Puzzle box

Part 17 Disagreement

A few days had passed and Takagi was on her way to meet up with her friends to watch the newly bloomed cherry blossoms. "I only have one day left to solve that puzzle box, maybe I should be taking this more seriously or I'll have lost. But at least we'll still end up together."  She placed her hand on her bag where the box was currently stored and smiled. "Though I am close, maybe I can get it solved today."

She reached the park, where all her other friends Sumire, Mano, Mina, and Sanae were all sitting, already watching the cherry blossoms.

Meanwhile, Nishikata was on his way home after being forced to stay after school to clean once again. "Why is it always me who's forced to clean? Mr. Tanabe has to know Takagi's the one teasing me, why is he letting her off the hook while I'm forced to clean the school?"

He sighed and dropped his head. "At least I'll be able to catch the new episode of 100% unrequited love when I get home."

He continued his walk, but as he did, something felt off. "I wonder ... why hasn't Takagi confronted me about the puzzle box? She should have been able to open it by now." A cold sensation ran down his spine. "Unless she's already opened it and my confession creeped her out." He shook her head and looked forward. "No, I have to stay positive, I'll know for sure tomorrow, I just need to stay positive."

He took a deep breath and smiled. "Yeah, she's probably thinking how she can turn this around on me and embarrass me, that's probably why she's waiting till the last minute."

He nodded and continued with renewed confidence.

This confidence didn't last, as the second he walked in front of the park gate, he saw Takagi and her friends sitting together underneath the cherry blossom tree, which was now in full bloom. 'Didn't she say ...' he jumped back behind the fence and out of view. 'S-she invited me to spend time with her and her friends as soon as the cherry blossoms bloomed ... that means ... what if she plans to read my letter aloud while I'm there as well as her friends?!' He shook his head and took a breath. 'She needs to know I'm here to invite me, and it doesn't look like anyone saw me just yet. All I need to do is be fast and careful, and I should be okay.' He glanced around the corner at the group, and more specifically, at Takagi. 'Man, she's so cute ... NO! I need to focus or I'll be dragged over there and I'll be forced to confess in front of all her friends ... which ...' He stepped back and began thinking. 'Maybe I can turn that around ... sure, there'd be an audience but-' He shook his head. 'NO! I have to avoid this!' He glanced around the corner again, and as soon as they were all looking away, he dashed to the other side, ducking back behind the fence, and out of sight.

"That was way too close." He said as he resumed walking. Before he could even get to the next turn, though, he heard his phone ring signaling a text message. "Why do I have a feeling I know who that is?" He said as he pulled it out, seeing that it was from Takagi. "Yeah I figured."

He opened the message and read it.

Takagi: Turn around.

He let out a sigh and turned around, only to not see anyone there. "Huh? I could have sworn ... I wonder why she told me to turn around then."

He turned back around to resume walking, only to come face to face with Takagi, who was now standing in his way. "Wha-" he looked at her completely dumbfounded before looking back behind him, then back at Takagi again. "How did you do that?!"

Takagi burst into laughter before wiping away a tear. "You're just too easy, I spotted you when you were peeking around the corner. I knew you would try and sneak by, so I snuck up on you." She smiled triumphantly. "So, would you like to join us?"

Nishikata felt defeated as he turned away. "I ... have someplace I need to be."

"That's okay, we were only staying until Yukari arrived, then we're headed to get food, you can stay till she arrives."

Nishikata let out a sigh of defeat. "Okay."

"Great." She took his hand and began leading him over, but stopped just before reaching the gate. "Oh, right." She let go of his hand and gave him a guilty smile, "If you come in holding my hand then that will only strengthen the idea that we're a couple."

Nishikata looked to the side and shrugged. "I ... I don't mind it that much anymore." He blushed slightly as he continued to look away. "I mean, I've kinda gone numb to the embarrassment that comes with people misunderstanding us."

"Well I haven't." Nishikata turned to her shocked. "I don't want people to think we're together if we're not together."

Nishikata felt his chest tighten as Takagi walked away from him. 'She ... doesn't want to hold hands with me ... now if all times?'

Takagi turned around, surprised that Nishikata had stopped. "Is everything okay?"

"I ..." 'No, it's not okay.' "If you don't want people to think we're a couple ... then is it really a good idea for me to hang out with you and your friends?"

"What?" Takagi asked. "We're just looking at the cherry blossoms, it's no big deal if you just come with me."

"But I'll be the only guy there. If I go with you, then people will definitely think I'm your boyfriend." He began taking a few steps back and Takagi got nervous.

"Nishikata ... it's not like that."

"It's exactly like that." He shook his head and turned around. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Takagi felt her heart drop as she watched Nishikata walk away from her. "Well ... If you want to hold my hand so bad, then why don't you just ask me out?!"

Nishikata stopped for a moment, only to stand there before continuing without a word. 'As soon as you solve the puzzle box, you'll get your confession.'

Takagi watched as he disappeared behind a corner and out of sight. "He ... left." She slowly turned around and pulled the box out of her bag. "Fine, I'll force you to confess."

She continued on her way back to her friends and sat down with them. "So Nishikata didn't want to join us?" Sumire asked.

"In a sense." Takagi said as she began fiddling with the box.

"Hm?" Mina scooted closer to get a better look. "What's that?"

"A challenge Nishikata gave me, I open it, and he has to confess to the girl he has a crush on."

"Wait a second." Mano began. "Did he just give that to you?"

"He gave it to her about a week ago." Sumire answered. "I figured you'd have it done by now though."

"So did I." Takagi said as her hands began to shake. "But I kinda wanted to still give him the chance to tell me on his own, though that boy just won't say it!"

"Huh?" Mina began. "Say what?"

Sanae pinches Minas' cheek, causing her to squeal in pain. "It's the thing Yukari's constantly talking about, how have you not realized that?"

"But I thought they weren't in love!" Mina squealed.

"They're not dating, yeah, but it's kinda obvious that he's head over heels for her."

"It's not that obvious!"

Sanae let go of Mina's cheek and looked back at Takagi. "It is for most."

"Yeah, well, I just need to open this now, and he won't be able to back out of it anymore." Takagi said as she began to work at it more aggressively.

"You want some help with that?" Mano asked.

"No, I need to do it myself." She said as she continued working on it. "Now if I can only-" She stopped as the box clicked, and the lid opened up. "I win"