"Just go along with me, please. Some girls are watching me right now, and I've got you on loudspeaker. So, answer properly," I whispered as I held my phone tightly.
"Babe, I can see you from your room. I made a reservation at a restaurant. Let's have lunch there," I heard his quiet laugh as he spoke.
"Wow, a restaurant? Isn't the cafeteria enough?" Amy teased me, rolling her eyes.
"Okay, babe. I'll wait for you here," I replied sweetly, smiling as the girls around me stared in disbelief at what they were hearing.
I hung up, gave a small smile, then rolled my eyes at the group of girls gawking at me.
"Wow! So it's official—my best friend's boyfriend is no longer just some boy acting childish," Janice said dramatically, and the three of us burst out laughing.
Well, it's true. The things Kenji did for me earlier? James never did those, not even walking me to my classroom.
"Of course. Kenji loves me so much," I blurted out unconsciously.
"We know," Janice said, smirking. "So you girls better leave before Kenji shows up. Otherwise, you'll end up crying, because he's here for Athena."
A few minutes later, Kenji appeared at the door. Excited, I picked up my bag.
"Bye, girls. See you later after lunch," I said with a smile to Amy and Janice.
"Enjoy, Athena," they chorused.
"After you eat, make sure you eat Kenji too," Amy teased loudly, making me laugh as I walked out of the room.
I handed my bag to Kenji, and then suddenly felt his lips press against my forehead. A forehead kiss. He tilted my chin up and playfully tapped the tip of my nose.
I couldn't help but smile at what he did. It was only our first day, but the way he treated me, it already felt like we had been together for a long time.
"You're so beautiful, Athena," Kenji said cheerfully.
"I know. That's why you fell for me," I teased, laughing softly as I hooked my arm around his.
"My God! They're like kids," I heard a girl whisper bitterly. Irritated, I turned to her.
"Jealous, aren't you? You just can't accept that your crush is my boyfriend," I snapped and rolled my eyes.
"Stop, girl. If I hear even one more word from any of you about Athena, I won't hesitate to make your life miserable," Kenji said seriously, his tone sharp. Even I felt a chill hearing him.
He was scary when he was serious—his aura completely changed.
"Kenji, stop," I said quickly, tugging at him. I could see the anger in his face.
He turned to me, nodded slightly, and we walked down the hallway together. I didn't let go of his arm, clinging to him as we went down the stairs.
Everything happening felt so new to me, but strangely, I was happy. I couldn't even understand myself anymore.
Kenji opened the car door, and I slid inside. He quickly followed.
"You told me to ignore what people say, but why did you threaten them?" I asked jokingly, noticing how his mood seemed off.
"I'm not joking, Athena. I've told plenty of girls off just so you wouldn't have to hear their nonsense," Kenji said bluntly, eyes fixed on the road as he drove.
"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.
"I've made things difficult for them. I don't want you hearing those false rumors," he answered firmly.
"That's why they're called rumors—they're not true. And I'm already used to it. It doesn't matter to me anymore," I said lightly, forcing a laugh to ease the mood.
"You shouldn't have to get used to it, Athy. I don't want you hearing those things at all," he said, his voice low. I saw the pain in his eyes, and it startled me.
Why is he like this?
Does he really love me that much?
Why does his love for me feel so deep… could this really not be a joke?
Those three questions kept echoing in my head. The silence in the car made me nervous, so I spoke up.
"Uhm… where are we eating, Kenji?" I asked softly, my heart pounding.
"Italiani's, near Market Market," he answered flatly, not even glancing at me.
"Don't be like this, please. It's only our first day, and I don't even know how to calm you down," I admitted.
He was clingy, sweet, and caring—but when it came to moments like this, I had no idea how to handle him. I couldn't read what was going on in his head.
"You're the only one who can calm me down, Athy," he said, finally glancing at me. His eyes looked so sad.
"Okay, babe. I'm sorry, alright? I'll stop fighting back. I won't react anymore. And I promise you—from now on, you'll never hear another rumor about me again," I said, trying to convince him.
"I don't believe you," he replied, his tone serious.
He was really getting on my nerves. Why did he always make things so difficult? I didn't even love him yet, and he still couldn't feel that I didn't have feelings for him. Maybe that's why he reacted this way.
"I promise, Kenji. I know you want to change me, and I'll let you. Starting tomorrow, date me—every day, if you want. I'll say yes every time. Just give me a chance to learn to love you," I said with a smile, looking straight into his eyes.
I knew that was what he wanted to hear. And
maybe… it wouldn't be so bad if I tried. I wouldn't lose anything by giving our relationship a chance. Maybe we really could be happy—if I could somehow fall in love with him. After all, he already said he loved me, and that he was willing to wait.