An Unheard Voice - Chapter 17: Chapter 17

It's the day before white day. I should make Saki, Azusawa, An, Akiyama, Ena, Otori and my mother something, and the girl in the letter.
But probably when I get there, nobody comes at that time. Kusanagi didn't get me anything, but I'd still like to get something for her since she doesn't feel left out.
Akito hasn't talked to me at all lately.. Whatever, he has his own life! I shouldn't always rely on him for company just because I like him!!
... I do want to talk to him, though..
I'll go visit Saki and see how she likes her stuffed animals. I bumped into a pole. Ouch.. why do I keep doing this!? Where are they coming from?! I swear, it wasn't there before.
I knock on the door, and hear footsteps.
"Coming~!" Saki says, and opens the door. "AHH!! TOYA!" She shrieks, and I get startled. Something crashes in the background, and look behind her.
"Don't go!!"
"Why? Did something happen to Tsukasa?" I grow worried.
"No, big bro is fine!! Uh- let's go shopping for gifts! White day is tomorrow, you've got to be prepared!! The sooner, the better!" She slams the door, hurries to put on her stuff, and comes out, huffing. "Let's go!" She clings onto my arm, and takes me to the mall. Well, I guess I should get them something before it's too late. Was she cooking? It smelled good.
I hand her the list, and we rush to the store. I should get hers in private. Plus, I want to bake with my mother so I'll make some cupcakes for everyone..
If I don't burn the house down.
"Thank you for the chocolate, by the way. It was good."
"No problem! It was fun baking with you!" She smiles, and I nod. "Let's do An first! What would she like?" We're at the white day aisle, but I don't really think she likes white chocolate.
"Let's get her marshmallows for whatever you're going to bake! I know your mom doesn't let you leave without a home made pastry! I'm sure she'd appreciate that. We can prep it at your place, I'll help!" Saki says, grabbing a pack. I nod, and check her off the list. If she's going to help it won't really be a surprise for her...
"Ena.. Hm, I don't know much about her. Maybe a bag? I do follow her instagram!" She smiles, and I cross her off the list. We're getting through this pretty quickly. "And your mom! Gahh, what does she like?! I haven't seen her in ages!" She starts to panic.
Maybe she'd like skin care products. I grab a gift set, and Saki squeals. While she looks around for stuff to get her as well, I sneak in a bracelet for her. And a few others for her girlfriends, so let's just get a pair of 4.
"Let's go check the items out!" She marches, and I stop her. "Huh? Someone still on your list?" I nod, and handed her the letter. ".. Toya.." I tilt my head, and she stares me dead in the eyes.
"Isn't Akito your boyfriend?" Saki asks, and I blush. I shake my head rapidly, flustered. "HE'S NOT?? But he- said- wh-"
He said what?!
"HUH?! Gah, get this necklace and we're going to my room to discuss this! Big bro and A- NOBODY should be gone now, haha..!" She covers her mouth, and goes to pay. I could have paid..
She stares at me, and I look away. She's invited An, Ena, Otori and Azusawa. Saki did this out of nowhere... Oh, and we're in my kitchen.
"Ooh, meeting while cooking. It's an honor to make some stuff with you again, Toya." Ena smiles, and I nod. My mother hums, getting ingredients while Saki helps.
"Welcome everyone. I would like to call this the first meeting of the Akitoya nation and Toya supremacists." Saki says, and they all nod. What's Akitoya? Supremacists..? "An, you may lead us."
She stands up, and pulls out a box.
"This is full of Akito and Toya photos. Wherever one is, the other is not far!" An testifies, and I blink. Why is Akito involved..?
"Ooh, that's true." My mother takes them, checking them all.
"Right?! I have this photo of them, too." Ena shows the picture of Akito and I that time I stayed over.. Why does she still have that?! They all turn to me, and my face flushes.
"Send that to me!"
"Half and half?! Is that true?!" Otori shouts, smiling. Flustered, I hide my face.
"Aoyagi.. we know what you are.." Azusawa pats my back, and I shake my head.
"Not to mention Akito has never taken off the keychain he's matching with Toya! He hates it whenever someone wants to have a matching accessory with him, and always rips it off!" An puts her hand on her chin, rubbing it.
"Apparently Akito kept a dog stuffed animal, which Toya got him. What a loser." Ena grins, and Azusawa giggles. "Toya is basically Akito's weakness. He can't say no to him, just look at how cute he is!" She squishes my cheek, and I look down, embarrassed.
"My baby is going to get married to him!" My mother sobs, and Saki pats her back.
"Didn't you say you liked Shinononome-kun..?" Otori asks, and I freeze. I did! I put my pillow over my face, attempting to scream into it. "It's okay! We'll keep it a secret! Guys, can I take him into the hallway?" She says, and drags me out anyway.
"Is something wrong?" I get worried.
