An Unheard Voice - Chapter 30: Chapter 30

"Akito!!" Momoi shouts, and I blink. Did I jinx it..?
"Oh, uh.. Hey, Airi." He says, and I wave, confused as she points a finger up while she catches her breath. Did she run here?
"Akito.. I have something... to tell you." She pants. Either this could go really bad or...
He looks around for a moment, and nods. "I.. I like you, Akito. I-I've liked you for a long time now!" She yells, staring him in the eye with a determined expression. Akito and I freeze, staring at her.
.. So it.. finally happened. What do I even..? Should I go? Do I leave them alone? There's no way Akito likes her back, right?
Of course he does. I don't see why I'm not able to face reality. Why would he like me? Momoi would definitely be a better partner for Akito.
I don't know, I really do want him to be happy. I've said this so many times, and I.. do mean it. If this is what makes him happy, then.. I open my mouth to speak, but shut it immediately. Do I just.. leave them alone? Would it be best just to not interfere?
There's really nothing I can do though, is there?
All I can do now is wish them the best..
He looks at me, his eyes wide, and I try my best to smile at him. I get up, letting out a soft sigh as I walk away.
Why didn't I see this coming? I.. To be stupid enough to try confessing to him, I'm such an idiot..
I can't compete with someone I have no chance against. I'm so.. hopeless. A tear escapes my eye, but I wipe it away immediately. I don't want to cry, I.. I don't deserve to cry.
I should be happy for them, but.. it's.. just so hard to.
Why can't I accept this..?
(Akito pov woah!!)
I blink, completely shocked. First of all, Toya left, second of all how the hell did a(n attempted date) walk with my crush turn into a situation where I've never felt more panicked in my life?
"Uh.. let's.. talk about this-"
"W-Wait, don't say anything. You.. don't actually like me back, do you? I-I heard what you said with Toya. I heard everything.. somehow I'm relieved you see me as a friend. At first I thought you two were just friends, because.. I-I was telling myself that there was a possibility you could like me back." Her lip quivers, and her voice is trembling. Why is she telling me all of this if she's saying I don't like her back..? But it's also making her cry.
"I wanted to believe that! I.. I was in denial, so I'm sorry--"
"Airi. Stop it, your makeup is running." I chuckle, wiping her tears. I don't actually care about her makeup, I just don't like to see her cry. She sobs, and nods.
"I-I don't think I'd.. actually have a chance with him. Y-You know, it's.. just that he's.. amazing, and I'm--" I mumble, still holding her face. "Look, what I'm trying to say is- I'm glad you told me this. Since.. you gathered all this courage to speak up, I guess.." Am I seriously going to accept her confession..? I don't even feel the same way, what the hell am I doing?
"Seriously? You two are the gayest people together I've seen." She sniffs, wiping her eyes and pushing my hands away. She then stares at me, dead serious. "Akito.. if you're going to accept my confession, you have to feel the same way I do. Would you regret dating me?" She asks.
What?
I look to the side, and back at her. What does she mean? I.. I guess I would. Because Toya's the one I like.. not her.
I slowly nod, already feeling guilty. She takes a deep breath, closing her eyes.
"Then.. you should go with the right person. If you both love each other, that's all that matters. Which I'm pretty sure you two do," She scoffs, looking to the side. "I'm with you all the way." She takes my hand, fist bumping me. I stare at her for a few moments, and nod.
"Thank you, Airi." I smile back at her, then waving as I run to get Toya. It's starting to rain, I hope he didn't get far!
°•°•°
Airi waves back as she watches Akito leave, and once he's out of sight, she bursts into tears again, wiping her eyes.
"Why am I so stupid..!?" She sobs. Then, someone covers Airi with their umbrella. She turns around, confused.
"You did the right thing." The girl waves, smiling warmly.
"Shi.. zuku..?" Airi whispers, as the two stare at each other.
