The End of Akira
Chapter 13: The Cold Sou

(Love?!)

"You okay? It's my fault for leaving you alone earlier, sorry" Sou said, still clasping Akira's hand.

Akira shakes. "It's not Sou's fault, thank you" Akira said, looking down.

Sou smiled thinly. "Let's do the job, we leave it to Ayano" Sou said, taking off his hand and sitting in front of Akira again.

"Yes." Yeah."

"I did this one, Akira please do the other one" Sou smiled.

"Good."

They then do their respective duties. As Akira was about to start writing, he looked at Sou who was in focus and then switched to staring at his book.

(Why do you feel nervous? Though yesterday it wasn't like this) Akira's mind looked at Sou.

"What's wrong?" Sou asked looked at Akira as well.

Akira shook his head while smiling. "Nothing" Akira then began writing.

(Sou's writing is great. His fingers were strong, his hair was a little messy, his eyes were round, his handsome face. All of which makes Akira nervous) inner Akira glances at Sou.

(Can Akira be like this? Nope, no. First, finish the task first) Akira said in his heart.

Although Akira has decided to do his duty, but he still cannot take his eyes off Sou.

While being focused on glancing at Sou, Sou suddenly looked at Akira so that their eyes met and they were silent for a while.

"What's up Akira? You all right?" Ask Sou.

"I'm fine Sou" said Akira smiling and Sou only nodded in understanding.

(Knowledge!! Stop Akira, don't look at him again. So embarrassed!) akira said in his heart. He was then completely focused on his task.

(She remains extremely beautiful and adorable even when focused like that. Ah, she has a mole at the end of her right eye turns out) Sou said with a faint smile looking at Akira. 

A while later...

"Sou, how do you do this?" Ask Akira.

"What number?"

"Number 28."

"Here, let me see."

Akira then turns the book around so Sou can see it.

"Akira's writing is very good" he smiled. 

"Thank you" said Akira smiling.

"I'll explain" Sou smiled. He then walked over and sat down next to Akira. 

"Thank you very much Sou" Akira smiled.

Sou then explained how to solve the problem Akira asked earlier.

"How, do you understand?" Ask Sou.

"Emm (Akira nodded) if this one is how Sou?" Akira asked a point he did not understand.

"Which one?" Said Sou bringing his face closer to the book to see the matter.

"If it is in-Akhh!!" 

Sou's head hit with Akira's head as he was about to turn his head. Sou and Akira held each other's heads due to a pretty violent impact.

Sou rubbed his head. "Akhh. Are you okay Akira?" Said worried.

Akira nodded while holding his head. "Sorry Sou, I didn't accidentally."

"It hurts so much" murmured Sou holding his head. "Here let me see" said Sou pulling Akira's hand closer to Sou.

(Nearly!!) akira said down.

"Bless your head a little, Akira" Sou said. 

Akira then obeyed Sou. He raised his head a little. Akira was quite surprised because his face was very close to Sou's face right now.

"Your red head is Akira, I'm sorry huh-huh (Sou blew Akira's head red from the impact earlier), sorry yes" said Sou who still blew Akira's head.

"I'm fine Sou. It's my fault, sorry. If I hadn't been so close, we wouldn't have been hurt. Really forgive me" said Akira lowered his head.

"It's my fault also for not paying attention around, sorry yes" said Sou stroking softly Akira's head.

"Sorry Sou" said Akira again.

Sou shook his head. "No, no. I'm guilty here, too. Do I need to go to the UKS?" Sou asked worriedly looking at Akira.

Akira nodded quickly. "That's too much Sou, I'm fine. How's sou himself?" Ask Akira back.

"My head doesn't hurt" Sou said, holding his head.

"Thank God, I'm sorry Sou. Really" said Akira regretfully.

"It's okay Akira. I told you, it's my fault too. Your head still hurts?" Ask again.

"No, it's not sick."

"Thank God, (your brother will definitely be angry if you get hurt because of me) Alright, we continue again yes" said Sou, who is hailed by Akira.

Then they continued doing their job. In the end Sou stays seated next to Akira, helping each other for matters they don't understand.

"It turns out you two are here" Ayano said suddenly.

Akira and Sou then looked to the source of the voice. In contrast to Akira who was smiling, Sou instead showed an expression of dislike.

"What are you guys doing?" Tanya Ayano sat in front of Sou.

"It doesn't seem like I should tell you that you already know" Sou said coldly.

Ayano looked at Sou confusedly. "I didn't find you after I left with my friends earlier, so I came to you here" Ayano told Akira.

"We didn't ask" said Sou coldly, which again left Ayano confused.

"We are working on a task, Ayano is doing it together" Akira smiled.

"You're right, where's my share?" Ask Ayano.

"This one" Akira said showing Ayano's part.

