Chapter 149: Let's... All go out
"So what are you two doing here?" Those words echoed in Arata's mind. It seemed to be a simple, innocent question that anyone would ask in a situation like this. Plus, he already asked them that, so it was only fair that the other three do the same. However, the tone from Akaki's voice worried him.
Akaki's demeanor seemed to be the same as usual. Perhaps because he was in front of the all the girls, but Arata sensed something to be off. Why? The boy wasn't afraid of the question, yet there was dread within his body as he looked at the boy in front of him.
"The two of us are just hanging out." Akiba answered. She was obvious to the growing tension between the boys in this group. "That's about it. We're just having some fun together."
"Oh, you two ran into each other." Erina assumed that was the case. Not because of any evidence, but because a part of her didn't want to believe the alternative. "Kind of like how we just did."
"Actually…" Arata couldn't lie to them. "We planned this out… Yesterday."
"Yeah, I came over to his house and we ended up agreeing to this plan." Akiba explained, leaving out the reason she was there. If anything, that only fueled the fire even more. He could feel the heat coming from Akaki, and Yuriko seemed to be glaring at him now. "But if you're not busy, perhaps we can all hang out together?" He was surprised that she'd be extending an offer to the three. Of course they were all friends, but this seemed to serve against the purpose of their day trip in the first place.
"Sure." The lack of enthusiasm from someone that has a crush on her worried him. Akaki was a kind boy, but it seemed that even he could have dark feelings within. Arata was certain he understood the problem caused by this misunderstanding. It seemed that now was time to be a little cautious. There was going to be a lot that needed to be cleared up, but he couldn't do it while all these girls were around.
"I'm wondering where you were planning on going if the three of us can join." Yurime crossed her arms as if this was some type of inconvenience to her day. Though try as she might, the girl was indeed happy to be along for the ride.
"We hadn't decided, but I was hoping to suggest the planetarium." Akiba informed them. That did sound like it would interesting, he thought. Arata was full on that plan, but he was surprised that she wanted to go there with him. While the boy couldn't say he was that experience with dates, wasn't that the kind of thing to do as a casual trip for a couple?
"I'm more into geography rather than astrology, but sure."
"Ooh, can I take pictures of the stars while we're there?" Erina asked as the group departed to their destination.
"I don't think they accept flash photography." He answered. The way they walked exposed the slight tension. Akaki was standing on the opposite end from him, with the girls between them. It wasn't just that either though. Arata couldn't help but wonder why Erina had this sort of distance with him. This distance wasn't only physical, but she was the girl farthest from him. Weird since he had always considered them to be best friends, but she always was acting strange. One day the girl was happy to see him, but sometimes she'd realize they'd be too close and physically get away from him. What was wrong with her?
Then there was Akiba who was standing next to him as they walked. Shouldn't she want to be closer to her childhood friend? They knew each other better, but here she was besides him. Perhaps it was because this day was started with the two of them. Or maybe Arata was overthinking their arrangement. He was always prone to being a bit too reflective.
The group entered the planetarium, which was fairly crowded with a lot of people enjoying their days off. He hadn't been in one since he was a young child on a field trip. It felt like a lot had changed in the many years with new exhibits and updated look. The former was thanks to advancements in science.
"We should check out the exhibits first." Akaki led the way on their itinerary. "Then we can finish off with the dome." It was something that everyone was looking forward to the most. So it was better off that they save the best for last.
"…" Erina was memorized with how detailed the models of their planets were. She desperately wanted to save the moment for the future, and couldn't resist the urge to take out her camera. "I just need one." She said, but it was too late as a security guard took it from her hands.
"Sorry, but no flash photography." He scolded her and told her that she could get it back after they were done here. She hung her head down in sorrow now that she had lost her beloved camera.
"Well, at least they have pictures for sale at the gift store." Arata consoled her and put a hand on her shoulder. "I can even buy you one if you want."
"Y-you really don't have to be so kind." She brushed his hand off and averted her gaze. All of her actions only served to make him more disappointed. What did he do wrong to get her to be like this? It couldn't have been being with Akiba, since he would've thought it benefited her if he was going out with her. That would be one less competitor for Yogi. Not that that was what he was doing, of course.
However, what he didn't know was her internal struggle. Erina slowly walked away from him, her heart was racing like crazy. The girl couldn't understand what was going on. When she saw him with Akiba all alone, like they were on a date. She got this weird feeling that she knew all too well when everyone was still in love with Yogi. That feeling of jealousy and envy.
That scared her. Why was she feeling this way? Arata was her best friend, yet lustful thoughts continued to enter her mind when around him. Most days, she was fine and got lost in staring at Yogi. But then there would be an occasional thought about Arata, an inappropriate thought about the boy would show up. When those times occurred, she had to do whatever it took to get away from him.
But running into him like this. The thought that he might possibly be dating one of her friends, even if she knew this to not be true. It only served to upset her even more. What was she thinking? She likes Yogi, not Arata. Yet no matter how hard she tried, he always worked his way closer to her. That day during the anime convention, that night they spent together in his bed. Was that her crossing the forbidden line? Did she indulge in the terrible temptation of adultery? Just as her mother did to her father?
"Oh, sorry." Erina was so deep in thought, that she didn't realize her surroundings. The girl ended up bumping into Akiba, who was checking out one of the exhibits. Seeing the look on the girl's eyes, she immediate knew there was a problem. Of course, she was also aware of the root cause. All of the girls were aware of Erina's internal struggle. How couldn't they, when they were all there during the Fall festival. They all saw the decision she made that day, but remained silent for her sake.
But not today.
Perhaps it was because of the encouragement she received from Arata during their talk yesterday, but Akiba didn't want to continue holding in her silence. "Yuriko." She called out to the other girl, who was busy staring at some space rocks. "We should all use the restroom before the planetarium show."
"I'm not a child, I can use the toilet when I need it." She responded with a slight blush.
"But there's safety in numbers, right?" She really couldn't allow that girl to worm herself away from them. Akiba also had some choice words to say to that girl specifically as well.
"Fine, but only because I need it a little right now." She relented, joining the other two. Erina was pulled allow by Akiba, which led her to being a little bewildered as to what this girl wanted. It was clear this wasn't just for some simple relief.
"We'll just be powdering our noses." She called back to the boys. "Just keep looking around without us."
"All right, see you later." Arata responded. "Looks like it's just the two of us here." He awkwardly spoke now that they were alone. They were in a relatively less crowded area of the planetarium. In fact, there wasn't anyone near them at all.
"…" Without saying a single word, Akaki took him by surprised. The much larger and taller boy corned the small boy with his back to the wall. His towering presence fill him with fear. "Why?" He finally spoke up.
"Why… What?" Arata too shook to give a proper response. During these precious few seconds, he didn't even know what the problem was here. With this feeling of danger, his eyes darted back and forth to try and find someone around. To his left, he found a girl who had witnessed the whole thing. She had her hand covering her mouth and rosy cheeks from her blushes.
At first, he believed himself to be saved. Surely Akaki wouldn't continue this act if he learned that someone was watching them. Unfortunately, that girl would then give a thumbs up to the pair and walked away. She had completely misread the situation! This wasn't a boy making a confession to another that he had feelings for. His situation was a lot more dangerous than that.
"Why… When you already knew?"
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