GAME AFTER-English Version

4-Game Night

CHISHIYA'S POV

As I entered the apartment, I wasn't surprised to find Arisu already there; what surprised me was Kiyo's behavior. She looked very flustered and she almost fell over, tripping over the foot of the sofa.

"Are you okay?" I asked as I approached her.

"Yeah, all good, except for my little toe."

Her answer made me laugh; I loved her sarcasm and it was just one of the many things I liked about her. Yes because, although it went against my very nature, I'd started to feel something for her, but I still hadn't been able to talk to her.

On the contrary, I really enjoyed making Niragi angry and throwing small signals at Kiyo, but talking to her directly was out of the question. I was too scared, no, I was terrified.

Meanwhile, Kuina and Arisu went to the kitchen and started pulling dinner out of shopping bags.

I'd brought her her favorite cookies and the strawberry and whipped cream sandwiches too. Maybe I exaggerated?

"Wow, how much stuff!" Arisu exclaimed. "I thought we opted for a quick dinner."

"Tell Chishiya." Kuina laughed. "He absolutely wanted to take certain things for someone." And she gave me one of her telling looks. Yes, I think she suspected something, but surely I wouldn't have voiced her doubts.

"Did you get the strawberry sandwiches?" Kiyo asked me, smiling. Her smile always drove me a little crazy, but I'd never admit it out loud.

"Yes, and chocolate chip cookies too." I said, returning her smile.

At that point, Kiyo made a gesture that literally left me breathless: she hugged me. Just like that, out of the blue, without warning first.

"Thank you." She said when she pulled away, and I noticed that she was blushing. Well, at least that made it two of us.

"Sorry, I got carried away by enthusiasm." Then, she walked into the kitchen as if nothing had happened, leaving me standing there wondering the nature of her gesture.

Wait, is it possible that she too...? No. It's just in my head.

I joined the others in the kitchen, then after sharing onigiri, bento boxes, vegetables and various snacks, we sat down at the table.

"Itadakimasu!" We all exclaimed in chorus, before starting to eat.

"So, which face card do you want to face today?" Arisu asked.

"The Jack of Hearts." Kiyo and I answered at the same time. She stared at me, then she started coughing.

"Kiyo, are you okay?" Kuina looked at her worried.

"Ye-yes I choked on some rice." Kiyo focused all her attention on the food. "Can you pass me the potato salad?"

"Sure. Here." Arisu smirked at her and she glared at him, snatching the bowl from his hand. Kuina chuckled, covering her mouth.

I didn't understand that strange exchange of looks; was I perhaps missing something?

I took another bite of my tuna onigiri, then subconsciously looked back at Kiyo, who, in turn, only had eyes for her potato salad.

"Why the Jack of Hearts?" Kuina asked me.

"I don't know, it's the first card that came to my mind." I replied.

"Sure." Arisu said again.

"Can you tell me what's going on?" The tension was so great that I could have cut it with a katana.