“What a cute cat! Hey, Kaoru don’t you think this cat’s cute?”

-Well, I guess.

I never understood the appeal in cats but Yuuma absolutely loved them. He played with the cat for some more and we started walking home again.

-Oi Yuuma, I’ve been meaning to ask… why do you like cats so much?

“I like them because they’re absolutely adorable in every way possible. Just like you.”

The serious expression on his face when he said that made blood rush to my face.

-W, well I think you’re cute too.

“Should we have sex then?”

-Wha...Er...Wh…Uh…

“You’re so much cuter when you’re flustered Kaoru. It’s kind of hot.”

*Nosebleed*

Meanwhile, somewhere nearby…

“Yes, the ship has finally set sail!”

“Hey, don’t shout! They’re gonna hear us!”

“I’m just so excited I can’t contain myself!”

“Why are you excited? They have these kinds of exchanges every day.”

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“That’s cruel, Yamada! Do you have some kind of fetish for crushing a poor maiden’s dreams?”

“You’re all but a “poor maiden”. I think “BetoBeto-san” would suit you better, you creepy stalker.”

“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to know more about my sister’s lover life!”

“Well, why don’t you go and ask her instead of following her around?”

“You shouldn’t be one to talk. You’re my partner in crime!”

“I just happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time and get dragged into this by you! Honestly, why do you do this to me?”

“It’s because I love you.”

“Sorry, but that’s not gonna work on me.”

“Well, it was worth a shot.”

Back to the main couple

I open my eyes and get greeted by a familiar room. On the floor lied a PS3 with tons of games scattered around it. There were shelves full of light novels and manga’s, most of which were ecchi or hentai. It was Yuuma’s room.

-Urgh, why am I here?

Just as I said that the door opened and there entered Yuuma holding a tray stacked with snacks and some tea.

“You fainted because of blood loss. Oh, and I brought you some snacks.”

-Wait, I think I just heard something seriously dangerous. What did you say again?

“Your nose bled so much you fainted.”

-Wha??? That’s dangerous! I could have died…

I picked the tea up from the tray and started drinking leisurely, trying to forget I just had a near-death experience. Yuuma stood in front of me sipping tea and eating some chips while watching TV.

“You don’t usually get so flustered. You not feeling well or something?”

-I… I don’t know.

But I did. Usually, he’d make a joke, I’d get flustered and we both would laugh it off. I’d been friends with Yuuma for as long as I can remember but since last year something has changed.

Yuuma had turned off the TV and was instead reading a light novel. The sun was dawning and its orange light shone through the window.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t one of those clueless girls you find everywhere in shounen manga. I knew exactly what had changed. I had fallen for Yuuma. And with each passing day, those feelings became stronger… It was seriously annoying and awkward. Those annoying feelings stopped me from telling him.

But…

It was probably because of my light-headedness or the very comfy atmosphere but for some reason I…

-Hey, Yuuma.

“What?”

He turned and looked at me straight in the eye with his usual neutral expression.

-I love you.

“…I know.”

...WHAT?