I shifted my weight into my other foot and grasped the shopping bags tighter. My hands turned clammy as I studied the girls' faces. The other girl glanced at me, fidgeting with her hair while the one who mentioned the ex-girlfriend continued speaking.
"Little Megu will be surprised, huh." I cut in, smirking.
The girl frowned. I added, "I think she still doesn't know Akira has a new girlfriend."
"Well, none of us knew about it too." She puffed out her chest. "Kawashita-kun hasn't posted anything about you in SNS."
"That's because…" I paused as realization hit me. We didn't want to complicate things. We were not really a thing.
"We like things private," Akira said, taking the shopping bags from me. "It's enough that she knows I like her. I don't need to tell the whole world about it."
"Wow, Kawashita-kun." The other girl grinned. "I didn't know you're this straightforward and cheesy. Tokyo's good for you."
She then turned to me. "We'll let Megu know, so you have to come, okay? Everyone will love to meet you."
After that, the two of them bade as goodbye, waving as they did. Forcing a smile, I returned the gesture. Thirty seconds passed before the two of us spoke. Akira asked if I wanted to buy anything else. I stared at him before I remembered checking my list.
His words only registered when we left the bookstore. Akira actually said he likes me. Was I dreaming? Did I mishear? The affliction that his ex was waiting for him faded into a healing bruise—there but no longer aching. I wanted to confirm it, but Akira beat me to it.
"I didn't know you could be jealous," he said, glancing at me, restraining a smile.
My nostrils flared. "I wasn't jealous."
"You called my ex small." He chuckled.
"Isn't she?" I whipped my head at him with wide eyes. "That doesn't mean I was…jealous."
He just shook his head, still smiling. "How did you know anyway?"
"I saw a picture of her. Your family showed me," I replied, scowling. "And your friends were the ones who started it. Who the hell says that? It was as if I wasn't there."
"You're telling me you weren't jealous?" He raised an eyebrow. His eyes shone with amusement.
"No." I flipped my hair. "Your friends were rude. Mayama-kun too. They were awful."
The amusement dulled. His brows furrowed. "As if your friends weren't. They were comparing me to your ex as if I wasn't there. They're worse."
I huffed. "Well, they're my only friends, and they didn't say anything bad about you. They didn't act like you weren't my boyfriend."
"You don't have to go to the reunion." He sighed, massaging his forehead. "This is why I kept it from you."
"Why? Because I hate rude people?" My frown deepened.
"You're prejudiced against private school students. You haven't met them, and you already don't like them."
I staggered back as if his words shot me right in the gut. He didn't like me. This was his real thought. Gritting my teeth, I exhaled through my nose.
"You're right," I whispered, shutting down. "I overstepped our boundaries. I'm sorry."
His expression crumpled, and I felt a cruel and cold yet warm satisfaction spread through my chest. I only defended myself. I wasn't going to be quiet and accept things. Their educational background had nothing to do with it. Akira opened his mouth, but I turned away from him.
"We should go. Your cousins are waiting for us."
My heart remained heavy as we rendezvous with his family, but interacting came easy. I welcomed the other company. But avoiding Akira could only last until evening. I had yet to place the bags down when he started.
"We don't have to go. I was planning not to go," he said, inching closer to me. "That's why I didn't tell you."
I faced him. "Of course. Who on earth will go to a high school reunion of a pretend boyfriend, knowing his very real ex-girlfriend will be there?"
Akira scowled. I raised a hand to stop him. "And you don't want me to go."
"That's not what I said." His voice rose a fraction.
"You go. I'll stay here." I shrugged and put down my things.
Sighing, he stepped towards me and caught my hand. "Stop being mad. We'll do whatever you decide."
"I am not mad," I said, averting my gaze. I was hurt.
"You are. You wouldn't look at me." He gave my hand a tug.
I looked up and met his eyes, clenching my jaw. "I'm not. I just don't want to insult your friends without meaning to."
Akira flinched. He swallowed, his voice dropping. "I'm sorry. Please."
I melted a little, and I hated it. This was proof I fell over a bit too far. Looking at his quivering lips was enough for me to keel over and forgive him.
I breathed in, steeling myself. "Grovel. Maybe I'll reconsider."
Without hesitating, he went down on his knees. "I'm sorry, Reiko-senpai. I went too far."
"I was kidding." I tugged his hand, but he stayed kneeling. "Come on, Akira, get up."
"Please go with me to the reunion. I want to introduce you to my friends." He took my other hand. "I'll let you whip them if they become cheeky like Satoshi. Please be my date, Reiko-senpai."