Yoshiki opened his eyes drowsily, unsure of when he had fallen asleep, and how long he had been out. His tired eyes glanced to the clock beside him, and it read something along the lines of nine... His vision was still a bit blurry, so the red light sort of blended together. He sighed, tossing himself onto his back with a sigh. Curiously, his eyes glanced at his side. She was... gone... This time, it hurt worse, because dammit if he hadn't let himself believe in something more... Hadn't he learned not to give hope to the idea?! Ugh, and now... he felt awful... Even worse about this stupid long-living flame than before. It really was ruining him... "Again, huh?..," he muttered quietly to the empty room, his eyes staring a moment before he turned his head away. He'd like to keep his cool, and just go about his day, but his heart couldn't take it while keeping up it's strong forefront. He moved his arm over his eyes, as if hiding from the no one around his eyes that were watering up. "Fuck this stupid crush... Just die already!... Please..."
It was a few nights later that they met up again. Ayumi was pretty content nowadays that the stress built up from sexual frustration was gone, with a way to relieve it whenever it reared its head. Plus, it was admittedly nice in a way to have the sex and not the relationship. She had to keep in constant contact with Keitaro when they were together. Though, at the time she didn't mind it so much, now it was hard to think of attaching herself so closely to someone again. It was nice being able to just send a text with an inquiry if he was free or not. It was expected some nights he couldn't manage it given his schedule... eh, she'd learn the specific nights that were definite 'no's' at some point.
The night had gone by great, her entire body humming in satisfaction after a round. She panted heavily next to him, catching her breath. It was then she remembered she should probably talk to him about what was happening. After all, she had read online that to make a friends with benefits thing work out without the relationship imploding, things had to be crystal clear. "Hey," she said as her breathing settled down. "If this is gonna be a common thing, we should probably set some ground rules."
Yoshiki was pretty tired, but he wasn't to that passing out stage. His mind came alive when Ayumi spoke. A common thing... Was it?... Well, they had done it quite a bit, so he guessed... It was unhealthy for him, but he couldn't help it. It was an excuse to see Ayumi, and to feel her... "I'm listening...," he told her to make sure she knew he was alert and ready to listen to anything she had in mind.
Ayumi had been debating with herself what to make rules... she hoped she was going to cover all the grounds, but they could always add things if it became necessary. "Alright... first of all, I think we should stick with calling each other by family names," she told him. It wasn't really a big thing, but there was an intimacy made if they began moaning each other's personal names during sex. Plus, it was a question she didn't like hanging in the air. "Second, this isn't a relationship so neither of us are allowed to get jealous or clingy with one another. Third, I don't think we should go telling anyone about this. Fourth, we both have the power to call quits on this thing without the other getting bent out of shape," she said, listing the rules off on her fingers. She furrowed her brow thoughtfully. Did that cover it all? Other rules she had specifically for herself... no sleepovers, no eating over, no hanging out without sex being involved. "I think that covers it. Any additions?" she questioned him, figuring if he wanting to add something, now would be a great time.
Yoshiki thought over each rule. Well... none of it sounded unfair or anything, so he had no qualms about it. He furrowed his brows lightly though, and looked to the side, a little concerned. Taking all of this stuff so seriously, though... He was beginning to worry... "No, not really... I do have a question, though...," he muttered, glancing back at her. He didn't mean this romantically, or for it to have any sort of deeper intimacy. It's just... "Does this mean... we can't be normal friends anymore?" he asked with a certain uneasiness. He wasn't sure this was worth such a hefty price... To not be able to be normal friends, who just life and hang out together... Friends they had been for years... Even if it meant being allowed to be involved with Ayumi sexually, he would have to say... he'd miss that much more than sex.
Ayumi turned a bit to look at him in curiosity as he mentioned having a question. Her eyes widened slightly as he presented the inquiry. She was thrown off, unsure how to answer him. Had they been such great friends before? Of course they were close... but she couldn't recall one time the two had hung out without either or both of Naomi and Satoshi present. Though, that was mostly due to her ability to ignore texts or blow off invitations for the two to be alone. "Of course not," she answered, because she couldn't take too long. "It's called friends with benefits for a reason. Things are like they are before, just with sex," she said with a small shrug. She didn't know if she truly believed that, since now she was somewhat aware of the very possible fact that Yoshiki had a crush on her. Still, things would be fine once this inevitably came to a close. They'd go back to just as they had been.
