An Unheard Voice - Chapter 22: Chapter 22

"You didn't really kiss anyone, did you..?" Momoi mumbles, and Akito laughs. I have to keep myself from smiling.
"Well, guys.. today is officially the last day of school for this year." An says, and everyone around the table stares at her.
"But that just means summer break! Is there anything you all want to do?" Akiyama smiles, and I look around. They're still unsure...?
I made a whole list..
I tap An's shoulder, and hand her the paper. She opens it, but I get embarrassed, trying to take it back.
"Nah-ah, you gave me it, so I'll read it!!" She giggles, and my face flushes since it caught everyone's attention.
Once she opens it fully, there the list is.
"Some of my plans if you want to use them,
• Go to the pool together
• Go to the festival together
• Volunteer at a daycare/babysit (personal)
• Go to the arcade with everyone
• Make more friends
• Sleepover with all of my friends
• For my birthday spend time with everyone."
As they all read it, I got even more humiliated since nobody was saying anything.
"Wow, you really are amazing, Toya!" Momoi grins, looking back at me.
"Yup. Leave it to Toya to come up with fun activities," Akito scoffed, and An nodded. They think it's fun? I'm glad.
"Yeah! Let's plan with everyone we know to see who's going to be available!"
"I'll text Mafuyu and Kanade! I know Ena is definitely going to make it! Ooh, I have a cute swimsuit already planned for her!!" Akiyama swoons, texting up a storm.
I also have a few plans for next year such as helping with the library, so I definitely will. Maybe I'll find books to help Akito and An get better at math.
"See you, Toya. Since we can't really be doing this every day again, make sure to text me often, okay?" Akito says, and I nod. Before he leaves, I hug him.
He's made my school year so special. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for him coming into my life.. Thank you, Akito.
"B.. Bye. Th-Thank you for- spending the year with me," I smile while waving, them run inside. I peek out the window to see him frozen, but hides his smile with his hand.
"Good job!" My mother giggles watching from the window, and I sigh. "Hahaha!! Now I have my pumpkin to myself for all eternity!!!" She squeezes me, choking me. I try to take off her arm to notify her I might not make it another day.
"So, what are you going to do with your friends?" She asks, and I shake my head.
"I want to spend the first week with you. I've already told them, so we're going to make schedules next week."
She tears up, and smiles widely.
"Aww!!!" She bawls already, on the counter.
"So, how do you want to celebrate 'getting out of school alive' today?" My mother asks, she took me out to go shopping first.
A girl gets up, but she dropped something. I pick it up, and hand it to her before continuing my conversation.
"Thank you!" She shouts, and I nod, waving.
I think, and shrug. I didn't think this far ahead.
"The nerve of that man, not even coming on his son's first day of vacation after passing all of his exams, getting straight A's.." She grumbles. It's fine, really.. I'm used to him not being here.
"Ooh, look! That's Akito and Ena, right?!" Her eyes light up, and she runs to them. "Hi, you two~!!"
They notice us and turn around.
"Toya!! Mrs. Aoyagi!!" Ena's face lights up as well, and she drags Akito to us. He's wearing a pile of bags-!!
I run up to him, trying to help.
"I'm fine, Toya. I know you wouldn't last with more than 2 bags." He teases, and I take high offense to that.
That's it!! I'm going to start working on my strength and show him. I pout, turning away. I've been practicing yoga for a while now, out of boredom. That counts, right..?
"No, I'm sorry-!!"
"I wanted to take Toya to an amusement park ever since he was a child, but.. Um- I was afraid he'd injure himself since he was so small~" she pinches my cheek. Why is she taking responsibility for my father shutting me out?
"Aw, I'd love to see him as a child!" Ena smiled, as Akito was still putting away the bags inside. No, you don't.
This is the stage Tsukasa was talking about..! I can't hold back my excitement, Tsukasa told me he'll invite me to my next show. This is amazing-!!
