An Unheard Voice - Chapter 9: Chapter 9

We're now at the mall, and I have to stop my mother from going into random stores, while trying to not get caught in a crowd. There's a lot of people shopping.. wow. My mother always told me stories of how being at the store during holidays is a nightmare... I'm seeing her point.
I hold onto my mom, looking around. Why are people staring at me? This is so embarrassing..
"Toya! Let's go in this store first!" She says, dragging me into a small store.
Can I get a gift for Akito here? I'll ask An what she thinks Akito would like from here.
"You should totally get Akito this~!" My mother says, sneaking up on me. I fall back, and look at what she picked. It's a bear plushie with a heart. I shake my head, throwing it across the store. A crowd immediately goes to where it landed, which I just choose to ignore this time.
"Aww, why? Well, pick anything you want. I've already bought all of you and your father's Christmas presents, so I'm going to get pretzels!" She hums, marching out of the store. My mother is too nice for this world, she even got my father something. Should I do the same..?
I find myself in an aisle full of stuff which are meant for your significant other. This is so overwhelming!! I sigh, and check my phone.
"Look behind you."
I tilt my head, and turn around.
"Boo." An pokes me, and I stare at her. My soul left my body. "WOAH TOYA, DON'T FALL!!"
"Are they dating..? I'm so jealous of her..!"
"They're so cute!!"
I scoot away from her, trembling. She laughs, and helps me up.
"Wondering what I'm doing here? Well, I actually forgot the wrapping, so- nah I'm kidding, I followed the tracking device I put on you." An bluntly says, and I blink. What?..
"I'm joking! I just happened to find you here after hanging out with Mizuki and Mafuyu. I just happened to see your text after and come straight away!" She says, grinning evilly. I have a bad feeling about this.
"I know the perfect thing to get him! Come, it's an aisle where Kohane got uh... something. Turns out you both have like the same stores, huh." She takes my hand, dragging me to another aisle.
"Here we are! This keychain is perfect for him!" She holds up a cat with the back side facing me. I hold it, and turn it around. It's what seems to be a black cat?
"Wondering the shape is so odd, huh? Well, you'll need the other half to see what it actually is. This is the only keychain of cats here. Akito does like cats, so.." An shrugs, and I dash to the check out. It may be strangely shaped but it's the thought that counts.
She immediately leaves after, and I wave, handing it to the cashier. I have money on me right now, so I won't need my mother. Hopefully.
"That'll be 1441,93¥, sir!" The cashier smiles, and I hand her the cash. Once I finish paying, I wait to get my stuff.
But I can't wait any longer since there's a lot of people staring.. it's making me nervous right now. I really hope they're not judging me, I barely got any time to change..
"Would you like a bag?" She asks, and I freeze. Uh.. can I walk away? Would I need a bag for this? But it's small, so.. uh.. um...
"We'll take a bag!" My mother interrupts, and the cashier nods. We walk around for about an hour, and head back home.
"What did you get, Toya?" She asks, and I show her it in my bag. She looks up at me, and smiles.
"He's going to love it."
It's now Christmas, but I want to stay in more. I don't have to go to Tsukasa's house for another 3 hours or so.
"Toya!! Merry Christmas!" My mother slams open the door, and runs over to me with a gift. "You can open the rest when you come back from the party, and your father doesn't come home until night, so.. this is from me and him for now!" She hands me the present, and I smile.
I open it, and it's a box. When I open the box, it's a phone. How do I.. express my happiness for this? I am happy, but it's hard to show it.
"Merry Christmas! I actually got it like, last month, but I couldn't think of electronics you'd like.. except another, in your other gift." She grins, hugging me. I hug her back. But I know it was only her who chose it.
I get ready and eat breakfast quickly so they don't wait on me. My mother plans to make a lot for dinner, I hope I can return before it gets cold.
She gives me a quick kiss on the forehead after I eat, and I head out. I wave, bringing my present and leaving my phone. I'll ask after break for Akito's number since my mother already set it u- wait, what did I just-
I bump into a pole, and I'm at Tsukasa's house. I take a deep breath, and knock on the door.
"I'll answer it!" I hear Saki shout, and run to the door. "Welcome, Toya! Make yourself at home!" She hugs me, and everyone stares at me. I grow red, and my legs won't move.
"Look away!" An sticks her tongue out, shooing everyone. "As for you Kohane, we are so happy to have you back."
"Hi, Toya!" She says, bringing me in. Azusawa waves, and I see Akito by himself in a corner in the kitchen. I feel relieved to see him, and run up to him.
"Oh, hey Toya." He smiles, and I wave.
"Now that everyone is here, take a seat around the living room!" Kamishiro says, but nobody moves. An sighs.
"I'll get snacks, so let's go, Toya. Before it turns into a warzone again."
We walk to back with the snacks, and now everyone is sitting down. But there's an open seat, so I'll save that for An. Where is Akito?
I see him again, by himself, near their tree. I go to sit next to him.
"Toya, are you sure you don't want to go sit next to Mizuki and Ena?" He looks in their direction, who give off a dark aura. I shiver, shaking my head.