Yoshiki looked to her in a silence, but didn't find her answer very reassuring. Really, nothing anyone could have said would have put him at ease, because it was sort of a phobia he had of losing his few, but precious, friends... Still, he'd give her the benefit of the doubt. After a moments pause past her answer, he tore his eyes from her to look tiredly at the ceiling. "I guess so...," he muttered. Well... with all that said, they now had rules... and she seemed to be confident everything would be fine. He couldn't hold the same spirit... But that wasn't too alarming. He had this fear before they had even started this. It had actually been haunting him since graduation had loomed close, and everyone split ways to go to college. They were really all he had... Satoshi, Naomi, and Ayumi. It's only natural he'd always be in fear that he'd lose them. This wouldn't change anything, it was just an excuse to ask the question out loud.
It had been a little more than half a week since the two had been able to last meet-up. Ayumi was fine not being able to see each other for periods of time, since it was best to avoid anything daily. They had to keep a certain level of detachment, after all. She was flying high when their schedules lined up, and she had arrived at his apartment ready to go. It hadn't taken long for the two to meet in a deep kiss. Ayumi was so impatient, she just tugged him on top of her as they fell on the couch. As her hands frantically began to undress him, her motions were halted.
'Knock. Knock.'
She broke the kiss at the sound, her eyes flattening in annoyance. "What? Whose that?" she asked quietly, shooting him an irritated look. He had said he was free tonight, and she wasn't happy being interrupted just as she was losing herself to the heat.
Yoshiki was also agitated at the interruption, but he soon noted Ayumi's anger, which he certainly didn't want to be the unjust receiver of it. He gave her a shrug, backing off of her and standing. He looked a second for his shirt before retrieving it from the floor and slipping it on. "Hide, or something," he told her quietly, since he had a sort of idea of who it was. He didn't get a whole lot of visitors besides his small circle of friends, or really, only one friend ever visited him regularly at his house. Man, you better have a good reason..., he thought with a frustrated sigh, messing with his hair lightly. He trudged over, unlocking and opening the door. Yep, of course... Not that he didn't like having a friend over, but he was kind of in the middle of something... Well, thank God he hadn't gotten a boner yet. "Ah, hey, Satoshi...," he said, but it was more than a greeting, it was a warning to Ayumi, if she hadn't already sensed the urgency of the situation. "What's up?"
Ayumi's eyes narrowed at him as he told her to hide, somewhat indignant. Whoever it was, couldn't he just get rid of them? But, that may look suspicious in of itself. She didn't want anyone knowing about this, so she had no choice but to resign herself to hiding. She just hoped this wouldn't take long. She was glancing around, unsure of where to go. No way in hell was she hiding in a closet... She suddenly became much more alert of the situation as he greeted Satoshi. She mentally cursed as she headed into his bedroom and shut the door quietly behind her. If she was going to be stuck somewhere, it was best to be somewhat comfortable.
"Hey, sorry for coming over without warning," Satoshi firstly apologized. If he ever showed up, there was normally some text to confirm the meeting would be okay. "I just... I've been thinking... and I need you to give me a very honest opinion," he began to frantically try to explain.
Yoshiki shook his head, moving so Satoshi could come in. He wasn't really worried... Satoshi wouldn't have any reason to go to his bedroom, so Ayumi and their secret would be safe. "It's no problem... I'm not the best on advice, but you can count on me to be honest," he mentioned, so he was, and probably always will be, pretty blunt. But, him helping in any sort of dilemma Satoshi was having was rare, especially since it usually had to do with decisions with Naomi. He... wasn't helpful in the category of love...
