Behind Closed Doors, Something Else Goes On

🚪 Chapter Tweny-seven

Armin's POV:

"Are you a rival?", Shinko asked in a competitive tone. A rival? Regen is?

I glanced at Regen, expecting an answer. However before she could even open her mouth, Eren spoke.

"She is already content with Armin dressing up for her either she wants a girl or a boy.", Did he just say that??

"Eren!!!!", I called out, feeling the blood rush on my cheeks. I glanced at Regen to see her reaction and she was right there...grinning. For the love of blonde, she was grinning!

"Heyo!!"

*flashback*

"Heyo! Hahahaha!", that chirpy creature's here.

I let out a weak sigh and murmured to myself, "My creature."

The theatre doors were just about to open when she arrived. We both entered without bothering to hold hands. My hands were full with two massive popcorn boxes and hers were full of two large bag of crisps, anyway.

As the film started to play, we comfortably sat ourselves. We shared snacks and I maybe threw popcorns on her when she wasn't looking.

"So...my parents won't be home tonight.", Regen whispered to me with a wink. "Huh?", I asked, obviously confused what's behind the wink.

"Oh, Armin, Armin, Armin.", she repeated as she shook her head. "What did I do now?"

"In case you genuinely didn't get what I mean, I was asking you to come and be alone with me at my house tonight.", she said before throwing few crisps in her mouth. I didn't think too much of it at first, but it's starting to make sense. Of course, she meant that. The wink meant that.

"Wait, you mean...?", I asked, wide eyes and jaw dropping. My mouth had popcorns, but this isn't the time to care about that.

"Hahahaha! You should have seen your face back there, Armin."

"I meant what I said, but not what you thought I meant. Never, no. Hahahaha!"

I threw glares at her I never knew I had in me until today. We went to her home and as decided, I have to keep her company tonight.

"Armin, what do you think of crossdressing?", Regen chirped out of the blue.

"You seem to be interested in this, huh?", I rubbed my chin, thinking of what to answer. "Personally, I don't think they're that bad. Clothes are made for people and not genders, after all.", I nodded, agreeing to myself.

"That's very heart warming! Hahahaha!", she said--I still don't get why she always had to laugh at the end, but I don't mind. I might've gotten used to it.

"What's with the question though?", I couldn't help but ask.

"No particular reason.", she tried saying it in a serious tone but failed. I found it funny though. She's a funny one.

She asked me to wait here because she had something to find in her room for a second. So here I am, sat on their family couch and watching cheesy TV shows, waiting for her to come back from her room.

"Armin, you should also come. I found the thing I was going to give you.", she called from upstairs. We were the only ones in the house, so her voice was rather loud. I went upstairs and she lead me to her bedroom. I felt my heart began to race with each step I took as she pulled me towards her door.

What's wrong with me? It's not like it's my first time coming inside her room. Wait.............................it is!!

"So the real reason I invited you to come over was to give you this.", she explained, her small hand turning the doorknob.

I subconsciously closed my eyes when the door swung open.

"Hey, why did you close your eyes? I don't have a monster in my closet, so don't worry.", with that I slowly opened my eyes to welcome what's inside her bedroom. It looked normal. Everything looked normal. I sighed softly in relief. There was one thing I was confused about though.

"If not a monster, what did you have in your closet then? Was it the gift?"

"How did you know that? Hahahaha!", she responded, gobsmacked from my question. "Well since you already get the idea, you should as well open the closet to see what I wanted to give you.", she smiled wide. Wider than the Cheshire smile.

"I see no harm, maybe I should.", I shrugged as I walked towards her closet and opened one door. Her smile was wider than the Cheshire smile. That was my warning. A trap, this must be.

I looked at the only thing inside the closet then to Regen then back to the closet. "Did you make a mistake?", I asked, my insides begging for an affirmative answer from her.

"Nope. That's yours. Will you wear it for me?", what??

"You said earlier...that clothes are made for people, not genders. You don't have any problem with crossdressing for me, do you?", she tricked me. I didn't find her funny this time. She's a tricky one.

I sighed and hung my head low as I agreed in defeat. I forcedly grabbed the nautical out of the closet and was about to go to the bathroom to change when I felt a small hand pull my sleeve.

"Stay. Change in here. I can just turn around and close my eyes if you're embarrassed." That wasn't a request. That was a command. I changed quickly in fear of her turning around to see me butt naked.

"Never. Ever. Tell. Regen.", I seriously begged.

"Promise. No one has to know."

*end of flashback*

Promise, she said. No one has to know, she said. Then, how in the world did Eren knew??

I got to have a serious talk with Regen later, but I need to focus on the matter at hand.

"We will dismiss this project now. Cactus dropped her position as the president.", I explained.