Feelings of Fear

Shinichi quickly withdrew his hand, his eyes narrowing at the sight of Akio opening Miyo's door. "What are you doing here?"

Akio titled his head. "I don't know if you remember, but this whole thing was kinda my idea. So naturally I would be here."

Shinichi stepped closer. "That's not what I mean, and you know it. Why are you the one opening her door like you own the place?"

A hint of amusement flickered across Akio's face. "Does it bother you?"

This jerk. Shinichi pressed his lips into a polite smile. "Of course not."

Before anyone could say anything else, Miyo called out from inside. "Are they here?"

Akio opened the door wider, gesturing for them to step inside. "Yeah, they're here."

Shinichi and Kenta entered, the scent of something warm and sweet drifted through the apartment, inviting them inside. 

Miyo came to welcome them. "You made it." Her face brightened when her eyes met Shinichi's. "P-Please make yourself at home. I was just finishing up."

"It smells amazing in here." Kenta said.

Miyo started back towards the kitchen. "I hope so. We've been cooking for a while."

"We?" The word slipped out before Shinichi could question it.

Akio moved past him, following Miyo back into the kitchen like he belonged there. "She means me. Try not to look so surprised."

"Just impressed you didn't ruin her kitchen."

Kenta let out an awkward chuckle before hesitantly following them into the kitchen. "We also brought some fruit. We didn't want to come empty handed."

Miyo happily took the fruit basket from Kenta. "Thank you. You really didn't have to bring anything." She turned to Akio. "Can you help cut this up?"

Akio didn't say anything, he simply took the basket of fruit and got to work.

Miyo turned back to Shinichi and Kenta. "E-Everything will be ready shortly. You can have a seat in the living room."

Kenta nodded and headed towards the living room. 

Shinichi meant to follow but his attention was locked on how Akio moved with such ease in Miyo's space, as if he was meant to be there. 

Kenta noticed. "Hey, don't make it so obvious." He whispered as he gave him a nudge towards the living room.

-

Moments later, Miyo and Akio brought the food and tea out to the living room table.

Shinichi smiled. "This looks amazing Miyo." 

Miyo took a seat across from Shinichi. "I-It's nothing much but I hope you enjoy it."

"I'm sure it's great." Shinichi replied.

They bowed their heads briefly in thanks before starting their meal.

Kenta took a cookie. "Wow, this is really good. You made this yourself?"

"Kenta don't eat the dessert first." Shinichi muttered under his breath.

Miyo let out a small laugh. "You can eat whatever you want. And yes, I made them myself. I tried to reflect the theme of our client with the food. S-Sorry if it's a bit on the plain side."

Shinichi shook his head. "Not plain at all. It's delicious. You really didn't have to go through the trouble for us."

She waved her hand dismissively. "I-It was no trouble at all."

Shinichi took a bite of a neatly shaped onigiri. "I can tell these are made with such care and precision."

Akio rested his cheek against his hand with an easy smile. "I'm glad you like it because that's one of the ones I made."

Shinichi paused mid bite. "I see..."

As they continued to eat, the room settled in a quiet rhythm, filled with an underlining awkward tension. 

Akio's gaze kept drifting between everyone. How Shinichi's eyes kept returning to Miyo and how Miyo was too shy to meet his eyes for long. 

Kenta was harder to read. Akio saw the odd glances Kenta kept giving to not only Shinichi but also to himself and he couldn't help but wonder why.

Across the table, Shinichi was paying just as much attention. He caught the small things. The way Akio's eyes lingered on everyone, the way he sat so close to Miyo, and the way he refilled Miyo's cup without her asking, as if it were second nature to him.

Once the food was finished, Akio helped Miyo clean up.

Kenta stretched dramatically. "I could definitely go for a nap after all that."

"You're starting to sound like Honda-san." Shinichi sighed, his gaze falling on Miyo and Akio as they made their way back. "Should we get started? Where are the products?"

Miyo paused. The products. Her eyes drifted to her bedroom door. I forgot to bring them all out...

"T-They're in my room. I-I need to grab them really quick." 

Shinichi started to get up. "Do you need help?"

"N-No. It's okay." She quickly said before absentmindedly turning to Akio. "Akio can help me get them."

Akio blinked, caught off guard, before quickly understanding. Ah. She's embarrassed about her room...

Without a word, Akio followed Miyo into her room, not missing the chance to give Shinichi a small smirk as he passed.

Shinichi's jaw tightened. "I really can't stand him." He turned to Kenta. "You should've gone in there with her."

"Huh? You couldn't have honestly expected me to waltz into some woman's room I barely know."

"Doesn't that imply you think they know each other that well?"

Kenta sighed. "You're way too invested in this." 

-

Akio quietly shut the door behind him. "Woah. This was not what I expected at all..."

Miyo's face heated as reality sank in. Piles of unfolded laundry covered her bed, desk cluttered with papers, and her trash can overflowing with all too familiar crumpled up letters.

"I'm not usually this messy I swear. It's been a busy couple weeks."

Akio stifled a laugh. "We've all been there. I just didn't expect it."

Miyo turned to her closet, looking inside. "Now I left the products somewhere here."

As Miyo rummaged her closet, Akio picked up a few crumbled pieces of paper in attempt to help clean up, only to accidentally catch a glimpse of the contents. He looked between the balls of papers in his hands to the rest in the trash. "Are these all your love letter drafts?"

Miyo's head snapped out the closet. Without thinking she hurled a balled-up piece of clothing at his head. 

"Ow! Hey! What was that for?"

"What are you doing going through my trash?"

"In my defense, this was on the floor, not in the trash. Besides, I've read the final version, so what's the big deal?"

"Doesn't mean you can read the drafts too." Miyo huffed, taking the papers from his hands.

"You put a lot of effort into your letter. Are you sure you don't want to tell him?"

Miyo fell silent as she stuffed the papers into the already full trash. When she finally broke the silence, her voice was quiet. "The way things are now, I know he doesn't see me the same way I see him. What if I tell him my feelings and I end up losing my best friend too...?"

Akio didn't answer right away. "Do you think that little of your friendship with Shinichi?"

"Huh?"

"If Shinichi's really your friend then one confession shouldn't ruin that."

"I don't know... I wish there was a way to understand his feelings better before rushing into it again."

He fell silent for a moment, deep in thought. "I could ask him."

"What?" Miyo stared at him. "Doesn't that go against your jealously plan?"

"On the contrary, it aligns with it. I act interested in you enough to make it believable when I ask him if I'm crossing any lines. You'll get an answer about his feelings without fear of making your relationship awkward."

Miyo sighed as she turned back to her closet. "Sounds ridiculous."

"You look like you're considering it."

"I'm not."

"It's a good idea."

"Come over here and help me with this." Miyo gestured to the boxes of products.

Akio walked over and picked up the boxes. "Anything else?"

"That should be all of them."

He turned towards the door. "Think about it. I don't mind asking him. And I'd make sure it wouldn't put you in an awkward position."

"I feel like I'm already in one..." She muttered under her breath.