After class. It couldn't roll around sooner; the time was ticking at a snail's pace,
Or at least it felt like it.
Eventually, after all that tension building up inside of me, the class was finally over. Finally... It was starting to get to me, seriously.
What was this big thing she needed to tell me? Honestly, the suspense was eating away at me.
The slow class didn't help with that, to boot.
If I had to put my finger on what it was, I'd have guessed she was about to thank me, y'know, for that talk and everything? Unfortunately, that couldn't have been further from the truth.
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I patiently waited outside our class for Naomi to arrive. Honestly, it felt as if time moved slower than usual, probably due to the nerves, I'm sure.
"Tatsumi!"
Naomi's voice echoed throughout the halls. The closer it got to me, the more I was on edge.
My voice hitched as my lungs tensed up. This was it. Along with my palms that started to cry out from how stressful the situation was.
"H-hey, so what do you wanna talk about?"
Honestly, even though it was Naomi, I was still a bit on edge about this whole thing. We had never really talked one-on-one before, so I didn't know what to fully expect.
Apart from that, one time, of course.
Naomi's head cocked toward me. She could clearly tell I was nervous.
"What are you doing just standing there, weirdo. I'm not gonna bite, you know? I'm past that now. You of all people should know that. I just want to talk. Nothing more, nothing less."
The way she went out of her way to reiterate herself showed her resolve. If nothing else, I could've at least heard her out.
My lungs relaxed, exhaling a huge breath of relief along with it.
My voice steadied as my shoulders dropped. Seriously, when she was in this type of mood, she could be a real drag.
That'd never change, even if she had.
"Ugh, fine...ladies first."
"Even you have a gentlemanly side, that's surprising."
My fists clenched. Of course, I had a side like that! Who does she take me for?"
"I just don't show it to you."
As we entered the classroom, the air around us changed. It carried a heavy weight to it, the same weight Naomi must have been feeling. I sympathised with her a bit... After all, it's scary showing someone who you truly are, and for Naomi to do that was truly something not to be snuffed at.
Naomi stood there, hair blowing in the wind as her gaze met the outside world.
The golden rays of the sun reflected off her skin. In that moment, it was as if she had turned into an angel from how brightly she shone.
"Do you remember...life before your accident?"
My whole body froze. What did she mean by " before my accident'? Obviously, I didn't, I had just learnt tidbits from what others had told me about my past, outside of that... I had no clue. It was painful, really, but up until this point, the thought had never crossed my mind.
My brows furrowed.
What was it she was getting at?
"I...I don't know, why?"
Naomi's gaze drifted away from the world and down to her feet. She seemed quite taken aback by what I had said, and to be honest, who could blame her?
"...oh, that's ok. If you want, I could help jog that small brain of yours?"
Was it just me, or did she off-hand diss me?
Normally, I wouldn't believe a word she had to say, but today? Today was different. If she dared to express whatever she was feeling, I didn't want to shy away from those feelings. It'd be a disservice to her and her resolve.
And a disservice to Akio if you think about it.
"Sure, go ahead."
Naomi's eyes widened at those words as her gaze trailed back to me.
Her voice softened.
"Ok, so remember when I called you Tatsu-kun? That was pretty weird, right? You must've been thinking how I knew that name?"
To be honest? I did give it some thought, but it's not as if it was running through my mind or anything.
Let's be honest, that was an obvious lie. A lie I dared not share.
My voice shifted to a perplexed tone.
"N-ot really... to be honest, I thought it was just a coincidence... sorry for getting mad back then, but I only allow one person to call me that, it's our thing."
My gaze drifted to my feet, as my fingers drifted to that same old promise.
"but currently - that person... Is miles away."
Naomi turned her head under mine to meet my gaze.
"You mean Akio, right?"
In that moment, rain started to drip down the windowpane.
"...yeah, Akio."
A warm embrace wrapped around me. Not one of seduction, but one of comfort.
"There, there, Tatsumi, everything's fine. Long distance can be hard, I understand that... More than you probably realise."
Naomi's gaze shifted to the ring that was the heart of mine and Akio's bond.
"If you have this, no matter how far apart you are, you'll always be together."
My chest tightened; her words brought back great memories of our past. Was this the same Naomi I knew?
Naomi's lip curled as she let those words escape.
She was clearly forcing it; anyone could've caught that at a glance.
Naomi's voice hitched as the rain got heavier.
"Akio... You sure are one lucky girl, huh? To be wanted like this, I can only be envious of that feeling."
Whatever she said, I couldn't quite make out what it was; the rain poured too loudly for me to have heard.
Naomi's words got drowned out by the sea of emotions we were both swimming in.
Her voice sharpened. Clearly trying to make herself heard over the ensemble of noises that echoed throughout the room.
"Tatsumi. Do you finally see me?"
What could that of meant? Of course, I saw her; she was stood right in front of me...right?