Wednesday:

“Today will be the last time we’re practicing. Next week will be exams, so I want you to focus on your studies to avoid failure in your class.”

Our coach called a huddle for our break in the practice. Calling us to remind that this time should spend on our studies. This was never new to me. Dispersing the group after our huddle, I go to the bathroom to take a shower.

“Say, there’s a parfait discount on couples today, right?” one from the girls using the cubicle suddenly speaks. “Yeah, I’m planning to go there with my boyfriend later.”

Listening to their conversation made me ick a little. Having someone in your life who loves you and stays with you is the greatest thing. And here I am, pondering about my life while taking a shower.

“What about you, Captain?” the girl, who I remembered her name is Yukino, turns to me.

“Huh? What’s up?” I asked.

“You want to come with us? Well, we’re just a couple of friends. You’re welcome to tag along.”

“No, I’m going with my boyfriend tagging along.” another girl, named Aoi chided in.

“Yeah, I get it. So, are you down?” Yukino asked.

It must be feel nice to go with them. But I don’t feel like going right now. “You guys enjoy. I have already plans today, so…”

“Okay. Then, next time… you should come with us.”

Yukino simply smiles at me and nods. I nod as well to agree and proceeds on my shower.

*****

After showering and changing to my uniform, I exited the gymnasium and proceeds on heading home. Walking towards the gate, I saw Kira walking alone. “Weird, where’s Kei?” I mumbled.

“Hey, Kira!” I called. He turns to me and smiles. “Hello, Senior.”

That smile baffles me. I see him smile before, but it captured me out of a sudden. Even so, I did pretend not to notice and proceeds to walk towards him. “Where’s Kei?”

“Ah, she said she has to go shopping with her mom.”

“I see. So, want to go home together?” I asked.

“Sure, if it’s okay with you.” he answered. I nod and we exit the school grounds. Walking side by side, I remembered the time we spend on the festival. “Say, Kira…”

I speak, cracking the silence between us. “Huh? What’s up, Senior?”

“Well,” I stated and looks at him. “Want to go on a detour?”

“Yeah, I’m down to your offer.” he replied and once again, smiles at me. Averting my eyes, I walked fast. Kira follows along, but we didn’t talk along the way.

We arrived at the cafe. Outside near the door is a triangular board “Parfait discount for couple” written using colorful chalk. “Uhm, Senior?”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

I sense the hesitation on Kira. Turning to see him, I open my mouth. “Let’s go.”

“Huh? But it says for couples—”

“Then let’s pretend, shall we?” I grin, grabbing his hand and we entered inside the cafe. And thus, as we headed inside, there are few couples, opposite and same sexes, occupying some of the tables.

I gripped his hand as we walk past the door. “Uhm, Senior—”

“Welcome!” a girl from the counter greets us with a smile and steps out. She went to us and ask, “Table for two?”

“Yes, please.” I answered with a smile. The girl bends her arm, showing her palm and points at the table near the window. I follow as Kira tagged along, still holding hands.

I let go of his hand as we reached our table and sits facing each other. On our table are the menu provided prior. “I don’t have someone to go here so I invited you.”

I made an excuse. There’s no reason at all why I go here with him. Recalling what my team mates talked about awhile ago just made me curious. I mean, why does there a discount over a parfait for a couple?

“No, it’s all right.” Kira replies, smiling at me and opens the menu. “It’s good from time to time to in detours.”

That smile of him again. Why I feel agitated whenever I see it? Before, it’s Kei that made me feel this way. It’s weird.

To brush this thought, I also look at the menu and sees the parfait that’s big enough to eat by two people. “Now I get it. Why they need a couple to eat their parfait.”

“Hmmm?” Kira took a peek at me while holding the menu.

“No, it’s nothing.” I smile and proceeds on searching what to order. In a few minutes, the waitress, which is the girl at the counter awhile ago, approached us.

“Are you ready to order?”

“Ah, can I get a cup of black coffee, and water. Please?”

I glances at Kira. I never expect to him ordering black coffee. He’s still 17, but seems has a mature taste on drinks.

“I want this couple parfait, and a water.” I retorted to the waitress. She jots down our order and leaves right away.

“Do you like sweets?” Kira asked as the waitress left.

“Huh?”

“You ordered a sweet dessert. So I assume you like sweets?”

“Not much. I’m just admiring the aestheticism.” I answered. He nods to agree from what I said and didn’t tell anything afterwards.

The silence between us became stifle. I want to crack a topic, but there’s nothing I can think of. Then…

“Senior Kagome….” he called my name. I twitched the moment he does it. His eyes directly looks at me, but averts as I look back. “What? You want to say something?”

“Uh? Uhm… the thing is…”

My heart throbs fast. I don’t want to hear what he wants to say, but I’m also curious about it. “The thing is I—”

“Here’s your black coffee and parfait.” the waitress arrived, halting his words. Placing our order down the table, she bows and left us quickly. Once again the nerve-wracking silence envelops us.

“You’re saying something, right?”

I stated. Getting the spoon, I scoop a piece of cream from the parfait and shove it in my mouth. The sweet and citrus flavor tangles in my tongue. I almost giggled from it, as Kira smiles at me.

“You’re cute, Senior.”

I almost stumbled out from my seat hearing his compliment. “Wha—what are you saying!?” snarling out, my face suddenly feels hot.

“Haha! I just noticed the moment you eat it. You’re so happy that I can’t helped but to say you’re cute.”

Resting his chin on his palm, his eyes relays on me. “I never expect to see this side of yours, Senior.”

“Stop saying something like that!” I grunted. This is mortifying; my heart pounds like it’s going to explode anytime soon. I never expect him to act like this as well. We’re talking about Kira here.

“Can you please help me eat this? I think I won’t be able to finish this.”

“Eh? I thought you like sweets?”

“Yeah, I like them. But this is too much for me. That’s why I invited you here.”

Right, the reason I invited him here is to eat this parfait with me. There’s no other reason. “But it’s for the couple. We’re not, right?”

It hits me hard. The moment he says it makes me realize that we’re not in a relationship in the first place. I just want to eat this, without thinking between us. “I told you we need to pretend, right? Just do what I say.”

Kira’s brows fuzzed, but shrugged off and picks the spoon. He scooped the other side and shove it in his mouth. “Oh! It’s delicious!” he exclaimed after tasting it. I chuckle at him while looking at his expression.

“Now, you’re acting cute… Kira.”

“Huh?”

He didn’t flinch to my words; instead, he became curious about what I said. “No, I’m just mumbling something to myself.” I utter and continue eating. At that moment, my faces feels hotter than before.

I keep imagine that Kei is the one eating with me right now to brush off the thought. But then realized that Kira is filling my thought right now. Between this big glass cup of parfait is him, and the presence he has.

“Stop thinking about him, Kagome. You’re not interested in him. You are only acquaintance with him and nothing more!”

Right. Besides, Kei loves him, and I love Kei. I want the two of them to be happy. Despite that I’m just a third wheel between them. I know to myself what I am. I know what I like.

And I want to snuff these uncertain feelings for him, no matter what.