Chapter Text
You were big. You had fat. You weren't the skinniest person or were you fit. But you had a small issue about it and you felt self-conscious about it a lot.
Being best friends with Kagami Taiga, the tall, intimidating at-a-glance softy, usually helped you think better of yourself. He made you genuinely happy. Almost enough to make you completely forget about your body issues. He would usually say things like,
"You shouldn't care about that, (Your Name). I don't care about it at least."
"It's not like you're unhealthy! You're just big and there's nothing wrong with that!"
"If you want to get thinner for yourself then do it, it's completely your choice. But do it the healthy way. Hey, come running with me sometime, okay?"
It's true that he always wanted what's best for you. Even since elementary school. You took up on his offer to go running with him. He taught you how to use the machines at the gym and he even planned out a training schedule for you just so you could feel comfortable with yourself. You never had down days as much as you did.
You'd never starve yourself because you promised to be healthy. You ate. You chose the diet where you'd replace certain foods with a similar, healthier substitute and ate in the same portions. You still ate unhealthy food but it was a lot less often. Kagami said it was fine as long as it's only once a fortnight. He did his best to help you. You even had fun doing it. As long as you were with Kagami you felt comfortable doing it.
You'd talk for hours on end about anything and everything. It was peaceful.
Slowly but surely you lost fat and you felt so much healthier. After 8 months, met your ideal weight. You felt as if you were glowing and Kagami was happy that you were better.
However it came at a price.
People at school treated you differently, they were nicer. You were being approached more often by the popular girls in the school. You didn't like how everyone was being so fake and only 'liked' you for your appearance. You were still the same person on the inside. You had the same personality you always had. But everything was changing. Even boys treated you inversely. They didn't treat you like a human, they treated you like you were an object.
"Hey lets hang out sometime."
"You look hot! Is it still (Your Name)?!"
"So much better than when you were fat, (Your Name)! Come hang out with us."
Kagami was always there to pull you away from the commotion. He hated the attention. He's the only one who truly earned you're attention and you were always at ease with him.
You also had scars. Stretch marks. You never minded, you expected it. You even felt happy when you saw them, they were proof of your progress and all your effort. You were happy to have them. You welcomed them; you admitted that they may be unattractive but you still felt comfortable.
Walking up to school like any other day you feel peaceful, it's always nice to start the day off with a silence before the usual attention you received. Hearing rapid thumps and breathing behind you, you turn around and see Kagami running towards you. You give him a smile and a casual "Hey." And he replies shortly after in response. You both remain in a calm silence you approached the gates of the school.
The day goes by as normal, Kagami pulling you away from the usual people and getting lunch together, him bringing you to the basketball court to practice and even drags you along to play with him. You failed miserably. When the last bell of the day sounded you left to find Kagami in your normal meeting place. On your way you felt a tug at your arm and you instantly turned and saw (Guys Name) gripping onto your wrist and forcefully dragging you around a corner. You let out a weak protest and he replied a simple, "It won't take long". You felt unsafe and cautious. The atmosphere was rough and rushed. You probably were only over reacting but this never happened before.
"Look, (Your Name)..."
He moves to lean against the brick wall with one foot pressed against it and his hands pushed into his school trousers.
"You know, ever since you... changed, I've been feeling differently towards you and you're like smoking hot all the time and I think you're really cool and I know we don't talk a lot but I think we'd suit each other. When you were fat I wouldn't have looked at you twice but now you're skinny and attractive you lets date?"
His head tilted to the side casually as his eyes bore into yours.
You took everything in, you hated each word he said. You felt anger seizing up inside you, you were going to bust any second if it wasn't for a large demeanour hovering behind you making you safe and instantly making (Guys Name) jump off the wall and stare in fear at the demon haired male behind you.
"Look, shrimp. You want to date her because she's skinny? Because she's suddenly so hot and attractive enough to be on your level, give me a break-" Kagami pivots around you and slams (Guys Name) against the wall "-I'll have you know (Your Name) was hot and sexy even before she lost weight. What sort on shitty monster do you have to be to base love on look's. No-one can love (Your Name) for those empty, emotionless words under my watch."
You couldn't get it out of your head that Kagami just called you hot and sexy, it made you feel special when he said it; and it was also extremely funny.
Kagami lowers his voice to a whisper and leans down to talk into (Guys Name)'s ear so you can't hear. Whatever he said left (Guys Name) running into a sprint; well, not before Kagami forced him by the head to apologize to you and then scrambling away in fear.
You felt at ease with Kagami here.
"Sorry, I didn't meet you I-"
"Seriously? You're apologizing? Stop that, idiot!" He turned to start walking and you caught up to him and strolled by his side.
When you arrived home you decided to ask the question on your mind.
"Hey, what did you whisper to him at the end? He seemed really distraught after hearing whatever you said aha." You stood at your doorstep with Kagami at the end of your front garden behind the gate.
He turned his face in a blush and mumbled something which was audible to you before quickly shouting a goodbye and rushed away.
"I said, 'No-one treats the girl I love like meat.'"