Panic. Put it away son!

Main Office

Brandon nearly jumped in fright. The last thing he needed was for Aina to catch him with some weird perverted promotional card. He’d never have a chance with her.

“Oh nothing,” he said, hastily shoving the card back into his pocket. “Junk leaflet or something. Hey so you uh found any good apartments back home?” he said rapidly seeking to change the subject.

Aina paused for a moment a little bemused by Brandon’s reaction and then shrugged, “ugh" she grimaced, “rents are very expensive. I might move in with my boyfriend.”

“Your boyfriend,” said Brandon his heart sinking. “I didn’t know you were dating again.”

“Yeah. Online at the moment but he’s in Tokyo and he seems really cool. He’s a bit older than me but we went to the same school. I didn’t mention anything because, you know. Sorry.” Aina smiled and Brandon nearly winced when he thought he saw a flash of pity in her eyes.

“Hey, no it’s cool,” he said giving her a supportive pat on the arm. “I’m happy for you. That’s awesome.”

“Yeah. You’d like him. He really enjoyed 'The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.' That critical-Nic Cage list is awesome by the way. We’re working our way through it on digital date movie night.”

Brandon nodded with a fixed smile as inside he died. That movie list was meant as a small intimate thing between him and Aina referencing two years’ worth of in-jokes and dumb Nic Cage impressions. The idea of some other guy on the other side of the world being able to use it to win over Aina sucked fucking balls.

The only thing that could make things worse was…