70 Problem and Happy Bubble

His words were a biting cold splash of reality. I stiffened and then swallowed. But looking at Mayama-kun's smug face and Akira's scowl, I realized this was between them. Still, the shame burned in me.

"Why does he have to tell you about me?" I jutted my chin and crossed my arms, mustering every bit of my confidence.

Mayama-kun turned to me and shrugged. "Because we're friends."

"Does he have to report to you about everything?" I asked.

"Well." His easy grin turned into a frown. "No, but—"

"There you have it." I took off my hair tie and let my hair fall, avoiding Akira's gaze. I overstepped just now. I understood why he didn't mention me to his friends, but I disliked that his friend put me on a spot. I wasn't going to stay silent.

Slouching, Mayama-kun let out a breath. "Are you not bothered by it?"

I was but I wasn't going to tell them that. I shook my head. "We've been barely together for a month."

"A month?" he repeated, his eyes widening.

I put my elbows on the table and leaned in, smiling sweetly. "Yes, and he introduced me to his family. Why should I be bothered?"

To my surprise, Mayama-kun grinned widely that his teeth showed. "Now, you really have to meet the guys. You're special."

I touched the base of my neck and finally glanced at Akira. I believed I dug myself deeper. He met my gaze but averted it to his friend. Uh-oh. Did he not want me to go with him? My stomach sunk.

"It's okay," I forced myself to say. "I don't want to intrude. There's always next time."

"It won't be a problem, right, Aki?" Mayama-kun nudged him.

Akira hesitated, still avoiding my gaze. "No problem at all."

"It'll be fun," Mayama-kun added.

I said nothing, but I knew we had a problem.

***

Akira returned to normal after his friend left. Nothing was said about the reunion anymore, so I pretended everything was good. The next day, Akira fulfilled his promise to me and took me to the shrine, watching the sunrise as we did.

The tentative atmosphere between us completely vanished when his cousins met us for lunch. It improved even further. We were back to holding hands when we strolled around the shopping center, separating ways from his cousins.

We navigated through the crowd hand in hand never letting go. Akira and I only separated when I had to enter a jam-packed boutique.

"I'll wait here." He eyed the store, grimacing, and then he leaned in. "Can I kiss you in the forehead?"

"Right now?" I glanced around. We were at the side, and people kept passing us by.

"Right here," he said, biting his lips.

"Aren't you supposed to be prim and proper?" I grinned.

Akira's ears flushed. "I can wait. It doesn't have to be now."

I chuckled. "You give up too easily. I just wondered about the sudden interest."

"Sudden?" His eyes widened as his voice rose a little. "I've been wanting to kiss you in public since like..."

He looked around. A few passerby glanced at us, hiding their grins. Wiping his forehead, Akira blew a breath. "Go in. I'll be here."

"You're so adorable." I laughed, tiptoed, and placed a wet kiss on his cheek.

He gasped, putting a hand on his cheek, staring at me.

"I'll be back," I said and left before he could say anything back.

It took me at least twenty minutes before I picked out and bought everything I wanted. During that time, I looked for Akira, and he stayed in the same spot I left him. He caught my gaze a few times and waved. I did the same, grinning.

But when I returned to his spot, two petite girls dressed in fluffy coats and boots stood in front of him, talking animatedly. I paused and watched Akira conversed with them with the same enthusiasm.

They must be old classmates. I weighed my options: go ahead or turn back and pretend I forgot something. I chose the latter and was about to turn when Akira discovered me. His smile grew, and he waved at me. Breathing in, I put on a smile and headed towards them.

Both girls swiveled around to check. One had a full makeup while the other had light as mine, but both of them had half-smiles and raised eyebrows.

"Guys, this is Matsumoto Reiko," Akira said, grabbing my hand. "My girlfriend."

My jaw dropped as I gaped at him. He just beamed at me. "They're my former high school classmates."

I glanced at the girls and found they had the same reaction as me. Their smiles fell, and they exchanged gobsmacked looks. I wondered why but moved on pretty quickly. I was still high with exhilaration from Akira's certainty in introducing me as his girlfriend. Was I being naïve? I couldn't care less. I was in my happy bubble.

"You'll come, right, Kawashita-kun?" one of the girls asked, nodding at me. "You can bring your girlfriend. It'll be fun. You haven't seen us—the others for years."

The one with false eyelashes nodded. "And Megu is expecting you."