An Unheard Voice - Chapter 23: Chapter 23

I blink, as she pants, and people cheer around us. While I'm holding the flowers, I see Ena and my mother just stand there... What?
This... It's a prank right? April isn't even here yet. No no no wait, I-
"U-Um.. Do you.. have an answer..?" Kusanagi mumbles, looking up at me. She's- she's serious?! I don't--
".. Toya?" Akito says, and I turn around quickly. But- Otori- "Toya, what is this..?" He scoffs, but I can tell he's taken by surprise.
"This- I--" I begin panicking, except I'm frozen. I don't like Kusanagi! I don't- Why does Kusanagi like me?! She clings onto me, wrapping her arms around one of mine. He stares at her, and back at me. Once a few moments are over, he inhales deeply.
"I should get going and leave you two alone.. Have fun." He smiles, walking away. No, I.. Akito! Wait-! Ena walks up to us, but doesn't look at us.
".. Text me later, okay?" She reaches up to ruffle my hair, following him. What- What's happening?! I can't manage to say anything anymore-! Is it the crowd..?! I feel like I'm being choked by my own words! Otori comes out from behind a nearby tree, giving us a thumbs up.
"Congratulations, Nene-chan. I.. can't believe you did it. I'm proud of.. I'm happy for the both of you..!" Her voice cracks, and she dashes the other way shortly after we can see her eyes getting glossy. Kusanagi tilts her head, but I'm completely stunned right now.
.. why was Otori here? And how long? Did- Please don't be mad at me.
".. Sweetie, I- Uh-" My mother says, as I stare at the ground. What.. What do I do? How can I- I have to reject her, but.. How will it affect her? I know she can overthink a lot like me.
I can't just say I don't like her like that, she'll think I hate her! Akito just left me, too.. what do I do? I'm terrified.
It's.. I grasp onto her hand, bringing her to the ferris wheel. I have to do it, even if I'll feel bad after. I can't just show feelings I don't genuinely have for her. What's wrong with me.?
"Toya?" Kusanagi asks, as we leave my mother standing there, confused. It was all so sudden, too. Should I have checked my phone?
Once we get on, I wait for it to start moving. It's.. it's really high now. Oh, god. It's also a very loud silence. I take a deep breath, and look her right in the eyes.
"Kusanagi.." I say, and she turns to me again.
"Yeah..?"
"I.. I am flattered you- you like me and you got these.. for me, but I'm afraid- the feelings aren't.. mutual..." My voice begins trailing off, and I look to the side while returning the flowers, watching as we go higher and higher. She just stares at me for a second, and looks down.
"O-Oh."
We stay silent for another long moment, but I hear her sniff. I begin to panic, and wave my hands around. Oh no, I made her cry!
"No, no- It's- It's okay that you don't like me.. I'm really weird. I don't know why I didn't just wait for these feelings to go away. I'm so sorry I did that in front of everyone, I- I wasn't thinking!" She sobs, wiping her eyes. I hold her hand, and stare at her.
"Y-You're not weird. It's- It's not.. you th-that I rejected you for. I.. I just.." I gulp, staring at the ground as well. "I like Akito," I spit it out, and immediately get embarrassed. She blinks and a tear falls out.
".. I figured." She smiles through it, and wipes her eyes once more. "So.. you don't like me because I'm a girl that's not Akito?"
That stunned me. I smile, and nod. She begins to giggle, but is still crying. "That's... That sounds so stupid!" She laughs, and I can't help but chuckling as well. "Wait, you're gay?! Nene fucking Kusanagi, what have you done..."
After we were done doing that for a while, she sighs. I wipe the last of her tears, and she grins.
"Does that mean.. we can still stay friends..?" She asks, her smile slowly fading.
"Of course." I say, and she hugs me.
"But that still sucks, you're returning these flowers, Emu ran off, I ruined your relationship Akito.." She slumps, and I pat her back.
"And the worst part is, I liked Emu but I decided to confess to you to lose those feelings because I thought she would be uncomfortable in a relationship with me! I was just a stupid bisexual all this time and I hated the thought of her leaving me but- augh!" She spirals, banging her head on the glass. Once I finally get her to stop, she sighs, staring at the ground.
".. I'm sorry I liked you. I think I just- like anyone who gives me the tiniest piece of kindness.. and now I'm broke because of the money I spent on these flowers." She sighs, and I shake my head.
