22 ☆ ( "DO I BECOME A LIAR?" )

I exited my house, closing the gate behind me. "I didn't expect you to come out so soon."

I flinched, looking to my right. Sunoo wore his glasses high with pride, black hair ruffled over his forehead and by his ears. He lifted a hand, hooked a finger under my bag, and hung it on his shoulder. "Or, really, I didn't expect you to take my offer so willingly," I rolled my eyes at his witty words, hands on my hips. He chuckled, fixing his hair with his free hand. "I thought that you might go into hiding after seeing Yamaguchi again."

"It's been a week or so since then, Sunoo. I coped–I'm hoping Hanae didn't scare you all into thinking that I was worse than that," Sunoo shook his head. "Good. Besides, you and I are quite similar. I think I enjoy your company more than Hanae's at times."

"Don't be so disloyal, you don't really mean that," Yeah. Good point. I didn't mean that. "But, I'm honored to be someone that you think highly of. I hope you know that I feel the same."

"I do," I nodded, smiling. "Where are we headed? You told me that you wanted to go to the library, so I brought some of my notebooks in case I needed to write down some recommendations."

"Oh. I was lying–but if you really would like to go, I don't mind. I was thinking that we'd do something fun for our last week together," I frowned, causing him to laugh. "I thought you knew I was joking! Why would you spend your longest break studying your life away?"

"All the instances I've had being outside have brought me turmoil or misfortune, Sunoo," He rolled his eyes. "And, I'm not saying that you will be the same, but I just don't like holding the anxiety of being outside and seeing someone or something that I won't like."

"Trust me. If that happens, I'll shield your eyes or protect you."

I sighed. "Okay. I trust you. Let's head to the library first. I have a list of books I have to check out."

"Okay!"

We head over to the library down in the main town. We had to take the train, and for once, it was the emptiest I've ever seen during summer! Maybe because it was early in the morning–Like, 8:30 in the morning–that the train was the way it was, but I enjoyed it more that way. Sunoo and I didn't speak, I was able to take in the passing trees, and it was the first time during this summer break that I felt like I could breathe.

"What's your list? I can help you look."

"It's alright. Just keep me company, or else I might spiral and check out more books than needed," Sunoo nodded and held my bag close, placing his hands in his jeans pockets. I looked down at the list, then back up to the shelf. A... B... C... I can see Sunoo staring at my face out of my peripheral vision. "You look curious. I can answer any question you have."

"What went through your head when you saw Yamaguchi?" Ah. Almost every question. "Hanae told us–us as in Jungwon and I–that you were begging her to save you."

Then, he added, "Tell me, Rie. Are you starting to feel hopeless with Riki?"

"I don't know," Finally found it. Sunoo pushed out an arm to hold the book, and I let him. I walked along the aisle to another shelf, and he followed like a puppy. "Talking to Yamaguchi made me realize how different things had been ever since we've progressed. I've found myself more weary and more willing to argue–like he's an enemy, not a lover. I mean, he still makes my heart swoon, but are couples supposed to argue as much as we do?"

"I think that every couple has their hardships. You are supposed to beat those obstacles to progress," Sunoo explained, causing me to nod in agreement. "But, as much as we hear from you and Riki, it sounds like things are starting to overwhelm you both–and Riki's the only one holding on."

I was in the middle of reaching for my book when he said that, and oddly, I froze. Sunoo chuckled briefly, head falling slightly. "Let me guess. You're not breaking up with him because you don't want to hurt him. Right?"

I didn't respond. "That's why when Yamaguchi told you that you hurt everyone you touch, you hesitated–and told Hanae that she was right."

"With those inferences of yours, people could rule you out as a mind reader. You could get a lot of money doing that," I laughed awkwardly, practically tossing the next book into his arms. Sunoo doesn't falter, unfortunately. "The worst part is that you're right. You know me better than I know myself."

Sunoo didn't respond. Instead, as we walked around the shelves to the other side, he lingered closer, his face right above my own. I didn't spare him any extra glance, just listened in case he'd say something worth hearing. But, I felt his breath by my ear, placing my attention on my books. "I know you so well because I'm an observer, Rie. I observe you the most," I don't know if I take that as a compliment or not. "I mean, we're pure reflections of each other. Of course, if I find someone so similar, I'd give them more consideration."

I finally looked his way. Our faces were quite close, but neither of us were brave enough to address it. "What makes you say that?" I tilted my head slightly, accidentally flickering my eyes to his lips–and I cursed myself internally for doing so. They turned up slightly after my glance. "We only got closer this year."

"But, we've been in close contact for around three to four years. Sure, Riki and you dating prevailed something between you and me, but do you not think you held some sort of value to me prior?" Good point. Ugh. I hate the way I was in such good agreement with him. "You kind of remind me of lychee."

"Another nickname?"

"Bear with me, Rie," He chuckled, dragging his fingers along the shelf–until he somehow got into contact with the last book on my list. "You've got a hard shell, but you're quite soft on the inside. You're sweet and have lots of skills. You're pretty colorful, but that's opinionated."

