He looks up from the menu, baffled by my question. “What does?”
I shoot him a look that says, 'be for real' and he scratches an invisible itch at the back of his nape. I’m not sure if he’s delusional or just incredibly naïve.
“Occasionally, I guess? Personally, I’m convinced it’s because of you.”
“Me?” I stuff my hands in the pockets of my new sweater and stare at him perplexed. Aoi plays with his fork and smiles like a deranged scientist, then proceeds to utter the most nonsensical crap I’ve ever heard.
He points at me with his fork and grins. “Duh. You’re a cinnamon roll, simply being next to you makes me look like a big brother taking out his sibling. It’s the kind of thing that makes people go wild.”
“You’ve gotta be kidding.”
“No, I’m serious. You look as sweet as a pastry. If you were my little brother, I’d have made your life a living hell by pampering you like a little prince.”
“You don’t have any siblings?”
He shakes his head, his smile faltering for a second. “Nope. Well, I used to.”
Oh. I shouldn’t meddle further. It’s clearly a sensitive subject and none of my business. “Anyway, maybe the womencare about that fake family image, but that man? The look in his eyes was creepy and he barely noticed me anyway.”
A different waiter brings our pizzas and before shoving a slice in his mouth, Aoi claims, “Honey, I’m a twenty-two-year-old English literature student and I’ve read my fair share of romance novels to know what I’m talking about.”
“Delusion is a real problem you know that right?” I pick up a slice of my pizza and enjoy the cozy atmosphere.
“You little gremlin. If you were in my shoes, you’d a hundred percent agree with me.”
“Why?”
He blinks a few times before scratching his nape. “Forget it. It’s grown-up things. You’re too young to get it.”
“What? That romance novels are far from being a mirror to reality and that you’re being a little crazy?”
He shakes with that vibrant and angelic laughter that’s slowly becoming a familiar tune to my ears. “I don’t disagree with you but I can assure you that people who look kind and warm are easily approachable and that’s probably why they bothered to hit on me.”
“You really are a bubbly person.”
He scoffs. “Absolutely not! It seems that way because I’m with you but I’m not a sociable person in general. I’ve been called antisocial by my best friend more often than not.”
“That’s mean though. Don’t let people take advantage of your kindness,” I warn but he only laughs.
“Nah, she’s the best. It’s just that her love language is roasting people and I’m her favorite victim. If the opportunitypresents itself, I’ll introduce you to her and I’m sure you’ll love her.”
“Maybe.”
I think today is the first time in a year that I’m allowed to eat pizza again. The Keytons considered fast food a luxury, which I didn’t deserve apparently.
Aoi checks his phone and heavily swallows the piece he bit off to make an announcement, “We’re dining expensively tonight.”
13
Visha
We enter a fancy French restaurant decorated in crystal chandeliers and red velvet curtains. It’s a gastronomical establishment, clearly for extremely wealthy people.
I figured Aoi has money, but for him to bethatrich is a total shock. I look up at him to see his uncomfortable expression as he tries to pretend that he’s in his element. He clearly feels out of place in this luxurious environment, but he doesn’t fuss about it. Does he always hold back his true thoughts?
A waiter dressed up in a tuxedo comes up to us and welcomes us in, after Aoi tells him his last name. To be honest, the waiter looks like a stuck-up penguin, but I can’t say that out loud out of fear of offending him.
Aoi takes my hand in his as ifI’mthe uncomfortable one between us. I’m fine, really. It’s impressive how many golden details the decorated furniture possesses, but money is money. It doesn’t matter how much you have, only what you do with it.
