I got to leave without much explanation but with a catch. Dad presented and insisted that Seto-kun drove me back to my apartment. I would have said no if Seto-kun showed any objection or slight annoyance, but he took the car key from my father with a promise to take care of me. I almost groaned out loud when he did, but I didn't want to be rude.
We listened to baseball news about the afternoon match in Meiji Jingu Stadium for most of the way until the game ended with a score of 2-0. Our entire conversations were brief. He asked directions, and I answered them. We arrived at my apartment in no time.
"You could have just said no to my father, but thank you," I said as I removed my seatbelt. "Well, then be careful in going back and good luck with the baseball."
Seto-kun didn't say anything. I wondered if he hated me because we padded in silence on the way to the station too. I gazed outside, recognizing the jacket of the person turning the corner.
I got out of the car. It was really Kawashita. His lips curled when he saw me. Relieved, I started raising my hand to wave at him when I heard a car door shut.
"Reiko…I'm sorry, Matsumoto-san. Yasu-san and Mina-san always call you that. It kinda stuck." Seto-kun scratched his head. He shifted and bowed slightly, apologizing again. "If ever you want to watch a baseball game, here's my e-mail and number."
After handing me a small piece of paper, he returned to the car and left. I stared blankly at my Dad's microvan until it disappeared. I looked at the paper. For a shy boy, he was sure forward.
"Were you on a date?" Kawashita said as he stood in front of me with an amused expression. "And you invited me over?"
I glared at him and shoved the paper into my coat pocket. "I thought we're minding our own business."
"We are." He took the paper bags from my hand. "These are quite heavy. I just wanted to know if there's competition."
"There's no competition." I drew out a breath, thankful that he focused on Seto-kun rather than the reason behind.
"I was kidding." He smiled and tilted his head. "You messaged me really early. Did you miss me that much?"
"Dream on, Kawashita-kun." I smirked than ambled towards the entrance, waiting for him to catch up.
"Come on, your face lit up when you saw me rounding the corner." He collided his shoulders with mine.
"As if you could see that." I laughed. "I was still in the car."
"That's the same as admitting it." He goaded, his grin reaching his ears.
"That's—"
A music student living in the second floor came down the stairs and stared at us. She looked at me and then at Kawashita before she smiled politely and continued outside. I nudged him in the arm and frowned. How popular was he exactly? He just shrugged.
"Why are you popular anyway? I don't get it." I said as I took off my coat when we entered my room.
Kawashita placed the two large paper bags, that Mina made me bring, next to the refrigerator. He turned to me and paused, giving me a full-body look over. I took a glance at myself too and raised an eyebrow at him. Oh, right, I was dressed in a semi-formal black dress. I forgot because I got excited about seeing him.
"Why are you so early?" I asked at the same time he said, "Who said I'm popular. You're imagining it."
"Because I missed you." Kawashita took off his jacket. "Unlike you, I can admit it."
"Shut up. " I rolled my eyes at him. "I'm taking a shower."
"Why don't we sit down first?" Kawashita held my hand as I passed him. He sat on the sofa, dragging me with him, pulling me closer.
I was too hesitant to fight back. I fell on his laps. I tried standing up, but he wrapped his arms around my waist, his warmth enveloping me. I shivered as he buried his nose to my neck, inhaling.
"You know I had to take another cold shower last night, right?" he asked.
I stilled as his warm breath blew steadily on my neck. I swallowed hard. "But…let me shower first. I was outside all morning."
I smelled of incense. But with him this close, he probably could tell.
"It's fine. I don't mind. You still smell good." His lips pressed lightly on my neck as his hands crept into my thigh, making me tremble.
"Your hands are cold." I whimpered.
"It'll warm right up," he whispered, his hands traveling up to my torso. "I don't think I can wait. Don't you feel it under you?"
My chest heaved as I felt his hardness. "But…"
"We can take a bath together later." His nose nuzzled my cheeks. "I want you right now."
Giving in, knowing I also wanted him, I tilted my head to meet his. Compared to his ice frozen hands, his lips were warm as it brushed against my cheeks to meet my lips. He cradled me before he pushed me down on the sofa. I let go of all my hesitations and feelings as we let our bodies melt together for the fourth time.