Yusuke

“Nami-chan,” Aimi exclaims, waving excitedly.

I look behind me, and the sight of the gorgeous Nami Fukuyama running toward us stuns me, leaving me speechless for a moment.

“Wow, Nami-chan looks beautiful,” Tonkatsu comments, practically stealing the words from my mouth, as I share the exact same opinion.

The slight grimace on Fukuyama-san’s face when she sees me doesn’t go unnoticed, proving once again that she still doesn’t feel comfortable with my presence, even though I once went out of my way to escort her to karaoke and even held hands with her. 

I suspect she avoids me as much as possible—she insists on not eating lunch with us at school and ignores me whenever we meet, neither talking to me nor looking at me at all. It is as if I do not exist, and it kind of hurts, to be honest.

Maybe it’s because she knows I’m a demon.

“Fukuyama-san isn’t happy to see me,” I mumble, glancing at Aimi. “You didn’t tell her I was coming along today, did you?” I squeeze my eyes accusingly.

Aimi shakes her head, her lips curling into a sly smile. “Nope. Why would I, when I knew she wouldn’t come if I did? This is the only way I found to hang out with the three of you at the same time, and I don’t feel the slightest guilt for omitting it to her.” She puffs out her chest with pride.

I sigh. “I figured you didn’t.”

“I was surprised when you texted that the four of us would be spending the day shopping,” says Tonkatsu to Aimi, his gaze thoughtful. “Firstly, because I wasn’t expecting Yuu to want to meet us during Golden Week, as he’s usually away at his family’s house. Secondly, because I didn’t think Nami would accept being in the same group as Yuu, considering it’s obvious she doesn’t like him.” He shoots me a mocking smile. “Even though he’s quite the heartbreaker, I didn’t think his charm would ever fail on anyone.”

Aimi joins him in the teasing. “It’s a good lesson in humility for our friend here.” She pats me harshly on the back.

I grumble, “Humility? I am humble.”

Aimi bursts out laughing. “As if. You’re an arrogant and prideful prick who has the world at his feet, and you know it.”

Tonkatsu nods. “What she says.”

I step back, offended. “Tch. Why are you attacking me? I’m here, aren’t I? I’m spending the day with you, aren’t I?”

“Hi,” Fukuyama-san greets us, waving shyly. “I am sorry I am late.”

Aimi beams at her in response. “Let me guess. You took the wrong train and got lost, am I correct?” She smirks.

Fukuyama-san blushes scarlet and looks down. “I guess there is no point in denying the truth, is there?”

Tonkatsu throws an arm around her neck, his action awakening in me a strange sensation that I can only call jealousy.

“You aren’t very good at following directions,” he observes, laughing. “Be careful not to get lost again while we’re shopping.”

“By the way, you look so beautiful,” Aimi compliments her, gesturing at Fukuyama-san’s outfit—faded blue jeans, a white T-shirt with the hem tucked in, a long red coat, and black boots. Her hair is loose, with strands falling gracefully down her shoulders.

I’m happy I chose to wear a red hooded sweater today, since it matches her red coat.

We could be a couple.

“Well, thank you for meeting me in front of the train station; otherwise, I do not think I could have found you at all,” Fukuyama-san sighs, visibly embarrassed.

“Don’t fret,” Tonkatsu responds, shooting me a side-eye. He then adds, “You’re the reason why Yuu-kun agreed to tag along with us today, anyway.”

“What?” she gasps, glancing at me for a second before looking away.

I, on the other hand, just start walking toward the nearby main street, where several stores are located. I hear footsteps right behind me, indicating that everyone is following me.

“What have you been doing this Golden Week, Nami-chan? Did you visit your parents in Aichi-ken?” Aimi asks.

The angel answers, “Aichi-ken? But Father and Mother do not live—”

She suddenly closes her mouth and purses her lips, her eyebrows furrowing deeply.

“I mean, yes, I visited my parents and my brothers in Aichi-ken and returned to Tokyo last night,” she says, the smile on her face reeking of fakeness.

This angel needs to be careful if she wishes to keep her real identity hidden from unsavory characters. How can she be so careless, especially with me around? She’s so confusing.

“Hold on. Does that mean that you live here in Tokyo alone?” Tonkatsu sounds incredulous as he gapes at Fukuyama-san.

“Yes, I do.” She gives him another fake smile.

“So, you and Yuu-kun are two peas in a pod,” Aimi points out, arching an eyebrow at me. “Isn’t that cool, Yuu?”

I shrug, avoiding saying anything unnecessary that might make Fukuyama-san even warier of me.

“Two peas in a pod? What does that mean?” The angel looks confused.

Tonkatsu explains, “It means that you’re similar because Yuu also lives alone here in Tokyo, although he does so in a huge mansion surrounded by maids. He even has his own driver.”

“Really?” Fukuyama-san gazes at me, mouth agape.

I shrug again.

Suddenly, Aimi jumps and squeals, “We are here! This place is awesome for buying makeup stuff.”

She grabs Fukuyama-san’s hand and drags her toward the first makeup store she sees, not minding that the angel is frowning and reluctant to go with her.

Tonkatsu wraps an arm around my shoulders. “What do you want to do while they’re busy buying those things?” He points at the makeup products on display.

“I want to buy something to drink because my throat is dry.”

He snaps his fingers, his expression lighting up. “I know! Let’s get milk tea with tapioca bubbles from the shop around the corner.”

“Sure. Why not?” I concede, unbothered by the idea of drinking matcha milk tea with tapioca bubbles, as it isn’t too sweet and will certainly satisfy my thirst.

“Girls are ogling you, as always.” Tonkatsu shoots me an envious look, which I deliberately ignore. “Why does my best friend have to be so handsome and outshine me wherever we go?” He pouts, crossing his arms over his chest.

“I’m not too handsome; you’re the one who’s too ugly,” I joke.

He glares at me and playfully snarls, “Die.”

As we approach the milk tea shop, I wonder what flavor I should buy for Fukuyama-san. “What flavor would Fukuyama-san pick?” I mumble, scanning the menu.

“Wha-What? You’re buying milk tea for Nami?” Tonkatsu blinks several times, shocked.

“Is there something wrong with that?”

“It’s the first time you’re being considerate toward a—” He stops, widening his eyes even more. “Wait a minute. Did you agree to hang out with us today because you wanted to be with Nami-chan? I was actually joking when I told her that you did, but…” He trails off, his mouth hanging open.

Bullseye.