Meanwhile, Kagome sits at the bench as she waits for the two to go back. Holding her phone, she checks the social media. On her profile are the pictures of Kei, mostly stolen shots.

  Her eyes locked on those while scrolling. “She’s really pretty, huh…?” Kagome utters. “Her dazzling smile, pretty face…”

  She knows all about it. She has been eyeing Kei for a year now. Since that time they shared books together. Her heart got stolen by the girl who has been innocent to everything.

  As she keeps scrolling down, she got the picture of Kei’s post from the last time of festival they attended. At first, they’re only ones in it… but as she keeps scrolling, a picture of a man caught her eyes.

  “Kira, huh…” she utters.

  Her fingers stopped scrolling. Without her knowing, her eyes lured to the image of the guy that smiles on the camera, together with Kei beside him.

  At some point, Kagome feels a bit of calmness as she keep looking at him. At that night, she thought that nothing really matters right now. His words echoed, making her heart feel flutter.

  “What’s with him?” she grunted and scrolls down further.

  “What’s with him, that my heart feels calm when he’s around?” she utter again, her fingers keep scrolling through the screen of her phone. That night keeps haunting her.

  That night, with his glimmering face and delivered lines full of gentle feelings resonate completely. His grip on her hand still lingers. Though it’s just a phantom from her memory.

  “Ugh, stop brooding on it! Kagome. You know who you are…”

  ”Huh? What do you mean?”

  Her thoughts cracked off, hearing the familiar voice. Raising her head, a familiar silhouette bathing on the dusky afternoon filled her view.

  “Oh, you’re back.” Kagome rebutted, getting the glimpse of Kira holding a bag with drinks on his hand.

  “Yeah,” he answered, and fished on the bag to get her drink. “Here.”

  Kagome gets it on his hand and opens the lid. Tooking a gulp, the carbonated drink sizzle down on her throat, washing away the thirst and her thoughts awhile ago.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “Pwaahh! It’s the best!” she shouted in a gleeful tone after gulping the drink.

  “Glad you like it.” Kira answers as he opens his can of carbonated lemon juice.

  “Hmmmm?” Kagome glimpse at him, noticing that Kei isn’t with him. “Where is she?”

  “Senior Kei said she wants to buy some steamed buns, but the clerk said she needs to wait for 5 minutes before getting some.”

  Kira took a gulp from the can as he answered her question.

  Kagome nods as she heard his answer. Then, silence befall unto them right after. Kira remains standing in front of her, looking around while holding the can.

  “Don’t you want to seat?”Cracking the silence, Kagome asked.

  His eyes darted to her, the moment she asked. “Are you sure it’s fine?”

  “What do you mean?” she asked, her brows furrowed and scrutinize his question.

  “Nothing. I just think you don’t want to sit beside me, so…”

  “WHAT?”

  On her mind trailed that word. Why?

  “I’m good with you.” Kagome suggested. “Besides, we’re friends, right? Nothing’s harm if you sit beside me. Or you have ulterior motives?”

  Her eyes glare at him. Kira’s brows furrowed from her sudden statement. “Do you think I’m that kind of guy?”

  That response of his made Kagome softly chuckles. “No. I’m just kidding.” She taps the side of the bench to beckon him to sit.

  Though, a bit reluctant, Kira sits beside Kagome, with a little distance. “Hey,” she called.

  “Huh? What?”

  “Close the gap.” she speaks. She doesn’t even know…. but sitting beside him gives her solitude.

  Kira’s brows furrowed further, hearing her call. “What? Why?” he asked.

  “Just do what I say, okay?” Kagome grabbed his arm and pulled towards her. Their shoulders are almost bumped together as she closes their distance. That moment, Kagome felt something strange in her chest.

  They see each other eye to eye, closing the distance they had.

  “I feel safe when you’re this close.” Kagome utter, trying to find confide to her feelings.

  Kira didn’t rebut from her words, but still glared out of surprise.

  “What? Is it weird to ask you to close the gap?”

  “No. Just… it’s nothing.”

  Kira didn’t say anything and drinks his juice in silence. Kagome didn’t say anything as well. As their narrow space filled in, “Say, Kira…”

  “Huh?”

  “Can I… lay my head on your shoulder.”

  The rustle of leaves as the gentle gust of wind heard, after those words delivered. Through the eerie silence after that, Kira somewhat caught himself with Kagome’s head lying down on his shoulder.

  “There’s nothing wrong with this, right…?”

  “No. There’s nothing.”

  They didn’t say anything after that. Only the comfort Kagome finds on his shoulder retains. Her eyes closed, feeling the beat of her heart.