Chapter Text
This was, by far, probably one of the worst days Tsukasa's ever experienced.
“...”
It’s quiet.
“...”
Too quiet!
Since they decided to just cancel practice today, Nene and Rui went to go somewhere together (Nene practically dragged Rui, which was a pretty weird sight if Tsukasa say so himself), while he and Emu stayed at his house. Emu at his house isn’t really a rare occurrence itself. She has a habit of showing up without warning ever since they met, it has been even more common ever since they started dating. Not that Tsukasa minds, of course. His parents adore her, Saki likes to play with her a lot too. She’s also probably the only person who can match with his energy the most out of all people Tsukasa has met. Even if she still tires him.
But mainly, it’s just because Tsukasa loves being around her.
Now, it’s not like Tsukasa is one to not appreciate some good silence every now and then. If he’s being honest, even sometimes Emu's energetic behavior can be too much for him. Of course, he’ll always let Emu know when this happens, and she will be more than happy to grant his request and (try) being more quiet and make it up with some cuddle sessions instead.
But not like this! This was suffocating! She literally has not said a thing for the past 10 minutes, and Tsukasa’s internally screaming because of it. Even Saki asked if something had happened to her!
“H-hey Emu, do you want to go out to buy some taiyakis at the square?” Tsukasa offered, attempting to just break the silence. Normally Emu would’ve been over the moon, dragging Tsukasa outside to enjoy some of her favorite treat together. But-
“Hmm, it’s hot outside so not really. Besides, we just got to your place?” Emu hummed, not looking up from the manga she borrowed from Saki. Tsukasa was in peril, even that didn't work?!
“B-but you love taiyakis…” Tsukasa whined. Emu paid no mind to him, continuing on reading the manga on her hands.
“That’s true, but I like being in the cool indoors better,” she answers flatly. They boy let out a groan and huffed as he sat back begrudgingly. Fine, be that way! Tsukasa doesn't care. If she think some stupid manga is much more interesting than her super awesome boyfriend standing right here, then it’s her loss! It’s not like he wanted his girlfriend to pay attention to him . And he’s not gonna go as far as begging her for attention like some stupid, clingy boyfriend. Nope, he still has his pride.
…
Pride be damned. He wants her attention and he wants it now.
“You've barely spoken a word since earlier! Are you not bored?!” Tsukasa protested, snatching the manga from the pink haired girl.
“Hey! I’m still reading that, you jerk!” Emu hissed, getting up from the bed to try to get the book back as Tsukasa held it high above him. “Besides, it’s only been 10 minutes!”
“That’s 10 more minutes more than how you’d usually last talk to me!” the blonde continued, trying his best to keep the manga out of reach. “Let’s just do something together! Isn’t that why you wanted to hang out with me in the first place?!”
Emu seems to ignore him, either accidentally or not, as she is more focused on prying the half-read manga out of his hand.
“Give-! It-! Back-!” she grumbled as she tried her best to reach for it, but with their height difference, its clear she’s at a disadvantage here. She gave up and pouted at him, with Tsukasa returning it with an amused smug.
“Fine! I’ll just go to sleep then,” she stomped back to the bed as she laid back on the fluffy bed. Grr… how stubborn. Well two can play at that game!
Without warning, Tsukasa dive his arms between her, wrapping her into a tight hug, binding her between his arms. Upon this, Emu let out a startled squeal as she struggled to free herself.
“Wh- What are you doing! It’s hot!” Emu yelled, lightly kicking her legs in protest. But Tsukasa ignored her and retorted with hugging her even tighter.
“Pay~Attention~To~Me~!” he emphasized every word by nuzzling his nose into the crook of her neck. Making the girl slip out a few cute giggles out of her mouth. “S-stop! That tickles, Tsukasa-kun you meanie!”
“But you love it!” Tsukasa said, as-a-matter-of-factly and he can see her ears visibly turning red.
“N-no I don’t! Go awahay!” she protested, but couldn’t help but slip out more giggles out of her. She tried her best to make it seem like she’s mad (because she is!) but the hilarity of the situation and him nuzzling into her neck got to her.
Well, it doesn’t really change the fact she’s still pretty mad. Without a thought she yelled, “Ah, geez. You’re so annoying Tsukasa-kun!”
