A familiar senior from the faculty of engineering stepped in first, and the girls came in. The excited cheers and howls engulfed the sound of my heart dropping when Kawashita appeared next. I gulped. I wasn’t even drunk enough for this. Kawashita’s eyes landed on me just as I nabbed Tachibana-senpai’s half-empty glass. I could feel him still watching me as I downed the beer. I let out a loud sigh as I placed the empty glass on the table.

“You really drink well, Matsumoto.” Nodding, Tachibana-senpai patted my shoulder. “Want another?”

I shook my head and met Kawashita’s gaze again. It had darkened. My heart pounded, my entire body tingling. Wetting my lips, I broke the contact and rose from my seat. “I think I need to go.”

“Eh?” Kazuya stood with a frown, and then he whispered, “But he just arrived.”

“Was your date that of a disaster?” Tachibana-senpai asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

“Ignore him,” Kazuya said as he held my arm. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It’s not that.” I grimaced. My right foot still asleep. It was just my luck to be caught in this when I was least prepared. “It’s just I think I’m already drunk.”

Kazuya snorted. “You? That wasn’t even half of what you usually drink.”

“You exagg—”

“Excuse me. Could I be any of assistance?” A familiar voice interjected.

Oh no!

“No,” I said at the same time Kazuya nodded, “Yes. My friend here said she’s already drunk. Maybe you could walk her back home. I know you just got here but if it wouldn’t be—”

“It would be.” I glared at Kazuya who winked at me.

“Of course. I’d be happy to,” Kawashita replied with a polite smile, ignoring me.

I grabbed Kazuya’s arm hard and leaned into his ears. “You want me to go with him even when you don’t know him.”

“He seemed safe.” He grinned. “And you got home alive after your last date.”

You have no idea, I almost said to him as I slumped my shoulders, defeated.

***

Left with more undesirable choices, we eventually slipped out with less than attention on us because all the guys were enamored by the new arrivals which I was thankful for. Kawashita and I wore our shoes and stepped out into the cold night in silence. The atmosphere between was practically crackling.

“I’m alright. You can head back in,” I said after we walked a few paces.

“It’s okay, senpai. You’re the reason I went anyway.”

Flushing, I stopped and glanced at him and found him watching me. I averted my eyes and muttered incoherent words under my breath. The beer muddled my mind, and I found I had nothing to say back to make him go, so we continued walking in silence. So hushed I felt like I could hear my own heartbeat.

“So, Matsumoto-senpai,” he started after a few minutes when we turned into a deserted alley. “Have you thought of my proposal?”

I stilled. I saw it coming, and I still let it came. I closed my eyes and breathed out before I faced him. “About that, I’m still not sure.”

Kawashita wasn’t fazed. He only smirked. “Are you not at least attracted to me, senpai?” I swallowed. Stepping closer, his eyes sparkling, he continued, “Not one bit?”

My breath hitched. His scent hit me and went directly to my head. I could smell lemons, that common laundry detergent, and a hint of earth and mint. It was heady it overpowered my senses. I could no longer think straight other than he smelled so good. Something ached in me. I struggled, but this was too much. With a shake of my head, I looked at him and lied. “No.”

Without waiting for his reply, I started walking quickly, afraid I’d give in if I stay any longer. I blamed the beer for my weakness. But as I was going out to the main road, Kawashita grabbed me by the elbow and pushed me against the wall. The yellow light from the streetlight ahead highlighted his thrilled expression. I felt a shiver in my nape, my fingers aching to touch something, my head light with anticipation.

“What’s with you and the pulling?” I tilted my head upward as my gaze wandered to his lips.

“What’s with you and drinking beers in one go?” He asked, easing his hold on me.

I laughed, delighted by his sharpness. “It’s you.”

“Me?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Yes. You. You make me do things I don’t normally do.” I grabbed the front of his shirt and brought his face closer before I tiptoed and crushed my lips into his.