Butterflies turned into a crawly beast on my stomach. They pooled into my gut, turning my hunger into dread. Not only that, I could feel the pounding of my heart on my ears. Every step was a drag.
"Let go. We shouldn't be holding hands." I pulled back my hand, but Akira's grip was unyielding.
"My brother's not old fashion as you think," he said, tugging me forward. "But if you don't like this, we could do this."
He let go of my hand and pressed me to the nook of his underarm, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. "This feels nicer, don't you agree?"
I scowled at him and pushed him away. "You're not helping."
"That's because you're too tense." Akira took my hand once more. "I promise you. My brother's nice. I won't let anything happen to you."
His words weren't exactly convincing, but it calmed my nerves a little. We continued walking towards the house at the back with interlocked fingers. I wouldn't admit it but I was glad we were holding hands.
Their family home was a two stories house with plainer tiled roof. It looked plain compared to the grandeur of the inn. According to Akira, it was only built three years ago in preparation for his brother's marriage. But Akira remained in the extension at the inn since he rarely came home from Tokyo.
"Whoa, Aki, Mayu's right. You look…" Akira's brother cleared his throat and turned towards me with a big grin plastered on his face. "It's nice to finally meet you, Matsumoto-san."
I said back a greeting, studying this man who was an older, more toned version of Akira. My eyes were fixed on him.
"Can I also call you Reiko? Mayu—Mayuki's been gloating to me ever since she met you that you're already on the first name basis." Akira's brother brushed up his hair before he extended his hand for a handshake. "I'm Kawashita Akahito."
I took his hand, smiling, thinking Akira was right. I didn't need to worry. Akahito-san was more of a charmer than Akira.
Mayuki-san called us then, admonishing her husband for hogging the attention. With a glance around, I followed the brothers, and we gathered around the table.
"By the way Reiko," Akahito-san called. "Have you seen his phone? He got you as his wallpaper."
I turned to Akira whose face reddened as he stared daggers at his older brother. He snapped his head at me. "Don't believe him. He's only saying that to make fun of me."
I grinned. "But didn't you say he was nice? Why would he do that?"
Akira scowled at me. "Wait until he gets to tease you."
Still grinning, I only shook my head and took my seat in the opposite of Mayuki-san. Akira sat beside me while his brother served the food which he proudly told me that he cooked.
The dinner went off without a hitch. The food was divine, and the atmosphere suited me well. Akira's brother and his wife weren't intrusive as I expected. They didn't ask about my family or anything. They showered me with compliments. The couple raved about how smart I was for getting in and studying in a public university.
My chest almost burst with pride, but there was also a tightness in it, a sinking feeling that lingered with that achievement. I kept my smile and replied as best as I could. But I glanced at Akira for help which he delivered promptly without asking. He diverted the topic to the possible places we could visit.
By the end of dinner, I also found out that Akira had been exaggerating. Mayuki-san wasn't old. I was only three years younger than her. She went to Hakone after graduating from a community college in Tokyo to train under their mother.
I wanted to talk more—a strange feeling—but we didn't linger after dinner. The husband and wife had work to do for the next morning. Akira led me back to his old room and stayed with me.
"You believe me now, right?" he asked as he turned on the light.
"About?" I sat on the futon.
"My brother being nice and not old fashion." He sat in front of me.
"I never said I doubted you," I said.
"Yet you were so scared of us holding hands." He smiled.
"I wasn't scared." I nudged him with my elbow and then sighed. "I was just thinking Mina wouldn't approve."
Akira opened his mouth then closed it again. He leaned back. "My brother lived with Mayuki-neesan before they got married."
"In Tokyo?" I smiled, relieved he let the stepmother comment go.
"Yes. My brother was stubborn. His condition in inheriting this inn was to study in Tokyo, but then he met Mayuki-neesan before he finished his graduate studies."
"Business administration?" I asked.
He nodded before he lay back on the futon, chuckling. "He didn't want to finish that when Mayuki-neesan agreed to marry him. My mother got mad."
I lay on my stomach and watched him. "What about you? You don't want to inherit the inn?
He looked at me in the corner of his eyes.
"You don't have to answer that," I added.
Akira faced me. "It was actually my dream when I was a kid."
"And now?" I asked.
He sighed, propped his elbows, and hovered over me. "Right now all I want to do is kiss you and continue with that second round."
I smiled. "My knees are no longer shaking."