THE FORGOTTEN SPRING

CHAPTER 10

"THE FORGOTTEN SPRING"

by: Dark Flame Master

KAI'S POV

Class ended like it always does. I stood up to grab my bag, and, as usual, that annoying p*****t stood up too. Of course, he’s planning to follow me again. Does he ever get tired of this? The moment he tries anything weird, I swear, I’m reporting him to the police.

“Kai, we’re going to a cafe. Wanna come?” Hana asked, her cheerful voice cutting through my thoughts as she slung her bag over her shoulder.

“No, thanks,”

She just nodded and then turned to this annoying guy behind me. “Nee, Aihara-kun, kafe ni ikanai?” (Hey, Aihara-kun, you wanna go to the cafe with us?) she asked, smiling at him. I could feel his eyes on me. Again. Why does he always look at me like that?

“Ah, Kai wa ikanai tte,” (Ah, Kai said he's not going.) Kerk said before Haru could respond.

“Ja, boku mo ikanai,” (Then, I'm also not going.) he said almost immediately, a small, fake smile tugging at his lips.

“Okay, take care, Kai,” Cyrus said as the group left.

I just nodded in reply, watching them walk away. If only they knew. The real danger isn’t some random stranger lurking in the shadows—it’s this p*****t walking right next to me.

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As we walked outside, this annoying p*****t started talking. Again. His voice was constant, his words flowing nonstop like a stream I couldn’t shut off. Doesn’t he ever get tired? I wasn’t even responding, and yet he kept going. Most people would’ve gotten bored of me by now, but not him. No, he’s built differently. Annoyingly so.

“Kai, doushite minna to kafe ni ikanakatta no?” (Kai, why didn't you go to the cafe with them?)

So what if I didn’t? Is it his problem? I don’t like crowded places. I don’t need to explain myself to him. Honestly, if I had to choose, I might’ve gone with them—at least they wouldn’t have followed me around like this.

“Kai, suki na tabemono wa nani? Tsukureru yo,” (Kai, what's your favorite food? I can cook.)

I ignored him again, hoping he’d finally take the hint. But, of course, he didn’t.

“Kai, mite! Eli da—” (Kai, look it's Eli—) he suddenly exclaimed, his voice laced with excitement.

“What?” I asked, snapping my head to look in the direction he pointed. Sure enough, there she was—Eli, with her boyfriend. They looked happy together, like they were made for each other.

“Miru na!” (Don't look!) he said sharply, his hand suddenly covering my eyes. Disgusted, I brushed his hand off immediately. “Don’t touch me,” I snapped, glaring at him before walking ahead. Eli… Why do I always have to see her? Why can’t I move on already?

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“Ah, konbini,” Haru said, pointing at the convenience store we were about to pass. “Nee, Kai, aisu katou yo,” (Hey, Kai, let's buy ice cream.) he added, grinning like a child. Before I could even reply, he grabbed my hand and dragged me toward the store.

“Hanase,” (let me go!) I said, yanking my hand away as we walked in. He looked at me with a sad expression, and for a moment, I felt… irritated. What is it with him? Why does he have to act like this?

“Fine,” I sighed, annoyed. “Kocchi kite!” (Come here.)

“Ehh?” he said, looking confused.

"Aisu tabetakunai no? Kau kara, suki na no erande." (Do you want ice cream or not? I’ll buy it. Just pick what you want) I said impatiently, crossing my arms. His face lit up instantly. Wow. How can someone’s mood change that fast? He went from sad to annoyingly cheerful in less than a second.

“Maji?” (Really?) he asked, his smile wide and bright.

“Hayaku shite! Ja nakya kaeru kara,” (Hurry up or I will leave.) I warned.

“Hai!” (okay) he said, quickly scanning the freezer before grabbing a chocolate-flavored one.

I grabbed the same flavor and paid for them at the counter. As soon as we stepped outside, I handed him his ice cream.

“Kore de oai koda ne. Mou jama shinai de,” (Were even now so don't bother me again.) I said firmly before unwrapping my own. I could hear his footsteps quickening behind me as he caught up.

“E? Nani itteru no?” (Eh? What do you mean?) he asked, grabbing my shoulder to stop me.

“Kinou no aisu no bun haratta jan. Dakara mou jama shinai de,” (This is my payment for the ice cream yesterday so don't bother me again.) I explained, hoping he’d get the message this time.

“Ja, tabenai,” (Then I won't eat it!) he said, holding his ice cream out like it was suddenly unwanted.

"Haa... Ayoko na, nakakainis ka na. Kung ayaw mo kainin, edi wag. Bahala ka na diyan." (Haa..I can't..you're so annoying. If you don't want to eat it then don't. I don't care) Oh no, I didn't mean to speak in Tagalog. But what’s with his face?

