I asked him to be my pretend-boyfriend but after a while I fell for him, but I can't seem to admit that fact! - Chapter 39: Akira's Absence at the End-of-Term Ceremony.
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- I asked him to be my pretend-boyfriend but after a while I fell for him, but I can't seem to admit that fact!
- Chapter 39: Akira's Absence at the End-of-Term Ceremony.
Akira’s Absence at the End-of-Term Ceremony.
Starting tomorrow, it’s finally summer vacation. Considering that I’ll be a high school senior next year and that this might be the last time I can fully enjoy the long break, it’s a bit of a pity. However, during this summer vacation, Akira will not be able to see me much for a while. Just when I got my first boyfriend and it’s summer vacation, he’s not here. Well, I also need to start seriously thinking about my own future path, and the fact that he’s not here gives me more time to focus on that, so it’s kind of a plus in that sense. But for a newly formed couple, it’s not easy to think like that. So at least for today, I wanted to get a good dose of Akira’s presence. That was my plan for the closing ceremony, but Akira didn’t come to school. I had heard that the training camp would start next week, so why is he not present today?
“Is he running late?”
I had sent a message earlier before the ceremony, but there was no response. Did something happen? As I looked out the window at the rain tapping on the glass, I couldn’t help but think about Akira.
“Hey, Imamura, where’s Akira today?”
“I don’t know.”
“I see…”
Terazawa asked me about Akira, and then without missing a beat, Hiyoka asked.
“Hey, did you see Asai today?”
“I told you, I don’t know.”
“I see…”
Yuuka asked next. “Hey, she seem to be in a really bad mood. Did something happen? Maybe you should ask her.”
“I did ask her, did the two she and Asai have a fight?”
Hey, don’t talk about that kind of thing within earshot of the person involved.
In fact, I have to admit that I gave both of them a bit of a cold shoulder. This isn’t a good sign.
“Sorry… I was worried because I couldn’t get in touch lwith Asai.”
“What? You couldn’t reach him?”
“Yeah, I sent him a message before the ceremony, look.”
I showed them the message I sent before the ceremony.
“That’s it?”
“Yeah.”
“Did you talk to him on the phone?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Hey, Itsuki, why don’t you try calling him?”
Yuuka grabbed my shoulders and insisted.
“Uhh… okay.”
I called him as Yuuka had suggested, but Akira didn’t answer.
“He’s not answering?”
“Yeah…”
The ringing sound kept echoing, and I started to get really worried.
“Hey, are you there, Imamura?”
At that moment, Higuchi sensei came to find me.
“Yes.”
“Can I talk to you for a moment?”
Higuchi sensei gestured for me to follow him, so I followed him out into the hallway.
“I’m sorry…”
“It’s okay.”
What could it be?
“Imamura, you’re Akira’s girlfriend, right?”
“Huh?”
Why is he bringing this up all of a sudden?
“You don’t have to hide it. I’ve heard it from Akira as well.”
“Oh… I see.”
Akira had also talked to the teacher about it.
“You probably already know, but that idiot hasn’t been responding at my calls at all!”
The teacher was also trying to contact him.
“It’s really worrying. But… I have a meeting now, and Akira’s parents are currently on a business trip too.”
With that, the teacher took out a key from his pocket and handed it to me.
“Hey, Itsuki… I’m sorry, but can you go and check on Akira’s condition for me?”
The teacher… he had the key with him. Well, I don’t mind at all. After all, I’m his girlfriend.
“I understand!”
“I’m sorry… I’ll be going later, so if Akira’s there, don’t do anything strange to him.”
“Strange? What do you mean?”
“Something ‘Mufufu.'”
Mufufu… what kind of expression is that?
Well, that’s why I…
“Yuuka, Terazawa, I’m going to Akira’s place.”
“Huh? Oh, okay!”
“If anything happens, let me know.”
I quickly informed the two and headed to Akira’s house.
During the walk, various possibilities crossed my mind. I even imagined the worst-case scenarios. I’m filled with anxiety. I don’t know what happened, but I just want him to be safe.
That’s what I prayed for. I arrived at Akira’s house, but there was no sign of anyone there. However, Akira’s shoes were scattered about. Does that mean he’s at home?
What happened? Could he be ill? I felt overwhelmed with anxiety. As I hurried to his room, I saw…
Akira was lying on the bed. I felt relieved when I saw him, and I sank to my knees in relief. However, his breathing was a bit heavy. Could he be unwell?
I moved to the side of the bed and touched his head. He seemed to have a slight fever. Then, as if he sensed my presence, Akira opened his eyes.
“Why are you here, Itsuki?”
A moment ago, I was filled with anxiety. I even considered the worst-case scenarios, although it might be irrational. But now, hearing Akira’s voice made my tears flow uncontrollably.
“What’s wrong, Itsuki?”
“It’s because of you, Akira!”
Despite Akira being sick, I embraced him as if to cover him with my body and cried.
“I’m sorry…”
“Why are you apologizing?”
“Well… if Itsuki is crying, it means I must have done something to upset you.”
“That’s not it.”
“Huh? Then why? Are you so happy that you’re shedding tears of joy?”
“That’s not it.”
It wasn’t happiness or sadness. I was just overwhelmed with emotion. I was relieved to know that Akira was safe, and that’s why my tears flowed.
In the end, Akirara just had a common cold. He had already recovered from the fever and was gradually regaining his strength.
His smartphone had fallen beneath the living room sofa, so he hadn’t noticed any of our calls or messages.
It was quite a commotion back there you know?
But when I was about to leave…
“Itsuki, I… I’m lonely.”
“Huh?”
“Hey, would it be too much to ask if you stayed over tonight?”
Stay over…
Tonight, it felt like something might happen.