"Come here, and gimme your hand for a sec."
"My hand? What're you gonna do with it?" Eriri tilted her head, with a puzzled look, but she still did as Akifumi said.
Without hesitation, Akifumi gently wrapped both of his hands around hers, his warmth instantly seeping into her cold fingers massaging them.
"Ah…"
"Having someone massage your hand and warm you up is a great way to relax when you're stressed and tired," Akifumi said softly.
"Mhm, yeah, I can feel it… It's kinda a weird way to massage my hands, but… I kinda like it." A small chuckle escaped her lips.
"I have to stop myself from grinning like an idiot."
"Who says you have to?" Akifumi smirked. "We're the only ones here right now. Grin all you want."
"I mean, yeah… but grinning like a fool just 'cause my boyfriend's next to me? That'd be way too embarrassing…"
"It's like one of those cliche anime where girls hopelessly in love with the protagonist."
"Who cares about that? I'm the only one here, so I'm the only one who will see it."
"That's exactly why!" Eriri huffed, her face slightly red. "I don't want you to see it! because you will use it against me! you will tease me nonstop about it, right?"
Akifumi let out a soft chuckle. "What? I wouldn't do that. I'm not gonna upset you and ruin this precious time we have together right now." His grip on her hand tightened slightly.
"But anyway, you deserve a break after everything today. I'll do anything to be of service to you, Milady."
"Huh. I like that! Kinda sounds like you're my servant!" She smirked. "Very well, you may serve me."
"…." Akifumi wasn't much of a masochist, but something about the way she said that was making him feel a little uneasy.
Still, he continued the massage and watching as Eriri's tense shoulders slowly relaxed.
"Ahhh, you know, your hand massage feels really good. A lot better than I expected."
A brief silence settled between them before Akifumi spoke again, his tone more serious this time.
"…Have you and Mahiru already talked?"
Eriri's fingers twitched in his grasp.
"…Yeah, we already talked." She let out a deep sigh and slump on his side.
Akifumi blinked. "Oh?"
"She told me everything, how she feels about you and how she doesn't want to give up on you. And…" Eriri hesitated, gripping his hand tighter.
"I realized something. I don't want to give up on you either."
Akifumi remained quiet, his thumb gently stroking the back of her hand silently encouraging her to continue.
"So instead of fighting over you, we thought… why not just share?"
Akifumi's entire body froze.
"…Huh?"
Eriri smirked, though her cheeks were slightly pink.
"What, don't act so surprise. Mahiru and I already agree on it."
"We both love you and neither of us wants to step aside. And honestly…" She averted her gaze, fidgeting.
"I… I kinda like the idea of us being together all three of us."
"I mean, Mahiru's my friend too. I like her and If it's her, then…"
Akifumi swallowed. "Are you saying… you're okay with this? Like, actually okay?"
"Well, duh. I just said that, didn't I?" Eriri puffed her cheeks before quickly deflating.
"I mean, don't get me wrong. It's still weird."
"I never thought I'd be in a relationship like this, but when I really thought about it.
"The idea of not being with you was way worse."
Akifumi felt his heart ache at her words. He squeezed her hand tighter. "Eriri… thank you"
She immediately waved him off, looking flustered. "Ugh, don't give me that mushy look! It's already embarrassing enough saying all this out loud, and you already take my first time!"
"You better take responsibility for it"
Akifumi chuckled. "Okay."
"Don't make me regret it," she huffed, though her expression was softer than before.
"…Hey, Akifumi?" Her voice was quieter now.
"Yeah?"
She hesitated, then muttered, "You… you like my chest size too right?"
Akifumi blinked.
"…Hah?"
Eriri fidgeted, avoiding his gaze. "No i'ts not like that, It's just that… Mahiru has… y'know. A pretty big chest. And I know guys are into that."
"So, I was just wondering… if you ever felt like you liked Mahiru more then me because of that?"
Akifumi stared at her for a moment before a short laugh escaped his lips.
"Wha—Hey! Don't laugh you idiot this is a serious question!" Eriri's face turned crimson.
"I'm not laughing at you," he said, shaking his head.
"I just didn't expect you to ask me something like that."
"Well, it's a valid question!"
Akifumi tilted his head. "Eriri, do you seriously think I'm that shallow?"
"I… I don't know." She crossed her arms puffing out her cheeks again. "Guys are weak to certain things."
"And I know I'm not exactly… uh… as gifted as Mahiru."
Akifumi let out a soft sigh before leaning in closer.
"Eriri. Look at me."
She hesitantly met his gaze, her blue eyes flickering with uncertainty.
"I like you and Mahiru for who you are."
"Your attitude, your stubbornness, the way you get all flustered when I tease you." He smirked. "Not to mention, you're absolutely adorable when you let your guard down like this."
Eriri's face turned even redder. "S-Shut up."
"And for the record,"
"I already told you this before, I think you're perfect the way you are."
"So stop worrying about dumb things like that, okay?"
Eriri remained silent for a few seconds before muttering under her breath, "…Then prove it to me again."
Akifumi blinked. "What did you just say?"
"I SAID I WANT SOME PROOF—Mhhhhhh!"
Before she could finish Akifumi cut her off by pressing his lips against hers.
Her body instinctively leaning into him.
She huffed against his lips but didn't pull away.
Instead her fingers gripping onto his sleeve tightly.
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