Can I Please Not Talk About Sex?

A few days passed in peace for Noriko. Even though she had trouble calling things normal anymore. It was just something that she would have to accept. Though such acceptance came kicking and dragging their feet the whole way. Stubbornness appeared in her that she didn’t even know existed.

But she faced a new problem tonight. She walked home to her apartment. Which under normal circumstances wouldn’t be anything strange. And even though she was returning home later than she would have, that also wasn’t the problem. No, the concern and worry that had her in a tied bundle of string of emotions was that Hiroyuki was at her side.

He walked with her back to her apartment from their date. It was just dinner. Something a little more than the tea that she joined him for before. It still felt like something that was tentative rather than certain. She wanted to understand how she felt about things. She felt bad if it was only a one sided interest. Could she even love him? Was he only an attraction in the way that she loved a 2D husband? Would that be all he ever was to her?

Because she had to keep clear of her questions leading to if she found him attractive. That was beyond question. She fantasized about him. But it was not something that she was a part of. He was at a distance. Could she never have a normal relationship with him? Or anyone? Would her fantasies and mind always get in her way?

Noriko didn’t like the negative outlook that provided her, but romance wasn’t something real for her. And she didn’t know what to make of Hiroyuki. He was genuine. She couldn’t reject or deny that. But beyond taking his efforts seriously to find out if she did as well she didn’t know what to do.

And that confusion brought her back to her apartment. Somehow.

In reality, Hiroyuki offered to walk her home and Noriko completely lost her head in the moment. She agreed. A simple exchange, but not so for her.

She wished her door wasn’t coming up so fast. She looked back to Hiroyuki for the twentieth time. Still there. Even with her paranoid panicked checking, he never seemed to notice. He just continued to radiant the warm glow about him that made flowers bloom out of season.

Hiroyuki genuinely was confused and worried that she thought she was going to get assaulted by some stranger on the street. It put him on heightened watch for anything if she was so scared.

Unfortunately for Noriko, her door was in front of her, like it jumped out of place to spite her. She could have sworn she could hear it chuckling in glee. Or maybe it was Maiko. She didn’t know which was worse. Probably a laughing door, definitely the door. But it was close.

She looked back one more time as she put the key in the lock. Panic reached a fevered pitch for her as her heart was in her hands throbbing. She needed to escape before the big beautiful man joined that throbbing. Noriko blinked and tried to cut away the fantasy. The key jammed in and knocked her fingers a little.

Without any other idea, her body just acted and she turned the key. In a motion so fast it might have seemed like a blur, she opened the door and jumped in pressing against the back. She let out a loud breath still feeling the emotions raging in her throat.

Across the room she saw Maiko on the couch watching a rerun of one of the reverse harem romances from the latest season. The loud slamming of the door and her body however promptly turned her head in curiosity. There was half a potato chip hanging from her lips as she met eyes with her friend. She swallowed quickly seeing the fear. “Welcome home?”

“He’s outside in the hall!”

Maiko grabbed up the bag of chips and walked over casually to the door. “So a good date then.”

“I don’t know. What if he wants to come in?”

“Let him in. You keep the place pretty clean. What’s there to be embarrassed about?”

“Everything! You know, the posters, the dakis, the figures.”

“You kept that in other rooms. It’ll be fine.”

“But what if he stays longer? What am I going to do?”

“Then I’ll leave you to have your sexy time!”

“We can’t have sex!”

“Careful, he might be able to hear you.”

“I can. I only have noble intentions.”

“But what do I do? You don’t think?”

“He is a man.”

“I can hear every word you’re saying. Mostly. You cut out a little.”

“But he’s Japanese.”

“Very true, probably safe then.”

“Both of you are too!”

Maiko pointed at the door. “You know he’s still out there.”

“And hearing you talk about me.”

“Oh my…!” Immediately Noriko flipped around and opened the door smacking herself in the forehead in the process. “Damnit…” Rubbing her head, she looked up to see the tall and gorgeous Hiroyuki in the hall. Part of her hadn’t put him outside still even if she was complaining about it to her best friend. The realization of everything and him hearing them talk turned her whole face red. “I’m so sorry!” She could only bow so much, if ritual suicide covered embarrassment she would have grabbed a kitchen knife. The mess however would have been a nightmare.

Once she stopped hanging her head nearly to the floor, she looked at him again. He was giving the politest wave to her like she hadn’t just spent a minute being rude in front of him. He really was a god sent to the fujoshi.

“I didn’t know my existence would cause such an existential crisis.” He gave a small grin.

“You can give me a crisis anytime.”

“Maiko!”

“What? Just trying to lighten the mood after you over here trying to kill yourself to apologize.”

“I was not!”

“The box cutter was looking appealing to you, don’t lie to me.”

“It wasn’t the box cutter!” Then Maiko grinned, having caught her friend. With that she just gave up and let go of the door. Defeated, she walked over to the kitchen and started digging through the cupboard like a squirrel for pity chocolate.

By the time she had her hand elbow deep into foil and plastic, she saw Hiroyuki step into the apartment. Though he did remain at the door, it was closed at least. The neighbors wouldn’t hear them anymore.

Returning to the scene of the crime, Noriko could only shove cookies. While Maiko was grinning ear to ear. “So how was the dinner? You two have a good date?”

He glanced at her, but she didn’t have a voice to speak, even if she wasn’t cramming saturated fats down her throat like she was starving. “Quiet and filling.”

“You’re just as awkward as the cookie thief.”

“They’re mine!” she mumbled through half even cookies.

“C’mon, what did you birdies chat about?”

“That’s personal between us.”

“And no fun. We’re co-workers. Share a little.”

“I don’t think that makes things any better, Maiko. Gossip in the office is even worse.”

She smirked wildly with that reply. “Don’t I know it.”

“But I didn’t mean to cause you troubles.”

“No troubles, Noriko’s just a basket case and I have to give her a hard time about it. Otherwise the anxiety will make her explode.” He nodded with some uncertainty. “You still want her to be your girlfriend, so gooey bits all of the walls wouldn’t be conducive to that.”

“You’re not at all like how you are at work.”

She smiled and spun around a little. “Got to keep a few secrets as a woman! Besides, not really the right environment. I have a degree of awareness.”

“When it works to your advantage!”

“Finally finished a week of calories?”

“Yes…” It both felt good and bad now that she looked at the empty bag. A sigh escaped. They didn’t really fix her nerves, but it did give her enough courage. “Sorry for that embarrassing display and my friend.”

Hiroyuki continued his warm smile. “Not at all. It’s encouraging to see a different side with your guard down. It’s charming.”

And suddenly all the calories she consumed felt like they evaporated from her belly. She was used to seeing him as this attractive and beautiful man, but there was something else. It was different. Noriko didn’t know what the feeling was. She only knew that it wasn’t the usual feeling she got from looking at him.

Noriko was truly sunk. Or perhaps she won. It depended on the perspective.