Beneath the Surface: Secrets of an Obsessed Heart-Chapter 65 - 64

Shoji chuckled, not feeling offended at all. Like he was already used to Raiden’s behaviour. "Alright I’ll leave but don’t forget that you still owe me lunch for your shitty attitude yesterday."

Raiden rolled his eyes. "Yeah yeah whatever. I’ll give you a call one of these days." He couldn’t even forget it. The last time he forgot, Shoji nagged him until he bought him lunch every day for a week. Although he was quite annoyed at the time, now thinking back on it, Raiden found that he didn’t mind. Shoji was his rock and he would do anything for him. Shoji was the only one who has stood by him during both the good and bad times so no matter how rude he behaved towards Shoji due to his anger issues, he always made sure to smoothen things out.

"Oh and bring your little boyfriend too." Shoji said, giving Hiro a subtle wink. "Let’s make it a double date."

Raiden was quite surprised at the mention of a double date. "You’ve met someone?" he asked, feeling happy for his friend who despite had a lot of people throwing themselves at him, never showed interest. He felt this person had to special to catch Shoji’s attention. "Who is the poor unfortunate soul?"

"Ha ha very funny." Shoji chuckled. "You’ll have to fix that lunch date to find out. Anyway," He glanced at his wristwatch. "I have a meeting to attend. Enjoy your date."

With that, he walked away, leaving Hiro with many questions jumbling around in his brain.

Raiden sat on the chair that Shoji had occupied then pushed the large ice cream towards Hiro. "Here, dig in."

Hiro glanced at the large ice cream sundae in front of him then Raiden as Shoji’s words echoed in his mind.

’Raiden isn’t as good as you think he is Hiro. Open your eyes. Be smart and do not believe whatever he tells you. Not a single word.’

"Is everything alright?" Raiden asked, his gaze gentle yet perceptive as he observed Hiro’s demeanor. He thought Hiro would be surprised and happy to see the kind if ice cream he had ordered but it seemed like Hiro didn’t care at all. He began to inwardly panic as he wondered what could have made him upset.

"Did I take too long?" He asked. "Is that why you’re upset?"

Hiro lightly pressed Shoji’s card which he had stuffed into his pants pocket then shook his head, smiling. "I’m fine. Thank you for the ice cream."

He noticed that it was a mixture of all of his favourite flavours.

At the base lied a scoop of velvety vanilla ice cream and cascading over the it was a rich chocolate sauce, drizzled in sinuous patterns reminiscent of intertwined hearts. Sprinkled on top were crunchy, toasted almond slivers, adding a delightful contrast in texture.

Next was a scoop of luscious strawberry ice cream with fresh strawberries, sliced thinly and arranged with care. Delicate swirls of whipped cream formed soft peaks on top of the sundae and nestled within the billowy clouds of cream were two plump cherries.

Finally, the sundae was crowned with a dusting of cocoa powder and two long spoons.

Hiro could tell that the sundae was made with care and Raiden had mixed in all the flavours he loved but he wasn’t excited to have it anymore. After everything Shoji had said, his appetite had flown out the window. All he could think about was how Raiden could be lying to him. Knowing how close Shoji and Raiden are, if Shoji could say such things about Raiden then they must be true.

But then, he stared into Raiden’s captivating smokey grey eyes and he just couldn’t fathom Raiden lying to him. Raiden had been nothing but good to him the entire time. Why would Raiden lie?

Raiden noticed that Hiro’s smile didn’t reach his eyes and he didn’t make a move to taste the ice cream. A feeling of dread washed over him. He concluded that he must have done something to really upset Hiro.

He scooted closer to Hiro with his chair and took his hands, staring into his shiny champagne coloured orbs. "You’re not fine, Hiro. I can sense it. Whatever it is, please tell me. I promise I’ll do whatever I can to fix it or at least try to make you feel better."

Hiro felt a rush of emotions swirling within him as he gazed into Raiden’s smokey grey eyes. There was an intensity there, a depth that seemed to pierce through his own uncertainties. In those eyes, he saw the sincerity of Raiden’s concern, mirrored back at him like a reflection in a still pond.

He could sense the tension coursing through his Raiden’s fingers, the subtle trembling, a stark contrast to Raiden’s usual composed manner. Despite all the doubts that arose in his mind due to the things Shoji had said to him, he couldn’t deny the authenticity in Raiden’s actions. Everything Raiden had done, every word spoken, they resonated with truth. It was inconceivable to Hiro that Raiden would fabricate such concern, such care. It was basically impossible.

Maybe it was all a prank. Maybe Shoji just said all those things to see his reaction. He strongly doubted that Raiden had lied about anything.

"Remember what I said to you earlier, Hiro." Raiden said. "Whatever it is that is bothering you, you can tell me. I’m here for you and I always will be. Besides, I’m your boyfriend now. You shouldn’t hesitate to tell me whatever it is that’s bothering you."

Hiro opened his mouth to speak but then realised he couldn’t actually tell Raiden what Shoji had said about him. Not until he figured things out so he began to rack his brain, thinking of what to say when a subtle movement caught his attention from the corner of his eye. He turned his head just slightly, enough to see the girl behind the counter gliding past a table beside them. He recognised her as the girl Raiden was talking to earlier and he suddenly felt annoyed.

Hiro hesitated for a moment before admitting, "I... I guess I just got a little... flustered. I saw you talking to that girl, and... and I didn’t like it."

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