Chapter 15: I Feel Bad for Her
"Wow! That Hamburg steak looks amazing! Did you make this, Tarazune-san? It looks like something straight out of a high-end restaurant!"
Akiho's eyes sparkled like a child offered a treasure chest. Her enthusiasm radiated through the table, lighting up the air around her.
"Thank you, Otsuki-san," Akeshi said, his usual calm voice just a little warmer. "Would you like to try some?"
"Really? Yay!" She took a bite and practically melted on the spot. "Oh my god, it's so good!"
I wasn't quite sure what to say about Otsuki-san eating Akeshi-kun's homemade Hamburg steak with stars in her eyes. She was kind of like a puppy mascot - adorable, bubbly, and surprisingly expressive. More than that, she and Akeshi had a strange chemistry... not romantic, but warm, like siblings who didn't argue.
"Yeah, Amanika-san, I feel the same," Shinji said with a sideways grin. "Those two really do act like siblings, don't they? So does that mean I should start calling you my sister-in-law? Oh, and by the way, you yap a lot."
I glared at him. "Can I kill you?"
"No, you can't."
"I'd especially hate being called sister-in-law by you."
It wasn't even about the implications. We'd been friends for so long that hearing him say something like that just felt... off. If anything, I preferred when he just used my name.
"Hey, can I have a piece of that steak?" he asked, already reaching.
"Was that a request or a statement?"
"A request, obviously. So... may I?"
Honestly, giving him a quarter wasn't a big deal. I could always steal more from the kitchen later.
"Hey, Tarazune-san," I said, turning to Akeshi. "Don't you think those two - Shinji and Akiho act like siblings? All the teasing and bickering?"
"Yeah, maybe," he replied with a lazy blink. "But who even uses the word 'dynamic' in a conversation?"
"Hehe... sorry," I laughed.
"You shouldn't feed her, Higure," Akeshi suddenly said, placing a possessive hand on my shoulder. "She's mine."
"Yeah, Nino-chan," Akiho said, puffing her cheeks at me. "Shin-kun is mine, so don't even think about kissing him."
"True that. Or are you into that kind of thing?" Shinji teased.
Akeshi suddenly tugged me closer, pulling me flush to his side. Akiho had her palm pressed to Shinji's chest, mockingly possessive, but I wasn't paying attention to them anymore. Akeshi leaned in and whispered into my ear.
"You are mine. That's it. Clear?" His voice dropped to a husky murmur. "Or... do I need to conquer your mind in other ways?"
His voice was low, sweet, and laced with danger - a spicy-sugar thrill that sent chills down my spine. If that was the first thing I heard each morning, I'd be doomed. Completely and utterly doomed.
Still... I couldn't give up. If I wanted him, I'd have to keep pursuing him wholeheartedly.
"Oh, by the way," Akiho asked, cutting through the moment. "Why did you take a video of us earlier?"
Crap. I'd hoped she wouldn't bring that up.
"W-well..." I stammered.
"It'll come in handy someday," Shinji said smoothly, stepping in.
Akiho tilted her head. "Oh? For someday... and what exactly is this 'someday,' hmm~?"
"Maybe... to embarrass them?" I offered weakly.
"Yes! That's it!" I latched onto her idea like a lifeline. "You know, one day when they get married, we'll look back on this and laugh! Just for fun, nothing serious!"
Akeshi raised an eyebrow, considering. "I see. But I'd rather you didn't. Our mentality will change by then. And that kind of joke might lead to misunderstandings... especially between families."
"...I agree," Shinji added, unusually serious.
"As insightful as always," Akiho chimed in.
"And maybe you could use it for your fanfic-"
Before he could finish, I clamped a hand over Shinji's mouth.
Wait. I can make him blush.
Without hesitating, I reached for Akeshi's face. He was much taller than me, so I had to stand on my toes, steadying myself by holding the back of his neck.
And then...
I kissed him.
Our lips met, soft and tentative, and the world slowed to a halt. His breath tasted faintly of rosewater, warm and fresh, like a spring breeze slipping through half-open windows. His lips were like velvet clouds. We kissed for only a few seconds three, maybe five but it felt infinite.
When we pulled back, the classroom was silent. No one spoke. We avoided each other's gaze, the air thick with awkward tension. It was the kind of silence that buzzed in your ears.
Then, finally, someone cleared their throat.
"Ahem. Well... that happened. So... Otsuki-san, shall we go Wait, what are you doing?"
We turned to find Akiho hunched over her phone, typing furiously. Me and Shinji leaned in to look.
A photo of the kiss was already posted.
---
[The Default class-New name still under Construction]
«Akiho»: See?! I told you Tarazune-san found his love! Y'all didn't believe me! Also WHERE ARE YOU Yuuki-KUN?!
«Yuuki»: I walked out of the scene with Namak, thought it was uninteresting. Thought it wouldn't be anything big. HOLY SHIT I MISSED STUFF.
«Secondary Ren»: Looks like you really did.
«Ultimate Ren»: I'm out of words.
«Na»: Ig.
«Uzen»: Gotta admit, he landed himself a loyal girl. No way a normal girl kisses you in public like that.
«Yuuki»: Unless she's a hoe.
«Lisa»: Shut the fuck up, Yuuki. Seriously. Keep your comments to yourself.
«Akhio»: Now now. Everyone calm down.
«Ming»: I have a feeling that otsuki got herself in something bad.
«Akeshi»: How about we continue this conversation in person, Otsuki-san?
---
Shinji raised his hands in surrender. "Sorry, you made your own fate."
Akeshi grabbed Akiho by the ear and started dragging her toward the door.
"PLEASE FORGIVE ME-!" she cried dramatically.
I watched her disappear with a pang of sympathy.
"...I feel bad for her," I said quietly.
"I agree, my friend," Shinji sighed. "I really do."