'That is a good question,' Aki wanted to say. He wanted to know the answer to that too. But he could not give that kind of flippant answer. Not when Liam looked grave and waiting. As if everything hangs on Aki's response.
"I'm fine. I'm okay." Aki smiled in what he hoped to be a reassuring smile.
Liam did not look like he was reassured.
"Is this about the kiss earlier? I already know about them. Is that what's bothering you?"
Liam frowned. "What? No, of course not. It's not about that. Well--it's related to that--" He sighed and leaned on the wall as if the strength left his body.
Irritation and frustration flared inside Aki. "You know," Aki drew out a long breath and tried to compose himself. "If... if the problem lies with me, then I'd rather you say so. I'd appreciate the honesty."
His roommate ran his fingers on his hair, looking as exasperated as Aki. "No, aren't you the one who has a problem with me?"
Aki frowned.
"You see, I invite your friends without consulting you and with the knowledge of--" Liam made vague hand gestures that Aki assumed to be about his feelings. "There's a possibility that you would see what--what we had seen earlier. I didn't--I didn't consider you." He sounded stifled.
Aki shouldn't have been surprised that Liam knew about Zy but he was. He laughed without mirth. "Oh right. I mentioned his name that night."
"You didn't have to. It's easy to see how you look at him when you were at the bar together."
Startled, Aki stared at Liam, not knowing how to react. He thought he hid his feelings for Zy well. No one knew except for Rina. But what surprised him the most was that Liam noticed him even though they had not met yet. He did not know what to say to that.
Instead, he said, "Thank you. Thank you for considering my f-feelings. I admit, it was a bit weird but it's not like I can avoid them forever. Plus you were there so it was easier. You're a life-saver." Aki grinned.
But Liam maintained his frown. "You were dreading it."
"Only because I thought you didn't like them here!"
"Well..." Liam trailed.
"See!"
"No! That's not--" Liam groaned in frustration. "So, you're really okay?"
Aki nodded. "How about you?"
"What?"
"You seemed... different lately. A little off. Did something happen? If it's not about the sleepover then..." Aki chewed his lower lip as he thought. He did not want to say it but he had been dying to know. "Maybe something happened with the person you liked?"
"Someone I like?" Liam narrowed his eyes at Aki, head tilting.
"I don't know if you remember, but I s-stumbled upon Karen's confession and you mentioned someone you like..."
"That's...that's just a spur of the moment thing," Liam said too quickly.
It was as good as a confirmation and Aki sagged a little at that, though he tried not to be so obvious about it. Maybe it was better like that, to protect himself and their relationship right now. It was good for all parties involved.