『Entangled Stars』;「運命」┇akane a. x aoi. a au

chapter iii : for show

#3: For Show
見せかける

The sound of gentle footsteps clashing on the ground pulled him back from his chaotic haywire of thoughts. As the transparent droplets of rain trickled down to his facial features, his scarlet orbs traveled upwards — eventually stopping to the silhouette of a petite figure with a familiar shade of indigo color on top of her head.

Aoi panted heavily with her hands on top of both her knees after reaching the position of the scarlet-haired male who was currently frozen on his spot.

"What happened, Akane-kun? I heard there was a commotion so I checked what it was all about. But then I suddenly found out that it included you and Souta-senpai—"

"Don't even mention that coward's name!" Aoi-chan unconsciously gripped the handle of the opened umbrella as she gazed at the now furious fiery-headed male showing a scowl expression.

Not enlightened by the reason behind his outburst, words continue to come out of her mouth. . .

"Was it because of me?"

Both sheltered from the light rainfall with the help of the umbrella, her question only carried a long moment of silence which was then followed by a deep sigh from the male. He groaned as both of his hands simultaneously shook the scarlet red strands rooted on top of his head.

Now representing his visible frustration. He spoke, "I just can't seem to understand, Aoi. . ."

"What do you mean?" Confusion was reflected in her expression as she gazed at the noticeably upset male. What's wrong, Akane-kun?

"How despite all of his missed calls, fabricated excuses, and late replies—"

"I-In the end, he would always apologize to me." The indigo-haired female bit her bottom lip. S-Should I tell him? That all of that was. . .

"That doesn't mean you could continue to tolerate all his actions just like that."

Due to his tone, she flinched and Akane noticed this causing him to soften a little. He sighed heavily, gently raising the chin of the female. Their line of vision finally intersects, both observing the vibrant galaxies that shone despite the grayish setting.

All of that was just for show, Akane-kun.

"That's exhausting, Aoi-chan."

He's right.

His words struck her whole system creating a sudden loud noise. A type of noise that is determined to wake her up from the pile of lies she accepted while being in a bliss of ignorance.  Slowly she started visibly trembling as the noise succeeded. Eventually realizing that it was right. . .

she couldn't be in bliss forever.

"It's all my fault." Her voice cracked.

She let everything go with the flow. She let that one encounter with Souta-kun lead to an undesired relationship for the sake of not turning the admiring eyes of people filled with expectations for her into glints of disappointment. Turning a blind eye to the peace she has always almost achieved in order to seek validation from others.

'Why do I always worry about what others would think of me?'

"Don't punish yourself for his mistakes, Aoi." 

Akane gently placed a lost-like strand of her indigo hair behind her ear. "He's not worth your tears. He doesn't deserve you."

As tears threatened to fall from both the heated corners of her eyes. She spoke, "You don't deserve me too, Akane. I'm aware of the reason why you stayed despite all of this."

"And even with all that, Aoi. I still can't have you?" He countered.

With his furrowed eyebrows, she broke contact. Pushing him away lightly, swallowing up the response that doesn't have anything to do with the weather but could've absolutely calmed the storm starting inside him.