Hey, everyone. :)
I'm still alive lol sorry for disappearing for soooooo long.
Is anybody still reading this, though?
I plan on continuing this along with my Aomine Daiki fanfic so yeah, expect updates from now on. 🤍
——————————
"You're already falling for me."
Imayoshi-senpai's words kept ringing in my ears, making me toss around in my bed.
I couldn't sleep at all. Again.
I couldn't exactly count the times I lost sleep because of him. Ever since he confessed to me, I started having a hard time falling asleep at night. Maybe it was because he would occupy my mind whenever I was alone.
Tonight, however, was worse. My heart would beat like crazy at the mere thought of him, and I knew why I was feeling this way.
I just knew.
Earlier during dinner I could feel his stare on me all the while. He ate with us because my mother had invited him. I tried my hardest to stay focused on my food, or the conversation we were having with my family, but it was hard not to meet his gaze when he was sitting across from me. Whenever our eyes met, heat would instantly crawl up to my cheeks and I could feel the loud beating of my heart.
It's as if I was suddenly being made aware that he was a fine man.
His handsome features, his midnight black hair, his tall build, and even the polite smile he would give to my parents whenever they talked to him.
I couldn't help but notice all these things.
Unable to take it anymore, I excused myself then ran straight to my room, ignoring the surprised look on my parents' faces.
I just couldn't bear seeing Imayoshi-senpai in front of me anymore. I couldn't believe I was starting to feel this way towards someone who was supposed to be just a friend and a brother to me.
I couldn't believe I was falling for Imayoshi Shouichi.
***
The next morning, I had my dad drive me to school.
Aside from the fact that I was trying to avoid running into Imayoshi-senpai first thing in the morning, the lack of sleep was also getting into me and I wasn't in the mood to take the morning walk to school.
"Do you and Imayoshi-kun have a fight?" My father glanced at me through the rearview mirror, giving me a curious look.
Honestly, that took me by surprise. But they must've came up with this conclusion after I suddenly left them in the middle of dinner last night. "No, Dad. We just had a little disagreement over something, that's all."
"I see. Well, fights like that are normal between friends."
I nodded my head. I couldn't tell him the truth. "Yeah. I guess."
"Your mom and I are just worried. After all this is the first time we've seen you two act that way towards each other."
"You both worry too much, Dad. Everything's fine."
He chuckled softly. "You're right. We just noticed how Imayoshi-kun always looks at you with sad eyes. So we thought there's a serious problem."
I didn't respond to that, I didn't know how. I stared at the view outside my window instead, looking at the busy people we passed by, wondering if what's happening to me had happened to them as well.
Sighing quietly, I closed my eyes. The dilemma I was stuck in was giving me so many conflicting feelings.
The guilt I was feeling for falling in love with someone else while in a relationship with Sakurai Ryo was slowly killing me from the insides.
I wasn't even mad at Imayoshi-senpai anymore, I was disappointed at myself for letting this happen.
Even when I arrived at school and was already in the middle of my classes, I still couldn't concentrate at all.
Everyone around me noticed I was in a really foul mood and didn't dare talk to me. Momoi Satsuki was the only person who kept on asking me how I was and never stopped giving me worried glances throughout the day.
"Are you okay, Aya-pyon? You're not sick again, are you?"
I gave her a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, Momo-pyon. I'm just in a really bad mood right now."
"I see." She hugged my arm as we made our way out of our homeroom. "I know how to make you happy. Watching Sakurai-kun play cheers you up, right? Come with me to the basketball gym."
She must've remembered how I would squeal to no end while watching Ryo shoot three pointers endlessly in a match. Well, I've always loved watching Ryo play. But going to the basketball gym meant I'd have to see Imayoshi-senpai too.
I was just about to refuse her offer when Ryo suddenly entered my line of view. He was walking closer to where we were with a sheepish smile on his cute face.
All of a sudden, I felt like crying. How could I possibly hurt this man?
"Momoi-san, I'm sorry," Ryo immediately said as he stood in front of us, bowing his head a couple of times, "I couldn't stop Aomine-san. He hurried off to somewhere before I could tell him to come to practice. I'm sorry."
My friend beside me immediately puffed her cheeks, fishing her phone out of her pocket. "That ganguro." She was just about to leave but stopped midway, patting Ryo's shoulder, "Sakurai-kun, your girlfriend here is in a really bad mood. So I think watching you play basketball will cheer her up. Can you please go with her to the gym? I'll have to go find Dai-chan first."
I ignored Ryo's surprised look and gave Momoi a glare for telling on me about how bad my day was to my boyfriend, but she merely winked at me, seemingly unaffected, then hurriedly left to find Aomine Daiki.
"What happened, Aya-chan? Can we talk about it?"
I turned to face Ryo who was giving me a concerned expression. "I'm just feeling slightly under the weather today."
He held my hand, gently rubbing it with his own. "Why? Is something wrong? You promised to tell me everything from now on."
Seeing that worried look on his face made my eyes blur with tears, I hugged him tightly, wrapping my arms around him as if asking for strength. I could tell he was surprised by my sudden actions because he stiffened up in my embrace. "I'm sorry, Ryo. I'm so sorry. I'm such a horrible girlfriend. I'm sorry."
