Arukōru (Alcohol) Bar (BL)

Shukishi (part 4/6)

He kept a tight hold on my shoulder and only pulled me closer. He spoke to me in a lowered voice. "Play along for a bit, hm? Just this once?"

I was speechless. Why in the world was he trying to hurt this gorgeous woman? I knew he was a womanizer who slept with all kinds of women, but I didn't know he could get this cold.

"We're not even together," Nomi said. "I don't care what you do."

"I'm glad. I don't care what you do either. How was your date with that one guy?"

She grit her teeth. "That wasn't a date."

"It wasn't? My bad, you two looked so close I thought that had to be the case. Well anyway, my honey and I have to get going now."

"Honey...?" Oh, she's pissed...

"Shukishi, I don't think–!" I tried to speak up, but he put a hand over my mouth. I flinched. I'm going to bite him...

"Yes, my honey. Goodbye, Nomi." He rushed off with me still in his arm and his hand over my mouth.

I had to leave my basket behind before I shoplifted in front of the store clerk. When we got outside and a few paces away, I bit his hand as hard as I could.

"Shit...!" He swore as he finally let me go.

I glared at him. "What was that all about? You're a real piece of shit, hurting that girl like that."

He cradled his hand and wore a strained smile. "I don't expect you to understand. I'm sorry I got you involved. It appears I panicked when I saw her. I won't do that again."

"You should go back in there and apologize, is what you should do! And if you touch me like that again, it won't stop at just biting you." I hated being manhandled. I never wanted someone to touch me like that again... I said it would never happen again...

Shukishi's smile dissolved. "Narihira... I'm really sorry. It seems I struck a nerve."

I sighed. "Whatever... Who was that girl anyway? Why'd you act like that?"

"It's...a bit of a long story. I'd rather not stick around here to tell it in case she comes out of the store."

I glanced back at the shop. "Let's go somewhere else then. I deserve an explanation."

"You do. So I'll tell you. Should we get some food someplace?"

I followed him to a nearby restaurant. I glared at him and stayed silent until he spoke. He put his hands on the table, fingers interlocked.

"So... That girl was Nomi. I met her a bit ago when we were both looking for a one-night stand. But when we met and...had relations... We both felt we didn't want to leave and never see each other again. That was a very rare feeling for me.

"But I'm afraid I'm too new to committed relationships. It's not necessarily that I've had urges to be with someone else. It's just... I've been feeling quite self-conscious and unsure of myself... When I saw her talking happily with a man I didn't know a few weeks ago, I felt weird. I never felt like that when I happened to see other women I've slept with. I wanted to ignore and avoid her until the feeling went away. I know that sounds so childish.... I didn't even know I could be like that... And now I've taken it out on her. I'm sure this relationship will come to an end since I don't know how to handle these strange feelings."

I eased up as I listened to his story. We've never talked like this before. I was glad to hear his true feelings for once.

"You really like her, right?" I said. "I mean besides the physical relationship, you like her as a person?"