"Eigo jan—" (that's not eng—) he muttered before abruptly covering his mouth, causing the ice cream he was holding to drop to the ground. "Eh? Nani itteru no?" (Eh? What do you mean?) he stammered, his face flustered.

“Hey, p*****t! Let me ask you a question,” I snapped, trying to redirect my irritation.

“Hm? Nani itteru no?” he replied, attempting a weak smile to deflect. It was suspicious—everything about him screamed something was off. Transferring to an international school without knowing English? What a joke.

“You can understand me, can’t you?” I said, grabbing the collar of his uniform. “Just be honest. Is something going to happen? Is that why you’re doing this?” He avoided my gaze, muttering something under his breath. It annoyed me even more. I let go of his collar with a sharp sigh.

“Ah, damn. Whatever. I don’t care.” I turned on my heel and started walking away. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him kneel down to pick up the fallen ice cream. I thought he didn’t want to eat it. Weirdo.

“E-Eli...?” his voice trembled from behind me.

“Hm?” I answered without looking back.

“M-mada suki nano?” (You s-still like her?) he asked hesitantly as he opened the ice cream.

“No,”

“Ja, doushite Eli o miru tabi ni naki sou na kao shiteru no?” (Then, why do you always look like you're about to cry every time you see her?)

What the heck was he saying? Me? Looking like I’m about to cry? That’s ridiculous.

“I-I said no. Just stop talking and eat that,” I muttered, quickening my pace.

After a few steps, I realized I couldn’t hear his footsteps anymore. I glanced back and saw him standing there, staring at the ground. Something about it made me stop. I don't know what I'm thinking but I walked back to him.

“What’s wrong?” I asked. “Is it not good?”

“...ke her...”

“What?” I leaned in closer and placed a hand on his shoulder, but he brushed it off sharply.

“I SAID, YOU WANT ME TO BE HONEST, BUT YOU’RE NOT BEING HONEST WITH ME!” he yelled, his voice cracking with emotion. “FINE, I CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU’RE SAYING. WHY DID I DO THIS? BECAUSE I THOUGHT YOU’D REMEMBER ME!

I froze. My suspicion was right, but why was he so angry? It wasn’t that big of a deal to me. But his expression—it was impossible to ignore. “H-hey, calm down! Why are you yelling?” I said, glancing around to make sure no one was watching.

“Calm down? Me?” His voice cracked as tears began to form. “I’ve been looking for you for so long... I even wanted to give up. You promised we’d meet again, but you didn’t come that day. Do you even know what happened to me? No, because you’re a liar!”

What was he talking about? I stood there, stunned, as he wiped his tears. “Hey, stop crying. You’re being weird,” I said awkwardly, but he just brushed past me again.

“I’m such an idiot... thinking someone like you would like me,” he said bitterly, his voice shaking. “You’re right. Who could ever love a guy like me? I’m better off gone.”

“W-what are you saying?” My chest tightened, but before I could say more, he looked up at me with a smirk through his tears.

“But you know what? She won’t love you the way you want her to. What’s the point of liking her when she doesn’t even see you?”

“You’re hurt, so why blame it on me?” I yelled, shoving him to the ground. “Tell that to yourself, you disgusting p*****t who likes guys!”

I turned and ran as fast as I could, not daring to look back. My heart was pounding, my mind a whirlwind of anger and confusion. Why did he have to say that? Why did I even bother talking to him?

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As I walked away, his words echoed in my head. "I've been looking for you for a long time." What does he mean by that? I don’t remember making any promises to him—or anyone, for that matter.

I kept replaying his face in my mind, tears streaming down as he yelled at me. It’s not like I didn’t feel bad—I did. But I just didn’t understand. He’s the one who kept following me around, talking non-stop even when I ignored him. Why is he making it seem like I’m the one at fault?

When I reached the park, I sat on a bench, letting out a frustrated sigh. I leaned back and stared at the sky. The sun was setting, painting the clouds orange and pink. It should’ve been calming, but it wasn’t.

I got up from the bench and started walking again, heading home. The streets were quieter now, most people having gone inside. But my mind was anything but quiet. When I got home, my mom greeted me from the kitchen.

"Kai, you're late. Dinner is ready."

"I’m not hungry," I replied, heading straight to my room.

I shut the door behind me and collapsed onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. My heart still felt heavy, and no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t get his face out of my mind—his tears, his anger, his words.

"You’re a liar." Why did that hurt so much?

I groaned, covering my face with my hands. This was too much for one day. All I wanted was for things to go back to normal—to a time when I didn’t have to deal with confusing emotions or annoying people who knew more about me than I did about them.