We are pretending....right? - Chapter 18- Considerate and strange feelings...
[Sumire’s POV:]
It was Thursday, after school when I was packing my bag while chatting with my friends about not-so-informative stuff. We sometimes talk about things that make no sense, especially when I and Akari are alone.
Like the last time, she asked how it would feel like if we get some serious cancer-like disease and had to go bald. I had to remind her that going bald was not the major point of concern in the scenario.
“Ah, Sumi-chan, how about we go to the new arcade by the station? I heard they have packed the store with new games.” My friend Rurikawa asked as she enthusiastically counted the number of games she wants to play in the arcade.
“Yep, yep! Lessgo, Sumire. The parfait near the station is too delicious to miss.”
That was a tempting offer and having fun with friends was not something I can usually afford considering that I generally have to prepare dinner and take care of Ryuu. But today he would be returning late since he has trials at his soccer club.
As enticing as it may sound to have fun with friends, more so when it was the chance to cheer up Akari as well, I cannot go since I have a promised date with Sou-kun.
“No, I wo-“I was about to decline the offer when suddenly a familiar voice rang from my left.
“Sumire-san.” I turned to look at Sou-kun before he continued, “I am busy today so let’s postpone our plan to tomorrow if you are okay with it.”
I blinked and mindlessly nodded before Sou-kun left the class. He did not wait to let me say anything further and didn’t even turn to look my way before he disappeared from sight.
*Strange*.
Wait…did he cancel the date because I was invited by my friends?
True, that I wanted to play around a little since I usually don’t get leisure days but that doesn’t mean I was not looking forward to this date…
I have no idea what people do on a date, just some textbook research but spending time with Sou-kun was something I enjoy, so it was a balanced-out offer on both sides.
‘Wait…maybe he really has something to do…’ After some minutes Sou-kun left the class, I sneakily took out my phone and sent him a short text.
Me: [You sure, you are not making up things to let me hang out with my friends?]
His reply came almost instantly like he already knew I would do something like this.
Sou: [Actually, I dearly wanted to take my girlfriend on a date but your classmates came in between us.]
I smiled at the text, thanking Rurikawa who was engaging the group so I was not in their focus.
I waited for him to say, ‘I am just kidding’….but even after keeping my gaze fixated on the screen for minutes…he never texted anything.
‘Wait! Does he really… ‘
Me: [Really? I mean I could have said no, if you want.]
True to my words, I can decline them right now as well since I have promised a date to Sou-kun before this arrangement and also since it’s my mother who wants to meet him on the weekend, the plan to get to know each other better to avoid suspicion is my role to volunteer.
But as I thought, Sou-kun was just joking all along…or was he?
Sou: [Haha…don’t get serious over it Sumire-san. I really have some work to finish that’s why let’s go on a date tomorrow, a short version of what I planned for today since tomorrow you may won’t have much spare time after school, right?]
Me: [Yeah…thanks for understanding. Then…see you tomorrow?]
Sou: [Have fun ^_^]
I wasn’t sure whether he was stating the truth or not since Sou is a book I cannot read at face value at all. His small gesture to put my routine into consideration made me feel warm.
My decision to date him was not wrong, after all.
****
“That reminds me, Sumire-san, was Sanada-kun always like this or you changed him?” Miyako asked as we walked toward the arcade side by side.
“What are you talking about?” Strangely, when it came to Sou, everyone became silent in the group and began paying attention to our conversation.
“I meeeeean, this makeover. Sanada-kun did seem some mysterious figure but never I imagined that along with brains he would be that hot.”
I raised my brows at the comment before replying, “Sou-kun always was like this. He just began to stop hiding his piercing recently…” This is what I believe to be the case but truth be told, I don’t know anything about Sou-kun more than what others know.
Well, except for two things. First his habit of teasing people, and second his exceptional cooking.
“Heeh~If only I would have known what kind of face he’s hiding behind those heavy glasses, I might have gone after him…”
For some reason, that statement of Miyako made me feel strange in my heart, and even for a second against my will, I had a flash of Sou-kun getting along with Miyako.
She’s not some casual dating type of girl but the fact that she values someone’s beauty over anything makes Sou-kun her primary target of attraction.
Miyako herself is quite a beauty so imagining things was not difficult involving her with Sou-kun….but shouldn’t have I taken this casually like I always do?
Then why…I felt a little sting in my chest just now…?
At that time I never knew that I would get the answers to my confusing thoughts very soon…
******
A/N: – Next chapter…a lil steamy.
Drop a comment if you are still connected with the story~