Nothing More than Best Friends (Part Five)
Steph ran and ran as fast as she could, hoping that she could somehow leave Yuto's words behind. At this moment she just wanted to curl up into a ball and disappear. I was wrong for thinking he would ever love me. She exited out the school doors. Nothing could hurt as much as this.
Out of impulse, Steph found herself at a park. She didn't really know where else to go. She would rather be anywhere else but home or near Yuto.
She curled up leaning against a tree with her head buried in her knees. Then, she heard movement in front of her. She didn't even have to look up because she instantly recognized the converse shoes that were being worn by him.
She let out a sigh and said, "Please just leave me alone."
Yuto reached his hand over to touch her arm and she instantly snapped her hand away from him. She looked up this time and Yuto saw her face filled with sadness and anger. I don't think I've ever seen her this sad before.
"Just GET AWAY from me!!" She stood up. "Please...you've done enough already. Just do me a favor and forget you ever knew me. Just pretend I was never there." She began to walk away.
Yuto stood there and clenched his fist. He was so angry at himself. Why am I such a coward?
"I can't pretend you never existed!...because I have something to tell you."
Steph stopped and said, "There's no need to say anything. You don't have to tell me some fake apology. It's fine if you hate me."
"Hate you?"
Steph was still walking away. Yuto saw that she wasn't going to turn around and listen. He ran up to where she was and stood in front of her, blocking her path.
"Fine then. If you don't want me to talk, then I won't say anything."
He grabbed her arms, leaned in and kissed her. It all happened so fast that at first Steph didn't even realize what was happening. He let her arms go and hugged her.
Steph couldn't believe it. Had she fallen asleep at the park and was now dreaming? She looked at his face and pinched his cheeks.
"What are you doing?"
"I think I'm asleep at the park right now. I'm probably hugging a tree."
He grabbed her arms and said, "You're not asleep Baka!"
Steph suddenly began to turn red as she realized that this was real. The kiss had been real!
"You told me to be quiet so I didn't talk. Do you want me to be quiet again?" He smiled and leaned in close to her face.
"No! No! Talk! Speak!" She quickly moved away.
He laughed. "There's something I've been wanting to tell you for so long...I love you Steph! I always have and I always will. It's taken me so long to realize that the person I love the most was right next to me the whole time."
Steph loved how those words sounded coming from Yuto and she was standing there in admiration but then she came back to reality.
"But then why did you say those things about me to Kento? Are you ashamed of liking me?"
"Of course not! I was just umm...I guess..."
"Jealous?" She smirked.
This time it was Yuto's turn to be embarrassed and he turned red. In Steph's head, she could hear Rei and Daiki saying I told you so!
"Shut up. Now what do I have to do to get you to forgive me? Should I just scream that I love you out loud?" He began to laugh.
"No! Don't you ever do that!"
"But you haven't forgiven me yet. I love Steph! I love-"
She quickly covered his mouth. "Shut up. I forgive you. And I love you too. Now just be quiet." Then she realized her mistake.
"Okay you want me to be quiet then fine." He kissed her on the cheek.
Steph yelled "no! Stop it!" and she began to run. Yuto smiled. He chased after her and like always, they would be best friends forever.
~~
The next day at school Yuto told Daiki that he had confessed to Steph.
"Yes! So you finally took my advice?"
"Something like that."
FLASHBACK
Yuto saw Steph run away after he had told Kento that he didn't like her.
Kento said, "Do you finally realize it now?"
"Eh?"
"I can't believe I had to go through all this just so you could realize it."
"Are you saying that you planned all this out?"
"Something like that. What are you waiting for? Hurry up and go tell her!"
"...Arigato"
END OF FLASHBACK
"So..." Yuto began, "When are you planning to tell Rei chan that you love her?" He smirked.
Daiki smiled at him and said, "Eh?"
The End