"What do you mean by that? Ai Shimizu?" I asked.
I'm in a serious mood right now. What she just said didn't feel like a joke. She wants me and Mei Shimizu to continue our relationship as it is. To satisfy her needs? How does that make any sense? There's also the sudden change in her aura; it's completely different compared to the one she had earlier.
"I'm not sugar coating anything; I meant it as it is. I want the two of you to continue this relationship, or I'll rat the two of you to the teachers. I can even rat you out to the authorities, which means losing all the hard work that you've put in Mei," said Ai Shimizu.
Losing all her hard work? Is she serious? That's her sister she's talking about! Is she actually threatening to destroy Mei Shimizu's career?! I have to do something!
"Hey! That's enough of you! Do you have no shame in saying such awful things to your own sister?!" I screamed.
I stood up and smashed the table. Gazing into Ai Shimizu's eyes, I tried to intimidate her, but it didn't seem to work.
"Petty intimidation like that won't work on me, amateur," said Ai Shimizu.
That's right, I forgot. This woman studied psychology to the extent that she can apply it in her daily life. How come such a quiet girl can be so terrifying? The words that's coming out of her mouth are straight brutal. Without using any sugar coating in her words, she threatens us like we're just kids.
"Stop with your nonsense, Ai. I'm not scared of your threat. If you want to ruin my career, then go ahead and do it. I can just build my reputation up again," said Mei Shimizu.
Amazing. Even in this situation, she still manages to remain calm.
"Don't jump to conclusions, sister," said Ai Shimizu.
"Here's your order," said the waiter.
Our food finally arrived. The food and drinks that we ordered were slowly placed in front of us. For Mei Shimizu, she ordered some spaghetti; for Ai Shimizu, she ordered an omurice along with coffee as her drink; and for me, I ordered a kiddie meal.
"A kiddie meal?" asked Ai Shimizu.
"Pfft!" laughed Mei Shimizu.
The two of them looked at my food as if they were looking at a child. They have a picture of the kiddie meal on the menu, and it looks delicious; that's why I ordered it. No one said that teenagers aren't allowed to eat a kiddie meal, you know.
"There's nothing wrong with ordering something that's on the menu," I said.
"That's what a kid says," said Ai Shimizu.
"Yeah," agreed Mei Shimizu.
The two laughed as they mocked my food and me. Well, that's good. I didn't order this to make them laugh, but if it's something that can make these two beautiful women in front of me smile, then that's a bonus for me.
"I might be laughing, but I'm serious about what I just said earlier," said Ai Shimizu.
The transition that just happened in her face is funny. Her smile suddenly disappeared, and her expression changed from laughing to serious. It's like seeing an emoticon change with a tap of the user's finger.
"Ai, can you please stop? I'm just giving him a reward for working so hard last week," said Mei Shimizu.
"So that reward is a date? Aren't you being too easy right now, sis?" asked Ai Shimizu.
"I'm not. It's not like I have feelings for this guy. He's just a kid," said Mei Shimizu.
The two talked about me as if I weren't in front of them. It's not like I feel anything when she says she doesn't have feelings for me. I don't have feelings for her either, so it's not a big deal. I just want to... want to... Wait, why did I even ask her on a date in the first place?
"A kid, you say? I'm literally older than you," I said with a serious tone in my voice.
"It's not about the age; it's about how you act. If you don't want me calling you a kid, then stop ordering kiddie meals," mocked Mei Shimizu.
"A kiddie meal isn't just for kids," I said while pointing with my small spork that came together with the kiddie meal.
"Stop pointing at people; that's bad manners," said Ai Shimizu.
These two are so strict. They must've come from a strict family. Not only that, but they notice every single one of my movements. It must be tough living at their home. They must've been so disciplined that even one mistake is considered lethal.
"So about what I'm talking about," said Ai Shimizu.
It's amazing how she kept on bringing up her intentions, even with us changing the topic repeatedly. She must be desperate to keep us in this relationship. But now that I think about it, my reputation will also get stained if I continue what I'm doing. It will be the best if I stop.
"Hey, at least listen to me," said Ai Shimizu.
Mei Shimizu sighed. "This meet-up won't happen again; there won't be a second time. So kindly stop thinking of using us as your material for your novel."
"Hm? Novel?" I wondered.
Oh, so that's what this is all about.
"Sister! I told you, don't mention that in public!" screamed Ai Shimizu.
Mei Shimizu ignored Ai's words and kept eating her spaghetti. She's eating it slowly and gracefully. Watching someone eat has never been as entertaining as this one. It's like watching a model eat food for a commercial. She's gleaming.
"Hey, Takahashi! Stop staring at my sister like you're undressing her," said Ai Shimizu.
"I'm not," I said.
She's been noisy for a while. Her personality is clearly different compared to the one she showed me when she was in school. It's starting to become annoying.
"Mei Shimizu is correct though; I realized that what I'm doing is indeed wrong and unethical. It's not appropriate to make moves on a teacher when you're her student. Despite the age, it feels immoral. So I'll stop; feel free to rat us out though," I said.
"Bu—but!" muttered Ai Shimizu.
"Give up," said Mei Shimizu.
Ai Shimizu sighed, "Fine, I guess I'll have no choice but to put this on the table."
"?!"
"Ai!" screamed Mei Shimizu.
Ai Shimizu showed us her phone with a picture of us holding each other. It's the same posture as when she saw us earlier. My face is close to hers, and her face is close to mine. It looks like Mei Shimizu and I are kissing in public!
"Delete that!" screamed Mei Shimizu while reaching out to Ai Shimizu to get her phone.
Ai Shimizu jumped out of her seat while still showing us the picture on her phone.
"With this in my possession, the teachers will have the two of you suspended. So, what are you going to do?" asked Ai Shimizu.
Mei Shimizu and I looked at each other as if asking each other what our next move was without verbal communication. This is a tough situation; her career rides with our decision right now. Making the wrong choice will, for sure, end her career. Mei Shimizu gave me a nod, as if she were telling me her decision. I nodded back because whatever it is that she decided, I'll commit to it.
"Fine, we'll continue this relationship as it is," said Mei Shimizu.
"Huh? That's not what I want this time," said Ai Shimizu.
"Hey, Ai!" screamed Mei Shimizu.
"I want the two of you to start going out," said Ai Shimizu.