We are pretending....right? - Chapter 23- Date~1!

“I did say to return home with me yet you…how careless can you be at times Sumire?”

Currently, I was in my room being scolded by my best friend Akari for being irresponsible.

It goes without saying that I would tell her about yesterday since she’s like a sister to me. There are things that my family doesn’t know but Akari does.

“Sorry…I thought I would reach home early through those alleys but..”

“But you got caught by some bastard old man and were on the verge of being molested. God, I can’t even tell how I am feeling right now.”

She exasperatedly walked toward my study table and pulled the chair for herself before sitting down with a huff.

I have barely seen Akari this angry since she usually tends to be a cheerful and bubbly girl. But I guess, she took this matter more seriously than I initially expected.

Not like I would tell her that and get more scolding.

“So…you took a leave today?”

Akari asked, after calming herself down for a bit. For a second there, upon seeing how restless my friend seemed, I was regretting telling her but fortunately, she overcame those heavy emotions soon after.

I nodded before replying, “Surprisingly, Mom was given two days’ leave so this weekend she would be staying home. And since tomorrow school is off, she told me to stay back as well. She has already called the school and made some excuses.”

Mom was beyond elated hearing that her boss gave her leave for Friday and Saturday without deducting the salary which meant she was given a paid leave. And since she wanted to spend some time with me and Ryuu, her happiness seemed to have no bounds.

Though Ryuu wanted to stay, his soccer trials are undergoing so he reluctantly went to school.

“Ah…and thanks for convincing my mom yesterday. Who knows how she might have reacted if she would have found out where I actually was.”

Thanks to Akari I was able to stay longer with Sou-kun and spend some time with him. Get to know him better. Seriously, when I first met him and the perception I have now of Sou-kun is entirely different.

At first, he seemed like an aloof cool guy who doesn’t care about others and remains in his own world. But now I have come to know how caring and protective person Sou-kun is.

I think other than me, barely anyone from the class knows that side of Sou-kun who actually smiles at times and scolds when you are in the wrong.

This feeling…to know something about Sou-kun that no one else knows…it’s kind of tingling.

“…what are you grinning for?”

I blinked before directing my gaze at my friend who was looking back at me with a face that tells, ‘What’s with this girl?’

Then I realized that indeed I was smiling while thinking about Sou-kun for some reason.

I turned my face back to normal, or I tried to but every time I think about Sou-kun I just can’t remain normal.

‘…am I sick?’

****

[Akiko’s POV:]

*Ding* *Dong*

“Coming….” I called out before I checked up on the person through the door camera only to get surprised.

I readily opened the door and greeted the familiar boy, “Isn’t the meeting scheduled for tomorrow, Sou-kun?”

Teasing the boy I welcomed him in. It was surprising to see how tall he has grown in so less time and unlike before when Sou-kun generally tended to be all wild and play delinquent, he seemed more mature.

“Sorry for intruding but I wanted to check up on Sumire. If only…Akiko-san allows.”

I raised my brows dramatically before crossing my arms as I asked, “To allow a boy in my daughter’s room? Do you take me a lenient parent or something?”

“I dare not to, rather, I hope you trust me enough to allow me in your daughter’s room, my lady.”

Sou-kun replied with his left hand over his chest and his right hand raised high, trying to remain in the role.

We both stared at each other for a moment before I burst into laughter.

Sou-kun also chuckled along which made me relieved. Not because he has gotten good at acting, but rather that he hasn’t changed much. He still was the same Sou-kun I knew.

****

[Sou’s POV:]

Making my way inside the room, I saw a pair of dainty legs currently raised high in the air. Sumire-san was lying on her stomach while reading a book when I walked in.

*Ahem*

“Hmm?”

It seemed she told me to come in without realizing who I was since the moment she turned her head to look at me, the color from her face evaporated.

“S-S-Sou-kun…? Why Sou-kun is here?”

“Then should I leave?”

“N-No, please come in.”

Okay, I accept that I deliberately didn’t let her know that it was me before entering inside but now I think it was a bad idea since more than surprised she seemed shocked.

She hurriedly took a shrug from her closet and draped it over her shoulders since she was wearing a sleeveless top.

Alright, bad idea intruding so suddenly. Next time, I would be cautious.

As Sumire-san gestured to me, I took the chair resting near the desk.

“Sorry for suddenly barging in. I should have texted you beforehand.”

“No, it’s fine Sou-kun. I was getting pretty much bored as well, so I am glad you came.”

The bright smile she extended in my direction made my heart calm down and my shoulder relaxed. I could spend hours seeing that smile and the intoxication she carried in those eyes was enough to make me get addicted pretty soon. I have to keep reminding myself that staring at her would be pretty rude or who knows how many times I would have fallen into a daze while staring at those ocean-like deep eyes.

I wanted to get up and check her hand, which I did yesterday on impulse but now I did not allow myself since getting too touchy with Sumire-san might make her wary of me. And I cannot afford to let that happen once again.

“Today was our date, right? Should we go somewhere?”

Silly of her to think I would take her out when she still was recovering. I shook my head and spoke my immediate thoughts, “Aren’t we already on a date?”

“Like a room date?” Her eyes sparkled in realization at which I nodded with a smile no longer in my capability to resist.

She’s just that adorable.

To brighten up at such trivial realizations, it’s only something I could expect from my Sumire-san.

“Then should we talk and get to know each other?”

Sumire-san proposed, to which I nodded but I didn’t assume that talking about each other would become so difficult.

After all, I was the part of her past that Sumire-san has willingly forgotten.

*****

A/N:- A bit Yan feeling there, right?

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