Eleventh Lie

Lunch ended without so much problem. Kaori enjoyed Tsubaki's company that's why she was in a good mood for the rest of her class.

"You're going to the club room?" Watari asked as soon as the class ended.

"Yeah! Do you have club practice today again?" Kaori asked while packing up her things. She was not aware of the time and before she know it, the class already ended. It can't be helped, she was in a good mood today.

"Yes, as always." Watari chuckled as he scratched the back of his head. "Let's go? I'll go with you then go on my club" he grinned.

"Oh my, thank you." She stood up and walk with Watari.

It is a normal occurrence where Watari will walk Kaori to the club room but that scenarios suddenly reduced when rumors started to circulate. Watari is a popular handsome man, and it is no doubt that every girl in the school surely knows him. On the other hand, Kaori is a lovely charismatic girl and if the two of them stand beside each other, they definitely looks like a perfect couple. Therefore, it was not a surprise when they heard the rumor that they are dating. Both of them did not mind as they know that it is not the truth but Kosei and Tsubaki think otherwise.

"Watari! What are you doing?! Stop hanging out with Kao-chan for a while! What if your fans starts to harass Kao-chan?!" they remembered Tsubaki reprimanded Watari after she hit him using a paper fan.

"Ouch! That hurts! And what kind of nonsense is that? Kao-chan is my classmate and my friend, why should I distance myself from her just because of baseless rumors?" Watari pouted, that's kind of unfair.

He do not want to be separated with Kaori, he only have a little time with her despite being in the same class. One, Kaori was always engrossed with her studies and will go directly to the club room for her beloved music where she will spend her time with Kosei; what a lucky bastard. Two, when going home, Tsubaki is present who's always talking with Kaori with random things. Basically, he does not have any time where he can be alone with Kaori. For Pete's sake! He also need his time with his love interest. He is already lacking and Kosei is already leaving him behind!

"That baseless rumors might hurt my Kao-chan!" Tsubaki screamed and hit him again.

'Who's yours again?!' Kosei and Watari both want to retort but decided to keep that in mind as they are afraid that Tsubaki might explode.

"Ah! Ouch! Kosei! Do or say something will you?!" Watari turned to Kosei for help. He knows that Kosei will understand his dilemma.

"Watari, stop hogging Kaori." Kosei answered looking so displeased with Watari.

'I'm wrong! This guy is my rival!' Watari screamed internally as he grew frustrated.

"W-well, I don't think we need to do that. I don't really mind the rumor and it will be lonely without Watari, right? He's my friend after all." Kaori who's watching them since earlier answered as she smiled at them sweetly.

"Kao-chan~~~!" Watari looked at her like an angel that came to save him from the demon, ehem, he meant Tsubaki and perhaps, Kosei too. Well, he was kind of hurt about being called as 'friend' but every relationships started as being a friend right?

Watari ran to Kaori to hug her when Tsubaki strikes him again, Tsubaki hugged Kaori as if protecting her from Watari and somehow, he fell on the floor. (Wait, did he just saw a shadow of the foot that tripped him? And if he is not mistaken, it looks like someone who's wearing a men's shoes. He must be mistaken, right? It is impossible for the ever so mature and serious Kosei will stoop down that low to trip him because he was going to hug Kaori, right?)

In the end, Kosei and Tsubaki did not allow Watari to be alone together until the rumors about the two of them was completely forgotten.

Watari looked at Kaori who's currently looking elsewhere and humming like a kid.

'I just wish that we could still stay the same like before.'

Maybe he is being foolish to wish so but he would give anything for that wish to happen.

Even if being the same like before means his feelings will not reach the girl that he genuinely love.