*Tick*
"So, Kea!! You and your mom were going to take Lyia to see the fireworks!!" My dad boasted.
Lyia nodded.
"Ok. Be back before it's too late." I said as they walked out the door
"Ok bye." They said in unison as the door closed.
Dad shut the door behind him, leaving only me, and Nil alone in the house.
"There's only one hour left!" Nil said, walking out from the half ledge.
"Mhm, they'll be cool. The ones done in this forest are truly something to witness."
I walked up to the master bedroom, looking out from the big window.
"Hey, don't try and disappear, Kea!" She scolded, catching back up to me.
Looks like we're going to watch them together then.
Nil wracked her brain for last-minute ideas. This was her chance, and she wouldn't fail:
Lights… it could be dark enough that it would help Kea feel more comfortable, and it would conceal my face so Kea wouldn't have to see the vulnerable Nil…
Kea looked at me, and a look of sudden, random gloom overtook his face.
"Nil… It's a bit sudden to ask, but… Why do you insist on following me, helping me, and guiding me so often?" He said.
My heart skipped a beat
Uh… "Let me turn off the lights for a better view!"
A perfect opportunity.
*Tap* The room fell dark. Only the outlines of Kea were visible.
"Before I answer that, ask yourself why you give me the time of day, even though my personality isn't perfect, I contradict your comfort daily, and yet you still worked up the courage to become my friend." I challenged.
"I… Don't know…" he stuttered.
"It's ok! I never expected you to answer. But, I'll still give you mine." I said.
…
If I don't go through with this now… I'll lose my chance for a long time! Mr and Ms Akane also worked for this! I won't let them down!...
"It's a little… hard to put into words…"
I need to get this done before the fireworks go off.
"I have always decided to stay with you, not out of pity… But, because I… Fell in… Love… With you." I murmured.
Silence… I hesitantly looked at Kea. He was just staring back at me, silent.
… I'm so glad it's dark… Kea wouldn't see the Nil he knows.
Kea's head spun. There were a few things he understood in this area of conversation, very few:
Nil… It's not fair… How do you expect me to respond when you're looking so vulnerable and… cute…
I had never seen this side, a vulnerable, blushy girl…
Since I'm colourblind to an extent. I have better night vision, allowing me to see in the dark quite a bit better than a normal person.
Nil's attempt to conceal her vulnerability had failed without her knowledge.