Work Text:
“Kiyoko-san!”
Looking up, Kiyoko fixed the strap of her bag. “Tanaka,” she greeted. Tanaka grinned, resulting in a summersault of her heart. She chose to ignore it, and walked towards him. “You’re not busy?”
“Never for you, Kiyoko-san.” He winked jokingly. “Can I?” he asked, pointing to her bag.
Kiyoko wanted to roll her eyes at the response, not in a negative way. She had become fond of Tanaka’s remarks as time went by. She gave her bag which was not even heavy to him, she liked indulging him this way.
Ever since Tanaka asked her if he could court her, she knew he had a chance. Of course she had no plans on telling him right away. She wanted to know him better from another perspective this time.
“Anyway Kiyoko-san, do you need help with your papers? Terushima told me about Misaki-san’s busy schedule. She’s your classmate, right?” Tanaka asked nonchalantly.
Kiyoko stared at him. He was wearing a dark blue jacket, white shirt inside. He had her pink backpack on his right shoulder as he sported his black beanie.
“Kiyoko-san?”
“A—ah, yes—I mean no.” She chuckled. “I mean, yes, Hana’s a classmate of mine, and no, I don’t need help.” She smiled softly. “Thank you for offering, though.”
Tanaka's laughter resonated in the area.
As they walked on the path, nothing's really in Kiyoko's mind. She was just walking, nodding to what Tanaka had been saying. She's listening, because everything he says seemed to be far more interesting than the discussion she went over and over.
"And, you know what? I think that boy's guts really intensifies each training session." He shook his head, grinning.
Tanaka really loved what he’s doing, Kiyoko thought. She could not help but think how he’s naturally like… that. Asking people where and how he could help. Especially her. She could not count how many instances he asked to bring her bag. The times where he sent her food, although she did not ask because he knew she was busy to buy or pack a lunch.
“And, we’re here.”
Oh right. She looked around and saw they were nearing her apartment. It’s not even that far from the campus, but maybe she really could forget the time whenever she’s with Tanaka.
“See you tomorrow?” Tanaka grinned.
She smiled. “Sure.”
She watched as Tanaka turned his back. She looked behind her to see his path, but laughed when she caught him walking backwards, still facing her. Tanaka also laughed, ears turning red because she caught him.
“Careful,” she muttered to herself, smiling as Tanaka almost slipped from the stone behind him.
When they were too far to even see each other’s face, Tanaka raised his hand, forming a salute before turning right until Kiyoko could not see him anymore.
If it was a normal day, he would have invited her to some barbecue store, but he knew she’s busy so he didn’t. She shook her head, holding onto the door.
—
Kiyoko let out a huge out of breath, stretching her neck backwards as she tried to keep herself awake. She flipped the page of the book she was reading, holding a yellow highlighter in her right hand.
“Ah!” she breathed, eyes tearing up from yawning.
It had been four hours since she started reading, and who knew what’s inside her mind? She was just hoping she could segregate those ideas before entering the battlefield tomorrow.
When she could not take it anymore, she removed her glasses and closed her eyes. A loud sound came from her head when she bumped it onto the table, but she was too tired to even grunt.
After a few minutes, she opened her eyes, cheeks buried on the book and tried to reach for the phone she hadn’t touched since four hours ago. Her eyes widened when she realized a bunch of messages coming.
“Oh…”
Ryu:
You can do it, Kiyoko-san!
You’ve already done this last time, you can do it again!\
You’ll ace it, I know.
Kiyoko’s smile widened when she saw a picture of a turtle.
Kame-chan says good luck!
Okay, I won’t bother you anymore!! Good luck, Kiyoko-san!
A sigh escaped her lips. Earlier, despite looking calm, she was actually afraid. Like, it’s always like this. She’s always trying to look calm, and collected but she's actually afraid of the outcomes.
Her eyes suddenly moistened as she read Tanaka’s messages again.
Why is he so consistent?
Once again, she read Tanaka’s messages. ”Hoo,” she whispered, smiling to the book she was just glaring at earlier.
When tomorrow came, Kiyoko found herself rushing to the bathroom. She forgot she was reviewing her notes, that she fell asleep on the table. Thank goodness for her body clock, she naturally woke at 6 am, though she probably only slept for like three hours.
