Chapter 11: What Does Akeshi-Kun Like?
After finishing the last bite of pasta, a moment of silence passed between us-comfortable, warm. I'd already washed the dishes, and when I sat beside him again, a question that had been brewing in my mind for a while finally slipped out.
"Hey... why do guys like girls with big boobs? Is there some kind of rule?"
He looked at me, amused. "Just because some guys like that doesn't mean all of us do. Honestly, I'm kind of offended you'd lump me in with that crowd."
"Ack-sorry! I didn't mean it like that!" I panicked, waving my hands. "Please don't take it the wrong way!"
He laughed. "Relax. I'm not actually mad. I just like messing with you."
"That's not fair!" I pouted. "You keep teasing me for no reason!"
"I do it because your reactions are adorable," he said with a sly grin. "Also... I've noticed that when I tease you, you don't get sad or distant. It's like a secret way to keep you smiling."
My cheeks felt warm. Oh.
He continued, "Anyway, about that... not all guys are into just one type. Some like glasses girls, others like tomboys, or childhood friends. You can't really generalize."
"...That's true. Sorry for assuming."
I hesitated, then smiled. "Can I ask another question? What's your favorite genre? Mine's romance. My favorite anime is A Sign of Affection. It's a little old, but it's sweet and wholesome. My sister recommended it."
"Slice of life," he replied. "And my favorite? Clannad. I regret judging it by its age. It wrecked me."
I blinked. I'd never heard of it, but his tone made me curious. I got up to take my plate, but as I reached the sink, I suddenly felt his hand wrap around my wrist.
He pulled me close.
His ears were red. His breathing uneven. His expression-vulnerable and intense-hit me like a freight train.
God... that's hot.
My mind was already starting to spiral into forbidden places. I tried to hold them back.
"W-what is it?" I asked, gathering the courage to meet his gaze.
"...I wanted to ask you something." His voice was low. "How much do you love me?"
Oh no. That's so sweet I could melt.
"I love you more than anything in the world. But..." I scratched my cheek, embarrassed. "My parents and siblings come first. Sorry if that disappoints you."
They were the ones who raised me, held me, gave me warmth when I needed it most. No matter what, I couldn't put someone else above them-not yet.
He wouldn't get that answer. Not now. After that happens. He will get another answer.
He let go of my wrist. Wow. And here I thought your family had no shred of sanity."
"Excuse me!?"
"You're excused," he chuckled.
Hold on a damn minute.
"You were teasing me again!?"
"Finally caught on, huh?" He winked. "Did you really think I'd be upset by that answer? If anything, it made me like you more. Someone who respects their family that much... I'd never get in the way of that."
Did he... go through something like that?
"Yeah. I did," he said. His voice softened. "It's a long story."
I quickly finished up the dishes, grabbed his arm, and dragged him to the couch.
"Tell me. I want to hear it!"
"...Why so sudden?"
"I want to spend time with you. And I want to know more."
"...Only if you've finished your homework."
"I have!"
"Alright, alright."
He leaned back, eyes distant. "It was a rainy afternoon. I had cleaning duty at café. Everyone left except me and Tsu. We were just finishing up when an older woman walked in, holding her daughter's hand. She looked like she came from money-refined, elegant, confident."
••••••
"Damn," Tsu whistled, spinning a strand of her long pink hair around his finger. "She looks amazing."
"You're not in love, are you?"
"Hell no."
"Then don't act like you are."
"I just think it'd be fun to make someone like her smile. Not romantically-she has a kid, I'm not about to NTR some poor guy."
"Glad to know you've got standards."
"Bruh."
Right then, the manager came downstairs. I thought he'd gone home already.
"How can I help you?" he asked gently.
"Could I get something for my child to eat? I'll pay for it."
"It's alright, ma'am. Tara, could you whip something up?"
"Do I get a bonus?"
"You'll get 60% of what she pays. Sound good?"
I didn't hesitate. I rushed to the kitchen, with Tsu tailing behind.
While I prepped some chicken rice and fried egg, he pulled out his phone. "So... what's your take on her?"
I stayed focused on the pan. "Did you notice the diamond ring? It looked brand new, but also well cared for. She's definitely rich. But there's more. Her posture, her outfit-it screamed high-class. Probably from a family in the fashion world. Her daughter looks five, so she's been married for at least six years. And the way she handled herself? She's used to commanding a room."
Tsu stared. "That's... pretty specific."
"I could be wrong," I shrugged.
"You're not. Her name's Tsumakawa Tamako. I looked her up. She's 40. Fashion world elite. Married to the CEO of EarthCon. Been married six years. Daughter isn't adopted."
I handed him the plate. "I spent like four seconds observing her."
After the meal, the mother stopped her daughter mid-bite to remind her about manners. The kid looked starving, but I didn't step in. Some families have their own way of doing things.
•••••
"The next day," Akeshi-kun said, "they sent someone to deliver payment. I got 60,000 yen. But I gave it to my parents-didn't have a bank account back then."
I blinked. "Do you have one now?"
"Yeah. Opened a student account three years ago. Manager helped me."
Huh. That was a better story than I expected.
"Alright," I said, standing up. "Let's get some sleep. I don't want to be late tomorrow."
He yawned and stretched. "Yeah. Sounds good."
When we lay down, he still didn't come close to me-not that I expected him to. But someday, he would. I could wait.
"Good night, Akeshi-kun."
"Good night, Amanika-san."
That soft voice was the last thing I heard before drifting off.