Cursed by love

The next day, as soon as I got ready and came down from my room for breakfast, I was a little surprised to see Aika in the kitchen helping my mother.

My mother saw me and told me to sit down—she and Aika would prepare breakfast.

I asked Aika why she wasn't waiting outside today, and if she had come to talk to my mother. Smiling, Aika replied, "No, I just thought it's been a while since I had breakfast at your place."

My mother then told me not to talk to Aika like that—that she was part of our family. She told Aika she should start having breakfast with us again, and even stay for a while, like she used to when she was younger.

Aika thanked her and said she had just woken up a little early today, which is why she was able to come. She added that she usually doesn't have the time but would consider it, since she enjoys spending time with us.

Well, I just waited for my breakfast. I already knew how much my mother doted on Aika—she's always treated her like a daughter. She's even secretly asked me a few times if Aika and I were in a relationship, but I always told her I wasn't interested in such things and that Aika was just a friend.

She'd probably be angry if I told her I had rejected Aika, so I kept quiet about that incident. And it looked like Aika hadn't told her anything either.

After some time, we finished breakfast, and I went out with Aika to head to school.

Aika was unusually quiet. I didn't start a conversation, but after a while, she asked me what I thought about Kiyomi.

I said I didn't know much about her—that I had only met her for the first time yesterday. I added that, just based on that one meeting, she seemed to have a mysterious kind of charm that pulls people in—and asked if she had felt that too.

Instead of replying, Aika looked shocked. I asked if I'd said something wrong, and after hesitating for a moment, she awkwardly admitted that yes, she also felt that way toward her—but knowing Aika, I could tell she wasn't being fully sincere.

Soon we arrived at the school gate, and I saw Kiyomi. I wanted to approach her, but I held back and kept walking. Suddenly someone shouted my name. I turned around, surprised, and saw Kiyomi calling out to me. I hadn't expected her to talk to me so openly—I thought maybe she would talk in class if she needed something, but not like this.

After that, I met up with Kiyomi and we walked to class. Aika, as usual, started a conversation with her, and they kept talking even after we reached the classroom. They seemed to get along well, and I was happy for both Aika and Kiyomi. Since I'm not very talkative, I thought they'd probably enjoy each other's company more than mine.

Class started, and the morning passed as usual.

When lunch break began, Aika rushed over to me and said, "Let's eat lunch together." I agreed, as it was normal for us.

While we were going, I saw Kiyomi alone and invited her as well. I figured she might not have any friends yet, being new, and that she might still be nervous around others. Since she had opened up to Aika earlier, I thought they might become friends—and Aika would be happy to have someone else to talk to, especially since I don't talk much and she doesn't usually open up to others.

I asked Aika if it was okay, and she said if I wanted to invite her, she had no problem.

We went up to the terrace and had lunch. While Aika and Kiyomi talked, I just stayed quiet and enjoyed my meal.

Suddenly, Kiyomi asked if Aika and I were in a relationship.

I replied that it was nothing like that—we were just best friends. Aika blushed bright red.

Then, flustered, Aika asked, "Is that really what you think?" and said that not only she but others also think the same.

I didn't say much—I just stayed quiet.

She then asked how we met.

Since Aika was lost in thought, I answered for her. I told them we first met when Aika and her parents moved near our house. We were both five years old back then—she was just as easygoing as she is now, and I was about as reserved as I am today.

My mother was really talkative, and her mother and mine soon became friends. Aika and her mom would visit us often, especially since they had just moved in and her mother needed help settling down.

While the moms talked, my mother always sent Aika to my room to play. I didn't care much—I just gave her my toys and comics so she wouldn't disturb me while I worked on my own stuff. But she kept interrupting, saying she wanted to play together.

I refused many times, but she was persistent. Eventually, I gave in and started playing with her.

At first, I wasn't interested, but after a while, I started enjoying myself. We began talking and became friends.

After that, she used to come over even without her mother—just to play with me. We got really close, and I started enjoying our time together.

Our bond grew deeper as we spent more time together and helped each other out. But a few years ago, her father decided to move to a better house, a bit further away. We grew a little distant after that, but we didn't let it ruin our friendship.

Kiyomi smiled and said she admired how strong our bond was.

Aika snapped out of her thoughts and asked what we were talking about. Kiyomi smiled and said, 'We were just talking about how you and he first met.'

Then Aika asked, "Since we're talking about us, what about you, Kiyomi? Why did you join school late?"

Kiyomi's smile faded, and she quietly said it was just due to some family issues—nothing more.

Aika and I exchanged a glance and understood that we shouldn't ask any more about her past.

Aika then said, "Since we're getting close, let's be friends."

I nodded in agreement.

Kiyomi smiled brightly and said she'd be happy to be friends with us—she didn't have any friends yet.

After the bell rang, we went back to class.