36. Expert
520 Words
"You're blushing again."
Mitsuo groaned and glared at his friends out of the corner of his eye.
"So what if I am," he barked out gruffly.
"Something happen?" Satsuki asked.
"Nothing, just…"
"Just?"
"Himeko-san told me yesterday that I should ask Izumi out."
"She's right," Taiki immediately said. "You've been hesitating long enough as it is."
"I don't know…" Mitsuo muttered, intently staring at the floor.
"Women don't like indecisive men," Taiki huffed, running his hand through his wild, bleached hair. "Just march up to the chick and tell her straight how things will play out. 'Woman, from now on, you will be mine. Tomorrow, I'm taking you out for a dinner."
While Mitsuo glowered at Taiki, Satsuki snorted.
"That might have worked for you and Noriko-san, but somehow I don't think Izumi would take kindly to such an overbearing attitude," the tomboyish actress replied, shaking her head. "Just be yourself, Mitsuo. Buck up and ask her out!"
"Oh shut up, what do either of you know?"
"We know you're head over heels for the girl," Taiki grinned.
"Seriously, I don't know why you're so shy about this. You should at least ask her. Even if she turns you down, at least then you will know for sure. Otherwise you'll forever be plagued with what-ifs." Satsuki crossed her arms across her chest.
Mitsuo huffed, and looked away from his friends. They were probably right, but he didn't want to discuss the matter right now. He decided to change the subject.
"So, Satsuki, how are things with you and Ken-san then?"
Satsuki's eyes widened and she instantly paled.
"What do you mean?" she sputtered. "There's nothing going on between me and Narita Ken."
"Yeah, sure," Taiki said sceptically. "We've all seen those pictures, Satsuki. Denial is futile."
Satsuki pouted.
"The pictures are lying!" Satsuki insisted.
"The look in Ken-san's eyes does not lie," Mitsuo countered, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
"Shut up! He's a ladies' man and a pervert, that's ALL you see in his eyes."
"Suuure," Taiki chuckled. "You're both so naïve," the bad boy actor huffed, shaking his head. "Satsuki, no matter how much you try to deny it, you have the hots for Narita Ken. Frankly, I don't see why that would be such a bad thing, so you should go for it! And Mitsuo, the hopeless crush you have on Izumi will never go away if you don't grab the bull by its horns. So for god's sake, ask the girl out before someone else beats you to it!"
Silence followed Taiki's statement, as Mitsuo and Satsuki stared at their friend in disbelief.
"And what qualifies you to give other people advice regarding their relationships?" Mitsuo grumbled sullenly, while Satsuki emphasised her prankster friend's words with her nods.
"In case you have forgotten, my friends," Taiki said with a wide grin, "among the three of us, I happen to be the only one who is in a relationship. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll have to go and find my girlfriend." Taiki walked away, whistling merrily to himself.
"He's such an ass sometimes." Mitsuo growled.
"Agreed," Satsuki sighed.