After bathing, she dried her hair. She chose to wear a comfortable blue sweater, and beige trousers. She wore her glasses, all while brushing her hair. For the last time, she scanned the notes she took last night, before putting them inside her small bag.
Once everything was settled, she went out of her apartment, rushing down the stairs. She was about to run to the stop when a motorcycle stopped in front of her. She watched when the driver removed his red helmet, revealing Tanaka who was wearing a white shirt under a leather jacket.
Surprise etched Tanaka’s face when he went face to face with Kiyoko. “Oh, I’m just in time.” He smiled. “Come on.”
Kiyoko did not know what she would say, and just stood there as Tanaka put the white helmet over her head. He was looking at her head seriously as if he was solving some difficult problem just not to mess up her hair.
“There,” he muttered. “Hop in, Kiyoko-san.”
Still silent, Kiyoko went behind. When Tanaka felt her hand on his waist, he immediately drove away. It’s not like this is the first time Tanaka went to her with his motorcycle when he learned how to drive. She’s just surprised because he told her it’d been in the repair shop since last Wednesday. Also, she still felt herself frozen every time he would. She meant… have you seen Tanaka?
With that thought, she pursed her lips. She felt her cheeks reddened, tightening her hold on his waist.
“Are you okay there, Kiyoko-san?” he asked in a loud voice.
She cleared her throat. “Yes, don’t worry!”
As soon as they arrived, Tanaka did not wait for Kiyoko to remove the helmet herself. Instead, he carefully removed it from her head, and when he successfully did, he even brushed her hair the way it was.
And while he was doing those, Kiyoko could feel all the worms in her stomach acting up. Everything felt so natural to Tanaka, that he did not realize someone’s already blowing up.
Of course, she did not let him see it. She just stared at him with her poker face.
“Good luck, Kiyoko-san!” he exclaimed.
“Thank you, take care on your way back,” she muttered softly.
She bit her lower lip, stifling a laugh when Tanaka’s face reddened, to his neck.
As she walked inside the campus, she thought. Tanaka had always been caring. And no, she knew he’s not just trying to woo her with that. He’s naturally… like that, and what’s more endearing was he never realized it.
Just like earlier, he wasn’t flustered as he did those actions, but got red when she told him to take care.
She shook her head, smiling.
Maybe he really was used to giving.
Kiyoko knew that the day today was not focused on her, thinking how endearing Tanaka was. The moment she sat inside the classroom, the burden of acing the test resurfaced, and the ideas she had seemed to suddenly overflow. Her hands trembled for a while, before she counted inside her mind.
4-7-8
—
Kiyoko knew she’s not in the right headspace as soon as she finished her exam for the day. She was confident with her answers… to others. Because when she was faced with the subject she was not really that confident with, she wanted to cry.
“That was exhausting!” Mai commented beside her.
“Yeah,” she muttered, smiling slightly.
Mai looked at her. “You don’t seem exhausted.” She pouted. “You still look fresh, why is that?”
Chuckling, Kiyoko pushed her glasses. “It’s a facade, that was really exhausting,” she said.
That was true. In fact, she really did want to cry as she thought of the last exam. She thought—no, she knew she studied, so why was she not confident with that last?
Mai sighed heavily. “Anyway, do you want to come? We’ll go to Karaoke.”
“Oh.” She shook her head. “Thanks for the offer, but I think I’m done for today. Next time,” she promised.
“Sure! Rest well, Kiyoko-chan.”
When the classmates she knew left, her smile immediately faded. For the nth time, a sigh escaped her lips. She was reading her notes again, even though the exams for those subjects were already done. As she read, she was frustrated because she couldn’t seem to remember her answers.
“Kiyoko-san!”
She halted. Tanaka’s voice reached her ears, making her stop from her tracks. Still holding the papers, she looked up, and there—Tanaka was standing beside his motorcycle. He was still wearing the same clothes he was wearing earlier, two helmets were on the seat of the motorcycle.