"I.. actually k-know something." I smile, and she looks up, tilting her head. Then I accidentally glance outside, seeing we've made it to the top.
"TOYA-!?"
I passed out. Oh my god, why did I do that on a ferris wheel... At least it was my first time on one, right?
I adjust myself to be more hidden, and give Kusanagi a thumbs up, hiding behind the bush near her house. She takes a deep breath, and knocks on the door.
Emu opens it, with her eyes red. My eyes widen just seeing it from a distance, and I can tell Kusanagi's did, too. Emu looked shocked, and wipes it trying to act like she wasn't just crying.
I can't really hear them, but it looks like they're talking seriously about this. No, Kusanagi, she looks like she's going to cry again!! Kusanagi grabs Otori, and pulls her close. Otori gets stunned, and smiles while sobbing into her shirt.
This is so heart warming. Aww. Oh, now they're kissing. Yay! I get up, and begin walking home. I.. have a lot of explaining to do.
"Toya! You ran off like that so suddenly, I was so worried!" My mother actually cries, hugging me closely. "I looked everywhere! I'm not mad at you, I swear! I never was!" Her tears go on my shirt, making that area wet. Her make-up is running..
"I love you for whoever you like, and I never will stop! You're my son, don't ever think I'm disappointed in you! Have a girlfriend if you want, heck, even a boyfriend! I'll kill your father if he says anything! Please don't hate me!!" She bawls, and I hug her back. She continues wailing as I just hug her tightly as well.
Once that was over, I went to my room. I need to make a phone call... I pick up my phone, staring at Akito's contact. I take a deep breath, and press the button.
"Hello?"
"... Hi," I say after staying silent for a long time.
"Oh, hi, Toya. Are you home? Did you get there safely? Sorry I just ran off like that.."
"I-It's okay. I.. I'm sorry I caused a- scene with Kusanagi." I apologize, starting to get overwhelmed. What if he's mad at me..? Is that why he left?!
"No, don't apologize for that. So.. how are you two?" He asks, but I just take a deep breath.
"She's dating Otori." I slightly scoff, actually feeling really relieved myself. I'm just really glad we weren't awkward about this, and we can still be very close. Akito spent the whole day protecting me from flirts, so he must've been really shocked.
"... Oh. Oh, shit.. Really? Dude, I-- dude!" He says. I'm confused, then I hear Ena cackling in the back.
"You should have seen your face! You literally sat up too, the relief was so obvious!" She says, and he shushes her aggressively.
"I'm still on the call!!"
"Oh-"
We both stayed silent for a while until he cleared his throat.
"U-Um.. I'll see you next week, Toya. Goodnight.." He mumbles, and I grin.
"Okay. Goodnight, Akito."
I hang up, falling onto my bed. I'm so glad everything turned out okay... I wonder how Otori is doing now. My mother was so relieved too, saying she loves me if I'm a homosexual or not. But she still wants me to date Akito.. she has absolutely no filter.
Still, I kind of feel bad for unintentionally ditching Akito like that. I don't want romance with anyone else to get in between my best friend and I.
... I swear, why do I keep friend zoning him knowing I've fallen hard for him? Azusawa and Shiraishi are really brave, and I'm scared to even talk to him about romance.
I'm just really scared he genuinely likes Momoi. Still, I'm so shocked. Kusanagi liked me?? What even is there to like about me? Nothing.
It was really weird to me. I can only imagine how sad Otori must have been when she saw the whole thing happen, but.. did Kusanagi have Otori support her? Even though she liked her?
This is so confusing. Could that happen to me..? Could Akito ask me to support him when he confesses to Momoi?! No way.. I would probably do it. Akito is very close to me, after all.. it'd be kind of rude not to.
Even though I absolutely hate thinking about that. Summer break has started off really weird. It's nice to have some time to myself and sleep as much as I want now.
I get a notification, and pick up my phone. Oh, it's from Ena.
"Shinonome siblings status: much better. You had me scared!"
I chuckle, and apologize again. I think I'll call it a night now. I'm excited to hang out with everyone again, especially since I've been rooting for Otori and Kusanagi to get together. My children have grown up.
I yawn, and turn off my lamp, covering myself with the sheets.
.. I don't have a bathing suit.