"Now, now, don't get lost!" My mother hums, while both her and Ena push Akito towards me. I tilt my head, and he just inhales deeply. Then he holds my hand, and I immediately turn red all over. Not in front of my mother! What are y--
"This is- just so you.. don't get lost." He sighs, and I blink, but eventually nod. Well, it would be bad if I got lost. Since I don't really know where I'm going..
"It's funny how you're trying to be the tough guy but you're so small compared to Toya." Ena smirks, walking past us with my giggling mom. He glares at her, and I blush. He is small..
As we kept walking, more and more people began staring. Akito let go of my hand at one point probably thinking I was embarrassed. Some even whispered, pointing at us. I am so scared right now... I began trembling, trying my best to ignore it..
"U-Um..?" Someone poked my back, causing me to fall forward. Akito grabbed my forearm to prevent me from falling all the way, and we both turned around to see a small girl that probably goes to Otori's school. "I'm sorry-! I.. Er, I remember when you stopped me when I dropped my phone.." That was today, right.
"A.. And I was wondering if.. I could have your number," She stared at the ground shyly. I freeze, not knowing what to do. What do I do?! I don't even know you..!
Akito grabs my hand again, and holds it in front of her.
"He's not available, sorry." He smiles, and she jolts.
"O-Oh! Forgive me..!" She apologizes, running off. I frowned at Akito, who probably did that to bother her. But he just hums, proudly. He doesn't let go this time, but squeezes my hand instead.
"Guys! Look!" My mother shouts, pointing at the super.. huge... roller coaster. Wow. "Let's ride it." She takes my other hand, dragging me away from Akito. I look back, and he sighs.
That was the worst mistake of my life. I think she forgot how afraid of heights I was, I thought I was falling!!
"I'm so sorry my baby!!" She cries, holding me close. My legs keep shaking while trembling everywhere else, I can't walk straight or see anything from all the dizziness. I don't feel sick, I just feel like collapsing.. my knees are weak..
"Holy shit, are you okay?!" Akito runs up to us, and puts me on his shoulder. I shake my head. Do I look okay..? "Let's go get you water, can you even step..?" He laughs, but I fall. 'Woah-!!" I'm so traumatized.
"Your face is so pale..- Remind me to never let you on one of those again when we go as a group.." He scoffs, trying not to burst out laughing. I get embarrassed. "Up you go," He hoists me up into his arms. I was so caught by surprise I had a delayed reaction. My face immediately heats up, and I try to struggle out.
"Don't push yourself to walk. I'm perfectly fine, you're not heavy." He grins, as I push his face away. I eventually give up, putting my face into his shoulder as he carries me to a bench under a tree. I'll.. try to ignore the eyes. "I'll go get a snack for you." He pats my head, placing me down. I nod, keeping my hands in my lap.
"E-Excuse me..?" A girl says, walking up to me. I slowly turn my head, pale. She shrieks. "You don't look so well! Oh no, do you need water?" She hands me a full bottle. I shake my head, still waiting for Akito. "O-Oh, okay.. mind if I sit next to you..?" She shyly asks, and I shake my head, welcoming her. "Y.. You're very handsome," she compliments me, blushing.
I smile, thanking her without words. "What's your name?" She asks, and I freeze. I didn't bring my notebook today. My mom usually talks to herself!!! I look around, hoping he's coming soon. I can't keep her waiting-! I inhale deeply, staring at the ground.
".. T-" Before I can even finish my first name, immediately someone grabs my shoulder roughly. Oh, it's Akito. Ow-
"Hey, honey. Oh, who's this?" Akito smiles, and my face flushes. 'Honey'?! Seriously?!
"U-Uh.. are you two..?" She asks, unsure. I fight the urge to shake my head.
"Yeah. We're dating. Got a problem with that?" He raised an eyebrow, scaring her. WE'RE WHAT?! She looks at me, and I take a deep breath and nod while embarrassed.
"N-Not at all! Have a great day, you two!!" She cries, running off. I take his hand off of my shoulder, frowning even more while blushing.