"All right, I'm working on it now. I asked for a paper and borrowed the pen" Ayano smiled. They then return to their respective duties.

A few moments later...

"I'm done" Sou closed the book. He then put his head on the table with his hands folded as a pedestal.

"Thank you Sou" said Akira smiling.

Sou then placed his face staring towards Akira and continued to pay attention to him.

(Akira's eyes are dark brown and shiny, very beautiful) Sou said watching Akira.

"What's Sou?" Akira asked looking at Sou who was staring at him.

"Nothing" Sou smiled. "I want to read a book" he said again.

"This" Akira said.

"Thank you" said Sou smiling.

"Sama-sama" said Akira smiling and then refocusing on her task.

Although Sou says he will read the book, in fact he still pays attention to Akira. He only read 1 sentence and looked back at Akira.

"It looks like you didn't read Sou's book" Ayano smiled.

Akira then looked at Ayano and turned to look at Sou who was staring at her.

"Is there something, Sou?" Akira asked, looking at Sou.

Sou then shook his head. "No, nothing" he smiled.

Akira narrowed his eyes looking at Sou. "Sou lied."

"He was lying" Ayano laughed.

"I didn't lie to Akira" he said again.

"really? Are you interested in something?" Akira looked around to find something that caught Sou's attention. 

Sou nodded. "Hmm. That's right, there's something that really caught my eye."

"I wonder, what makes Sou interested?" Ayano chimed.

"You don't need to know what it is" said Sou coldly.

Akira felt strange about Sou's attitude towards Ayano today. Although Sou did not speak to Ayano as much as he did, it was still very strange for Sou to behave today. But she couldn't ask now so Akira just paid attention to it.

"I'm done" said Akira closing the book.

"Must I not be?" Ayano did not believe it.

"I'm sorry" said Akira smiling. "If something is not understood, just ask" he said again.

"I understand" said Ayano who refocused on her task.

"I want to find another book, this one is boring" Sou told Akira.

"On the second shelf from the other end there are so many novels and manga, who knows Sou like" Akira smiled.

"Okay, thank you. I go first" Sou smiled and left.

"About, did I make a mistake with Sou?" Ayano asked when Sou was gone.

"I don't know, Ayano. He does look different than usual today" Akira said.

"He was very cold to me today" Ayano said.

"Did you make him angry?" Ask Akira.

"I don't think so, but if Sou is like that I must have made a mistake" Ayano said sadly.

"You're right Akira, there are a lot of interesting books. Thank you" said Sou.

"Sama-sama Sou" said Akira smilingly.

Back school...

"I will bring him home" said Ayano, whose task is not yet completed.

"All right" said Akira.

"I go home first, my friends will look for me. See you" Ayano said, then left with some papers.

"See you tomorrow" Akira waved his hand. While Sou just stared cynically at Ayano.

"It looks like we also have to go home, Sou" Akira said, tidying up his books.

"Yes." Yeah."

In class...

"Akira, let's go home together" Sou approached Akira.

"You look closer" said Hana, smiling, which made Akira a little surprised.

"Ehh.. Really true?" Said Sou lazily.

Hana smiling. "May your relationship remain happy. I'll go first, see you Akira, Sou" he said and left.

"Ah, yes. See you, Hana, be careful" Akira smiled.

"Let's go home too" Sou said again.

"Come on."

The hallway...

"Sou" call Akira who is walking behind Sou.

"Hmm?" Said Sou staring at Akira.

(Does Akira have to say it? But this is Sou with Ayano's problem, can Akira ask?)

"What's Akira?" Sou asked as Akira just kept quiet and didn't say anything.

"That's sorry Sou, but how ya say it. Are you and Ayano in trouble?" Ask Akira doubtfully.

Sou's expression turned flat. He then walked back regardless of Akira.

"No, there's no problem whatsoever" Sou said without looking at Akira.

"Thank God if there's no problem. It's just.." 

"Just?" Ask again without looking at Akira.

"Ayano was sad when you were cold to him" Akira said, bowing his head.

"I just don't understand his attitude. He almost wretched you but he still attached great importance to his friends" explained Sou who was still staring straight ahead.

"Are you still upset about what happened?" Akira asked, looking at Sou.

"Of course, he's already put you in danger. I just don't understand you. Why can you still smile as if nothing happened, Akira?" Said Sou slightly annoyed.

"Because I knew Ayano was unintentional and I was fine. He apologized too. I was very scared and surprised, but.."

"He's just using you Akira" Sou looked at Akira. "He always leaves you and goes with his friends, but when he needs something he will definitely come to you" Sou said annoyed.

Akira then looked at Sou. "In spite of that, Sou shouldn't be cold to him."

"Wait, are you listening to me?" Said Sou in disbelief. He stopped his steps and looked at Akira.

