Sumire frantically shook her head. She needs to stop finding ways to make Yuhi leave her. Moreover, Asuka's words echoed in her head. It is unlike Asuka to speak so fondly of another person.
But Asuka also said, 'nagawa isn't a bad guy.'
"So hey," Yuhi brushed his lips across her ear. "--how much longer are you going to avoid me?"
"I'm no-t avoiding you."
"Right, last night too. Even when I was holding you, you looked away."
'That's only because I thought I would die of embarrassment.'* But Yuhi-san is so oblivious to these things. He has know idea how bad the stuff he does to her heart.
However she felt that even if he knew, he wouldn't stop. After all he likes openly displaying his affections for her. This is not her first relationship already, she dated Sano, Toh, Ren and Mamoru. That is a total four guys! Three in the span of a year too.
But none of those four were that open about openly displaying their feelings so she does not know how to react. Sano and her had to hide their relationship due to their age difference. Sure people in their close circles knew but it was not common knowledge. Even when he picked her up from school, the most he would do is wrap his arms around her waist and lead her to the car.
Toh was slightly more open but since they had to date in secret too, she pushed him away most of the time.
Ren just liked staying in doors more, so it's not like people realized.
Ru and her started off as friends and for awhile after they started dating it felt like nothing had changed between them.
Sumire exhaled deeply. She cannot use those guys as references at all.
Her thoughts broke off when he wrapped her arms around her waist, and turned her around.
"See, you're red again."
"I feel like an idiot."
Yuhi laughed. "It's okay, we can be idiots together."
"Aah, I don't know what's wrong with me." Sumire mumbled.
'It's just whenever we are together, whenever I see you this heartbeat doesn't stop--' Sumire stopped in mid sentence. Even saying that in her head is hard let alone admit it out loud.
She still finds it difficult to directly express her feelings towards him. It has almost been a year since she started dating him, and yet she still can't do something this simple.
Her thoughts broke off when Yuhi cupped her cheeks. "Do you want to kiss?"
Why did he come up with this conclusion? Then again she probably isn't the only one who has been acting strange. His behaviour towards her since christmas seems odd too.
"No."
"Oi."
Sumire looked away. "If we kiss here you will never let me go. I want to return to the classroom quickly, and continue drawing."
Yuhi exhaled deeply. "Your so serious." He trailed off. "But really, try to relax. I don't like the idea of you avoiding me for so long, even if it's only because you're embarrassed."
When she heard his troubled tone, Sumire found herself burying her face in his chest. "Aah geez."
Yuhi chuckled softly. "Your really kind Sumire."
"That's my line."
'Your the kind one Yuhi.' Even though she is acting weird, he isn't pushing for an answer. He truly respects her boundaries.
It is a first for her to meet somebody who not only treats her well but is respectful towards her too.
Yuhi raised her face and this time she didn't utter a word and allowed him to kiss her.
Oh it's no good, whenever he kisses her. Her head turns into mush. She can't think straight.
Why is he so good at kissing? This is unfair, she has no advantage over him when they are like this.
After kissing for a few minutes he drew back.
"I don't know why your so nervous around me but I can make a few guesses. I'll admit that something has changed since Christmas. I don't know what that something is. But it is surely a good thing."
'Did he think I was having negative thoughts?'
"I was only feeling slightly overwhelmed."
"I see." Yuhi trailed off. "So about our discussion in the classroom."
"Uh yes?"
What's with this sudden change in topic?
"It's because you look troubled and confused with my choices. It's true going abroad would have been nice. But even before you came here, I was leaning more towards staying in Japan anyway."
"But why? With your abilities, you can
go to a more prestigious place."
"Are you really saying that when you know what I'm like? A stuffy place like Tokyo University for the arts and abroad isn't good for an eccentric guy like me."
"Woah. You finally admitted it. I have to say I'm impressed you suppressed it since I came here."
"I was determined to impress the girl I like. But now that I have you, I want to show you everything."
Sumire couldn't miss how he said the last part and coughed awkwardly. "Well I already knew you were a weird person."
She didn't hesitate to point that out when she came here either.
Yuhi laughed. "Your very straight forward." He trailed off. "Let's go out to the balcony for a bit."
Sumire put the paints down and followed him to the balcony area.
"Actually I went on a small exchange program to Tokyo gesedi before. It was awful. Perhaps it was due to the pressure of having a good reputation, but people there expected so much of me. Although I could fulfil their expectations, it felt like my art was going stale. It felt like it wasn't my own work anymore."
"Was it that strict?"
"Yes. While most art specialised schools are strict, that place takes it to another level."
Sumire immediately sensed his turbulent emotions. She didn't know what she was doing, but before she knew it she gradually leaned closer and closer. Eventually she noticed how close they were and how his lips were right in front of her.
When she thought of the kiss that ended abruptly a few minutes ago, she felt very regretful. 'I wanted to kiss for a bit longer.'
With that in mind Sumire didn't hesitate to kiss him.
"What do you think you're doing? You--"
She cuts him off by kissing him again. Yuhi drew back after a few minutes and flicked her forehead. "Brat, quit messing around."
"I'm not!" Sumire felt wronged. "But you're the one who isn't following the script."
"Script?"
"Aren't we supposed to fool around after kissing? This is the perfect scene for it, there is nobody around. An accident happens when the two are alone together."
"What sort of romance novel have you been reading?"
"That sort."
Yuhi sighed. "You know, I'm already restraining myself a lot. I touched you last night, so now I'm letting you rest."
'But that was when she was emotional.' Sumire didn't like to count those times. Her thoughts broke off when Yuhi kissed her again. But she quickly realized that something was different.
*UNEDITED*