26 - Catalyst

Ever since that student's introduction, the entire class period had only been filled with a conversation about him. We didn't even had to learn anything from our homeroom teacher. I didn't know who he was, but it seemed that guy was pretty famous, judging by everyone's reactions.

Time passed quickly, and finally, it was break time. Meanwhile, the student named Rion was immediately swarmed by the girls like ants attracted to sugar.

He looked a bit sweaty as he awkwardly answered each of their questions. The girls even jostled each other just to get his attention.

Although the girls called him handsome, I didn't see what was so "handsome" about him. Wasn't his only special feature just his shiny white hair? Honestly, Nagi's still way better-looking.

I then glanced over at Akane. Her recent mutter had surprised me; I didn't know Akane could be so blunt. Did she have some kind of problem with the new guy?

Akane hadn’t moved from her seat at all; she'd just been asleep this whole time. But her sleeping position looked uncomfortable. Was she really asleep?

"..."

After thinking for a moment, I decided to approach her. "Akane-san, want to have lunch together?" I asked, lightly tapping her arm with my index finger.

"Uhm... Yui-chan? Oh, sorry. But I'm not hungry." When Akane lifted her head, her eyes looked red. Those weren't the eyes of someone who’d just woken up.

Huh..? Had she been crying?

"Akane-san..."

"Hm...?"

"Are your eyes okay..?"

Hearing my question, Akane quickly turned her face away. "I don’t know what you mean, Yui-chan..."

I looked at her for a moment, then gently held her wrist. "Akane-san, if there's something bothering you, you can talk to me. Isn't that what friends are for?"

"What do you mean?" Akane was still determined not to let me see her face.

I let out a small sigh, seeing her stubbornness. "This is one of the things that frustrates me about you, Akane-san."

"Huh..?"

"You're so stubborn. You're afraid of hurting others, so you always keep your problems to yourself."

"But isn't there someone you can rely on when you're feeling down? Holding everything in isn't good for you. Aren't friends supposed to support each other in hard times?"

Sorry, Nagi, looks like I had to borrow one of your quotes from when you comforted me as a kid back then.

After I said that, Akane finally turned to look at me. Her eyes were wide open, and her hands were trembling.

She looked at me for a long time in utter silence, but I knew her mind was somewhere else.

This moment reminded me of when we first met. Back then, Akane had the same expression as now. I'd always known, but I pretended not to.

Since childhood, Akane seemed to carry burdens that no child should ever bear. Her eyes showed such a deep loneliness that I couldn’t see the end of it.

Now, I couldn’t turn a blind eye to her situation. I once saved her from loneliness back then. Maybe, this time I can save her agai—!

"Yui-chan... No... Yuichi-san. You really shouldn't get involved. This isn’t something that words can solve."

Huh..?

"But..!"

"Yuichi-san. You don’t understand what I've been through. I know you'd understand and even try to help if I told you everything."

"I appreciate your kindness, but not this time. It’s impossible. This is a responsibility I've carried since birth. I've received many privileges without lifting a finger. So now, it's time for me to give back," Akane continued.

What is Akane talking about? I’ve tried to stay optimistic. But if the problem is really that impossible to solve, it doesn't mean you should bear it alone.

"Akane-san. That's the wrong way to think."

"Sorry, Yuichi-san. But you really have nothing to do with this." Akane didn't want to continue this conversation; she stood up from her seat. Her expression looked irritated because of my meddling.

But I knew that her anger was just an act. The tears on both sides of your face, your expression, and the way you spoke— the Akane I know wouldn’t do this.

Akane, is our friendship still not close enough for you to share everything with me?

I clenched my fists in frustration. It made me frustrated when you see a friend in trouble, yet you can’t do anything to help them...

"..!"

Akane walked over to the new student, stomping her foots so hard while walking. She slammed her fist on his desk, while the girls who had surrounded him backed away in fear.

"Rion-san. Wasn't our deal had already been sealed for so long? Why did you suddenly have to act like this?"

"Hm... Why indeed?" Instead of taking Akane's anger seriously, Rion only laughed slyly.

"Rion-san. There are still two months left, right? When the time comes, I'll promise that I will go back to you. Why go through the trouble of coming here? Just seeing your face makes me sick."

I watched them arguing from a distance. The atmosphere in the class was so intense that many students began to leave, feeling uncomfortable.

Huh..? Akane said... Two months from now she'll go back? Why?

Rion put on a smug look, extending his hand to lightly touch Akane's cheek. But she swatted his hand away fiercely. "So rude. Is that how you treat your future husband?" he said with a grin.

"That's for the future. Besides, did you forget that I have no feelings for you? This is just a business arrangement. Nothing more, nothing less."

Rion chuckled at Akane's response. I didn't understand. What was so funny about this situation? His reaction made me want to punch that smug face as hard as I could.

It seems that the new student transferred here for some business he had with Akane. If what she just said is true— maybe... An arranged marriage..?

Rion stood up, grasping Akane's shoulder firmly. He leaned in and whispered something into her ear, but because of our distance, I couldn't hear what he was saying to her.

"..!"

Akane's expression instantly changed. Her face, once full of anger, turned despondent. With her head down, she stared emptily at the floor. I knew she was holding back tears, but Akane was good at hiding it.

Suddenly, the loud crack of thunder echoed in the quiet classroom, accompanied by heavy rain that added a gloomy atmosphere. For the first time, Akane looked at me with eyes that silently screamed for help.

"AKANE-SAN!"

Without another thought, Akane ran out of the classroom. Rion only watched her leave with a smile. I decided to chase after her. I felt— if I didn't go to her now, I’d regret it forever.

"AKANE-SAN!! WAIT!" I shouted, breathless.

Akane ignored my shouts, running through the pouring rain without looking back.

Ugh... What’s going through your mind, Akane..?

She ran across the school yard as the rain poured harder, the mud splashing onto her skirt and shoes. I could barely see the water on her face; I couldn’t tell if they were tears or raindrops, but i'm sure that neither of them was good. She kept going through the front gate.

How is she so fast?!

I was falling far behind; this girl's body drained my stamina quickly. But I knew, I couldn’t stop now.

Suddenly, Nagi's face filled my head.

"If only Nagi were here in this situation..! Where are you right now..?"

I shook my head quickly.

Ah—! No, that’s the wrong way to think. Hoping for Nagi's presence now would just be an excuse for my own cowardice. I'm the one closest to Akane, so this is my responsibility.

Just like back then— when Nagi helped me in my worst moments. I want to repay that kindness by doing the same for someone else. Comforting someone. It might sounds easy, but not many people can do it.

Even if comforting won't solve your problem, I just want you to know one thing, Akane... that I’ll always be by your side, no matter what.

TO BE CONTINUED.