“What Should I Do?”

{Lin’s POV}

The cicadas outside were too loud.

The summer sun was too bright.

And my brain?

Too full.

Way. Too. Full.

I walked down the familiar street toward my best friend’s house, kicking a tiny pebble with every step. My bag swung at my side in a lazy rhythm. School was starting in a few days, so like always, we planned to meet up before the chaos began.

My feet felt heavy.

My thoughts felt heavier.

“…Why am I even thinking about her this much…”

I stopped in front of the tall white gate and sighed before ringing the bell.

A few seconds later—

“LINNNNー！！”

The door burst open and a small missile tackled me.

“Ua—Oi! Miyuri, get off!”

Miyuri laughed and clung tighter.He is my gay bestfriend

“Lin-chan came to visit!! Miracle day! Write it in the calendar!”

“Shut up, I come here every year.”

“Yeah, once a year,” she shot back.

I glared. he grinned. Typical.

Inside, the smell of cold mikan juice and summer snacks filled the living room.

My girls were already sprawled on the floor.

Miyuri Sato – My gay freind

Hanae Mori – Calm, motherly

Rikako Shimizu – smart, sporty, the “cool beauty” type.

Nozomi Arai – The crying baby

Kaede Fujita – the bisexual but look like a lesbian

They all looked up the moment I entered.

“LIN’S HERE!!”

Miyuri screamed again.

“Stop yelling,” Rikako muttered.

“Welcome, Lin-chan,” Hanae smiled softly.

Kaede raised a brow. “we miss you .”

Great.

We are now sitting around the table, drinking iced tea.

“Ughhh school is coming,” Miyuri groaned.

“I’m excited,” Hanae said.

“Same,” Rikako added. “New subjects, new activities.”

Kaede smirked. “New girls chasing us.”

Nozomi blushed hard. “K-Kaede!”

I rolled my eyes.

School, huh.

Usually, talking about it distracts me.

But today… it didn’t.

My eyes kept drifting away .

And my friends noticed.

Of course they noticed.

Kaede suddenly leaned forward, her sharp eyes narrowing.

“…Spill.”

I flinched. “What?”

“Something is bothering you,” Rikako added.

“You’re acting weird,” Nozomi whispered, sipping quietly.

“You didn’t make a sarcastic comment for hour,” Miyuri pointed out. “Unacceptable.”

“And you keep staring at far away,” Hanae said calmly. “Lin-chan… what’s wrong?”

I stared at the condensation on my glass.

My throat felt tight.

“…I… need advice.”

THOSE WORDS.

They froze.

Literally froze.

Miyuri dropped her chips.

Rikako blinked twice.

Nozomi gasped.

Kaede choked on her drink.

Hanae’s smile faltered.

“EHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!?!?”

All five of them yelled.

“You—YOU—?? Lin asking for advice??”

Kaede stuttered.

“You never tell us anything!!” Nozomi squeaked.

“HOLD ON THIS IS A NEW ERA—” Miyuri yelled dramatically.

“Guys please shut up,” I muttered,

They quieted down slightly but stared at me like hungry reporters.

I exhaled long and slow.

“…Remember that GC I made?”

They nodded.

“…Someone asked to join.”

Kaede smirked. “And then?”

My eyelid twitched. “Let me finish.”

“So… we talked. A lot. Then he… started courting me.”

Complete silence.

Then—

“PUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA—!!”

Miyuri burst into loud, evil laughter, falling backward.

“WAIT— WAIT—!! LIN??? BEING COURTED?? AND NOT BLOCKING THEM???”

“Lin-chan??? Talking to someone every day??” Nozomi gasped.

“Impossible…” Rikako whispered.

Hanae covered her mouth. “This is… shocking.”

Kaede stared at me with wide eyes.

“Lin… you…? A person is courting you and you didn’t roast them alive???”

I glared at Kaede.

“Why is that the shocking part?!”serious tone

She shrugged. “Because you ALWAYS do that.”

I clicked my tongue. “Whatever.”

They leaned closer.

“So what’s the problem?” Hanae asked gently.

I swallowed.

“…He lied.”

Their eyes widened.

“…About what?” Nozomi whispered.

I looked down.

“She’s… actually a girl.”

They ALL froze again.

Hanae’s gentle expression shifted to shock.

Rikako’s brows shot upward.

Kaede’s jaw dropped.

Miyuri blinked a hundred times.

Nozomi covered her mouth quietly.

“…A girl?” Kaede repeated.

“Yeah,” I muttered. “A lesbian.”

Silence.

Heavy.

Confused.

Unpredictable.

“Lin…” Hanae whispered faintly.

“…you never even told us what gender you like.”

“I DON’T KNOW WHAT I LIKE!” I snapped.

They all flinched.

I sighed and rubbed my forehead.

“I don’t know anything about love. About relationships. I never liked anyone. I never felt anything. I don’t even talk to people. And now—she lied and I’m angry but also— I’m thinking about it too much and I hate it but— I don’t know why I hate it and—”

My voice cracked.

The room fell quiet.

My friends exchanged worried looks.

Rikako placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

“No wonder you’re stressed,” she said softly.