Kiyoko did not know why, but her eyes watered when she saw Tanaka’s grin. She didn’t know if Tanaka could see her, but she could see his grin fading. Before she could take another step, she found Tanaka in front of her.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, voice sounding as gentle as water dripping from a sink.
She shook her head, trying not to blink, and just stared directly into his eyes. She was afraid her tears would betray her.
“Kiyoko-san, can—”
Before Tanaka could continue, Kiyoko found herself burying her face onto his chest. Tanaka did not move in any way, and just let her bury her face. She did not let her ears betray her, instead, she widened her eyes onto his chest, gulping.
“Is it about the exams? I’m sure you did well, Kiyoko-san,” he whispered on her head.
She nodded. Not really meaning it.
“You studied, right? I’m sure it paid off.”
They stayed like that for a minute, before she knew she wouldn’t cry anymore. She removed herself from him, and looked up. What surprised her was to see Tanaka red again. He really did sound cool as he consoled her, so this was… cute.
“W—what do you want to eat?” he asked, turning away from her.
It was as if the heavy loads were not there anymore, of course they’re still there, but she found herself smiling, and wanting to tease Tanaka for turning as red as tomato every time she would do or say something.
They found themselves inside an unli-wings store, laughing to each other. Well, it’s mostly Kiyoko laughing at Tanaka's jokes. She completely forgot she was just crying earlier as she watched Tanaka eat the spicy wings. He was even redder this time.
“Do you want me to eat every spicy wing? Later, you’ll be as red as these wings if you don’t stop.” She chuckled.
Breathing heavily, Tanaka was about to speak, but his ears seemed to smoke when he opened his mouth. Kiyoko laughed, louder this time.
She shook her head, still laughing, getting the milk she bought out of her bag. “Here.” She chuckled, looking at him.
He’s just so cute.
While Tanaka was drinking, she took the time to eat another of those spicy wings. She looked at her hand, and to Tanaka’s face, then to her hand again. “You’re as red as this, Tanaka,” she commented, stifling a giggle.
When Tanaka brought down the milk box, loud laugh erupted from him, making her laugh also. As they ate, they did nothing but laugh.
—
Kiyoko’s hands trembled. She could feel the loud beat of her heart while brushing her hair. She looked at herself for the nth time.
This time, she was wearing a yellow checkered sundress that reached her knees. She was trying to braid her hair to the left side of her shoulders. Once again, she breathed. She wore her glasses as her last routine before looking back.
“Do I look okay?” she muttered.
Sugawara huffed. “You always look okay, best even, what are you talking about?”
Daichi shook his head to him. “Yes, Shimizu, you look pretty. He’ll probably pass out once he sees you.
Oh, she hoped not…
She looked at Asahi who was the one who chose her dress. He smiled softly, giving her a thumbs-up.
“I’m nervous,” she says, face void of emotion.
Sugawara laughed at that. “That’s not how a nervous face looks to me,” he commented.
She pursed her lips. She checked the time from the silver wrist watch she was wearing. She still had 30 minutes to get ready. She sat down, and stood after a few seconds. She sat again, and stood. She repeated that process until Sugawara got tired, pulling her arms, pinning her to the chair. “Relax, Shimizu. It’s a date, not a life-sentenced.”
“He’s right. It’s not your first time, right? Daichi asked.
She nodded.
Well, it's not really the first time they would date. And, she’s not even as nervous as this the first time they did. It’s just that… she had different plans today.
“I think we should go,” she said.
Asahi stood up from her bed. “Oh? He would not fetch you?”
She shook her head. “I told him to just send the address, I already gave it to Suga.”
They all nodded at that.
Once they were all inside Sugawara’s car, her on the backseat beside Asahi, she could feel her heart rate increasing again.
“You’re alright, Shimizu,” Asahi muttered beside her.
She smiled. “I hope so.”
She was actually thankful they were there, although she did not really say what her plan was to them. The truth was, it was just actually Sugawara who offered to drive her, but the two wanted to come… so here they were.
Kiyoko leaned onto the backseat, eyes roaming to the unfamiliar road they were taking. She could see tall buildings earlier, but now, there’s nothing but tall trees.
“Shimizu, we’re here,” Sugawara announced, smiling widely.
