Reflection in Your Eyes: chapter 2
Aiba was lying in bed when he heard his phone go off and he could already tell whose ringtone it was. He answered the phone and shuffled out of bed to his window, looking over and seeing Akira leaning out hers with a smile on her face. She hung up her cell phone as she motioned for him to come over to which Aiba sleepily obeyed. He climbed over, trying his best not to fall out of the tree since he knew what it felt like when he did. Akira pulled him in, the two of them sitting across from each other on the wood floor.
“Ne, Masaki…” Akira leaned in close to Aiba as she whispered.
Aiba’s eyes shot open as his heart beat faster. He could smell her usual sweet smell as she invaded his space. Am I dreaming?! Is this really happening?! Aiba thought to himself before Akira stopped.
“Do you think it’s ok if I confess to Ohno?” Akira asked.
Aiba’s heart dropped before he answered, “Why are you asking me if it’s ok?”
“Well you’re friends with him too so do you think he might like me?” Akira asked.
Aiba let out a sigh before answering, “He hasn’t said anything to me but you can confess to him if you like…”
Akira pouted when she saw Aiba’s attitude, “What’s with you? You’re never this cranky.”
“I’m tired Akira and you called me over for this? Can I just go back?” Aiba said coldly. He wasn’t in the mood for this.
“What the hell!” Akira cursed pushing Aiba.
Aiba looked at her before pushing her back. Akira pushed him again but this time pinned him to the floor, smirking as she hovered above him. She opened her mouth to say something but Aiba used that moment to flip her over and switch their positions. Akira eyes were wide with surprise as she looked up at Aiba. He looked down at her, his hair falling into his face, his dark eyes fixed on hers. Akira’s heart beat faster at the sight of his tank top revealing his collarbones and lean torso.
“M-masaki?” Akira managed to finally say as she looked up at him.
“I’m going back to bed,” Aiba sighed before getting off her and going back through the window.
Akira watched him go, her hand on her chest as she tried to calm her racing heart down. Once Aiba got back to his room he collapsed into his bed unable to comprehend what just happened. He couldn’t believe he had just pinned her and that she was planning on confessing to Ohno finally. Aiba let out one more sigh before falling asleep.
The next day Aiba quietly walked alongside Jun as the four of them walked to school together. Aiba’s mind was racing as he looked at Akira, wondering when exactly she was going to confess to Ohno. Aiba had a hard time paying attention in class, instead he found himself looking out the window.
“Aiba-kun…Aiba-kun? Aiba-kun!” Nino waved his hand in front of Aiba’s face.
Aiba jerked up and looked at Nino, “Hmm?”
“It’s time for lunch, Akira-chan and Sho-kun have left already let’s go,” Nino explained before motioning for him to follow him.
Aiba got out of his seat and followed Nino into the cafeteria and to their usual table. The cafeteria was abuzz with chatter, but Aiba wasn’t hearing any of it. He was lost in thought before Ohno stood up and tried to get their attention.
“Minna, I have something to tell you,” Ohno said with a smile before walking over and standing behind Mizumi, “Mizumi-chan and I are officially girlfriend and boyfriend.”
Everyone was surprised before they congratulated them. Mizumi was blushing but smiling happily as she looked up at Ohno. Aiba couldn’t help but smile seeing the two of them, but then he realized that there would be one unhappy person. Akira stood up before running out of the cafeteria with everyone looking at her with confusion. Aiba got up and went after her, calling out to her as he followed her out to the roof of the school. He found her squatting down, hiding her face in her crossed arms.
“Akira-chan?” Aiba walked over to her, squatting down next to her.
“Go away…” Akira whispered in a shaky voice.
Aiba stayed there silently, wrapping one arm around her shoulders. Akira didn’t move and Aiba took the initiative to move close and fully hug her. After a minute of him hugging her, Akira uncrossed her arms and wrapped them around Aiba’s chest. The two of them sat on their knees hugging each other in silence, with only the occasional sniffle coming from Akira. After Akira finally calmed her emotions she slowly loosened her hold on Aiba. The two of them pulled away slightly, their hands still resting on each other’s lower back.
