Hello again, everyone! I'm sorry for the delay in posting this chapter; the past few weeks have been filled with birthdays, a convention, and my parents being on vacation from work so they wanted to do things with me and my sister. Because of all that, I didn't have a lot of time to write but things have finally calmed down and I actually already have the next chapter in the works so hopefully that one won't take as long to put up.
Thank you all for putting up with me and my horribly irregular posting of things. I hope this chapter was worth the wait.
After a few days of endless Student Council and Caerula Adamas work, Ibushi and Akoya finally found some time to further discuss what they'd dubbed "The Fake Girlfriend Project." They'd come to a bit of a milestone, since Ibushi's parents had accepted Akoya with minimal hesitation… but that might also cause an issue, they'd realized. If Akoya's character was too perfect, then their "breakup" in the upcoming months would feel forced and, more importantly, meet more opposition from the Arimas than Ibushi would care for.
Oh, he could hear his mother now… he was exhausted just thinking about her reaction. "Why'd you let that girl go, Ibushi? She was perfect, absolutely perfect, what happened between you two?! Whatever it was, you'd better go to her and make it right! Get down on your knees and beg if you have to!"
That, without a doubt, had to be avoided. Which was why he brought the issue up during his walk home with Akoya one evening.
"Hmm, that is a tough call…" Akoya mused, staring ahead of them. "I could always get clingier after a while longer? Playing the overly attached girlfriend might work."
"I'm not sure about that one." Ibushi countered. "I've gotten smothered so much by my parents that they'd probably find it endearing you do the same."
"Then I get more distant?" Akoya questioned.
Ibushi chuckled at the thought. "You? Back off of something you're supposed to care about?"
He saw Akoya glance up at him, giving him a little glare before looking back ahead. "Good point… and we see each other almost every day because of school; reactions wouldn't be genuine enough."
"Wait, I got it!" Ibushi exclaimed with a snap of his fingers. "Do you remember why my parents didn't want me to date a middle-class girl?"
"Wasn't it something about them" Akoya made air-quotes with his fingers. "'tainting the gene pool' or something?"
"Yes, that." The two of them stopped at a crosswalk and Ibushi pressed the button. "But there was something else to it… they didn't want me to start acting out."
Akoya tore his eyes away from the stagnant light across the street and looked up at the older boy. "What are you implying, Arima-san?"
"Why not make them think you're a bad influence on me?" Ibushi elaborated. The crossing light turned green and they continued walking, but most of Akoya's attention was still on him. "Like… what if we start going out more? Or I come home ten minutes after my curfew? Or, or! What if I pretend to be putting less effort into my homework because we're Skyping?"
Ooh, this was getting exciting now! Ibushi'd never broken his parents' rules before; just the idea gave him a bit of adrenaline! Maybe he could even convince Akoya to actually do a few commoner things with him, like that time the Defense Club dragged them to the arcade. Akoya did like the photo booth thing that they had; they'd even make a nice souvenir or evidence for Mom and Dad to "find." But getting his prissy "girlfriend" to agree with him would be the hardest part by far.
Ibushi was brought out of his little fantasy by the sound of giggling beside him. He looked down and noticed Akoya covering his mouth, in an effort to mask his laughing, and the corners of his eyes crinkling because of how big his smile must be under that hand. In all honesty, it was adorable. But why was he laughing?
"Sorry, Arima-san…" Akoya managed to say before he giggled some more, finally moving his hand away when he'd calmed down. "It's just you really are more sheltered than me."
"Huh…?"
"I mean, I don't sneak out all the time or anything, but you might have to do a little worse than be ten minutes late coming home if you want your parents to think I'm no good." The second-year went on. "Ten minutes might come off as 'aww he must not want to leave her so he stays back for a few minutes to spend more time with her.' But a half hour or more… that's when they might start to worry."
"Is that how it is with your parents?"
"No," Akoya huffed. "usually it's the maids who worry about me when I'm late, even if it's just my driver got stuck in traffic, with me in the car." They came to a corner of the sidewalk and Akoya pressed the crossing button with his sleeve-covered wrist. "So you're still having me and Kusatsu-san over on Saturday?"
"Yes." Ibushi confirmed.
"Great." The crosswalk light turned green and Akoya pivoted its way. "I'll see you tomorrow, Ibu-chan."
Akoya's cheeks colored once he realized the name he'd addressed his friend by, then strode off with more haste than usual in his gait. Ibushi caught the slip too, but didn't think much of it. He'd probably get the different names confused sometimes too if this was the other way around. "See you tomorrow, Akoya…"
Ibushi's copper eyes followed that bouncing head of pink hair until it disappeared into the crowd. It had become a new habit of his to keep watch for Akoya, ever since they had that encounter at the train station. The younger boy should be fine in his school uniform, yet… it made Ibushi feel better to look out for him.
