Stay With Me (Onodera x Takano)

Chapter 9

When your family is really making you angry so you write fluff to take your mind off of it...

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A few weeks after that visit to my parents' house with Masamune, I began to realize that he seemed to be happier all of the time. He still acted the same as always, but his aura seemed to be... happier?

I asked him to come to my apartment because I wanted to talk to him one night. He seemed worried and probably thought I was going to break up with him or something. I almost wanted to laugh at his over-stressed reaction.

So that night, he came over and right away he asked the question that I knew he had on his mind ever since I asked him to come over.

"Is something wrong, Ritsu?"

I still blushed when he addressed me by my first name even though we were dating for a while. But I started to giggle, then laugh.

"W-what is it?"

"I'm sorry. It's just that it's funny to see you so worked up when there's nothing to worry about. I just wanted to spend some time with you, that's all." I said and smiled at him.

His expression changed to relief, then anger. "Don't make me worry like that, idiot." He said and flicked my forehead.

"Come on." I ignored him and lead him to the couch and we both sat down.

"So" I began after a short silence "I notice you've been in a better mood since meeting my parents. What's that all about?" I asked.

He looked at me with surprise. "What?" I questioned, a bit more concerned.

"It's just" he smiled "I'm surprised you noticed something like that."

"Well of course I would notice anything about the person I love." I said like it was obvious. Then I realized that I said that out loud when his expression changed.

"I... I mean-" I was interrupted by a hug. "Well that was a surprise." He whispered in my ear. "Shut up..." And even though I was very embarrassed, I hugged him back.

After a few minutes, I gently pushed him a way and continued. "A-anyway, I wanted to know why you were so happy."

"Oh. Well it's because I met the parents of the love of my life. That was an honor. And it proves how much closer we're getting." He said the last part with a smirk.

"Yeah I guess that's true."

"Is that all you wanted to talk about, my love?" He asked.

I blushed. "Th-that's embarrassing..." I said. He pulled me closer to his side and put is arm around me.

"Is that so? Then I guess I should start calling you that more often so I can see more of that adorable blush of yours... my love."

I looked at my hands in my lap. "I hate that about you." I mumbled. He let out a small laugh.

"Is that all you wanted to talk about?"

"Yeah, why?" I asked and looked up at his eyes.

"I don't know. It seemed like there was something else that was bugging you."

Oh crap, I thought, He always manages to see right through me.

"No." I replied.

"Okay..." He said it like he was suspicious. "I just want you to know, Ritsu, that whatever you hide, I will always find a way to figure out what it is."

"I-I said there was nothing! God, why are you so suspicious all of a sudden."

He just dropped the subject. "So, do you want to start looking through these now?" He pulled out a stack of housing catalogues from his work bag and set them down on the coffee table.

"When did you get those?" I asked, surprised.

"I saw them in the bookstore we went to on the way home the other day."

"I didn't see you get any of those!"

"You were looking for that other book you bought that just recently came out. Speaking of which, can I borrow it when you're done?"

I sighed and picked up one to start looking at it. "Sure. Just make sure you don't lose it."

"Really? You're telling me to not lose something? Have you not seen your own apartment, or should I say dumpster?"

"What the hell?! It's not that messy!" I argued.

"You're going to have to learn how to clean up after yourself before you start living with me. I won't accept this in our house."

I mumbled an annoyed "idiot" and began looking through the endless catalogues with him.

He really did realize something was up though. It won't be long before he finds out I entered in that big singing competition.

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How will Masamune react when he finds out?

Find out next time on Stay With Me!!!