Yosuke's POV:
This bastard really is something else...
I mean, what kind of asshole calls up a guy's freaking ex just to show her his new... Well, y'know.
...Well, Kawamoto was right: his new type.
At least this will shut him up. Show him up, even, 'cause Yu doesn't care. He doesn't give a damn about this Amai girl; that much I know.
And, hell... I'm gonna be right by his side. He's got nothing to worry about.
"Is she gonna be long?" I mutter, pushing my back further into the bench. "We have a table inside."
"A table?" Kawamoto chuckles, crossing his arms. "What, you two on a date?"
Yu pinches the bridge of his nose. "It wasn't like that."
"And even if it was, it's none of your goddamn business," I scoff.
Yu stares at me. Downright stares at me.
I know what I said was a little weird, but I'm not letting this asshole try to embarrass him. Well, embarrass him even more.
"Do we seriously have to do this?" Yu asks quietly, holding his head in his hands at the other side of the bench.
"Yeah," Kawamoto chuckles. "Gotta let her know, right?"
"Why would she care?" I snap.
"He's right," Yu grunts. "Amai and I didn't end on good terms. Why would she want to see me again?"
"Because it's funny," he smiles.
"Don't you have anything better to do?" I scoff. "Seriously. How sad is your life?"
"Bit rich, coming from you, country boy," he bites back.
"I'm from the city, too," I frown, leaning forward. Who the hell does this guy think he is, looking down on us like that?
"Enough crap," he snickers.
"It's true," Yu grunts, rising to his feet.
"You two are as bad as each other," Kawamoto grins. "Amai's gonna be so damn pissed."
"Huh?" I splutter.
He rolls his eyes, like I've completely missed the entire point of what he's been doing.
"You—" He points to me, like he's explaining this shit to a kid— "Turned him—" Points to Yu— "Gay." He puts his hands on his hips now. "You know how pissy girls get when shit like that happens?"
"He didn't 'turn' me gay," Yu snaps lowly. "Will you stop making so many assumptions?"
"Yadda, yadda, yadda, who gives a damn about the details," he yawns.
"Amai hates me," he grunts. "She wouldn't give a damn."
"Oh, are you serious?" He scoffs. "I've been trying to ask her out for months, and all she's ever been talking about is you."
"R-Really?" Yu splutters.
I'm in shock, too. I mean... he's got all these girls after him, and he still chooses guys. I don't get it.
"So... Just kiss or something when she gets here," he says, like it's something that can just fucking 'happen'.
"No," I snap, before Yu can -- if he was even gonna. "I have a girlfriend."
"So you keep saying," he sighs, tutting to himself. "Just make a whole scene, 'kay? I kinda hope she comes back with me tonight. And for that, she needs to be really upset."
"Her name is Yuna," I scoff. "And she's real, and she's not Yu." I pull out my phone at this point, pissed he's making me prove my relationship, even though I've just met the damn guy.
"Yosuke," Yu splutters, standing up behind me.
I just sort of ignore him, because what's so important, right?
I scroll on my cell, scrolling down my gallery app until I find her picture.
With a smirk, I hold my phone up to him.
"There," I scoff. "My girlfriend, Yuna. Hot, right?"
(Yu's POV:)
He looks at the phone, and then he looks at me. The phone, and then me -- his smile growing larger by each passing moment.
"Quit gawking," Yosuke snaps, pulling his phone away. "I know she's beautiful."
I feel my blood run cold.
Why the hell isn't Kawamoto saying anything!?
"Oh..." Kawamoto chuckles. "You wanna hear a secret, hm?"
"What secret?" He scoffs.
I catch his eye and I shake my head so damn harshly that I can feel a migrane coming on. I'm mouthing the word 'please' repeatedly, too, at this point.
I'm begging silently because this can't be the end. It can't be. I haven't gone through all this trouble just for this bastard to break the news that 'Yuna' looks awfully familiar to him.
After a few moments of staring me down, he puts a hand on Yosuke's shoulder.
"You're very lucky to have her," I hear him whisper.
