Mika glanced over at him, eyes sparkling with mischief. "It was quite impressive," she said, still catching her breath.
Her voice mixed fake innocence with obvious amusement. "For a mistake."
She took a sip of water while keeping her eyes on him. "I hope your phone doesn't glitch like that again," she added, sounding way too hopeful for someone who supposedly didn't want it to happen.
"But if it does, I won't tell anyone."
They ran in silence for a bit. Just the sound of their feet hitting pavement filled the morning air.
Then, like she'd been holding the question back, Mika asked quietly:
"So... what do you think Yuna would do if she found out?"
Makoto chuckled. "Are you trying to... blackmail me, Miss Mika?"
His voice came out playful and teasing. "So scary! So that's what's hidden under that cute, kind, and innocent face. What do you want?"
Mika burst out laughing. The bright sound echoed in the quiet morning.
"Blackmail?" Her eyes danced with amusement. "I would never." She sipped her water again, watching him the whole time.
"But I am curious," she said, voice dropping lower. "About what it would take to get you to send me another one."
"On purpose, this time."
She gave him an encouraging smile. "And for the record," she added hopefully, "I'm a much better secret-keeper than Yuna is."
They ran quietly again for a moment. Then, as if she couldn't stop herself:
"So... what do you say?"
He lowered his voice and slowed down to barely a jog. "You want me to send you another one? On purpose?"
A slow grin spread across his face. He was enjoying this. "Hmm, there is something called... the Law of Equivalent Exchange in Fullmetal Alchemist, Miss Mika."
"I'm sure you know what that means?"
Mika stopped running. Her breathing was ragged, but a wicked grin took over her face. "Oh, I'm very familiar with the concept," she said, amused.
She turned to face him fully. The morning sun caught the sweat glistening on her skin, making it shine.
She stepped closer and dropped her voice to a whisper. "How about this?" Her eyes sparkled. "You send me a picture... and I'll send you a video."
She leaned in close enough that he could feel her breath warm against his cheek. "Of me," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly. "In the shower. Making sure that I get... extra clean."
She pulled back with a knowing smile on her lips. Her eyes looked innocent, but something burned behind them.
"But you have to go first," she added hopefully. "To prove that you're serious."
Makoto giggled at that. "Sounds like you're experienced. Have you done this before?"
He picked up the pace again. "Fine. I will consider it tonight, if I run out of... fap material."
Mika's laugh came out low and throaty. It sent another shiver through him.
"Experienced?" Her eyes danced with mischief. "Let's just say that I'm a fast learner. Especially when I'm properly motivated."
She gave him a slow once-over, her gaze stopping at his mouth for a beat too long. "And don't worry," she purred. "You will run out."
The bridge came into view up ahead.
Yuna stood against the railing, looking like a small ball of fury with her gray twin-tails. She tapped her foot impatiently, arms crossed tight.
She looked ready to explode.
When he and Mika jogged up, both wheezing and sweating, Yuna didn't even glance at him. Her stare stayed locked on Mika, cold as ice.
"Took you long enough," she growled. "Did you have to stop and perform CPR on him?"
Mika just smiled brightly. The smile didn't quite reach her eyes, though. "You're just too fast for us, Yuna," she said, voice overly sweet.
'"I guess that means he owes us both breakfast." She turned to him with mischief in her eyes.
When Yuna looked away to glare at a passing cyclist, Mika mouthed one silent word at him: Later.
Makoto shrugged casually. "Well, Mika was kind enough to just give me some running advice".
"Advice?" Yuna's voice dripped with venom covered in fake sweetness.
She pushed off the railing with sharp, aggressive movements. "What kind of advice? How to breathe without sounding like a dying water buffalo?"
"Or maybe some pointers on how to properly stare at a girl's ass without tripping over your own fat feet?"
She got right in his face, jabbing her finger into his chest hard. "Because from where I was standing, it looked like a lot less advising and a lot more disgusting, open-mouthed flirting."
Mika kept smiling that bright smile that didn't reach her eyes. "He was just asking about my running form," she said sweetly. "He's a very dedicated student."
Yuna's eyes narrowed to slits. "I'm sure he is."
He was clearly having fun with this. "So, what kind of breakfast do you both want? Or do you want me to decide?"
She turned her glare back to him. "Breakfast. I want pancakes. From that little cafe on Oak Street."
"The one with the ridiculously overpriced, artisanal bacon. And you're paying."
Mika's smile got wider. "Oh, that place is lovely," she said softly.
"But after a run like this, I was thinking about something a little bit lighter. Maybe one of those açai bowls from the juice bar next door?"
She looked at him with wide, innocent eyes. "What do you think, Makoto? Pancakes or a healthy smoothie bowl?"
"Ahem, I guess you should try the pancakes from Oak Street once, Mika. They're quite... nice."
Pure triumph flashed across Yuna's face.
She had won. For just a moment, she stood there as the victorious queen.
"Good choice," she purred with satisfaction. "You're not a complete idiot, after all."
Then, he leaned in close to Mika and whispered, "And their parfait is superb. I can guarantee it." That secret, intimate whisper meant only for her changed everything.
Mika's eyes lit up. A delicate pink flush spread across her cheeks.
She leaned closer until her shoulder brushed against his. "Oh, is that so?" she whispered back softly. "Then I guess I'll have to save some room for dessert."
Yuna suddenly appeared between them like a small, furious gremlin.
She shoved them apart with surprising force, almost frantic in her movements. "Are you done?" she hissed.
The brief moment of triumph had vanished completely. Now she just simmered with rage.
"Stop whispering like a pair of gossiping schoolgirls," she snarled.
She grabbed his arm in a vice grip. "I'm starving. And you're paying."
She started marching toward the street, dragging him along.
She didn't look at Mika, but her message came through loud and clear: He's mine.
Mika followed behind them with a small, triumphant smile playing at her lips.
She caught his eye over Yuna's shoulder. The slow, deliberate wink she gave him promised trouble.
"Yeah, yeah, of course I'm gonna pay," he said with an affectionate chuckle. He let Yuna drag him along. The scent of her filled his nose.
Both girls looked incredible, all sweaty and beautiful from the run. A new fantasy started forming in his mind.
An impossible one. An exhilarating one: a threesome.
"Hmm, we're here," he sighed when they reached the cafe. "Luckily, the queue doesn't seem to be too long."
The cafe felt cozy and warm. Sunlight streamed through the windows.
The whole place smelled like roasted coffee, bacon, and sweet maple syrup. Saturday morning chatter buzzed all around them.
They slid into a booth with Yuna and Mika on either side of him.
Like having an angel and devil on his shoulders. Or more accurately, a she-devil and another she-devil.
Yuna immediately grabbed a menu. Her eyes scanned the overpriced artisanal offerings like a predator sizing up prey.
Mika just smiled at him. Her gaze felt warm and lingered a bit too long. She was definitely up to something.
A perky waitress appeared at their table. She had that impossibly cheerful energy of someone who actually enjoyed morning shifts.
A pen stuck out from behind her ear.
"Good morning!" she chirped brightly. "What can I get for you folks?"
She looked right at him, and her smile got even wider.
Seem like the universe decided to throw another grenade into his already explosive love life.
"Oh my god," the waitress said. Her eyes went wide with recognition. "Makoto? Is that you?"