Chapter 12: One Hell of A Friday (2) [Bonus]

"Your parents are funny!"

"Please don't bring that up again!"

"Fine. I need some snacks. What do you think I should buy?"

"Hmm… chocolate!"

"I could grab a bunch of Kit-Kats! Maybe two of ten different flavors?"

"That's twenty! Are you eating all of them yourself?"

"I planned to share. I don't really like eating that many sweets; I just need some thinking food."

"Okay, that makes me feel better. I thought your diet was still awful."

"Wow~, so much faith in me."

"To be fair, you told me on the way here that you just started eating better meals, but habits die hard!"

"True, I still only eat around twice a day."

"Three."

"Huh?"

"Make it three, or I'm going to take all your Kit-Kats!"

"Is this your way of saying you want me to buy you some?"

"You know, Amane… you're not supposed to mention it."

"Oh yeah? Using my words against me now?"

"Heh."

Sawako let out a smug little sound, and I couldn't help but smile. My face relaxed as I looked at her. We were currently shopping for my apartment. I told her she didn't have to come if she didn't want to, but she insisted on spending the day with me. Honestly, I was glad because I wanted her to come along, too.

She's such a fun person to be with, and there's never a dull moment. I could tell today was going to be wild. I just felt it.

Since it was still morning, around 10, the store was relatively empty. Even so, its small size made it feel busier than it was. Our conversation seemed to draw the attention of a few onlookers, but no one said anything. All they did was cast us small smiles. I couldn't help but wonder if this was one of those situations where we looked like a couple. Technically, this was a date, even if I didn't go through the "proper" steps.

Pulling my focus back to Sawako, I noticed she was crouched down, looking intently at a small white rabbit plushie. Ignoring why this store even had a toy section, I bent down, grabbed the plushie, and casually tossed it into our cart.

"Ah!" Sawako's eyes followed the rabbit as if she might dive for it.

"So, what else? I think we've got mostly everything." Vegetables, snacks, proper food that's easy to cook, and extra cleaning materials were already checked off the list.

"Wait, wait, wait! Are you planning on buying that?" She pointed to the rabbit now perched where children usually sit in the cart.

"Yep!"

She looked between the rabbit and me, repeating the motion a few times before she finally spoke, shyly.

"Thanks."

"I think it's fitting I gift you something on our first date!" I said, playfully flicking my hair. It was a bit out of character, but I was feeling confident.

This time, Sawako didn't blush or get flustered. Instead, she smiled softly, radiating a sweet aura or at least that's how I imagined it. Kind of sad she'd adapted to my teasing, but honestly… this works, too.

Sawako double-checked the list she had created. Yes, as a typical guy, I planned on winging it and just buying random stuff, but she wouldn't let me. She had written up a list with her mom's help before we left her house.

Nodding her head, she started walking to the checkout, and I followed her casually. The cashier gave us a typical greeting as Sawako began putting the items on the belt. I tried to help a little, but she had a system going and gave me that look like I was getting in her way. I raised my hands playfully and instead grabbed my card from my wallet.

"Your total is ¥15,000."

(A/N: 15,000 JPY = $105 as of 12/28/24 or 28/12/24)

"F-Fifteen thousand?!" Sawako looked at me cautiously.

"It's fine! I told you the other day, I get paid well enough."

"Yeah, but what could you possibly do as a student?"

"Exist," I replied truthfully.

"Yeah~ Yeah~ Seriously, though?"

"I'm serious."

"Eh?"

I focused on paying and inserted my card. Everything went smoothly though, that didn't really need to be said. I picked up all the bags and started walking toward the exit.

"I can carry some, too."

"It's fine! I'll just need you to help with the elevator and the door."

"Are we going straight to your apartment?!" Sawako's face turned red. Maybe she hadn't completely adapted to my teasing, or her mom had put some strange ideas in her head.

"We can't continue our date with groceries in hand, can we?"

"True... wait, you never answered the question!"

She's persistent.

"Okay, I do freelance work for a few companies in the United States. The pay is great!"

"How does that work? Don't you have to convert the currency and all that?"

"Don't worry; it isn't that complicated for me, though I'm sure it is for others."

Sawako hummed thoughtfully and moved closer to me. I made her stay to my left, I couldn't let a lady walk next to the road. It was a man's duty! Sure, it's the 21st century and all that, but my parents, in both worlds, raised me properly.

We arrived at my apartment building in no time since the store we went to was closer to me than to her. Sawako operated the elevator, and unlike earlier this morning, it wasn't busy. We walked in, and after making sure everything was secure, I told her to press the button for the 8th floor.

Ding~

"That was quick."

"Does it normally take longer?" she asked curiously.

"It feels like it does, but maybe because I'm with you, it feels shorter."

"..."

Sawako didn't respond and kept walking. I couldn't blame her, I was just glad she didn't turn around and look at me. I couldn't believe I said that out loud!

"Ah. Sawako, my keys are in my left pocket."

"Okay!" Without hesitation, she put her hand in my pocket and started fiddling around. Unfortunately, I had everything in my left pocket except my phone, which was in my right.

The longer she searched, the more a certain area started waking up. Panic set in. These clothes wouldn't hide anything if it fully awakened!

"Phew~" I sighed in relief when the awkward situation was avoided.

"E-Eh?" Sawako's startled sound knocked me out of my thoughts.

"What's wrong?"

She didn't say anything. All she did was point down, her eyes wide and her face flushed.

