Kurumi-kun Makes His Move

A WEEK HAS PASSED SINCE Kurumi-kun stayed the night at my apartment.

I’m still in disbelief at all that had happened. Seeing the boy that I liked kissing another woman, Kurumi-kun confessing his love for me, and staying the night while I tend to his sudden cold.

Not much I can do about it now but continue living this life of mine.

It might not be all bad though. Through my curiosity of Kurumi-kun’s confession and his intentions, we’re now in this relationship where he’s open to make me fall in love with him. Of course, I have no plans to make things easy. I don’t plan on getting hurt again.

Regarding Kurumi-kun, since we exchanged LINE Id’s, we had been making small talk for the last week, though, it’s nothing worth actually talking about. It’s probably my fault though. For some reason, I just kept sending him the same funny videos I send Rin-chan.

It made me bounce back from witnessing that scandal back at the convenience store though, so I’m glad overall.

Speaking of, I ended up crossing paths with “that man” at campus. He tried to act all coy and even gaslit me into thinking that he already went home from work that night and that I imagined every thing that happened in my head.

I couldn’t contain my emotions and ended up slapping him across the face, in front of several curious bystanders. I knew what I saw.

Since then, whenever we’d cross paths, his friends would poke fun at him, saying things like, “Watch out, you’re about to get slapped” or “Dude, you fumbled hard.”

I try not to think too much of what they’re saying. From what I heard, his friends are just like him too.

In other news, me and Rin-chan were able to ace our exams. Our scholarships are safe!

To celebrate, we decided to eat dinner at her place.

It made me anxious, but ultimately delighted to hear that we were celebrating at her place this time. Definitely not because of Kurumi-kun!

I ended up wearing a cute white one-piece dress that I bought a while back. To my surprise, it still fitted me, and no, I’m not trying to impress anyone.

I rang the doorbell.

“Coming!” A voice emanated from inside the two-story house.

As the door opens, out comes a dolled-up Rin-chan—for some reason.

“Welcome Yume-chan!”

“Thank you for having me.” I bowed all formal-like. “I bought donuts.” I had bought it at a bakery in the shopping district near here. Apparently, it’s super popular.

“Uwa! Thanks a lot. I’m sure my sisters are gonna love this.”

When me and Rin-chan decided to celebrate acing our exams at her place, she mentioned that her siblings will be home as well, and that means—

“Yumeko-san! It’s been a while.” A cute boy wearing an apron over his shirt reveals himself.

“Kurumi-kun. It sure has been a while.” Being busy with exams, we hadn’t had any chance to see each other. Not like there was any reason to in the first place.

Kurumi-kun’s face is beaming. Now that I think about it, I never told him anything about going to their house. I hope he doesn’t mind.

“Kurumi. Don’t leave the stove unattended.” Kurumi-kun sprinted back to the kitchen. “Come on in.” Rin-chan led me to the living room this time.

Their living room is rather spacious with the dining room easily accessible from here. They definitely watch TV while eating.

I sat on the living room sofa. It’s really comfortable—a lot more comfortable than mine. I started imagining how it’d feel like to sleep on this sofa but quickly dismissed the thought.

I’m noticing that despite their mom seemingly working all the time, they don’t seem to be struggling financially, at least that’s what it seems like to me. Maybe it’s because Rin-chan has a scholarship that they’re able to save a lot of money.

We’re not doing so bad too, with both my parents working and me and my little brother being scholars.

Being in my own head ever since I sat down, I now only noticed that Rin-chan’s gone. I survey around me and see Kurumi-kun cooking something in the kitchen. It smells like curry.

“Kurumi-kun. Where did Rin-chan go?”

“Hmm? She didn’t say anything?” He looked so worried. “Ah! She’s probably in Anna and Enna’s room.”

If I remember correctly, Anna and Enna are Rin-chan and Kurumi-kun’s little sisters. They’re twins.

I’d really like to meet them. I wonder what their personalities are like.

“I see. I can’t wait to meet them!” I said, a bit too excited.

Kurumi-kun chuckles, “I’m sure they’ll like you very much. They’re nice girls.”

