10 - You're going to make me blush, idiot

After wandering around the mall for a while, we finally finished buying all the essentials for daily life, like clothes, some novels, manga, and so on.

Before heading home, we stopped by a café in the mall to rest for a bit.

"So tired... so very tired..." I sighed in relief. I leaned back on the chair, feeling a slight ache in my spine after the long shopping trip.

There were so many things about this mall that confused me. Nagi and I even got lost several times...

Well, it makes sense, considering this isn't the mall I usually shop at but one Akane recommended.

I just followed her suggestion since I thought the black card Akane gave me wouldn't work at other malls.

Though in the end, I still ended up using my own money to shop...

Seriously, whose mall is this anyway!? How did Akane even get that card? As far as I know, her father doesn't own or invest in any mall.

Oh! Could she have gotten the card from her two brothers? That would make sense if I think of it that way... Maybe they just kept it a secret from the public.

"My husband, who happens to be a CEO and the son of the richest man in the world, turns out to be a ruthless wolf under the full moon."

WHAT!?

For no apparent reason, I suddenly remembered the title of a best-selling novel I saw when I was at the bookstore... Since then, I’ve preferred reading the novels I want online or just ordering them instead.

I gripped the cup of coffee I had just ordered and took a sip awkwardly.

Honestly, the world feels like a fantasy novel these days.

Starting with a star's wish, a gender change, and even the daughter of a famous businessman who turns out to be our childhood friend...

I wouldn't be surprised anymore if the story from that best-selling novel I mentioned actually happened on some other part of the Earth.

"Yuichi."

"Hm?"

"About earlier—are you sure? You could’ve just used the card Akane gave you to pay for all your shopping, so why did you pay with your own money?" Nagi asked, his expression serious.

I didn’t expect Nagi to ask something like that.

I let out a small sigh. "Why are you so curious? Well, simply put, I just didn’t feel right about it, that's all. No other reason or anything," I explained briefly.

Nagi narrowed his eyes at me upon hearing my explanation, looking like he didn't believe me.

"Your stare is annoying."

"I'm not lying. I just felt guilty using Akane’s card. Even though she gave us free reign to use it as much as we wanted, it just doesn't feel right... Akane and I are just friends who’ve only known each other for a week," I continued.

Nagi's eyes widened, and I was surprised by the expression he made. Was that really such shocking information?

"Pfft—! Finally... Our Yuichi has become mature. It’s good to know you're thinking like that now."

My face instantly heated up at Nagi’s words. "WHAT?! Mature?! What are you talking about?!"

"No, I don't mean anything bad. I just think it’s impressive. It’s like— how do I put it..? Basically, the old Yuichi I knew has completely changed."

"W-what do you mean..?"

Nagi suddenly gave me a mischievous look. "Remember? That time back when we were in fifth grade. You shamelessly stole the pudding I earned after working hard massaging my grandpa," Nagi continued, laughing.

D-did I really do something like that!?

"That has nothing to do with this! And besides, that was when I was a kid, so it doesn’t count! Hmph!"

"I know. And you also stole one of my sausages a few days ago. Besides, we’re teenagers now," I added.

Nagi stayed quiet, just watching me speak.

Seriously, I will never get used to Nagi's behavior, no matter how long it goes on.

He’s always teasing and making pervy jokes. He does it nonstop, even to the point of irritating me.

But at the same time, and from the same person, he always praises me whenever I get good grades on exams, do something nice, or make him proud...

How am I supposed to react when he suddenly praises me? That perv—

Pat!

Out of nowhere, Nagi gently patted my head.

My shoulders immediately tensed reflexively when he touched my hair, and it felt like electricity spread throughout my body.

A wave of heat surged across my face, my heart racing uncontrollably. All I could do was lower my head, hoping Nagi wouldn’t notice the redness on my cheeks.

"S-stop it, idiot!! What am I, a cat or something?!" I protested in annoyance.

I said that, but—I didn’t have the strength to actually move his hand away from my head.

Nagi chuckled softly, noticing my embarrassed reaction. "Think of it as a reward from me."

Stop it... You’re going to make me blush if you keep doing that—idiot.

...

It... doesn’t feel bad at all, though.

"O-okay, that's enough..! You’re messing up my hair!"

Hearing that, Nagi finally stopped patting my head and withdrew his hand, but for some reason, I felt "a little" disappointed.

"Wanna head home?" Nagi asked while picking up my shopping bags.

"Mhm," I replied briefly. With my coffee finished, I agreed to go home without hesitation.

After paying for everything at the café, we quickly headed out.

Initially, we planned to walk home. But as soon as we stepped outside the mall, we found out Akane had already called a taxi for us without us knowing.

Without much thought, we got into the taxi.

***

Oh right, didn’t Akane say she wanted me to send her a selfie of me and Nagi at the mall earlier?

Ugh, I totally forgot.

Would a selfie in the taxi still count? Probably not...

I sighed.

At least I’ll send a picture.

I switched my phone to camera mode, held it up, and got ready to take a picture.

What pose should I do? Hmm... I guess this one will do. I gave a thumbs-up while making an awkward smile.

"Nagi, look over here."

"Huh?"

Click—!

"!!!"

"OI! Delete that!!"

I managed to capture Nagi when he wasn’t paying attention! I’ve always been puzzled by how Nagi always looks good in every photo we take.

Whether it’s graduation photos or old pictures of us. Is he just naturally photogenic?

I chuckled while Nagi frantically tried to grab my phone to delete the photo I took.

"Hehehe... Let’s see."

"HEY!"

But nothing went according to my mischievous plan—

Wait...

Why does he look so handsome?

I stared at Nagi in disbelief.

"Huh? What’s wrong?" Nagi asked, confused.

TO BE CONTINUED.