Interested in him with 気がある

Idiom Explanation: Having an interest in something with 気がある

Makoto and her family head out on a trip to the river. When they stop to pick up Kei’s friend Nao, Akane greets her with, “Howdy, Kei’s girlfriend!” Nao tells her she’s wrong.

圭(けい):: 「よっオレのカノジョ」; “Yo, my girlfriend.”
なお:: 「やめてよ」; “Stop that!”
茜(あかね):: 「と言(い)いつつ気(き)があったりするんでしょ？」; “Although you say that, you're interested in him, aren't you?”

Key Points

1気がある means to be interested romantically here

Akane suggests Nao might have feelings for Kei.
The context of being called his girlfriend makes the romantic reading clear.

2と言いつつ works like と言いつつも here

Nao says “stop that”, but Akane teases that she may still be interested.
The omitted も leaves the same contrast: “although you say that”.

3気があったりする softens the accusation

〜たりする makes the suggestion indirect: “maybe you’re interested or something”.
Akane is teasing Nao rather than stating her feelings as a fact.

4でしょ？ makes it a leading question

Akane expects the idea to land as plausible or embarrassing.
The line reads as playful teasing, not a neutral request for information.

Interested in him with 気がある

Key Points

See Also