Extend Your Reach

Massaging his fists after a few punches on the wall. With a heavy heart, he walks down the hallway going out on the fields. He sat at the bench under a cozy tree and there he breathed a deep sigh.

"This is ridiculous. What am I to her, really?" Aki ruffled his hair in confusion. He knows so well how meaningful Jelena is to him, unfortunately, he is only a well-known friend of hers. It sucks that his actions and feelings have boundaries.

"A fool being dramatic right in front of my salad?" An irritated female voice answered.

Aki instantly turned to the voice only to see a girl having her eyes squinted and her lips pouted. He scanned her, she's fair and brunette, has a small face and narrow cat eyes looking at him with a blank expression, lips were red and so is her cheeks.

"Why are you there?" Aki asked, sitting decently.

"Where else could I be? With those flirtatious idiots at the cafeteria or inside the classroom with annoying people around me? I should be the one asking why is your presence here. You just ruined my salad."

Aki chuckled at her explanation. He thought that she's someone stressed with her dozen children.

"Geez tigress, calm down. Did you... uhmm.... you happen to hear my monologue?" Aki softly asked which made the girl roll her eyes.

"As if I care with your broken heart and you being so confused with your role to that girl."Aki covered his head in embarrassment and regret. He was about to go away when suddenly,

"However, don't let those limitations hinder you. Extend your reach, idiot." She stood up and walks away, still holding her salad.

The girl might be frank in speaking but she's not wrong. Aki's heart starts pounding fast, having the tension and desire to confess. The biggest hindrance is the friendship built throughout the years. Will it go to waste? Are things going back to normal? Will she choose him?

"I don't know anymore,"

"What you don't know anymore?"

Another voice from the back whispered to his ears. To Aki's surprise, his reflex suddenly happened. He pulled the hand only to feel another regret.

"Jel?! I'm so sorry. What are you doing at my back?!" Aki massaged her hand and looked worriedly at her. Jelena on the other hand has her eyes wide and her nostrils were flaring.

"I was looking for you..." She answered in a small voice while she clenched her fist and lands it on Aki's arm. The boy's lips parted in astonishment which made the girl shriek.

"Dang Aki! What's with the atmosphere? Oh my gosh! Are you again being dramatic under this tree? Spill it!" She sat beside him and looks at him with curiosity.

"Nanya. You know what that is?"

"What's tha—"

"It's a nanya business." He replied earning him another punch. He stood up and walks away, still caressing his arm.

"Kyler Hiroaki!" Jelena yelled.

"Oh shut up!" He replied, not looking back. Jelena pouted at him so she runs in his direction and jumped.

"A-Ah! Jel, you're so heavy! Literally a piggyback ride." Aki fixed her in his back while gently supporting her.

"Heh! To the room!" she pointed like a kid which made the man chuckled.

They were peacefully walking and were about to enter the main building when another intense interaction happened. Aki looked at him with blazing eyes and so did Voltaire. He clasped his fists in annoyance which Jelena instantly felt. She went down his back and pushed her friend inside the building.

"What's with you two, Aki? Do you know him? Have you guys met?" Jelena asked with furrowed brows.

Aki froze with her question, gazing away to resist her presence. The anger and resentment returned. Memories of betrayal and moments of humiliation reminisce. Nothing left but a blank expression on his face, hiding the forbidden truth that he refused to believe.

"I don't know him," He emphasized.

Jelena felt the odd aura he's giving off. It wasn't his typical annoyed one, more like a scary and numb. She stopped walking and confronted her friend,

"Aki, is there something you want to share? We still have half an hour before the next period." She gazed at him with comfort and warmth. That's what he needs right now.

Aki flinched at her question, panicking in finding the right words. His heart starts thumping with intensity as he felt a familiar warmth holding his hand, letting him know that everything is going to be alright. The only woman whose ability is to inspire him to continue living.

Aki breathed a deep sigh, " Jelena, honestly I do—"

RIINGG!! RIINGG!! RING!!

He immediately pulls out his phone from his back pockets and checked the caller ID—it's his boss.

Aki gasped, hesitating to answer the call. He looked at Jelena who seems confused and distracted.

"Who might be that?" She asked.

"Uhm—Ah!" Aki growled acting in pain. He crouched on the ground then holds his stomach looking like in extreme pain. He placed his hand beneath his uniform, securing the phone, dismissing the call.

"Oh my gosh! Aki! C'mon stop joking like that!" Jelena caressed his back and tried keeping eye contact but he keeps on gazing away. Aki cannot lie directly looking at her innocent eyes.

"Je-jel, I'm okay now. But that pain felt like I was suddenly punched." Aki slowly stands up, still holding his stomach then leaned at the wall. Jelena wiped her face and glares.

"Y-you made me worry! What is that little scheme you're pulling huh?! Screw you!" She starts walking away while stumping her feet like a kid. Aki chuckled at his view, witnessing a cute annoyed lady.

