・・・ xxxiv ・・・
A cold, unsettling feeling went up his spine.
He looked away from Leo's face and didn't say anything.
Silence passed between them once more,
broken only by the arrival of the waiter who gave them their orders.
When she left, Leo looked down at the glass of cold soda in his hand.
"You know... ever since I came back here a week ago, I've been having a thing for sodas. Isn't that pretty weird? It's winter and all," he said in an attempt to lighten the mood.
Ao blinked.
I need to say something. Anything.
"Or maybe you shouldn't at all."
He gripped his palms.
In a weak voice, he decided to ask very, very quietly.
"... A week ago?"
Leo snapped his head up, relieved to see that Ao had finally attempted to speak.
A new grin formed on his face.
"Yeah. I arrived in Japan a week ago."
Ao held the coffee in his hands and squeezed it gently. He could feel the warmth spreading to his fingers.
"What about... your studies?"
"Oh. That," Leo shifted uncomfortably. "I... went on a break."
There was an edge to his voice, Ao noticed.
"... I see."
・・・ xxxi ・・・
Ao took a small sip from his drink.
For a few seconds, none of them spoke again.
"... This is quite nostalgic, don't you think?" Leo offered.
"Back when we were still in high school, we used to stop by a coffee shop every day.
We used to read books and studied for exams together.
This... sure brings back memories. Do you still remember them?"
Ao blinked.
He gave a slight nod.
Of course, I do.
Leo leaned back on his chair. "About that girl from yesterday... Rie."
Ao jolted slightly at the mention of her name.
Leo gave him a small, warm smile.
"She's a really kind person. I'm glad you have a friend like her."
A feeling of uneasiness spread over him.
Friend...
"You know..." Leo suddenly murmured,
"Somehow, Rie almost reminds me of her—"
Ao stood up abruptly.
His coffee spilled on the table.
Leo stopped talking.
"Don't," Ao pleaded, unable to look at him. "Please. Don't."
Leo opened his mouth, but no words left his tongue.
Ao shook his head.
He could feel the world spinning.
This was a mistake.
"Run away."
Ao turned around.
"... I'm leaving," he whispered.
・・・ xxxi ・・・
He left the restaurant, stepping out into the cold.
Overhead, the sun was already sinking.
The sky was growing darker.
It took Ao a few moments to realize that he was shaking.
There was a sickening lump on his throat.
There was an uncomfortable weight on his chest.
How wondered how long he had been feeling like this.
Back when Leo first appeared?
Or just a few minutes ago?
He didn't care.
He stared at the palms of his hands, watching them tremble.
This was a mistake.
This was a mistake.
This was a mistake.
This was a mistake.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
He shut his eyes.
"Ao."
YOU ARE READING
re:Happiness | Cell Phone Novel
General Fiction「 Can you teach me how to be happy? 」 Fujiwara Ao has been living the past nineteen years of his life in ease. Born with the ideal background and blessed with enough talent, that's what most of the people presume. In their eyes, he was sim...
