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“Uuee…! Akito-kun, look at this one…!!!” a short beautiful lady squealed, her eyes beaming as if stars rode along it’s iris.
The cute girl in question was Otori Emu. The bright personality dressed herself in ankle-cuffed denim overalls, its fabric perfectly hugging her petite figure. The same lady also decided to grow out her once iconic bob, the now pink knee-length strands expressively dancing with each movement she makes.
Emu pulled a pink collar with engraved hearts off of a nearby shelf and beheld it in the center of her palms, her ethereal eyes meeting Akito’s green ones, awaiting for the man’s approval. “Cute. You think that’ll be fitting for her?” Akito playfully tilted his head as he looked down at the item in the girl’s hands, then back up into her eyes. He couldn't help but chuckle at her innocence, her playful excitement captivating him already.
“Mm!!!” the girl nods ecstatically placing it down in her shopping cart. “Hm…. now let’s see..” the girl placed a finger on her chin, her pink round eyes taking in all of the different assortments on display.
With his hands in both of his pockets, he followed aside the girl, observing her from a comfortable distance. She hummed as she listened into her intuitive “cute-ness” radar and basically grabbed anything that apparently gave her a “BOO kyah kasho!!” feeling.
Her seemingly unusual behavior didn't bother him though, since he’s been mutually acquainted with Emu for almost 3 years now, he’s grown fond of that part of her. As much as he was familiar with being in group projects with her in class or random parties, it was nice to hang out with just the two of them like this, at least it was the case for this red head.
Having more alone time with her was something he was seeking to experience; hence why he was the one that recommended that the two of them should shop together in the first place. What a simp.
The redhead just followed alongside her like a helpless small dog, letting her get a feel of what she considered necessary for the actual new puppy. The man looked around the store with open eyes, observing all of the shoppers and the atmosphere itself.
He thought to himself on how pleasantly normal it felt to be there with Emu. Maybe normal wasn’t the right word for him, but rather meaningful.
Even the small things such as taking a ride to a store out of town just felt peaceful to him. It amazed him how this girl could help him remain in the moment and to just live.
The tall man took a deep breath in an attempt to savor this moment, soon after his eyes subconsciously search for the girl, intentionally observing the pinkie from her side view. The ginger couldn’t help but think of how cute she was taking this “duty”, her expression quietly fretting over this whole ordeal.
Not even a second goes by and the girl gasps dramatically as if she saw the darnest thing. Emu’s sparkly big eyes widen with deep conviction as she points up the shelf towards a gigantic dog toy that was at least twice her size.
“Hhh..!! Akito…!!! Doesn’t that look soooo wonderhoy!?!?” she shrieks, bouncing the heels of her feet on the tile floors whilst tugging on the sleeve of his jacket. “We’ve got to get that one too…!” she adds passionately.
Akito looked down at the girl, her beady eyes pleading for his cue of approval, her lips clenching together in an ‘absolutely sure’ expression.
“Alright alright…” his tone lightened peacefully, submitting to her persuasion almost effortlessly. Akito wasn’t the guy to get smitten over things like this, but, he could never say no to those beautiful eyes.
The boy softly chuckled at the girl and looked up at the humongous plush-like toy, his attention taken hostage by the abnormally large, red-lettered, price tag next to it. Akito was going to interject but all that came from him was a weird grunt, following him harshly choking on his own saliva.
Emu was taken aback and without hesitation, frantically pat the taller one’s back, his coughs continuing to recoil into the crevice of his arm. With a worried expression on her face, the girl exclaimed, “Akito-kun…?! Are you okay?!”.
It took him a few moments but the man was able to clear his throat and regain his composure. With a hand covering his throat, he fearfully looked back up at the toy, responding, “I’m fine… but… we seriously cannot get that…”.
The guy interrupts himself with a choked back cough before continuing, “I mean…why do they even sell shit like this…” his voice weakly rasps, finally looking down at the small lady.
“Emu, did you even stop to look at the price tag on that GLOBE of an object? The thing is gigantic. And it’s 23,700 yen!?” he states in a genuinely concerned tone before confidently adding, “… I could buy at least 3 month’s worth of cheesecake with that…”. His face dropped into an irritated glare. Any more talk of cheesecake would probably grow the man an appetite.
