Aki's Secret?!

“Tsukasa-kun, help me!!” Me and Aki scream as we both yank the bread in our opposite directions.

It’s been two weeks since we started our deal thingy. Aki’s started calling Tsukasa by his first name, and Tsukasa calls her “Aki-chan”. She seems fine with it.

Aki still calls me by my last name and -san, the same way she has been since we met. I guess Tsukasa’s outgoing personality just helps Aki get comfortable enough to call him by his first name, unlike my awkward personality.

I also still call Aki “Shirasawa-san”, but I like teasing her with “Aki-chan”. She hates it when I call her that.

Tsukasa just sits back and shrugs. “Just let her have it, Aoi-kun.”

I whine in response, and Tsukasa sighs. “I'll buy you another one.”

I let go of the bread and Aki ends up pulling it, causing the bread to smash into her face and even almost knock off her headphones. “Yayyyy~” I jump around Tsukasa, not minding Aki’s now-greasy bread face.

A scowl slowly grows on Aki. “Katsuki-kun…” Her grip on the squished bread tightens.

“Uhhh…” I scratch my head clumsily. “Sorry, Aki-chan.”

“Don’t call me that!!!!” Aki rages and starts chasing me around the cafeteria.

Ever since the Tsukasa-Aoi duo grew to the Tsukasa-Aoi-Aki trio, I definitely feel like I’ve opened up more. But I’ve also gotten smarter.

“Wait wait wait wait!” I stop running from Aki and she crashes into me. As she tries feeling for her numb nose that jammed into my back, I pull out my most recent math test.

“Look! A 95%!” I grin proudly. She slaps me on the back.

“You should be getting 100%’s.” Aki pouts.

“You’re supposed to congratulate me, Shirasawa-san…” I sigh and Tsukasa comes to us with my new bread.

Although I haven’t gotten used to the murderous glares stuck to the back of my head, the small crowds following me, and the random “SHIRASAWA-SAN!” screams from Aki’s fans, this is how my days are now spent.

As for my evenings: after I get off work, I find Aki at the same table for my study sessions. We usually get side tracked talking about new song releases, and she scolds me for getting distracted.

I’ve been listening to more and more music at home, getting recommendations from my sister too.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not listening to it for Aki. I’m listening to it because it seems interesting to me.

We talk for a bit longer as I unwrap my new bread. As if it was timed perfectly, the bell rings when I finish eating.

“I’ll see you guys back at Boba Fans.” I part ways and start up the stairs, and Aki and Tsukasa walk off to their classroom together.

I watch them go to class together. I focus on Aki. Around Tsukasa, Aki hasn’t changed. She’s still wearing her headphones and acting the same cold way she does with me. But something’s weird. Watching them from afar, I’m getting some sort of ‘warm, squishy’ vibe. Like they’re, you know… a thing.

Then again, if they really are a thing, why should I care?? It’s what they want and I shouldn’t intrude.

Are they really a thing…? I spy on them from the stairs until they enter the classroom and out of my sight. I hesitantly leave and start back up the stairs.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Instead of taking notes during history, I make a plan.

Wait, Aki’s gonna be mad if she finds out I’m not taking notes. Maybe I should listen…

No! This plan is more important!

In my notebook, on the top of the page in bubble letters are the words “The secret plan to reveal the ShiraHiira relationship!”

I’m very proud of the ship name I’ve created. Underneath that title, I jot down a simple scheme in the nicest handwriting ever.

During our boba shift:

*spots a couple in the store*

“Gosh Tsukasa, aren’t they the cutest? Wouldn’t you like someone like that?”

“Aoi-kun, I already have someone like that. I’m dating Aki-chan.”

*fake surprise*

“Oh my! Really! I couldn’t even tell.”

This is how I’m going to make Tsukasa admit their relationship! In the corner of the page, I draw a little man fist pumping. I’m so ready for this. I rip out the page from my notebook, stuff it in my pocket, and prepare for this amazing plan.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

After school, I sprint to Boba Fans and excitedly change into my uniform. Today, I’m working side by side with Tsukasa to make the boba, so I’m sure I’ll find the perfect chance to do my plan.

Tsukasa arrived a bit earlier than me, so he’s already started prepping for today. I give him a friendly nod hello. I hop to the back to change into uniform, then I come out with him.

I try to make small talk and the usual with Tsukasa. After all, I need to build up to the objective, slowly but surely.

Once in a while, I look around the store for any couples to start my plan.

As I search for couples though, none of them are coming in. Why not?? Lovers are always coming here to buy boba and enjoying the amazing mood in this big pink boba shop! Why is it today that no one’s coming??

It’s been quite some time since I started my shift with Tsukasa, and I’ve seen literally no couples. I’ve gotten to the point where I’m looking up and jumping around the store every 2 seconds looking for someone.

Tsukasa has probably noticed my uneasiness. Probably?? Of course he has!

Tsukasa watches me as I hunt through the shop, with a weirded look on his face. He casually continues working though. “Um, Aoi-kun?? Aki-chan doesn’t come until later. Who are you looking for??”

I embarrassingly scratch my head and come back to make boba with him. “Oh uh, no one, I’m uh, making sure this place is clean!” I hide my lie behind a big fat grin and a cringey thumbs up.

Tsukasa giggles. “You look really goofy right now, Aoi-kun.” I immediately stop smiling and I pout.