"What? That's not true." He returned my hug, rubbing my back in a comforting manner. "I don't know why you think that way but that's not true at all."
It was true. I was a horrible person, and Sakurai Ryo deserved better.
I began to sob softly at the thought, which only made him worry even more. "I'm really sorry, Ryo. I don't know what to do—"
"Stop crying, Aya-chan. Please." Panic was already traceable in his voice as he tried so hard to comfort me. "Whatever the problem is, we can fix it. I'll be here, I'll listen. I'll try my best to understand you. We'll talk about this later after basketball practice, okay?"
Nodding my head, I pulled away from him then tried to compose myself. "Okay."
He wiped my tears dry then planted his lips on the top of my head. "I love you, Aya-chan."
It took me a few seconds to respond, "I love you too, Ryo."
***
When my boyfriend and I arrived at the basketball gym, we immediately saw Arima Sakura-senpai clinging unto Imayoshi-senpai's arm. It looked like they were having a conversation about something that the latter had no interest at all because the bored look on his face was apparent.
When they had spotted us, Arima-senpai lit up immediately, calling for us while waving her hand enthusiastically. She looked like she was in an awfully good mood.
Oh, well, at least someone's having a great day.
Ryo immediately walked towards them, I followed silently.
"Shou-kun and I are going to have a date this Sunday, so why don't you come with us? A double date sounds fun, right?"
Ryo and I looked equally surprised to hear that while Imayoshi-senpai threw his supposed partner a disagreeing look.
"It's not a date. I'm just going to accompany you watch a movie since my mother begged me to."
She pouted her lips. "Whatever. It's still a date since you and I are going to watch it together."
"I think..." I interjected, my tone polite, "We'll just be a bother to you both."
"But I want to spend time together with you two. Maybe when Shou-kun sees how sweet Sakurai-kun is to you, he'll finally learn a thing or two and be that way towards me too." She was giggling in a manner that only made her look even more adorable, and I was starting to feel bad for her.
Imayoshi-senpai deeply sighed, as if he was getting tired of the conversation. "That's impossible. We're not in any sort of relationship, Arima."
It was getting incredibly awkward. And, as though noticing that, my boyfriend came up with a brilliant idea.
"Okay. We'll go with you, Arima-san."
I turned to him, wide-eyed. "What? But—"
"It's been a while since we had a date, Aya-chan. Let's accompany them. And besides," he suddenly leaned closer then whispered on my ear, "Maybe Arima-san is right. I think Imayoshi-san is just shy around her, if we go with them it will make things less awkward between them."
Oh, my sweet Ryo. I'm pretty sure that's not it. He basically has no interest in that girl.
Now how would I tell my boyfriend that going with them would probably only make things worse?
Instead of saying that out loud, I nodded my head instead. There was no way I could refuse when Ryo was practically giving me a pleading look. "Fine, if that's what you want."
"Hey, lovebirds." Arima-senpai teased, smiling mischievously. "What are you two whispering about?"
Ryo gasped, blushing so hard while bowing his head over and over again. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to look secretive. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
She chuckled upon witnessing Sakurai Ryo's usual I'm sorry episode. While Imayoshi-senpai threw me a meaningful look, as if silently asking me why I even agreed to this.
I paid it no mind though as I averted my gaze, trying to focus it on my boyfriend instead who was finally done apologizing.
There was no denying that I was beginning to develop romantic feelings for Imayoshi-senpai, but that didn't mean I'd just ruin my relationship with Ryo.
Ryo was too precious.
This little secret I have, I'd take this to my grave.
***
Arima Sakura-senpai and I sat side by side as we watched their basketball practice.
Twenty minutes into their training Momoi Satsuki came with a lazy looking Aomine Daiki. There was a small commotion as Wakamatsu Kosuke started complaining about their ace being late again and Imayoshi Shouichi trying to calm him down.
Well, the sight was normal for me since that's pretty much what happened every day. Sometimes it was even worse because Aomine often didn't come at all.
However, Arima-senpai beside me couldn't help but comment about how Imayoshi-senpai was adept in handling such situations.
"Yes," I said, giving her a quick glance. "Well, he is the captain after all."
She gave me a wide toothy smile. "You're right."
We didn't converse much after that because her attention was focused solely on Imayoshi-senpai. I could tell that she really liked him. She was a beautiful, kind, and honest girl. They looked good together as well. If Imayoshi-senpai would decide to give her a chance then it might actually work out between them.
At the thought, it felt like my heart had been punctured a million times over by tiny little pins.
However, I had no other choice except to endure it. I had no right to feel this way in the first place, not when I had people who would get really hurt if I continue to feel this way towards Imayoshi Shouichi.
Three long hours later, their practice finally ended. Before I could even make a move, Arima-senpai was already running towards Imayoshi-senpai with a towel on one hand.
She diligently wiped his sweat off of his face and neck while smiling brightly, like it was the most normal thing to do. "You're so cool, Shou-kun."