“Ehhhh but it’s sooooo perfect, Akito-kun….” the girl sorrowfully whines, her eyes sparkling intensely as her bottom lip curves into a pout.
“Please, can we get this one? Pleaseeeee Akito….” the girl slowly inched towards his person, as if pushing herself on invisible rollerblades. “Wai-“ the guy nervously choked again as she raised herself closer to him, practically only a few movements away from his face, no sign of her backing off anytime soon.
Ugh… I just cant say no to this woman…
Akito sighed and placed his fingers across the bridge of his nose before letting out another sigh that’s slightly more agitated. With a thought or two, he dropped his arm to his side, placing it onto his hip, “Tsk… Fine. But we’re not getting annything else, you got that?” he says in a dominating tone.
Although, he can’t fool himself, knowing he failed miserably by actively caving into her plea. He scoffs at himself, looking to the side in annoyance.
“Roger!!” she exclaims, her posture aggressively straightening before giving him a strong salute. Shortly after, the girl breaks into cheer, “Yay!!! She’s gonna love it soooo much ehehe!” she grins, ever so brightly.
The girl was so excited that her body began to electrify, her surging energetic movements only a centimeter of brushing over the man’s torso. Akito unconsciously held his breath, his heart halting in accordance. He wasn’t used to her being insanely close to him.
The girl finally stepped out of his personal bubble and began reaching up for the toy with all of her might, straining every muscle in her hand to touch the soft, plump, cotton fabric.
Akito stood aloof for a few seconds, still stunned at how close in proximity they once shared. He returned his attention back onto the struggling girl, noticing her scrunched up face whilst she grunts, desperately flailing her arms at her soon to be prized possession.
Akito finally exhaled, feeling slightly disappointed that she didn't lunge at him like she did a few times in their high school days.
Even a hug would have been rewarding… is what he thought to himself. Well, maybe that being a little much.
And like the tick of a clock, Akito’s ears were warm to the touch, a slight pink shade swiftly dusting across his sculpted face. Why was he suddenly thinking akin to a child? He was a grown ass man too, growing into a fit because she didn’t reward him with her embrace.
In an attempt to dislodge those embarrassing thoughts from his childish mind, he gently clears his throat before wiping the side of his mouth.
His green eyes landing on the girl before avoiding her completely. And with no sort of effort at all, the towering man lifted his arm up the shelf and pinched the soft toy with his fingertips, shimmying the gigantic thing over, allowing it to plop into his big arms.
“Here.” he says in a deep gravel-like tone, extending the rather large ball of cotton to her.
Although, he couldn’t exactly see Emu anymore since it’s gigantic mass blocked her off from his sight, he could only hope that she was grinning from cheek to cheek from his kind gesture.
Emu took a few moments before exchanging the colossal item from Akito’s hold to hers. She embraced it tightly in her arms, cupping it’s plump cotton flesh with her hands, it’s round shape completely hovering over her upper body.
When suddenly an elderly woman that was previously pushing her cart catches this exchange and slows at them, “Hehe, such a cute, lovely couple.” the older woman smiles thoughtfully, her voice lightly quivering with its rasp.
Akito, whipped his head towards the woman, a rosy shade of pink forming underneath his eyes. “O-oh m-ma’am..” he shook his hands in unison at her and tried to laugh the woman’s words off as if it was a shameless joke, but it came out breathy and stupidly shy, a stuttering mess if you will.
“You’ve got the wrong-“ he began, until he was harmlessly interrupted, “When I was your age, my husband looked just like you…!!!” the lady states in a fond familiar tone, pointing a shaky pointer finger up at the tall man.
“Ah, th-that’s very nice to know, miss…” Akito nervously nodded at the woman, understanding that she probably wont give this concept up.
“So how long have you two lovebirds been together?”
Shit. Yeah, more like Akito shitting bricks. He was unsure of how to respond in this situation.
He could just appease the woman yet risk making things awkward between them or even worse, making things uncomfortable for Emu.
On the other hand he could just tell the truth and gladly continue on their separate ways.
He kept glancing over at the girl in question to see if she heard anything that was said, praying that she was densely oblivious to everything.
