Chapter 60: Chapter 60 - The Feeling Called Love

Kuro Kurogane was scared during the sunset.

He was happy.

Really happy.

The rooftop was peaceful today.

The sunset covered the school in a warm glow and the cool breeze blew softly in the air.

And somehow, he ended up there with 4 girls.

Like always Akari sat near him munching on snacks with some difficulty.

Mina lay back against the fence slowly scrolling through her phone.

Rika sat quietly and read in the shadows from the window.

Aoi was pouring tea into paper cups in a calm manner.

But Kuro’s chest squeezed tight when he looked at them.

Because recently, he had begun to cherish such times.

"Stop staring," Mina suddenly said.

Kuro blinked.

"I wasn’t."

"Liar."

Akari was now pointing at him with both hands.

"He’s in an emo-monologue."

"Please, stop being able to read me!"

That was not going to happen.

Suddenly, out of the blue, Aoi gave him a cup of tea.

Their fingers lightly brushed together.

There was contact between their fingers.

Kuro’s heart began racing.

Again.

And, unfortunately, Aoi saw it.

Of course she did.

Aoi always sees.

Aoi slowly smiled faintly.

It was a warm, gentle, and incredibly sweet smile.

Kuro looked away first.

Just to the left of Kuro, Akari was laughing at some funny comment by Mina.

She was also bright and full of life.

Kuro found himself staring again.

Akari was happy so the environment around her reflects it as well.

When she smiles, everything feels warmer.

And easy.

Lately, Kuro found himself wanting to protect Akari’s smile on instinct.

All of a sudden, Mina moved close beside him.

Too close.

Their shoulders barely touched.

"Kuro-kun."

"...What."

"Buy me food later."

"Why?"

"Emotional support."

It made sense.

Mina then smiled playfully and sweetly toward him.

And suddenly, Kuro was reminded of

late-night conversations, walks to the convenience store,her soft voice sounding vulnerable asking him to stay.

Being close to Mina now felt natural.

It was getting comfortable to the point of being addicted, and that scared Kuro too.

Then, out of nowhere, Rika closed her book next to him.

The soft noise she made caught Kuro’s attention immediately.

Immediately, both him and Rika noticed that each other were looking at one another and smiling.

Rika smiled softly.

It was a small smile.

But for some reason, Kuro found comfort in seeing that smile.

When Rika is around, Kuro feels calm.

When there’s noise, Kuro feels calm when quiet returns.

So he also sought out that same comfort lately.

"You’re smiling!" Rika said softly.

Kuro blinked slowly.

"Am I?"

"Yes!"

Then Mina narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"Wait, he actually looks happy!"

Akari gasped dramatically.

"Kuro unlocked emotions!" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"How rude."

They were right to say this.

A point came in where these four girls wound up changing the totality of his day-to-day life.

And suddenly, he realized how much that hurt.

Now Kuro turned his eyes to each girl.

Aoi.

The girl who got him without any words. Stood with him through every single one of the horrible moments he’d gone through. Made him feel less lonely in every way.

Akari.

The girl who made all the empty places fill up with warmth and craziness. Showed loud love with no regret. Made all the otherwise normal things he did feel alive.

Mina.

The girl who covered her vulnerabilities with joking smiles. Made him naturally laugh. Made him feel strangely comfortable being around.

Rika.

The girl who got quiet feelings without him ever saying anything.

Made him feel calm each time he was around her. Looked at him with such kindness, it physically hurt.

And now terrifyingly his heart was in each one of these girls, different but real.

The noise of the rooftop was faded behind some kind of silence, while the sun was dropping lower in the sky.

Then Kuro spoke .

"Can I ask something?"

All four girls turned to look at him, but it may have been the biggest mistake of his all, and then he continued.

"When did you start liking me?"

Then, all at once, the environment around him became honest.

Akari spoke first.

Looking a bit less sure than before; smile fading slightly.

"...Maybe when you were always there to help protect us even before our mom and dad got married again."

"You stayed with me no matter what.You helped no matter how bad things got."

Kuro’s heart felt heavy.

Mina glanced toward the sun’s setting position quietly.

"...Think I know the time...I think you actually listened to me with understanding for the first time."

Then she gave a small laugh.

"Everyone else liked me because I’m fun."

"You were able to see past that."

Rika’s head lowered a little.

"... I love how nice you’re to others when no one notices."

It was weird that made an impression on him unlike anything else.

Rika added.

"You make everyone feel safe."

Finally Aoi met his gaze.

A clear and honest emotion filled her expression.

"...To tell you the truth, I can’t really remember when your love started for me."

"...I’ve always loved you."

Kuro’s heart raced painfully fast.

Because he realized.

What he felt wasn’t temporary.

No longer childhood feelings of comfort, just feelings of attraction and no longer just simple friendship.

True Love had grown in them all.

And Kuro stood at the center of it all.

The rooftop itself was still warm from the sun all day long.

Akari nervously laughed.

"Wow."

"This is getting too serious."

"It’s too serious," Mina muttered.

Rika happily smiled.

Even Aoi was slightly embarrassed now.

And somehow Kuro was able to smile too.

Then for the next minute or so he quietly said something to himself something that he was terrified of.

I don’t want this moment to end.

He felt a silence development in his chest afterward.

Finally he understands everything that has happened to him in his life thus far.

He’s already in love.

The even more terrifying part.

He doesn’t know who he will end up being faithful to.

For the very first time this really frightens him.