THE GAP BETWEEN US

3. THE CONFESSION

Because of what Kyoko said, it makes Veni think of confessing her love to Ryota that until the next day came, and while she is in her classes, it bothers her of how she will do it. Until it is already 11 in the evening, when she got home because of her late class. She opened the lights in the living room and she got frightened when she saw a man sitting on the sofa like a statue with his arms across his chest.

“You scared me. It's almost midnight. What are you doing here? Aren't you sleepy?" she mentioned while holding her chest because she got scared of him for a moment.

Ryota opened his eyes when she heard her voice and their eyes met. He put an emotionless face on her. “I'm thinking. You, why are you just now?" he asked.

“My last class which was positioning just ended at 10 pm so, I just got home." She, then, smiled when a thought came to her mind. "Why, are you waiting for me?"

He stood up and stared at her. "No, I'm not. I told you, I am thinking. Now, I'm sleepy. Good night." And, he started to walk going upstairs.

Then, a confession came across her mind. "Wait!" she called out.

He stopped midway down the stairs and turned around to give her a look when he heard her. "What?" he coldly responded.

Nervously, she doesn't know how she will confess to him but it bothers her and she couldn't stop thinking about it so, she's going to say it tonight whatever happens, she thought. She then tilted to stare at his eyes too. “I really don't know how am I going to say it to you but, I have to say it to you no matter what happens because I don't like to keep it anymore. I think...my feelings for you are not just a crush anymore. I think...I'm in love with you,” she admitted bravely and straightforwardly.

She pressed her lips after her confession and she looked up at him to see his reaction and to her confusion, his face is blank that's why she can't determine what is his reaction to it. She is just waiting for his response anyway until he speaks.

“Stupid. You, in love with me? Are you serious?" he told like he is not interested.

“Yes, I am serious." She took two steps towards him. "I'm already in love with you. How about you? What do you feel about me? I wanna know."

“Forget about your feelings for me because whatever happens, you are just a kid in my eyes. I couldn't think of anything for you other than just a younger sister, alright? You go to your bed now and it's already midnight. You need sleep," he reminded her.

As cold as an ice, he rejected her, and as windy as air, he ignored her feelings for him that makes her sad. Because of that, she runs inside her room immediately and cries her heart out because her feelings had not been acknowledged again even after three years have passed. The pain in her heart felt like a sharp knife that continues killing her, while Ryota is already in his bed but his eyes are wide awake gazing at the ceiling as he is thinking of what just happened.

The next morning while everyone is having breakfast, Ojii-sama noticed Veni's reddish and stuffy eyes that look like she just came from a cry.

“Darling, Veni, what happened to your face? Did you cry last night?" Ojii-sama asked curiously.

On that question, Ryota glanced to Veni that their eyes met but she immediately looked away because of shyness.

“Nothing, Ojii-sama. I just didn't get my sleep last night because I was studying for the near exam,” Veni immediately denied.

“You studied?" Jen surprisingly questioned. "But you never studied. Or, even open your notes every night. I know you."

Veni chuckles awkwardly at her Mom’s remark. "I did, Mom. I studied last night. Um...I'm finished. I have to go and I might be going late,” she continued denying and she fastened her eat.

Then, she stood up and left the house in a hurry because she felt embarrassed in front of Ryota, and because she doesn't want him to know that she cried all night because he rejected her for the second time. For the first time, she felt so annoyed with herself for confessing her feelings to a guy who doesn't have the same feelings for her in return. And that made her decision not to follow Ryota anywhere because she felt embarrassed and pathetic for herself. She actually pities herself, while Ryota throughout the day seems not in focus because he kept on zoning out at his work that his co-workers notice.

"You okay, bro?" his male co-worker queried and tapped his shoulder just to wake him up.

"Y-Yeah, I...um...I am alright," Ryota answered blankly, denying the fact that his mind is flying somewhere else.

Evening came, and Veni decided to have dinner with the family of her elder brother, and the six of them were eating at the dining table.

“Why are you here tonight, Veni?" Yuki asked.

Veni glanced at her brother. "Nothing. I just want to chill in here. Can I sleep in here? I couldn't sleep in my room." She glanced at Kyoko with a smile to give her a signal.

Kyoko smiled too. "No problem. You can sleep here and have breakfast tomorrow morning if you want."

“Tell me, did something happen in the mansion and you are sticking here in our house?" Yuki frankly questioned.

And because of how rude Yuki acted towards his younger sister, Kyoko kicked his shin so he bent his back to rub his right leg and glared at his wife.

“Why did you do that?" he groaned.

“Don't be rude to your younger sister who always helps me out when it comes to your children,” Kyoko scolded.

Quietly, Yuki gritted his teeth while Veni chuckles because of the scene she just witnessed.

“I can see that Ate Kyoko always has the upper hand over my older brother." Veni laughed.

“Not always,” he answered.

“Oh, really?" Kyoko raised her eyebrow at her husband.

Yuki cleared his throat because of that. "I gotta admit she always wins. What should I do? She's always right and I don't want to argue. I don't dare or she will roast me. Anyway, answer my question. Why are you here?" he told.

Hesitantly, she thought of saying to them what happened to her and Ryota but she rather zips her mouth up because for sure her older brother will tease her. And so, she shook her head in response.

Veni smiled a little. "Nothing. I just came here to have dinner and stay here for the night because I couldn't sleep in my room just like I've said a while ago."

But Yuki was not convinced by the excuse his younger sister gave.

Eventually, Veni is in the bed and she turned over to the side where the window is and she gazed outside because something is bothering her thoughts.

The sun rose and after having breakfast with the family of Yuki, Veni went home to the mansion and because she wanted to avoid Ryota, she quickly went to her room and get a dress. After that, she came out wearing her white medical uniform and bag but before she could go downstairs, a muscular voice speaks.

“Not so fast,” Ryota spoke huskily who is leaning on the wall beside her door, unnoticed.

Surprisingly, she turned around and looked at him and her eyes widened. "What are you doing there? How long have you been standing there?" she inquired.

“You're in a hurry?" he asked instead of answering her.

Her eyebrows creased in confusion because of how he acted toward her. "Y-yes, I am. I have a class at 7 am so, I have to go now. Bye!"

She waved her hand at him and turned ready to go downstairs when a grip pulled her into the wrist and she was being twisted to face him who lowered his head to meet hers. Her eyes widened in surprise staring at him so close.

“Where were you last night and you didn't go home?" he asked like he is commanding.

“I-I-I was at my Kuya's house,” she stuttered, answering him directly. "I spent a night there and I had breakfast already because Ate Kyoko needed my help last night so, I came to help her,” she replied, thinking of an excuse just to get to him.

And from that, he stared into her eyes intensely like he is reading her if she is telling the truth or not, while she just looked at him too without showing any evidence of lies in her eyes. They gazed at each other in the centimeters of their faces until both of their eyes started to wander around one another's face.

To be continued...