Deep down, the poor ginger man would hate to put her in an uncomfortable state. He didn’t want her to hate him.
But at the same time, the older woman seemed like she was reliving a pleasant moment from her early life. He wouldn’t mind playing along, he tried to convince himself. But… would Emu be okay with that...?
Akito sighed to himself again. Good grief.
Shortly after, like an actor snapping into their casted role, he shifted into his good ol’ charismatic good boy persona. Lifting his eyebrows in a friendly manner, his voice lightens in octave, the tone seducing sweetly like thick chocolate, “Ah Ma’am, actually… I’d like to apologize. We are not-“
“Yesss!!! He’s my super duper loving boyfriend that I love oh so so much!!!”
…
Wait…
What the..?!?
Akito’s face paled before reviving with a strong beet red color, his spine straightening at the sound of “boyfriend” from this girl’s mouth as she stood behind him.
The tall guy turned towards the grinning girl, closing the gap between the two. “Emu, what the hell are you doing?!” he whispered very loudly, pulling her arm towards him.
The girl cheesed in response, placing a pointer finger in front of her pearly whites, “Shhhh…” she whispered, winking at him as if saying ‘Follow my lead, Mr. Actor’.
Akito swallowed hard, his hand obsessively shaking as he held onto her. The man felt nervous...? What the heck has gotten into that girl? Was she really sure about this?
“Oh yeah, and look at this Nee-san!” Emu continued, turning towards the shelf. The girl made a clicking noise with her tongue as she scans for a particular item with her eyes, and as if she already knew where it sat on the rack, she pulls off a black and pink cat ear headband with both of her hands.
The small woman striked a pose, her voice strengthening in sound for the elderly woman to hear as clear as her beautiful ears needed, “Akito-kun wanted to show me how cute he wants to be for our date tonight !!! Isn’t that right, Akito-kun?
My BIG,
STRONG,
ADORABLE,
LOVING
BOYFRIEND..!”
…
Emu was so loud that the whole store could probably pick up on this scandalous conversation.
Speaking of that fact, a pair of middle aged women walked past the scene, giggling at Emu’s advances, whilst a little kid points at the entertaining duo before the mother scolds the child to ‘not point at weird people’.
And as if the pink haired woman clearly had no understanding of these social cues, she reluctantly began placing the cat ears onto Akito’s head.
The boy made a strange noise in response, genuinely surprised by her doings. He was put into a decision to protect his pride above everything else or allow it to seep into this girl’s hands.
He earnestly tried to push the girl off of him, grunting at her advances, although, she had an even bigger will of a mission. When has she ever been this strong…? I’m actually struggling..!
“See, Nee-san? Isn’t he super duper cute~!!!” she coos, finally placing the headband onto the boy’s head, the band rubbing against his scalp before it nestles behind his ears.
The guy gave up at this point, surrendering to her hands and whatever she decided to do next. “Ehehehe~” she giggles at his grumpy cat-like expression, obviously enjoying this ‘show’.
He crossed his arms together, his eyes looking off to the side as people around him silently laugh at him and this ‘emtertaining’ moment.
Emu continued to spout her lovey dovey nothings to the guy, inching her lips to his cheek, humming as she gets closer. “I think my baby wants a kissy kiss~” she says, inching closer to the boy’s supple skin before getting utterly interrupted, “Yeah, no. I think you’ve done enough.” the red headed boy finalizes, his eyes painfully shutting with embarrassment.
He halts her movement with his hands by squishing her chubby cheeks together, her face making a duck face under his clench, blocking her from kissing his face.
This man was flushed so badly that it wouldn’t be impossible to see steam ejecting out of his ears from his worked up embarrassment.
He then grabbed Emu’s wrist firmly, almost dragging her behind him.
“Oh how lovely..! You two are as lively as ever I see..! Ehehe… reminds me of my beloved Kenji-kun and I in our younger days.” the lady chuckled, bringing the palm of her hand to her cheek in reminiscence as a bright blush formed across her face.
“Sorry. Please excuse us for all of the ruckus. Thank you for your kindness and hospitality, miss.” He deeply bowed in respect to the elderly woman before turning towards the girl that he was sure to not let go of so easily.
