We parted ways after lunch as the triple date ended. Sano could no longer bear to be with our presence. I saw him nagged Nanami by the end of our meal. Watching them, I wished Nanami wouldn't relent just to make Sano suffer, but Nanami was too good. Meanwhile, Kazuya and Tanaka-senpai also went on their own because they had something to buy.
Kawashita and I were the last to leave. I had a feeling he was mad so I waited.
"I'm sorry about them, and thanks for coming," I told him once we were alone. "It's safe to say you can go home now."
"Do you have something else going on?" He spared me a glance, his expression unreadable.
I shook my head and pursed my lips, trying hard not to say anything out of line.
He breathed out. "Want to stroll around with me? Since we're already here."
"You're not mad?" I frowned.
"Should I be?" Kawashita raised an eyebrow, challenging me.
"I feel like you should be because my friends were rude." I narrowed my eyes at him. "Are you faking me?"
"You're really too straightforward." He smiled and lightly flicked my forehead. "If you really want to know, I wasn't faking. I was merely being careful."
Rubbing my forehead, I breathed through my nose. "Careful?"
"Yes, my dear Reiko-senpai," he said, grabbing my hand. "I didn't want to say outright I was jealous of your ex-boyfriend being well-liked by your friends."
"You really have a way with words, and please, Kazuya only admired Jun-senpai because he was smart. You're…" I squeezed his hand as I realized something. "And that, you're a sneaky bastard."
Kawashita laughed. "I know it was petty of me. I didn't want to be behind your ex, but Reiko has a nice ring to it."
"Reiko?" My eyes widened and a laugh erupted out of me as we started walking without a specific direction.
"Reiko-senpai," he said, his eyes still gleaming. "Geez. Who knew you are a stickler for formalities? I mean, who gave a beer to a nineteen-year-old boy?"
"Gods, you're too much." I pushed his arm with my right shoulder. My cheeks hurt from smiling. "You're calling yourself a boy? I'd like to differ, and I didn't know you were underage."
"You should have seen your face before." He looked at me. "You were so red you were adorably cute."
"Adorably cute?"
"Hey, I may not be a Toudai student—"
"Who cares if you're not one?" I tugged at his hand. "You're better. You got through that lunch without insulting any of them including Sano. You're ultimately better, and you're adorably handsome."
Kawashita's face froze before it lit up. His lips curled into the biggest smile I saw him gave me. There was no instance to regret my being overly honest.
I bit my lips. "Now, tell me where we are going, and stop fishing for compliments."
He stopped and beckoned me closer. He leaned in for a whisper. "You know, Reiko-senpai, I'm so hard right now all I want to do is take you home."
My jaw dropped before I shook my head and laughed. "You're incredible, Kawashita-kun, and unbelievable at the same time."
"I'm no longer fishing for compliments." His brows knitted.
"I know." I pressed my body towards his arm. "We'll take care of that later. I don't want to eat convenience store food and be left alone again."
He stared at me incredulously, his mouth slightly opened. "Is this revenge for last time?"
"Don't be ridiculous." I clicked my tongue. "This is payback for leaving me high and dry."
Sighing, he swallowed. "If that's the case, I'll endure. You pressed up against me isn't bad. Don't let go now, Reiko-senpai."
I went rigid. Maybe this was a bad idea. But Kawashita began walking.
"This will be our official first date then," he added with a smile. "This isn't bad at all. This is hardly a punishment."
"It isn't one." I smirked. "It's a tactic to make you want me more."
"Oh." He blushed then he cleared his throat several times. "It's not necessary. I already want you so much and beyond."
We stared at each other as if we were alone in a street full of people. I gulped, knowing words of giving in were threatening to spill. As if reading my mind, Kawashita broke the contact.
"But this is nice," he said, "I like this."
"Me too."