At least this weekend their date wasn't somewhere public, so he could let his guard down and enjoy the time he was going to spend with his friends.
God, why was it so hard for Akoya to let his guard down?
Really, slipping out of a cover-up to go swimming was never so nerve-wracking for Akoya. He arrived at the Arima house with his bathing suit already on, for fear of someone walking in on him changing. It was at least relieving to see Ibushi and Kinshiro had similar ideas going when he arrived. Ibushi was in nothing more than a tank top and his swim trunks, while Kinshiro had his suit paired with a shirt and sleeveless hoodie. Apparently, everyone had the same desire for "practicality" as Kinshiro dubbed it. This time, Akoya didn't combat the comment and just stood quietly.
It was at that point that Ibushi suggested that, since they were all gathered now, that moving to the pool was a good idea. Kinshiro shrugged and stood from the chair he was in, grabbing a book that he'd left on the armrest. They headed out back, Akoya trailing a bit behind so that he could take off the cover-up with some sort of privacy. The third-years had already made it to the gate of Ibushi's in-ground pool when they noticed the second-year behind them.
"Akoya?" Ibushi voiced. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I just… need to take this off." He tugged at the cover-up's fabric as if to make a point.
"Okay…" Ibushi replied, opening the gate to allow himself and Kinshiro inside. "take your time."
The wooden gate closed with a click and Akoya was as alone as possible. He took a breath before hearing a loud splash. Ibushi must have jumped into the pool. He waited for a moment but no second splash came. It figured that Kinshiro wasn't going to go right in…
Okay, he had to stop distracting himself and get this damn thing off! They were at a private pool, it was just the three of them and a few scattered staff working for the Arimas. No risk of public ridicule, no chance of being seen by someone who would actually care about what he might look like. He took another breath. Swimsuits were such a hard thing for him…
He handled it like he always did: like ripping off a bandage. In one second of bravery, Akoya threw the cover-up off and over his head, quick to fold it with his towel before he changed his mind. It was funny, how stupidly comfortable he was in anything but a bathing suit. As Akoya approached the pool, he could hear his upperclassmen talking.
"Come on, Kinshiro." Arima pleaded. "I invited you over for a swim; at least put your feet in the water."
"I'm perfectly fine right where I am." Kinshiro assured from his poolside chair, shaded with an umbrella and a book in his hands.
Ibushi smiled from his place in the pool. "Alright then." He heard the gate creak open and looked its way. His eyes settled on Akoya and the younger boy could see his mouth open just a smidgeon.
Akoya clenched a fist and brought it to his chest. Sure, he'd worn feminine swimsuits before, and Kinshiro and Ibushi had seen him in them as well, but showing this much skin had always made him feel so exposed, so… naked. He preferred swimming attire that covered him more, like his favorite turtleneck top and shorts. But they were too masculine for this ruse; the top made his shoulders look wider and left little to the imagination as far as a figure was concerned. It made him look more like a box.
What he had on wasn't as comfortable as he'd like it, but the two piece he was wearing definitely did a better job at feminizing his body. The ruffles on his top accompanied by the skirted bottom created illusions for him, leading those who didn't know better to believe that breasts and hips were under the thin cloth. They hid what was there and showed off what didn't even exist… they were perfect for what he needed.
The gate closed behind Akoya and Kinshiro's attention was grabbed due to the noise. He didn't change expression at all looking at the younger boy. "Is that one new?" He asked plainly.
"Uh, yeah…" Akoya felt his cheeks color and he reached for his hair, unconsciously starting to braid it.
"You look beautiful." Ibushi complimented from the edge of the pool, arms resting on the concrete above the water. "But… you don't look too comfortable. You can cover back up if you want to."
"Thank you…" Akoya looked at the ground. Seconds later, he finished his braid and tied it up in a bun. He still felt too exposed… but why did Ibushi's comment make him feel a bit better? "But I'm alright."
"Okay…" Arima pushed off of the wall of the pool and floated in the center. "The water's perfect." He claimed. God, he must have noticed the tension pouring off of Akoya. "Come in."
The second-year gripped the metal railing and took the stairs into the water one at a time. It was a little chilly, but in the rising summer heat the temperature was refreshing. When his feet touched the bottom, the water went up to his hips. As he walked in deeper, the water level rose. Akoya kept going until he was submerged from the shoulders down and leaned against the wall, content to just sit in the water and observe.
Ibushi was laying on his back, drifting about aimlessly in the pool, and Kinshiro had yet to move from his spot under the umbrella. In fact, the only movement Kinshiro made was to turn the page of his book every now and again. Yep, an average day for the Student Council where water was concerned.
Ibushi changed position so that he was floating upright. "Hey, Akoya?"
"Hmm?"
"Why don't you ever put your head under the water?" The older boy curiously asked.
"Because the chlorine ruins my hair."