"I'd rather stay with you." I smile. He seems surprised, and looks down. His ears are red again. Is it that cold? He's only wearing a sweater, so that would make sense. He should cover up more!
"Then we'll join too!" An holds Azusawa's hand, joining us in the corner.
"Oh, hi, Toya!" Tsukasa waves, and I wave back.
"Okay, does everyone have their gift?" Kamishiro asks, and everyone answers with a yes. "I'll start. Emu, here is your gift." He hands it to her, and she tears it open in less than a second.
"Woah!! It's like a little pink dog!!! Weren't you making this while we were having a sleepover? Can it go kapow-bam swoosh and poof and dazzle?!" She squeals in excitement. Kamishiro chuckles. The machine is adorable, so I'm not surprised Otori would get so excited she made her own words.
"Well, of course it would have a glitter canon, since you were rambling about that being your dream pet before you got knocked out." He shows her the button, and she hugs him tightly. We all seem to be confused on how they're communicating.
"Thank you so much, Rui!!"
"You're welcome, Emu." He smiles, and looks in Tsukasa's direction.
"Oh! Here, Mizuki! Merry Christmas!" He hands them a box, who opens it gently.
"Aww, this is so cute! A little tomato pin cushion, just when I needed one! Thank you, Tsukasa!" They smile, and he laughs.
"My turn, then!" Saki exclaims, running up to Shiho. She then gives her a kiss on the cheek, and hands the gift.
"Saki..! Not in front of everyone!.." Shiho blushes, pushing her away.
"Yay! You didn't wipe it off this time!" She giggles, and everyone laughs.
While everyone was busy handing gifts, I was staring into space until it was Azusawa's turn. She hands me a gift, quickly going away. I wonder why she was such in a hurry. I open it, and see a white cat keychain..? But the shape it weird. Isn't this from the store I went to?
"Sorry, I didn't know what you would like.. I asked An for advice, and she said she had a plan since she knew you would come to her for help so she told me to buy this so you would match with- mmp-" An covers Azusawa's mouth, and I thank her.
Akito looks furious though, and Ena cackles at her. He gives An a death glare, and she gulps.
"Match with who, An? Would you be so kind to answer me?" He grabs her shoulder, and she shakes her head fastly. He sighs, letting go.
"Actually, I can see why you'd give him a cat gift since he sort of reminds me of one, and I do have a gift based on that waiting for him, hehe.." Akiyama grins, evilly.
After An takes her turn, I blush, shyly handing it to him.
"Oh? You got me? Then I know it's going to be amazing." Akito smiles, and I tense up. As he opens it, I hear An giggling, and tilt my head. "Is this a keychain too? I don't really get it, but-"
"That's not all! Look," An takes both of our keychains, and connects them. It's like yin and yang but with cats. In the shape of.. "A heart!!" She says, and my face lights up. I turn to Akito, who's frozen.
Everyone does a slow "ooooh!!" Except Kusanagi, with her earphones in. Has she been like that the whole time..? I panic while writing, flustered.
"I'm sorry, I asked An for help and she may have plotted this to embarrass you, and I didn't know I'd be receiving.. this.." I apologize. I should've realized when she mentioned the other half! I want to dig a hole and die in it.
"That's fine. Th- Thank you, Toya." He blushes, looking away.
After he goes, Ena is still a laughing at him. Once everyone is done, Akiyama brings out a small box.
"Time for the final gift I've prepared! Here you go, Toya!" She hands it to me, and everyone looks around.
"I.. got Toya something too." Ena says, as I pause putting Akiyama's gift in my bag.
"No way, so did we!" Saki and Tsukasa shout. Apparently everyone did.. Eventually, I'm drowning in boxes. An collects them in a bag, but keeps Akiyama's out.
"He.. Here, T-Toya.." Kusanagi blushes, holding a tiny box. It's already passed her turn, and it seems like Otori had to shake her to snap her back into reality. I smile at her, and she goes red. "I-It's not like I wanted to! E.. Emu said I should since she did, too!" Kusanagi throws it at my head. Ouch.
"Thank you, everyone. I'm glad to have you all as my friends. And everyone who isn't yet, but now is." Akito looks away, and I grow confused. I mean, it's fine he didn't get me something, but why does he seem off right now?
After a while, everyone was having fun with their gifts, An and Ichika became best friends. Out of all of her many. Azusawa and I got along surprisingly well because we were left alone. She's super shy. I see Akito unamuzed, speaking to Ena.
"Yo." Akito goes up to me, as Ena looks furious. "Having fun? I'm glad a lot of people didn't come, actually. It's nice to just have close friends here." I nod.
".. Um, Toya--" We get interrupted by An's loud cackling, and pointing at us. Akito gives her a scary stare, but I don't get what's so funny. Azusawa is giggling too, but immediately covers her mouth.
"Oooh~ Look above you!!~" Saki says, and we do that to see Kamishiro's drone saying 'kiss cam on a budget' holding a mistletoe. I go red, and look at Kamishiro. But he doesn't have the controller and points at Ena. Akito stares at her with a flustered face, and she mouths 'revenge'.
