Chapter 2136: Answering Questions (2)

After a minute or two of Akane and Fuyu alternately asking me for more kisses, I found the other two still staring at us but with contrasting reactions.

Eri, who was just a troubled girl when she went to see me earlier, got so engrossed at the sight of our open display of affection.

Whatever was in her head, it would be along the lines of 'I wish I could also be as bold as them'.

In contrast, Futaba had her arms crossed as she was teetering between asking us to stop flirting or straight up scolding us. In this particular instance, I could understand her side. I mean, aren't we being insensitive for making out in front of them?

Regardless of what happened between us earlier or the subtle changes in her mindset, her reaction was more understandable than how Eri was acting.

I'd be open to being scolded by her if that's what would make this right.

Unfortunately, I was the only one who was thinking about it. Akane and Fuyu simply returned to their previous disposition as though what we did was par for the course.

Due to that, Futaba could only sigh and let it go. When our gaze met, the sullen glimmer of her eyes hinted at her disappointment to me but ultimately, she forgo pursuing it.

A while later, Eri faked a cough as though she was trying to clear the awkward air that shrouded the room.

"Uhm. Right. Forget about what I asked, Onoda-kun. I insensitively made them jealous by bringing up the other girls close to you. I'll just take your word for it..." Eri awkwardly laughed, hinting at her guilt for putting us on that spot.

I guess she's also a little sensible, no? Or not really. Akane and Fuyu's reaction made her misunderstand that they asked for my kiss as assurance because they got jealous of the mention of my 'close friends'.

I don't know if that's also Futaba's take but I guess we'll just have to roll with it for now. "Ah. It's fine, I guess. I should be apologizing instead for making the situation awkward. But I'll say it again just in case. Those girls you meet? I won't deny their importance to me. In a way, you two are also similar. I now consider you as a close friend not just an extension of my goodwill because you're Akane's closest friends." I brought it up again in response but with a touch of misdirection.

And it was effective.

Eri instantly fumbled there. She stuttered at the same time as she pointed at herself and Futaba.

"E-eh? Us too?"

My response was a swift nod followed by a refreshing smile.

"Mhm. You're also free to interpret that."

With that, Eri dorkily giggled, "Hehe. That's right. You're my boy best friend. Then, I should be your girl best friend, right? Oh, wait. That sounds a level higher than a close friend."

"You're acting like a fool, Eri. Get a hold of yourself." Futaba interjected, nudging the girl, "Onoda-kun, let's move on, shall we? I'll let that pass but curb down on flirting. You said you don't want us to be uncomfortable... if you keep doing it, won't that come true?"

Look at this girl, she's really fitting into her role of the most sensible among them. She's helping me out in returning the disturbed mood in order.

She's far from the image she's painting herself with. She's no gyaru at all but simply a girl conscious of her appearance.

Anyway, Fuyu could also be sensible since she's the glue keeping them together but at the moment, she was as guilty as me. It's only right for her to not retort at all.

"Mhm. I understand. Thanks for helping out, Futaba."

"Yeah, yeah... It's my turn to ask a question though. I must be a fool to only react to this now but... when did you start calling us by our first name?"

Wait. She's right. I only called them by their given names in my thoughts before. However, I couldn't recall addressing them by their last name tonight...

I thought for a second before putting on an oblivious smile.

"Oh. What do you mean, Adachi-san?"

"You! You don't think you can get away if you suddenly revert to that, right? Ugh. How did I not notice it earlier?"

"Oh. You're right. Onoda-kun is calling me Eri, not Kitayama-san... That's unfair!" "Alright, calm down. I also didn't notice it. I apologize. Should I switch back?"

"Never mind. Just keep at it. It'll just be more awkward if you call me Adachi-san after all this time."

"Yeah! That's right! I'd just call you Ruki too. Oh... That rolled smoothly on my tongue." Eri also jumped in and then giggled at what she accomplished. Her smile was so bright the awkward mood immediately lessened to a great extent.

But right after her, Futaba opened her mouth again, her face displaying a pink hue.

"Just so you know! I won't call you Ruki. N-not yet. It's embarrassing."

On my side, Akane and Fuyu laughed at their friend's antics. Either they found them adorable

as well or were simply finding this situation funny.

"Alright. That's fine, Futaba. You don't have to push yourself. As for Eri... well, I'm the one

who blundered first so feel free to call me however you want."

"Heh. That's great! Ruki can I also get a hug? A friendly hug!"

"Oi, Eri. What are you asking him? And in front of Akane and Fuyu at that."

"Eh? Isn't it fine? Not like I'm stealing Ruki from them."

"Toyama-kun will cry if he hears you hugging another guy."

"What? No, he won't. Ruki is Ruki. He's not just another guy."

"... Suit yourself."

With Futaba giving up like that, Eri couldn't hold back anymore. She crawled to our side and winked at Akane and Fuyu who just giggled alongside her.

After that, Fuyu moved out of my lap to free my arms that I would be using to embrace Eri.

"For a girl best friend, you're acting a little needy, Eri," I said as beckoned for her to come

closer.

Looking a little excited as though she was going on an adventure, Eri jumped into my arms, accepting my embrace.

Of course, she's not like Fuyu who zeroed our distance by sitting on my lap. She just kneeled in front of me and then leaned forward. I caught her pretty easily because of her slender figure. It also helped that she's not that curvy. She's not that conscious about her chest being squeezed

between us.

In any case, hugging her was still something else. You know? She's still a girl that I honestly find attractive. I have to pretend I'm not getting affected by her.

"Hehe. I'm not needy. I'm just getting back to you, Ruki. Take this for how acted very cheeky. Hmph. Showing us how you kiss Akane and Fuyu is a no-no. I'm going to make them jealous and have them teach you a lesson. What do you think? Am I not brilliant for cooking that up?" replied Eri to what I said as she pressed her lips close to my ear.

This girl... So she still has the gall to act like this, huh?

Let's play along then.

"That's your devious plan? Oh, Eri. I have bad news for you. Akane and Fuyu love me so much

that their lesson will at most be kisses at the minimum. That's still going to be a win for me."

I whispered back at the same time as I rubbed her back before pinching the lobe of her other

ear.

She quivered from the tickling sensation but her focus was more on what I said.

"Wait, seriously?"

"Mhm. Seriously."

Eri then looked at her left and right to confirm it with my girls.

And to her utter despair, they both nodded at her.

"Ugh. Unfair."

Upon saying that, Eri drummed my back before she retreated to her previous position while

pouting.

Futaba who watched all that had a dumbfounded look on her face. However, she didn't say anything and simply sighed before approaching Eri, pinning her down the bed and pinching

both of the girl's cheeks.

Looking at it from this angle, I guess she's venting her frustration on Eri, huh? How

fascinating.

Oh well... With the awkward atmosphere now swept away, this night is still far from ending. I should expect these two to recover and barrage me with more questions.

I'm still going to answer them truthfully and vaguely at the same time if it involves my girls.

However, I wonder what else they want to know. Should I just narrate my everyday cycle to

them?