Chapter 21

Chapter XLIII: A Cold War Love is in the air they say but this is only truthful to others. In the meantime, as others enjoy the bright side of Valentine's Day, a melodramatic color covers the atmosphere and a smell of blood and gunpowder stings in the air. Inside the classroom, Akiko, Enmei, and Hanako talk about memes. On the other hand, Kota enters the building and goes to their classroom. When he opens the door, the whole squad goes dead-air. As he goes to his seat, he greets them warmly except for Akiko which is very awkward at that moment. In her mind,"That idiot! He knows that we can still be friends no matter what happened. I know it's hard for him given the fact that it was Valentine's Day. Though I feel bad but at this state, how will I approach him?" Since the teacher hasn't arrived yet, Gin sit's next to Kota's table."Hey dude, how was your Valentine?" (Gin)"Well it was good, got some chocolates" (Kota)"That's nice. The only thing that I did was shouting on the school rooftop and mocking some couples on my way home" (Gin)"Glad for you, you vent it out" (Kota) As she listens, Akiko slightly laughs at even though she's partially playing a game."Although they were sweet, some became bitter. Much bitter than the person who gave it and did me bad on that day" Shocked, Asahi, Enmei, Tengen, Hanako, and Gin look at Akiko. In her mind, she remarks,"So that's how you want to play it huh? Then so be it" She smirks sadistically at the situation, then laughs sinisterly."Ohoho, so the chocolates became bitter eyy, it might be bitter than the pastries you made back then" (Akiko) The gang feels the presence as if they're witnessing a real-life tension of the treasurer and auditor from First One Confesses, Loses the Game! Kota looks at her menacingly and the aura aggravates."So you say it was bitter. Is it worser than the way you kick that Christmas decoration ball back then?" (Kota)"That's nothing compared at the way you look at anime girls in swimsuits on YourBook like a total pervert!" (Akiko)"Oh, is it worser than the way you sing that high-pitched song at the karaoke?" (Kota)"That's nothing compared at the way you strike a ball in billiards" (Akiko)"Tsk, well at least I know how to strike a ball better than you, I call it: the balls of steel!" (Kota) A lightning bolt emerges from each other's eyes, causing a bitter tension and might as well lead to a conflict. However the teacher comes in so both of them goes back to their original places and the tension ceases. At their break, the tension begins again. The squad is divided into two tables which one is for the girls while the other is for the boys. At the boys' table,"Say, among the items in our homework, do you think one of them Does Not Exist", asks Enmei as they discuss about their math homework."Well, from what I can see, there's a chance that there is one" (Kota)"Actually, there's no homework that all items are of the same property. It's always based on varying techniques we used previously in class. The only thing buzzing me though is the DNE shizz" (Tengen)"That's simple, if each sides don't match up and doesn't really approach the limit, it's considered as DNE" (Kota) As he listens to his explanation, Tengen nods his head, meaning he now gets it. On the other table, the girls chat when suddenly,"Tsk, glad there's one who really care whose consideration is considered that it Does Not Exist" (Akiko)"Ah, not again!" (Gin)"Here we go again" (Asahi) The two roast each another again until,"OI! Can you two just shut up?! Boy it was better when you were together. Do it more discrete will ya?!", Gin berates them. Akiko and Kota then shut their trap after hearing this. For the whole afternoon, both of them goes dead-air. After their dismissal, the squad go to their favorite restaurant without Kota and Tengen since they have important things to do at home. Inside the restaurant, they get their food. While munching on their food,"Hey, not to be rude here but I'm a bit concerned. Are you and Kota alright?" (Enmei)"Yeah, we're also concerned, we all are" (Natsuki)"Given that you've already inflicted damage on him, you are still going under his skin" (Hanako)"Well actually, I'm just messing with him. He's somewhat a strong individual and I have to be honest since I would like something to vent. Both guys exceed in making my day. One in real life, and one virtually. However, one of them went astray because of a revelation. Although the first guy is strong, there is a weak side of him that makes me worry more. I really feel bad for this guy. The roasts are just for fun so he'll never get lonely and out of place." (Akiko)"I think he's really serious in poking them right at you" (Enmei)"Are you suggesting that he has a grudge on me?" (Akiko)"Not really but he didn't really expected what was about to happen." (Gin)"I agree because you both have already a good connection and why would it end up in a snap?" (Asahi)"Technically, it's my mistake for picking the guy back in October although I said to him that it started on December. He's way more connected to me in many ways though I haven't seen him in real life. For the past 3 years of his infatuation towards me, I'm very flattered and I'm lucky to have him" (Akiko)"If you're lucky enough to have him, why then you pick the virtual guy over him?" (Hanako)"I know I'm an idiot of not being aware of this. I admit that it's my fault and I know I have to make up with him, given that he doesn't know how to approach sometimes, I understand that he is very introverted although I was an introverted. That's why I'll make it up with up sometime later." (Akiko) Next day, while riding his bicycle , Gin passes by Kota's neighborhood. As Akiko looks outside her window, Gin exclaims,"Hoooooowoah! How cold is it today?!" On the other end, Kota says,"Colder than her!" However, the tension gets even worser when Akiko tries to share some posts on InstaBox and Chime regarding coldness in a relationship and friendship, inflicting a ravaging damage to Kota. Though at this point, both sides realize that they miss the fun times of each other and it shouldn't be the harsh times. Hiding within an alleyway, a dark silhouette eyes on Akiko, looking like a spy gliding within the shadows.