Akihiko X Mitsuru

 

“Mitsuru-san, did you need my help moving any boxes out? I've got my things stowed in the car already. Even with your things packed in the back, I think I might have room for you to ride along as well. We could secure your bike to the top of my car. I've got the hookups for it.” Akihiko looked around, a little confused that she wasn't packed up yet. That just didn't seem like her. He looked back up at her, waiting for a response.

“Akihiko...” Mitsuru's voice trailed off. She stared at him as though she was only truly now seeing him for the first time. And to think that all this time she had never known that he'd had feelings for her.

Akihiko chuckled nervously. A bit of blush crept onto his cheeks as he dropped his eyes and stared at a spot on the floor. “Heh. We certainly know one another well enough to drop the honorifics. Yeah, it's okay...” His blush deepened as he chanced a glance in Mitsuru's direction.

Mitsuru had just realized the slip-up that she made, and was hastily making to correct it. “I'm so sorry Akihiko...san! It.... I... I should have asked first at least. I didn't mean to... to...” her voice trailed off into silence as deep as the sea. She looked up at him slowly, trying to gauge by his demeanor how he was reacting. He seemed to be deep in thought. “You might as well drop the honorifics too then.” She finished miserably.

He looked up at her. “Mitsuru?” Akihiko said slowly, as if testing the sound of her name on his voice. Mitsuru smiled a shy smile.

She wasn't attempting to be coy. He had just caught her off guard. She was in the middle of assessing her feelings for him when he happened to drop by. She needed more time to think. “Akihiko, could I get you to close the door? I want to speak with you about something. It's just... I don't want to chance any of the girls coming back for something they've forgotten and overhear it. You know me, but I don't want any of them to misunderstand.”

“Are you sure that's okay? Being in your room and all?” Akihiko seemed a bit nervous. “You know I'll tell you anything.”

“I've already asked it of you. Of course it's okay.” Mitsuru replied, slightly annoyed. Her heart was pounding.

Akihiko closed the door slowly and turned back to face Mitsuru. “What is it you wanted to say?”