ja! (See yah!)"

You walk fast leaving them both behind. You don't dare look back anymore. You feel bad enough turning Fumiya down at the same time you wanted to avoid Kaito. Why are things getting a little complicated? You ask yourself. This isn't supposed to be. You can't understand it.

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To be continued...

nantokanarusa 23.09.10