As Akari and I headed for the apartment in the taxi, both of us sat quietly, facing opposite windows. The car hummed softly as it moved through the evening streets — the silence between us felt heavy, but not uncomfortable. Maybe we were both just too tired after everything that happened today.
I kept my eyes fixed outside, watching the lights blur past. My thoughts, though, were scattered everywhere.
What really happened between her and Akaza? Did he actually confess to her?
And she waited for me after college… I still can't believe that part either.
In the end, that's what made me feel good.
But why?
I glanced at her from the corner of my eye.
Why do I think I'll fall for this girl again? I shouldn't, right? I shouldn't let my feelings grow. I live with her only because of the apartment — nothing more. I need to control myself, or I'll just end up hurt again… maybe worse than before.
Maybe this time, it could destroy me.
Suddenly, Akari turned her head slightly toward me. I quickly looked away, pretending to be interested in the streetlights flickering by the window. I wasn't sure if she caught me staring.
Akari narrowed her eyes.
— "You were staring again, you idiot," she said, her voice a little lower than usual.
— "I wasn't. I was looking at something else," I said, still facing the window.
She let out a quiet sigh, her gaze drifting back outside. A moment passed, the sound of the car filling the space between us. Then, she spoke again, her voice softer this time.
— "So how was your day?" she asked.
I flinched slightly and looked at her, caught off guard by her sudden question. Still, I managed to reply.
— "Just like usual, sitting on the bench, hoping it'd be over soon," I said, tilting my head.
Honestly, today was the most painful and eventful day since coming here.
— "And it took so long you fell asleep, idiot," she said, rolling her eyes.
— "I almost forgot about the sleeping part," I said with a faint grin.
— "And I was waiting in the burning sunlight just to know you were sleeping peacefully, idiot," she said, narrowing her eyes and looking away.
— "I didn't know, alright? But yeah, thanks for waiting," I said.
— "No welcomes for you, hmph," she muttered, her eyes fixed outside again.
I leaned back into the seat, letting out a quiet breath. My gaze followed the passing scenery through the window.
No matter how many times I talk with her, I can't help but notice how close we've gotten in just a few days. Somehow, even the silence between us doesn't feel uneasy anymore.
I like talking to her — I'll admit that much.
But… is it enough to fall for someone?
I know it won't work out. I'll end up hurting myself again.
I always talk about gaining her trust… but can I trust her? Can I trust that she won't hurt me?
Because honestly, I'm not sure.
We may have grown closer, but that doesn't mean she'll fall head over heels for me.
So I shouldn't let these feelings grow. I'm sure they'll only end up hurting me.
Another long pause followed. The city lights stretched endlessly outside, the hum of the road almost hypnotic. But somehow, sitting here like this didn't feel bad.
Then, Akari spoke again — her voice calm, almost thoughtful.
— "So, summer vacations are starting soon," she said, eyes still fixed on the road ahead.
I perked up slightly at her sudden attempt to start another conversation but replied casually.
— "Oh yeah, didn't even know how spring just came and went, and it's already summer now," I said with a soft laugh.
She slowly turned to look at me, her eyes catching mine.
— "So you have any plans for the vacation?" she asked casually.
I tried not to look into her eyes — it felt a little too awkward — but I still answered.
— "Not specifically, but I will go over to Kyoto, to my hometown, for sure. What about you?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
— "Nothing. I'll spend the vacation studying, like I always do," she said, rolling her eyes back to the road.
My eyebrows lifted slightly. Studying on vacation? No wonder she's such a good student. Meanwhile, I'd probably spend summer doing absolutely nothing.
— "You won't visit your family?" I asked.
— "Not really. I think I'm better off here," she said, her gaze drifting to the other side of the window.
I didn't ask any more questions. She clearly didn't want to talk about it — and maybe it wasn't my place to push. So I just leaned back, letting the taxi carry us through the quiet streets. My thoughts were finally starting to calm down, all the pointless delusions in my head beginning to fade away.
Then, Akari spoke again.
— "Hey, Kazuma," she said, still looking outside.
I turned toward her, a little surprised. She called me by my name. That almost never happens. Usually, it's "idiot" or "stupid." Hearing her say "Kazuma" sounded… different.
I managed to reply, trying to keep my tone casual.
— "What is it?" I asked.
— "How will your family react when you visit them during vacation?" she asked, slowly looking at me.
Her question caught me off guard. I wasn't sure why she suddenly asked, but I thought for a second before replying.
— "Well, my mom will be really happy to see me after a long time. And about my dad… I think he wouldn't talk much, but he won't hate seeing me. Anyway, why did you ask?" I said.
She smiled faintly, then turned her gaze back outside.
— "Nothing specific. Just wanted to see how different it is. You got a really nice family, Kazuma," she said.
Different? What did she mean by that? I couldn't read her expression. I couldn't understand her at all.
But one thing I knew for sure — there's a scar even someone like Akari Matsumoto can't heal.
Still, I won't ask what she meant.
I'll wait for her.
I looked at the other side.
— "Maybe I do," I said quietly.
As we both stared out our separate windows, the car rolled on in silence — another quiet day as roommates coming to an end.