"How about this?" Jun spun around slowly.
"It's a bit much maybe?"
He took a few moments to consider himself in the mirror. Akane was probably right, he had to concede.
"So, are you going to tell me what's bothering you?" he asked since he needed time to think anyway.
"Nothing. Why do you think something is wrong?"
He turned to give her his full attention. She was sitting on his bed with her legs crossed with her eyes carefully looking at him.
"Akane, I'm your best friend," he tried his best to give her a look that conveyed just how much of a stupid question that was, "so, what's wrong?"
Maybe something blue? He started rummaging through his closet for something appropriate.
"Is Rin ever jealous of you spending time with me?"
The quest for the blue shirt was immediately paused, and he poked his head out to look at her. It was odd to see her like this, even her tone seemed hesitant.
"No. Is Noburo jealous of you spending time with me?"
She fidgeted slightly, perhaps if he didn't know her as well as he did it would have gone unnoticed, before she finally spoke.
"Maybe?"
He returned to his closet and found a potential candidate, holding it up and carefully considering it.
"Did something go wrong with you and Noburo?"
This shirt seemed fine. He pulled off his current shirt and put it on, then presented himself again.
"I'm not sure?" she gave him an elevator look, before delivering her critique, "if you want that shirt, you have to ditch those pants."
"Alright."
He returned to his closet.
"It's just difficult because we don't have a lot of free time, you know?"
"I don't mind it if you spend a little less time with me," he tried to reassure her.
"Jun," her tone was harsh, and he dropped what he was doing right away and stood at attention, resisting the urge to squirm under the piercing glare of her ice blue eyes, "if you talk like that again, I'm going to be very mad, okay? We're best friends, so of course I have to spend time with you. That's not up for debate."
"Understood," he nervously swallowed.
"Good," she smiled, as if she hadn't just looked ready to absolutely eviscerate him, "maybe red and white? It might be a little uninspired, but it's a classic for a reason. Also suits your hair," she suggested.
He started looking for the pants right away.
"I'm just not sure what more to do. I even let him put it in my butt," she sighed.
Thankfully his head was stuck in his closet right now, so she couldn't see the look of utter bafflement he sported.
"Akane, I don't think that's supposed to help," he hesitantly spoke.
Pants were acquired, and he stepped out for a minute to change into them, then dove into the closet again.
"Maybe? But guys like that, right?"
He was a virgin, how was he supposed to know?! It took him a few seconds to get over that particular bout of Akane-insanity, before he spoke: "I still don't think it's a solution to relationship problems."
"It's just," she paused for a few seconds before she continued, "this whole thing was his idea, and now he's suddenly upset with me because two busy people to his apparent surprise are busy and have difficulty finding time to spend together. What am I supposed to do about that?"
He knew she was venting, so he was not supposed to actually figure out the solution. He had managed to locate an appropriate shirt, and after considering it for a little he pulled off his old shirt and started putting it on.
"I just hope he gets over it," she sighed.
"You know I'm an optimist, so I'm sure it'll work out," he looked at her and smiled as he had just returned from the closet, though she didn't seem convinced by he reassurance.
"This looks good on you."
He turned to look at his reflection, and he had to concede she might be right. He was at least certain that he didn't look awful, and considering he was about to go on a date with Rin that was an absolute win.
"Thank you for helping me. With minimal sass."
"I never sass you. I'm your best friend," she refuted.
"How about that time you said I looked like a suicidal shrimp?"
"I only tell the truth," she insisted with a look of absolute pure honesty. She couldn't fool him though.
"Aha. Well, thank you for comparing me to sea life that long for death," he sarcastically returned.
"You're welcome," she beamed at him. He had to tell himself not to pick a fight, because she was much stronger than him, "isn't it time for you to get going though?"
He located his phone, and he was indeed almost late.
"Shit. Right, kicking you out, thank you for everything," he started filling his pockets in a panic, before they then left his house together.
They split up soon after as she went home, and he went out for his date. He really hoped her and Noburo managed to sort it out.
When he made it to the cafe Rin was already waiting for him outside.
"I'm so sorry I'm late," he apologized.
"It's okay, I only got here a minute ago," she smiled, and then went in for a hug. He wrapped his arms around her and held her for a few seconds before she let go.
"You look beautiful," he told her with a smile. Rin really knew how to dress herself, though more conservative in tastes than Akane, she managed to emphasize her good features well.
"Thank you," she blushed slightly, "you look good yourself."
"You should thank Akane for that. She helped me out," he smiled, happy that a simple compliment had elicited such a reaction.
"I'll make sure to thank her next time I see her," her soft laughter was like tinkling bells.
"Shall we?" he gestured towards the cafe.
She nodded and they made their way inside. It wasn't too busy so they were quickly seated and gave their orders.
They exchanged the expected pleasantries for a little, before she suddenly asked him: "Is something wrong?"
"I'm sorry?" he asked, a little confused.
"You seem a little distracted," she explained.
