Tables Turned (And Tables That Will be Turned)

Oh, but the tables turned sooner than I had imagined.

"Hey." Asura's sharp voice was filled with visible rage. "You say you like me?"

Of course! How could I n--

"Why?Why do you like me? Actually, you know what, don't answer that. I don't want to know."

What do you mean? I--

"If you like me, then why were you so distant today? If you like me, why did you stop following me around? If you like me, why didn't you escort me for the entire day? If you like me, why didn't you come eat with me during lunch?!"

No! It was all for our future, Asura! If I didn't take care of that pesty--

"IF YOU LIKE ME, THEN WHY DID YOU BREAK YOUR PROMISE?!"

... It is my fault, but I'd always thought you didn't care who you ate lunch with, as long as their words were flattering.

"IF YOU LIKE ME, THEN WHY DID YOU DISAPPEAR WITHOUT TELLING ME ANYTHING?!"

If I told you, you would've definitely felt suspicious and investigated in your own time! I couldn't let your image of me--

"IF YOU HAVE A CRUSH, AREN'T YOU SUPPOSED TO TREASURE HER?"

I do! I treasure you... I tr--

...

Time and time again, my thoughts were cut off before I could even formulate an acceptable response, interrupted by the new accusations Asura put against me.

Had she always been this overbearing? Was this one of the sides I hadn't gotten to know over the years but was always hidden inside her?

I was stunned by her words that were as sharp as knives. She jabbed at my vitals again and again, and I, who had been too shocked, did not notice the pain and severity until it was too late.

"... will you still like me after this? After knowing how petty, how selfish, how unreasonable I am?"

Asura shook off my arm-- I had not even realized I had grabbed onto her-- and turned around, running off with her golden curls glistening in the afternoon sun.

Petty, selfish, and unreasonable.

How strange. Aren't I the one that's petty, selfish, and unreasonable? Even if your pettiness and selfishness increased by 999999999x, I'm sure they still wouldn't be as strong as mine.

Those words... perhaps they were the cue my body was waiting for.

Suddenly, my eyes that had clouded over during Asura's intense interrogation cleared. With a sweep of my glowing orbs, I hurriedly retracted the barrier I had set up, before running with all my might, chasing after the girl I loved.