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Nobody expected you to hang out with him out of all the people here. Hell, they thought you would hang out with his younger brother — Ryusui Nanami — since he's just as outgoing and energetic as you.
Yet here you are, sitting at one of the bleachers of the outdoor court with Sai. The bright rays of the sun loomed over your skin with warmth, the athletic students played soccer around on the field breaking in their sweat, and some chatter from other bystanders.
You were watching and cheering them on (even though it's just a playful match) loudly like there's no tomorrow, and by your side sits your new friend with his usual laptop on his lap.
He types away on his keyboard meticulously and rapidly with brows furrowed; he's in his own world again. You start to feel drained from all of the chanting you've been doing, so you sat back and continued to watch them in silence this time.
Giving a slight glance at him working, your heart skips a beat at the sight. You never thought his side profile looked this good before. Subconsciously, you moved closer to take a good look at him better. His soft yet defined jaw clenched slightly, eyes gentle even in focus, lips frowned in concentration. It was a mesmerizing sight for you.
For a few seconds, everything around you went quiet, his features were the only thing your brain consumed. He shifted a little when he finally noticed you in his peripheral vision, feeling a drop of sweat running down his temple. He cleared his throat and soon enough, you broke out of your trance and backed away enough to give him enough space.
“Oh shit, I'm sorry! I was uh, well I noticed there was something on your gorgeo- face!” You fumbled over your words and cracked your voice.
“Wait really?” He opens the camera app on his laptop to check it himself. He shifts his face closer to it and turns his head in different angles. “I don't see it…” he muttered.
‘No way, even on camera he looks handsome…’ you quickly shook your head at the thought. “I must be seeing things then!” You waved your hands in the air and looked up to your left as an attempt to calm your beating heart that's currently pounding in your chest frantically.
“Oh okay… that's good.” The way he said those simple words were enough to ruin your progress in composing yourself.
For the next hour, you sat quietly with your hands to yourself so you wouldn't look like a loser again, and he doesn't suspect why since he went back to coding something without any worry. You were thanking the heavens in your head that he's oblivious as hell.
…
You're back in your classes, sitting at your respective place at the front row, with him miraculously settling down at your right. When your math teacher begins to ramble about trigonometric identities — which you completely stopped paying attention to since it's killing your mind — you move your bored gaze towards your seatmate.
He writes down the information in his binder with swiftness, it doesn't surprise you that he could keep up with these complicated topics, after all he is the mathematics genius in your class. He jotted down every formula with hasty strokes; notes written ancient text style that he can somehow still read it normally.
Your notes however, were a barren wasteland, long forgotten at your desk. You're basically gawking at him rather than listening to the confusing verbal lecture. In your defense, he seemed much more interesting than the fundamentals about laws of sine and cosine on the whiteboard. Letters in math are a pain to look at so it's fair to take a break and look at your crush!
You weren't sure how long you were staring at him until your teacher called out your name out of nowhere, bringing the whole class’ attention onto you. “Is there something you would like to share with us about, your seatmate?” They pointed out to him shamelessly and he glanced up with eyes widened slightly when he realized he was mentioned thanks to you.
You were feeling hot in your seat from mortification, trembling badly at the fact you got caught checking out the math geek. “Nothing! I'm just feeling light-headed. Maybe I need a visit at the clinic.” You lied through your teeth horribly, you needed an excuse to get out of the room.
They sighed and mumbled something about ‘how it's always the popular kids excusing themselves in math class’ as they permitted you to leave. You thanked instantly and rushed towards the door.
As soon as you closed it, you placed your back against it with a groan. You can hear your childish classmates chanting and teasing in unison about your embarrassing moment through the door. One of the greatest cons of being a popular student.
“This is so stupid!” You hissed as you pinched the bridge of your nose at the situation. Now you need to come up with a pathetic reason to your school nurse about your fake medical complaint.
…
To forget about the whole “getting caught by your math teacher” incident, you invited Sai out for a friendly hangout after school in your house. Surely nothing would go wrong between you two because your parents would be home; increasing the chances of avoiding anything awkward.
“I'm glad you're free today! I have so many things planned for us already.” You beamed your usual self. You're walking side by side, hands occasionally brushing against the other, making your cheeks blush faintly from the touches.
“Yeah. I can't believe you would want this.” He chuckled with a shaky breath, you assumed he's nervous to visit your home for the first time ever.
“Obviously, I like being with you!” You blurted out instantly, causing you to run back to what you just said. “I mean as friends of course!” You mentally slapped yourself from making it worse.
“Ah right…” An unreadable expression is plastered onto him, you can't tell if it's a good thing or a bad thing. Unfortunately, it only made the atmosphere grow heavier and uncomfortable.
The footsteps against the pavement thudded rhythmically louder than it should be. You want to bury yourself alive so badly right now. Thankfully, it didn't take long for both of you to arrive at your doorstep.
You quickly flung the door open and stepped inside as you discarded your shoes haphazardly at the sides. “I'm home with Sai guys!” You yelled out just to find the place empty. Walking into the hallway more, you find a yellow sticky note placed at the refrigerator.
You grabbed and squinted your eyes to decipher the message, you can tell your father wrote this because of the horrible penmanship.
“We'll be home late at around midnight. Bought frozen dinner for you. Don't wreck this house.’ You read his curt note in disbelief, you're the reason this house is spotless so you don't see the point of adding those last few words.
Then it hits you, you're alone with Sai. You were hoping to have some other company, but here you are. Out of all the possible days, they chose to leave you with your own crush.
“Is nobody home?” He stepped out of the kitchen doorway cautiously so he wouldn't scare you. Yet even in his gentle voice, you jumped from his sudden presence.
“Nope! Nobody! We're going to be alone for a while.” You spoke too fast. “How about we settle down first?” You shuffled across the kitchen and passed him by with your arms tense at your sides, barely moving along with your steps, he hesitantly trailed you towards the living room.
Sitting down at the sofa, you were expecting the same unwelcome silence to fall upon you two, but he spoke up before there was a chance for another quiet moment.
“I'm not sure what I did wrong but, I want to understand why you're suddenly acting like this.” He said it calmly even when he felt his throat begin to tighten.
“What…? You did nothing wrong!” You moved closer to him abruptly. “You're a really nice guy, but I don't want you to blame yourself over something like this.”
“Then how do I explain your behavior lately? You acted like you hate being with me.” He mumbled weakly, looking down at the floor with half-lidded eyes.
“Not true!” You fought back with zero hesitation. “I didn't mean to make it seem like I hate you, but it's very much the opposite. I actually love being with you. You're always the first person I want to see everyday even when I'm surrounded by other people.”
“But why-”
“Because I like you, genius! I like you a lot!” You interrupted him without a second thought. For a few seconds — which felt like hours — nobody moved a muscle. You can hear your own heart ready to burst out inside and feel your face growing hotter and hotter. You confessed in the worst way possible. No candlelights, no cards, nothing. You just blurted it out mindlessly like a middle-schooler trying to find a partner desperately.
His giggles broke the silence and filled the room, but it didn't sound like he was making fun of you, leading you feeling confused from his reaction. “Thank God I'm not alone on these feelings, huh?” He replied when he finally calmed down.
You blinked. “Wait what?”
“Mhm. We're both oblivious.” He nudged your shoulder playfully.
“Oh.”
From how ridiculous this situation is, you both broke out into fits of laughter. You two are really made for each other and it shows.