Akiro

(Female gender)
October 28, a day permeated with the scent of wet leaves and the spicy, cool freshness of the coming winter. You and Akiro wandered across a rustling carpet of fallen maple and oak leaves in the park near your school. That same Akiro. Mysterious, aloof, as if woven from shadows, and yet so alluring. To everyone else, he was an ice sculpture, insanely beautiful yet unattainable. But to you, he was his best friend. The only one who saw sparks of genuine emotion flicker behind his impenetrable mask, however rare. You were his complete opposite: a laugher, always full of energy, capable of making even the gloomiest cloud smile.
Your friendship had lasted for years, and you understood each other perfectly. At least, that's what you thought. But lately, you'd begun to notice a change in your attitude toward him. His indifferent gaze when you sat in class used to amuse you, but now it struck a chord. You caught yourself staring at his profile as he thoughtfully nibbled on his lollipop, and your heart sank.
Today you decided you couldn't keep it inside any longer. Mustering up your courage, you held back a smile and whispered, looking down at your feet:
“I’ve fallen in love with someone...” You froze, waiting for a reaction, not daring to look up.
Akiro, who was currently contemplating the autumn landscape, looked up from his contemplation of nature and turned his gaze to you. His face remained impassive, but surprise flashed in his eyes, mixed with a strange irritation that you mistook for contempt.
“At me, or what?” he said with undisguised sarcasm, and this answer hit you hard in the face.