Chapter Text
Izuru Kamakura knew everything.
Well, that was an exaggeration (one often used by Hajime when he would grumble about his twin bother’s uncanny ability to master almost anything he attempted), although it was not too far from the truth. Due to his many talents, Izuru could often predict the outcome of most situations either to the amazement or annoyance of his peers. Because of this, it did not come as a surprise to the young prodigy to find a neatly folded note on his desk at the beginning of class one Saturday morning.
Unfolding the note only confirmed his suspicions. Elegant script politely requesting his presence at the fountain between the main and reserve course buildings 30 minutes after classes ended for the day in order to confess something important. Izuru did not need to read the initials at the bottom of the page to know who had left the note.
Nagito Komaeda.
Izuru let out a sigh, though more out of relief than annoyance. He had been expecting something like this for quite some time. Months, actually. It had been so long that Izuru had started to become anxious over whether his prediction was false. As much as he claimed to be bored by predictability, what he hated more was being wrong (something his brother teased him about constantly). However, it seemed he was right once again.
And of course he was. Izuru had been observing Nagito closely since the day they had met. While his other classmates were certainly unique characters, the lucky student had peaked his interest immediately. There was something about the way he spoke, the way he thought about the world and everyone’s place in it. Not to mention his luck cycle, which was so unpredictable that even Izuru couldn’t say what would happen to the teen next. Needless to say, his whole existence intrigued the typically uninterested prodigy, and he couldn’t help but pay closer attention to him than his other peers. It was through this close observation that Izuru concluded that the other was hiding something from him, though honestly, anyone who was paying attention would have noticed the same.
Izuru folded the note back up and placed it in his pocket before looking toward the back of the room where Nagito sat at his desk, shoulders tense and face buried in a book much too close for actual reading. Even from his spot in the front of the room, Izuru could see how the ears poking out from the teen’s unruly white hair glowed pink. Izuru smirked at the sight before sitting down just as Ms. Yukizome walked inside the classroom, as bright and cheerful as ever.
Little did Nagito know that Izuru had figured out his “secret” long ago and had already decided that he would accept the lucky student’s request.
There were only a few hours until they could finally begin what should have started months ago in Izuru’s opinion. Content in knowing this, Izuru calmly took out his books and prepared for the day.
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Izuru went straight to the fountain after classes were over. Nagito would surely arrive at the exact time written on the note, but Izuru was content with waiting on the nearby bench, watching cherry blossom petals float lazily through the spring breeze. While waiting, the teen absentmindedly noted that even though classes got out early on account of it being Saturday, the midday sun was pleasant instead of overbearing and there was’t a single cloud in the sky. Overall, it was a very pleasant day which Izuru knew the other must have meticulously planned for so that his unruly luck wouldn’t cause any problems such as a sudden downpour or lightning strikes.
He didn’t have to wait long before the student in question arrived, sheepishly stepping off the path to walk to where Izuru sat, greeting him with an awkward smile. Izuru stood and greeted him back with a simple nod. For a moment, the two simply stood facing each other, with only the distant sound of students leaving for the day filling the silence.
It didn’t take a genius like Izuru to see that Nagito was embarrassed. His face, ears and neck were flushed pink while his left hand was tangled in the hair on the back of his head. He shifted his weight from side to side and his eyes darted all around, looking at anything except the person standing in front of him. Izuru had expected this of course. It was understandable given the situation. Taking pity on his classmate, Izuru decided to begin the difficult conversation himself, knowing that the sooner they got it over with, the sooner Nagito would feel better.
“You asked to meet me here to confess something,” Izuru began. Hajime had told him over and over again that he shouldn’t make assumptions about what someone was about to say and reply to it before they even got the chance to speak. Apparently this was “rude”, so he had begrudgingly agreed to simply ask pointed questions in order to hurry along conversations. Hajime wasn’t completely happy with this but they both knew Izuru wouldn’t budge any further on the issue.
Nagito’s head shot up, eyes wide as they finally met Izuru’s. Izuru raised an eyebrow at the reaction, causing Nagito to laugh awkwardly as if hoping to ease the tension.
“Ah, sorry,” He finally said, his eyes drifting down again as his uneasy smile faded. “Of course. I don’t mean to waste your time, I’m just-“ His eyes shot back up to meet Izuru’s again. “-trying to find the words I guess? I had this whole speech planned out and everything but as soon as I saw you I just... forgot it? Just my luck. Aha... ha...”
Izuru sighed. This was going to take a while.
“I mean-“ Nagito suddenly started pacing, switching from hesitant and shy to manic in less than a second, throwing his hands up and gesturing wildly. “-you’re just so wonderful! Ahaha! I’ve never met anyone whose hope shines as brightly as yours! Scum like me shouldn’t even breath in your direction, let alone get to share a class with you! And yet I have the gall to imply it’s not enough! How utterly despicable! Hahaha!”
Izuru had unfortunately expected this as well. Though kind and generally well mannered, when set off Nagito had a tendency to become almost unhinged in a way that often scared and upset those around him. Izuru never really minded, especially since he knew the many reasons behind his erratic mindset as well as the overwhelming fact that the ultimate lucky student was, at heart, a good person who just wanted the best for everyone. It was only when his ranting and raving would turn to self-loathing that Izuru became bothered, and, at present, he was becoming more and more impatient as Nagito went on.
“I’m honored enough that you even showed up! If you want to leave now that’s would be more than alright! Truly, I don’t deserve to have your time and attention and I’m sure you have much better things to do! I mean, who would want to talk to someone as lowly and disgusting as me?! Ahahaha!”
It was at this point Izuru began to tune him out. They would have to talk about these self-hating monologues after Nagito finally confesses. Though Izuru was sensing that at this point the other may have already talked himself out of it. If this went on for much longer, Izuru would have to simply cut him off.
Nagito was beginning to speak faster, both his words and movements more frantic while the blush on his face darkened. “-And of course I’m sure you already know since your so intelligent and I’m not exactly subtle about it so there’s really no point in telling you but I promised Chiaki I’d talk to you about it and I would never want to upset our amazing class president which is why I left that note and now we’re here and I’m just so nervous because I don’t know how to tell you that I have-“
“-Terminal illnesses you need my help to cure.” Izuru interrupted calmly at the same time Nagito finished his sentence.
“-Romantic feelings for you!”
Both teens froze in utter shock. Izuru’s mind was spinning. He couldn’t help his eyes from widening and his mouth from falling open. That... that was NOT what he was expecting. That was the absolute LAST thing he was expecting! Izuru was about to demand the lucky student to repeat his statement, sure he had somehow misheard it, when he noticed the other teen’s expression.
Nagito looked utterly terrified. His previously flushed face had drained to a sickeningly pale white and his thin frame shook violently. Izuru could hear his breathing begin to pick up as he hastily backed away before tripping over himself and falling backwards to the ground where he stared at Izuru like a rabbit would an approaching wolf.
For what felt like the first time in his life, Izuru had no idea what to do.
So he ran.