Read The Girl Behind the Perfect Smile :: Chapter 8 : Between the Past and the Present

Hiro’s heart was still pounding hard against his ribs. He could feel each beat echo in his ears.Sora was holding his arm, talking with bright energy, but his voice sounded slightly distant, almost muffled. The fabric of Sora’s sleeve brushed against Hiro’s skin. Hiro’s palms had grown slightly cold and damp. One single thought kept looping in his head.He was late.Waguri was waiting for him.Hiro slowed his steps. A tight, uncomfortable feeling settled in his throat. The afternoon sun felt warmer than usual on the back of his neck. He didn’t know how to say it. Sora had only just returned to his life, and now he already had to leave him.“Sora…” he said quietly. His voice came out a little rough.“Hm?” Sora turned toward him, still smiling. His eyes were clear and warm under the sunlight.Hiro looked down at the ground for a second. The shadow of the school gate stretched long across the pavement.“I… I have to go.”Sora’s smile faded slightly. His fingers tightened for a moment around Hiro’s arm before loosening.“Now? We just reunited.”“I know… but I have something planned.”A short silence stretched between them. Somewhere nearby, students were laughing. The sound felt too sharp in Hiro’s ears. Sora studied his face for a few seconds, then his expression softened.“Alright. I understand.”He finally let go of Hiro’s arm. The place where his hand had been suddenly felt cool.“See you tomorrow then?”Hiro nodded once.“Yeah… tomorrow.”Sora gave him a small wave and walked away. Hiro stood still, watching his figure grow smaller under the bright sky. A heavy pressure lingered in his chest, making it a little harder to breathe.Then he turned and started walking faster.His footsteps hit the pavement with quick, uneven sounds. A light wind brushed against his face and carried the faint smell of the nearby trees. The closer he got to the meeting place, the tighter his stomach became.When he finally turned the corner, he saw her.Waguri was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. Her long blue-black hair moved gently in the breeze. The sunlight caught a few strands and made them shine softly. The moment she noticed him, she puffed her cheeks slightly and turned her face away.“You’re late,” she said. Her voice was quiet but clearly sulking.Hiro stopped in front of her, still a little out of breath. Heat rushed up from his neck and spread across his cheeks. He could feel the tips of his ears growing warm.“Sorry… I got held up.”Waguri finally looked at him. She raised one eyebrow, and a small teasing smile appeared at the corner of her lips. Her eyes lingered on his face for a second longer than usual.“Hmph. You’re lucky I waited, you know.”Hiro scratched the back of his neck. His fingertips brushed against warm skin.“Sorry again…”She watched him in silence for a moment. The soft sound of leaves moving above them filled the short pause. Then she spoke again, her tone calmer but still a little pointed:“That guy earlier… who was he?”Hiro’s heart skipped a beat. For a second, the noise of the street seemed to fade.Waguri looked away, still keeping her arms crossed. A faint pink tint appeared on her cheeks as she added quietly:“It’s not like I’m actually interested or anything… but you two looked close.”

Author's note

Thanks for reading Chapter 8!Hiro is now stuck between someone from his past and someone from his present.

Things are starting to get a little more complicated.See you in the next chapter~