“And you…. we’re leaving.” the guy scowled down at the big eyed girl, yet just looking at her so easily reinforcing that burning sensation in his face and light dance in his chest.
As the tall man pulled her along, against her will, the girl slouched back, the heels of her feet dragging against the square tiled flooring.
The girl tried to wiggle her wrist free from that of his strong hold, to no avail. “Nooooo Akito-kun…!!! You’re forgetting the toy!!” Emu whined, pulling against his lead.
“Ah, you two compliment each other very well… May the both of you have long and happy lives.” the older woman softly states from a distance, waving her hand goodbye to the two as Akito speed walks towards the exit, relentlessly pulling along the shorter one.
“Akitoooo….” the girl basically ran behind his leading large steps, her head whipping behind them, her eyes longing back towards their deserted shopping cart.
The girl’s bottom lip began curving with sorrow, and as if he could feel her energy shift, he admits, “We’ll get it later…” although it came out as a hiss. “For now…” his voice barely being heard, finally slowing his pace, “stop playing with my feelings…” he says in a gentle tone. His grip on Emu lightens.
Although the girl couldn’t recall anything he said, she looked up at the boy and acknowledged the dangling price tag on his head, “Oh, Akito-kun, you still have the cat ears on.”
Akito stood in his tracks, a defeating expression in his eyes whilst still being an emotional mess. He just stood there, his grip on Emu’s wrist remained.
“Excuse me, Sir…! You cannot leave this store without paying for that..!!” A middle aged store clerk calls out to him before he could take another step forward.
How much more embarrassing is this day gonna get?
Emu tugged on the hem of his jacket, only speaking with her puppy eyes. We really have to get it, Akito-kun. was exactly what those adorably pink eyes plead.
In the end, thankfully with not a lot more persuading, Akito went back inside to pay for the dog toy and surprisingly the headband too.
Which was fortunately enough, out of his own pocket.
-
Later that Evening as they drive back to the University.
…
”Akito-kun…?” the girl softly called over at the man who wore an annoyed expression. His eyes remained on the road as if he was in deep thought.
Hm. No response at all.
“I’m… I’m really sorry, Akito-kun. I went too far to make Onee-san happy. I hope you can forgive me.” she says, smiling weakly before looking out of the tinted window.
She knew that there was nothing she could do if he was angry at her, so she left him to his thoughts for a large portion of the ride back to Uni.
….
The stupid guy just kept driving, still not responding to the poor girl. Did Emu actually have the possibility of angering Akito with her actions? That thought alone unsettled her.
Although, it wasn’t her fault that the guy folded and wasn’t prepared for the sudden improv. The girl twiddled her thumbs together in her lap, the car aggressively rolling over a pothole, jerking the two upright.
I made Akito-kun so angry… she thought to herself, a downcasted expression pulling down her face, her head hanging low in shame. The silence was almost too loud and awkward to sit through.
-
They finally arrive at the front of the University, pulling up next to the curb. Akito parks the car, before turning off the engine, the keys clinking together as he does so, a deep sigh finalizing the ride.
Akito still had that angry looking expression on his face. As if screaming, “How dare she embarrass me in front of all those people. That girl seriously has no shame.”
She couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that welled in the pit of her stomach as if she was going to drown.
Akita meant a lot to her. She didn’t want to stop being friends with him over something so silly.
So, the least she could do was clear up everything and make things right. It’s what acquaintances should do to keep the peace.
”Akito-kun…” the girl begins, her eyes still fallen at her lap, her silky hair pouring onto her thighs, her once clenched hands finally unlocking themselves.
With courage, she looks over at him, her eyes still strung out with its guilt, “Akito-kun, I’m really really sorry. Please don’t stay angry at me…. I want to be your friend-“ “Idiot.” he states out in a clear tone, interrupting the woman.
“Eh…?”
Akito leaned into the girls face and brought his lips to hers, a buzzing sensation vibrating between their contact as they share a passionate kiss.
His face lit with its intense color, his expression softening by the second. Emu who’s practically frozen in shock, looks for his eyes yet they remained hidden. his closed eyelids to blame.