Daichi glanced at her hand which was holding a paper bag. “Call us when you need help, alright?”
She nodded. “Thank you, guys.”
When they left, Kiyoko took her time to look at the area. She could see nothing, but tall trees… and a path made from a green bridge due to the grass. She marveled her eyes to the flowers spreading on the bridge’s handle.
She didn’t know there’s a place like this.
Slowly, she walked through the path. She could see a small stream under the bridge, there’s even small colorful fishes swimming on it. Until she found herself in front of a wide green field, skies turning orange as she went on.
“Kiyoko-san, you’re here.”
Mouth ajar, Kiyoko found where the voice was coming from. There was Tanaka, wearing a sage colored unbuttoned polo with white shirt underneath, and khaki trousers. She was about to say something, when Tanaka handed her a bouquet of orange tulips.
No one was saying anything between them. The silence was deafening as they stared at each other’s soft smiles. It was silent, but their eyes were communicating. It was as if Kiyoko wanted to see herself from Tanaka’s perspective with the way he smiled softly, and shyly.
The same way she wanted Tanaka to see the way she looked at him.
Did they see each other the same way?
Kiyoko cleared her throat. “You prepared this?”
Tanaka scratched his head. “Y—yeah, I asked Misaki-san for ideas though.”
She nodded. Once again, she looked at the wide field, and there, not just far from them, was a white large blanket. She squinted her eyes for a while, only to see a quite grand picnic set-up. She smiled, and looked at Tanaka. However, she was taken-aback by the way he was already staring at her.
“This is beautiful,” she commented.
Tanaka nodded, still staring at her. “Yeah,” he answered, turning even red.
When she realized what just happened, Kiyoko turned away. She walked towards the blanket, and admired it even more. The flowers on the right side, and the picnic baskets on top were really put-together.
Everything was nice, neat.
The first time they dated, no expectations happened. But Tanaka surpassed those non-existent expectations she had. That arcade date was one of the most memorable date she would cherish, especially realizing what she really deserved after that.
She did not realize Tanaka was following her the whole time, and she just did when she sat on the blanket, and Tanaka was prepared with another blanket—putting it over her thighs without saying anything. She pursed her lips.
Come to think of it, every time she’s with Tanaka, she knew she was safe. It was never boring, in fact, it was always fun—but most importantly, comfortable.
“Let’s eat, Kiyoko-san!” He opened the basket which was full of finger food.
She did not do anything, and just watched him prepare everything for her.
“By the way, who gave you a ride?” he asked once they were already eating.
She cleared her throat. “Those three,” she answered.
Recognition etched his face. “I should’ve known. That’s why Daichi-san called me earlier.” He laughed, looking at the bright field as if he remembered something.
Her brows furrowed. “What did he say?”
“That’s a secret, he says,” he answered, wriggling his brows. “By the way…”
And the fun went on. It had just been hours since they started talking, but her stomach’s already aching from laughing. She almost did not contribute anything, or sometimes, Tanaka would find something in her story that would make them burst from laughing.
Until comfortable silence went between them again.
Kiyoko was smiling, it never left her lips since she went here, as she stared at the pink skies. She was laying down on the blanket, while Tanaka was sitting just beside her, also admiring the clear pink skies.
Aside from the mellow music coming from Tanaka’s phone, she could hear nothing but the loud beat of her heart she was afraid Tanaka could hear.
“Uh… Kiyoko-san.”
Kiyoko looked at him with confusion, but her eyes widened when she saw him getting something from her back. She sat, panicky. “Wait!”
“Huh?”
She looked at Tanaka’s face. All while thinking of things he’d done for her. The way he was consistent since the beginning. She could still remember the first time he asked her if he could bring her bag, the first time he told her she was great, the first time he spent his time with her, the first time he asked her if he could rub her back, and the first time he gave her flowers.
“K—Kiyoko-san, can I be—”
“Ryu…” she cut him off.
His eyes widened, and again, his face reflected the pink skies they were just admiring earlier.
Her grip tightened on the paper bag she was holding. “Do you want to be my boyfriend?”
His eyes widened.
Kiyoko was about to repeat her question, when—
Oh…
He passed out.