"What? Look, you don't need a girlfriend right now." He scoffs, and I frown. He's always scaring people on purpose like I can't defend myself!
"You know, it's hard for me to apologize when you look so cute pouting like that." He chuckles, and my face flushes. I cross my arms yet again, turning away. "No, wait- I'm sorry!" He wraps his arms around me, nuzzling his head in my neck. I jolt, and my face flushes.
"I didn't mean to make you mad at me, I.. Look, I'm sorry." He says. I'm completely powerless against him when he's like this.. I ruffle his hair, and his lifts his head, grinning.
"Dude, just kiss already!" Ena shouts, and we both blush even more. He lets go, but I already miss his touch. I finally manage to stand up, but he grabs my hand again. I don't mind.
After my mother dragged me on another ride, I see Akito and Ena talking. Ena looks disgusted and Akito is panicking. I run up to see what's wrong.
"Toya, Akito keeps saying you smell goo--" Ena turns to me, and his hand flies over her mouth, staring at me. I didn't quite get that.
"I- Uh, I- Um-" He tries to say something, but I just stand there. I don't get it.
"Let's go to this one, Toya!!" My mother shouts. Please don't make me go on another one, please-!!
"Be a man." Ena pushes him, after biting his hand.
"I'll ride with you." He says, dragging Ena while following my mother.
"Wait, I didn't mean me too!!" She shouts, trying to break free of his grip. I smile, and chase after them.
"How.. are you so.. strong..?" Akito groans, holding his stomach. I almost passed out. So, I was given a 20 minute break. "I'll be back.." He sighs, taking his water back from my mother. I just sat there by myself since Ena had to go drop her bags off at a locker. I really hope nobody else approaches me.. Someone taps my shoulder and I turn around.
It's.. Kusanagi?
"Hey.." She says, looking down. "Can we talk..?" Her face is flushed, and I tilt my head, nodding. She doesn't sit though. She just stands in front of me. She then takes my hand, bringing me to a tree nearby. I promised Akito I'd stay, though..
"I.. Um.. You didn't answer my messages." Kusanagi says, staring at the ground. Oh, I don't have my phone with me-! "But that's okay. I-It's probably best to say it in.. person... There's something I've b-been meaning to say to you for a really long time now.." She kicks the dirt, with her hands behind her back. There's really no reason to be nervous around me.
"I.. I- Uh," Her voice trails off, but she clears her throat again. "I'm sorry I've been such a terrible friend to you lately, hitting you and all.." She glances at the bracelet, which I still have from her gift.
".. I.. don't mind." I smile, reassuring her it's fine.
"You don't get it!!" She shouts, making me flinch. "I-I'm sorry!! I.. I don't know. What's gotten into me lately..?" She bites her nail, avoiding eye contact. "Look, I need to get something.. off my chest before I explode. But first- Y-You were amazing during your play. I.. ordered flowers for you, but they were delayed.." She picks them up from behind the tree, handing them to me. Roses..?
"Th-Thank y--" I whisper, but she doesn't put them in my hands yet.
"Don't- Not yet," She shushes me, but I tilt my head again. Seriously, I'm so confused-! "You always care about me, more than anyone has.. Every time I see you be all.. close with Akito, I don't know what to do! Especially with other girls trying to ask you out, and- I-I think about you constantly and it makes me lose more sleep than I already do!" Oh.
Oh.
"I've finally gathered up the courage to tell you this--!! ..I didn't mind when that girl called us a couple! I w-wanted to hang out with you alone that day, too..!" She takes a deep breath, and finally looks me up in the eyes. " I was the one that wrote that letter! I... WHat I'm trying to say is-- Gah! I like you, Toya!!" She shouts and stuffs the flowers in my hands, face beet red, but also bringing attention to us.
She huffs, as some people pull out their phones, taking pictures. Some people even clapped. I'm.. What? Kusanagi likes..
.. Crap.