tsun-sweet boyfriend | sakusa kiyoomi

22 ' I love you

author's note:

In Japan, when saying daisuki,
it can translate to like or love.
There really is no distinction.

Aishiteru, on the other hand,
is another way to say I love
you but couples don't really
say it. You might hear it on
romantic Japanese films but
it's a little cringe-worthy for
some. It's even quite rarely
used between married couples
Just had to clarify!

° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° °

"I love you, aishiteru," Amari blurts out as she stares at him, waiting for a reaction. She doesn't realize what she just said though, and neither does she realize its gravity.

"W-What? Emi?"

"Ah, no, I mean-" she tries correcting herself in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry, I'm making it awkward now," she mumbles in a seemingly panicked tone.

Sakusa is still silent, processing what she just said. It was a little too dramatic and intense, it's still taking him by surprise. "Forget it, really," she continues blabbering, worried about his silence.

"Let's go back, Omi," she adds and takes his hand for him to join her.

"You're so cheesy but also so awkward, Emi," he tells her in a dead tone. She couldn't tell if he's mad or simply teasing.

"I'm sorry, it's your fault," she says, reverting back to her usual energetic self.

"And why is that?"

"You make me feel, uh, stuff I don't know. Like, giddy and all that," she answers and nudges him.

They head back to the hotel and she turns off the flashlight of his phone in the entrance. "Still not my fault," he tells her, strangely in a blank expression.

Her attempt to light up the mood fails and when they finally reach their floor, she becomes hesitant to part ways.

"Kiyoomi," she calls and holds him back from taking another step.

He raises a brow and turns to look at her, who's optimistic as ever. "I made it so awkward a while ago, I'm sorry."

"Uh, okay?"

"But I really meant it, I really did, so, um, goodnight," she proclaims before rushing to her room.

"Oh, shit, his phone," she gasps just as her hands reached the door. She sighs and turns around. She sees him still standing on the same spot as a while ago, and runs back to him.

Quickly, she hands him back his phone. "Good night, Omi, I love you aishiteru!"

That night, Amari is able to go to sleep soundly, knowing she was able to tell him her honest feelings. The same couldn't be said for Sakusa though, as he couldn't stop overthinking about it. Deep inside, perhaps, he's having his doubts.

The next morning, she wakes up feeling refreshed and excited for their trip to the aquarium, just like the rest of the girls. "I haven't gone to an aquarium since I was a kid, what should I bring?" Yume asks.

"A towel, in case you volunteer for those cool stunts or something," Amari advises as she zips her bag.

"Woah, you brought a polaroid camera?" Araki exclaims. "Yeah, the latest model even!"

"Wow, can we borrow it later? Just a few pictures? Pretty please?" Yume requests and rushes to the girls.

"Just one picture! You have your own phone camera."

"I want a picture with Omi," Amari mumbles, staring at the camera. "Then I'll place it in the back of my phone case, just like those cringy couples he hate," she mutters to herself.

Meanwhile, Sakusa's group is already in the dining hall for breakfast. "When are we gonna eat?" Sho whines at Sakusa, hoping he has answers as a class representative.

"No idea."

"I'm starving too!" Jun, their other roommate, agrees.

"You've been eating on the bed an hour ago, you left crumbs everywhere too," Sakusa groans, glaring at his roommate. "This is why I hate sharing rooms," he adds.

"Oh, Mitsuhara-san's here," Komori comments and looks at Yume's group entering the hall.

"Hey, do you think the chocolate last night meant something? I mean, she just came to our room and-"

"Good morning, Komori-san," Yume's greeting interrupts him. His shoulders slightly lift upon hearing her voice, and he quickly sways his head to greet her back. "G-Goodmorning!"

"You two are so awkward, god, so cringy," Sakusa complains under his mask, forgetting his awkwardness with Amari for a second.

"Good morning, Omi," Amari greets him as well, disrupting his train of thoughts.

"Good morning." His voice was in monotone, as usual.

"Must be nice to have a girlfriend," Sho sighs.

"She's not my girlfriend," Komori corrects him with a bashful look on his face.

"So it's just a crush?" Sho asks, teasing.

"Huh? What are you talking about? No!" Komori denies. A futile attempt to hide his obvious feelings, especially when he's already so red.

° ° ° ° ° °
Aquarium

The glass walls of the aquarium and its blue waters surround the class, giving them a spectacular view of the fish and other aquatic animals. However, none of it really matters to Sakusa, now that everyone's gathered in just one small area to listen to the guide. It's too crowded for him to enjoy his time; he just wants to go back to his room.

"Look, look, the manatee is staring at you, Kiyoomi," Komori laughs, pointing at the animal facing Sakusa.

"What does this guy want?" Sakusa wonders at the manatee.

"Hey, they're headed to the jellyfish, let's go," Sho reminds.

"It's the last part of the tour so we can roam around afterwards," Jun informs.

"Last part already?"

"Good. Finally," Sakusa says in relief.

° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° °
Gift Shop

"

Emi Emi, check this out!" Yume says and presents her a snow globe, but aquarium themed.

"It's so cute, right?" she adds, waiting for her approval.

"And hella expensive, Yume, look at that price tag!" Amari laughs, and raises the tag.

"But it's so cute!" Yume defends then peeks at her basket.

"You're telling me that this is expensive but look at your basket, are you gonna buy the too store?" Yume complains and points at her full basket.

"Ah, no, I can explain. I'm giving my sister and parents a keychain. Then his parents really lik-"

"Basically, you're giving his family a gift too?"

"Yup, we're close now! I told you, call me Sakusa Emi," she flaunts.

"Sakusa what?"

Amari squeals upon hearing the sound of his voice. Without a doubt, she knows it's Sakusa's. She freezes on the spot, too ashamed to face him.