This chapter is full Gakurio so brace yourselves. It has adult content, but nothing too explicit, because we had to get some action yall.
"Rio, please," he oh-so-gently pleaded. His voice was a little muffled, and he was slurring his words. Rio was no better though, her mind was a mess. She knew what he meant but hearing her name from his lips with a voice like that, she wasn't sure so of everything anymore. Her senses became selective that every nerve reacts only to the sensation of the warmth of his body atop hers. She was aware how everything happened, but she chose not to care. The booze was making her warm, he smelled so great amidst the alcohol he chugged and his breath was tingling on her neck. She could feel his soft hair on her cheek and the weight of his body against her own. It was suffocating, but she liked it. She felt a lazy peck on her shoulder, but she could no longer feel any hardness, a sign that he was too tired for anything. But she wanted more, and maybe, he needed more too. He's emotionally a mess, after all. After what happened.
Friday. Again. But this time, Rio was almost two hours early. She was excited. She check upon her friend's office. He hasn't arrived yet. Probably he's too busy for the preparation tonight. It was a special day, because Karma claimed that it was the most serious he ever was in his life. She smiled, she got reminded that they were all growing old.
The day ended. The shift seemed shorter than usual, probably because she was busy, or probably because she was keeping track of the time. Karma had an early out. Much as she wanted to help him, she cannot ask for an early out too. She peeked through the Asano's office. They had talked about it. Asano even hinted that he's probably going to give them a present. She can see through his blinds that he's still on his laptop. She decided to go ahead.
The restaurant that Karma picked was not as grandiose as that time she had a talk with Asano. Manami is a simple girl, and Karma was smart enough to suit his grand romantic gesture according to his soon-to-be wife's taste. The plan was this. They will have a date, and everyone he invited will be undercover. They would just come out after he bends the knee and say those four words, or more if he intended to have a long speech. The restaurant was exclusive to them, so they had to be careful not to get noticed. Just like a mission, nothing less from Karma. Rio was excited. Before she left their building, she wore her disguise, which is a black wig and applied some heavy makeup. Then an idea struck her. What the hell is Asano's disguise? She wanted to ask him, but she realized she doesn't have his number, and she had no time to go back.
She arrived at the restaurant. She quickly noticed Karma waiting. Karma gave her a look, and she just wiggled her eyebrows. Rio scanned the area. There's no crowd, only five to eight tables were occupied. She must know these people, but they were good with their disguise. She had a guess though, that the couple at the far right near the entrance is Kayano and Nagisa because they are both tiny. She noticed that the tables they chose were blind spots in Manami's position. A waitress assisted her, and gave her a table, and reiterated an order she didn't make. Karma really planned everything.
A couple arrived. She had a hunch that the two were Meg and Isogai. It was her little game to pass time to guess who is who. Finally, the muse arrived. She was wearing normal work clothes. She probably thought it was just a normal dinner. From Rio's position, she could see that the two were chatting happily. She couldn't help but admire how happy Karma and Manami were when they're together.
Soon, the order came. The cue. She glanced at the 'guests' one by one and they all glanced back. It's time. Karma stood up from his seat then gently kneeled his right knee. The shock in Manami's face was priceless. In no time, she said yes, and they all clapped their hands.
"Congratulations!" the first one to stand and remove their disguise was Kayano, followed by Nagisa. They all removed their disguises and Manami was just crying because of happiness. Rio realized that the only people who saw the actual proposal were them, the former and special 3E students. Their invitation was two hours earlier than others. The tables were moved to the side and the food and booze for all was served. Other guests started to arrive. Karma must be so confident that Manami will say yes. Bitch-sensei and Karasuma-sensei were there too, and some high school and college friends of Karma and Manami. Rio was taking her time drinking and catching up with friends.
Asano also arrived. It caught Rio's attention how he brushed his hair up again. He went straight to Karma and shook hands. He also bowed to Manami, by which Manami returned a bow with a smile.
This is gonna be interesting, Rio thought. She observed them. After a short talk, Asano went to the serving table probably to get some food, or alcohol. Rio decided to tease him for a bit. He must be brokenhearted now.
"Hey," she greeted. "You took your time to style your hair, I see." Asano turned to her, a can of beer in his hand. "You look great."
"And you look awful in that makeup. Don't make your eyes appear bigger. Doesn't suit you," he retorted. She immediately felt his bad mood. Damn, he must like Karma that much. She snickered in her thoughts.
