『 24 』

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I applaud myself, really. It took every fiber of my being to not vomit and I succeeded.

"Did you hear that? Those two are clearly fighting!"

"Do you think Kuroo is going to choose Ishihara?"

"I'm still rooting for Sakurai!"

Was I feeling nauseous from the sick display of affection? Or was it from the pressure from being watched like a movie?

For some reason, my chest tightened. Maybe I was actually getting sick.

No matter the reason, I had to leave this place.

"Aya, wait! Ugh, get off of me!"

"Kuro- kyaa! Where are you going? Kuroo-kun! Come back!"

Their cries became muffled as I left the cafeteria.

The hallways were a lot less crowded than usual. I found it strange that the cafeteria was so congested but now I know the reason.

Everyone came to watch us.

"I said wait!" Kuroo's exasperated voice resounded throughout the empty hallway.

Why does he sound so irritated? It's me that should be frustrated!

I took a deep breath, composing myself.

"Oh my, Kuroo, is that you?" I turned around with a fake smile, my hand cupping my cheek.

Pretending I'm fine is my specialty.

"Stop acting like this. I said you don't need to pretend anymore."

Oh.

But of course, only Kuroo can see through me.

My smile dropped as my hand fell to my side. I glared at Kuroo who was standing a few steps before me.

"Pretend?" My voice shook. "Who's the one pretending here?"

My heart clenched and my stomach churned.

What is this feeling? I hate it.

This unpleasant feeling of irritation and anxiety filled my being.

"Wasn't it you who pretended to get along with Ishihara? Walking around school with her, eating lunch, and-"

"Are you...jealous?"

JEALOUS?!

I lost it.

My body instantaneously grew hot.

Jealous? Me? You've got to be kidding me!

"Jealous? Can't you see that I'm angry? Or are your eyes for show too?" I yelled.

The emotions I bottled up inside finally erupted.

"You know I keep rejecting her advances."

"That's exactly why I'm not jealous! Why would I be jealous of someone who keeps getting rejected?" I threw my hands in the air for added effects.

"You're oddly defensive for someone who claims they're not jealous."

Kuroo crossed his arms, not backing down.

"You should know more than anyone that I hate to be wrongfully accused."

I'm not jealous! I'm not!

"Alright, you win." Kuroo lifted both arms in surrender. "You're not jealous."

He then winked at me.

I was fuming.

Was he riling me up for fun?

"I just don't like it," I murmured, changing the subject.

I walked to the window and leaned against it. Kuroo followed suit.

"It feels wrong to play with her feelings. It feels wrong to get her hopes up just to crush it. Am I the only one that feels this way?"

I leaned my head back against the window, deep in thought.

At this rate, aren't we becoming bullies?

Kuroo sighed.

"You're too kind for your own good."

He combed through his hair with his hand.

"I wouldn't have gone along with this plan if that were the case."

"What do you mean?" I tilted my head towards him.

"I always drew a clear line between me and Sumiko. If she wants to misinterpret that line then isn't it her own fault for getting her hopes up?"

"But you said you'd confess to either one of us. You're giving her false hope and leading her on."

Kuroo faintly chuckled.

"This is why I said you're too kind for your own good. The way I see it, I'm just giving a sick person a taste of their own medicine." He shrugged.

"Oya? You really are kind." I covered my mouth as I snickered.

"Hey! I don't like how you've been using my own words against me lately!" He pouted.

We looked at each other in momentary silence before breaking out in laughter.

⟣ ⟡ ⟢

Today's the day of Kuroo's confession.

Even though I know he's going to confess to me, I'm still nervous.

And above all else....I'M NOT READY TO BE IN A RELATIONSHIP!

The week went by so quickly I didn't have time to mentally prepare.

I can't reject him either because then Ishihara might never leave us alone.

And I still have one more problem....

"Did you and Kuro make out yet?"

I jumped at Kenma's sudden question.

M-M-M-MAKE OUT?!

Fortunately, Kuroo walked to school separately today or else he'd have to deal with this embarrassing question.

"NO!" my voice squeaked. "W-WE DID NO SUCH THING YET!"

Kenma looked at me quizzically. "That'd be a problem for today, don't you think?"

Now I was the one confused.

I did peck Kuroo on the cheek once. But that's not important.

Why would it be a problem?

"You guys should make up before the confession at least," Kenma sighed.

"Eh?" I stared at him blankly.

Did he say "make up" instead of "make out"?

....My problem is that I can't stop having indecent thoughts of Kuroo.

⟣ ⟡ ⟢

Dinggg dong ding donggg. Dingg dong ding donggg.

The dreaded school bell rang.

"I'll head to the cafeteria first?" Kuroo suggested.

"Y-yeah..." I answered, fiddling my thumbs.

He soon left after I answered.

I stared down at my lap with wide eyes. Beads of sweat dripped down my face.

I don't understand how Kuroo can act so calm.

I'm so nervous I want to run away.

