Chapter 555: Inner Feelings


    ?


    It had been a long while since the twost met. Also, other than his manager Ayumi, Ishikawa was the only other girl with whom he had a close rtionship.


    So, it wasn''t that much of a surprise when he thought of her immediately.


    Thinking about her, Hiro couldn''t help but frown, "I wonder how she''s doing? Will she even agree if I ask her to meet now?"


    Hiro sat there pondering.


    He might me his schedule for theck of interaction with her but he couldn''t run away from the fact that he didn''t make an effort to make time for her.


    If he wished to, he could have visited her.


    But the reality was that he made no effort to meet her. Perhaps, he had been so obsessed with football that he subconsciously regarded such interpersonal rtionships as irrelevant.


    However, now that he thought about it, he felt guilty about it.


    At this juncture, Hiro had two options before him- either he could run away from it or he could take action to right the wrong.


    In such a scenario, most people subconsciously lean on the former option. As for the reason why they lean on the former, it probably has something to do with human nature that prevents us from stepping out of ourfort zone.


    Hiro feltplicated inside as he thought about the rtionship he had with Ishikawa. It was he who had approached her first and it was also him who had ghosted her.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Although Ishikawa neverined about it he couldn''t turn a blind eye to it and approach her as if everything was normal.


    ''Did I lose affection for her? If not then why didn''t I make an effort to win her?''


    Hiro pondered if he had lost feelings for her.


    ''But then why do I think of her? Is it tofort myself for the wounds I have inflicted on her?''


    Different thoughts shed past his mind as he thought deeply about the matter. Even though he thought and thought about it, he couldn''t reach an answer.


    The more he thought about it the more he felt confused.


    It was like he was getting sucked into a plethora of thoughts.


    Although he couldn''t figure out how he felt about her, he could tell that he didn''t dislike her in the least. With that much being clear, he resolved to meet her, "Let''s see how things unfold."


    ********


    The sky was dyed orange and red with the dying rays of the setting sun. From the eastern horizon, a velvety pitch-ck darkness rushed to nket the entire sky.


    Inside a school building, students dressed in a mix of navy blue and white uniforms could be seen packing their bags. Some were gossiping, some were jesting and some were cleaning. Looking through the window, you could see quite several people leaving the premises.


    Though the world outside appeared to be entering a state of slumber, it was rather lively inside the ssroom. Filled with the excited chatter of the students and the liveliness of the youth, the room was buzzing with vitality.


    "Su-Mi-Re-, let''s go to Karaoke."


    A girl with a ponytail said in an amicable yet cheerful tone. She had a bright smile on her face.


    Sumire who was organizing her stationeries looked stunningly majestic under the glow of the setting sun. The gentle golden rays of the setting sun fell on her entuating the fairness of her already fair skin.


    Her slightly long ck hair hung freely highlighting her features and her obsidian eyes dazzled like the starry night sky.


    As she heard the call of her friend, she slowly tilted her head to look at her.


    Then while revealing her pearly-white teeth, she revealed a gentle smile, "Sure, let''s go."


    Upon hearing Sumire''s response, the girl with the ponytail revealed an ted smile on her face. Out of excitement, she even jumped on her toes.


    However, right then, Sumire''s phone buzzed.


    She checked on her phone to find that Hiro was asking to meet her. While going through the content of the message, her cheeks started to redden.


    The smile on her face, however, started to fade away.


    "What''s the matter, Sumire?"


    Seeing the expression of Sumire, the girl with the ponytail couldn''t help but show some concern.


    For a while, Sumire just stood there without uttering a word. It was almost as if something in her phone had stunned her.


    Her expression darkened as she looked at Sumire. She feared that something must have happened to her.


    Then Sumire slowly turned to look at her.


    With an apologetic tone, she said, "Forgive me Kaori, I won''t be able to apany you today."


    "It''s alright. But did something happen?" Kaori, the girl with the ponytail asked concernedly. A light blush appeared on Sumire''s cheeks as she said in a low tone, "Hiro wants to meet." Kaori was one of her closest friends in the school. So, she naturally knew about her affection for Hiro. So, when she heard that she was going to meet Hiro, a bright smile formed on her face.


    An overwhelming feeling of joy washed over her as she said excitedly, "You''re going to meet Hi-"


    But before she could finish her sentence, Sumire covered her mouth, preventing her from speaking. They weren''t alone in the ssroom and she was speaking way too loud.


    To prevent others from finding, Sumire had to shut her mouth.


    Fortunately, she was quick to react. Otherwise, Kaori would have announced it to everyone and who knows how many of them would rush to her.


    As expected many turned to look at them.


    Kaori realized that she was being way too loud due to her excitement. So, she immediately apologized, "I''m sorry, Sumire. I didn''t mean to."


    "I know, you didn''t mean to. But let''s keep this between us, okay?" Sumire said in a gentle


    tone.


    Kaori nodded her head as she whispered, "I won''t tell anyone."


    With lightning-fast speed, Sumire packed her bag. Then she bid her friend goodbye in a rush,


    "Then I''ll be off."


    "Best of luck!"


    Kaori winked at her as she wished her luck.