"Well, then, what suits me?" she tried flirting. Asano didn't answer. He just looked at her and left. He sat at the corner of the room, and brought out his phone. He seemed so busy with it. She decided not to bother him. He'll talk if he's ready.
It was at least an hour or two that passed when they called the party over. One by one, the guests went home. But Kurahashi, Yada and Rio decided to have some more fun and go bar hopping. They're a little tipsy, but what Rio loved was they had the same alcohol tolerance as her. All three of them has strong tolerance.
After three clubs, and some brief make out session with guys they don't know, they all decided to go home. Rio actually started the idea. It was her plan to get wasted and probably end with a one night stand. She thought she needed it that she started making out with a guy her type, but she realized she was in no mood for having sex with a random guy. So she suggested that they had enough for the night. All of them agreed that they didn't want to have much hangover. As Rio climbed inside her car, she checked her phone. There was a missed call and three texts from an unknown number.
"Hey. It's me, Asano. Where are you?"
"Can you come see me after?"
The two texts were sent an hour ago. The third one was sent just 30 minutes after.
"Okay, never mind. Sorry to bother."
She wanted to go home, but she instinctively wanted to help a broken friend. And as much as they weren't that close, Asano still claimed to be her friend. She dialed the number. All she reached was his voicemail.
"Hey, Gakushuu, call me again. Where are you?" was all she managed. She even used his first name.
She stayed inside her car, waiting for his reply. After more than fifteen minutes, his name flashed in her screen. She immediately answered it.
"Rio…" he sounded like he just woke up.
"Yes, where are you? I'm sorry I was busy with catching up with everyone, I forgot about you. Where are you? I'm going there."
"I'm fine. Not your fault. I'm here inside my car, just near the resto. Can't drive."
"Wait, you're drunk? Wait for me there you big, lovesick idiot. Don't move, 'kay?"
She heard him grunt before she ended the call. What the hell did he do again? Rio almost stifled a laugh. Asano was a man full of surprises. It's just funny that the more she knew about him, the funnier he gets. He was so in love with Karma that he get himself wasted.
She didn't have a difficult time finding him. The restaurant was already closed and his car was the only car in the parking space. She parked hers just next to his. He was leaning on his headboard, and he looked uncomfortable. She tried opening his door. Good thing he remembered to lock it. She knocked on his window. He opened his eyes slightly to check who was knocking then closed it again but he unlocked the doors. She immediately went inside.
"Whoa, you look like a mess," she pointed out.
"Hmm," was all he responded. His eyes were still closed.
"Look, it's okay. You did a good job. You went, after all," she tried leading the conversation. He sat up straight.
This time, he opened his eyes and looked at Rio. She stared back at him.
She wasn't sure how fast it happened but the next thing she knew, his lips crashed on hers. His steady hands were fixated on her jaw. She closed her eyes and gave in to the sensation. Not too long ago she was making out with some stranger, but that was nothing compared to what she felt that time. She responded to the kiss and sucked his lower lip. He shoved his tongue inside her. She was melting. What makes this kiss different with the one she had earlier? Maybe because it was demanding? The kiss she had was with a random horny guy in a club. It was also demanding. However, there is a big difference, but her mind was too preoccupied to think what. She didn't even notice how long they had been making out that they both needed air. As soon as his lips left hers, his hands didn't. He leaned towards her and buried his head onto the curve of her neck.
Her mind was still jumbled and she couldn't say anything. Her hand just instinctively reached his head and pat it. They were in an awkward position. She knew right then that they needed to go somewhere.
Maybe it's time to give in to her needs, now that he clearly needed it too.
As soon as he removed himself from her, they transferred to her car. Her place was nearer, and she can take care of his car tomorrow. The quick ride was quiet, but the silence was filled with tension. Nobody talked, but they knew what they both needed.
They continued making out as soon as they were inside her house. After she locked the door, they didn't bother turning on the lights. She managed to remove his coat and untuck his polo. He unzipped her dress, but didn't completely removed it. Their shoes landed somewhere, she didn't care. Both their hands never rested. She could feel the tent between his legs. When they were finally inside her room, he roughly pushed her towards the bed. He removed his shirt hastily, and proceed to kissing her. This time, the kiss was violent. His hands were buried in her shoulder, it kinda hurt. Something felt wrong.