"I- I know," Yosuke grunts, backing away.
"We should really get going," I say quickly.
He's not ratting me out. This only means trouble.
"What about Amai?" Yosuke frowns.
"Yosuke," I plead.
He nods slowly, coming to my side. "Okay."
"One last thing," Kawamoto calls. "Narukami?"
"Yosuke," I sigh. "Go wait in the restaurant for me."
"But—"
"Text Yuna," I smile. "She'll be glad to hear from you."
Sure enough, that sends him away. Thank god for that.
"What exactly is going on here?" Kawamoto takes a step towards me, leaning into my ear.
"I don't know what you're talking about." I swallow hard. I don't think anyone's ever been so up-close-and-personal with me like this before. Besides from Yosuke.
"Tell me why that bastard has a photo of Amai on his phone," he grunts. "And why the hell he's calling her 'Yuna'."
A shiver runs down my spine.
"I have no idea."
"Oh, don't bullshit me," he laughs dryly. "Here's what I think is going on. You tricked him into believing this 'Yuna' chick was real by sending him pictures of Amai. And... What? You've been messing him around?"
"It's not like that," I grumble. But it is like that. It's exactly like that, and that's what I don't want to admit.
"That's why you didn't want to stay and see her," he concludes, stepping back. "You knew he'd piece it all together, didn't you?"
"Yes," I say through gritted teeth.
How has this bastard figured it all out? I mean, the picture, sure, but... Is it really such a predictable and stupid plan?
"So it's true," he smirks. "You got a crush on him."
"It's a lot more complicated than that."
"I can make you a deal."
My eyes widen. He can't be serious.
"I can get you more pictures of Amai," he shrugs. "In whatever clothes; positions you like."
"Kawamoto—" I try.
"Come on," he chuckles. "Tell me he hasn't tried to get more out of her than just one, measly, poorly-cropped photo."
Guys like Kawamoto are too advanced. I guess I should be grateful Yosuke is far from that, but damn. I feel like he's seen right through me.
"¥25,000 a month," he says. "Like a subscription fee."
"¥25,000?" I stammer.
"I was considering making that a weekly fee," he scoffs. "Consider yourself lucky I reconsidered."
I laugh a little, rolling my eyes. "Not happening."
"You're really gonna risk this, Narukami?' He raises a brow. "You should be thankful I didn't tell him who exactly his 'girlfriend' was right there on the spot."
"I just don't want to lie anymore than I am already," I sigh.
"He won't know any better," he assures. "C'mon. I bet he'd kill for pics of her."
I can't even count on my fingers how many damn times he's asked for more pictures. It's exhausting repeating the same damn excuse of 'my camera is broken'.
...It's risky, but it could damn well be worth that risk.
"Narukami, listen to me," he says quietly. "He's never gonna love you. Face it. So if you can fuck him around a bit, he'll feel the pain he made you feel."
I shake my head. "I don't resent him. It's not his fault he doesn't like me."
"God, but you wish he did, right?" He steps right back into my personal bubble, and I have to fight the urge to push him away. "It's not lying, man. It's roleplay. Life is a stage, and all that."
...It's so damn tempting. I can be what he needs -- she can be what he needs. That's all I've ever wanted.
"Why don't we exchange contact info?" He smirks at seeing me in thought. "We can talk later."
"Fine," I say, without realising it at first.
Either he hates me even more if the truth comes out, or he stays with her forevermore. I have to take that gamble.
~~~
Yosuke's POV:
Yu was quiet at dinner. He was quiet when we came back to the hotel, too.
I don't know why. I guess the thought of seeing Amai again was too much.
And the way that Kawamoto guy looked when I showed him the picture... He looked like he knew her...
Well, I guess it's possible he's seen her around before. Maybe she's even an ex of his.
Still. His reaction was weird.
I turn off the shower, agreeing not to think more on it as I reach for my towel.
Yu's room is across the hall, and I feel like I should go check on him...
Or I could check on Yuna...
