Natsumi rang up the customers with her usual bright smile and waved them off as they left the shop. She sighed and brushed her hair off her shoulder as she looked around at the last few shoppers straggling about. She only had another hour and then Ryuu would be walking in. She smiled involuntarily at the thought of him. He was still adamant about walking her home, but now he also made a habit of crashing there. Mom didn't mind and Natsumi thought it was better than him going back home so late. He left his spare uniform for when he did and they had school the next day. Mom always washed his other one and it seemed that he just rotated the two constantly.
"He really has moved in without asking." She giggled as she straightened up the counter.
"What was that Kimoto?" Mr. Himoto asked from his seat near her. Natsumi looked over and smiled, but didn't answer. Last thing she needed was to fuel his wild imagination about her and her best friend. Not that it would really change anything. Mr. Himoto was still positive that Ryuu felt more towards her than friendship.
"Mmhmm..." He hummed, indicating that he didn't believe her for a second. She sighed and rolled her eyes before returning her attention to a woman approaching the counter. As she worked her mind wandered to Ryuu again. It was their winter break after semester finals and she had hoped to spend more time with Ryuu during the two weeks they had off. But she had only really seen him twice. Which explained why she was secretly excited to see him today when he texted that he'd still be there to walk her home. Her feelings towards Ryuu were just as jumbled as before and she was desperately trying to deny the fact that they were moving past friendship.
She tried to suppress them, but the time apart had made her feel lonely and only intensified her need to be around him, confirming the inevitable. She was falling in love with her best friend. When she went over the reasons she shouldn't, they were logical and sound, but then his smiling face would appear in her mind's eye and all logic fled. No matter how she scolded herself and tried to push the feelings back, they were strong and unbending. She was falling for Ryuu with every second that passed and nothing was going to stop her stupid heart from wanting him to return her feelings. But that wasn't possible...Ryuu was just her best friend and she was sure that her feelings would only complicate things between them. She would just have to be satisfied having him in her life at all.
She helped the next three shoppers when Mr. Himoto suddenly burst out laughing. The man she was helping jumped, not used to Mr. Himoto's eccentrics like Natsumi was. She finished ringing him up and handed him his change then turned to look at her boss. Surprised to see that he was already staring at her with a knowing smirk.
"What did you read this time sir?" She asked and he chuckled as he lifted his stout frame from his chair and walked over to her. He held out the magazine in his hand while saying,
"Why don't you let me run the register for a bit. I think there's something in here that you'll enjoy." He said and she frowned as she looked down at the gossip magazine now in her hands.
"Thanks but...I'm not really into this sort of-"
"You might want to reconsider. Oh and Natsumi..." He waited until she was looking at him again before his smile widened and he held up his thumb.
"Your boyfriend could be a model with those looks. Don't let him get away anytime soon."
"He's not my-wait Ryuu's in here!?" She shouted and instantly began to flip through the magazine, ignoring her boss' laughter. She sank down into the chair he had previously been in and finally found the article he had mentioned. It was a full spread and the title read 'Gaining the Exec's Heart' Natsumi rolled her eyes at that. She wondered why Ryuu would agree to do an interview like this, but then again, considering who his father was there may have been no choice. Curious she looked over the rest of the page.
In the center was a full photo of Ryuu and despite things it made her blush slightly. He was dressed formal in a nice suit that fit his athletic build perfectly. There were smaller photos near certain questions and in each he wore a professional smile, except one. This one looked like he had forgotten where he was as his eyes darted to the side and had the smile she had seen during their time together so often. It was his honest smile, one that only Natsumi and her family usually saw. Curious she looked at the question next to it.
Q: What's the first thing you notice about the girls around you?
Young Yoshida got a strange look in his eyes at that question, almost like he was sharing some unknown secret with our camera.
A: Their eyes I guess. My grandfather used to say you could read a lot in someone's eyes about who they really are.
It seemed like a simple Q&A with only a few notes from the interviewer. She read over them, knowing that they would be the usual 'What type of girl do you like' like the first one she read...But she was surprised by the responses that Ryuu gave to a few.
Q: What's the most important quality you look for in a romantic partner?
A: That she knows the real me...
Q: What do you mean by that?
A: She has to accept the way I am when no one's looking...She sees me at my weakest and at my most open of moments...but never judges me...just accepts who I am completely.
I think in this moment Mr. Yoshida was talking about someone in particular. It just seemed too specific to be a normal response. Could it be that the young man already has his eyes on someone?
Q: What's your idea of the perfect date?
Ladies pay attention to this! After laughing he responds with-
A: Probably just a quiet night in. Just the two of us talking and playing a game of chess...I'm quite good so she'd have to be able to keep up.
Q: So you want a girl who's smart?
A: I think that intellect is more important than looks, yes. A girl should be judge for more than her pretty face.
Hearing this, I wish I was ten years younger! Young Yoshida is such a sweetheart and any girl would be lucky to have him!
Q: I'm sure our readers would like to know...Is there a special girl in your life right now?
There was a pause here as if he was trying to figure it out himself.
A: Of course. But not in the way you mean.
Q: Oh? So you haven't confessed to her?