Everyone around looked at them as if they were the couple of the century, they even got Aomine Daiki's attention who usually didn't care about anything except basketball and gravure magazines. Well, after all, no other girl had actually been that close with their captain aside from me.
"Imayoshi and Sakurai really has guts to bring their girlfriends during practice," Susa Yoshinori commented.
"I'm sorry." Ryo began apologizing again upon hearing that. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
"You should bring yours next time, Susa-san," Wakamatsu Kosuke said.
"I would if I have one."
Everyone laughed at that, even Imayoshi-senpai did. He didn't even care to explain the misunderstanding about Arima-senpai being his girlfriend.
Composing myself, I looked away then grabbed my bag, walking closer to where Ryo was.
"Shall we go, Aya-chan?"
I nodded my head, grabbing his still sweaty hand. "When you're playing basketball you always seem like a different person."
"R-Really?" He pulled his hand out of my grasp then wiped it with the towel he was holding, as if realizing that it was still wet from his sweat and yet I held it. "I'm sorry I look different when I play."
I couldn't help but giggle at the adorable expression on his blushing face. "Don't apologize, silly. You look really cool when you play, that's why I love watching your games."
Ryo gave me a gentle smile then brought my hand to his lips, kissing the back of my palm. "Thank you, Aya-chan."
We flinched when we heard Momoi and Arima-senpai's squeals, and it was only when we turned to look at them that we finally realized that everyone was actually watching our little public display of affection.
Ryo and I blushed in embarrassment.
"Way to go, Sakurai." That was Wakamatsu-senpai.
Susa-senpai added, "Now I really should get a girlfriend."
"I was right, Aya-pyon. Watching Sakurai-kun play really makes you happy."
"Shut up, Satsuki," Aomine Daiki complained, yawning then walking away as if he didn't have a care in the world.
"Hey, where are you going, Dai-chan? Wait for me."
We stayed with them for a couple of minutes more before Ryo and I decided to leave. The teasing I could handle, but Imayoshi-senpai's intense gaze I wasn't sure.
He looked like he was about to blow a fuse.
***
I was completely surprised when my boyfriend brought me to his house instead of walking me home like what he always did.
I indeed promised that we'd have a talk after their practice, but I had no idea we would be having it here in his room.
Well, I've been in his house a couple of times already but this was the first time he had brought me to his bedroom.
I guess he's becoming bolder now.
As I waited for him to come back after he went outside to prepare tea and snacks, I made myself busy by looking at the frames displayed on top of the shelf by the corner. They were pictures of him when he was little.
He's too cute. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself.
Suddenly, arms were wrapped around my waist from behind. Sakurai Ryo rested his chin on my shoulder, then said, "I guess you're feeling better now?"
I nodded my head, giving him a sideways glance. "Much better. I'm sorry for worrying you earlier."
"Don't be. It's my job to make you happy."
I flinched when I felt his soft lips on my skin, he was trailing soft little kisses on my neck. And when I turned to face him, he immediately crushed his lips to mine. He was gentle, yet needy at the same time. Like he was hungry for more but was still trying not to lose control.
I wrapped my arms around his neck then nibbled on his lower lip, trying to tell him that it was okay—it was okay to want his own girlfriend.
Ryo, as if getting what I meant, began to kiss me more passionately. I responded with equal passion, closing my eyes and savoring the taste of his mouth.
His kisses then soon trailed down to my neck, sucking on my sensitive skin. I moaned softly as pleasure started to cloud my mind, and it seemed to only entice him more because he gently pushed me down to his bed, hovering over me.
He loosened up his tie impatiently, looking at me with his brown eyes filled with so much desire. After discarding his tie and taking off his shirt, he claimed my lips once again into a deep, intense kiss that left me breathless.
"Ryo," I muttered when I felt his hand slip inside my shirt, touching me in places that he normally didn't touch. He was spreading warmth all over my body and I began to squirm under him.
"I love you," was all he said before he slowly advanced south, kissing my neck then down to the exposed skin on my chest.
He was in the process of undoing the last button of my shirt when the phone inside my pocket started ringing nonstop, halting our movements.
He was still panting softly, his voice was a little hoarse when he said, "You should answer it first, Aya-chan."
Ryo gave me one last kiss on the lips before pulling away from me. He helped me up, only to blush profusely at the sight of my lacy bra, as if he didn't just try to strip me naked a little while ago.
Giggling at how cute he was, I fished my phone out of my pocket then looked at the caller ID.
My eyes widened. It was Imayoshi Shouichi.
I didn't want to answer, but Ryo had seen who was calling already and it would only look suspicious if I rejected the call.
"Hello?" I finally answered, trying to sound as normal as possible. "What is it?"
"Where are you?"
I glanced at my half-naked boyfriend who was looking at me innocently, unaware of the tension between me and his captain. "I'm with Ryo."
"Where?" Imayoshi-senpai's voice held distress.
I hesitated for a minute before saying, "In his room."
There was silence for a few seconds before I heard rustling sounds. It sounded like he just went outside because I soon heard the noise of running vehicles.
"Aya, please. I'm begging you. Please stop torturing me like this."