“Lin-chan… this is the first time you’ve ever cared about someone’s actions,” Nozomi whispered.

“You’re not used to feelings,” Kaede said plainly. “Especially romantic ones.”

Miyuri grinned slightly. “Lin is growing up.”

“Miyuri I swear I’ll throw you out the window.”

“But you ARE,” she laughed.

Hanae leaned closer, giving me her sweet, calm smile.

“Lin-chan… you’re confused because this matters to you.”

My chest tightened.

Matters…?

Did it?

Did Kuro really matter to me?

I didn’t know.

...----------------...

The room felt too quiet after my rant—like even the cicadas outside paused to listen.

My friends stared at me with five different flavors of shock.

Kaede was squinting like she was analyzing me under a microscope.

Rikako looked like she was solving an equation.

Nozomi was literally holding her breath.

And Hanae… looked worried in the gentle-mom way she always did.

I wanted to disappear into the couch.

“Okay,” Kaede finally said, sitting properly.

“Let’s break this down before Lin self-destructs.”

“I’m not self-destructing,”

“You’re vibrating,” she said flatly.

 maybe a little.

Rikako tucked her hair behind her ear and asked,

“So… KuroHana-san courted you while pretending to be a boy?”

I nodded, chewing my lip.

“She said she didn’t want to lose me,” I muttered.

“That I wouldn’t talk to her if she told the truth.”

“She has a point,” Miyuri snorted.

“No offense! But Lin, you literally run away when someone flirts with you.”

True.

Fair.

Annoying.

“When did she tell you?” Hanae asked softly.

“…few days ago.”

“And what did you do?”

I looked away.

“…Ignored her.”

The room exploded.

“LIN—!!”

“Wow.”

“Oh my god.”

“Lin-chan…!!!”

“Savage.”

“What else am I supposed to do?! She lied!”

“Okay okay,” Kaede raised her hands. “Yes, she lied. That part is messed up.”

“But…” Hanae added gently,

“She didn’t lie because she wanted to trick you. She lied because she was scared.”

Scared.

The word stabbed a bit.

I crossed my arms. “…Still.”

“You’re angry,” Rikako said.

“That’s normal.”

"And confused,” Nozomi said softly.

“Because you never thought about liking someone… girl or boy.”

Miyuri tapped my shoulder.

“So what now? What’s the big panic? Did she ask something?”

I hesitated.

Then sighed.

“…She wants to meet.”

The silence came back.

Then—

“EEEEHHHHHHHHHH!?!?”

I shoved Miyuri aside before she could scream into my ear.

The Coffee Shop Ultimatum

“Where?” Rikako asked.

“Moondrop Café. Before school starts.”

“When?” Hanae said.

“Sunday.”

“That’s in TWO DAYS!” Nozomi squeaked.

“Yeah.”

Kaede leaned back, crossing her legs.

so if you show up… then there’s still a chance?”

“…Yes.”

“And if you don’t,” Miyuri added,

“It means you’re rejecting her completely?”

“…Yes.”

They all stared at me.

I stared back.

Five pairs of eyes.

One confused mess of a girl.

“LIN.” Kaede grabbed my shoulders.

“This. Is. Huge.”

“Stop shaking me—!”

“It means SHE LIKES YOU FOR REAL,” Miyuri shouted.

Nozomi covered her mouth.

“So romantic…”

Rikako tilted her head.

“And… do you want to go?”

My heart stuttered.

I didn’t answer.

Which was an answer in itself.

Kaede saw it.

Miyuri saw it.

Everyone saw it.

Nozomi whispered, “Lin-chan… you’re not angry because she lied… you’re scared because… you care.”

My stomach twisted.

Hanae held my hand gently.

“You haven’t rejected her in your heart yet, have you?”

“…”

“I don’t know…” I muttered hoarsely.

“I’m angry. But I’m not… done. I should be done. I hate liars. I hate people who pretend. But I don't know”

“Something,” Rikako finished.

I clenched my jaw.

Something.

Something I didn’t understand.

Something I wasn’t ready for.

Something that scared me more than asthma ever did.

“Just tell me what to do…” I whispered.

Kaede smirked slightly.

“Do you trust her?”

“I DON’T KNOW.”

“Do you want to talk to her again?”

I stayed silent.

“Do you want to see her?” Hanae asked softly.

My chest squeezed.

My mouth opened before I could think—

“…maybe.”

They all gasped like I declared I loved someone.

“LIN IS IN LOVE—!!”

I threw a pillow at Miyuri again.

“NO I’M NOT!!”

She laughed so hard she rolled off the couch.

Kaede grinned smugly.

Rikako hid a smile.

Nozomi and Hanae giggled.

“Whatever this is,” Hanae said warmly,

“you get to decide. Not us.”

Rikako nodded.

“But you won’t figure it out by running away.”

Kaede leaned forward, eyes sharp.

“So, Lin…”

The room held its breath.

“Are you going to meet her?”

I looked down at my hands.

Kuro’s messages flashed in my mind.

Her apologies.

Her fear.

Her honesty.

Her stupid jokes.

Her clingy updates.

My heart thumped painfully.

“…I don’t know,” I whispered.

“But I’m thinking about it.”

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