What was this guy thinking?
The lady hesitantly submitted herself to the kiss, a bright red blush roaming across her plump and round cheeks. Is this his way of accepting her apology? Was this actually okay to do? Didn’t he have an angry expression just a few seconds ago? But now he’s kissing her.
Why is he giving such profound mixed signals?
An audible smacking noise followed the break of the kiss, his eyes unfolding, displaying a loving gaze in them.
“This is how I feel about you.” he tenderly says, his voice deep and resonant, almost pulling her towards him. A moment passed and the boy looked away from her, his eyebrows furrowed down like an angry grumpy cat, his mouth releasing the held scowl he had in place, yet his eyes still had that fond attribute to them, as well as his God awful rosy cheeks.
This guy is an idiot.
“A-Akito-kun…?!” the girl stammered, tracing her bottom lip with her fingertips. He still looked away from her, remaining non-verbal.
Did Akito-kun accidentally fall onto me…? she thought to herself, her heart beating from the gates of her ribs, she couldn’t even hear anything else but the loud thumping pattern.
“U-um….” she begins, clearly overwhelmed with embarrassment, “Akito… D-did you mean to d-do tha-“ “I did.” he said with no form of insecurity or doubt in his tone.
“I’ve liked you for such a long time, Emu.” he shyly admits, although his voice bold with its passion.
“So… can’t you see how that whole situation back there was embarrassing for me…?” he finally turns his head towards the girl revealing his tomato color cheeks.
His eyes began embracing all of Emu as if seeing her for the very first time, searching deeply into hers as if looking for something.
The girl’s eyes widened at his confession, she never would have thought that the Akito she basically grew up with, would *ever* have any sort of romantic feelings for someone as different as her.
He clears his throat as he felt that he was doing much more than he had anticipated. “I might have came off too strong with the kiss…” his voice raspy and filled with anxiety, lifting a free hand to rub the nape of his neck before glazing his eyes towards her.
A longing expression remained in him as he drops his hand from his neck onto his jeans, his voice tender and settled, he adds, “Let me know exactly how that made you feel. And if you need more time to think about how you feel about me, that’s fine, I’ll wait for you.”, his sweet chords having a comforting effect behind them.
It was a few moments of peaceful silence before Emu pried into it. “Mmm.” the girl shook her head side to side in response, the sides of her lips curving upwards, almost against her will. “I’m really happy that you said that, Akito-kun.”
…. Happy? he curiously thought to himself.
“Happy, huh?” he turns at her, his voice accidentally cracking with anxiety. He really hoped he didn’t make her feel uncomfortable with all of this. But he couldn’t take it any longer, the guy was truly impulsive.
However, the girl continued to smile brightly, her energy comforting and washing away his former anxieties. Looking down at her hands, she grasped them together as they lay in her lap, running her fingers along the skin, “I really like you too, Akito-kun… Very much.” she finalized softly, her cheeks just as tomato-like.
Akito let out another weird noise, his eyes widening at her words which truly felt like music for his ears.
“I was really scared to tell you and ruin our friendship…” she continues, smiling weakly. “So… it made me really happy to know that you actually like me, Akito-kun.” she finishes, finally looking at the boy, twiddling her fingers again. The ginger just sat there, staring deeply with proposed shock.
Emu couldn’t help but feel relief make way through her formerly tense body. With a sappy grin, she bursts into giggles, “Eheheheh, you’re super cute, Akito-kun.”
“Oi….” the boy’s voice shook in response, along with his stupidly trembling body. “Are you trying to make me have a heart attack..?!” he covered his mouth with the back of his hand, an embarrassing look in his eyes as he studies her soft feminine features that expressed ever so brightly.
The girl giggled at him once again, this time extending a gentle hand over to him, brushing free strands of hair behind his ear.
And like a dog, he submitted effortlessly under her touch, a part of him screaming on the inside and another part of him stoked for his perceived win.
“And this is how I feel about you, Akito.” she states kindly, moving her hand to the side of his jaw before extending her face to his.
Oh to kiss her.
Again and again and again and again-
A rhythmic knock was beaten on the window, making the two halt their movement from getting any closer. Oh my Go-. He quickly fixed his shirt before the car door opened without any sort of approval.
