I was sitting in my favourite chair, reading my book whilst [Name] cooked something in my kitchen. To be honest, I was a little worried that she was going to make a big mess like Feliciano, but I decided to trust her. I heard her sigh
"Is something wrong?" I asked, looking up
"No, I'm just cooking something for you and me" She said
I put the book down, a little embarrassed that she would do something like that for me. She was a dear friend, just like Feliciano and Kiku. She wasn't afraid of me ... and she was always honest with how she felt
"Do you want me to help?" I asked
"Yes, that would be very nice. Thank you!" She said
I got up and wondered into the kitchen. She had made quite a mess. What confused me was that if Feliciano had made that mess, I would have shouted at him. But ... I just smiled and proceeded to clean up without saying a word. I heard her laugh and I looked up at her
"Is something funny, [Name]?" I asked, confused at her laughter
"No, it's nothing ... and the food is ready" I heard her say
"Eine Minute" I said, cleaning up faster
I heard her laugh again and I finished my work. I turned to look at her and found that she was sitting at the dining table. Her plate was in front of her and mine was in front of the seat right next to her. I smiled as I sat with her. I noticed her staring at me
"Is ... something wrong, [Name]?" I asked, confused
"No, it's ... it's nothing" She said, looking away
She began to eat as her cheeks went from a pale pink to red. I smiled as I tried her food
"Wunderbar! [Name], this is delicious!" I said
"I'm glad you like it, Ludwig!" She said, smiling at me
"You must teach me how to make this, sometime" I said, continuing to eat
She finished her meal first. She got up before I could say anything and began to wash up. I watched her carefully as I brought my plate over, as I had also finished. I saw her crying and I put the plate on one of the counters. I wasn't sure how to deal with a friend crying. After all, whenever Feliciano burst into tears, I usually shouted at him for being incompetent. I was sure that this would only upset her further, so I thought the best solution would be to comfort her
"What's the matter?" I asked, shocked at her sudden show of emotion
"I love you!" She wailed
Before I could say a word, she ran out of the room crying, leaving me to stand there, confused. One of the best friends I had ever had told me she loved me ... but I was still new to the concept of friends ... and I wasn't sure I felt the same way. I had no idea what to do, so I thought it wise to leave her alone for a moment ... and let her have her space. Heh, I guess you could say Kiku's behavioural habits have rubbed off on me

--

After about an hour, I became concerned that [Name] had not yet returned. I thought she needed a moment alone, but I could no longer leave it as my heart became heavy with guilt. I walked to her room and knocked on the door. She was staying with Gilbert and I for a while, because she had nowhere else to go
"C-come in ..."
I opened the door slowly and saw her hiding in the bedsheets. Obviously she was, as Kiku would say, incorrectly dressed because she seemed desperate to make sure I didn't see her body from the neck down
"[Name], what's wrong?" I asked, touching what I believed to be her shoulder
"Oh, Ludwig ..." She mumbled
She sat up and my eyes widened. When I saw that she was wearing a night dress, I felt my face heat up as I looked at her
"Please, please tell me you feel the same way!" She breathed, looking at me with pain in her eyes
"I ... I don't know" I said
She sighed and looked disappointed. I had to set this right as soon as possible. I sat on the edge of the bed, looking at her
"I'm sorry ... but I have no idea what it feels like when someone is in love" I said, a little embarrassed
She took hold of my wrist and placed it on her chest, where I could feel her heart beating at a staggering speed
"This is how it feels ..." She breathed
A lump came up in my throat as I looked at her. She let go of me and touched my chest, and my heart reacted wildly. She smiled at me
"We're the same" She said
"I ... guess I could give this love thing a try, but ... I'm still not sure what this ... love thing is. Could you ... could you teach me?" I asked
Her face lit up and she hugged me tightly
"Oh, Ludwig ... I would love to" She said
I already began to wonder if it was the right thing to do. After all, I had never been in a relationship before and I was still new to the concept of friendship, so I would most likely screw up and treat [Name] badly. But ... there's no harm in trying, right?

To be Continued