°•°•°
Where could he be? I really hope he didn't run into any danger.. I manage to go near his house, and see him approaching his gate.
"Toya!" I shout, and he turns around, but when I see his face I pause.
He's crying.
I made him cry..?
Why the hell did I keep avoiding confessing my feelings to him?! I just kept denying my feelings so he wouldn't eventually leave me, too! Why am I so stupid?
I continue to walk, and stop right next to him, clenching my fists. He hiccups, wiping his eyes and looking away before speaking.
"I-I'm sorry, A-Akito.. I don't k-know why I'm crying, I just-- its-" He says between sobs, but no matter how much he wipes the tears away they keep coming. I wrap my arms around him, sighing.
"Don't apologize. I'm the one who should be sorry.." I say, gently cupping his chin and having him face me. I'm a terrible person. I tried to act like I didn't notice to protect you from myself... "The last thing I wanted to do was hurt you like this."
Akito hugs me, putting his face in my shoulder. I sob, hugging him back.
For a few moments, we stay like this, and he pulls back, just enough to gently place his hand on my cheek and wipe my tears with his thumb.
Why does he care about me so much..? Why did he even come after me?
"W-What about.. Momoi..?" I whisper, leaning into his hand. I mean-- look, I'm sad, whatever, but did he seriously just left her like that..? He sighs again, softly smiling.
"I don't feel the same way." He says, and I tilt my head in confusion, squinting my eyes. He immediately laughs, and ruffles my hair with his other hand. "I like you."
... I don't know whether to be extremely flustered or to just walk up the stairs to heaven right now.
He likes me?! Akito likes me?!
I stare at him with wide eyes, my face completely flushed, but I can see him blushing, too.
Am I stupid for now just realizing..? Probably, but whatever!
I hug him again, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck, sobbing quietly. I'm so happy..! He pats my back, chuckling.
"I-I'm glad you haven't ran off.. I love you, Toya. And not only that-- you're the world to me.. The feelings I have for you are not easy to define. I do know that I hold you so dearly that I consider you a part of myself. I would say that I love you, but those words seem so inadequate--"
"Are you.. reading off of y-your phone..?" I raise an eyebrow and let go of him. He awkwardly coughs, nodding and putting his phone in his pocket.
I giggle, making him blush even more as I put my hands on his cheeks. He puts his forehead against mine, laughing.
"But.. I really do love you. You're amazing.. you're extremely kind, adorable, and- just perfect. In my eyes you'll always be perfect." His words are softer than usual, making my heart flutter.
I kiss his cheek, now his face is extremely red. Ignoring the fact we're both getting soaked, we laugh together and hug each other tightly. He kisses my temple, then my forehead, and my nose. It tickles a bit..
"God, you don't know how much I've wanted to do this..." He whispers against my cheek, and I begin to smile wider.
The door slams open, it's my mother standing still. We both turn to her, surprised. Her jaw drops, and we look at each other before bursting into laughter again.
"I-Is the end of the world coming..?" My mother mumbles, laying flat on the ground. Akito ran home, because he was expected to be back earlier and to prevent my mother from having a heart attack.
.. well, worsening it. I help her up, and have her sit on the couch. She grabs my arm tightly, staring me dead in the eye.
"Did you kiss?" She asks, and I blush, looking down. I slowly nod, but unsure if the small kisses count. They were adorable.. Her face lights up and she hugs me tightly.
"You two finally got together!" She squeals, squeezing my neck. I cough, struggling to get out of her grasp.
After I managed to calm her down, she fell asleep so I (struggled for 45 minutes) dragged her to her bed, and put her blanket over her before going to get ready myself.
I check the time after showering, holding my phone with the towel on my head and my toothbrush in my mouth, yawning. It's pretty late..
Immediately I get a notification, and it's from Akito. I blush as I open it, to see a goodnight message. I smile to myself, and finish brushing my teeth before replying back.
"Goodnight, Akito."
"Sleep well."