"Asano, wait. Stop," she whispered in between her kisses. As if he didn't hear, he continued kissing her neck, probably leaving marks.
"Hey!" She pushed him away. As much as she wanted to do it with him, it felt wrong continuing. It was too dark to see but she knew she slightly caught a glimpse of his eyes. He was crying.
She sat up properly and turned on her night lamp. He quickly turned away from her. She heard a sniff. She reached out to him.
"Hey, hey. Stop that. What are you feeling right now? Tell me."
"I don't know. You tell me," he slurred as he collapsed on to her.
She still couldn't find an answer. Or any word to say at all. She's not even sure if he's awake or not. She can just feel the rise and fall of his body. She's still suffocated but she doesn't want to complain.
"Sorry," she heard him murmur as he slowly lift himself off of her. She cannot hide the needed gasp of air. He tried standing up, but she caught his hand.
"Stay," she demanded. She wanted him to stay. She wanted him at all. She just threw her judgment out and she didn't care. Sex or not, she wanted him to stay. Probably because of the alcohol, but she wouldn't let him leave without talking first.
He hesitated for a moment. He decided to lay down again, back against her. She thought he probably wouldn't want to see her because of shame. She leaned closer and wrapped her arms around his slim physique. She took the time to admire his toned back.
"You love him that much you have to get yourself wasted?" she spoke softly. She was in no mood to make fun of him.
"I'm not gay," his voice sound stable.
"Course you're not. Else you wouldn't spend the night with a girl. Technically, you're bisexual. Now, answer my question."
"I'm not. I'm just jealous, I think. He's happy. How can I be happy, too?"
He smelled of the boyish scent of sweat and his expensive perfume and it was so good that she couldn't help but nuzzle his back.
"Hey, only you can answer that," she said as she regained her composure. She loosen her hold on him.
She was taken aback when he turned around and spooned her in his arms. He's strong. If his back is admirable, his front is majestic. Her dress was half undone, but mostly she's clothed. He was just half naked. Rio felt him hold her tighter. His arms wrapped around her.
"I don't know. I am slumped. I never even had a relationship that could make me feel things."
Rio could tell, he was not lying. Compared to hers, his heart was steady. It was almost unfair. Her heart was racing because of the gesture and proximity, but he was calm, collected. She somehow hated how the effect was too one-sided.
"It's obvious. You can hold a half naked girl like this without even getting a hard on," she stated matter-of-factly as she leaned her head on his chest.
"Maybe you're not attractive enough," she could hear the mischief in his voice. "I could feel your heart racing. You like me that much?"
She snorted, "No. It's normal reaction of the body. You're the abnormal one. Probably because you prefer men than ladies."
"You're just too unattractive," he said as she felt his hands pat her head, just like what she did inside his car. Her heart skipped another beat.
"Tch. Sleep now. You're drunk."
He didn't respond. He just pulled her closer and rested his chin above her head.
The gesture, he was sure, was romantic, but he could feel nothing. He was also sure that Rio was getting too carried away. He felt bad. He was lying at some point, too. Rio was seriously attractive, it was no coincidence that he initiated a move on her twice. She's the one he texted because he knows she will listen, although she always has something to say. And that part of her was enough to make her attractive. She easily understands. But it was all superficial like that. Nothing deeper. He knew he just wanted her, but if not for her warning a while ago, he could've hurt her. He was just carried by his emotions. Emotions he couldn't untangle. He wanted to arrange it, all in clean rows and columns, but the thing is he couldn't. There were missing pieces.
A thought came to him. Maybe, just maybe, Rio is right. Maybe he preferred men over women. He haven't tried, so he didn't know.
Shit. What the hell was that, he thought. He dismissed the idea. He's straight, he knew that. He glanced at the lady in his arms. Her breathing hasn't steadied yet. She's still half awake. He can smell her shampoo, which is like a field of Japanese cherry blossoms. It smelled great, soothing. He decided he wanted to be selfish.
He slowly removed himself from her then peppered kisses on her neck, shoulders and face. He wasn't able to give her a mark. He's glad he didn't. She wasn't his, after all. She was reacting, she gasped at the first contact.
"Rio."
She grunted. "What?"
"Fuck me," he whispered seductively, at least he thought, as he delved into her lips once again. His hand cupped her breast. She moaned, which is a good sign.
There was a woman there, right in front of him. He isn't going to let this night end without certain confirmations.