A: It's not really like that...This girl...she means a lot to me, but we're just friends right now.
Q: Right now!? So does that mean you're hoping something changes in the near future?
I never thought I'd see the day, but Ryuu Yoshida actually blushed! I guess that's a firm yes even though he dodged the question and we had to move on...But whoever this mystery girl is, she sure is a lucky one.
She stared blankly at the page as her mind whirled uncontrollably and her heart began to pound fiercely in her chest. Was it possible that he meant...no it was just a coincidence. It was just a silly interview that didn't mean anything! She firmly slammed the mental door on her thoughts as well as the magazine. She shook her head and told herself that it was some gossip and they had probably changed things to make it seem more exciting anyways. She stood up and started to return the magazine to the rack when Mr. Himoto waved his hand.
"Why don't you take that one with you?"
"Why would I-"
"Could make for some interesting reading later." He said with a sparkle in his eyes. Natsumi recognized that look and sighed, flipping her hair back as she pouted.
"You're not going to let it go and make me take this aren't you?"
"What a good employee you are. Always listening to your boss and heeding his advice." He laughed and she slumped over, shaking her head in exasperation. But she tucked the magazine into her bag, deciding that she would give it to her mom later, since she was more interested in this kind of thing. Maybe~ she should take out the story on Ryuu first though. She already heard enough about the guy as it was without her mother gushing further.
If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
The tinkling of the bell caused her to turn her head and she gave a small wave to Ryuu as he strolled in. He greeted Mr. Himoto who returned the smile and sent Natsumi a wink, making her groan.
"Ready Sumi?" He asked and she nodded as she took off her apron and hung it up. She grabbed her bag, following behind Ryuu as she waved goodnight to Mr. Himoto. He mouthed something to her like 'good luck' and she rolled her eyes again.
----------------------------------------
Natsumi sat at her desk as she finished up the last of her homework. Just as she expected Ryuu had invited himself to stay the night, not that anyone was bothered by it. He was taking a shower and she took the moment to retrieve the magazine and stash it until he left. However her brain decided that it wanted one more peek before she discarded it. She flipped it open and sat on the edge of her bed. She reread over the questions that had caught her off guard and wondered if they really were about her.
"Hey Sumi, the shower's free-What's that?" Ryuu asked as he toweled his hair dry. He was wearing the flannel pants and black T-shirt that he always wore to bed when he stayed over. She tried to hide it, but he must have recognized the cover because he groaned and covered his eyes with the towel.
"That stupid interview...I never should have said yes..."
"Why did you?" She asked and he muttered under his breath as he moved further into the room and sat on the chair at her desk.
"My father's PA said that he wanted me to do it. That it would be good publicity for my dad. But had I known the details involved I would have declined." He growled and Natsumi giggled as she looked down at the magazine and the snapshots of him. She gave him a sly grin and he raised a brow.
"I think you should be more worried about the fact that they got your bad side." She teased and he narrowed his eyes.
"What are you talking about?" He asked and she laughed as she flipped it around to show him the pictures.
"This one here in particular...I think you should give up your dreams of modeling." She laughed and his eye twitched before he made a grab for the article. She pulled it back, still laughing as she continued to tease him.
"Come on Ryuu! Admit it! You secretly want to be in magazines like this so you can be hounded by thousands of adoring fans!" She shrieked as he jumped out of the chair and grabbed for the magazine. She lifted up her foot and pressed it to his chest, holding him back as she kept the thing just out of reach.
"If I ask nicely can I have your autograph?"
"Keep pushing Sumi, find out what happens." He growled as he grunted from the kick she placed on his chest to knock him back, keeping the other still at the center. She giggled and stuck her tongue out.
"I'm not scared of a pretty boy like you."
"Really?" He asked with a sudden smirk and her eyes widened when the hand that had been reaching for the article suddenly latched onto the leg that was connected to his chest. He held her ankle captive and with his other hand began to tickle her behind her knee. She let out a shrill laugh as she uncontrollably wiggled in hopes of being freed. In between bursts of laughter she shouted,
"Stop! R-Ryuu! Ohmygod! I live with a bunch of traitors! Stop! Ryuu I can't breathe!"
Now he was laughing too and Natsumi cursed whichever family member had mentioned her weakest point. He didn't let up until she was gasping with tears in her eyes and she finally shouted.
"Okay! Okay you win! Here!" She cried and held out the magazine. The attack instantly subsided and Ryuu snatched up the article, laughing at her still. She held her stomach as it was slightly cramping from laughing so hard. She took in deep breaths and silently glared at him. He chuckled and sat on the edge of her bed. With a groan she pushed herself up so that she was sitting beside him, one leg bent towards her.
"You're so mean." She whined and he grinned at her before bopping her on the head lightly with the now rolled up magazine. He winked at her and chuckled,
"Serves you right for reading this trash. It'll rot your brain."
"I thought that was television?" She grumbled, rubbing the top of her head.
"Nope. Gossip mags." He laughed and she did too before flopping over in exhaustion, still out of breath. Her head fell onto his shoulder and she felt him stiffen for a minute before he relaxed and his arm moved behind her back to support her. She hummed as the warmth from his shower surrounded her.
