Chapter 237 - Run Away No More

Asou Chiaki balled her trembling hands into fists on her lap. She closed her eyes again as she tried to take a few deep breaths to calm herself down. She had to be composed, she knew if she had to face Aki in a while to talk about this thing between them.

Oh well…

There was nothing she could do anymore to change or procrastinate things. She would have to face her fear and him. Aki had been straightforward to her. It was a disservice to him if she still ran away. Then again, did she really still want to do that? To pretend that nothing was happening between them?

Facing Suzuki Daizo the other day, Chiaki couldn't help but accept the truth that Aki was a very eligible bachelor. He was someone a lot of women wanted to have for their mate as well as a man who parents wanted for their daughters. It meant he could be with anyone, and yet, Aki chose her.

Who was she to keep someone as loyal like this hanging on the line?

She was a nobody.

In reality, even she, herself didn't understand how Aki would want her. Her only advantage to other girls was that she'd been together with him as his friend the moment she had chased away those bullies who were beating him up back in pre-school.

Oh well...

Even with her legs shaking, Chiaki opened the door to the side and stepped out, slowly but surely. If Aki wanted to talk about things today, regardless if they ended up together or not afterwards, then so be it.

The first thing she saw was the silhouette of his side. He stood on the edge of the walkway, several feet away from the car, leaning against the railing of the bridge overlooking the highway. His head was slightly bowed as he gazed below where cars passed. It was already dark, and so the lights from the vehicles were on, creating a line of red and orange lights underneath, illuminating his face.

Chiaki didn't know why, but he looked… lonely.

It was the same look he had on when he sat outside the operating room, waiting for the doctors to finish doing emergency surgery on Ara when she had the terrible accident months ago. It was as if he was preparing himself to lose something very important like he was conditioning his mind to accept a blow.

Aki…

As Chiaki had felt that day upon seeing his melancholic profile at the hospital, her heart constricted in her chest. She hurt looking at him like that.

It was worse today, however, since Chiaki knew that Aki must have been preparing himself to separate from her and a cold hand caressed her heart, filling her chest with dread. If Aki let her go tonight, then she knew it would mean forever.

She still hadn't reached the top – still burdened my so many responsibilities. Chiaki used to think she had all the time in the world. But she was wrong. She was oh, so wrong.

Aki was serious when he said they would really talk today, and it would be the last time…

Even if Aki didn't say that, Chiaki felt the finality behind his words.

"Chiaki, you're taking too long," Aki called out casually all of a sudden, making the breath hitch in her throat.

"I'm coming!"

Asou Chiaki had to applaud herself for still being able to maintain normalcy in her voice. The cool way she sounded was totally opposite of the storm brewing within her. Her legs felt heavy, but she pushed herself to advance, careful not to lose her balance. The last thing she needed was to fall on her face although if that would delay the inevitable, she'd be tempted to do it.

"You're so slow," Aki teased as he looked at her, although he didn't move a bit.

Hearing the usual banter in his voice, Chiaki's nervousness lessened, and she was able to walk towards him without much mishap.

"You're so impatient," Chiaki countered as soon as she reached him, making him let out a snort.

"Me? Impatient?" Aki asked her in mock disbelief. "Chichi, I'm the last person you should call impatient," he continued with a pout, using his special nickname for her, his eyes severe, completely indicating his tolerance with her over the years.

"Yes, you are," Chiaki insisted stubbornly, although deep inside, she totally didn't believe this was true.  

A soft smile even stretched the side of her lips, remembering years past when Aki kept staying by side even when she tried her best to spurn him. Yes, Suzuki Aki was the last person anyone could call impatient.

"Whatever," Aki muttered as he reached out his hand to grab her and pulled her so she'd be next to him.

"Are we really going to talk here?" Chiaki asked.

They were not on the main road but were still on a road where people pass by.

"Better here, right now than later. You will find a way to get away again," Aki told her frankly, making Chiaki flinch.

Well, it was the truth. In the years that passed since Aki first confessed to her, every time he asked her to talk, she always found a way to postpone it until they couldn't talk anymore.

"This is not the right place…"

"We're going to have a meeting soon…"

"We need to focus on our project first…"

These were some of the excuses she was able to use before. Chiaki couldn't count how many times she was able to thwart him now that she thought of it. Innumerable.

Suzuki Aki was indeed the personification of patience when it came to her.

She realized that if it were her, she would have long since given up. Who'd want to be taken for granted that long? Who'd keep asking after being chalked up as a passing fancy many times?

Only Aki…

Asou Chiaki couldn't run away anymore.

"What are you thinking?" Aki asked softly as he studied her face.

Chiaki bit her lips as she scolded herself for making him suffer so much. She was a total pain. It was amazing how he still wanted her.

"What I'm thinking about?" Chiaki asked as she cleared her throat. "I'm thinking about…you…"