I touched his forehead with my right hand, feeling the warm sensation it sends.

"You still have a fever." I told Shintaro. "You should stay in bed."

"Wow. What a surprise." Shintaro sarcastically said, rolling his eyes at me. "As if I didn't know that."

"It seems like that to me, Mr. Omniscient God of Carrot." I spat back while putting a damp towel on his forehead. "You were trying to prepare breakfast awhile ago. Heck, are you planning to spread your virus?"

Shintaro visibly pouted, looking away.

I can't deny the fact that he's cute like that.

Did I say cute?

No, I didn't.

"Are you really an athlete?" I asked. "You've been sick for almost a week now."

"Stop nagging me already, will you?" Shintaro glared fiercely.

He didn't look scary. He just looked like a kicked puppy.

"Stay in bed. Don't move. Let Ryugazaki make your meals. Capiche?"

"Whatever. Just leave." Shintaro pulled up the blanket to cover his whole face.

"Get well soon." I gave his shoulder(I think) a tap and went for the door.

"Take care." He called out.

I stopped on my tracks and let out a small smile. The leek somehow managed to warmed up to me.

I didn't reply and soon made my way out the house after bidding farewell to Ryugazaki who apparently got better two days ago.

Since the incident that day, I didn't try to make sempai notice me. I ignored him to the fullest of my ability. If one will ask why, isn't the reason obvious?

What he just did to me is uncalled for. If he didn't mean the date, why bother keeping my hopes up? He has ton shit of fan girls to have their hopes up! Why. Me.

I still like sempai. Of course, I'll admit that fact. I still want him to be my boyfriend. But right now, I'm angry. And when I'm angry, I hate people.

Also, Shintaro told me to go and give sempai some space.

"Giving him space would allow him to rethink about what he feels towards you."

I passed by the street where I first interacted with sempai. There I saw him, leaning on a wall. He seems to be waiting for someone.

Naturally, I turned my head away from his direction and walked forward without calling for his attention. He seems busy enough.

I heard him called out my name but I didn't look behind. I may have misheard him and was calling for someone else. Am I making up reasons?

Duh.

I soon reached the school with my salty face and went for my classroom. It's just another Friday morning.

"Morning!" A classmate greeted.

"Morning!" I greeted back, offering a high five which the person took.

I casually sat on my seat and let the hours dragged by.

It was then until lunch that something peculiar happened. I was with Hana, sitting on a bench that was shaded by a fabulous tree. I was busy stuffing food in my mouth.

Ryugazaki is a great cook. Each bite is heaven sent!

"You seem to be not looking at your sempai today." Hana suspiciously said, squinting her eyes at me. "This has been the fifth day."

"Why are always my acts suspicious to you?" I nonchalantly asked, stuffing another omelette in my mouth.

It's so yellow, fluffy, and yummy!

"He's not interested in me." I finally said after gulping. "So maybe, I should just forget about it."

Hana opened her mouth to speak... But closed it again.

"Forget what?"

That voice is very familiar. I shrunk on my seat but continued taking small bites from my food.

The person who spoke sat on the seat beside me.

"Why are you ignoring me?" He asked.

There was an awkward silence. Hana instantly noticed the suffocating atmosphere and decided to make her escape.

"I still need to go meet my boyfriend. I'll see you later, friend!" Hana quickly stood up and ran away with tail in between her legs.

You don't have a boyfriend, you hoe!

What a great friend.

"... Don't know what you're talking about." I finally answered, packing my lunchbox.

Damn it, I'm enjoying my food here.

"You have been ignoring me since Monday." He stated.

"Oh?"

I rose up from my seat.

"Bye." I quickly said and started to walk back to my classroom.

That's when I felt a hand stopping me by the wrist.

"Please tell me why." He pleaded.

I looked back at him and saw what seemed to be sadness in his eyes.

"Shouldn't I be the one ignoring you?" He asked me. "Shouldn't I be the one feeling anger towards you? You didn't come in our meeting place. I waited for two hours."

Wait, what!?

