Friendzoned Level: Umika Kawashima
"Hello? Umika speaking"
"Kawashima?"
"Ah, senpai?"
"Are you busy?"
"Hm? Ah, no. I was just about to sleep. I'm not sleepy though. What is it?"
"Ah- It's nothing. I just wanted to call."
"Is there anything wrong, senpai?"
"It's nothing, really. It's nice hearing your voice."
"Ah- Tha-thanks... But senpai... You don't have to hide it. Senpai wants to say something, right? Is something bothering you?"
"Well..."
"Is it about a girl? Another senpai...?"
"I guess... I can say it. It's just that, there's this girl in class who doesn't talk to me lately. It's really bothering me. I'm not sure what I did wrong but it's really annoying... She doesn't even look at me..."
"Is she a close friend?"
"Ah! No! Not really! She's... she's more of a... I fight with her a lot so I notice her, that's all. It's weird not being able to talk to that kind of person."
"Then do you have special feelings towards her?"
"What?! Of course not. Impossible! Definitely impossible. All she does is annoy me and fight with me. We never agree to anything and she always acts so proud. I really-"
"Senpai..."
"-really hate her. Yeah, that's it. It must be-"
"Senpai!"
"Yes?"
"You like her."
"What?"
"This person you're talking about. You like her. You really like her."
"As I said, impossible!"
"But I think you really like her."
"I don't. Where does that come from anyway?"
"It's her, right? The one you were talking to yesterday? I saw it... You were smiling really, really happily."
"I wasn't-"
"It's okay, senpai. You should think about it more deeply on your own. I-"
"Kawashima, are you cry-"
"I'm sorry, I think I'm a bit sleepy now. My voice isn't coming out properly... Well then goodnight!"
"Kawa-!"
Umika and Shida were bringing out the trash when they saw it. Two senpais at the "free corner", hugging and being intimate. It was at the corner before the trash cans, the corner which doesn't get caught by any camera. It was the "free corner" for any couple to use.
Shida was curious at first, but Umika's tightening grip told her all she needed to know.
It was Arioka Daiki. Umika's precious senpai.
She hastily pulled at her friend's hand until they were safely away from the scene. "Umi... Are you okay?"
Umika wasn't speaking. She had her head bowed down and her hands were gripping Shida's right arm fiercely. Tears slowly fell. She was crying.
"Umi..." Shida enveloped her into a hug, knowing full well how much she must be hurting right now.
"I'm sorry..." she muttered through sobs. "I'm sorry... I knew it already but-"
"Sshhh..." Shida rubbed her back gently. "It's okay to cry, Umi-chan. Don't worry, I'm here."
"Senpai, ne..." Umika still continued speaking, finding it easier to let go of her emotions when she's spilling it out to someone. "He didn't know at all. He was so clueless. He didn't know he liked her, or that she liked him. He didn't know that I-" She hiccuped, sobbing harder and holding on to Shida for dear life. "Mirai-chan, why did it have to be like this? Why was I the one who-"
Shida simply held her closer, comforting her by listening to her and repeatedly telling her that it'll be okay. "You're doing your best, so I'm sure you'll find the one someday too. Umi wouldn't have to cry anymore."
She cried and cried then, hoping that someday she really wouldn't have to cry like this anymore.
Because I am eternally friendzoned and I like bring Umika in the angst of my nonexistent love life