".. Did you go on a date with Nene-chan?" She tilts her head. I raise my eyebrows, and shake my head. "Yes, you did! I saw you guys!"
"It wasn't a date. We went to the arcade because she wanted to repay me, I think. Is that why you were acting strange?"
"Yes! I thought you lied about liking Shinonon- Shinom- Ah, whatever! Him! But lied and wanted to take my cru-!!" She gasps, and her hands fly to her mouth. My eyes widen, and we both stand there in silence. "I-"
"You aren't dating Kusanagi??" I raise my eyebrows.
"I- No!!" She cries, blushing. "I didn't think Nene-chan would ever like me, and when I saw her blushing with you, I thought- you were flirting with her or something." You're talking to a terrible flirt. I don't even know how to.
Otori sniffs, and wipes her eyes. "I'm glad you're not trying to take her from me, but.. if you can make her happy, I.. I'll let you have her." She wearily smiles, and I hug her.
When we go back to the kitchen, I see them with the pictures on the wall, a bunch of notes, and a red thread.. this is creepy. Saki hides the board, and I back away.
"Nuh-uh." Otori closes the door, and I sigh.
"Let's start cooking!" Saki chirps, and we all nod.
I know I helped An with baking, but.. I didn't really do anything with pastries and stuff. My mother usually did it.. But it's worth a try, right? Ena, Azusawa and Otori are in charge of the frosting, An, Saki, and my mother are following her recipe. I want to join my mother.
"Ah, Toya! Uh- I know you are doubtful in your skills, but I'll guide you!" She says, getting confident. I don't think I can do it. "Okay, so let's put the cup of flour I've already set," She says, and I nod, rolling my sleeves.
"No, Toya, why did you add salt?!" She shrieks. They were right next to each other!!
"Toya, that's garlic!!" That is?!
"Toya, what is that chunk...?" I don't- I don't know..
"OH MY GOD, IT'S MOVING!" She cries, smacking it with a wooden spoon, and I fall back.
"We.. did it.." She pants, as we actually put the cupcakes in the oven. I gloom, in the corner.
"Aw, don't worry about it!" Saki pats my back, comforting me. I tried, that's all that matters--
"Wow, mine turned out fine." An says, and we all stare at her. "What?" I slump, laying on the floor.
"An, let's just keep our comments in our head from now on," Azusawa sighs, and An's still confused.
"So, white day is tomorrow! Who did you guys give stuff to?" Ena asks, and An raises her hand.
"Toya, I'm excited to get money offering your gif-- I mean what you got me! I got Kohane something even if I gave something to her! I gave Akito something too but a crumb of one I ate. He didn't seem thrilled. I got Mizuki something, you, Nene, Haruka--" She goes on for about 2 minutes and finally finishes. "And Ichika!" We all just stare at her.
"This isn't christmas." Ena scoffs, and she bursts out laughing.
"I got Nene-chan something, Asahina-san, Honami, Saki, Kohane, Minori, Tsukasa, Rui but I was scared to interrupt them because.. they were 'practicing' for a play but that was clearly an excuse for smooching. So I left it in their bags." Emu shivers, and I blink. Tsukasa..??
"I only got something for Mizuki, Akito, Toya, Kanade, Mafuyu, and.. Oh yeah, Honami. I was introduced to Honami by Kanade, so I wanted to thank her for taking care of Kanade." Ena smiles.
"I got something for Hona-chan, Icchan, Shii-chan, big bro, Rui, Toya, Emu, Minori, Kohane, Haruka and Shizuku!" Saki grins.
"I got something for Aoyagi, An, Shinonome, Haruka, Minori, Shiho, Mizuki, Ena, Tenma, Minori, Saki, Otori, Honami--" Azusawa also continues to name people from her school. Wow..
"I got something for An, Tsukasa, my mother and Akito." I hide my face with the notebook. They all look at each other, and squeal.
"I'd hate to be you during these holidays, Toya.. Some people will get you something even if you only made chocolate for four people." Ena sighs, and Otori nods.
"I made sure the packing was right for Toya's gift to Akito!" An grins, and I sigh.
Ding!
"Ooh, they're done!" My mother puts on a glove, taking them out.
They turned out well, Saki and An's chocolate chips, Ena and Azusawa's strawberry, Otori's.. double.. chocolate..
And then there's mine. It's.. gooey..?
"..." We all stay silent, staring at it. I'm ready to cry now.
"Don't cry, don't cry! Here, I'll try it!!!" Saki panics, picking it up. I sniff, and go to the corner.
"No!! I'll try too!!" My mother says, taking half. They all volunteer, and I stare at them with excitement. They seem unsure, though.
"... Here goes nothing," Ena takes a deep breath, and bites into it. She raises her eyebrows, and everyone tilts their head. "It's actually really good!"
