Their Harsh Words (Pregame Saiouma)

Caught

I bolt up, now alarmed. He is standing next to the bench, his phone gently rested in his hand.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to intrude, I was just wondering what was making you do all this, and I know that's not an excuse, but-" I begin, but he cuts me off.

"I know. Which is why I didn't say anything. But now there is something I want to know." Shumai sits down next to me, and I stare at my knees.

"Do you like me back?"

I consider my answer. All the feelings I feel around my roommate now coming into my head.

Safe.

Guilty.

Secure.

Certain.

Loved.

Protected.

Happy.

I remember his soft kisses that make my heart beat like it's going to burst out of my chest. I remember the comfort I find in his jacket. I remember how safe I feel around him, safe enough to fall asleep and trust him to look after me. I remember when I tried to jump off the bridge. I was grateful, because I would have more time with him.

"I... I do..." I murmur quietly. He smiles, sitting down next to me. A soft kiss is pressed to my lips, and I feel myself melting into it.

His arms wrap around my waist, and I wrap mine around his shoulders. We break apart to breath, a stupidly large smile on my face.

"Hey... Do you want to take this to the bedroom?" Shuichi suggests. I know what that entails, so my face flushes, and I shake my head slightly. I move backwards, stammering apologies and denials. He just nods, standing up.

"It's okay, I'll wait as long as it takes for you to be ready." He gives a small smile, before grabbing his jacket and heading out the door.

I fall back onto the couch, face bright red. There was only one person in the world that I could talk to about this.

"Sup bitch!" The optimistic voice of Miu yells over the phone. I smile.

"Hi, Miu. Uh... Can I talk to you about something..?" I ask, sounding so shy and awkward that even I cringe.

"Oh. My. God. You actually did it, didn't you?"

"No. I'm still a virgin. But, uh..." I take a deep breath. "Saihara-chan said something about doing it and I said no... But I do still think I want to, though."

"Well, then I have the perfect idea! Whenever you're ready, call me and tell me."

"Okay. Thanks, Miu."

"Hey, it's what friends are for. Now, I'm coming over and we're watching the latest episode of 'Ten Guesses, Ten Strokes'."

"Sounds good. See you in a few!"

I hang up, feeling a lot better about it now. I know I shouldn't feel any pressure, but I can do it when I want. Maybe in the next chapter, to make it easier for the author to decide what to write.

I go downstairs, putting some popcorn in the microwave for when my friend arrives, humming softly. Everything was perfect.

Word count: 506