Our eyes locked unto each other as if we were seeing our lives playing out right before our eyes. The heat of the moment radiating unto our cheeks. The temperature outside was freezing, but I couldn’t feel the cold for the warmth that I felt watching the glimmer in Mai’s beautiful eyes.

The magnetism of her lips drew me ever closer and we both closed our eyes, slowly bringing our lips together.

“Mai! Mai! Where are you?”

Before our lips could barely touch, we jolted apart. Looking around, then up the street, Tokuda came running.

“There you two are, I was worried sick, why did you both leave? You didn’t say anything. Woah Akira, you feeling okay?” He gently patted me on my back. As if I didn’t just attempt to kiss his long time girlfriend.

Mai spoke softly. “Sorry Tokuda, I was feeling unwell, Akira was nice enough to walk me home.” She glanced over her shoulder, meeting my gaze. We both were still flushed.

“Yeah, I wasn’t feeling to good myself. I figured I’d take Mai home and then go home myself.” I lied. The guilt beginning to flow in. What if Tokuda had seen us. What if he wasn’t a dumbass when it came to reading between the lines.

“Thanks man, I owe you. How bout you go ahead home. I’ll take Mai home. Go get some rest man. Thanks for always looking out for her.”

“Sure. thanks.” What else could I say? “No dude, I am in love with your girlfriend and we almost just kissed?” I couldn’t do that to Mai. I watched them take off down the street towards the station. Mai glanced back, as if she wanted to say something, but she hesitated and all she could muster was a small wave.

Mai, I love you, was all I could think as I watched them two disappear into the darkness.

I walked home, thinking back to the softness of Mai’s hands. Holding hands seemed like such a simple gesture that before today I had never realized its implications. How intense it could make my heart bellow out of my chest.

I made it home. The house was dark and quiet. Mom was a nurse, so she often worked late and sometimes even slept at the hospital. We could go days sometimes without seeing her. She was always sure to leave dinner on the counter. I grabbed my bento and sulked to my room, throwing myself upon my bed and replaying those precious few minutes of ours over in my mind, analyzing our actions. Did Mai love me too? Is that what she was trying to say?

Just then, my phone buzzed, notifying me of a message. It was Mai.

My heart fell into my stomach. What did she tell him? She told him about her feelings? What did she say?

The front door slammed. I jolted from the bed, realizing that Tokuda was here. I would have to face the consequences to my actions. I could hear Tokuda stomp his way to his room, slamming the door. He always was the one for theatrics when he was upset. I took a deep breath, walking quietly down the hall and gently knocking on his door. To my surprise, he swung it open without protest, falling to his knees before me, in tears.

“Tokuda, are you okay? What’s wrong?” I knelt down beside him. What transpired between him and Mai?

“Mai, she said that she wanted to take a break. She said that I have been way too flirty with the girls at school and it made her feel insecure. She said that she wanted us to spend some time apart until she could figure out what she wanted and for me to do the same. I don’t know what to do Akira. What did I do wrong? I don’t see why she is doing this?”

I exhaled deep. Relief, knowing that she did not tell him of our almost kiss.

“Tokuda, Mai saw you allowing those two girls to touch and flirt with you at the party. You were enjoying it. Trust me, as a guy, I understand. We both know that you are getting popular. I think Mai just felt insecure about you being okay allowing other girls to do that to you.”

“Akira, I didn’t realize. I was just having fun hanging out with everyone. I knew she was lying about being sick. Of course she was pretty red when I first saw you two on the street.” He brought his hands to his head in worry, realizing that he unknowingly had screwed up.

“Tokuda, it will be fine. Mai loves you, I am sure of it. Let her have this time to figure things out. In the meantime, do the best you can to thwart any advances from other girls and apologize for your stupidity at the party.” I patted his back, trying like hell to convince my heart that I wanted Tokuda and Mai to be endgame.

“Thanks man, I don’t know what I would do without you. I am sorry, I know you are sick.”

I chuckled. “Don’t worry, I am used to your toddler antics, baby Tokuda.”

Tokuda smiled. Giving me a soft slap to the head. It was our love language after all.

“Well I am going to get some rest.” I stood up. “Sure thing” Tokuda rose up too and I began walking back down the hallway to my room.

“Hey Akira” I froze.

“Are you in love with Mai?” My heart began beating so fast, I barely could stand. What do I say to that? Do I lie and add to my guilt? Do I tell him the truth?

“You know the answer to that question already don’t you?”

“Your right.. I just wanted to hear you say it.” I could hear Tokuda close his door. My heart was nearly busting out of my chest. I quickly walked into my room and shut the door, locking it as I fell to the ground just inside.

So she did tell him. She told him about my confession? So that is why she warned me.

My phone went off. Another text from Mai.

I didn’t know how to respond. My mind racing with all these emotions at once. I kept reading that one sentence over and over.

“I Love you Akira.”