The Collection - Chapter 6
Akane was sitting on the park bench next to Yamashita, just as she’d been doing for the past week. He’d been going to the office every day, which was rare. The other employees said that it happened every now and then and Akane was happy it was happening now. They had gotten to know each other in that short period of time. They would take lunch together on the park bench and talk. They would also talk on the way back to the office, though he only did that twice in the last week. He said he had things to do and he came back to the office later or not at all.
Anyway, Akane really liked Yamashita. And not because of how he looked, he was actually funny and kind and they talked about anything. Not that Akane thought anything about it. She knew the reason Yamashita went every day to the park wasn't their conversation or wasn’t entirely their conversation. Even though he never ignored her or made her feel bad or uncomfortable, Akane knew that part of his attention was on the girl with the guitar. Akane knew he liked her, and she had realized Yamashita was shy even though he hid it. And she had to admit, even with a bit … well, a lot of jealousy, that they would look really cute together.
Akane looked at him and sure enough he was looking at the girl.
“You should at least try to talk to her, you know?”
Yamashita looked at her surprised. “W-what?”
Akane wanted to smack her forehead. She had the tendency to blurt out stuff around him.
“Sorry, it’s just that it’s obvious you like her and I think you should talk to her”
“No, it’s not like that. I…” he stopped and looked down.
“I doubt she would say no if you ask her out and…”
“No” he interrupted her, “it’s not like that. She has a beautiful voice and she is pretty but I don’t like her like that. It’s not… I mean… I don’t see myself talking to her like I talk to you or going out. Really.”
“Sorry again. I didn’t mean anything by it, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable… again. I’ll try not to blurt out things like that anymore.”
“It’s fine, I kinda like that about you, even if it’s a little uncomfortable”
Akane laughed with him. “So, any plans for the weekend?” he asked changing the subject.
“Not really, you?”
“Not really.” He looked away and then looked at the girl, who was starting to sing a ballad. “I do have a project, but nothing really interesting. I might not be coming to the office next week.”
When she heard the last part, Akane was surprised at just how disappointed she was, but tried to hide it
“Oh, well” she said “next week is my last week so…”
“I forgot!” he said and Akane was surprise that he seemed disappointed himself.
They stayed in silence for a while listening to the music.
“Well, I have to get going. Are you coming back to the office?” Akane asked.
Yamashita hesitated and the said:
“No, I have to get started on that project. It’s important, at least to me.”
“That’s ok” said Akane, again feeling disappointed and hiding it. “I hope I see you next week”
“Yeah, I’ll try”
They said goodbye and went their own ways as usual.
Akane walked back to the office alone. Now she was 95% that Yamashita was, in fact gay. He had been so uncomfortable when she talked about the musician in the park. And the whole thing about her being pretty and all but not seeing himself dating her. It didn’t matter to her, she hadn’t had any angle, she hadn’t been trying to seduce him or anything. She honestly liked his company. Probably that was over now.
She went into the office and Makoto was waiting for her. And sure enough, the questioning drill began:
“So, you had lunch with him today too?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“And what?”
“Are you two dating? Is HE dating YOU? I mean, he is actually dating YOU?”
“Hey! What is that supposed to mean?”
“No. I didn’t mean anything bad. It’s just that you never showed much interest. And you don’t seem like his type”
Oh, and you know what his type is? Thought Akane. She knew Makoto wasn’t a bad person but she can be so self centered that she ended up being insulted. Not that she blamed her. Akane wasn’t the type a guy like that would be attracted to, but Makoto didn’t need to point it out.
“Look,” she said patiently. “we are not dating. There is nothing between us. We just sit in the park and talk while we are having lunch. That’s all.”
“Did he admit he’s gay? I mean he has to be. He never even looked my way, no matter how short my skirt is or how low I wear my cleavage.”
Ok, now Akane was really irritated. “No, he didn’t say anything.” She answered and then walked away. She really wasn’t in the mood. She just wanted to go home and work on her designs and forget about anything. It was just a bad day. It had nothing to do with the fact that she would never have a conversation with Yamashita again. Really, it didn’t.
----
Tegoshi Yuko was putting away her guitar and the money people had thrown into the case. She was humming a tune when she felt the hair at the back of her neck stand out. She turned around and all she saw were a couple of kids still playing and their mothers, and two couples walking holding hands. No one was paying attention to her and yet, for the last couple of weeks she felt as if she was being watched. It was stupid, of course, but that’s how she felt. She wouldn’t say anything, she knew the band members would tease her, saying that she already believed herself a big star followed around by paparazzi. She had to admit she could be a bit conceited, but she never did it on purpose. Yuko sighed and started walking so that she wouldn’t be late for her part-time job.
Unfortunately she didn’t see the man following her.
CH01 - CH02 - CH03 - CH04 - CH05 - - CH07 - CH08 - CH09 - CH10 - CH11 - CH12 - CH13 - CH14 (Final)