Another Like Me - Part I (CoTE x OC) ✔

SS.8 - Friends (Kikyo Kushida)

"Let it out."

I narrowed my eyes, and stared at Takeyama Keisuke.

What is he talking about?

"What do you mean?"

"Let it all out," he repeated. "You're bottling up your feelings inside you, aren't you? You're unable to vent out your frustrations, your anger, your desires — you're holding everything back."

"I....."

I began to respond, but for some reason, the words were stuck in my throat.

I knew what I wanted to say.

I wanted to berate Takeyama for even thinking that he knows the pain that I feel everyday.

But for some reason, I couldn't say it out.

Why wasn't I able to curse Takeyama, when he's saying something that I hate so much? Why does he think that he knows what I'm going through? Why does Takeyama always act like some all-knowing deity? It's annoying.

"I don't trust you."

"But I want you to trust me. That's where it all begins, doesn't it? It all starts with trust. It all ends with trust."

I bit my lips to prevent myself from retorting once again.

Why?

Just, why.....?

Why was he going so far to save someone like me.....?

Someone who's already beyond saving?

Why does he need to act all goody-two-shoes now? Why does he care about me now?

"I..... don't know."

"It's your decision, Kushida-san. You'll feel better once you rant it out. Besides, ranting is much more effective when there's someone to listen to you."

I widened my eyes.

"What do you mean.....?"

"Let it out, right here, right now," he said blankly. "I'm listening, Kushida. I'll listen to everything you have to say. Even if it's about me, I'll listen to it bravely without interrupting. You'll find the person who will listen to everything you want to say in me."

Why is he doing this.....?

I slowly thought back to the days when I used to rant it out on my blog.

My middle school days, when I used to be hailed as the queen of the class, and everyone would always come to me for help, advice and confessions.

I used to be the heart and soul of the class.

And I loved it.

I loved the popularity.

I loved all the love I received.

I was drunk on popularity.

But then a boy in my class found out about my blog, and knew that the writer was me.

Everything went downhill from there.

"Bitch....."

"?" Takeyama raised an eyebrow.

"Karuizawa-san is a bitch....."

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I don't know why I did what I did that day.

Why did I trust Takeyama Keisuke?

Was it because he had this aura about him? This calming, soothing atmosphere around him all the time? Maybe it was his unparalleled charisma that had taken the entire grade by storm?

Was it out of fear? Takeyama is, after all, the man who can ruin my entire school life in less than a second with a recording.

No.

It wasn't any of them.

It was because I wanted to finally trust someone.

I've wanted to trust someone for so long, but I've never found the right person. I never know when and who to open up my heart to now.

But why did I choose Takeyama? There are so many other people out there, and I had to choose the person I hated the most in this school?

That's what is has come down to.

I proceeded to rant out everything about that evening to the black-haired man, who silently listened to me without batting an eye.

I spit out venom. But he did not say anything.

I berated Ayanokoji and Horikita in front of him. He did not say anything.

I even screwed over Karuizawa's friends, and that included Chiaki Matsushita, just for a tad bit.

But he still did not say anything.

He continued to listen to me, giving me all his attention. He did not flinch when I insulted his best friend in front of him.

Sometimes I think that even Takeyama Keisuke is putting up an act.

But who does not put up a façade in this world?

Everyone has some sort of secret that they don't want others to know.

For me, it is my past in my middle school and my real personality.

Takeyama Keisuke has one too, which no one in this school is aware of.

"Huff, puff....."

I took in deep breaths to calm myself down after the onslaught, and Takeyama even brought me a glass of water from the kitchen to help me cool off.

You don't have to do this alone.

His annoying voice and words continued to replay in my mind.

I'm here to share your happiness and sorrows.

I slowly balled up my hands into a tight fist. My nails dug deep into the palms of my hand, and I almost cut myself with the pressure I was exerting.

I'm always going to be there for you, whether you trust me or not.

Suddenly, I felt it.

A warm and rough hand encapsulating mine, and I looked down to see Takeyama's hand gripping mine with a soft but firm grip.

His hands..... are nice.....

A single tear escaped my eye.

I loosened my balled-up fist, and allowed him to intertwine our fingers together.

His hands were much larger than mine. Firm and hard, but not painful in the least. I clutched his hand tighter.

I wonder what made me change so much?

..... I wonder if I can finally become a better person?

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