The conversation died down. It started to feel awkward that it might’ve shown on my face because Kurumi-kun asked me if I wanted to help him.

“Yumeko-san. Would you like to help with the cooking? Big sis doesn’t really do these things.” His face was a bit red. I hope he wasn’t sick again.

“Sure thing. I was getting a bit bored anyway.” I stand next to Kurumi-kun in the kitchen. On the counter is a cutting board, a knife, and a few vegetables laid untouched. “How do you want me to cut these?”

“Thinly, please. My sisters don’t like thick cuts.” Ah, so it’s not just Rin-chan who doesn’t eat thickly sliced vegetables.

I start cutting the vegetables. I don’t cook so much nowadays especially with schoolwork eating up most of my time, but I at least know this much. Maybe I can have Kurumi-kun teach me a few recipes some other time.

Whenever I finish cutting a vegetable from right to left, I end up glancing at Kurumi-kun in my peripherals. We’re about the same height, though, I would argue I’m a bit taller than him. I can’t help but notice his features from this view—he’s handsome now that I look at him.

Kurumi-kun must have superhuman senses since he noticed me sneaking glances at him while he stirs the pot of curry.

“Is something wrong, Yumeko-san?” He asked.

Caught red-handed, I was flustered. So much so that I could only answer by shaking my head.

We continue doing our own thing until Kurumi-kun starts the conversation once more.

“Yumeko-san. You look very pretty in that dress.” He lowered his voice, as not to be heard by anyone else but me. His attention is still on the pot he is stirring.

He’s making his move now, huh.

“Thank you.” I answered bashfully. “But… only in this dress?”

“…You know what I mean.” He’s blushing so hard that his ears are glowing. “I wish you’d given me a heads-up though. I could’ve dressed up too.” I glanced at his back but I could tell he’s pouting.

“My bad. I kinda forgot.” I continue cutting the vegetables. “Your sister sure is taking her time, huh.”

“Yeah, she sure is. I’m not complaining though.” I glanced at his direction again as soon as I registered what he said. I can’t see my face right now but he sure got me with that one. I’m blushing.

It took me a while to regain my composure but as soon as I did, I went for the counterattack.

“Because we look like a couple?” I asked teasingly, not realizing the embarrassing words that came out of my mouth.

“…Yes.” His voice got so low that I could barely hear his response and yet, his face was as red as a tomato. Did I overdo it? “Y-Yumeko-san. I’m the one who has to make you fall in love with me, not the other way around.”

Ah. My counterattack got completely stopped. This kid is cringy but sometimes, he says things that make my heart skip a beat.

I couldn’t even think of an actual retort to what he said.

“…Stupid Kurumi.”

Silence soon follows, only to be broken by Kurumi-kun yet again. “Um.” He mumbles, trying to reset the conversation. “Are you done with the vegetables?”

“I-I am.” I need to calm down. Whatever happened to not making it easy for him, Yumeko! I’m practically an open book here.

I lift the cutting board with the knife and all the cut vegetables on it to make it easy for him to push it down the pot.

As I turn towards him, he happens to turn towards me with his arms out, resulting in the both of us colliding.

BAM!

“Ack!”

The collision made me let go of the cutting board in the air, prompting me to fall down.

Thinly sliced cuts of vegetables dotted my eyesight as something in particular caught my eye; the knife I placed down on the cutting board is now twirling in the air down at me.

My reflex made me close my eyes and cover my face with my arms. This is going to be painful!

“Look out!”

The darkness from having my eyes closed suddenly grew darker as I felt weight on top of me.

I slowly open my eyes as I separate my arms from my face.

On top of me was Kurumi-kun. He shielded me from the knife with his body.

“Are you okay, Yumeko-san?!” He yelled.

“Y-yeah.” I replied. “Thank you, Kurumi-kun.”

“As long as you’re fine…” He tried to pull me up with both his hands but as soon as I grab hold of it, he started yelping in pain.

“Ahh—!” The pain must’ve been intense since he ended up losing strength that I wound up pulling him towards me to the floor instead.

A loud thud came from the kitchen floor. Two somewhat familiar individuals enter the kitchen.

“Big bro? What are you doing?”