If I go to the cafeteria my life will change.

Kuroo and I will be officially dating. We'll be able to hold hands whenever we want to, hug whenever we want to, kiss...

I slammed my head onto my desk as my face instantly burned up.

The mere thought of our lips touching brought my mind into an endless spiral.

I'm not ready for a relationship at all!

"Um, Sakurai-san..." The voice of a meek sounding girl called out to me.

I slowly lifted my head up to see two girls from my class.

"....good luck today." She encouraged me on.

"You're like a real life Cinderella story. We're rooting for you." The girl beside her cheered.

I stared at the two in a daze.

Was that how people saw me? For some reason I didn't want to disappoint them.

"Thank you," I weakly smiled at them.

Perhaps that was the push I needed to strengthen my resolve.

I stood up and headed towards the cafeteria.

This relationship was bound to happen. I can't keep running forever.

I walked up to the double doors of the cafeteria. My hand hovered over the door handle as I took in a dry gulp.

If I go in there, I have to undergo a public confession in front of the whole school.

NO WAY! NO WAY! NO WAY!

I turned on my heel and walked the other way.

It's just one hurdle after another. I really can't go through this afterall.

SLAM

"I'm sorry." I took a step back to look at the person I walked into.

Before me was not one, not two, but a mob of delinquents.

"Lady Mizuki informed us that you might run away," the scariest looking delinquent said.

He must be the ringleader.

He had a mean looking mug with arched eyebrows that was pierced on one end. His hair was a bright fiery red which was styled up into spiked.

Was there a student like this in Nekoma? He's going against the dress code! Wait! That's beside the point!

"I-I forgot my lunchbox," I stammered, my body obviously trembling.

"There is food in the cafeteria," he quickly retorted.

The mob took a step forward while cracking their fingers which caused me to step back. They took another step, and then another step.

Realizing that they were going to stop until I reached the cafeteria, I gave up trying to be defiant.

"O-Okay, I'll go," I relented.

I turned around and walked back to the cafeteria, dragging my feet along with me. The mob followed closely behind.

Once I reached the double doors again, I took a few deep breaths.

Everything is moving by so quickly. I still have yet to mentally prepare for what's to come.

My heart was beating erratically as my palms began to sweat.

This is it.

With one last deep breath, I opened the doors.

All chatter ceased once I showed myself. The students stepped to the side revealing a path to the center of the room.

My heart dropped.

I should have been used to this by now but I wasn't.

There, in the middle, was Kuroo frozen in fear once our eyes met.

Wrapped around him was Ishihara pressing her sizable bosom against his arm. Her wrist was held by Kuroo.

"Kuroo Tetsurou." I glowered.

A shiver ran down his spine as he straightened his back.

I trudged towards them.

"This is all a misunderstanding!" He shouted.

If he didn't make me angry before, he definitely succeeded in making me furious this time around.

He let go of Ishihara's wrist and tried to shake her off his arm but she wouldn't budge.

I'm tired of my feelings going all over the place.

"Kuroo..." I repeated, getting closer and closer to him. "Tetsurou..."

I'm tired of not being able to control my feelings.

"H-hey, you're closer than one Kenma away."

He pointed at me.

I want this to be over.

I stopped in front of him, a shadow covering my face.

"Let's end this, Tetsurou."

"What do you mea-!"

I grabbed him by the tie and pulled him down, locking my lips with his.

Gasps could be heard all around us.

"What are you doing to my Kuroo?!" Ishihara shrieked, finally letting him go to point her dirty finger at me.

I pulled away from the kiss. Kuroo frowned, visibly upset from being interrupted, or was it from being called "hers"?

"Will you go out with me?" I asked, full of resolve.

"That's my line." He pulled my face into another kiss, more passionate than before.

"Stop! Stop kissing!" Ishihara demanded.

"Do you...hear...something?" Kuroo asked between smooches.

"Mmm...." I opened my eyes and glanced to the side at Ishihara. "Isn't that...The Queen of Shits?"

Ishihara froze. The blood drained from her face as it went pale. "Qu-queen of...what?"

"Hmm," Kuroo hummed as he nuzzled his nose against mine. "You're right."

Ishihara fell to her knees.

That's right. Grovel before me.

A part of me pitied her but that was outweighed by the satisfaction I felt from exacting my revenge.

I bent down on one knee and lifted her chin up to face me. "Now don't you wish I merely pushed you down?"

I smiled.

With this she'll never bother me again.

"YOU!" She clenched her teeth.

"Su-Sumiko...We should leave..." Her friend pulled her by the shoulder, looking around nervously.

The students around us started commentating on the scene before them, none of their words were favorable to Ishihara.

"Haah," she breathed out and let herself be led out by her friends.

I stood up in my spot.

This is finally over.

The adrenaline subsided and my body was washed over with relief.

I was nervous for nothing.

I looked at Kuroo and then to all our friends we made during this journey.

"We did it."

𝒻𝒾𝓃

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