I checked my phone to pass the time. My brother, Nacina, and Serco had all sent messages.
My brother's read:"Hey, how are you?"I didn't know how to answer. I'd just been yelled at, and now I was walking home alone at night through unfamiliar streets. Better not respond yet.
Nacina's message was more excited:"How is the date going with Will? Did he confess? What did you say?"Maybe I should've taken her more seriously when she warned me Will liked me… If I had, maybe I would've canceled. Anything would've been better than how I feel now.
I opened Serco's text last:"I had to go to my hometown for a while and had no cell service. I hope you've been well. What are you doing?"That explained why he hadn't messaged me. I felt a bit relieved—at least I hadn't offended him. For some reason, I decided to respond.
"I'm walking home."
It wasn't raining hard anymore, now only a light drizzle, but enough to lower the temperature and make me shiver. I really wished I'd worn a coat.
Suddenly, my phone rang. The name on the screen made my heart race—Shion?!Why was he calling?
"Hello?" I answered, trying to hide the shiver in my voice.
"Where are you?" he asked gruffly.
"Don't worry, I'm only about fifteen minutes from home."
"I didn't ask that. I asked where you were."
His tone was sharp—angry, even—and it only made me colder. I glanced around quickly and said,
"I'm near a B-Mart convenience store... on Seventh Street."
"Go inside and wait. I'll be there soon."
"You really don't have to—"
"I don't remember giving you a choice. I'm already on the way. See you soon."After saying that he hung up.
I didn't want to cause more trouble, so I went inside B-Mart and bought a bag of chips. Serco arrived a minute later. His brow was furrowed and his lips tight. I'd never seen him look this angry. Even the first time we spoke, he seemed more annoyed than truly mad.
I looked down to avoid his eyes. Then something warm settled on my shoulders. He'd draped his jacket over me. I clutched it and blushed.
"Why are you walking alone this late?" he asked, voice calmer now.
"I... don't want to talk about it right now," I mumbled.
He paused. "...Okay. Do you like coffee?"
I nodded. He made us both cups. I insisted on paying—it was supposed to be my treat next time we hung out—but I still felt like I was getting off easy.
"I'm walking you home," he said as I added cream and sugar. He was just like he'd been that first night—quietly worried.
I nodded and waved goodbye to the clerk as we stepped outside. His jacket was well insulated; I wasn't shivering anymore. He walked beside me, matching my pace and staying closest to the road.
"...Why were you so mad earlier?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light. I shouldn't let my hopes get up—but they were.
"I just can't imagine why you'd be out here alone. Something could've happened."
"Hey, I'm not defenseless. I took Judo for ten years," I said with a grin.
He chuckled. "That's reassuring."
We walked quietly for a while, both sipping coffee.
"...Why don't we just fly?" I asked after a few minutes.
"Too fast. I'd miss the chance to spend this time with you."
I blushed and looked down at my coffee.
After a pause, he added, "I hope this doesn't bother you, but... you smell like someone else. Like you were in close contact. Why wasn't that person walking you home?"
How sensitive is his nose?
"Oh... probably my friend from school. We fought."
"Did he upset you?"
"Why do you assume it was a guy?" I said, genuinely curious.
"I don't assume—I know. I can tell from the scent," he said casually. As if it were obvious.
So... his nose is incredibly sensitive. I better never forget deodorant again.
"Yeah... but I'd rather not talk about it," I said.
"Fair. How's school been?"
"Awful," I answered honestly.
"Why?"
"I've gotten more popular. It's hard dealing with so many people." I sighed at the thought of returning Monday.
He laughed Heartily. "I cannot imagine anyone else being stressed over new popularity."
I smiled. His voice had finally softened, no longer tinged with anger.
"I'm glad you're back," I said, playing with my empty cup. "Did someone keep watch while you were gone?"
He incinerated his cup and shook the ashes off his hand. "No, but I had a sensory field around the city. If anything happened, I'd be alerted. It's draining, but I had to—my father wanted to see me."
"Wow... How was the visit?"
He frowned. "I'm exceedingly glad to be back."
I didn't press. If he wanted to tell me more, he would.
Soon, we reached my house. I handed his coat back."Thanks," he said, a bit surprised.
"No... thank you. For walking me home. I was in a bad place emotionally, and you really helped."I avoided his gaze as I said it. He reached out, gently moving my hair from my face as he said,
"I'm glad I could help you, Akina."His voice was warm now—sincere. And when he said my name, my heart thudded violently.
"I'll talk to you later," I replied, waving. He waved back, then vanished before my eyes.
Inside, I went straight to my mom and gave her a long hug.
"Are you okay, sweetie? Did you have a nice time with your friend?" she asked.
I nodded but didn't say anything.
After a nice hot shower, I finally replied to my brother:"I'm pretty good. What about you?"Then I messaged Nacina:"I should have listened to you... things didn't go well at all."If Will had just confessed, I would've been fine. But instead, he grabbed me and kissed me without warning... Did I somehow give him the impression that was okay?
As I was still thinking, Will texted me:"Hey… where are you? I'm sorry. We should talk."
I decided not to reply.