Satoshi came into the apartment after Yoshiki moved aside. His brow was furrowed as he tried to figure out how to probably ask and explain the idea in his head. He turned to look at Yoshiki, knowing he could help ground him in a decision. Hopefully. Either way, he needed to talk to someone, and he trusted Yoshiki most. "Okay, I realized I don't like calling Naomi my girlfriend," he began, but his nervousness made it come out wrong and he scrambled to correct it. "I mean, I like that she is my girlfriend, I just don't like the title. It just seems to flippant for how I feel about her. I started thinking... and I know for sure I want to be with her the rest of my life," he explained, his cheeks turning red. "And, well, I..." he began to stammer out as he took out a silk box, popping it open to reveal an engagement ring. It had been his grandmother's, given to him years ago. He looked at Yoshiki in nervous expectancy.
Yoshiki was confused at first, but as Satoshi kept on his nervous explanation, he realized with a jolt what this was about. Sure, it was fast... But he knew Satoshi, and knew he wouldn't dive in if he wasn't absolutely sure of his feelings... So he believed him when he voiced his confidence that he wanted to spend his life with Naomi. His eyes went to the ring, his mind churning to give Satoshi the right advice. They were still only in their early twenties... Most people would think getting married now is ridiculous... But most people didn't go what they went through. They were more bonded than the average person, especially Satoshi and Naomi. After all, he had helped her make a come back from Heavenly Host. They were pretty much halves of each other. Fit perfectly, so to speak. Of course he was jealous, but he was at least past even getting agitated with Satoshi. "Well... if you're certain about it...I can't tell you any different. It's what you want to do," he mentioned, since if Satoshi felt so strongly, his opinion shouldn't matter. It's not like he knew how the two were going, only they knew that. But... "Though, if you really want my opinion... I'd say go for it," he added, in case he really just needed that little push forward.
Satoshi felt a lot of relief that Yoshiki's first reaction wasn't to pick the idea to death. He was aware of their ages, he knew that both of them were in school, and he knew that most people carried the belief high school romances would die out. He couldn't even imagine his life with Naomi in it... He wanted to cement the idea to the world around them. He wanted to be able to call her his wife. "Y-You really think so?" he asked, feeling more encouraged to go for it. "You don't think I've lost my mind?" he questioned, since ever since the idea had entered his mind, he was unsure of his own clarity. The idea was so tempting, but he was also scared of a lot floating around it, but mostly, whenever he was with Naomi, he wanted to ask her right then and there.
Yoshiki shook his head, a faint smirk on his face. "Not at all, I get it. You should go for it. I bet she feels the same," he noted to pump some more confidence in his friend. Not that he was lying. He really believed those two were just a bundle of mutual affection. It's true he wasn't around them much these days, but for him wanting to marry Naomi, not much had probably changed.
Hearing someone else support this crazy idea he has been toying with was solidifying the idea in his mind. Satoshi was genuinely expecting a yes from Naomi once he proposed... at least, he was extremely hopeful. He could understand reluctance since it wasn't anything they've ever talked about and one would think he'd wait till senior year at the very least. He was becoming incredibly impatient with the idea of postponing this any further. "Ha... yeah... thanks," Satoshi said with a smile. He felt a little winded just thinking that now he was going to have to figure out the actual proposal. "Oh, and... uh, this may be a bit early to ask. But... will you be my best man?" he asked, a bit embarrassed but genuine in the request.
Ayumi was leaning against the door with a confused expression on her face. She was eavesdropping, because she was bored and trying to figure out how long this was going to take. She couldn't really gather what they were talking about... something with Naomi and Satoshi. Huh, she never thought guys talked about girl troubles very much with each other. She remained neutral on whatever they were talking about, because between the muffled voices and vagueness, she didn't want to jump to conclusions. That is, until she was damn sure she heard Satoshi say something about 'best man' and the entire conversation clicked into context in her mind. Her hands shot to her mouth to stop the surprised cry from escaping her mouth. Was... Satoshi going to ask Naomi to marry him?
Yoshiki for some reason hadn't seen the question coming. He was a little winded... He didn't know why, but the title held such... an honor? Even if he was naturally the first choice, being Satoshi's best friend through a lot, he never anticipated to be asked of something like that. It... felt good... They really were inseparable friends, huh? "Yeah, of course," he answered, beaming.
"Great," Satoshi said, more eager in nature than his previous worried and nervous state. Of course, he now had to plan a proposal, but that was more exciting that nerve-wracking. "So, what're you up to tonight?" Satoshi asked, since he did sort of come without warning. He wouldn't be surprised if Yoshiki ended up being busy, but he figured it didn't hurt to ask.
