The Lie

"Wanna head to the arcade after school?" I suggested, knowing full well we have exams in less than a month. 

"We have-"

"Exams, yeah, yeah, I know. It's good to blow off some steam every now and then, you know." 

Kuro and I have been friends since the very beginning. We quickly became inseparable. "We'll stay together forever!" How foolish I was to think the meaningless ramble of a child would hold true in our future.

The day after the exams finished, we headed to our local arcade. It's a short trek from the school, but not many people frequent it. It's an activity for people like me; people who are the exact opposite of Kuro. 

Since before the exams, I've noticed Kuro staring blankly at a wall, only paying attention after I mention it to him, which he casually smiles off claiming 'he's just tired'. 

We were making our way to the arcade. The walk there was silent, only occasionally being interrupted by the sound of a car going by. Kuro was playing with his fingers the whole way there. We stopped just outside the castle of quirky noises and even quirkier smells. "Head inside, Kuro. I'll meet with you in a bit." 

I got some food and went inside the arcade. After quickly reuniting we him, we sat on opposite sides of the Street Fighter machine. "Listen, Kagami, I have to tell you something," He said, his voice quavering. "I got accepted into a top school. It's in another city. I-I'm moving." 

"I see. Well, that's good for you, isn't it? A top school, huh? Good for you." I noticed my voice started to quaver too. Kuro just told me that and came to hug me. I moved away from him. He took it as a signal and left. I was left all alone in my madness.

"He's going to a top school, that's awesome for him. But, no matter what, I don't want him to leave. I don't want to be deserted. I want him to stay with me. But what if... I'm holding him back. Do I want to deprive him of his future? I'm that selfish, huh?" I cried myself to sleep that night.

I wanted to see him off, so I set out for his house the next day. It wasn't too far from my home, so it didn't take long to get there. As soon as I arrived at the door, I rang the bell. No reply. I kept ringing and waiting. 

"No one lives there anymore, kid. They moved out yesterday." 

"I see..."