Holding back a laugh, I peeked at the source of Akira's unexpected annoyance. A brazen looking guy with black earrings on his left ear stood at the door. He was taller and skinnier than Akira. It was one of the five.
"I didn't know you have company," the guy smirked at me, flipping his light bleached bangs, wiggling his eyebrows.
"Shut up, Satoshi. What are you even doing here?" Akira rose and grabbed a towel before he approached the guy. His stride was wide and rigid.
"Well, I'm truly sorry for interrupting your alone time, but you're not answering any of our messages." Satoshi shrugged before he turned to me, bowing slightly, apologizing again then narrowing his eyes. "I didn't know he had a girl over, but aren't you—"
"Come here, you idiot." Akira's voice turned sharp as he nudged his friend in the stomach with his elbow, grabbing him in the shoulders before he glanced at me. "Won't take long."
I heard their hushed voices right outside the door. Their words remained incomprehensible, but my stomach became heavy. His friend's reaction affirmed that he recognized me. Akira must have too when we met for that blind date. Should I have mentioned that I recognized him from that time they bumped into me and the incidences that followed?
Sighing, I picked up a towel and wrung my hands out. No. Akira clearly wanted to keep it unrecognized based on his reactions. But the doubt of coming clean clung tightly.
The door opened, and Akira entered first. His chastised friend followed.
"I'm sorry for being rude. I'm Mayama Satoshi." He smiled at me again, a loaded one this time. "I live near here."
"He's one of the guys I told you about," Akira added, shoving his hands on his pockets.
I nodded. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Matsumoto Reiko. I'm just here for the break."
Mayama-kun raised a hand and waved it off once. "Oh, there's no need to be shy. I know you're Aki's girlfriend."
"Dude, I told you she's older than us." Akira frowned and elbowed his friend again. "Show respect."
"It's all right. I don't mind. It's only a year or two anyway," I said, standing up.
"See." Mayama-kun cocked his head at Akira.
Akira ignored him and directed his gaze at me. His eyes were saying unfairness. His mouth slackened, and then he shook his head. His expression said it all. 'You wouldn't let me get away with it.'
I grinned. "Ever heard of an exception?"
His scowl lightened, and his lips twitched, a smile beginning to form. He bit his lips. "I may have."
Mayama-kun groaned. "Did the people here ever tell you that you're painful to look at?"
"No." Akira stared at him blankly. "Go away if you don't want to see."
"Unbelievable." Mayama-kun snorted.
"Leave us, intruder." Akira shooed him.
I couldn't help it. A chortle came out of me. I clamped a hand over my mouth as the guys swiveled at me. Akira grinned. Mayama-kun shook his head before he smiled.
"Do you know, Matsumoto-san?" Mayama-kun asked. "Akira actually l—ouch!"
His face twisted in pain before he glowered at Akira who lifted his foot off of him. They glared at each other in a silent war. I watched them until they both looked away.
Mayama-kun stayed over until dinner much to Akira's dismay. It turned out everyone knew him. I found out he was a frequent visitor and also a half. His father was British, but his hair was bleached just as I suspected.
By the time dinner ended and Akira's cousins arrived, I became wary of Mayama-kun. His personality was hard to tell. He was all smiles. He even talked to me like we had known each other all our lives.
But he mellowed down when it was only the three of us. He shifted his attention to Akira, raving about some music scene. I came to my conclusion then. Mayama-kun must be a people pleaser. I tended to do that when I was younger, so my classmates wouldn't consider me an outsider. I learned better when I got older.
"Are you also studying in Tokyo?" I asked when they quieted down.
Mayama-kun blinked at me. "Your eyes are brown."
I saw Akira gaped at his friend. I tilted my head and grinned. "Akira likes them."
Both guys stared at me. Akira reacted first, beaming. "You bet I do."
Mayama-kun shrunk back as if scolded, and then he sighed and tapped his friend in the back. "You guys are sickening."
"You're just jealous." Akira smirked.
"I am not," Mayama-kun drawled, snorted, and then turned to me. "I'm sorry I was rude. Why don't you come with us at the reunion in the thirtieth? The guys will love to meet you."
Cocking his head in a challenge, Mayama-kun gazed at Akira. "After all, Aki never mentioned you."