✰~My Forbidden Lover~✰ (Maki x Kaede)

☆~Chapter 17~☆

I turned off my phone and looked over at Akamatsu, who was putting hair clips that were shaped like angel wings into her hair. She didn't notice I was looking over at her.

I quickly scrambled to find my purse, where I shoved my phone inside. I then looked over at Akamatsu again, who was packing her purse up.

"Do you think we'll be staying here another night?" I asked, looking away from her as I put the purse strap on my shoulder.

"Huh? I don't know, why do you ask?" Akamatsu raised an eyebrow as she walked over to me.

"I did defend your family, but they still won't think highly of me... They'll still think of me as a scumbag, the Harukawa Scumbag." I pressed my lips together in a straight line as I watched Akamatsu frown as her eyebrows knitted together.

"If you don't want to stay at my place, you don't have to... I just don't feel good about leaving you on your own... Plus, what if you run out of money or something?"

"It's fine, I'll be fine. If I'm that desperate, I'll go to Shuichi for help."

Akamatsu sighed and nodded, walking over to the bed to make it whilst I looked around for any phone chargers. Once Akamatsu was done, she gave me a big bright smile that I knew I'd never be able to forget.

"So... What do you want to do, Harukawa-chan?" Akamatsu had an excited tone in her voice.

"I don't know..." I shrugged, looking away before I saw from the corner of my eye Akamatsu frowning before going back to her cheery self.

"Oh! I've got something! Maybe we could go to the arcade!?" Akamatsu bounced up and down excitedly as I nodded.

"Sure, I don't mind..."

Akamatsu squealed in excitement as she grabbed me by the arm and begun to run out, luckily she locked the door and spoke to the ladies at the counter, ordering another night before continuing dragging me down the street.

"Akamatsu! Akamatsu, slow down!" I basically yelled, struggling to keep up with Akamatsu and her seemingly endless enthusiasm and energy.

Akamatsu giggled as she finally stopped for a short while to let me take a break and get some air.

"Sorry! I just got so carried away!" Akamatsu giggled. "I'm so used to having to drag my older siblings around!"

".. No wonder..." I panted breathlessly, almost falling over at how dizzy I was feeling after all that running. "Are we... Even there yet..?"

"We should be about ten minutes away!"

I finally regained my breath, I glared at Akamatsu with a frown.

"We're WALKING this time, got it?"

"G-Got it!" Akamatsu squeaked, clearly intimidated as we began walking again.

We continued walking until we stopped in front of a neon looking store, a bright neon sign reading out 'NEON ARCADE'.

"Wow, how original." I said in a sarcastic tone as I rolled my eyes, Akamatsu giggled.

"Oh, come on! Don't be such a buzzkill!" Akamatsu continued giggling as she gently elbowed my arm. "I'm practically a regular here, so we can play all the games on my card!"

Akamatsu enthusiastically whipped out a neon purple card, which also read 'NEON ARCADE'. Akamatsu smiled brightly as I sighed and walked in.

The walls were really dark and gave off a nice vibe. There were purple LEDS, and there were a bunch of games, claw machines, and prizes. My eyes slightly widened as I saw a figure of Kuromi, the Sanrio character.

Akamatsu must have noticed because she giggled once more.

"Let me guess, you REALLY love Kuromi!" Akamatsu smiled as I nodded. "Then let's try to win the Kuromi. Come on!"