Childhood Friends (7)

The next morning

When I woke up and got ready to head out, I stepped outside—and to my surprise, instead of seeing Aika waiting for me, I saw Kiyomi.

I greeted her, confused, and asked, "How did you find my house? And what are you doing here?"

She replied, "Aika called me last night and told me she wasn't feeling well and wouldn't be able to attend school today. She sent me your location and told me I should go to school with you on her behalf."

Kiyomi added with a shrug, "Before I could even question anything, she hung up."

I didn't say much after that, but I asked how Aika got her contact information.

She smiled. "We exchanged numbers yesterday while we were talking."

Then I asked if I could also have her contact.

"I'd be happy to," she said, and we exchanged numbers before heading to school.

We didn't talk much about Aika on the way, instead focusing on each other. We chatted about random things, our interests, our lives. It felt... natural.

Before I even realized it, the school day was already over. Time flew by with Kiyomi around.

When school ended, we walked together, and I dropped her off halfway—just like she wanted.

But as soon as she left, I didn't even stop to think. I turned around and started running.

Running toward Aika's house.

My mind was a blur of thoughts—Is she okay? Did something happen? She had seemed different yesterday. Even the way she talked on the phone had changed. Aika never skipped school. She was always regular. That wasn't like her at all.

With my chest tightening from anxiety, I finally reached her house. Breathing heavily, I knocked on her door and rang the bell multiple times—but there was no response.

Panic rising, I went around to her backyard, hoping to find another way in. I tried to convince myself she might just be asleep—but I couldn't let go of my anxiousness.

There, by the outdoor shed, I spotted a ladder.

Who leaves their shed unlocked like this? I thought with a small laugh. That was probably a mistake—but a fortunate one for me.

I took the ladder and placed it against the wall near her room's balcony. Climbing up, I reached the top and saw Aika inside, facing away from me, studying with her headphones on.

Relief washed over me—she looked okay. But I was also frustrated. I had been worried about her.

The balcony door was open, so I quietly stepped inside, trying to sneak up and surprise her.

I got close, tapped her on the shoulder, and shouted, "Boo!"

She jumped from her chair, startled. I burst out laughing.

Aika turned to me, clearly confused and a little angry. "What are you doing here?! How did you even get in?"

"I was worried," I said. "So I climbed up from the the ladder in the shed since it was open."

She sighed. "I must've forgotten to lock it..."

I nodded, and she blushed. "Thanks," she said softly.

"Huh? For what?"

"For being worried about me," she replied, eyes lowered.

"It's alright," I said, smiling. "We're friends, after all."

Then I asked, "You seem fine... so why did you skip school today?"

She hesitated. "I had my reasons."

"If you need help, you know you can always ask me," I said. "We've always helped each other."

She looked away, shadows in her expression. "It's that part of you... that makes me fall even more in love with you."

My breath caught.

"I think we shouldn't talk about that," I said quickly. "But… why did you lie yesterday? I could feel it—you were sad, even behind your cheerful voice."

She looked at me and nodded. "You're right. I was lying. I'm sorry. It's just that… I realized something important yesterday."

"What was it?" I asked.

"It's nothing."

"Please," I asked in a loud voice.

And then she shouted, "Because I realized… I was starting to fade from your life!"

She broke down in tears, collapsing to the floor. "I didn't want to lose you… but I knew it was inevitable. I want you to be happy."

I stood frozen, unable to fully understand what she was saying. I knelt beside her and tried to calm her down.

Tears streamed down her face. "I know you haven't realized your feelings… since it's your first time feeling them."

"What feelings?" I asked. "I don't understand…"

She shook her head. "If I tell you… I'll lose you."

I gently helped her up and led her to the bed. After I calmed her down, we sat together, and I softly said, "Please tell me. I want to understand."

With dread in her eyes, she said, "I know how much you care about Kiyomi. Even though you two haven't known each other for long… the way you act around her is different."

I paused, then admitted, "I guess I've realized that too. But those feelings… they don't mean much. I just want to be her friend."

"You're wrong," Aika said. "You have noticed them. You're just ignoring them."

"What feelings?"

"Love," she whispered. "The feeling of love you're hiding. The feeling you haven't accepted. The one you're unfamiliar with."

She looked down. "I was the same when I first started loving you."

"I… I don't think I feel—"

She placed her finger on my lips.

"You're lying to yourself," she said.

"Were you not mesmerized by Kiyomi?"

"Don't you constantly think about her?"

"Have you never wished for her happiness?"

"Do you only see her as a friend?"

"Have you not felt peace when she's near?"

"Joy when you're with her?"

I lowered my gaze. "Yes," I said faintly.

"But… we've barely known each other. Telling her now would be selfish."

She smiled gently. "Love doesn't need time to bloom. It just happens… and you don't always realize when it does. You should tell her."

Her words gave me courage.

"Thank you," I said.

I turned toward the balcony, ready to leave, but she stopped me. "Go through the front door this time," she said, smiling.

Before leaving, I looked at her and said, "No matter what our relationship is… it's special. It won't end like this."

She smiled again. "Yes. You're right."

I ran out and quickly called Kiyomi.

"Meet me at the park near where I dropped you earlier," I said. "It's important."

And then I hung up.

Without another second to waste, I started running—this time, toward Kiyomi.