【The You】

Their heads bumped together. Her hand slipped, and she stumbled on top of him, sending him hitting the pillow. Instinctively, he wrapped his arm around her. 

Silence.

Her quick and shallow breath hummed in his ear. A faint heartbeat thudded against him. 

She moved, trying to push herself up, her hands pressing into his stomach. Pain erupted; he held his breath and shifted, causing her to fall back.

"Wait..." Akira helped her lie back onto the futon. "P-please, could you hold still? My phone is on that side. We can use the flashlight."

He leaned over her, fingers rubbing along the sheets and finally onto his phone. The light flashed on. 

Jitsuko squinted her eyes, her face bright red. Brown hair spread over the pillow. 

She quickly covered her face. 

"I-I-I am soooooooo sorry..... I thought you would take the bed... I promise this was an accident.... I am really sorry.... I should have been more careful."

He blinked, and a laugh escaped him. "I wouldn't mind if this was on purpose." 

"Don't say that like that...." She shook her head, her face still behind her hands.

He reached for her hands. Then he hesitated; his fingers fidgeted before curling back. He pressed his lips, trying to slip past the familiar urge.

"Jitsuko... It's okay... I was just joking." 

She parted her fingers, peeking at him. Their eyes met.

She slowly sat up.

"I embarrassed myself...." She hung her head.

"It's fine." He tilted his head and smirked. "I get lost on roads, and you get lost on beds.... Oh wait... that's not a very nice thing to say." 

"It isn't." She added dryly. 

"This really didn't bother me.... All I can say is..." He ran his fingers through his hair, running them down to his neck. "I am... thankful for today."

His eyes widened as he noticed he had tried to charm her—a habit he was trying to overcome. He diverted his eyes, hoping she didn't notice.

She moved closer and reached for his head, patting him. She smiled and stood up. "Good night."

He lay down, staring at her as she went to her bed. He could feel his face burning. 

She was warm.

.

.

"Akira!"

He drifted back from the dream world as her voice called out to him. He groaned, forcing his eyes open, meeting the sudden burst of light.

"Wake up, Akira." 

The blur shifted into her figure.

 He smiled. "Morning"

"You are finally up.... You can take a bath... I will make us breakfast." She stood up and walked out of the room.

His gaze lingered on the ceiling. Beneath him, his phone vibrated. He already knew who it was.

With a sigh he laughed softly. 

Akira stood up and walked out of the room. But stopped and walked back in. 

He rolled the futon messily. After pushing it to the corner, he left the room. Unbeknownst to him, the futon slowly unrolled back.

In the bathroom, before him hung his clothes – washed and dried. 

He walked past them. When it struck him, this wasn't his home. She was the one who washed his clothes, not any maid. 

After a bath and changing, he joined her for breakfast. She handed him a sandwich, tea and a fruit salad.

"U-um... Jitsuko..." He leaned back in the chair. "Thank you..."

"No need for thanks... You are my guest...."

"But you did so much... You even washed my clothes."

"I washed mine, so I did yours."

"That's a lot of work."

"Okay then. Next time, you can do the same at your place." She smiled and took a sip of her tea.

"Deal~" he shouted out. His enthusiasm faded the moment he remembered his everyday skills.

His phone vibrated again. Glancing at the screen. Messages, and all of them from his aunt.

This sudden outburst of attention was satisfying. He smirked, covering his mouth. Skimming through the texts. 

I can't wait to tease her....

No... 

She is making me feel wanted... But she will become distant again 

She will make me crave her while she plays manager behind my back.

His eyes fell on Jitsuko as she picked up her plates and went to the sink. Her hair was tied loosely into a bun.

He joined her, placing his plates under the running water. "I will wash mine; I always do~" 

 She looked at him and let out a laugh. "I think you forgot, but you told me about your maid who does all the housework, so you don't know how to, and you hate her."

Akira stared for a second, looking away. "I-I-"

"You also told me you hate her because she snitches to your aunt." 

Akira, completely red, dropped to his feet. "I-I hate you...Why?"

Jitsuko sat down next to him. "I remember what you told me because I want to understand you."

"Understand me?"

"You have this side to you which I really like." She stood up and reached out to him. "You in the texts, and the you here. Just like the first day—"

"It's your fault." He jolted up, grabbing her shoulders. His face was completely flushed. "Y-you make me nervous...."

He paused, staring at her, then his hands.

Jitsuko laughed, moving his hands away. "Okay, now do the dishes. I will be in the lounge."

She walked out, glancing back for a moment. 

When we met in person, my first thought was,

He looks far younger.
Not in age, just in presence.

I believed without the camera persona, Akira was softer, nervous, and almost fragile. That's how he was in the messages and even right now.

But this isn't him all around. I have seen him with my own eyes; he grins, flirts, and acts boldly.

The cocky him- is no doubt the real him

But then this one...