Dragging her light purple suitcase, Nohara looked at Ohta who was walking by her side down the street to the bus stop with a curious look. "I used to think you really liked Momoka. To think you've broken up..."
Ohta looked calm hearing Nohara's teasing. When he met Nohara today, he had expected that she would bring up their past. That's also Nohara's right. Nohara is still Momoka's best friend. "A few months after you left, our relationship became even more strange," Ohta explained.
Nohara blinked. Staring at Ohta deeply, she felt a little guilty asking.
"After you left, Arai-san often looked for other women to do one night stands. I allowed her because she always asked me beforehand. I think that during that time our relationship was smooth, but as time went on she became more and more strange and no longer showed any interest in me."
Ah.
The two stared at each other in silence.
"I often feel, maybe she's just not attracted to me anymore," Ohta mumbled.
Nohara was silent. Remembering her sex life with Momoka, she thinks again. Nohara knew Momoka never liked to reveal her sexuality to others.
Patting the back of Ohta who looked lethargic for a moment, Nohara smiled reassuringly. "The problem may not be with you," Nohara said quietly. "Like me, Momo-chan has never had sex with a man. I knew from the start that I was a lesbian, but Momo-chan often had a crush on men even though she had never been sexually attracted to them," explained Nohara.
"Ah," Ohta nodded in understanding. "You think she might be confused about her sexuality?"
Nohara nodded.
"Are you saying that maybe Arai-san is a lesbian like you?" asked Ohta.
"Hey, there are many types of people out there," said Nohara while nudging Ohta's arm. "No two people have exactly the same preferences,"
"I think Arai-san is more passionate when she does it with a girl..."
"Or Momo-chan likes to do it with more than one person, like how we did it together,"
Remembering how Momoka had enjoyed the day so much, it made Nohara and Ohta blush and feel awkward to themselves.
"I just want to make Arai-san happy, and honestly, if she's happy, then I'll be happy," Ohta muttered. "I shouldn't have to get in the way of you two in the beginning," said Ohta.
"Nonsense. You are her lover. You know I can take Momo-chan from you so you've done the right thing by getting in my way," Nohara also doesn't want to be the third person in anyone's relationship.
"Perhaps Arai-san will be happier with you," the man muttered then.
While looking deeply at Ohta, realizing that they had arrived at the bus stop, Nohara smiled. "Do you regret it?"
"Hmm?" asked Ohta.
"Do you regret dating Momo-chan?" Nohara asked.
Ohta smiled. He didn't answer. His silence made Nohara feel sad for some reason. While waiting for the bus to arrive, Nohara smiled and almost sighed in disappointment.
"Then, why did you come to our reunion party if you already broke up with Momo-chan?" Nohara asked confused.
Ohta raised an eyebrow, and his handsome face reminded Nohara of the first night they met. "Ah, about that," Ohta smiled sweetly.
A strange feeling enveloped Nohara's chest, making her confused. The feeling was itchy, spread from her solar plexus and made her lower stomach feel tight. Two years ago, before Nohara returned to Kyoto, they had known each other for several months. She always felt that Ohta had a very disciplined and gentle character. Ohta's way of handling Momoka reminded Nohara of the way her uncle used to take care of his aunt when the two of them were still alive. She may not be close to her family, but Nohara has always admired her uncle and aunt pair.
"Shimizu-saaaan!"
Someone ran up to them and stopped by Ohta's side. "Why did you go first... oh, konnichiwa," he said when he saw Nohara standing there with Ohta. He is a young man who looks so sweet and cheerful with brown hair and brown eyes. His skin was also slightly tan and his smile was as bright as the sun. He really is the perfect summer guy.
"Konnichiwa," Nohara gave a small bow.
"Tokuchi-san, this is Inoue Nohara-san. And this is Tokuchi Moriou-san. He also graduated from Tokyo Uni, Arai-san's classmate and your gen," Ohta explained. "I came because he asked me to come. He is my roommate."
Nohara opened her mouth and nodded. "Ah."
The bus came and Nohara meant to say goodbye. "Thanks for today, Shimizu-san," Nohara said softly.
"I should be the one thanking you, Inoue-san," Ohta said.
Moriou looked at the two with suspicious eyes. Knowing Ohta for a long time, he couldn't believe Ohta suddenly casually approached his old friend in such a way like this. Is there a history between them? But they addressed each other in a way too polite...
"Ah," Ohta raised his hand, holding Nohara without touching her before she climbed the stairs of the bus. He reached into his wallet and pulled out a white business card of such good quality to give to Nohara.
Nohara turned her head, looking at Ohta with questioning eyes, as she received a business card from him. "Oh, thank you, Shimizu-san…" she said.
"Please call me so I can get your contact too," Ohta said then.
A dazzling mischievous smile appeared on Nohara's face, and suddenly Ohta and Moriou's hearts skipped a beat.
When the bus left, Ohta and Moriou were still rooted to the spot. Moriou came back to his senses quickly and realized Ohta was still not moving. As time went on, Ohta's face became redder and redder. Ohta remembers the smile Nohara showed him on the first day they met.
The smile of a predator with sharp white fangs and a burning gaze.
Crazy man. She's gay! He screamed inwardly to remind himself. Their situation was also very complicated. And she is a good person. The events of that day were also part of his fault—
Sighing, Ohta left followed by Moriou who still looked quite suspicious. "So do you like Inoue-san?"
"Cough!" Moriou's sudden question made Ohta choke on air.
"Inoue-san has no interest in men," he said coldly, half warning Moriou as well.
Moriou also remembered something in his college days. Inoue Nohara, a lesbian from the department of humanities and social sciences.
Then how does this senior know someone like Inoue-san?
They returned to the restaurant's car park and drove back to the apartment. As they climbed the stairs, they saw a woman struggling to drag her purple suitcase. From below, Moriou and Ohta narrowed their eyes. That's...
"Oh, sorry for getting in the way, I'll..." Nohara tried to step aside on the stairs and was surprised when she looked down and the two people she had just met were standing there.
"Ah,"
"Aah,"
"Woah,"
The three furrowed their brows looking at each other.