Chapter 2: Let's Play
A couple of minutes went by and we finally made it to the front of my complex. Josai and I pushed our way through the front lobby and waited in groups for elevators to become available.
"Ughh, we should just take the stairs. It's going to be so crowded by the time we get on," I grunted in dissatisfaction. Why is it so crowded 'today' of all days, gosh!
Josai laughed and bumped me with his elbow. "Oh Hiro,… Just be patient. Besides, if we took the stairs? It would take us forever before we reached your floor." I rolled my eyes and nodded in agreement. Well… he does have a point. I'm just glad to be with him today.
We waited and waited which seemed like an eternity had gone by until finally, an elevator became available for us and plenty of others to get on. Josai grabbed my arm and pulled me on, making us the first ones inside.
Soon afterward, people started pouring into the elevator. Uh oh, we're gonna be squished like sardines. It's too hot for this. As the elevator pushes its fullest capacity, I keep getting shoved further onto Josai's body. I try to stand up straighter to prevent all of my weight from laying on him. As I finally create just enough space between me and Josai, I feel his arms tangle around my torso, drawing me back into him.
"See there? Now there's more space for another person to get on," he kindly murmured into my ear, "Maybe now would be a good time to tickle you, huh?" I playfully smacked his arm to display my disapproval. He laughs and rests his chin on my shoulder, gently nuzzling into my neck. Gosh, if this food was cold… it surely is hot now!
"Man, I can't wait to taste this…" Josai sighed as I felt the air expel from his mouth. Taste what?! My neck? Me?
I nervously questioned, "Ahh- taste what exactly??" He rustled and lifted the bags up. Ohhhh, he wants to taste the food! Get it together, Hiroki. I turn my face from Josai's view and internally facepalm myself for almost making that situation extremely embarrassing. I feel him lift his head from my shoulder and sense him gazing at the visible side of my face.
"Hiro, your ears, they're super red…and so are your cheeks," he whispers with a curious, yet concerning tone while unwrapping one arm from my torso. He uses his fingertips to trail along the outline of my ear causing me to shiver. I let out a small gasp and briskly leaned my head away, hoping to break ties with his touch. Josai cups the other side of my face with the palm of his hand, gently caressing it with his thumb. He slowly turns my head to face him.
"Geez- You're burning up! Do you have a fever?" he questions. If the name of the fever is Josai-itis? Then hell yeah I do! Just play it cool, Hiro.
"Ahaha of course not, it's just really hot with everyone on this elevator right now. You know? Body heat and all…" I chuckled awkwardly and glanced away as I struggled to find the right words. Smooth Hiroki, reallll smooth. This is not how I expected to start our afternoon together.
It didn't take too long for the elevator to clear up as people got off at almost every stop. The crowd on board grew smaller and smaller and finally, we arrived at my floor. Josai removed his arm from around me and grabbed my wrist. Has Josai always been this touchy?? We got off the elevator and took a left down the hallway to get to my door. I could tell Josai was rather eager to get inside. He's probably super hungry. He did mention something like that earlier on the elevator.
I quickly pin in my keycode. 8-1-0-1-8; the date Josai and I first met to share our textbook and study during freshman year. We both agreed to link up at this new cafe that was built just a few blocks away from the university. I doubt he even remembers that though. I shrug off the memory as we make our way inside of my place.
"Ahh…" Josai loudly sighed while dropping his bags on my table, "I cannot wait to dig in! I ordered yours with extra spicy noodles, I remembered you like hot foods." Oh geez, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. I'm a walking testimony of that. My eyes lit up. I absolutely love spicy foods.
"Mmmm really? Thanks!" I shouted with much joy as my mouth began to water. We both shuffle through the bags and help set the food on the table. Josai pulls out a chair for me to sit in front of him and walks around to his seat. Ugh, he's such a caring person. Imagine how he'd be as a boyfriend! We began to feast on the delectable spread before us.
As I stuff my face with a mouthful of the spicy noodles, I remembered a thought that crossed my mind earlier today. Is Josai dating? This is our first time hanging out in a while… I don't see why he wouldn't tell me. I gulp down the rest of the food in my mouth and I muster up the strength to ask…
"Hey! Are you dating?" I instantly regret blurting this aloud with no context surrounding it whatsoever. The atmosphere between us turns awkward, so I begin to stuff my face with more noodles.
"Well… actually I am. I'm proposing to him next month…" Josai casually declares, never looking up from his plate of food.
'What-," I begin to choke. Proposing?! To a GUY? I had a chance… and missed it by a long shot. Josai looked up and started laughing profusely, clapping his hands and stomping.
"Ha! Hiroki I'm just messing with you! Gotcha good, didn't I?" he states while softly glancing away, "... but actually, I do have a crush. I've kinda liked them for a while now." My heart sinks, again! Damnit, I just can't catch a break, huh?
I clear my throat from the spicy noodles I choked on and flash Josai a smile. "Well then! I hope that goes great for you two! As long as you're happy!" This was my best attempt at changing the topic, I don't want to pry into those personal details. I don't think my heart could take it but I love seeing Josai happy.
In a flash, Josai springs up from his chair and leans over the table placing one hand on the edge to keep balance. He extends his other arm and reaches for my face.
"You have a little something beside your lip…" We lock eyes as he gently rubs the sauce away with his thumb. Time seems to stop and at this moment, my heart beats only for him. Josai slowly retreats his hand away from my face, yet he doesn't put it down. He puts his thumb up to his lips and ever so gently licks the rest of the sauce off. My eyes widen. I push my chair back and stand up in a rush to escape this dream. Is this real? Did I just see that??
I awkwardly laugh and look around the room to stare at something, anything, but Josai. Bingo, my controller!
"Why don't we go, you know, play a game!" I announce while pointing at my controller. My heart is still beating out of my chest. Josai tilts his head and smirks…
"Let's play…"
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone