Chapter 143: 143 | A Gas Station Confession and an Indecent Proposal
The warmth in Kumiko’s chest intensified. This was why she had gotten into streaming in the first place. Not just for the money or the followers, but for the connections. The community. The feeling of creating something meaningful with people who understood her passion.
"Before we go," Kumiko said, pulling out her phone to check their shopping list one more time, "we need a game plan. Micro Center can be overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking for. I suggest we hit the audio equipment first, then peripherals, then lighting and accessories. That way we can compare options without backtracking through the store."
"You’ve really thought this through," Jordan observed.
"I take my tech shopping seriously." Kumiko grinned at him. "Plus, I want to make sure Chloe gets the absolute best setup for her budget. This is too important to wing it."
Kumiko beamed and headed toward the car, already mentally cataloging everything they needed to find. This was going to be perfect.
But first, they needed gas.
Jordan pulled into the Circle K across the street from Micro Center, the afternoon sun reflecting off the convenience store’s windows. The gas gauge was hovering just above empty, and Kumiko could see him calculating whether they had enough fuel to get home after their shopping expedition.
"I’m going to fill up and grab some snacks," Jordan said, turning off the engine. "You two want anything specific?"
"Pocky," Kumiko said immediately. "Strawberry if they have it, but any flavor works. And maybe some of those Japanese sodas with the marble in the bottle if they carry them."
"Ramune," Chloe supplied helpfully. "And I’ll take whatever looks good. You know what I like."
Jordan climbed out of the car and headed toward the gas pump, pulling his credit card from his wallet. Kumiko watched him through the window as he started filling the tank, his movements easy and confident.
Chloe reached over and turned the music down to a barely audible murmur. The sudden quiet felt significant.
"So," Chloe said, turning in her seat to face Kumiko directly. "What do you think about my boyfriend?"
Kumiko’s heart stopped. The question hung in the air between them, loaded with implications she couldn’t quite parse. Chloe’s tone was casual, but her eyes were not. They were fixed on Kumiko with a quiet intensity that felt less like a question and more like a final exam.
"Jordan?" Kumiko’s voice came out higher than she intended. "Uh, he’s nice."
Chloe’s eyebrow arched slightly. "Is that all? Be honest, Kumiko."
The invitation to honesty felt dangerous. Kumiko glanced toward the gas station, where Jordan was cleaning the windshield with a squeegee, his t-shirt riding up slightly to reveal a strip of toned stomach. She looked away quickly.
"He’s amazing," Kumiko said quietly, the words spilling out before she could stop them. "You’re so lucky, Chloe. He’s sweet and considerate and protective, and he smells really good, like cedar and clean laundry and something that’s just him. And he would look so hot in so many different outfits. I keep imagining him in cosplay, or formal wear, or just different combinations of clothes, and every single one makes my brain short-circuit."
She was babbling now, but couldn’t seem to stop.
"And his singing..." Kumiko made a soft sound that was somewhere between a sigh and a whimper. "His voice does things to me that I don’t entirely understand. Like, physiologically. It makes my stomach flip and my skin feel too warm and my thoughts get all scattered."
The words kept coming, months of suppressed observations and feelings tumbling out in a rush.
"He’s a really good friend too. Like, genuinely good. He helped me when those creepy guys were bothering me at Best Buy, and he didn’t make a big deal about it or expect anything in return. He just saw that I was uncomfortable and fixed it. And he listens when people talk, actually listens, not just waiting for his turn to speak. And he’s funny in this quiet, unexpected way that catches you off guard."
Kumiko stopped, clamping her mouth shut. She dropped her head, her own hair hiding her from Chloe’s view as heat flooded her cheeks.
Shit! I said too much!
"I’m sorry," Kumiko said quickly. "I shouldn’t have said all that. You asked me to be honest, but I went too far. I don’t want to make things weird between us. Your friendship means everything to me, and I would never do anything to jeopardize it. I just think Jordan is really special, and you two are perfect together, and I’m happy for you even though sometimes it makes me feel a little bit jealous because I want someone to look at me the way he looks at you."
She was spiraling now, the words coming faster and more frantic.
"Not that I would ever try anything! I would never. You found him first, and you’re my best friend, and I have boundaries. I know my place. I just think he’s incredible, and you’re incredible, and watching you two together makes my chest feel tight in a way that’s part happiness and part longing and part something else I can’t name."
Kumiko finally ran out of words and stared at her hands, waiting for Chloe’s reaction. The silence stretched between them, filled only by the distant sound of Jordan replacing the gas pump nozzle.
"Thank you for being honest," Chloe said finally. Her voice was thoughtful rather than angry. "I can tell that wasn’t easy to say."
Kumiko risked a glance up. Chloe’s expression was unreadable, but not hostile. If anything, she looked... contemplative.
"What would you say," Chloe said carefully, "if he could be your boyfriend too?"
The question hit Kumiko like a physical blow. Her heart stopped, restarted, then began beating so fast she could hear it in her ears. The world seemed to tilt sideways.
"What?" The word came out as barely a whisper.
Chloe’s dark eyes were steady, serious. "You heard me."
Kumiko’s mind raced, trying to process what Chloe was suggesting. Sharing Jordan? Both of them dating him at the same time? It sounded impossible. It sounded like a fantasy from the dating simulation games she played late at night when she couldn’t sleep.
"I don’t understand," Kumiko said weakly. "You mean like... taking turns? Or..."
"I mean exactly what I said." Chloe’s voice was calm, matter-of-fact. "What if Jordan could be your boyfriend too? Both of ours. At the same time."