The man jumped in response, placing an awkward hand behind his head to play it cool. “What’s been taking you guys so long?! We’ve been waiting for an eternity!” Mizuki exclaims, opening Akito’s side of the door as if it was a local refrigerator.
“Ah… sorry guys, Mizuki just couldn’t wait for you guys to come inside…” Haruka smiles in a ‘please forgive them’ manner.
The ginger scratched the back of his head awkwardly, hoping they didn’t see anything with the help of the slightly tinted windows. The pink haired girl beside him nervously placed her palms on her knees, avoiding contact with the two.
”Ehhhh…? Why are you guys being so awkward…?” Mizuki placed a hand on their hip, tilting their head at their lack of commmunication.
“It’s nothing.” the guy quickly responded. “The stuff is in the trunk so-“ “Y’all in here kissing…?” Mizuki interrupts, their tone oozing with its mischief, cheesing as Akito gets out of the car. “Wh-!!?” Akito blurted, stopping in his tracks.
They had to have seen it.
”Oh-ho…Emu-chan~!” Mizuki winks at the blushing pink haired lady before turning back at the man that’s apparently already ignoring her, “Hehhh, didn’t realize that you were so easy, Akito~!”
“Just shut it, already..” he rolls his eyes, pulling out all of the items from the trunk and taking it inside.
”Emu-chan, are you feeling okay?” Haruka thoughtfully peeks through the already open driver’s door, her delicate hand holding it open as she gives a concerned smile.
Emu frantically waved her hand in a dismissive ‘don’t worry’ manner, her other hand clicking her seatbelt free, “Mm! Im fine, Haruka-chan. Thank you so much!“ the girl exclaimed, straining her eyes closed.
The blue haired woman chuckled at the girl, finding how flustered she is to be super adorable.
“Ooi Emu-chan,” Mizuki chimed in, leaning onto the seat with both of their slim arms, the rest of their body outside of the driver’s door, “Akito wasn’t a terrible kisser was he…?” Mizuki instigates, a smug grin spreading across their face.
“He seems like the kind of guy to tongue kiss like it’s his grandma-“ “Ugh, you idiot.” Akito interrupted, an obviously displeased expression painted his face.
”Ehhh? You can’t lie and say that it isn’t true…! Ugly..!” Mizuki stuck their tongue out before shutting the driver’s door.
Soon after, Akito opened the passenger door, his slightly annoyed glare catching Emu’s eyes. “Don’t worry about Mizuki, they’re just… teasin’” his head shakes in disapproval as he scratches his head, his eyes finally settling onto the girl.
“Do you feel uncomfortable?” he asked in a serious and concerned tone, extending his hand to the girl, his eyes attempting to pick up any cue of dis-ease from her.
Emu wasn’t used to the ‘special’ treatment that the ginger was sharing with her, but it wasn’t like she was complaining. In reality, today made her very happy.
She only shook her head in response, placing her soft hand into his thick-skinned palm.
With grace, the girl was easily lifted out of the car, her sneaker stepping firmly onto the concrete as the whispering wind blew through her long hair, the strands whipping about against her knees.
His fingers interlocked with hers with a quickness. The man probably wanted to do that for as long as he could recall, his hold surely feeling as if he would not let go unless asked to.
”Heheh, I guess our eyes weren’t playing tricks on us.” Haruka patted Mizuki’s shoulder, her head gracefully planted on their lover’s shoulder as they smiled gently.” “Heheh, you totally called it, Haruka senpai.” they say in a soft manner, grabbing the other by the waist with their free hand.
-
The puppy ended up loving the new toy, although the cotton flesh was scattered across the floor in about 3 hours max.
Akito and Emu sat on the floor in the living area, relaxing aside one another whilst Haruka and Mizuki were in the local kitchen, making a meal for all of them.
“Geez, so much for that…” The red-head sighed, patting Emu’s head as if it was for therapeutic reasons. The girl had sad eyes yet her mouth seemed to instinctively quirk up into a smile, “Awww… at least she loved it… Isn’t that right, Chipi-chan?” Emu rubs the canine’s furry head, its tail wagging sporadically, “Arf!”