Fuck. It wasn't fully awakened but I underestimated how dangerous these clothes were plus with my size I should have realized that it wouldn't be hidden. 

"H-How about we go inside and I can change clothes!" 

"Y-Yeah!" 

Click~ 

No words were spoken. 

{10 Minutes Later}

Sawako and I sat on my couch, the awkwardness between us slowly fading as we joked around and tried to avoid mentioning it. However, her ears were still slightly pink, and at times, she seemed lost in a daze. Honestly, I could only tell because we weren't sitting far apart, our shoulders nearly touched, and we were almost leaning on each other.

If it weren't for the hum of the A/C keeping the room cool, I'd be a hot mess right now. I could handle a lot, but my energy bar was running out quicker today then normal, and I knew it was my fault. I still couldn't come to terms with the stupid shit I did earlier this morning!

I put the thought behind me as best I could, "I'm glad we were able to make a proper spot for everything!"

"Amane, how have you never used anything in your kitchen besides your fridge and sink?" She stared at me like I was some strange specimen. She had to understand most guys didn't care. As long as the food wasn't actual garbage, they'd eat it!

"I just ate out."

"What a waste of money!"

"Hey! I beg to differ. That food was good... sometimes."

"You can't even say that without looking away."

"Tch! That's not the point. Supplement jelly and takeout were the way to go!"

"No wonder you looked kind of greasy when I first met you."

"AH?!" I exaggeratedly clutched my chest and turned away in "pain."

"Pfft~ Are you copying my dad?"

I looked at her with the straightest face possible. "Yes."

"Phehe~" Her giggling tickled my arm as her body moved in unison with it.

"HAAAA~! Oof, sorry." I let out a massive yawn. It wasn't even noon yet, and I already felt exhausted. This morning had been a lot.

Pa~pa~

"Hm?" Sawako lightly patted her lap. I wasn't clueless enough to not understand what she meant, but I didn't quite get her reasoning.

"You serious?" I gave her a chance to retract her offer. I didn't want to assume too quickly, but her meaning wasn't exactly hard to figure out.

"Yeah! You deserve it!" She showed no hesitation or fear, so I took her up on her offer. Scooting further down, I rested my head on her thighs. Her jeans made them look appealing, but feeling them against my face made me appreciate them even more. The suppleness and texture weren't what I'd expected from someone of her stature. She was more blessed than I'd thought!

"How is it?"

I looked up to answer her, but my view was immediately filled with two mounds. From this angle, it was impossible to ignore. Sawako usually and even right now dressed modestly, hiding her figure, but this position made it impossible to miss. She was rocking a C-cup based on first glance, which I honestly hadn't expected. Since I was always looking down at her and rarely focused on those areas unless they stood out, I hadn't noticed until now.

Too add even more icing on the cake...

"Your hair is really soft! Oh and you should style it instead of letting it hang like you do!" She started playing with my hair and running her fingers through it. The sensation was too relaxing. 

"I'll take...your...sugge..." 

---

{Sawako's POV}

He fell asleep so quickly. Does this really feel that good? Mom sure knows her stuff, I'll have to make her a nice dinner soon!

I couldn't stop myself from playing with Amane's hair as he slept peacefully. The more I brushed it aside and got a closer look at his face, the more I realized he was way more attractive than anyone would think! His figure looked quite good fit but not bulky more lean and he was above average in height. I'm sure if he took it seriously, he could play basketball or some other sport. I wonder why he never did before?

I wanted to know more about him, and I really wanted to hang out with him more often. If only I'd gathered the courage to text him after Monday… I feel like such an idiot for not doing that! This wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be. It feels like, magically or maybe just by his mere presence, I can be more bold. However, when he isn't around, I feel like I could never do something like this in a million years.

I-I'm really glad he didn't reject me on this! I'd probably cry from embarrassment if he had.

Time passed slowly but not in a bad way as I continued petting him. I glanced around the room, noticing the small stack of videos games which looked like most hadn't even been opened. I didn't know how they were supposed to look anyways so maybe he did actually play these absolute mountain of games. At some point, I felt my eyes grow heavy, and my vision went black.

[A Few Hours Later]

Ring~ Ring~

"Huh?" The sound of a phone ringing woke me up. Did I fall asleep too?

I slowly rubbed my eyes and grabbed my phone, pressing answer in the same motion.

"Yes?" I asked, completely unaware of a pretty important fact.

"Huh? Sawako?" It was a male voice I recognized, though it felt strange to hear.

"I-Itsuki-san? How did you get my number?"

Maybe Yume gave it to him?

"I, uh, didn't. I called Amane! Hehehe, am I interrupting a date? Should I stay at Chitose's today?"

"U-Um, that's not necessary!" I panicked a little too loudly. I glanced down at Amane, who was still resting peacefully, and let out a sigh of relief.

"Phew~"

"Hopefully, I didn't wake up Amane."

"H-How?"

"How did I know he's asleep?"

"Yeah?"

"As one of his closest friends, I know how he is!"

"A-And that means what exactly?"

"Nothing~!"

"…"

I see why Amane always looks like he wants to hit him. He really is infuriating like this!

"Hmph!" I hung up the phone. Did I have any right to? No… but I-I can just tell Amane later.

"Ugh…"

EH?!

Amane rolled over, his face burying into my belly, most of it snuggling against m-m-m-m… Not to mention, the warmth of his breath brushing against both a-areas. My heart raced faster than I thought humanly possible. THIS IS TOO MUCH, MOM!