"Really??" An asks, and they all take a bite. Azusawa covers her mouth, and An freezes.
"I lied.. If I go down, I'm taking you all with me.." She groans, holding her stomach.
"Pretend, girls... Pretend..." My mother slumps, getting water.
"More, please!!" Emu and Saki shout. I'm confused. I'll add the finishing touches to my cupcakes after they leave.
"Toya... How about I give you some of mine to give out..? For the sake of the hospitals..."
In the morning, I'm half awake, so my mother had to walk me out the door.
"What is up with you today? You woke everyone with your alarm except you!!" My mother drags me out of the house. Why am I so lazy.. well, I'm not lazy, I can't feel anything while carrying this bag. "You're on your own now! Love you! Thank you for the products and.. cupcake..!" She smiles, and slams the door.
I get up, and bump into everything on my way to the gate. I can't feel the physical pain anymore.. eventually I fall, and my arms won't help me. Is this where I perish..? Why does this damn thing weigh 5000 pounds?! Pardon my language.
"Toya-?!" I hear Akito run up to me, I would like to get up but I can't. "You okay..?" He pokes at me, and I shake my head. He helps me up, but before I fall he grabs me.
"Woah. Is it the bag?" He asks, and I nod. Akito takes it, and lifts it up and down with ease. What the-?! "Is this heavy? It's like holding a feather. You really need to go to the gym with me.." He scoffs, and I grow embarrassed.
I grab the gift for the girl with the note, and run to the rooftop, placing it there. It's a good cupcake with the accessory. I huff, since I had a delayed reaction after running up all those stairs. Akito chased after me, and pat my back, giving me his water.
"Looks like you left the list here. Let's do An, first." He suggests, and I nod. We go to her desk, and I place her gift inside. We head to Akiyama's classroom, and I carefully put the box in. We'll do the others after school, so we rest. Did Akito get me something, too? I want to see what it is.
"Toya! Here you go!" Tsukasa hands me a bag, and my face lights up. Something from Tsukasa?! My dreams have come true. I'm acting as if he doesn't frequently get me gifts.. how will I ever repay him at this rate..
"Thank you. Give this to Saki and her girlfriends for me." I smile, and he nods.
"You got it!" Before he exits, he gives Akito a thumbs up, who looks away. Huh?
We hear a shriek, and I jolt. My heart is racing now, what was that-!?
"A GIFT FROM TOYAAAA!!!"
Oh. It's just Akiyama.
"Morning!" An says, and dashes to her desk, acting surprised. She then opens the box, and her eyes widen. "Wow, I'm not getting poisoned. Ooh, marshmallows!!" She puts one in her mouth, and smiles. "These are super good! Here, try one!"
She puts one to my mouth, and I eat it. These are good. I can feel Akito's glare at her. She shivers, and grabs his hand, putting one in it.
"H-Here! Your turn to feed the Toya, haha..!" She backs away, and I blush. Huh?!
"WHAT?" His face turns red, and she takes a second to smirk.
"Do it and I'll give you 10 bucks." She says, and he sits back down. Looking down, he holds it out. Is he blushing? I can't really tell, but I know for sure I am. Hesitantly, I put it in my mouth.
We look away, as I'm awkwardly chewing the marshmallow. This one tasted better than the last one.
"Okay, Ena should be getting her gift now since we passed it onto Akiyama. An goes to Kohane's school after, so I just gave her Emu and the other's gifts since we don't have practice today."
"Also, Toya.. what if I said- I didn't get you anything.. is that okay?" He asks while avoiding eye contact, and I nod.
"It's not about the stuff you give me. Spending time with you was all I needed really, I haven't been talking to you a lot lately and I was afraid I did something. I'm glad you don't hate me." I smile.
Did he think I really cared about what he gets more than him?! I should reflect on how I act!! We're almost home, he stops me by grabbing my hand.
"Hate you..? Toya, I could never hate you." He mumbles, and I blush. He pulls something out of his pocket, clearing his throat.
"I made this with Tenma and Akiyama yesterday." He hands out a bag with chocolate and stuff. I blush, and accept it quickly. "That's not it. I got you this." Akito hands me a small white box, and my whole body goes red. Another neckla-- ahh, stop doing this to me!!!
"Y-You said you liked necklaces, right..? I- I'm sorry it's not good, I get paid next week, so- I promise I'll.. get you something better." His ears are red. I smile, and take it.
"T-That's okay. I.. I like it. D-Don't worry about it." I blush, and he looks up. He smiles back, and sighs in relief, then falls on his back..?!
"Ahh... I felt like I was going to die if I did that in public.. especially with An seeing." He grumbled, and I laughed. "I'm planning to meet up with Airi later, you don't have to go." He smiles, and I nod. Momoi?
They've been awfully close lately...
... I want to tell him how I feel soon. The sooner... The better?