"Do it! Do it! Do it!" Everyone says, except Kusanagi, who is apparently gone from reality again. Asahina, Yoisaki, Honami, Shiho, Kiritani and Hanasato are the only quiet ones. Thank you.
"Sh-Shut up!! All of you!" Akito manages to say something, and An is crying from laughter. Akiyama bangs their head on the table, but Tsukasa stops them before it breaks. Their skull and the table.
"He's blushing!!" An teases, and he stays frozen, a flustered mess. My face is practically bright red, while everyone continues to chant. It looks like he wants them to stop, so.. This is for him..! I take a deep breath, and give Akito a small peck on the cheek.
"OOHHHHHH" Everyone cheers, and An gasps very loud.
"LET ME AT HIM!!" Akiyama shouts, holding a knife, and Tsukasa has his jaw open. Kamishiro giggles, and closes it.
"Is Shinonome okay..?" Kiritani seems worried, and Hanasato rolls her eyes. Yoisaki pokes him, and he falls over.
"HE'S DEAD!!" Honami shrieks, and Saki shushes her.
"No, he just passed out. Asahina, may I ask you to hand me some water for when he wakes up? I love your outfit by the way!" She compliments Asahina, who lightly smiles.
"Thank you! Your sweater is adorable, and I really like your antler headband!" Asahina hands the tissues, while I try to wake Akito up. Otori shivers, and hides behind Kusanagi.
"What's wro- oh." Kusanagi sees Akito, and stares at me. She slowly puts her headphones back on, protecting Otori.
After Akito woke up, we gave him water. We couldn't look each other in the eyes after, though. Saki and An were debating on who should have the mistletoe next, but Ichika stuffs her face with a cupcake out of embarrassment. An kisses Kohane anyways, since she 'realized you didn't need it to kiss your girlfriend'.
"AHH RUI STOPPPSJSKBJAPO" Tsukasa's face is red, trying to break free from Kamishiro's arms, who's kissing him all over his face. Why are there so many couples here..?
"Toya, please open my gift..!! I worked so hard on it.." Akiyama cries as Ena holds them back, with their camera and lighting ready. When did this get here..?
I open it out of pity, and see.. cat ears. Two different colors for my hair. Oh. I'm actually wondering if this is the least concerning gift I've received.
"Surprise! Now put it on." They say, glaring at me. I quickly put it on, scared of them.
"T-Toya! You don't have to put it on if you-" Akito gets interrupted by Akiyama's pin hitting the wall next to him.
"Not another word, Shinonome." They mutter.
"Don't-"
"I'm sending the pictures to everyone after." Akiyama sighs. Akito goes dead silent. He was supposed to help me get out of this...
"Okay, Toya! Your photo shoot starts now, give me a smile!" An says, with a director outfit. "No, no, you're doing it all wrong! Stand he-"
"Stop being bossy." Akito grabs her hair, yanking her away. "Just be natural." he smiles, and I try my best to smile for the camera.
"Have you.. ever smiled for a camera?" Akiyama nervously laughs, and shake my head. Everyone is silent until An comes back to me.
"Do a cat pose! I'll get twice as much money from our classmates if you do!" I sigh, and obey. "Good kitty!" The embarrassment is inevitable and I wish to die.
"This is perfect!! Stay still, Toya!" They continue taking pictures, and we notice Akito on the floor.
"You gave Shinonome a heart attack.." Kamishiro says, poking him on the floor. "Tsukasa-kun, would you be a dear for me and get me some water? I want to pour it on him."
I tap on Akiyama's shoulder, and they turn to me. I write something for them to read, and they smile. "Sure!" They agree, and gather everyone together. Then, they set a timer.
Akito stops An from selling my address to Akiyama, and rolls his eyes. He stands next to me, and I smile.
"Everyone together? Okay! Say Merry Christmas, everyone!" Akiyama chirps, and everyone says it as the timer goes off.
"Merry Christmas!!"
"I'm not doing that." Akito whispers. But that made me laugh.
After everyone leaves, Akito and I head out together to help with my gifts. Ena volunteered to help clean with Akiyama. I wave at Tsukasa and Saki, Akito takes my hand, walking ahead. I blush, not knowing what that was about.
"I.. um.. Toya, I- uh.." Akito tries to form words, embarrassed.
"There's nothing to be worried about." I reassured him. He takes a deep breath.
".. I actually got you a present too. I'm sorry I didn't give it to you before, I.. was just embarrassed. I saved up for it since November, and practically begging Ena to give me some money as well." He scratches the back of his head, handing me a small white box. I opened it, and it's a heart necklace..! WAIT WHA-
"You can put anyone in your family or friends there.. I thought you'd might like it but I-If you don't like it, I can get you something better-!" Akito stutters, flustered. I hug him, tightly.
"Thank you, Akito. Merry Christmas. I'm sorry I didn't get you a good gift." I mumble, as it begins snowing.
"No, I loved it. Merry Christmas, Toya." He hugs me back, and I smile.
What do I do with these feelings for you..?