19 - How can you be both sensitive and insensitive at the same time?!

Come to think of it... When we were still in elementary school, for some reason, Nagi seemed far more mature compared to how he is now.

Back then, Nagi had this ability to come up with quotes that could even surprise William Shakespeare.

But look at him now?

Just a while ago, when we went on a date at the mall, he blatantly confessed his fetish to me.

Cat ear headbands, tails, and gloves...

Suddenly, my cheeks heat up.

Ugh... Forget it! Honestly, I never knew that behind Nagi's calm demeanor, he’s actually SUCH a pervert.

He never showed this side of himself back when I was still a guy.

Sure, he was perverted, but back then it was at a much lower level. Not to the point where he’d directly reveal his fetishes to me.

Just a while ago, I even caught him watching corn...

I know he’s a good and caring person, but— his level as a pervert is on a whole different level. No wonder he never found a girlfriend.

I let out a sigh.

Right now, I'm helping Nagi wash the dishes after finishing the miso soup I made and the tea he just served.

"Nagi, are you a pervert?"

Nagi's face immediately flushed at my comment. "Huh!? Why bring that up out of nowhere?" Despite his words, he didn’t seem to deny my statement though.

So he really is a pervert..?

"Alright then, let’s switch topics."

I look at Nagi seriously. "Nagi, how would you feel if a guy had feelings for you?" I ask curiously.

Recently, I’ve been a bit bothered by all the love confessions I’ve received at school. There have been so many guys confessing to me, either directly or through letters.

Honestly, I prefer when they confess directly. It makes it easier to reject them.

But through letters… it just complicates things. It’s hard to turn them down since I don’t know who's the person behind those letters is. Not to mention my locker always being stuffed with them, it’s kind of annoying...

"Nagi?" I call out again, a bit louder.

Nagi’s shoulders jump, clearly startled by my call. Did he not hear my question earlier? "Nagi… did you hear me? I asked if—"

"I know!" Nagi replies suddenly.

I stay quiet for a moment. "Alright, then answer."

Nagi averts his gaze, covering his mouth with his hand. "If the guy’s name was Yuichi, and he suddenly got gender-bent into a girl, I wouldn’t mind," he says. After saying that, without any further explanation, he quickly turns his face away.

...

"E-eh?"

Awawawaa...

My mouth drops open, and my entire face heats up. Meanwhile, my embarrassment starts to overflow, and my heart races faster.

T-that’s not what I meant!!!

"Eh— uh..! Nagi..!" I want to ask about his statement just now. But my mouth feels heavy, making it hard to say what I want.

"Yeah, Yuichi?" When he shows his face again, I realize both his cheeks are red. I thought he was just joking earlier, but maybe he wasn’t...

"Uh— never mind.."

What am I supposed to say???

I just bite my lower lip in frustration.

Idiot. Why is Nagi so talented at creating awkward situations..?

Five minutes have passed— thanks to Nagi, the only sounds now are the dishes clinking and the water running as we continue washing them.

As I reach for the dish soap on the table, our hands accidentally brush lightly against each other.

..!

I stare at our hands, touching for a while. Slowly, I turn my attention to his face, his eyes fixed on me, his cheeks red like apples.

"Nagi..."

Nagi quickly pulls his hand back. He suddenly lets out a small laugh, scratching the back of his head out of embarrassment.

"Haha, what’s up?" Nagi asks, laughing awkwardly.

"...."

I swallow nervously. My body starts to tremble, while my heart pounds even faster as I imagine myself saying those words. But I steady myself.

Nagi was honest about his feelings for me, so now it’s my turn to be straightforward.

I adjust my tone, lowering it until it’s barely audible, but loud enough for Nagi to catch my words. "Nagi, you’re really cute, you know."

Nagi's face immediately flushes. His cheeks turn an even deeper shade of red as he realizes the meaning behind my words.

Suddenly, Nagi squats on the floor, covering his head with his arms.

"Nagi..?"

Hearing me call him, Nagi peeks hesitantly through the gap between his arms, his face still red even after a few moments have passed. "Stop... Yuichi... You know I can’t handle compliments from girls, right?"

I can’t help but chuckle softly, seeing how cute Nagi’s reaction is now.

"Anyway... Can’t you give me any other compliment? Like calling me handsome or cool instead of cute..." Nagi mutters softly.

I laugh mischievously before continuing to tease Nagi. "Nagi, you’re handsome, cool." Somehow, seeing Nagi blush like this feels addictive. This is dangerous; I might get hooked.

"Enough please!"

"That half-hearted protest won’t work on me," I say, laughing playfully.

Without any warning, Nagi stands up with a serious expression. Before I can react, Nagi corners me against the wall, holding both my wrists tightly, just like what happened this morning. KABEDON!

Why does Nagi love doing this to me?

Well, it applies to me too. Why, in moments like this... does my heart race so fast? Could it be that I really am an M-type..?

"YUICHI!!"

"E-eh!? Yes..?" Nagi’s shout startles me. I didn’t expect him to suddenly shout…

"Yui-chan, you’re the prettiest girl in the world. The cutest, and you always make my heart race."

Yui-chan..? What the hell is that nickname!?

Nagi leans his face closer, leaving almost no space between us. Then he whispers in my ear in a low tone, "You don’t know how hard it is for me to hold back… You’re the one provoking me, so don’t regret it if it comes to this." The warm breath he releases on my ear sends shivers down my spine and makes my whole body tingle.

My breathing starts to get heavy. I don’t know what Nagi plans to do next. Yet somehow, a small part of me feels excited about this situation.

"Na-Nagi.." I try to push Nagi back with my hands. But it’s useless. Not because of our weight difference, but it seems like my push lacks any strength.

Why does it feel like I can only give in!? I can’t even muster any strength..!

While I’m in a state of confusion, I notice Nagi’s face inching closer, making me instinctively hold my breath. I don’t know what to do, so I just close my eyes, surrendering to whatever happens.

………..

"Why are you closing your eyes?"

Huh?

I slowly open my eyes again, only to realize that Nagi is preparing his move right in front of me.

I-I thought he was going to kiss m—!

Then— Nagi suddenly flicks my forehead.

"Ugh.." I wince, clutching my forehead, which throbs with pain from Nagi’s flick. "What was that for?!" I ask, annoyed.

"It’s your fault for teasing me."

UGH! That’s not what I meant..! Does he not understand, or is he just an idiot?! I initially thought Nagi would do something else, maybe… something a bit more special? But he just flicked my forehead. Seriously, Nagi?!

How can you be both sensitive and insensitive at the same time?!

If I knew this was all it would be, don’t make me all flustered, idiot!!!

"Idiot, idiot, idiot!" I pound Nagi’s back relentlessly, frustrated with his cluelessness.

"Ouch! Ouch! Hey! Yuichi! Why are you suddenly—!" Nagi yells in pain. He tries to escape from my blows. But I keep chasing him, running around the room while continuously hitting him.

"Nagi, you idiot..!!!"

"OW! That hurts, you know!" he says, trying to escape, but it’s pointless due to the narrow space.

In the end, Nagi couldn’t escape my wrath.

TO BE CONTINUED.