Chapter 55: Chapter 55 - Mina Doesn’t Want to Joke Anymore

Mina is no longer able to joke around with Kuro, because all of her previous jokes where meant to be just that, jokes.

However, she no longer has the ability to do so, because she no longer finds it fun and jokes now mean something to her.

This leaves her emotionally vulnerable to Kuro.

Their class had recently started, and Mina was walking into class just as she always did, making noise that would get the attention of everyone in the class.

As she spoke to the class normally, she said "Good morning, Emotional Wrecks."

However, when she met Kuro’s eyes, she immediately lost control of her heart.

This was unfortunate because Kuro had on a black hoodie, half asleep and messy hair. An illegal combo.

He looked at Mina and said, "You’re late."

Mina said, "Fashionably."

Kuro then told her she was marked absent. Mina explained her hatred of society.

Both of their conversations were normal for both of them, but for some reason, after their conversation, Mina was still feeling tight and warm in her chest.

Before too long, however, trouble was waiting for Mina as a first year girl came up to Kuro during break.

The first-year girl was cute, shy, and nervous, so naturally, when Mina noticed her, she happened to notice that the entire rest of the class noticed too.

This included Akari, who was nearby observing the entire scene with narrowed eyes saying, "Target acquired."

Aoi was also sitting nearby reading her book when she also lifted her head to see what was going on, and immediately the danger atmosphere in the class had increased.

Kuro was still standing there blinking at the first-year girl in an awkward manner, when she suddenly asked him, "Can I have your phone number?"

Mina froze as well, and as a result, did not respond to Kuro.

Mina felt something suddenly stir darkly, sourly in her chest.

Jealousy.

And even worse it seemed real.

Typically Mina would laugh at herself.

Joke. Tease. Pretend to be unfazed.

But today she could not find the words.

Instead she could only watch this girl blush deeper.

Then softly Kuro said"...Sorry."

Relief was so intense for Mina she nearly went to heaven.

But before she could gather herself the first-year girl suddenly smiled shyly.

"So how about lunch sometime?"

Crickets chirped.

Mina yelled."...He’s busy."

The entire classroom froze.

Because Mina’s voice sounded sharp.

Like, actually sharp.

The first-year stared at Mina, blinking nervously.

"...Uh-huh...sorry..."

Then zipping out the door.

The silence that followed was immense.

Kuro continued to stare blankly at Mina.

Akari continued to stare wide-mouthed.

Aoi looked begrudgingly surprised.

That was not just jealousy.

That was girlfriend jealousy in public.

Catastrophic.

A few agonising moments passed.

Suddenly Kuro broke the quietness very carefully.

"Mina,"

Mina threw her bag over her shoulder with much unnecessarily drama.

"I have to use the restroom!"

And ran from the classroom in total cowardice.

After running to a secluded stairwell and covering her hot face with her weepy tiny hands.

"Mina, I’m crazy."

What just went down?! It was so clear! Jealous. Crazy possessive. Embarrassingly clear.

Mina was dramatically groaning against a wall.

Now everything felt even more painful.

It hurt to see girls next to Kuro, it hurt to hear other people talk about Kuro, it hurt to see Kuro smile at anyone else.

The worst pain of all though was that she literally wanted to be special to him.

Not funny, not interesting,but special.

Then in a soft voice, to herself she whispered into her two hands "This sucks."

And loving someone like this was terrifying.

At lunch that day Kuro saw Mina, alone, sitting behind the gym with her head down and a can of soda.

When Mina finally noticed Kuro coming towards her, she shouted,

"Go away!"

Kuro simply replied,"No."

Mina responded, "Cruel."

Yet Kuro still sat beside her.

Then there was an awkward silence.

After some time he finally broke that silence by saying,

"You scared that girl before."

Mina immediately groaned again.

"I KNOW!"

Kuro then pressed,

"Why?"

Mina looked away.

"I had an emotional breakdown."

"I was watching you, it looked like jealousy."

Mina almost choked on her soda.

"You don’t talk so directly."

"So I’m right?"

Mina was completely embarrassed.

And unfortunately for her, he was right.

He then said quietly,

"I didn’t like it when you saw that girl flirting with me."

"Honestly speaking

Totally honest

Kuro feels a little frozen

Afterwards the atmosphere between them has changed to be much more intimate, and much more real.

Mina laughs through her tears towards the stars as she says

"...Look at this. This is the issue you currently have."

"...What issue?"

"Before I joked that I liked you."

She had tightened her grip around her soda-can somewhat.

"But now you actually cause me pain."

Kuro’s chest was pained to hear this, because it sounded as if Mina was truly very vulnerable.

There was no playfulness. There were no barriers.

Only truthfulness of feelings.

And Kuro then said softly,

"I declined her."

Mina raised her eyebrows just a bit.

"...I know."

"...So why are you still upset?"

Direct emotional insult once again.

Mina continued to stare blankly.

Then she laughed just a tad.

"...Because it still upsets me to know that someone else is interested in you."

A stillness hung in the air. Kuro’s heart slowed to a thud. Hearing Mina express her feelings of jealousy in such an open way scared him and yet, made him feel happy. Very, very scary.

Then suddenly, without any forethought.

Mina moved so that her head lay against his shoulder. Kuro froze. "Mina..." "Just be still," she softly said with tired and honest tones.

And then, in a very low voice, she stated, "...I don’t want to joke around with you forever."

Time stopped.

The wind continued to blow softly around them as other kids in the building could be heard faintly speaking, far away. Then slowly, quietly, she said to him again,

"...When I’m with you, I want you to really see me." Kuro turned to look at Mina.

He looked at the girl who covered her loneliness with her loud laughter, and at the girl who always flirted with him because the truth scared her to death, and for just a brief second, he understood something that was important.

What use to be playful banter was now, in his heart, a way for Mina to reach out to him.

Kuro placed his hand over the hand she placed beside him.

Easy action but Mina became immobile.

Then she slowly gazed at him surprised look , heartbeat trembling.

Kuro muttered.

"I already do,".

Harm through emotional criticism.

Mina’s entire brain came to a halt.

For some reason just three words, more romantic than a confession.

Gradually exceedingly slowly Mina grinned.

And for the first time, it happened that she didn’t retreat behind teasing afterwards.