Ibushi just smiled at him. "I should have guessed." Then, he turned his attention to Kinshiro. "Is there a reason you don't like going in the water, Kinshiro?"
"Chlorine ruins my hair." He blandly parroted Akoya.
To which, the younger boy scowled. "Very funny."
"I'll come in after I finish this chapter." Kinshiro promised.
Ibushi's eyes scanned to the side and he paddled over to the pool stairs to sit down, half of his body still submerged in the water. He held his arms out and smiled at Akoya. "Come here."
Akoya stayed in his place for a moment, confused by the sudden request. Then he heard the sound of running water and noticed a yard worker carrying a hose towards the back garden. The guy was mostly focused on his job of watering the many, many flowers on the property, but he did seem to steal a glance over the pool's way every now and then. So, slowly, Akoya waded closer to Ibushi and took his hands.
"Sit with me." Ibushi suggested. So Akoya sat down next to him. "Huh? I thought you would have sat on my lap."
"Do you want me to?" Akoya questioned.
"I want you to do whatever you're comfortable with." Ibushi leaned in closer. "That includes your wardrobe choices. You can cover up or change if you want."
"I told you, I'm fine." Akoya ignored the blush on his cheeks and made a pouty face. God, sometimes even he hated how stubborn he could be. He threw his legs over Ibushi's and pulled himself into the older boy's lap, as if that proved anything to anyone.
Ibushi wrapped his arms around Akoya's middle and pulled him closer, resting his head on the younger boy's shoulder. It was strange, feeling the chill of the water and the heat coming off of Ibushi at once. Whenever either of them moved in the slightest, the water displaced and Akoya could feel a light current from the motion. It was a sensation he probably hadn't felt since he was really small, when he was learning to swim and someone stayed close.
It felt good to be held again, even if it was just for show. Akoya found himself leaning against Ibushi's chest, relaxing into his touch as their breathing synchronized. He had to admit, it was nice to just sit there and forget about everything.
The two of them were only disturbed when new ripples started batting off of their bodies, then a significantly larger one. It was quiet, but Akoya detected a splash and opened his eyes to find the source. (When did they close? He didn't remember.)
"Sorry." Kinshiro apologized from the adjacent wall, now submerged up to his neck and shirtless. "I was trying not to bother you."
The sound of the hose spraying the plants had grown more distant. The gardener had moved away from the pool, but Akoya didn't want to move just yet. He wanted to stay in Ibushi's embrace for just a little longer, feel the conflicting sensations of heat and cool intermingle, and feel comfortable for the first time since he took off his cover-up.
"- So that's about it over here with us." Ibushi's mother finished her over-the-phone monologue. "What have you been doing with yourself since we've been gone, Ibushi?"
"We've had a lot of extra Council work this week, so I haven't had much time for anything besides school until today." He explained.
She hummed on the other end. "You know we're coming home next week right? Why don't you invite Akoya-chan over one day when we're back? I'd love to see her again."
"I, uh, actually did today." Ibushi informed her, letting some anxiety slip into his tone. "I had her and Kusatsu over for a swim today."
"Oh, of course you bring her over when we're not home!" His mom whined. "Why didn't you even tell us Ibushi?"
"I don't know; I thought it might bother you and Dad if I called just to tell you-"
"Nonsense!" His mother cut him off. "If you want to have your girlfriend over, don't let us get in the way Ibushi. I'd just like to know is all. Besides, in this heat, you two can use the pool."
"If you really don't mind, I guess I'll talk to her about coming over again…" Ibushi proposed.
"Perfect!" She exclaimed. "Invite her to stay for dinner too; we'll have the chef make whatever she likes."
"Okay."
"Okay." Mrs. Arima replied. "I'll talk to you later, dear. And, if you don't mind, could you take care of the plants in the master bedroom for me? You have this… special touch that the gardeners don't."
"Yes, I'll look at them."
"Thank you, Ibushi. I'll call you again on Monday."
"Alright. Bye." He hung up and put his cell phone on one of his night stands. He looked out the giant bay window next to his bed, taking in the last bits of sunlight hitting the garden outside his bedroom. Ibushi figured he might as well close his blinds and slip into a pair of pajamas; he wasn't going anywhere else after all. So he pushed a button on a remote laying on his bed and the mahogany-colored blinds slid from the ceiling down to the floor, allowing Ibushi the privacy to strip and make his way into his bathroom for a shower.
After drying himself off and putting on his pajamas, Ibushi padded to the other side of the house, where his parents' bedroom was. Inside, there was a long, thin table pushed against the wall with a multitude of potted plants sitting on top of it. He started looking them over, trying to see if anyone had watered them during the day, and his mind wandered elsewhere.
Akoya said he needed bigger ideas if the idea of rebelling was going to work. The question was… what was would be big enough to get their attention without getting in too much trouble?