I rolled my eyes. "So, the rest is fact besides being colorful?"

Sunoo nodded, grinning. "Yes, and–" He paused, pulling the book by its spine. It caused me to take another step forward, landing almost in Sunoo's chest. I swallowed, took in a shaky yet quiet inhale, and looked directly upwards. Sunoo was already staring down, flickering his gaze between my eyes. "You'd fit perfectly in my heart."

All of a sudden, I felt a harsh surface gently hit the top of my head, practically hitting me back to the ground. "Hey!"

"I mean, hearts are the size of your fists generally, so I could fit a few in it," Hearts are not hollow, stupid. But, I guess I get what he's saying. "You'd just be a very special one."

"I hate how I'm compared to food or something of the sort," I complained, huffing as he placed the final book in his hold. "It's like I am not human."

"They're pet names, Rie, and we just find you to be as cute as those kinds of things," Didn't believe him. Nope! I wouldn't fall for it. Sunoo pinched my cheek, causing me to swat him away. "Would you prefer that we simply call you Sato? Or Rie?"

"Yes, I would, thank you very much."

"You don't mean that."

"I do!" I grabbed the books from his hands and walked to the checkout section. Sunoo kept my pace. "But, we need to talk about our original conversation. Why are we reflections of each other?"

"We're loners with a hard persona but soft hearts. We've got less care for materialistic things and more for our future. We're sensitive and argumentative, but for the sake of others, we try to suppress it," Sunoo opened my bag so that I could retrieve my library card. Quickly taking it out of my wallet, I swiped it against the scanner. "And, we're claiming to be in love with someone, when probably, we're not."

"You're in love?" I asked. "With who?"

"Is that part of the conversation, Rie?" Not really, but I'm curious. Who piqued his interest? "The point is that you can't keep fooling yourself. Whatever you hear about you hurting others, it's inevitable. You face that kind of hardship when it comes. Hurting people is a normal, realistic occurrence."

"But, I'm doing too much of it, you know?"

"I do. But, to end it once and for all, you truly have to end the source of the problem," Sunoo helped me scan the books, placing them in my bag one at a time. "If you don't, then you're going to hurt more people than you think, and you'll probably put yourself into an irreversibly negative state."

"Have you been there before, Sunoo?" If he has, then we might truly be reflections of each other. "Have you hurt yourself that bad before?"

"Unrequited love," Sunoo chuckled, looking at his feet. "That's enough to send you into a hole."

Reminds me of Riki talking about liking me for six years, expecting nothing. In that light, I sympathize with Sunoo. "It's a shame that she doesn't want to consider you," I clicked my tongue, leaning against the counter for a moment. He raised his eyebrows, listening intently with curiosity. "I think you'd make a great boyfriend. Who is she, really? If I know her, I'll give her a piece of my mind."

"No need. She's going through her own turmoil, and if we add this to her mind, then that'll really break her," Ugh, whatever. But, I really mean it! Sunoo would be quite a great boyfriend! "I have hope that she'll realize it one day, but one can truly dream, right?"

"If I told her how good you are, then–!"

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Rie. You can't even listen to your own head. What more, another person?" We exit the library, my eyes rolling again for the nth time. "Anyway, where should we–!"

Ring!

"Sorry. Could you hand me my phone?" Sunoo nodded and rummaged through my bag, finally reaching the buzzing gadget. Without looking at the screen, he handed it to me, taking a step back so that I could have my privacy. "Thanks. Give me a second."

I stared at the screen, pressing my phone to my ear. "Hey."

"Hi," Riki spoke gently–too softly for my liking. "What are you up to right now?"

"Just went to the library–" I paused, looking at Sunoo, who was in his own world right now. "And now, I'm headed around town. Why are you asking?"

"Are you with anyone?" Crap. Was he somewhere in sight? I looked around, but nobody was familiar. "I'm at home doing nothing. I'm just curious because both Sunoo and Jungwon aren't picking up their phones, so I'm taking a brave guess that either is with you."

Do I become a liar? "No," I swallowed my lie like eating a whole lychee. "Neither are with me. Sorry."

"You're fine, don't worry. Enjoy yourself, and call me if you get bored. I'll be there," I hummed in agreement. "Okay. Bye, Rie. Love you."

I couldn't respond, and maybe he knew that. So, he ended the call. "Who was it?" Sunoo asked the moment I placed it back in my bag, causing me to shake my head. "Ooh. Not worth mentioning, huh? Was it Riki?"

"Ugh, can you please stop being a mind reader!? For god's sake, you–!"

"Oh, Rie, you know you love it when I'm one step ahead of you. Like you said, we are pure parallels of one another–"

"You are the one who said that! Stop shoving words in my mouth!"

"W-Wait, Rie, come back! We still have plans together, don't forget that! Rie!"

"Get lost, you idiot!"