Chapter 40

“So, do you think those two were able to make up?” asked Mei while leaned in towards the other members of the art club.

“Who knows, I’ve pretty much given up in regards to those two,” said Keiko with a sigh.

“But, they have to make up, right?” said Noriko and looked at the other two in worry. “I mean... those two have to be together, it just makes sense.”

“Oh Noriko, you really are a sweet girl,” said Keiko. “But those two seem a lost cause.”

“I wouldn’t call them that,” said Yusuke. “They’re both hot tempered and complicated, but I believe they can make it work if they try hard.”

“Wow, Yusuke, I never knew you were such a romantic,” said Mei in surprise and Yusuke shrugged his shoulders.

“I just believe in my friends, you should try doing the same,” said Yusuke.

“That’s easy to say, but how many times have those to been in a fight already?” said Keiko. “Sometimes I wonder what even made them end up together in the first place.”

“Maybe they like to fight,” said Noriko, but the strange look from everyone around her made her drew back. “I guess not.”

Keiko was just about to speak up again, when the sound of a door creaking made everyone turn their eyes towards the entrance to the club room. 

“H... Hello...” said Iyori carefully while sneaking in through the door. “I see you’re all here... or... most of you...”

“The coast is clear, Shuya isn’t here,” said Keiko and Mei elbowed her in the side.

“Ouch, what now?” said Keiko annoyed.

“Don’t mind Keiko,” said Mei. “Come on in.”

“Actually, I was kinda looking for Shuya,” said Iyori. “I thought he went this way but–” Just as Iyori was about to finish her sentence, she felt the presence of another person just behind her and when she turned around, she saw Shuya standing there.

“I guess you don’t have to look anymore,” said Yusuke in a teasingly manner.

“Hey everyone,” said Shuya and waved awkwardly.

“Enough with the pleasantries, go out and make up already,” said Keiko. “You kids are driving me crazy.”

“I guess we should go somewhere else and talk,” said Shuya and looked at Iyori who nodded slightly. 

Without another word exchanged, Iyori and Shuya left the club room and walked down the long hallway, neither of them speaking a word to another. When they got outside the school, they went to a place a bit more secluded, and once they had made sure no one was around, they let out a breath, both of them wondering who should go first.

“I’m sorry–”

“Sorry!” said both of them at the same time. They gave each other a quick glance and then let out a chuckle.

“You first,” said Shuya.

“No it’s okay, you can go first.”

“Alright then,” said Shuya and took in another deep breath. “I’m really, really sorry about what I did. I broke my promise to you, I’m sure you were scared and disgusted by what you saw, and I know it’s a lot to ask, but I still want to ask you to forgive me.” Shuya looked up and saw Iyori nodding along to what he was saying.

“I’ll forgive you,” said Iyori and watched as Shuya’s eyes widened in surprise. “I know you did it to protect me, that still doesn’t make it right, but if I couldn’t forgive you for it, I think I’m the one in the wrong.”

“Really? I mean... thank you!” said Shuya.

“But I really hope you learn from it this time, just look at the mess you got us into, involving our parents and all,” said Iyori and crossed her arms.

“Me? Weren’t you the one who just had to call the cops? If you hadn’t done that our parents would’ve never been involved.”

“But what if that boy had actually been the stalker? I had to report him,” said Iyori.

“I... I know,” said Shuya. “And I... I deserved to be turned in as well, what I did was wrong.”

“It was,” said Iyori.

“It really was,” said Shuya.

“I’m glad you see it yourself, now promise me again,” said Iyori and held out her pinky finger towards Shuya. “Promise me again that you won’t get into a fight anymore, and this time, don’t break the promise.” Shuya looked at Iyori’s hand in front of him, feeling the fear and uncertainty boil over inside and he swallowed hard. 

“I... I promise,” said Shuya and locked his pinky with Iyori’s.

“Good, it’s a promise, if you break it I will break your pinky!”

“Alright alright, there's no need to turn to violence, I'll keep my promise,” said Shuya and laughed, making a smile appear on Iyori’s face.

“You know, I’m actually glad our parents were involved,” said Shuya after a short while of silence. “At first I thought everything was over, but I ended up having a really great talk with my dad.”

“Really? Me too!” said Iyori and both of them started laughing again. “I guess we really have a long way until we can actually call ourselves adults.”

“Yeah, but we’ll get there,” said Shuya. “Just imagine, in a month or so, we’ll both graduate and soon after, we’ll start University.” Iyori suddenly gulped, but Shuya didn’t seem to notice, simply continuing to fantasize about their future.

“Man, I hope our Universities aren’t located too far away from each other so we can actually meet up from time to time.”

“Um... about that,” said Iyori and Shuya looked at her in confusion. After gathering her courage, Iyori told Shuya the same thing she told her father two days ago, and even though Shuya felt a little disappointed at first, he respected her choice.

“I’m sorry, after you spent all that time and money tutoring me, I’m still not ready to take the entrance exams.”

“Don’t say that, I’m just happy we can actually talk about our future together,” said Shuya. “When I first met you, you spoke like there was no future out there for you.” Iyori diverted her eyes in embarrassment.

“Yeah... I was a little gloomy back then.”

“A little?”

“Okay, a lot,” said Iyori. “But so were you, such a loner, craving for attention.”

“Hey!”

“What? I’m right.”

“Yeah...” said Shuya and sent Iyori an embarrassed smile. A while passed by and Shuya’s expression suddenly changed into a more serious one.

“Iyori... about the stalker... did... did he contact you again?” asked Shuya and looked at Iyori.

“No,” said Iyori and Shuya let out a sigh of relief. “Actually, I quit my job yesterday.”

“What? Really?”

“Yeah, my dad was the one who convinced me, besides, if I want to get into a University next year, I need to focus on that.”

“I’m really happy to hear that, I just hope that person will leave you alone now.”

“Me too, I guess now that I actually quit, he will be forced to find something else to keep him amused.”

“I guess,” said Shuya. “But if he does contact you again, please tell me. I know I haven’t done anything to earn your trust, but I still want to know.”

“It’s okay, I promise that I’ll tell you immediately.”

“Thank you,” said Shuya and took Iyori’s hand. “I’m glad.”

***

Back in the club room, everyone had started working on their own things, although keeping an eye on the door from time to time, wondering if the troublesome couple would return, and suddenly, their thoughts were answered.

“Hey, look who we have here,” said Keiko when Shuya and Iyori entered holding hands.

“You made up!” said Noriko and slammed her hands together in excitement.

“Told you,” said Yusuke.

“You guys... stop worrying us like this all the time,” said Mei and stared at the two as they approached the table.

“Sorry, we’ll try to keep the drama to a minimum now,” said Iyori and laughed.

“You better, you’ll graduate in a month and I don’t want that last month to be filled with worry,” said Keiko.

“Neither do we,” said Shuya. “Besides, I have to focus on my entrance exams, so there really will be no time for drama.”

“Oh yeah, I never wished you good luck on that,” said Iyori.

“Well, I don’t really need good luck, but thanks,” said Shuya and earned a glare from the rest and an elbow in the side. “Alright, I guess I deserved that,” said Shuya and laughed alongside the rest of the club.

Hello everyone!

I'm sure you're tired of Iyori and Shuya's drama too, which is why I made sure to show the frustration all their friends are feeling. Two people who are both stubborn and hot tempered can be troublesome, but when you like each other, you just have to find a way to make it work.

Or what do you think? Let me know your thoughts in the comments down below.

And as always, make sure to stay happy and healthy wherever you are!

Love, Annalise~