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Akito hasn't stopped grumbling, even though they're on their third store.
"You're such a spoil sport." An gives his ribs a playful nudge as she passes, making the ginger scowl.
"I can't believe you dragged me into this," he grouches as he follows her into the shop's cluttered interior.
Several minutes earlier, with their practice for the day wrapping up, An had turned to the other four members of Vivid BAD SQUAD.
"Hey, what do you think of having some fun? We should reward ourselves for our hard work." Akito glanced up from where he was packing his belongings, instantly sceptical. Asaka perked up just as quickly, though her blue eyes were bright.
"Ooo, I like the sound of that." The red-head turned from her haphazard efforts to slide her notebooks into her bag to look at An. Toya hummed.
"What did you have in mind, Shiraishi?" An's lips formed a grin, which Akito knew spelled trouble.
"Let's do some shopping." A scoff left Akito. Kohane piped up before he could form his refusal.
"There is a new clothing store I've been wanting to check out," she said thoughtfully. Asaka was grinning now too, her words a rush over Akito's groan.
"Great idea, An. It's been ages since I've picked up something good." Her eager agreement should have been Akito's first hint that this wasn't going to end well, but he was too busy trying to argue out of coming, saying he and Toya had no interest in wasting their time, a point that fell flat when Toya mused that he was thinking of picking up a few new CDs.
"It's settled, then. Let's go!" Asaka hooked an arm through one of Akito's, brimming with infectious energy. It was pathetic how he couldn't say no to her.
Resigned to his fate of trailing after his girlfriend and the rest of his overly keen friends, Akito inspects an assortment of water bottles on a shelf. When he turns back, his jaw drops at the sight that greets him. Asaka is holding the basket she had picked up at the front with one arm and piling items into an uneven pile.
"What do you think you're doing?" He blurts, the words edged with incredulity. She glances at him over her shoulder, her face lit up by a grin, eyes shining unrepentantly.“So much of this would go so well with my room's decor. And it just looks cool. I've been meaning to get more posters anyway—and I couldn't just get one. They sort of match." Her hands are occupied by two posters of colourful anime-style characters that she holds up proudly, as though she had won them. Finally closing his gawking mouth, Akito steps forward and seizes her wrists before she can add the posters to the alarming amount of things in her basket.
"You are not buying out the whole store." His grip is firm but gentle. Asaka's grin transforms into a pout.
"But Aki, I need them for my collection." She makes a halfhearted attempt to pull free that Akito ignores, stepping closer.
"Are you serious? You can't afford all that." A snicker makes him whip his head around. An and Kohane are giggling behind their hands. Toya is perusing the next aisle over, but he catches Akito's eye, his expression holding a touch of amusement. Realising how close he is standing to Asaka and the obvious gentleness in his hold on her, Akito's ears flare pink. He glares at the three, before turning it on Asaka, though his expression noticeably softens.
"Leave the posters, will you?" He grumbles. She groans.
"You're really annoying, you know that?"
"Who else is going to stop you from spending your savings on pointless j—"
"Okay okay, don't insult my tastes and ruin my shopping spree." There's a wry hint to her expression as she lightly tugs one hand free and nudges him on the arm. Akito grumbles under his breath, releasing her other wrist and putting some distance between them. She's infuriating with the way she remains so undeterred while he is left looking like a fool.
Akito is almost ready to breathe his sigh of relief as they near the check-out area, but his thoughts are cut short by the sound of a gasp beside him. He looks to his side and is met by a strangely predictable sight. Asaka has been drawn to the plushies section. Kohane stands next to her, eyes on a small cat plush. Akito reluctantly lingers to watch Asaka drool over the aisle.
"Look at its little paws!" She holds up a fox, and turns to Akito, laughing. "Look, it matches your hair." He crosses his arms, eyeing the fox with scepticism.
"That shade is way too dark."
"I think it fits." She holds the fox up next to him as though to compare. Akito really does try not to smile at the slight tilt to her head and the gleefully victorious tilt to her smile. It's an impossible task. Asaka notices his expression and her smile broadens.
"Admit it, you think it's cute." He frowns and shakes his head.
"It's a toy."
"Admit it." She giggles, holding it up to his face. Akito finds himself suppressing a laugh at the mischievous glint to her eyes.
"Hurry up, lovebirds." An's call makes Akito's entire face flush red.
"Oh shut up," Asaka only laughs, and then makes the situation moderately worse by slinging an arm around his shoulders.
"Asaka, personal space," he splutters, but doesn't pull away. She giggles, resting her head against shoulder, and he can't stay annoyed because the endearing gesture makes his heart feel as though it's melting.
"I hate you," he mutters as she steers them towards the tills.
It turns out he was right about her not having the money. Asaka stares at her total with dismay.
"You'll have to return something," An notes grimly. Asaka's face falls as she looks over the selection of items laid out on the counter, consisting of new LEDS, a poster and the fox plushy. Akito resists the urge to say I told you so. Still, her genuine gloom at having to part with her choices makes his chest pang. Before he can think twice, Akito is stepping forward, an exasperated sigh leaving his lips as he digs into his pocket for his wallet.
"You'd better pay me back for this." Surprise crosses the girl's features.
"Wait, really?"
"I don't want to deal with you complaining about this for the rest of the week, that's all. Don't let it go to your head." She lights up as though he's handed her a gift as she gathers her stock into her arms.
"You're the best." He opens his mouth to deliver a sarcastic retort, but the words clog in the back of his throat when her hand slips into his. He can almost hear An's smug grin from behind them. His face grows a shade darker, resembling Asaka's hair. She doesn't seem to notice — or maybe she doesn't care as she clutches her purchases to her chest, fingers giving his a slight squeeze. As they walk side by side, Akito looks from the fox plushy nestled in the crook of her arm to her face. The mischievous gleam is gone from her expression, replaced by an unbridled delight, visible in the wide curve of her smile, spreading warmth through Akito's chest. He squeezes back.