Yoshiki glanced around casually at the next question, giving a shrug. "I'm not up to anything right now... But, I have to open in the morning, so I can't hang out or anything. Maybe we can meet up next time you're not busy, and then celebrate," he offered with a smirk. Well... It wasn't completely a lie, and he didn't state the exact reason he was technically busy. He only left it to Satoshi's imagination, which would lead most to the answer that he was just going to head to bed early... Which also wasn't technically a lie, if they made it to the bed.
Satoshi smiled and nodded in understanding. He had no idea how Yoshiki kept up with such a frantic lifestyle without going crazy. "Sounds goods. I'll keep you in the loop for when I eventually figure out how to ask her..." Satoshi said, because he still wasn't sure what he was going to do to purpose. At least he knew a few things he would not do: hide the ring in food, ask her at a sport's game on the big screen, and the list went on. He wanted to avoid cliches... "Talk to you later," he said in farewell before exiting the apartment, his mind buzzing in ideas.
Yoshiki said his thanks and goodbyes before shutting the door, locking it and then shortly after giving a sigh. While it had interrupted them, he was glad Satoshi had come to him for advice. He stepped back from the door, rubbing the back of his head. He was relieved they hadn't been found out... Now that they were in the clear, the whole thing had been quite nerve wracking...
Ayumi waited by the bedroom door, hearing Satoshi leave but waiting a few moments before coming back out. It was... really hard to imagine Satoshi and Naomi getting married. Not because the two weren't good together, they were a great couple. It just made her feel weird that her classmates and long time friends may be getting married. She wasn't even sure if she ever wanted to enter that institution. She opened the bedroom door, looking at Yoshiki skeptically. "Is Mochida going to ask Nakashima to marry him?" she asked, because she needed to know if she gathered the information correctly.
Yoshiki turned at Ayumi's voice, understanding her skepticism, but he didn't feel like it was out of place. They were pretty much two peas in a pod... "Yep. Scaredy-cat Satoshi is gonna pop the question soon," he answered with a small smile. It was weird that the super shy Satoshi of class 2-9 was proposing so early... But again, he felt it was about time, in a way.
"Wow...," Ayumi marveled, stunned to hear that it was actually true. It was funny, her 17-year-old self would have considered this the end of the world. Of course, now she just felt happy for the two... even if the idea still seemed odd to her. Huh... should she tell Naomi this? No, probably not. It was good to be surprised... but, she had to admit, she wouldn't like such a surprise herself. Naomi was probably already expecting to spend her days with Satoshi, though, so the marriage would just confirm it to the rest of the world.
Yoshiki made a small humming noise, to agree with her astonishment. It was weird... He didn't feel eager to carry on anymore... Well, he would if she still wanted to, since he'd hate to have agreed on tonight and then not own up, but he just felt... neutral? Ugh, he didn't know... and such a feeling would probably be erased if she started them up again. He just didn't feel like initiating it right now.
As silence developed between the two of them, Ayumi realized she was no longer in the mood. She couldn't even say why. The interruption hadn't been a big deal... they hadn't been at risk for a moment of being found out. The happy news their friends may be marrying shouldn't affect this... but, she found herself unwilling to continue. "I think... I may just head back to my dorm," Ayumi told him, eyes glancing aside. She just wasn't feeling it anymore.
Yoshiki looked to her, seemingly not disheartened whatsoever. So she felt the same... It was weird, but it would also be nice to actually get to bed early, so he wouldn't be dead tired at work tomorrow. "Alright," he answered with a small nod, moving out of the way of the door. "Goodnight," he added, feeling it was just a customary 'goodbye' when it was late like this.
"Night," Ayumi responded before taking her leave. It was really weird how it just... fizzled. She was perplexed by what would have caused the deflation on both of their ends. She sighed, pinched her fingers against the bridge of her nose. The only thing she could guess was the idea of marriage in either of their minds was somehow a turn-off. Well, at least she didn't have to feel too bad about Yoshiki having affections for her, since it was probably just a crush. She sighed, a bit disappointed but there was always another chance in the future to meet up.