"You know that now all the girls at school are going to give you an even harder time." She mumbled and he looked down at her head confused.
"Why?" He asked and she giggled as she sat up again so she could look at him.
"You mentioned things about what you look for in a girl. Now they're all going to use it to attract you to them." She teased and he rolled his eyes. He glanced to the side away from her and she wasn't sure, but it looked like there was a trace of pink behind his ears.
"They'd be wasting their time. I lied on one of the questions." He muttered and Sumi tilted her head as she shifted and sat on her knees, trying to peek at his face.
"Which one?" She said leaning closer.
"When they asked what I first notice about the girls around me..." He grumbled and she leaned even closer, supporting herself with her hands now too as she tried to see what his expression looked like.
"Ryuu?" She didn't expect him to swing around so suddenly and their foreheads smacked into each other. Both groaned and covered the red spots as they pulled away from each other.
"Ah Sumi...What the hell?"
"You're the one who turned around so suddenly!" She growled and he smirked at her.
"Who was practically crawling into my lap?" He teased and she blushed as she stuck her tongue at him and denied it loudly. Ryuu laughed as she continued shouting at him and moved before she could block him. His hand covered her mouth and her muffled protests resounded against his palm. He grinned as she glared at him, never knowing how cute she looked at that moment. Ryuu's smile softened and he slowly removed his hand once she stopped shouting at him.
"You're a lot cuter when you behave Sumi." He teased and placed his fingers under her chin, lifting it slightly. She flushed brighter, sending him a look that could kill, but he only smirked back. Touching her like this was becoming more natural to him and over the last few days when he hadn't been able to spend as much time with her he realized why. Which reminded him of the lie he had told the interviewer. He sighed softly and his fingers left her chin. She noticed the look in his eyes and tilted her head which made her eyes sparkle in the low light. He felt his chest tighten and growled in annoyance, losing control.
"Ryuu wha-" He cut her off and pulled her against him in a tight hug. Her face was pressed into his shoulder as his arms held her firmly. She muffled a protest again, but he didn't release her. Instead he lowered his own head to rest on her shoulder.
Her struggles stopped at the contact as her heart flipped in her chest as his scent invaded her. What was going on? She felt her cheeks heating again and her heart felt like she had just ran a mile. Stranger thing was that because she was pressed so tightly against him, she could feel how hard Ryuu's heart was also beating. Her previously confusing thoughts came back in full force. Why was Ryuu clinging to her so suddenly and almost desperately? Was it because he felt more for her than friendship like she did for him?
No! She was jumping to conclusions again and it would only land her in trouble...But his grip felt different for some reason that she couldn't place. She wanted to ask, but not only was her voice muffled by his shoulder, her throat was suddenly dry. She jumped when his soft voice broke through her frantic thoughts.
"It wouldn't matter if the girls at school tried to catch my attention because they're missing the most important part..." He whispered and finally pulled away from her so that he could look into her eyes once more. She knew that her entire face was red because he smiled teasingly at her and whispered,
"You look like a strawberry right now..." But before she could make a retort he placed his finger against her lips, robbing her of her voice. He continued,
"They don't know the real answer to that question." His finger left her lips and that hand slid along her cheek as it cupped her face gently and tilted it towards his again.
"Sumi...the first thing I notice about other girls is that they aren't you." He whispered and her eyes widened as her heart stopped for a second. Was that...did he mean...is this...Her mind couldn't focus as his dark crimson eyes held her captive in their depths. Was it just her imagination again or was he leaning closer? No, this time she was sure of it. There was no mistake. He was definitely leaning towards her, bringing his lips closer to hers. She stopped breathing as his warm breath tickled her soft lips and he whispered,
"Sumi...I think I'm fal-"
"Knock, knock. Sumi, Ryuu it's time for-Oh my!" Her mom stopped short as she covered her mouth and the two jumped apart. All three were bright with embarrassment, but none more so than Natsumi. She was shaking on her spot of the bed as her heart beat frantically in her chest to keep her conscious.
"Ahem...Well...Ryuu dear. As much as I want you for a son-in-law...I'm afraid that it's late and you both need to sleep." Her mom said with a glint in her eyes. Natsumi groaned at her mom and covered her face in mortification.
"It's not like that! We were just...um we were..." She stumbled over what to say as she peeked through her fingers at Ryuu. Although his cheeks were still pink he had that slanted grin on his face. He chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck as he got off the bed.
"Guess I've teased Sumi enough for the night Mom. I'll see you both in the morning, night." He said as he headed for the door. Natsumi's mouth fell open. Was all of that just him teasing her? She narrowed her eyes and grabbed one of her pillows hurling it through the air and striking him in the back of the head.
"Hey!"
"Natsumi!" Ryuu and her mom shouted at once, but her mom was also laughing behind her hand as she then watched the two begin their normal bickering.
"What was that for?"
"For being a jerk and teasing me like that!"
"Then don't make it so easy! And it was revenge for making fun of that interview!"
This continued for several more minutes so that neither noticed as her mom slip out of the room as she sighed,
"Ah young love. It's so beautiful."