Another ring came from his phone and upon checking it, it's still his boss. He rolled his eyes then answered,

"If you're going to call me, give me a heads up first. You're attracting trouble, old man." Aki gritted his teeth in anger while whispering on the phone. He was about to walk his way to the parking lot but another disturbance passes through him. Voltaire purposely collides with his left shoulder, mocking him.

["Hiro! Geez, just come here in an instant. I have proposals that need urgent discussion."] Aki's revenge has halted with his boss's command leaving him no choice but to leave in an instant.

"I'll deal with you Voltaire as I complete this mission," Aki whispered.

He rides his motorbike as soon arriving at the parking area and immediately speeds up. The man did his same techniques however, the call of his grumbling stomach made him stop.

"Right... I haven't eaten," Aki mumbles.

He looked around, finding food stalls but ending up going to a convenience store.

Entering the store he managed to snatch everyone's attention just by his presence, not opening his mouth and letting out words.

"Goodness gracious! He's so hot!"

"Girl, take a photo. Quick!"

"I'm a man but why do I feel so attracted to that guy?"

And the murmurs go on.

Aki gave them a cold shoulder and went on his way to the instant meals. He picked three packed ham sandwiches and went to get some drinks.

"Hm... which is better? Strawberry or Lychee?"

His decision-making was interrupted as a can of soda rolls to his feet. Aki furrowed his brow in confusion and crouched to pick it up.

"Th-That's mine!" A voice spoke.

Aki's eyes grew wide in the pitch familiarity. He held the soda can tighter and swallowed hard before slowly turning to his left. As expected, it opened another memory of his.

"Thanks," Keisha said. She grabbed the can back and was about to walk away when she noticed the man standing still, intently looking at her.

"Do I..." Her eyes roamed down him, from his head to toe. Upon realization hits her she loudly gasped then covered her mouth having her eyes wide awake. "Know you..."

A tear escaped her lids. Following this, she jumped in so much joy and hugged her good old friend.

Aki flinched at her reaction, stunned and anxious on the woman cuddling him. His eyes look down on her happy face, having teary eyes and a red complexion. He smiles genuinely.

"Long time no see, Selene." He ruffled her hair but Keisha gripped her hands and twisted it, making Aki growls in pain.

"A-ah! stop it!"

"Nice to see you too, Hiroaki." She let out a sly giggle and let go.

The two of them went to the cashier and Aki decided to pay for their products. As they reach outside, they both sat on the bench near them and opened the can sodas.

"Woah! We have a lot to catch up on, Hiroaki. How are you by the way? You look so tall and..." Keisha flashed a sly grin which made Aki embarrassed.

"You know right? How many chics did you have at the moment?" Keisha frankly asked before having a sip.

"None."

"Uhm... how about, boylets?"

Aki shoots her a deadly glare resulting in a hysterical laugh. She gestured a 'peace' sign while continuing laughing.

"None."

"Tsk! How about..." She leans closer and whispers, "Working spy?"

Aki furrowed his brows and acts like he doesn't care but deep inside him, he's limiting his words to not be suspicious to Keisha's eyes. He felt so happy at the same time nervous just by feeling the woman's presence.

"None also, how 'bout you Selene? Dating anyone?" Keisha's face blushed, making her take a large sip of her drink to her soda, covering her face. The sight made Aki chuckled in amusement. He flashed a sly smile, making Keisha gulped in nervousness at his next words. He's taking a sly payback.

"Who's the miserable man?"

"Psst! You want a 360° slap, huh?!"

"Tsk, tsk. The hopeless romantic Selene Keisha is interested in someone. Are the feelings reciprocal?"

"Shut it, Hiroaki! I also have an ace on you, don't try me."

Aki arched his brow in amusement and wondered about her secret weapon. He intently gazed at her before sipping,

"Try you, Selene."

"Damn! Ha! Friendzone, huh Hiroaki?"

Aki remained calm and shrugged. He stood up in his seat and said,

"Meh. I have to go, have some errands to do. See ya when I see you, Selene."

He was about to go when Keisha called him again and gesturing her phone then smiling widely.

"Can I have your number?"

"Are you—"

"Hep! Hep! No, idiot. I just want to reconnect with you again some other time. So would you mind giving me?"

Aki laughed and grabs her phone, saving his contact with her device.

"Alright, need to leave. Bye."

Aki rides his motorbike again, leaving his way but suddenly, a sense was felt by Keisha. She began scrutinizing the motorbike and noticed it was familiar, the same with the plumber he encountered at their company.

Keisha drop her drinks and left her lips parted. "No way..."

...

Aki arrived at their base, wherein he saw his boss who was about to leave the place. Their boss glared, "UPDATES."

"Voltaire... I found his weakness. It was a woman, obvious with his stares and action. He's definitely into her."