Bab 111: Dragging Heels
So what should his plan be? Arata wondered if it would be best to try and delay this as long as he could. Akiba is not a dumb or naïve girl, that much he could tell from their conversations. The longer this went on, the more likely she was to find him out. Although she was clearly suspicious of him, that much he could tell.
He was not the type to go shopping often, especially not when he didn't have a goal in mind. So coming to the mall during this time was a new experience to him. Unsurprisingly, it was decorated from head-to-toe with holiday lights, imagery of Christmas, and employees dressed up as elves and the like. Odd to see as someone not used to being here, though clear that this wasn't the norm.
"You don't mind if we stop here first, do you?" As they entered, she pointed over to one of the stores. It was a familiar store to him, they had went here to find materials for the culture festival. That was the last time he was here, which also was the same time she had her outburst towards him. That moment completely changed how he saw that girl.
"Sure." He replied. Hopefully this time was going to be much better, but being inside once again reminded him of something forgotten a long time ago…
Never did return that dress she bought.
Akiba never asked about it, probably forgot about it considering how she lost her temper that day. However, Arata still had it stashed away in his closet, probably an awkward thing to leave around, especially if his mother ever found it.
"So anything catch your eye?" He asked as they walked around. She didn't seem to gravitate to anything, but it's not like just browsing would be a problem for him.
Akiba shook her head in response. This was going well so far for him. But the tables were going to be turned on him soon.
"What about you?" She asked instead. Something odd, since he didn't think any of this was his style.
"This type of stuff isn't what I'd wear." He replied. Outside of school, an unassuming hoodie and generic pants were more than enough for him. "Honestly, it's probably wasted on me."
"I don't think that's very nice to say about yourself." Briefly skimming through the clothing options. Soon, she picked out a button-up. "Try this." She offered it to him. Arata wasn't sure why she was pushing this on him, but it wasn't that big of a deal. So he took it and went to the changing room.
When he took his off his shirt, the chill hit him, causing him to shiver a little. Doing this was weird for him, since it wasn't something he did often at all. The cold made his body much more sensitive to the touch, which is why he immediately noticed something touch his shoulder.
In fear, he let out a yelp. Tripping over himself thinking that it was a spider. Note, it wasn't.
"Are you okay?" She rushed in and opened the curtain. This was a familiar sight, just reversed with her on the outside.
"I'm fine…" He covered himself, bashful with a beautiful girl like her seeing him half-naked. ���I just thought there was something in here."
"Hehe." She giggled in his face. "I guess it's not so funny when it happens to you." When she walked away, he had a look of dread on his face. Did she know he was responsible for what happened that day? That didn't sound like it was a… Good thing.
The shirt she picked out for him wasn't bad, but not something that was going to be put onto his shopping list. They exited the store together, which is when she offered that the two stop to grab a bite to eat before continuing. Though with what she said earlier, he was now a bit on edge.
"So where else did you have in mind?" He started the conversation, after they got their meals. His being some rice and beef, hers being a light salad.
"That's a good question." She put a hand under her chin to think. "Nothing comes to mind." She smiled in response. That wasn't what he wanted her to say. Which is precisely why she said that.
"You really can't think of anything?" He said. Hardly any time had passed, so Arata needed something to delay this trip as best he could. "Maybe there's another store around here that you've never been to, but could be interesting?"
"You're awfully wanting me to spend more time with you." She confronted him. He took a nervous bite of some food in response. "You don't usually want to do that."
"I was just… Thinking that the two of us don't spend all that much time." He replied with anxiety. "We've known each other for a while now, so it just seemed strange." This girl had the upper hand at the moment, knowing how to push his buttons.
"I didn't think you felt that way about me." She had a sly smile on now. "We're in a private enough area, so don't pretend we haven't chatted on the phone." Akiba really was going to bring that out on him.
"Sure, but that's on phone. We don't do anything in person though."
"True, and you've been spending a lot of time with the others too." She said, sipping her drink. "Especially with the other girls." The way she said it, her tone. It was as if she was accusing him of something.
"I guess you could say that…" There was something there in those words. He could feel it, so Arata tried to tease her about it. An attempt to throw her off her game here. "Jealous?"
"Jealous?" She responded, playing dumb. "I don't see why I would be." His attack had no effect on her. "After all, you already know how I feel about Yogi."
"Right." He laughed nervously. "It was just a joke."
"Or is that what makes me so attractive to you?" Now she was coming in for the killing blow. The real crux of her confrontation.
"I don't know what you're talking about." His eyes shifted back and forth. This was an interesting thing to be accused of. Was she misunderstanding him?
"It's kind of funny, don't you think?" Akiba wasn't laying off of him. "So many girls into another boy. Then you come along and steal them?"
��I'm not stealing anyone! I'm not trying anything!" He put his hands up, as if she was physically assaulting him. "I'd never take anything away from him."
"…" Without saying a word. She gently put her hand up to his face. Then, in a swift motion, flicked her finger onto his nose. "Heh, just kidding." Arata could breath a sigh of relief now. This girl wasn't mad at him after all, but she wasn't acting entirely either. "But it's partially true, isn't it?" She continued on. "After all, you seemed to have gotten everyone's affection."
"Not everyone's." He clarified. "Just Misei really… And I'm not really certain about Yuriko." The absence of Erina was interesting for her, considering what she knew. "Unlike Yogi, I am aware of their feelings. It's just that I'm not sure how I should go about it."
"It's hard, isn't it?" She respond. "To be aware that someone is in love with you, but not sure what to do with that?"
"Exactly." He was glad to hear she was understanding of him… But why did she seem like she could empathize? "So you were just joking earlier? About not having anywhere else to go?"
"No, I was being honest." Shopping wasn't a long activity for her. Especially given that she was expecting gifts soon. "But I know why you're so anxious to keep me busy." Akiba had caught him in his scheme, but it wasn't exactly that secretive in the first place. It was her birthday, and this whole surprise party had been done before last year.
"I hope you're not too mad about me hiding it." He sat disappointed that he was found out so easily. "I'm sure Yogi would've been better for you."
"True, but he was with me last year." She was far from unhappy with this arrangement. "It was pretty easy to find out back then too, but I just played dumb for his sake."
"…" He dropped his head down. If only she did the same trick with him. Then he wouldn't had to deal with that uncomfortable conversation.
"It's fine." She could tell how unhappy he was about this. "I think that it's better if we're not pretending with each other." That was strange, Arata though. Clearly if she had known Yogi for as long as she did. That faking it wouldn't be something she'd think of doing, especially if she was fine with being honest with him. "Plus, it's fun to mess with you, to be honest."
"Hehe." He laughed weakly at that statement. Being given a hard time was something he had gotten used to over these past months.
"So, you said there were some places you were interested in. Should we go there now?" The only thing left for them, was to wait until the party was ready. Now, it was going to be his turn to take this trip somewhere.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone