When Jemma returned to the table, Andrew was still there, sitting quietly beside her. Yet everything before her seemed wrapped in mist, blurred, unreachable.
All she’d wanted was peace. For the three of them to simply coexist.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6gou0QKXy
So why… why had it all turned into a demand for her to choose?
The conversation in the bathroom echoed endlessly in her mind—Lia’s trembling voice, her desperate plea, her sharp words. No matter how Jemma tried to steady herself, her heart twisted restlessly. She was angry at her own indecision, and frustrated by the secrets Lia still kept from her.
And yet… beneath those words of anger and denial, there had been something else. A sadness neither of them could voice.
Footsteps approached. Jemma turned just in time to see Lia, her tears hastily wiped away, pushing open the café’s door and fleeing down the street.
Andrew frowned.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmOX81QNt3
“Lia… what’s wrong with her?”
Jemma stayed silent. Her hands trembled against the table, and after a long pause she finally asked, her voice hushed, trembling with unease:80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcSEgVyjp7
“Andrew… tell me honestly. What is it between you and Lia that I don’t know?”
His expression stiffened. He lowered his gaze, a long sigh spilling from him.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEMGctjofg
“We never meant to hide anything… but the right time never came.”
Then his eyes flicked back to her.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSXWh68U6E
“…What did Lia say to you?”
Jemma let out a weary sigh. “I just wanted you two to get along. That’s all. But instead… she asked me to choose. Between you and her.”
Andrew’s eyes widened.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA66IyMDNBy
“She asked you to choose…?”
He recalled Lia’s retreating back, the way she stormed away with her shoulders trembling. Something stirred in his chest, a faint spark of hope.
“So… you didn’t choose her?”
Jemma lowered her gaze. No—she hadn’t chosen anyone.
But her silence seemed to Andrew like an answer. His hand reached for hers, warmth trembling at his fingertips. His cheeks flushed red.
“Then… would you choose me?” His voice shook, earnest, almost fragile. “Jemma, I’ve always liked you. Would you be my girlfriend?”
The confession struck like lightning. Jemma’s heart thudded violently, her thoughts scattering into a blank white haze. She had known this day would come eventually—yet never imagined it would arrive here, now, in this moment.
And strangely… she felt no joy. Instead, a quiet ache unfurled within her chest.
Her hand slipped free from his grasp.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda6qBKZmFb
Why… why was it you who said those words?
Why wasn’t it her?
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A bitter smile tugged at her lips as memories flooded back—80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6NB5Eq4i2
Lia leaning in close, her eyes darting away as though afraid of being seen;80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrUqxjaMx8
her bright smile edged with hesitation;80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRO0jpJlDA
and those trembling words, sharp on the surface yet aching beneath:80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBr1FYPXonx
“I don’t want to be just your friend!”
Each recollection burned like film against fire, searing Jemma’s heart.
She understood now.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCOE3muQeA
Lia’s departure wasn’t just regretful. It was painful—because Jemma had finally realized what that pain meant.
She liked Lia. She always had.
Jemma longed for that sunlight warmth, that unspoken tenderness she had only just begun to notice. And she knew—Andrew’s words, however sincere—were not the answer her heart sought.
She looked at him, her voice soft, sorrowful yet firm.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvEPwZlbQZ
“…I’m sorry. This isn’t your fault. But I just realized… the one I care for… isn’t you.”
Andrew went silent, his shoulders sinking. It was as if he had expected this all along. His lips parted with one final question:80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhNrDQaHav
“…It’s her, isn’t it?”
Jemma didn’t answer. She simply stood, turned her back, and walked away.
She burst out of the café, the cool air biting her lungs as she ran. Her shoes pounded against the pavement, her breath ragged, her heart screaming a single thought:
I can’t let her go. Not like this!
Through the station crowd she pushed, until at last she spotted her—Lia, standing at the platform, just about to step onto the train.
“Lia!” Jemma’s voice rang out as she lunged forward, grabbing her wrist.
Lia turned, her eyes wide, red-rimmed from tears. Shock froze her in place.
Jemma said nothing more. Instead, she pulled her close and pressed her lips against Lia’s.
The world dissolved into silence, save for the deafening thunder of her heartbeat. Even the train’s whistle seemed to fade away.
Only the two of them remained.
Lia’s eyes trembled as she whispered, barely audible:80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLxgLrBbcQ
“…So you finally realized?”
Jemma nodded, tears brimming in her eyes.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9pGDC4u1i
“I’m sorry. I was too blind… but I don’t want to lose you anymore.”
Lia’s answer was wordless. She wrapped her arms tightly around Jemma.
And in unison, their voices overlapped—
“I like you!”
End
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and then Add to home screen.