Chapter 31- Initiative

"So any suggestions?" Minoru didn't run away from the couple as he would have in the past and asked casually.

Souta seemed thoughtful before he suggested, "How about you buy something they like to eat?" Minoru raised his brows at that.

While it wasn't a bad suggestion and Minoru does know everything about Akisu's liking, gifting food or chocolates didn't seem to be a good present.

Turning his head toward the girl, Minoru asked, "And what about you, Aoi? Being a girl, you must have more deep ideas that could leave a great impression on my partner." Minoru couldn't help smirking at her variant expression and how nakedly he could read her at the moment.

Torn between guilt and suspicion, the girl was startled by being called out all of a sudden.

However, she didn't stutter like a fool and gave a good suggestion, "Photo frames? Or collage?"

Since they were standing near the shop, Aoi could only think about it without putting her mind to it, much.

Minoru hummed at that with his left elbow resting on his right palm and index finger on his chin.

'Goddamn...why...is he like this?' Souta was feeling a little insecure, both toward his girlfriend and his own sexuality.

There was seemingly something different about this Minoru compared to that wimp who always cowered in a corner, in the past.

The current Minoru was different...and somehow extremely attractive to the point that Souta was having a hard time keeping his eyes away from the guy. Even the smallest gesture was making it difficult for him.

"Well, I can consider buying more than one for the gift. After all, there are various pictures I have from middle school as well, which I would like to frame." Because of his daze, Souta completely missed, how Minoru just winked at his girlfriend and made the said girl, flinch in shock.

'P-Pictures...?' Aoi's mind reeled back, to that day, when she allowed herself to indulge in something disgusting and did something for which she could never forgive herself.

Leaving the two young birds in their worlds, Minoru waved his hand and walked away.

In the end, he was going to buy something on his own.

****

[Minoru's POV:]

I checked my old Line ID and found that Aoi was still there and her old number was still active.

I grinned at that before typing out a quick message,

Minoru: [Don't think much about that picture, alright?]

Well, it was given that I had no such pictures since at that time, I was completely ensnared by Aoi's beauty to think of anything other than her boobs and pussy. However, when the other party is so defensive toward me, why don't I play aggressively and see where it goes?

Not like I was going to force myself on her, but a little manipulation and cheating sex wouldn't hurt...right?

Moving on, I made my way toward a shoe outlet that wasn't too far from the market. I was thinking of gifting him something useful and long-lasting.

Purchasing good running shoes worth 12k, I walked out of the store with a paper bag in my hand.

I tried contacting Akisu but he wasn't picking up his phone, so I decided to call his father.

[Hello, Minoru?]

"Good afternoon, uncle. Can you tell me where, Akisu is?"

[Oh, Aki-kun? He is with us, in this Stone Tome Shrine.]

Frowning my brows in confusion, I asked, "The one near the Resort?"

[Ah, yes. We were returning to the resort when we saw this shrine so we decided to have a look. Wait, let me get you to Akisu.]

"Ah, you don't need to. And please don't tell him that I called you." Saying so, I disconnected the call and made my way toward the said shrine.

It wasn't anything special but I felt like surprising him a bit.

****

It took almost ten minutes on foot to reach the shrine, Akisu's Dad told me about. It wasn't much big and easy to find on the map.

There weren't many people around that's why it didn't take long to locate them.

While the couple was busy in a photoshoot of nothing particular, I saw Akisu occupying one of the resting benches nearby. He wasn't doing anything in particular, rather than staring at the ground, listlessly.

"Hey, man. You good?"Calling out to him, I approached the dazed boy, who instantly turned his head in my direction with his brows raised.

"Minoru. How did you-well, whatever." He scooted a little to give me space, which I occupied soon after while putting the paper bag on his lap.

"This?"

"Your birthday gift."

Akisu seemed surprised to find a gift from me, not to talk about the brand logo on the bag.

He took out the shoe box before unwrapping the package and checking out the running shoes.

"Damn...these are nice." Akisu seemed impressed by the gift which made me relax a bit.

I have always given him useless and short-term enjoyable stuff. However, this time, I gave him something in accordance with his needs.

"It feels like you read my mind." After putting the box aside, he continued, "I am thinking about losing weight."

"Heh? How come so suddenly?" Hearing my question, Akisu looked at me with a complicated expression but after a lot of pondering, he finally told me his reason.

"I think, I have fallen for someone."

"..."

....well, that was quick.

I didn't say anything to that, and allowed my friend to continue,

"Well, it's like impossible to meet her again but after meeting that particular girl by chance last night...something ignited inside of me. I felt...that maybe I would have been slim and gotten over my insecurities then I might have been able to talk to her more openly or get her number."

I totally get where he was coming from. For Akisu, Miku was just like that girl whom you see at the Airport or shopping mall only once and instantly fall for her, even though you know that you won't be seeing her again.

He wanted to get over his past so he could face the future. That's...a nice initiative.

Resting my palm over my friend's shoulder, I encouraged him, "I hope the best for you, man."

And it wasn't just wishes since as Minoru or Miku, I was going to make his life wonderful from here on.

****

A/N:- Is it just bromance...or..?

Drop a comment if you like some sweet with spices.