“Stop that. Keep working.”

“Says the one who’s ‘making sure this place is clean’~” Tsukasa mocks my thumbs up and my weird grin.

As we continue our job, Tsukasa suddenly perks up. “You know, Aoi-kun, we’ve only known Aki-chan for about 2 weeks, but you’ve changed a lot.”

My face flusters from this sudden comment. “What do you mean??”

“You used to be all ‘blah blah blah, I’m so bored and I’m not interested in anyone’” Tsukasa says this in a low flat voice to over exaggerate the things he’s saying.

“I wasn’t like that.” I pout and roll my eyes. “And that last part is still true, by the way.”

Tsukasa shakes his head and sighs. “When are you going to face your blurry feelings, Aoi-kun?? You clearly like Aki-chan.”

I continue working as normal. Tsukasa raises an eyebrow in confusion. I guess he was expecting a response out of me after he said something like that.

I only looked normal because it took me a good minute to process what Tsukasa just said. After that minute, my face turned red and I bonk him on the arm. “H- huh?? No I don’t!! She’s a good friend!”

Tsukasa laughs. “Now that’s the reaction I was looking for! Stop denying it. Your personality literally goes whoop when we’re with her.” When he whoops, he points a finger up. “You’ve also been listening to more music, and you’ve been…”

He continues to go on, ranting about reasons why I like Aki. But I don’t!

“Oh, Aki-chan’s here.” Tsukasa points past me. I spin around, still red.

“Huh?! Shirasawa-san?!” No one’s there. Tsukasa belly laughs and bends over dying.

“S- stop!” I slap his butt and hide my blushing face in my hands until the boss tells us to get back to work.

Wait, this threw me completely off track. The plan!! I need to get back to the plan! But my mind is still racing from what Tsukasa said. I can’t focus. Everything is moving so quickly. Help!

The bell on the entrance door dings, indicating someone came in. I look to see who. It’s a couple, finally! My plan can finally go into motion!

“Aww, Tsukasa, aren’t they the cute—“ I stop in the middle of my sentence.

Tsukasa tilts his head in confusion. “What’s cute?”

Wait, I realized something. Why would Tsukasa go on about me liking Aki if he’s already dating her?? What’s going on?? I’m so confused!

I stop and calm down. Based on the things that Tsukasa was telling me about how I like Aki (which I don’t), I should come to the conclusion that they aren’t dating. I’m overreacting. This is good. I found out the truth without even having to commence my plan. I should at least ask this though…

“Do you like Shirasawa-san, Tsukasa?” I ask, trying to sound light-hearted and not like this has been on my mind all day.

“That came out of nowhere.” His eyes widen, like he was a bit surprised by my sudden question. But he doesn’t show any sign of being flustered like I was. “No, I don’t. I’d prefer someone like Chisako-chan.” He smiles daydreamingly while thinking about Chisako. Chisako Kachimi is another one of his classmates.

I simply sigh and let him off with a “never mind”. He goes off to take the orders of the couple.

If Tsukasa isn’t dating Aki, what is the ‘warm, squishy’ vibe I feel when they’re together??

Aki finally enters the shop as usual, her headphones on and her bag slung over her shoulders.

A small blush, which was much less than my blush from earlier, appears on my cheeks. “Hey Shirasawa-san! My shift’s done in a few. I’ll get you your usual.”

“Thanks, Katsuki-san.” She takes a seat at her usual spot and pulls out her phone. I can tell she’s scrolling, looking through a new music album probably.

After a few minutes, I finish up and head to Aki for the usual study time.

“You didn’t take any notes in history?? And a page is ripped out?? What did you do for the whole period without notes, and…” Aki scolds me while I space out, wondering about what could possibly be the reason behind ShiraHiira’s ‘warm, squishy’ vibe.

While thinking in my head about it, I finally come to an insane but completely conceivable hypothesis. I gasp out loud.

“Katsuki-kun, were you even listening to me??” Aki sighs and crosses her arms.

“Aki-chan, do you like Tsukasa?” The thought just slips right out of my mouth.

Aki’s face suddenly glows red and she kicks the leg of the table. “Don’t call me that! And no I don’t!”

But I think her reaction says everything. I think I’ve found the ‘warm, squishy’ vibe!

“No need to deny it, you’re all red.” I smirk and slap her arm playfully.

“Shut up! I’m not red because of Tsukasa-kun!” She punches my arm in retaliation.

“Sure, sure…” I start writing in my notebook with a big grin on my face.

In my mind, I’m once again doing my evil anime villain laugh. I’ve successfully uncovered the ‘warm, squishy’ vibe that I’ve been suffering over all day.

The whole time, Aki’s face stayed a bit red, and she’s pouting a bit. I guess she really didn’t want me to find out~

“I won’t tell him, don’t worry.” I relieve her. She rolls her eyes and pouts, as if to say “That’s not it…” I don’t get that message though.

It’s just past sundown time, and Tsukasa’s shift ends. He meets up with me and Aki at our table and we leave together.

Before we leave, I look at Tsukasa, then flash Aki a wink. She blushes and sticks her tongue out at me. I chuckle, and we all go our separate ways.

As I stroll home under the orange sky and cool breeze, I mutter to myself, “So she likes Tsukasa, huh? Of course, who doesn’t…” I smile. Today, I accomplished finding this secret out. But then why do I feel a bit let-down then…?