A stream of relief pulsed through me once the realization of returning home sunk in. Just like the memories that came before, I had hoped that within the overloaded back of my mind, I could find space to repress these recent events too. The words Haruhiko spoke were now glued to me, prying my heavy eyelids open no matter how hard my brain begged for sleep. Once my agape lids were finally sealed, they were pried open by obnoxious shuffling sounds from behind the door. Removing his leather shoes amidst entering, he narrowed his eyes at my sloth-like presence.
"So, I take it you weren't hungry? Reservations were pretty tight. I wish I could say I was surprised but-" His keen voice drew a mental echo, nonexistent in real-time. It was common for a daydreamer like me to imagine sounds while in the midst of my drowsiness, but I knew he was there looming over me in his typical intimidating demeanor.
"Lucky you, I suck at surprises and no I'm not hungry." I interrupted despite the fact that intense guilt served as my alarm clock. My once still body shot up to the revelation that Haruhiko had eaten dinner alone simply because I was angry…no, I was pitifully jealous. Jealous of a woman I had never formally met before and some random guy whom I've only heard of through word of mouth. Maybe the bitter feeling that coursed throughout my entire being was triggered by the initial thought of this "teen with big dreams" being Misaki. To me, being a jealous friend ranked equivalence to that of a jealous lover. Because someone chose to make one foolish mistake, they hurt both themselves and others. In this case, because I chose to act out in such a way, Haruhiko is slipping through my fingers and Misaki is weary of me, but why wouldn't he be? Forcing myself on the man he obviously loves wasn't the brightest idea.
After momentarily sitting on the edge of my bed, he rolled his neck before shooting me another sharp glance. "I was going to say that I have grown accustomed to eating alone, so it didn't come as a surprise nor did it bother me." The hint of disappointment in his voice conflicted with his words. My guilty conscience would never let me live this down, so I needed to think on my feet. One of the worst feelings in the world is to make someone feel as bad as you do. It's that indescribable feeling that you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. What surprised me most is that I even cared. Everything about him struck me as unique and off-putting.
Maybe this is why I grew attached to his brother. He was simply part of a dream, something that I hoped would come true. Haruhiko, on the other hand, was someone who forcefully dragged me back into reality. Maybe he knows that I'm not one who seems too welcoming of bright ideas. All of which find themselves destroyed in the long-run anyways, but with my infamous 'oh well' attitude I'll eventually dream-up something new. Dreamers do need realists to bring them back down to planet Earth after all or else they'll travel too far into the sun and burn. I couldn't float on cloud nine forever and that comforted me. It comforted me to know that unlike the others, he doesn't expect too much out of me.
"Ah, there's no need to cry over spilled milk Usami-san! We can hit up a local bar or something! Just you, me, and the drunkards." I rocked him by his tense shoulders, attempting to at least receive a smile out of him, but to my avail he refused my gesture, moving away to stand up again to continue our usual back and forth bickering.
"My hunger has been sustained. Going out again would be a waste, especially to a classless bar."
"Okay, but what about my hunger?"
"You just said you weren't hungry! I refuse to argue with a brat!" The raven massaged his temples and crossed his arms as a child would during a pouting fit, but nothing would stop me from antagonizing him.
"Fine, then I'll go alone!" Throwing the heavy blanket off of me, I stomped over to the corner of the room to retrieve my slippers while still proudly dawning my silk pajama pants and Sea Kingdom nightshirt. Before I could make it out of the door, I felt a tug on my wrist. After being spun around like a partner in a tango rendition, I was met with the now wide eyes of my boss.
"You're not going out like that! There are disgusting perverts out there who will try to ravage you of they see you dressed in this manner! Why must you always ask for trouble?"
"I'm a "brat" remember? And ravage me? You've been watching too many 'commoner' movies is all." I loosened his grip by giving him a small peck on the lips. Obviously the random action took him by surprise. Of course he resorted to his ultimate coping mechanism, avoiding eye contact and staying quiet. "Now, are you coming with me or do you insist on becoming a total killjoy?" I grabbed my glasses from beside the vanity that Haruhiko was propped against, still recovering from the sudden interaction.
I did not expect for him to listen to my sarcastic question and follow me, but he did, like a lost puppy of sorts. Every second he had seemed to take in our surroundings, ready for any potential surprises that lurked around us. It was... annoyingly cute? "So nice to have my own security~." I teased, practically floating towards the intense aroma of hot vegetable oil and the loud laughter of the intoxicated. Although I happened to fancy it, Haruhiko wasted no time scrunching up his nose. "The decor is simply horrendous. You'd rather eat here than a five-star restaurant? I'd much rather go to a McDonalds than some questionable rundown pub on the sketchy side of town."
"I don't know, you're the wealthy architect. Why don't you negotiate something with your father and could you please let a guy live? I'm an adult and my health is my problem. How about you find a seat for us while I order food?" With an irritated exhale Haruhiko nodded, avoiding every comfortable booth to sit alone away from the buzzing crowd. As I ordered a burger, fries, and a glass of wine to sustain Haruhiko, I watched him from the corner of my eye. The way he fidgeted in his seat and occasionally outstretched his neck like an ostrich to see if everything was okay struck me as hilarious. Upon my arrival to Haruhiko's single seat, I grabbed him by the hand and lead him to a booth. "Stop being awkward." I whined, practically dragging him to our new spot. "I'm sure no one here bites, Usami...well except for me but we have yet to reach that point of our relationship." I ribbed him, receiving yet another blush and a default look of disgust from him.
"Relationship? Don't be a brat."
"Usami-san, may we address the elephant in the room? Why is it that you blush so much when I hit on you? Have you ever been pleasured or even hit on by a man?"
"Not necessarily, no." Once the alcohol was served to him, despite it being bottom shelf brand, Haruhiko begun drinking it and large gulps. Somehow in my twisted way of thinking, I found it quite nice to have control over someone so powerful.
"What about that secret guy you liked? Surely you took a bite the moment that fruit ripened or have thought about doing so." As a mixture of spit and wine flew from Haruhiko's mouth, my laughter overpowered many of the conversations at the bar. Snorts went flying from me in every direction. I had hit the jackpot and was determined to give it another go.
"Sumi, know that before I get into further detail, we're going to need something a lot harder than wine and there are things I'd like to address about you too."
