Chapter 15

Ayame’s POV

Don’t panic Ayame! Small steps, begin with the easiest part! I wiped my tears firmly and did the same with the twins’ faces, using the sleeve of my sweatsuit.

“Shh, you both are in the crew, don’t worry.” I gave them headpats and smiled.

“We will be good from now on, just tell us what to do captain.”

Considering Katsuo being so happy we didn’t have to do anything, the easy part was done. The harder one took the shape of a man, still standing there, still confused but somehow determined. Actually I was hoping he would be gone already, seeing all this mess, but not, and I didn’t know what to do.

“I think the ship is sailing on its own for now. So all we can do is to leave. Grandma will be happy to have you two for breakfast. I need to talk with the casual guest.” The three of us finally looked at Okamoto, who just smiled shyly.

“We are sorry.” The twins honestly apologised, I didn’t even have enough time to get angry at them, so I snapped my fingers at it.

It's just one more uncomfortable conversation ahead of me. I looked even worse than the last time, at this point I should stop caring. The kids went to my place, and Okamoto stayed in the outside corridor with me. I leaned on the balustrade, letting the light wind play with my hair, when he was standing next to me. Quite romantic…

“What are you doing here?” I asked, observing the surroundings which haven't woken up yet on Saturday morning.

“Since our last meeting I couldn't sleep and focus, because I was thinking about you and trying to figure out what I did wrong. I wanted to apologize for whatever it was.” Okamoto stretched hands with flowers in my direction. They are innocent, I should take them.

“Thank you, but it wasn't your fault at all. I just had a bad day and Katsuo set me up to see you. I didn't like the way it happened,” I explained, he deserved it, at least that much.

“So why didn't you contact me then, even just to get the money back?”

“You were saying nice things about me in this video, and I was scared that accidentally I may fall in love with you sooner or later,” I hugged the flowers to my chest, feeling that this conversation is not as uncomfortable as I thought but a bit painful. Like I was making a mistake, when Okamoto took my burned hand in his and was making sure I was okay.

“My opinion is still the same and I think that you looked pretty today too. Tell me why would it be so wrong to fall for me?” He smiled and that made me weak on my knees.

“I may seem weird but I dream about my first love to be also my last one, so that's why I am trying to be careful and want everything to go perfectly,” admitting it out loud was hard, now it sounded just stupid.

“And he is the perfect candidate to meet your expectations,” Katsuo’s cheerful voice was getting on my nerves.

“Don't butt in,” Okamoto asked before I did, surprised he wasn't angry, just cautious, considering my previous words.

“I feel like I need to explain some facts as a friend of both of you,” Shimada wasn't even bothered, opposite he smiled happily, like it was unusual for him to use the term ‘friend’. “Daichi, in case you wonder, I am dating the twins’ older brother. Ayame is their neighbor and sometimes takes care of kids. Also I proclaim myself as a captain of a ship,” he looked right into my eyes.

“What ship?”

“”Dayame” ship of course,” he announced.

“I don't agree.” I said coldly.

“You took the flowers.” Katsuo hit Okamoto to remind him of something.

“2 pm, cinema, I will wait for you.”

And they were gone, leaving me with treacherous flowers. I smelled them, thinking how nice it was. Maybe I could give it a chance?

Katsuo’s POV

“Do you need glasses?” Ryouta asked, looking at me more often than usual, so my mission was accomplished.

Also I wanted to look a bit smarter in front of him. After talking a lot about the future and seeing how dedicated he is to adulting I decided to chase him and start to be more responsible and independent. Realisation of how much I lack in both theory and practical knowledge hit me painfully, when I was working on a final project with Daichi. I didn’t even bother to work a day at my family’s company if this all was supposed to be mine sooner or later, and there would be a lot of people prepared to help me. I wanted to manage myself, live in my own place, clean and cook without relying on people working for us, however I would miss Mrs. Nakajima’s cooking. Suddenly a lot of new things started to matter and I liked the turn my life took. I even considered my ‘Dayame’ ship as friends, proud of myself that I helped them get together so far.

“No, but I heard I look good in anything.”

“For sure not in these specific glasses,” he said and smiled apologetically.

“And I just craved your attention and kisses.” My revenge was sweet and effective, the book flew in my direction and Ryouta’s was cutely blushing.

Ryouta’s POV

I regretted for a while that Katsuo formulated his charm the way he did, because I definitely could have kissed him earlier, but him stating it so obviously, made me take it back. My innocence is oppressed! However the temptation is real, and I can’t let him have it! My throat had to be cleared and some things to be delicately pushed forward. I wished I had no idea how amazing being in love is.

“Sakura and Shima want to meet you, so maybe you will come to us this weekend?”

“I would love to,” he smiled brightly and I did the same, happy that I took some initiative.

“If you don’t mind, we may consider it as a third date.” Still I was a bit embarrassed, so this came out as a whisper.

“I couldn’t wait, but I got one question.”

“What is it?”

“How can I bribe your siblings, so they like me?”

“Don’t you dare,” I said coldly, no spoiling. As answer I got a playful smile, like he got what he wanted.