New Idea

After work, Akio sent Miyo a message and waited for her down the block.

Miyo appeared around the corner. "What did you want to see me for?"

At first Akio didn't respond, too busy trying to find the appropriate words.

When he finally did speak, his voice was quiet. "Do you happen to know something about Shinichi? Something that he might want to keep secret?"

"What? I don't know anything like that."

"Think about it carefully. Are you sure you don't know anything?"

Miyo fell silent for a moment, deep in thought. "All the things Shinichi tells me don't sound like secrets. And even if I did know any, why would I tell you?"

"You're right. Sorry." Akio's brow furrowed. Is she hiding something or does she really not know?

Miyo noticed Akio's frown, it was clear he wasn't satisfied with that answer. "What's this about anyway?"

"Nothing. I may have misheard something."

"You made me meet you after work for this?" Miyo huffed. "I could've walked with Shinichi, you know."

He let out a breath that might've been a laugh. "Sorry. I'll walk you to the station in his stead."

-

On their way to the station, Akio fell silent. Miyo couldn't help but wonder what made someone who always had something to say suddenly so quiet. 

"Is everything alright?" Miyo hesitantly asked. 

"Yeah." He offered her an awkward smile. "Just thinking about something I heard at work."

"Does it have to do with what you were saying earlier? Something about Shinichi?"

Akio raised an eyebrow. "Are you really interested in my thoughts, or just things related to Shinichi?"

"That's not-"

He gently cut in. "Do you trust him?"

"Of course I do."

Akio glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "Even if he was hiding something?"

Miyo lowered her eyes. "Shinichi's my friend, but I'm sure there is plenty we don't know about one another."

I'm overthinking this too much. Akio sighed. "I guess that's true for everyone on some level."

"Tell me something about yourself."

"Huh?" Akio blinked. "Where did that come from?"

"We also don't know a lot about each other." Miyo glanced at him. "So tell me something about yourself."

"Sounds like you're trying to interview me."

Miyo rolled her eyes slightly. "Just answer the question. I'll tell you something about me too."

Akio rubbed the back of his neck as he thought. "There's not much to say. I'm kind of a boring person."

"If you think you're boring, then you should spend a day with me."

A smirk crept onto Akio's face. "Are you asking me out on a date?"

"What?" Her voice came out higher than she intended. "How is that what you took away from that?"

"That didn't sound like a no."

"And it was clearly not a yes either."

Akio chuckled lightly. "You take me too seriously sometimes. I already know where your eyes are looking."

Heat crept up Miyo's neck. "So are you going to tell me something about yourself or are you just going to tease me the whole way to the station?"

"I could do both." 

Miyo rolled her eyes in response.

"Something about me, huh?" Akio paused before he continued. "I tend to overthink things. I used to get so wrapped up in my own head that I'd get stuck in place. I still overthink, but now I'm more outspoken about my thoughts." He turned to her. "I'm sorry if it makes me rude."

"I wouldn't say you're that rude." She fidgeted with her sleeves. "At least you can say what's on your mind... I'm too afraid to."

"You don't have to be afraid. At least not with me."

Miyo chuckled softly. "I barely know you."

"Sometimes that helps." Akio shrugged. "And speaking of knowing each other, you owe me something about yourself too."

"One thing about me..." Miyo fell into thought.

"Actually." Akio stopped walking, a new idea forming. "Tell me everything about you. The more I know about you, the better."

He turned to her. "No. The more I know about you than Shinichi does, the better."

Her brows furrowed. "Why?"

"If Shinichi sees someone else getting close to you, it might make him realize you're more than just a friend."

"I'm not following..."

"I'm going to flirt with you in front of him."

Miyo blinked. "You can't be serious."

"I am. Nothing too much that would embarrass you. Just enough that he'll notice."

Heat returned to Miyo's face. 

"People tend to get comfortable." Akio continued. "Shinichi's used to having you around. But if he sees that someone else might take his place-"

"You're trying to make him jealous?" She interrupted.

"Partly. It's also a test. If he reacts the way I think he will then we'll know he likes you and is in need of a little push to realize it."

"And what if he doesn't?"

"Then at least we tried and we'll figure something else out." He glanced at her. "So, what do you think?"

"I don't think it'll work..."

"Then tell him I took him home with you the other night and see how he reacts."

"What? I thought you said not to."

"I did. I didn't want him to think you were already involved with someone, but-" He thought back to the conversation he heard earlier. But I don't want her coming off as untrustworthy. "But he already suspects someone helped you anyway. With this new idea, it's a good start to see if we should pursue it or not."

"I don't know. It sounds complicated."

"It won't be. You'll have me so what could go wrong?"

"It's because I have you that I feel like it'll go wrong."

Akio clutched his chest dramatically. "Your lack of faith in me is devastating. Have I failed you yet?"

Miyo stared at him, unimpressed. "You've only helped once."

"Then give me a chance to help more."

Miyo went quiet for a moment until she released a defeated sigh. "Fine. You can be helpful at the gym."

"The gym?"

"You said we should go to his gym. I wouldn't mind seeing him outside of work more often..." She avoided his gaze. "As long as you make sure I don't make a fool of myself then I'm fine with the idea."

Akio's lips tugged into a smile. "Will you be ready for tomorrow morning?"

"I guess I can be..."

"Send me the address and the time he usually goes. We'll meet in the morning. Sound good to you?"

"You're awfully invested in this for someone you barely know."

His smile softened as his voice went quiet. "I know what it's like to have feelings for someone that doesn't notice you."

Miyo blinked. "You do...?"

He met her gaze. "I do." 

Before Miyo could respond, Akio shrugged it off as he continued towards the station. "But that's a conversation for another day."