From Foes To Soulmates

The days passed slowly, each one filled with the same unspoken tension. Zenkichi continued to avoid Akane and everyone else, his usual charm replaced by a cold, distant demeanor. Despite her best efforts, she couldn't figure out what was going on. Her thoughts kept returning to that mystery chocolate—why had it made Zenkichi act like this? Had it really affected him so much?

One afternoon, Akane was walking through the school courtyard when she overheard a conversation between Zenkichi's friends, Ryota and Hiroshi. They were leaning against the wall, chatting casually, and Akane couldn't help but overhear their words.

"Man, what's up with Zenkichi?" Ryota said, scratching his head. "He's been acting so weird lately. Ignoring everyone, especially Akane. It's like he's shutting out the whole world."

"I don't know," Hiroshi replied. "I heard he's still hung up on that chocolate thing."

Akane froze, her heart skipping a beat. Chocolate? Her mind immediately went back to the small, wrapped chocolate she'd found on her desk. Zenkichi's strange reaction… it had all started right after that moment.

"Chocolate?" Ryota repeated, a puzzled expression crossing his face. "That was weird, man. He was so sure it wasn't from him, but then…"

"You know Zenkichi," Hiroshi continued, a smirk playing on his lips. "He gets all weird when something's not under his control. He's always had a thing about being the center of attention. Turns out, he left the chocolate on Akane's desk as a prank, but he didn't expect her to take it so seriously. The whole thing got way out of hand. Now he's sulking."

Akane's mind raced as she processed this new information. Zenkichi had left the chocolate? But why wouldn't he just tell her that? Why act like this? Her thoughts spun in confusion, but the truth was starting to come together.

---

Later that day, Akane couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. She found herself walking down the hallway toward Zenkichi's usual spot by the lockers. He was standing there, looking just as withdrawn as before, barely glancing up as she approached.

"Zenkichi," she said, trying to sound casual, but her voice betrayed her nerves.

He looked up at her, his face blank. "What now, Akane?"

She crossed her arms, taking a deep breath. "I know why you're acting like this."

Zenkichi raised an eyebrow, the tiniest flicker of surprise in his eyes. "What are you talking about?"

"The chocolate," Akane said, her gaze unwavering. "You're upset because of the chocolate. You were the one who left it on my desk, right?"

His face stiffened, and for a moment, he didn't speak. Then, as if it were the hardest thing in the world, he let out a sigh and spoke, his voice laced with frustration.

"Yeah, okay. I left the chocolate," he admitted reluctantly. "I thought it would be funny. A prank, you know? But then everything spiraled out of control. You actually ate it. You thought it was from someone else. And then I started to get all… weird about it. And then I couldn't figure out how to fix it, so I just… stayed quiet."

Akane stood there, stunned by his confession. So, it was all just a stupid prank? He'd gone through all of this—ignoring everyone, acting distant—all because of a chocolate he had left as a joke?

"I didn't mean to make you feel weird or anything," he continued, his tone softening slightly. "I just didn't expect you to take it so seriously. I thought you'd laugh it off or just throw it away."

Akane crossed her arms, a mixture of amusement and frustration bubbling inside her. "Are you telling me that you've been ignoring me for days because of a stupid prank? You could've just told me that in the first place!"

Zenkichi rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, not meeting her eyes. "Yeah, well, it didn't exactly go as planned. And now it's… well, it's complicated."

Akane stared at him for a long moment, trying to process everything. She had been worried about him, thinking something serious was going on, when in reality, it was all because of a piece of chocolate. Part of her wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it all, but another part of her couldn't help but feel a little frustrated with how he had handled things.

"Zenkichi, you're really something," she finally said, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "You make everything ten times more complicated than it has to be."

He looked at her, and for the first time in days, a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Yeah, I know. I'm an idiot."

Akane rolled her eyes but couldn't help but laugh. "You're such a drama queen. All of this over a chocolate?"

Zenkichi grinned sheepishly. "I guess so. I'm not good with… this kind of stuff."

Akane felt a lightness she hadn't realized she'd been missing. "Well, next time, just tell me the truth. No more hiding behind silence or acting like a mystery."

"I'll try," Zenkichi said, his smile genuine now. "But no promises."

Akane shook her head, but a warmth spread through her chest. Despite the ridiculousness of the whole situation, she was glad to have her old Zenkichi back—the one who made her roll her eyes one minute and laugh the next.

As they walked out of the school together, the tension between them seemed to melt away, replaced by the familiar banter they shared. But Akane couldn't help but think, Maybe next time, no more chocolate pranks, Zenkichi.