“Are you okay now Akira?” Aiba asked.
“Yeah…I guess I got so upset over the fact that I didn’t see it. I was so blindly looking at him that I didn’t even notice how much his eyes were on her…I’m so stupid…” Akira tried to chuckle though her voice shook as though she was on the brink of crying again.
Aiba hugged her tightly again as he reassured her, “You’re not stupid! Don’t get down on yourself just because of this. What happened to your optimism? You shouldn’t let this get to you.”
“Masaki…you’re right, thank you,” Akira thanked him as she hugged him back.
The two of them were in their own world, a place that Yori couldn’t bring herself to intrude on. She had come to check up on them, but walking in on this discouraged her. She couldn’t find her voice as she felt like someone was squeezing her heart. She quickly ran back inside before they could see her although she was sure they wouldn’t have noticed her. She stood with her back leaning against the cool surface of the wall, her gaze on her feet.
Since the first day she met him, she knew that Akira was special to him. He agreed to go out with her, he smiled genuinely at her, kissed her, and held her, but she wasn’t the one reflected in his eyes. Of course she knew she shouldn’t be with a guy like that but she couldn’t help herself. After all, she thought there was a chance he would finally see only her. Yori felt something wet on her cheek, bringing her hand up to touch the tear that was falling from her eye.
“Eh? What the-?” Yori started to say before she heard a familiar voice.
“Yori-sempai, are you ok?” Nino asked as he approached her slowly.
Yori was surprised seeing him, rubbing her eyes furiously in hopes that he didn’t see her tears. She put on her best smile as she looked at him and nodded her head.
“I’m totally fine! What made you think I wasn’t?” Yori tried her hardest to sound normal as she went over and hit him on the shoulder.
Nino continued to stare at her making Yori feel uncomfortable. Stop looking at me like that! Yori thought to herself before she tried to walk past him. Nino grabbed her by arm, stopping her from walking on.
Yori snapped around, giving him a glare as she warned him, “If you don’t let go of me now you’re going to regret it.”
“Don’t lie to yourself Yori-chan…why do you let yourself be hurt? You don’t even realize all the sadness you’re hiding from yourself, but I saw it when I saw you standing there with tears in your eyes. They don’t lie,” Nino retorted as he turned around to face her.
Yori was raising her leg to kick him, but was taken off guard when he pulled her to him. He wrapped his arms around her, but not too tightly since he didn’t want her to think he was trapping her. Yori was frozen as she tried to figure out exactly what was going on with him.
“N-Nino-kun…what are you doing? You know I have a boyfriend!” Yori stuttered as she tried to remind him that she was the girlfriend of one of his best friends.
“I know…” Nino whispered in her ear as he held her.
Yori’s face burned as she felt his warm breath on the side of her face. Her heart was beating out of control as her brain tried to get her to move. But it was useless, her body felt comfortable being in his arms…even better than being in Aiba’s. When the thought occurred to her she got scared and pushed Nino back slightly, her head hanging low.
“I don’t get you…please stop confusing me like this…I really can’t take your jokes right now,” Yori mumbled as she avoided looking at him.
“I won’t play with your feelings like him…I’m actually serious,” Nino told her one last time before letting her go and walking away.
Yori had to stop herself from turning around and going after him because she knew if she did, things were really going to get complicated. She allowed herself to glance back over her shoulder, but she saw he was already gone. Nino had left her quickly since he couldn’t bear to look at her anymore. Before he was sure he could rid himself of his feelings for her since she liked Aiba so much, but after seeing her cry like that…there was no way in hell he was going to let her hurt.
“He may be my best friend, but if he continues to hurt you…I will just have to take you away,” Nino whispered to himself as his eyes flashed with the fire of determination burning within him…
Haha oo what's going to happen now? stay tuned for the next chapter!