"Hey, Iwa, you can come with us if you'd like."

Iwa's cheeks turn a light red.

"S-Sure."

The five of you walk back to Yutaro's car. Matsukawa holds Asuka's hand as they run off in front of you, still having the time of their lives. 

"How are they not tired," you whisper to Iwa, who's helping you walk to the car.

Iwa shrugs.

"And besides, Matsukawa sucks."

Iwa looks at you confused. "What's wrong with Matsu-"

"Y/N!" you hear call from behind you.

You and Iwa both turn around and see Tendou running towards you. 

"Hey, Y/N, got a second?" Tendou asks.

You look over at Iwa as he glares at Tendou.

"That okay, Iwa?" Tendou continues.

Iwa continues his weird stare at Tendou. You roll your eyes at how easily Iwa gets upset.

"It's fine. Iwa, I'll be right there, okay?"

Iwa looks back at you, concerned.

"Okay,"  he responds shakily.

You look back to Tendou and smile.

"Tendou-chan, how can I help you?"

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay before you left, Y/N-chan."

"Yes," you continue grinning "I will be fine."

"Good. Are we still on for tomorrow?"

"Of course, just don't forget, Tendou-chan!"

"No chance I'd ever miss out on time to hang out with you," he replies.

You blush a little bit. Tendou is so unbelievably sweet.

"C-can you walk me over to the car?"

Tendou wraps one arm around your waist and helps you walk to the car. When you get there, you place your arms around Tendou's neck. 

You lean in towards him. "I miss you," you whisper in his ear.

Tendou holds you a bit tighter before letting go.

"I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

The car door opens up for you. You're about to get in, but first you turn back to Tendou.

"Remind me tomorrow I gotta talk to you about something."

"Sure thing gorgeous," he replies.

You nod and get in the car. As you get in, you see Iwa keeping his eyes intensely fixated on Tendou.

"Bye, Iwa," Tendou waves to him.

You watch as Iwa continues to give Tendou a death stare until he's no longer in view.

Why does he have to provoke Iwa like that?

--

Back at Asuka's house, the five of you sit in her family room. As Asuka entertains the group, Matsukawa leans in towards you.

"What's up with you and Tendou? You guys fucking?"

You avoid contact with Matsukawa to mask your anger.

"No," you retaliate quietly "he's just my friend."

"Yeah right."

You can feel Matsukawa staring at you. The frustration and anger continue to build up in your body. 

"If you're fucking him, I won't tell Iwa, I'm just curious."

"Shut up," you whisper.

Just then, Asuka places her drunk body on top of Matsukawa.

"Issei," Asuka calls flirtatiously.

"What did I say about calling me that?" Matsukawa cuts her off, although politely.

You look over at your cousin and see him staring at the couple. He looks a bit sad, but there's nothing you can do right now.

"I'm sorry," Asuka says as she strokes Matsukawa's cheek.

Matsukawa briefly looks over at you and then back to Asuka. He smirks.

"Make it up to me," he replies.

Asuka is completly shocked by what Matsukawa just asked.

Immediately she stands up and runs to her room with him, leaving you alone with Yutaro and Iwa.

"The fuck was that?" Iwa asks the second Asuka and Matsukawa leave the room, "I feel like I'm missing something."

You try your best not to look upset, and stare at the floor while you shrug.

After an awkward silence, Yutaro calls your name.

"Y/N," he begins "do you feel any better now?"

You nod at him while you watch Iwa stand up and walk to a couch. As Iwa lays down, Yutaro asks you if you're still tired.

"Yeah, but I want to ask you something first."

You scoot closer to your cousin and look him dead in the eyes.

"You're so creepy sometimes when you're drunk, Y/N. That must be how you and Tendou get along so well."

You watch as Iwa perks up and listens to the conversation.

"Leave him alone. You know we're just friends."

"Riiight," he teases.

"Come on," you whine "you're going to make me forget what I was going to ask you."

"What is it then?"

"Yutaro-chan," you begin "swear you will be honest."

Yutaro rolls his eyes, "Fine," he says.

"Are you in love with Asuka?"

"Are you serious, Y/N? Why are you asking-"

"Answer me, Yutaro."

Yutaro mumbles and you get upset.

"Did you hear that, Iwa? I definitely didn't."

Iwa shakes his head no.

"Speak up, Turnip head," Iwa taunts.

"Shut up, dumbass," Yutaro replies.

"Answer the question already!" you chime in.

"Okay, damn. Fine, I used to like her but-"

"Didn't she tell you not to lie, Turnip head?"

"Stop calling me that! You're the one so obsessed with my fucking cousin!"

Silence. After he blurted out the wrong thing to say, nobody spoke. You realize that you shouldn't push Yutaro anymore.

"Y-Yutaro?"

"Yeah, Y/N, what now?" he replies a bit upset.

"Why didn't you tell me back then?"

Yutaro looks down, avoiding eye contact with you.

"I didn't want you to think I would ignore you for her. You were always struggling with your anxiety and I didn't want to make anything worse for you."

Without responding, you crawl over to Yutaro and hug him tight.

"Thanks," you whisper.

As you open your eyes back up, you meet eyes with Iwa, who's just laying on the couch staring back at you. Subconsciously, you smile at him. You release yourself from the hug with Yutaro and crawl over to the couch Iwa's on.

You look up at Iwa whose face is turning a bit red. You giggle at him.

"Stop blushing and make room for me," you say to him.

Okay, Y/N, I see you feeling ballsy tonight.

Iwa moves towards the backside of the couch, making room for you to cuddle with him. As you get on the couch you grab Iwa's arm and wrap it around you.

"Yutaro," you say as you fall asleep, "if you still like her, you should let her know. Fuck Matsukawa."

Before your cousin has time to respond, you're already asleep.

END OF CHAPTER 19