“Okay.”
Another silence. It was during this time that I noticed the overwhelming heat in my face and the pit of my stomach, as well as the tightness of my throat. My mouth felt dry and my head light, almost dizzy.
“So, why exactly did you do that?” I asked quietly.
Ryu sighed in exasperation. “I thought it would be obvious.”
“To be honest, I have no idea what’s going on.”
Ryu cracked a slight smile. “Well, there was another reason I broke up with Henry. He kept berating you and acting like you were an obstacle in his life, and it infuriated me. I realized the reason I became so upset was because I like you.”
The dizziness must have been getting to my head. I didn’t think I quite heard him correctly.
“Right,” I said. “I like you, too,friend.”
Ryu frowned. “You know that’s not what I mean.”
“You can’t possibly mean anything else.”
Ryu groaned loudly. “Will you stop being so obtuse? I just kissed you, for gods’ sake!”
I shrugged. “Yeah, and I still don’t know what you were thinking. Did you fall at the pier and hit your head or something?”
“Scar, I think I’m in love with you,” Ryu declared.
I nearly choked. Whatever I was expecting him to say next, that definitely wasn’t it. It almost felt like I’d been slapped, but in a good way.
“You’rewhat?” I stuttered.
Ryu’s eyes flashed decisively. “Do you feel the same way? I know you asked me before, that night before we found Angel. You said you feltsomethingbetween us.”
I nodded seriously. “Yeah. I remember.”
He shook his head, but the gesture seemed directed at himself. “I lied when I said no. Ididfeel it. But I was afraid. It seems stupid in hindsight. I thought you would reject me.”
I grinned. “You’re right. That is stupid.”
His smile blossomed fully now. I felt like I was standing on the edge of the unknown. This was a place I’d never been, an experience I’d never had. Excitement buzzed in my veins.
“So… Now what?” I asked cautiously.
“I suppose we’re dating now. If that’s what you want, I mean,” Ryu said.
“Yes,” I said quickly. My voice seemed desperate to me, but right now, I didn’t care. All my faults and fears were momentarily squashed beneath the overwhelming joy of this moment. I didn’t want it to end.
Ryu came closer to me on the mat, and intertwined his fingers with mine. My heart rate sped up, pounding against my ribs. The air between us seemed to vibrate, like we were two magnets pulling towards each other.
I hovered, cautious and unable to make the first move. Thankfully, Ryu closed the gap between us. He pressed his lips to mine, and my skin sparked pleasantly with electricity. Warmth spread through my body, seeping into every part of me. My head buzzed with thrill and satisfaction.
Ryu parted his lips, and I followed. His tongue grazed mine, warm and gentle. The air tightened in my lungs. My blood felt hot. We kissed slowly at first, then delved into a more passionate one. When we broke away, my head spun and my skin burned to the touch.
“I think I’m gonna pass out,” I mumbled.
Ryu chuckled. “Please don’t. If you’re tired, you should sleep on the futon.”
“Don’t you mean the air mattress?”
He shook his head, eyes glinting. “No.”