I grabbed my hand from his as if I just touched a hot pan.

"Waited for two hours!? I waited for you at the cafe for eight hours! You don't know how much of a loser I looked like waiting for you!" I shouted in pure rage.

I took a deep breath to calm down. "Look, I know that you're not interested in me. I'm not beautiful, smart, nor athletic. I will appreciate it if you won't keep my hopes up. Okay?"

"...So let's not talk anymore." I finally said, taking a deep bow.

"... You waited at the cafe?" Sempai asked.

"So?"

"...Our meeting place was supposed to be in the station."

"What?"

Holy shit.

I'm so stupid.

"I..." I trailed off. "I have to go...?" I turned around and tried going for the building.

My legs started to act so flimsy.

This is so embarrassing. I would like to dig a hole and bury myself until I reach the depths of hell.

"Listen to me." He held my hand once again.

He pulled me and made me face him. He held both my hands with his this time.

"You don't know how much I cannot focus in practice when you stopped talking to me." Akiyama-sempai said. "It's a weird feeling."

He tightened his grip in my hands. "I want to know more about you. I'm not sure what I'm currently feeling. That's why, I need to confirm it. Please let's go out this weekend. This time, I'll get your phone number and address. This time, I'll pick you up in your house." He promised.

I simply stood, dumbfounded.

He's asking me on a date.

I just nodded. I gave him my number and he gave me his. After that, he bid farewell with a large grin on his face.

Mission... Success?

School ended and I quickly darted out the classroom.

I need to tell Shintaro! He'll probably be very pleased and give me one of his rare smiles.

I told you it would work.

He loves it when he's right. I rolled my eyes. Maybe it has something to do with his fat ego. It's one of his charm points so I guess that makes it alright.

I should buy canned red bean soup. I can't really cook so that should suffice. He'll love that!

------~~~~~

With these thoughts, I soon reached the house, plastic bag in hand.

I was panting for air and was sweating like a dog in heat.

Why do I have to live in a house far away from the convenience store?

I dragged my body forward to enter the house.

"I'm home!" I called out.

"Welcome home." came Ryugazaki's voice.

I took off my shoes and walked forward, seeing him arranging the books in the shelves of the living room.

He turned to me and quickly frowned. "I told you to wear your slippers for indoors! Don't you know how hard it is to wash your socks?"

Such a mommy.

I rolled my eyes and brushed his complaint.

"Where is Shintaro?" I asked.

"In his room. Resting." He answered.

"I have good news! Sempai asked me out this Sunday!" I cheered.

Ryugazaki showed a "Ah I know it" smile.

"That's good. Go ahead and tell him." He said, giving a dismissive wave and turning back to the books.

I marched to Shintaro's room, not bothering to knock. I entered and jumped on the bed.

"Shintaro! I have red bean soup!" I greeted, removing the blanket draped on his body.

"Noisy girl." He muttered, opening his eyes.

It seems like I woke him up.

He sat up, his hair flying in every direction.

I held up the plastic bag containing three cans of red bean soup.

"Tadaaah!" I cheered.

He snickered but quickly covered his mouth. "You're excited just by that?"

I can easily see how amused he is. He removed his hand from his mouth and kept a small smile plastered on his face.

"I also have another surprise news!" I said after putting the bag on the side table. "You're right!"

"... Right?" He asked, confused.

"Akiyama-sempai asked me out on a date! You're right about keeping my distance first!"

His forehead then creased and silence came. His smile disappeared and his lips was shut to a thin line.

"That's... That's good. Of course." He said.

... That reaction is not what I expected.

"Is that all?" He finally asked. "I'm tired. I still need my rest. Would you mind leaving the room?"

"O-oh. Okay." I flashed a thumbs up and stood right away.

My heart sank at the sight of Shintaro's cold stare.

"We will shop for your clothes tomorrow since it's a holiday for your school." He said once I reached the door.

I slowly nodded and completely shut the door.

Why do I feel disappointed so suddenly? Isn't this what I wanted? Sempai noticed me.

... Right?

-------------