Dammit. I know a good friend would check on Yu, but I think he needs some space. Seriously... He looked lost inside his own head, and I don't wanna complicate things for him.
Plus, I gotta make sure Yuna's okay. A whole lotta freaky guys in bars, y'know?
I head back into the main room, drying myself off before grabbing my phone.
JunezPrince2000: hey baby<33
JunezPrince2000: u ok??
Yuna18: Yeah, I'm fine.
JunezPrince2000: is ur friend w/ u?
Yuna18: No.
Yuna18: She just headed to the
bathroom, so I've got time to talk.
...I don't like the fact that she's alone right now.
JunezPrince2000: nobodys bein weird
rite??
Yuna18: What do you mean?
JunezPrince2000: weird looks
from guys ig
JunezPrince2000: do u feel safe?
Yuna18: I'm fine.
Yuna18: I promise.
Yuna18: Your concern is cute,
though.
I laugh a little to myself, tying the a bow with the strings of my sweatpants before lying down on the bed.
JunezPrince2000: u wearing heels?
Yuna18: Yes.
Yuna18: Why?
JunezPrince2000: i saw on sum show
that u can easily stab a guys eye out
w/ the heel of a shoe
JunezPrince2000: jus in case
She doesn't reply.
I mean... damn, I just want her to be safe. Yu would do something like that. I know it would only be self defense, but I'd like to think Yuna can protect herself the way he can.
Yuna18: My friend is back.
Yuna18: Talk later.
JunezPrince2000: oh ok
JunezPrince2000: i love you<3
~~~
"What the fuck?" I grumble, sitting upright as I wipe my eye.
Another damn drop.
I jump out of the futon, looking up at the ceiling. I can't see much, but it looks sorta like a hole?
Fuck... It's a leak.
Fuuuuuck.
I squint my eyes, like that's gonna help. But, nope. It's still leaking.
I can't sleep here. All I'm gonna do is get wet. Even if I move the damn futon, I'll probably end up six feet underwater by morning.
Guess I'll go ask upstairs what the issue is.
~~~
"Hi," I smile.
An older woman comes out of the room with heavy makeup and wet hair -- odd, since it's almost two in the morning.
"What?" She snaps.
"I- I was wondering if you noticed a leakage in your room," I say. "Cause my room is downstairs, and—"
"Are you serious?"
I just sorta look at her. I want her to burst out laughing and say something like: "I can check for you, sweetheart!" or just crack a damn smile.
But she doesn't. She looks downright disgusted.
"My husband runs this hotel, I will have you know, and there is no such thing as a leakage."
"M-Maybe not," I stammer. "But—"
"Oh, run along, will you?" She sneers. "I don't appreciate being disturbed at this hour."
"Alright," I murmur. "I'm sorry."
"...Well?" She scoffs, waving her hands around. "Go."
~~~
Yu's POV:
"Thanks," Yosuke mutters, snuggling into the other futon.
"It's no worries," I say, turning off the light.
"No... Seriously, man," he breathes. He flips over to face me, a floorboard apart. "I've been a dick."
"You kissed me."
His face falls.
"Sorry," I say quickly afterwards, kicking myself for ruining things yet again.
"It's the truth," he sighs, using his hands as a pillow. "I did kiss you, man. I don't know why, but I did."
"...And you love Yuna," I say. It shouldn't hurt, but it does, in a way. He shouldn't love her.
"Yeah," he shrugs. "I do."
"I get that." I force a smile.
"Yu?"
"Yeah?"
He takes a deep breath. "Will you ever... move on?"
I don't respond. I can't respond. A 'yes' would piss him off, and a 'no' would just be another damn lie. I just keep quiet.
"Unfair question, huh?" He murmurs, sensing the tension. "You're a great guy, Yu."
And I'm expecting some punchline. Something like: 'but I'm not gay' or 'but you're not a girl'. But nothing comes.
I think I'm glad.
"I can't wait to see her tomorrow," he says, fast-forwarding the silence yet again.
"Yeah," I breathe.
And I can't wait for him to see her, either. I have a plan.
~~~
thanks for reading:)
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