"Of course, I'm listening to you" said Akira, who stopped his steps.

"Does it matter if you're just being used by him?" Said Sou in disbelief.

"It's not like that. I'm a selfish person, of course I don't want to be used that way. But Sou, maybe his friends mean a lot to him. Sou will also not leave behind Sou's precious friend right? Besides, I'm not lonely because there's Sou who is always with me" said Akira lowered his head.

Sou speechless. She did not expect that Akira would say such a thing to her.

"So, I'll be fine even if Ayano isn't with me. I swear, I didn't take advantage of Sou just because I was lonely when Ayano wasn't with me. I'm just very happy to be together with Sou, so I'm not worried" Akira explained again.

Sou who from earlier was just silent, now smiled. He approaches Akira and puts his hand over Akira's head.

"I know, Akira isn't a person who likes to take advantage of others, but I don't care if used by you. I'm even very willing if it's you. Thank you for telling him. I am also very happy to spend my time with you. Thank you, Akira" Sou said with a sweet smile.

(This smile again.)

Akira was again enchanted by Sou's smile like this. This was the second time Sou had smiled like that in front of Akira.

Akira then smiled no less sweetly returning Sou's smile.

"What are you guys doing here?" Said Hiro suddenly which made the two misbehave.

"It looks like there's a lot of flowers blooming over your head" he said.

"really?" Ask Akira plain.

Hiro smiled at Akira's behavior. "If you want to date not in the middle of the road, you can pull over first" said Hiro who made Akira bow his head in shame.

"You're so noisy Hiro" Sou said with his face flushed red.

"Something seems to be embarrassed" Hiro laughed. "I'll go first, see you Akira. Your face is red like a tomato, Sou" he said, laughing.

"Whisper!" Said Sou annoyed.

"Ah, i-yes. See you" Akira said nervously.

"Let's go home too" Sou walked ahead of Akira.

"Sou" call Akira again.

"Hmm?"

"Are you going to stay that way to Ayano?"

"Depending on his attitude" Sou said without looking at Akira.

"Alright" said Akira resigned. He can't do anything further than this. Although he already knows the reason but it all depends on Ayano's attitude that will determine Sou's decision, which means beyond Akira's reach. Only Ayano will determine if Sou will stay that cold or return to how he was.

"about!!" Call Ayano from behind.

Akira then halted his steps back and looked to the source of the sound. Sou also stopped but kept looking ahead.

"I thought you were home" Ayano smiled. 

"Here, I'll go home" Akira said.

Sou then walked first. Ayano just stared sadly at Sou's back that was getting away.

"Let's go after Sou" said Akira pulling Ayano's hand.

"Sou wait!" akira said after they managed to catch up to Sou.

"You are old" Sou said without seeing Akira.

"Sorry."

There was no conversation between the three of them. The irritated Sou, the sad Ayano, and the awkward Akira were in this kind of situation.

"Sister, has Brother been waiting a long time?" Akira asked Yuki.

"Not too long" Yuki smiled.

"Halo Kak" said Ayano and Sou just bowed respectfully.

"I'm first, Akira. Brother Yuki, Sou came home first" said Sou.

"Be careful" Yuki smiled.

"See you soon Sou, bye-bye" Akira said, waving her hand.

Sou smiled. "Bye-bye, see you tomorrow" Sou said, bowing respectfully to Yuki and leaving.

"Ayano also said to Kak, Akira. See you" said Ayano who then went after Sou.

"Be careful Ayano" said Akira, shouting a little.

"Let's go home too" Yuki asked.

"Yes my sister" said Akira smiling.

(You have to do your best Ayano, because you will determine Sou's attitude in the future) Akira looked at Sou and Ayano who were getting away.

The other...

"Sou?" Call Ayano.

"I'm sorry" said Ayano again after not getting an answer from Sou.

"For what?" Ask Sou who kept walking.

"For all my mistakes" Ayano said regretfully.

Sou then stopped his steps. "You're sure you know where you're doing wrong?" Sou asked stared intently at Ayano.

"(Actually I don't know, but that can be thought of later) Te-of course I know, therefore I'm sorry" Ayano said staring at Sou.

"You should apologize to Akira. Do you promise not to do it again?" Said Sou still staring intently at Ayano.

"(about? Was he angry because of what happened on the stairs?) No, I promise I will never repeat it again. I won't hurt anyone again" Ayano said.

Sou then turned his body and continued walking without another word to Ayano.

"Sou! Sou wait" call Ayano.

"I go first" Sou said then across the street.

Ayano stopped her steps. He stared at Sou's departure.

"He was angry about that? I've been too outrageous, too. But Akira's normal, why is he the one who's angry?" ayano looked at Sou who was getting away from her sight.