A-Annoying?!
“A-a-annoying?!” Tsukasa stuttered, staggering backwards as he finally released the girl. He was used to Nene calling him that, but Emu?!
Emu sighed, relieved she was finally out of the death trap. She shot a glare at him, “Yeah, annoying! I just wanted to read some manga in peace!”
To be fair, she really did wanted to just read her damn manga. She was even getting to the good part right until Tsukasa very rudely snatched it away from her. But still, the look on the other's face couldn’t help but stir a tiny bit of guilt inside her.
“Fine.. if you really want to be alone I’ll leave you then…” Tsukasa muttered. He sat on the floor, his back turned to her, leaving the girl on the bed alone.
“G-good!”
Emu tried to continue on her self proclaimed sleep earlier, but she keeps getting distracted. A sluggish five minutes went by (though Emu felt like it was a lot more than that) and she anxiously eyed the blonde. That boy, dramatic as ever, curled up on the far corner of the room with his knees to his chest while circling his finger on the wooden floor, drawing meaningless shapes on it with his finger. Emu could practically see him growing mushrooms on his head and even with his back turned to her she could tell exactly what face he’s making. With a defeated sigh, Emu got up.
“Aah- geez!”
She walked to him and seated herself behind him, tugging on a small part of his yellow sweater between her thumb and index finger to get his attention.
“...what?” Tsukasa uttered meekly. Ugh.. those eyes. He looked like a lone puppy left in the middle of a heavy rain. She stared at him for a bit, before inhaling a long breath and talked.
“S-sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings..” she started awkwardly, not being able to make eye contact with him, “...although you were being kind of annoying, in my defense.”
Tsukasa rolled his eyes. “Gee.. I appreciate your honesty,” he thanked her sarcastically and was about to continue brooding before he was cut off.
“B-but-!”
Tsukasa paid attention to her again, looking at her guilt filled eyes as she was finally brave enough to make eye contact.
“It’s- it’s just that y-you got so close to me suddenly. I got flustered and panicked a bit..” she stuttered, lips quivering and eyes averting, still clinging onto his sweater like her life depended on it. She calms herself for a bit as Tsukasa waited for her patiently, and finally locked her gaze onto his golden eyes.
“ Look. It’s not like I- I don’t want to be close to you, Tsukasa-kun. I like being with you. Y-you could say I like it a lot. But for me just merely being here with you is enough. I enjoy your presence. and I’m sorry I didn’t notice if it wasn’t the same for you. I didn’t mean to ignore you, and I didn’t mean to be mean- it’s just-”
Emu groaned.
“I- I love Tsukasa-kun a lot, okay? ” The words barely came out as an audible whisper. But Tsukasa heard it loud and clear. "A-and I hope you'll know that even without me telling you or having to constantly smother you with k-kisses or something-"
Tsukasa blinked, and he smiled warmly at her. He decided to save the girl from further bearing with this, he already saw her struggling enough.
“Okay, okay,” Tsukasa chuckled, not being able to hold it in as he embraced the girl. “I love you too. Thank you for explaining it to me.”
Emu hummed, and she happily returned the gesture.
“I’m sorry too. It’s not like I don’t enjoy your company. It’s just- I’d like it if you would pay more attention to me, you know,” Tsukasa contributed explaining his side “ Baka -Emu.”
Emu couldn’t help but let out a giggle at the nickname, “D-does this mean you forgive me?”
“I might think about it, if you decide that I’m more interesting than Saki’s manga.”
“Pfft- alright then. Fair enough.” Emu giggled, and she thought it would ended at that.
"And I wouldn't mind being smothered with kisses either," Tsukasa couldn't help but tease. Emu could feel herself heating up, "S-shut up... "
They stayed like that for a while, embracing each other on the floor before deciding to move to the bed to avoid back pain or any of the sort, with Emu cradled between his arms as they slowly drifted to sleep.
That is- until he felt a finger poked his chin.
“Huh-?”
Tsukasa looked down and he felt soft lips colliding on his which left as quickly as it arrived. Eyes widened, he stared at the seemingly more flushed girl in his arms, her face almost a matching hue with her hair.
“..idiot.”
Maybe… this isn’t so bad after all?