As the bus rolled smoothly along the dimly lit streets, the silence remained but it was easy to sense the two girls wanting to say sothing to each other.
And so, to give them the space, I leaned back to the soft cushion of the bus seat, feigning disinterest while my eyes darted between the two, keeping an eye on them.
With Futaba being sensible enough to notice the tension, she decided to be the one to break the silence, "Eri. I know this may sound out of place but... are things going well between you and Toshi-kun?"
Before answering Futaba's question, Eri glanced at , most likely gauging my interest in it. I know I shouldn't be hearing this but... it's not like I can pretend to be completely indifferent. This ca up because of , after all.
I shifted slightly, keeping my expression neutral while my ears remained attuned to their conversation.
Futaba's question was laced with genuine concern. That much I could tell. However, there was also a hint of self-reflection. She's probably trying to see Eri's perspective and then compare
it with her own.
Eri's lips curled into a faint, bittersweet smile. She leaned back against the seat, her grip on my arm tightening a little, a reflection of the internal battle she was fighting. "Yes. Things are going well. In fact, it's the sa as before."
At the end of her sentence, Eri forced out a smile. I guess she didn't want to admit that she was not satisfied with the lack of developnt. But then again, her lack of satisfaction with their current status quo must've also been influenced by associating with ... or my
relationship with Akane where my silly wife never held back in telling them that we've already done everything a couple would do.
And that's the sa for Futaba but her situation was different. They're willing. It's her body that seed to be rejecting further intimacy.
Eri's bittersweet smile lingered as her words hung in the air. Each syllable is weighted with unspoken thoughts.
Futaba shifted uncomfortably beside and saw her fingers toying with the hem of her skirt. Internally, she must've been reprimanding herself for bringing that up.
"I see..." Futaba finally responded. Her gaze flitted towards montarily as she bit her lips while trying to find an answer from my eyes. "If things are the sa as before, does that an you're... happy with it?"
"Happy? Hmm..." Eri dragged the word out as if tasting its aning. "I am, yes. Toshi is sweet, caring, and everything I could ask for. But..."
"But?" Futaba pressed. That but was surely coming from a mile away.
"But I guess I sotis wonder... if I'm being fair to him." Eri let out a small deprecating laugh, "I an, look at . I'm here consulting Ruki about relationships, clinging to him without considering personal boundaries, while Toshi probably assus I'm just hanging out with my friends."
Upon saying that, Eri also looked at . Most likely, she wanted to confirm her actions. But I didn't. Instead, I gave her a comforting squeeze, "Eri, you don't have to beat yourself over this. I know I won't be the best person to say this but relationships aren't simple. And sotis, it's not always going to go your way. But there's one golden rule that can always make things better."
"What's that?" Both girls looked at with curiosity, their eyes gleaming under the dim light of the bus.
"Communication is the key," I said with a smile. Although it should really be a general rule for relationships, I would probably only be going to talk based on my own experience. "I valued honesty a lot. That's why I always tell Akane to tell if I've done sothing wrong. Even before Fuyu confessed to , Akane already knew that I'd also grown interested in her best friend."
"Of course, I still keep secrets. But those are done only after careful considerations." I added as my gaze shifted to Futaba whose eyes faltered a bit.
"You're amazing, Ruki," Eri whispered, her voice filled with admiration. "You always know what to say."
"Wrong. I'm not amazing at all. Besides, it's not that I always know what to say, I only have an honesty filter that more often than not, doesn't restrict the words coming from my mouth. For example, I can be this open to tell you that when it cos to our closeness, I don't mind doting on you just like how I dote on Akane and Fuyu. Since you two have followed Akane before, you know how I was seemingly involved with different girls, right?"
Eri and Futaba nodded.
"But that doesn't an I don't respect the boundaries you have with Toshi-kun, Eri. You know that." I continued, looking at her intently. "And that's what I want to tell you as well, Futaba. I don't want to cause trouble for either of you. But I will always be this guy you can talk to openly."
Futaba looked away, a faint blush staining her cheeks. It was clear she was processing what I had just said. anwhile, Eri leaned closer to , her eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and sothing else... sothing more intimate. "Thank you, Ruki. I really appreciate it."
"Alright. Now that's out of the way... What are you going to do next, Eri?"
Her eyes searched my face for a mont before she leaned back with a sigh. "Follow that golden rule. I should just talk to Toshi-kun directly. Tell him my thoughts and then hear his."
"Good girl." I praised as I ruffled her hair.
Eri pouted slightly at being treated like a child but she didn't object. Instead, she leaned her head on my shoulder, "I can at least do this, right?"
"As long as you know what you're doing, why not? I already told you I'm fine with being close to you even though I already got scolded by Akane and Fuyu earlier."
"Pfft. Right. I have to apologize for putting you in that situation, Ruki."
"Don't be. I got more than just a scolding."
"... I shouldn't ask what it is you've gotten, right?"
"Yeah. But don't you already know?"
"Un. I do." Eri's voice turned softer. Clearly, she's imagining whatever it was.
Turning to the other side, Futaba remained silent but I could tell she also had sothing to say. Most likely, she's holding it back for later as it probably involved our 'secret'.
The bus ride continued with only the occasional rumble of the engine breaking the quiet. The bus's gentle swaying was almost hypnotic and it wasn't long before Eri's breathing grew steady, indicating she had dozed off on my shoulder.
Futaba, on the other hand, remained awake. When she noticed Eri had dozed off, she leaned closer to and whispered, "Onoda-kun..."
I glanced at her, raising an eyebrow in question. "What's on your mind, Futaba?" Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink as she whispered, "I... I just thought I should say this. Thank you for being so considerate. But... I don't think we're lacking in communication." "Mhm. I know. Let's talk about it later, alright? I still don't mind continuing to help you." I whispered back, giving her a comforting smile.
"Is it really fine?"
"As long as it's fine with you."
Futaba faltered a bit from that answer but she still understood what I was trying to say.
My mindset was really different from the other guys. Just the fact that they're close friends of Akane and Fuyu, my excessive consideration had also extended to them regardless of their current status. If I could help them, then I would.
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