Beneath the Surface: Secrets of an Obsessed Heart-Chapter 64 - 63

"Hello, Hiro," Shoji greeted with a warm smile, his voice carrying a soothing tone that washed away Hiro’s apprehension. "Mind if I join you?"

Although Hiro felt relieved about not having his thoughts drift to Raiden and the girl again, he still felt a bit uneasy. Back in High school, Shoji never really did anything to him but the fact that he was Raiden’s best friend made Hiro wary of him. Still, he nodded. “Sure. Raiden is getting ice cream. He’ll join us soon.”

“Oh I’m not here to see Raiden.” Shoji said. “I’m here to see you.”

Stunned, Hiro inquired; “M-Me? Is everything alright? I-I don’t recall offending you...” He really hoped it wasn’t the case. He was already indebted to Raiden. He didn’t want to be indebted to anyone else.

Shoji chuckled, amused by Hiro’s fear. “Don’t worry. You haven’t done anything to offend me and even if you have, I’m not like Raiden who will take revenge for petty things.” He then leaned across the table, his piercing blue eyes glimmering as he smirked, lowering his voice. “I take revenge for much much bigger things.”

Hiro felt his heartbeat quicken and not in a good way. Shoji seemed a bit creepy. “W-What do you want?” He stuttered, glancing at Raiden who was still taking to the girl.

Leaning back, Shoji’s smile disappeared and in its place appeared a very serious expression. “You’re with Raiden now, aren’t you, Hiro?” he asked.

Hiro’s eyes flickered over to Raiden again before turning to Shoji. “Y-Yes, I am. Is there a problem?”

“You know, I thought you were smart when you used to avoid Raiden back in school. I thought you knew what you were doing but now, I’m not so sure.”

“I-I don’t understand...” Hiro stuttered, not getting what Shoji was trying to say. He was smart to avoid Raiden?

Shoji sighed. “Don’t you see what he’s doing, Hiro? How he’s manipulating you and your feelings?”

Hiro gazed at Raiden again, wishing he would catch Raiden’s eyes but Raiden did not turn. “How is he manipulating me?" He asked. "Raiden has been nothing but good to me. He helped pay for my sister’s surgery and he’s taking care of me.”

“Yes. I agree but at what expense?” Shoji inquired. “Didn’t he ask for something in return?”

Hiro nodded. "He did but who wouldn’t? There’s no such thing as free money. Everyone I went to turned me down. Every single one. I had nobody to turn to except him.”

“Well that’s where you’re wrong. You didn’t go to everybody.” Shoji said. “You didn’t come to me.”

Hiro frowned, gazing at Shoji suspiciously. “You would have helped me? Without taking anything in return?”

Shoji nodded. “Of course.”

“For what reason?” Hiro asked. He felt like Shoji had ulterior motives. Who would give five million and expect nothing in return?

After he asked the question, a fleeting expression flickered across Shoji’s gaze before swiftly dissipating. Hiro barely had a moment to discern it, but it appeared to be... longing?

“Do I need a reason to help someone that’s dying, Hiro?” Shoji asked. “Besides, we share a senior-junior relationship, don’t we? Can’t I help a junior in need?”

Nevertheless, Hiro remained unconvinced. Besides, he felt better giving something in return for Raiden’s help. The notion of receiving such a substantial sum without offering anything in return unsettled him. He couldn’t bear the thought of living comfortably with the weight of indebtedness hanging over him.

“Anyway, forget that.” Shoji said with a small wave of his hand. “You should just be careful. Raiden is cunning and once he sets his eyes on something, he would make sure to get it no matter the cost.”

Hiro shook his head. “If you’re referring to Raiden’s obsession with me, forget it. He no longer likes me like that.”

Shoji immediately burst into laughter, looking at Hiro like he was stupid. "You seriously believe Raiden doesn’t like you anymore? Raiden, who has stalked you since we were kids? The person who littered his entire room with pictures of you? Hell this guy even went to juvy for stalking you and you really believe that he no longer has feelings for you? That everything just disappeared."

Hiro was extremely confused. Why would Raiden’s best friend be telling him such things? He didn’t understand what Shoji was trying to tell him at all. Those things happened four years ago and at that time, they were all immature. People get over things and grow. He was sure Raiden did the same. One can’t be obsessed with something or someone forever.

He nibbled on his lower lip, then began to toy with the hem of his shirt. "B-But he said so himself. He said he doesn’t like me like that anymore. People change and so did Raiden."

He could remember the day he took off his shirt in Raiden’s office and Raiden threw it back at him then kicked him out. He was the one that had gone back to Raiden, begging Raiden to help. Tears sprang to his eyes for he could vividly remember how humiliated he felt. He never wanted to feel like that again.

"Y-You have no idea how hard it was to get his attention. I don’t want to mess anything up." He said. "Besides, it’s better this way. He doesn’t scare me anymore."

Shoji scoffed, annoyed. "Of course he wouldn’t. He already has you where he wants you."

"Can you please explain things to me clearly?" Hiro pleaded. "I don’t understand what you’re trying to tell me. What should I be careful about? Is there something Raiden is hiding from me?"

Shoji glanced over and noticed Raiden had collected his order. He didn’t have much time so he took out his card and slid it across the table towards Hiro. "Take it and give me a call whenever you’re free so we can talk. There’s a lot you need to know." He then stood up, fixing his navy blue jacket. "Raiden isn’t as good as you think he is Hiro. Open your eyes. Be smart and do not believe whatever he tells you. Not a single word."

"What are you doing here?" They heard Raiden ask as he approached them. His question was directed at Shoji who was now wearing a bright smile.

"Hello to you too, grumpy." Shoji grinned. "ooooh what a large ice cream sundae." He reached out to take the large glass cup from Raiden’s hand but Raiden swiftly and carefully moved out of the way. freewёbnoνel.com

"Go and order your own." Raiden grumbled. "Or better yet, leave this place. You’re ruining our date."

Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om