This is bad! This stalker must be close in the vicinity!
"Suzuki!" I screamed.
I am running like I'm so late for the class. T...This is an important matter anyway, a very significant thing!
Halfway, I stopped for a bit.
S...Suzuki, she's not here?!
D...Did the guy got her?!
"Damn you! Go away!" shouted by someone just near the area.
Who could that be? That must be Suzuki! The voice, it came from the riverbank!
"Suzuki! Is that yo- Huh?"
Suzuki is there, but she's holding on a guy? Who's that?
P...Plus, there's another dude too! H...He looks suspicious and those two are hostile against him. He must be the stalker.
That guy though doesn't look that old. From my brief estimation, he must be around 16 to 17 years old.
Moreover, I gotta go down there.
H...Hey, s...she's too close on him.
W...Wait, why am I bothered anyway?! I'm glad she's just safe!
"Tonight is not the lucky night, but I'm sure I'll be back to get you, my dear Suzuki Kotori." said the stalker.
Eek, he's creepy. He even giggles which makes me have goosebumps.
"Don't ever go back or I'll beat you up!" said the guy with Suzuki.
Judging to this guy's appearance, he should be an upperclassman. He is wearing our school uniform, to be precise.
"Kekeke, may our fates intertwine again." said the stalker as he runs away terribly quick.
"What's that guy's deal anyway? Oh? Are you alright, Suzuki-san?" asked the guy who saved Suzuki.
"T...Thank you very much. I wonder what would happen if you didn't make it in time." replied Suzuki as she expresses relief.
"Glad to know that. Oh? Is he your friend?" asked the guy as he saw me.
"Oh, Tanaka. How did you know that we were here?" asked Suzuki.
"U...Uhmm... That stalker sent me a sudden message so I tried to catch up to Suzuki."
"Is that so? I'm sorry for worrying you. Don't worry, thank God that Sakurai-senpai arrived in time." assured Suzuki.
"My name is Sakurai Tomohiro. Nice to meet you, Tanaka-kun." introduced Sakurai-senpai.
"L...Likewise. D...Do you guys know each other already before this?"
"Ah, yes. I was the one who actually confessed my feelings for Suzuki sometime ago. It was on the school entrance." revealed Sakurai-senpai.
S...So he was that guy Suzuki was talking about.....
"Stop it, Sakurai-senpai. It's embarrassing to remember. Plus, it got me late in my first class, y'know. " responded Suzuki.
WHAT?
S..Suzuki got embarrassed?! Is this real life?!
W...What is this.... Is this even true?
"Oh, I have to apologize for that. I shall declare my feelings for you once again, next time." apologized Sakurai.
"I have to go home, it's getting late." said Suzuki.
"Want me to walk you home, Suzuki-san?" offered Sakurai.
"It's fine, my house is only few walks from here. I'm going to be alright. Thanks to you, and also Tanaka." answered Suzuki.
"Okay then, take care." replied Sakurai.
Suzuki waves goodbye then walks on her respective direction.
Ah, these two have amazing chemistry.
I...I wouldn't be shocked if Suzuki actually accepted his confession.
"Tanaka, is it? May I ask you a question?" requested Sakurai-senpai.
"Y...Yes, what is it?"
"Do you have any romantic feelings for Suzuki-san?" asked Sakurai.
W...What....
"W...Why do you ask that questi-"
"YES OR NO?!" asked Sakurai while he raised his voice.
S...Scary!
"U...Uhmmm..."
"So, it's a yes, am I wrong? No, I am not mistaken!" said Sakurai.
"I'm not even saying anything yet!"
"The mouth is not that only thing that can speak for yourself. Breathing, eye contact, body movements, posture, facial expression, and more. I'm surprised you do not know that." lectured Sakurai.
"I do not like Suzuki t...that way."
"So is it fine if I push my way through her?" questioned Sakurai.
P...Push his way...?! I...Is he really that determined?
"T...That decision is for Suzuki to make."
"You look unhappy, my dear underclassman. Well, even if you say that you do not like Suzuki-san, I am still not going to be convinced." answered Sakurai.
"I...I said that I am not bothered b..by it. She's just my close friend, after all. So, if s...she eventually comes to like you, t...then I guess I'd support her."
M...My voice is..... getting softer..... W..What is this.....
"Hah! Your mind and heart must be contradicting right now. Anyway, it's getting darker so you must go home too. Take care of yourself, Tanaka-kun." said Sakurai.
"T..Take care also, Sakurai-senpai."
I want to go home. I feel so exhausted.
"One more thing, I am planning to confess again tomorrow. Drop by if you want, kay?" offered Sakurai.
H...He's mocking me.
My distance is enough for him to consider that I'd probably didn't hear what he just uttered.
Confession, huh?
