The Other Half On The Second Floor

Chapter Seven

Eiichi stayed over until almost ten pm after binge watching our show together last night. After he went back home, I was left there to anxiously wait for the following day.

Well, the day I oh so dreaded came in a flash it almost seemed.

I got ready and left. My sisters and father were all having breakfast as I was leaving, they didn't question where I was heading nor did they wish me a good day. They just silently ate at the table. Since I was still seventeen, I still hadn't gotten my license. So instead I took the bus as transportation, especially since my father never bothered to come with me anywhere so I could drive myself or at least practice. The closest thing to practice I got was driving around the neighborhood sometimes. Yui had offered to help me practice, but I declined to not make her feel obligated to help me, mainly because she was already working hard to provide for not only herself, but also Eiichi.

When I got into the bus, I received a message from Hisa.

Hisa: "You almost here? Akemi and I are waitinggggg"

Me: "I'm almost there the bus had to make a few stops lmao"

Akemi: "Tell that bus to hurry up >:("

I laughed at their impatience, Eiichi told me how restless I got when things took too long, specifically rides and even I could see it, but these guys were just as jittery or even more than I was.

Me: "Wow, well afraid I can't because I'm already here."

Neither one of them replied, because they were both waiting in the front entrance of Yanaka.  Hisa was waving at me to get my attention. I walked over and I felt tension within me build up. My stomach tied into a knot at the thought of telling them about Eiichi.

"Kaito!" Hisa comes in and comes in for what is considered a "bro hug." Akemi does the same and soon we're off to look around at the beauty of Yanaka and do all of the fun things the place holds. We take a map and look at all of the possible options. We decide to first go to the Yanaka Ginza, then try some street food or Suzuku the meat, then lastly do some shopping before heading to eat at a nearby restaurant.

We head to the first place we planned - the Yanaka Ginza. We got to see the popular area that was typically featured in japanese movies or shows. I got to see more of the japanese culture there and see some compelling snacks and food. We took some pictures while we were touring around and the area made a great setting for the images. I texted one of the pictures Akemi took of me to Eiichi, then another of all three of us.

Eiichi: "Aw you look adorable! Let me set that as my wallpaper hold on."

Me: "If you're going to set that as your wallpaper I want a pic of you to set as mine"

Eiichi: "Okok hold on."

A few seconds later he sends an image that he had just taken, his brown hair was slightly messy, from what I could tell he was wearing one of my sweaters I gave him, and he was making a cute face. I right away saved the picture and set it as my wallpaper to my home page, so no one would notice it unless they opened my phone.

Me: Done :-)

Eiichi: :D now I get to see your face when I open my phone!

Me: Lol, same. I like this wallpaper better.

Eiichi: Awh stop

Before I could respond, Hisa came up behind me, I hid the screen of my phone and shut it off, not being able to respond back. "Come on, Kaito! Look at all of those tasty-looking foods!"

I slip my device into my pocket, "Alright, but don't eat too many! We still have to eat later."

After a little over an hour or two, we were done looking around Yanaka. We had bought quite a few snacks and other items that had gotten our attention. I still hadn't brought up the dreaded topic and by now, the knot that was in my stomach felt bigger and tighter. The restaurant that we'd chosen wasn't far from Yanaka so we'd decided to walk rather than getting a bus. Hisa and Akemi both spoke the whole way to the designated place and I stayed unintentionally silent. When we entered the building, we asked for a table for three. As soon as we sat down, the waiter gave us the menus and asked what we would like to drink. I asked for water while Hisa and Akemi both asked for tea. While we were waiting, I hadn't noticed how much I was picking on my finger until it was bleeding. I hid it as best as I could from both of them.

"Hey Kaito." Hisa said.

The sudden call for my name made me jolt and I looked up at him. "Y-yeah?"

"Are you okay? You've been rather quiet today and you seem out of it." His voice and eyes both seemed concerned, I felt bad that i'd been worrying him like this.

"Oh, yeah. I'm fine."

"Why are you lying?" Akemi abruptly said, "We're your friends. We know when something's up. Why're you trying to hide something?"

The picking on my thumb became harder, I had accidently touched the hurt part and silently winced in pain. "I-it's nothing. Don't worry about it."

Hisa unexpectedly jumped back into the conversation, "I think I know what it is."

"You do?"

He crossed his arms and put a pouty face, "You have a girlfriend don't you? Why didn't you tell us!"

"U-uh, well here's the thing. I am seeing someone, but it isn't how you might think it is." I felt my hurt hands become sweaty, and sting.

"Huh? what do you mean?" Hisa asks, visibly confused.

I take a deep breath and say it quickly, hoping I wouldn't have to repeat it. "The person I'm seeing, it's Eiichi."

They both stay quiet. Time felt as though it was going slower than usual. I hadn't opened my eyes to see their faces.

"Wait, so you and Eiichi are together?" Hisa whispers.

My fist clenches harder "Y-yeah."

Akemi still hadn't said a word, but Hisa at least had the courage to say something. "Oh, I mean I had my suspicions."

My eyes finally widen and I look at Hisa's light brown eyes, "Huh?"

He didn't have a disgusted face, in fact he seemed more curious than anything. "Well, when we tried setting you up with girls, you always declined or made up excuses, but I just thought you weren't interested in the ones we tried getting you with. Then earlier when you were on your phone, you seemed really happy and you were smiling like an idiot at the damn thing. And I noticed that you were texting Eiichi. Honestly, I don't care what you are, you're my friend and as long as you're happy, then I'm happy for you." He gives me a reassuring smile and I feel that heavy feeling get lifted from me.

Akemi opened his mouth, but before he could get anything out, the waiter came back with our drinks. I wasn't sure what he thought, and honestly, I was still nervous about what he thought. Even after the waiter left, he hadn't said anything on what he thought, he just kept quiet. Hisa continued talking as before and I felt more comfortable around him now. Akemi, however, barely said a word or two during the whole conversation. And I had a feeling that maybe, he didn't accept me.

After we finished our meal, I excused myself to go to the restroom. The awkward atmosphere with Akemi was beginning to get to me so I decided to wash my face quickly. Our table was close to the restrooms so as soon as I got out, I noticed Akemi and Hisa speaking. I couldn't hear much because of how noisy it was in the restaurant, but I could just barely make out bits and pieces of their conversation.

"Hey, you gotta say something, ya know."

"I know Hisa, but how am I supposed to react? I don't know what to say."

Hisa looks around, I assume to see if I was not around. I was hidden by a wall next to the door so they wouldn't see me. "Okay, well, what do you think?"

Akemi hesitates a bit, "Between you and me, I'm not sure if I'm okay with it. Kaito isn't a bad person, but seriously? Guys?"

Hearing that one sentence, honestly hurt me a bit. If he didn't like the fact that I was into guys, I couldn't change that. No matter how much I tried. But I still didn't want to lose him. He was my friend who I trusted. I eventually stepped out of the bathroom and as soon as they noticed me, they pretended like nothing happened.

"Hey, let's just pay for the bill."

Hisa must've noticed my urgency and quickly got a waiter to come to our table and give us the needed bill. I assisted to pay for it and soon we were out of the restaurant. We said our goodbyes and we went our own directions. As I walked back to the bus, I bit my lip and felt upset with myself. The urge to cry began to build up inside myself. Was today the last time I'd ever see Akemi?