"R-Rin, you spilled your tea... Why don't I go grab a towel from the kitchen..." Makoto cautiously tried to inch away, stuttering his words incessantly.
"Don't even try, Makoto. You're not getting out of this." Rin's voice was demandingly firm as he grabbed Makoto's arm with quite a bit of force. Makoto could easily tell that Rin worked as he felt pain surge through his arm, and in defeat, he sat down. "Now, explain what you meant by that. You better have something good to say, or else this table will be on top of you in a few seconds." Rin spit his words out, clearly angry and disgusted at what Makoto had said. The brunette in question was just happy he hadn't been murdered yet.
"Well, I guess, things just happened... and... Gou and I... you know... I didn't expect it. She kind of, initiated it..." Makoto looked at the ground in shame as he spoke, fidgeting and squirming. Rin sat in silence for a few minutes, as if he were deep in thought.
"Well, that's okay then. It's okay if it's you, and if she really wanted to." Rin's words were said in a decisive manner, much to Makoto's shock.
"You're... okay with it?" Makoto chose his words carefully, wondering if Rin was preparing for a surprise attack. But nothing came. Rin just sighed, looking distant.
"I didn't expect this, you know? I guess I always thought Gou would be my little sister. But she had to have her first boyfriend eventually, right? I'm just glad it's someone who I trust." Rin chuckled a bit at the thought, while Makoto looked on in confusion. Boyfriend? When did I say that? "Just know that if you ever hurt her, you're going to die. Got that?" Rin gave Makoto a menacing glare, causing a chill to run down Makoto's spine.
"Yeah, but... I... told you something a little more explicit, didn't I?" Makoto cautiously broached the subject, wondering if Rin had misunderstood what he said.
"I don't wanna hear about that stuff. She's my sister, alright? But I know you wouldn't do anything that she didn't want, so... no matter how much I want to kick your ass, I won't. It would make Gou angry, y'know? Kicking her boyfriend's ass that early on? Oh man, you must've been scared to tell me, considering Gou didn't really acknowledge you when you woke her up. Well, I'd be annoyed if you acted all lovey dovey in front of me, but..." Rin went on and on as Makoto's mood grew lower and lower. I guess it is my fault for blurting that out...
"I know you're probably busy with swim club, but take her out sometime, alright? I got these tickets from Samezuka, but I have exams coming up, so... Why don't you both go?" Rin handed Makoto tickets to a local water park, which Makoto took with trembling hands. "Geez, don't be so nervous... We're friends, alright? Just don't mess up, Makoto. You'll regret it. Now go home and get to bed!" Rin waved Makoto off, and he left with a nervous smile plastered on his face.
How am I going to get out of this one? Makoto sighed, wondering if the Gods had forsaken him for something he had done in a past life. He decided to send Gou a quick text with a picture of the tickets attached.
Your brother gave me these. He kind of thinks we're dating now... Haha, awkward, right? Well, I'd hate for them to go to waste, so how about we go tomorrow around noon?
As he pressed send, he tried to shove away the strange mix of feelings in his chest so he could act happy. There was regret for lying to Rin, remorse for hurting Gou, but... something else. Something familar, but something he couldn't put a name to. Whatever it was, it was certainly giving him a hard time. Suddenly, his phone lit up: a new text from Gou.
I'll go.
The response was succinct, almost biting in how obvious it was that she was still angry at Makoto. He hoped this would be a chance to finally make things right with her and clear up all the misunderstandings.
Sorry for such a short chapter, college is getting to me! But spring break is coming up soon, so I promise the next chapter will come out soon.