"Oh. I'm sorry about that," he apologized, he hadn't realized it, and he resolved to push the matter of Noburo and Akane to the corner of his mind.
"So what's wrong?" she inquired again.
He was about to offer her some empty platitudes when he remembered that she was his girlfriend. Usually if he had something he wanted to talk about he had Akane, but Rin was qualified as well. He was perhaps even expected to talk to her about these things, wasn't he?
"Are you ever jealous of me and Akane?" he finally resolved to ask.
"No. Should I be?" she sounded completely unbothered, as if answering that question wasn't even something that required thought.
Luckily the waiter arriving with their food allowed him some more time to think.
It was a rather innocuous question, but the irony of it still struck him. Of Rin and Noburo, Rin was the only one who had any reason to be jealous, though she didn't know it. After all, he used to be in love with Akane, though he had never told anyone.
While he had told Akane that the first date he went on was a disaster, he hadn't told her that she was indirectly the reason for it. He had never acted on his feelings for her though, as it was quite clear to him that Akane would never love him, and he treasured her as a friend too much to say anything.
He wasn't sure when he got over it. Though it sounded mean, dating Rin had actually helped, and he could now absolutely say that he had moved on. Not that he was just dating Rin for that of course. He wasn't at the point where he wanted to declare his undying love, plan their future together, and decide how many kids they wanted, but he still genuinely liked he, and he enjoyed spending time with her.
Some part of him wanted to tell Rin, because in a way it felt like he was lying by not telling her. If he was in her position he wouldn't want to know since it wasn't relevant anymore though, so he decided to stay quiet.
"No," he said honestly and shook his head as soon as the waiter was gone.
"Is this about Noburo and Akane then?" she asked.
"I won't," she promised, "is Noburo jealous of you spending time with Akane?"
"He might be?" he said hesitantly, "I think it's more that they apparently don't have a lot of time to spend together."
"Oh," she paused and nodded slowly, "that does make sense. They are both going pro."
"What?" he blinked, not quite sure he heard it right.
"What?" she asked, looking equally confused.
"Akane is going pro?" he asked.
"Yes? Don't you ever talk to her about it? Boys," she huffed.
"Whenever I ask Akane about tournaments or anything she usually just says it went okay and talks about something else," he explained.
"What?"
"So Akane is good at it?"
He didn't quite know how to feel about the fact that he apparently had to learn that his best friend was going pro from his girlfriend that he hadn't even dated for half a year. A little aggrieved maybe. Plotting his revenge could wait though.
"Of course! She is very good," she nodded enthusiastically, "sure, it isn't a guarantee she'll get a contract right after high school, but it seems likely. She is expected to perform very well in December."
He did his best to appear very engaged and as if he knew what she was talking about, but clearly it didn't work as she let out a sigh.
"She really has never told you anything about badminton or how it works?"
He shook his head in response. Well, he was somewhat familiar with the rules of the game, but he felt that wasn't what she was talking about.
"Okay, so you enter high school first year in spring, right? There is the East Asian tournament in summer, internationals in Fall, and finally the nationals in winter, okay? Akane is in her second year, but it seems like she'll actually be selected for internationals in Fall. See, isn't she amazing?"
He wasn't particularly surprised at her enthusiasm. Whenever he wanted to make her happy he would ask about something related to badminton.
"That's amazing," he nodded, "will you also play in the nationals?"
She bit her lip as she thought, a habit of hers he couldn't help but find a little cute.
"I hope to, but it's difficult to be chosen. Usually first years aren't chosen for tournaments," she finally settled on.
That did provide him with more context as he knew Akane had gone to a tournament in her first year. Maybe Akane really was good at badminton? All the more reason to plan terrible vengeance.
"I'm sure you will," he smiled, though he didn't know anything, he was fairly certain it was his duty as boyfriend to be supportive, "maybe you can play against Akane to prepare?"
"Coach throws us up against her every time he thinks we are getting cocky. She's a demon," she face planted unto the table.
"She is a demon," he nodded, though they were agreeing he was certain they meant different things.
"I like it when it's against you," she peaked up at him, and at seeing his betrayed look she playfully stuck out her tongue before she continued in a teasing tone, "it's important to put a boy in his place every now and then. I have Akane to put you in your place, so I can just focus on being your sweet girlfriend."
"I don't think you can claim to be sweet while admitting to that," he put on a mock offended look.
"Sure I can," she stood up, made her way around the table, and placed a soft kiss on his cheek, "there, all better now?"
He couldn't help but smile like an idiot at her as she sat back down.
"All better," he nodded.
They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes before she spoke again.
"You know I want to make a career out of badminton, but what about you? You've always been a little vague," she inquired.
"I hope to enter fashion design," he finally spoke.
"That does make sense," she nodded, and at seeing his puzzled look she continued, "you're in the fashion club."
"Oh. Right. That is a pretty big clue."
She laughed which made him smile, and then let him rant about dresses at her for a while. Rin was nice like that.
When they finally ended their date several hours later he made it home with a grin on his face.
It had been a good day.