'Hatsumi, I've found this handkerchief when I washed your clothes. I think it belongs to a guy. Do you know whose this is?'
'It's Tachibana's.'
'Is it really Ryoki's? How were you able to get this?' my sister pressed. SHIT. Why did I let my tongue slip?
'Oh. I…uh…saw him dropped it when he went upstairs. I wasn't able to reach him, so there.'
'Oh, I see,' she said. It looked like my lie sounded real.
'Subaru! Would you go with me to Tachibana's apartment later? '
'Why?' he curiously asked.
'I need to give his handkerchief back. '
'How did it end up to you?'
'I saw him dropped it when he went upstairs. I was going to give it back to him but I didn't reach him, so I plan to give it later after class,' I explained, sticking to my lie AGAIN.
'Hey, Narita! Are you gonna change to your PE uniform or a cosplay for Mr. Otaku?' one of my classmates asked. Everyone laughed.
'You better not hang out with me, Hatsumi. They might make fun of you too,' he told me.
'Don't mind them, Subaru. They're just a bunch of fools,' I told him back.
'Hey, SLAVE. What brings you here?' Ryoki asked when he opened his door. I immediately handed the handkerchief back to him.
'Would you come inside and SERVE YOUR MASTER?' he teased. UGH! What a JERK!
'Can I come inside too?' Subaru interjected, popping his head so that Ryoki could see him too. I grinned when I saw the dismay on his face.
'Actually, Tachibana, I can't. I've got to do some errands,' I apologized. Thanks to Odagiri.
'Alright. Go inside, Subaru. And as for you, call me RYOKI,' he commanded. Okay. RYOKI.
'Oh, it's late. Ryoki, Subaru, I really have to go. Bye.'
'At last, I have a bed now. Thanks for the help, Hatsumi.'
'Don't mention it, Azusa,' I replied.
'My father too thanked you for being a big help.'
Okay. 'Thanks.'
'And your mother too.'
Okay. 'I'll tell her that.'
'Where's your father?'
'He's in another place doing his job.'
Then he did the talking to keep the conversation going. Blah blah blah. I acted like I listened to him. As if I really care.
'I gotta go, Azusa,' I said when we reached the apartment.
'Wait. I'll treat you for helping me.'
'SLAVE, carry my bag for me,' Ryoki commanded.
'But I'm already tired. How about next time?'
'Why are you with Ryoki and Azusa, Hatsumi?' Akane asked. I could see the MALICE in her eyes. How could she appear here suddenly?
'I want you to help me now, SLAVE,' he insisted.
'Alright, alright. Just don't call me slave in front of anybody, okay?'
'I'll cover you up to mother,' my sister happily said. Why is she happy seeing me with Ryoki? She's definitely up to something.
'You deserve to be punished, you know,' Ryoki said when we were on the train.
'I deserved to be punished for what?'
'For giving me my handkerchief back with Subaru. You should have done it alone,' he declared. No way. He's gonna do something NOT nice to me. I know it.
'And why are you with that PUNK Azusa?' he insisted.
'WHAT IS IT TO YOU? First, you don't want me to be with Subaru, and now with Azusa. You're acting like a jealous boyfriend, you know.'
'NO, I'M NOT,' he shouted, his face blushing. We were out of the train when he declared his punishment.
'KISS ME.'
'Okay,' I said and kissed him in the cheek.
'No. You have to kiss me on my LIPS.'
'Sorry, MASTER, you didn't tell me earlier,' I teased.
'WHATEVER,' he deadpanned, his face blushing more. What's with the blush?
'Uh, Ryoki, can I go with you for a while?'
'Why?'
'I feel there's someone following us,' I informed him. He protectively wrapped his arms around me.
'Welcome back,' someone greeted.
'Oh, Azusa. Why are you still here?'
'I waited for you,' he replied. Why did he wait for me?
'Thanks,' I said indifferently.
'Do you like Ryoki?'
'No,' I said.
'Then why did you go with him when he told you to?' he asked. Is it just me or someone's acting like a jealous boyfriend again?
Why does it matter to you? 'I'm just being friendly. Is there anything wrong with that?'
'No, nothing's wrong with that, I guess,' he said then walked out. WHAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH HIM?
