"Welcome back Kamijou." I looked up to my neighbor, Mrs. Shino. She was a kind elderly woman who moved into the apartments with her son and his wife after her husband died. She used to joke around that she wanted her son to leave his wife and marry me. "How was school?"
"Same as ever." I tensed at her gleaming eyes and the hidden chuckle. "So Kamijou, recently I have been seeing a cute young man coming and going."
Damn, she saw Nowaki. "Yes, I am currently tutoring a kid."
"How old is he?"
"17."
The laughter got louder and more giggly. "Ooooo Kamijou, such a cougar. A younger's man cock is always better."
"HAVE A GOOD DAY Mrs. Shino." I bolted into my place, face on fire. Stupid gossiping hag! I am only tutoring the damn kid! And she had to take that conversation to a whole new level. "That is it, Nowaki is no longer allowed here!"
"Hiro-san?" Damn he is here! I walked in to see him in the kitchen. "Welcome home." In his hands was a plate of very appetizing-looking food. "I hope you are hungry."
As we were eating I could not help but go back to what the old lady said. I cannot be a cougar. It is not like we are in any sort of relationship. I am just tutoring the kid. Yeah he messes with me but that is also because he is a teenager, immature. Though, my eyes could not help but look down at the table where his lap was hidden. Akihiko was pretty impressive so would not the size grow with age. How can a teenager's be better than a 22 year old's?
"Hiro-san, you are blushing." Nowaki pointed out with worry. "What are you thinking about?"
"None of your damn business." Damn girly tendencies.
He smiled, "Hiro-san is cute." Call me cute one more time. "Who was the woman you were talking to outside?"
"You heard that?!"
"Not a lot. Is she your neighbor?"
"Yeah. Mrs. Shino has been in this complex two years longer than I have. She can be very eccentric but she also does nothing else but watch T.V. and play checkers with herself all day." I eyed him. "How much did you hear of our conversation?"
The smile got bigger. "Hiro-san is too young to be considered a cougar." HE HEARD ALL OF THAT.
"She…like I said she is eccentric."
His laughing was making me mad so I found a book on the floor to throw at him when I looked at the cover and froze. "This…"
"Ah sorry, I was reading that before I started cooking." His words seemed far away. "Usami Akihiko is a talented author. You must like him a lot since you have three copies of all his books. I heard he goes to your university. Have you met him? Hiro-san?"
"Yeah. He's my childhood friend." It was one of his newest books, his picture along the side, looking as handsome as ever. God Damn it Hiroki get over it. Yes you love him but…no, I loved him. Right. What I want will never happen.
"Oh." Why did he sound so sad? "It would make sense then." I looked up but his eyes were hidden by his bangs. All I could see was the tight frown. Before I could ask he stood up, announcing he was going to do the dishes and then take a shower.
What is his problem? My mood was fowl but if he knew I was getting over a heartbreak he would understand.
I yawned, putting the book back on the shelf. Today was pretty busy and I did not get that much sleep last night. "Hiro-san, I am going to use the shower."
"Sure." I yawned again, last I remembered was the sound of the water falling.
I could feel someone's breath on me, someone's hand on my cheek, someone pressing against…my lips? Opening my eyes I gasped as Nowaki was kissing me. "What the hell?!" I screeched, pushing him off of me. Oh god he is shirtless!
"Akihiko is your childhood friend right?" His eyes were hooded, making him almost look dangerous. Akihiko? Did I talk in my sleep again? Wait that is not the point.
"Why the hell did you kiss me?"
"Hiro-san…" Just then the door rang.
"Coming." I thanked whoever on the other side to get me out of that awkward situation. God damn it, why did he have to kiss me? Because I am older? I opened the door, gasping as I looked at Akihiko. "Akihiko?"
"So you are alive. I have not heard from you in a few weeks."
No, I am not ready. "Unlike some people I do not have time to be playing with award-winning novelists." This is too soon.
I leaned up against my door, trying to act as normal as possible. I completely forgot about Nowaki. "Are you alright? You do not look so good." His hands touched the top of my head. They were still cold as usual, reminding me of that night. "Hiroki?"
How do I answer? How do I remain calm? I cannot.
I heard him gasp but before I could look up the cold left and was replaced with a sudden warmth as I was pulled to a large body. "Excuse me Usami-san but Hiro-san and I were in the middle of something important." Nowaki?!
Akihiko eyes went wide as he looked at Nowaki. "I see. I guess I will call you later then." He turned to go and while I tried to run after him, Nowaki held me back. "Nowaki what the hell?" He did not answer as he slammed the door and pulled me further in, finally let me go when we were in my living room. "He totally misunderstood that right now."
"I love you Hiro-san." What? I looked, thinking I misheard him but he stood there with that fierce look in his eyes. "I love you."
"Are you insane?"
He took a step towards me. "No. I have loved you ever since seeing you cry in the park. Of course I wanted help for the exam but I just really wanted to spend more time with you."
"What…what the hell?"
"I saw you now. The reason you were crying in the park had to do with Usami-san right? I would not do anything to make you cry. While I fell in love with your crying face, all I really want to see is you smiling."
And cue a huge blush. "Wait. You do realize I am four years older than you? Do not you find that strange that you would be attracted to someone like me?"
"As if I care. I like that sense of maturity you have, even when there are times you are also immature." You little brat. "I still love you."
I did not know what to say. How could you fall in love with someone as simple as at first sight. That is not how it works and men definitely do not fall in love with older women. Just as older women should not pursue younger men. It cannot work.
"Can I…be a substitute for Usami."
Substitute? How cruel. "Get out. GET OUT AND DO NOT COME BACK." I practically pushed him out and slammed the door. The nerve of him, asking to be a substitute. Being in love does not mean being a substitute. How cruel can he be.
I love you.
"You idiot." I slid down to the floor. "Idiot." I was pretty harsh this time and his face showed no emotion. His exams were in soon and he was doing well with the materials that there was really no reason for me to tutor him.
That may have been the last time I see Nowaki.