It's not worth to think of it. I..I'm not involved, anyway.
I'll just see what's going to happen, in the background.
...........
A good night sleep did solve my exhaustion but my mind still feels groggy.
Three periods have gone by and I feel that I didn't get a thing from the lecture.
Does huge stress already affect middle schoolers nowadays?!
T..Tsk! I have to clear my mind! This is nothing!
"Tanaka, are you okay?" asked Suzuki.
"Y...Yes!"
I answered too quick!
"Is that so? By the way, check out what I'm reading." suggested Suzuki.
"T...That... manga! I didn't know you like that one!"
I can't believe she's reading one of my favorite manga that currently exists.
"Yeah, I think it's my favorite. Thanks to Sakurai-senpai, he recommended this one to me early this morning." revealed Suzuki.
S...Sakurai-senpai? Again?
"At first, I was hesitant since I am not so fond of Science Fiction genres but it doesn't matter right now since this is so good." added Suzuki.
"Oh.....Is that so?"
"Hmm? You don't look so happy. Hmm, are you perhaps...." said Suzuki.
"W...What?"
"....jealous? Of Sakurai-senpai? Hmm?" finished Suzuki.
"W...What?! Me? N...No way!"
"It shows in your face. You look so disappointed, Tanaka." teased Suzuki.
"I'm not! I'm even happy for you if you ever accepted Sakurai-senpai's confession that time! Hmph!"
This pisses me off.
"H...Happy? For me?" asked Suzuki.
Stop it, Suzuki.
"Yeah, something wrong?! I don't care if you guys go out or what! Just go on!"
"Y...You do not care?" questioned Suzuki.
Do not ask that, please.
"Yeah, whatev-"
Before I even finish what I am about to say, Suzuki slaps me in the face.
The attention of the whole class suddenly shifts towards us. Everyone is astonished.
"W-Wai-"
Suzuki doesn't even face me after she slapped me. She quickly walks out of the classroom.
I....I guess, I'm just so stressed out.
Wait, why am I even stressed? I promised myself not to think of last night.
T...This is not... I'm not even myself right now. This feels weird.
"Hey buddy, what happened?" asked Okamoto.
"Just a misunderstanding, that's all."
"I've never seen Suzuki lost her composure ever since. It must have been a bad argument." disclosed Riko.
She's right. It's the first time Suzuki got angry, and what's worse is that I instigated it. This sucks.
"Well, knowing Suzuki, she might forgive you immediately if you apologize the soonest possible. Though right now will not be so advisable since she's still fuming." recommended Riko.
"Thank you. Somehow I feel at ease."
"Don't worry, Tanaka-kun. Everything will be fine. Cheer up." motivated Riko.
"Yeah, thank you guys."
I have to say my apologies to Suzuki later. I didn't mean to hurt her feelings. I got caught in my impulse to the point I forgot that she was just teasing me.
M...My mind is so messed up.....
"Yo, Tanaka. You have a moment?" inquired Miyuki.
"Oh, Miyuki. What's up?"
"Here, AmazeLand tickets!" showed Miyuki.
These are amusement park stubs. Is she offering me to go with her?
"Let's go this coming Sunday, you and I." proposed Miyuki.
Should I accept it? T...That would look like a d...date.
No, it isn't. I want to relax for the meantime, so I guess I'd go.
"Sure, I'll go."
"Yey! I'll expect you to come, kay?" asked Miyuki as she wants assurance.
"Yup, see you there."
Finally, something to look forward.
..........
Through the whole remaining class periods, Suzuki didn't even look at me nor interacted with me.
She ignored me the whole time. Her usual energetic teasing barrage has been shut down for today.
It's dismissal time, and she didn't even budge to wait for me.
It's my fault, anyway. I hurt her feelings and this is the consequence.
I got what I deserved.
Ah, I should play some online game when I go home. I'll contact the gang once I reach my room.
Time for me to go out of the classroom, yey.
To be honest, this day has been dull for me. The entire day, to be exact.
I feel like a huge chunk of puzzle piece was broken.
Ugh.....
"Tanaka, is that you? You have to go to the garden right away!" said Amatsuka-san.
"Why, what happened?"
"An upperclassman is confessing to Suzuki! I saw them through the window from the third floor! Hurry!" insisted Amatsuka-san.
"Thanks!"
And here I am, running like there's a time limit.
S...Suzuki.... She might have just accepted his proposal.
It's not that I'm jealous or what.....
It's just....
It doesn't feel right.
..........
As I reached the garden, the only thing that I got to witness was the end point of their conversation, precisely me hearing the words;
"Yes, I'm fine with it. I'll be with you, Sakurai-senpai." answered Suzuki as she is talking with Sakurai.
Huh?
--------------------TO BE CONTINUED--------------