I asked him to be my pretend-boyfriend but after a while I fell for him, but I can't seem to admit that fact! - Chapter 14: Ichuki

Ichuki

Even after Asai got out of the bath, I remained in the bath, reflecting on what had just happened.

“…”

Before I continue, let me clarify for my own dignity that I didn’t see everything Asai had to show off back there. Please don’t get me wrong there.

Alright, refocusing…

I’ve done quite daring things, haven’t I?

Getting into the bath together, hugging him like that… calling him “Akira”…

“…”

To distract myself from embarrassment, I submerged myself in the bathwater and let out a loud scream.

My breath quickly ran out, but it surprisingly made me feel refreshed.

—Are things going to be okay tonight, though?

Asai was fine getting into the bath together. There shouldn’t be any issues.

In fact, if anything, I should be the one worrying.

Seeing the cute puppy-like side of Asai, various emotions surged within me, making my heart flutter. I couldn’t help but tease him a bit.

I guess… I’m a bit more of a carnivore than I thought.

With these thoughts, I got out of the bath. There, a somewhat amusing event unfolded.

“Imamura-san… I know it’s not my place to say this since I am just borrowing your clothes, but couldn’t you have found something else?”

Huh… what is he up to?

Asai, for some reason, was wearing my summer gym clothes instead of my dad’s shirt that I had actually prepared for him to change into. The bottoms were my gym shorts. Even though they have an elastic waistband, it still bothered me a little that they fit him.

Actually, does Asai have a clumsy side to him as well?

“Haha, that outfit looks good on you, Akira! So cute!”

“No, no, no, it definitely doesn’t suit me!”

Well, of course not. Because it’s meant for girls, and it wasn’t intended for you in the first place… and it’s slightly tight (laughs).

I was worried about the fabric stretching, but I didn’t bother mentioning the fact that he was supposed to use my dad’s shirt because it was funny to see him in this state.

“Don’t be silly, the embroidery on my clothes is cool! Strike a funny pose!”

“…You’re asking for too much out of the blue! I can’t do that!”

“Seriously, you’re no fun.”

Even though he refused to do a funny pose, he looked hilarious, so I snapped a quick picture of Asai with my smartphone.

“Sto… stop it, Imamura-san.”

Blushing deeply, Asai was genuinely embarrassed.

He’s such a cute guy.

“Ah, well… I got a good shot. Let’s send it to Yuuka.”

“…Seriously, please don’t.”

He looked genuinely displeased.

When he makes a face like that… I can’t help but…

“Oh, or maybe we should show it to that Otomura kid?”

I felt like being a bit mean to him.

“Why Otomura-san…”

“Because it has my embroidery on it. It’s simply me trying to claim ownership of my things, I guess?”

“Huh…”

“That kid… seems to have a bit of an interest in Akira.”

…

While I didn’t have concrete evidence, I was sure that girl was after Asai.

“Akira is my boyfriend, you know!”

“Uh… yeah.”

“…”

Normally, I don’t refer to Asai as my “boyfriend.”

And Asai usually corrects me when I say that.

But today, he didn’t correct me and affirmed my words.

…It was just a small thing, but it made my heart skip a beat.

Could it be that Asai isn’t completely opposed to the idea?

Alright…

“Akira, from now on, call me ‘Itsuki’ too.”

I playfully teased Asai, demanding something that’s natural for couples. It’s not like it’s just me calling him Akira; I’m giving him a nickname too.

However, Asai just fidgeted around and didn’t quite manage to call me by my name. Seriously, acting like a shy girl!

“Faster!”

Finally, with some prodding, he managed to say “I-Itsuki,” but he stumbled over it.

“Stuttered! Start over!”

“I-Itsuki!”

This time, he called out with a hint of frustration.

His clumsiness is something else.

“Be more natural!”

…He can’t even say my name properly… I looked straight at Asai with a serious expression.

And then…

“Ichuki!”

Unintentionally, he said it in a way that made my heart skip a beat.

…Yeah, this works too.

“Nice! Nice! Ichuki! Haha.”

Asai blushed deeply and looked down. It seemed like he was truly embarrassed.

“Well, it’s the first time, so I’ll let it slide… Try to say it more naturally by morning.”

Yes, we have plenty of time until morning. For now, I decided to settle for “Ichuki” and began preparing dinner.

“For now, let’s have dinner. I can only make simple dishes, though.”

“Home-cooked meal?”

Asai eagerly responded, seeming quite hungry.

“So, um, what is it?”

“U-Um… let’s dig in! I’d love to!”

He said “let’s dig in” even though I haven’t cooked anything yet.

“It’s really just something simple.”

“I’m happy with anything!”

“Don’t get your hopes up too much.”

Despite my words, he seemed to be brimming with anticipation…

You could tell just by looking at his eyes that’s sparkling like a child’s.

And with those sexy wet strands of hair from his bath, even considering the downside of the gym clothes, I couldn’t help but feel my heart race.

“Oh, that’s right! I almost forgot something important!”

“What is it?”

“Were you hoping for a naked apron?”

“Huh…”

I teased Asai to make him flustered too.

Well, maybe my level of flustered and his are a bit different, but seeing him blush nicely was quite effective.

“I was just kidding… You definitely imagined it, didn’t you?”

“N-No way!”

He definitely imagined it.

After all, he couldn’t even look me in the eyes.

“…Akira, you’re naughty.”

And so, this was the beginning of a sweet stormy night for the two of us, alone together.