248 Chapter four, 2017, dark and bitter: 7 (2/2)
The surprised murmur around them grew louder.
”U-kun, I hope you'll find a better girl than me. Let me know and I'll tell her what a wonderful man you are.” The words came out thick with emotion. Each of them hurt like fire inside her.
”I hope you find a man to make you happy, Ina.”
'Oh how I love when he calls me that!'
”Tell me if he doesn't understand and I'll beat some sense into him.” The last words reached her mixed together with Ulf's laughter.
'How can you laugh right now? No you're not laughing. Your tears just sound like laughter.'
It was broken.
Then he stepped out of their embrace and took her face between his hands. His eyes were wonderful as always, and so infinitely sad.
'Is this the last time I can watch that beautiful, twisted smile this close?'
”As a friend, I love you.” They had spoken together. There wasn't anything more to say.
He let go of her and she staggered backwards.
'I would have been happy to live with you for the rest of my life. Isn't that what love is? I would marry you, cherish you, sleep with you and wake with you. With you I would even carry children.'
She forced herself to take yet another step backwards. It was as if she couldn't let go of his face with her eyes. And another step backwards. And another one. But it had to end. She turned and dashed out of the classroom, not even bothering to hide the tears that ran from her eyes, or the racking sobs that left her as anguished cries each time her feet hit the floor.
It was broken.
Behind her she heard Ko-chan shouting after her as she tried to catch up.
”Kuri-chan!”
She had to get away, and just metres away the door to their old club room stood ajar. Christina threw herself into the opening and pulled the door closed. A click told her the lock snapped shut.
Who?
Under the windows, leaning against the wall, Noriko sat with a blanket in her lap. She was crying, her small body shaking when she reached out with her arms.
”Why? Why you stupid girl? He loves you so very much.”
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Christina didn't say anything. She just fell to her knees and hugged her friend. ”Because he loves me that much,” she murmured. She wasn't sure Noriko had heard, but it didn't matter. With what she hoped was a grateful smile she took the blanket from Noriko's hand, and after that she crawled on hands and knees to the closest corner in the room.
No one else could see her like this. Not even Ko-chan.
It was broken.