Work Text:
megumi steps inside the hallways of his highschool for what seems like it would be the last time. their batch just graduated last week, and now he’s here to get his important papers needed for his new university. like the usual, he greets the teachers he passes by in the halls, bowing slightly and giving them a warm smile. he wasn’t really fond of some instructors, but he was leaving all of these behind, so might as well just go along with it.
the once jam-packed and noisy corridors were now quiet—only the echoes of memories and laughter bouncing off the walls. every corner and room he walked past, he could only chuckle under his breath when he’s reminded of the chaos he and his friends caused every school year. jumping across balusters with yuuji and noritoshi (leading to the loud scolds of their school principal); to maki and nobara bailing them out of detention; playing basketball with yuuta, kokichi, and toge; having little study sessions with miwa and momo in the school library; then down to exchanging laughter with you inside the media relations office whenever there was a school event.
megumi concluded that highschool wasn’t the worst like they usually said. he found home within his friends, a new level of comfort he knows he will always be grateful of.
he finds himself in front of the door leading to the rooftop—which, to his surprise, was open. humming slightly under his breath and slipping the brown envelope he was holding underneath his arm, he turns the doorknob and lets himself out.
the moment he does so, he feels the cool, summer breeze hit his skin. he relaxes a bit, letting loose all the worries that were heavy on his shoulders. megumi couldn’t pinpoint what he was so tense about, but he guessed that maybe it had something to do with college, or if there really was still something bothering him deep inside.
undisclosed thoughts, maybe?
he takes a seat on the wooden bench he spotted in the middle of the deserted rooftop, then he looks around. it actually has been awhile since he went up here. also by the fact that he really wasn’t fond of sneaking around after classes was one of the reasons why he rarely explored the school (unless he was with his friends).
as he sat there, he actually recalls a memory from roughly two years ago.. it was just another busy school day, but he remembers going up here on the rooftop with toge, yuuta, and you. the four of you immediately rushed to where maki and nobara were, acting like kids running to their parents to tell them about the trouble they caused.
when toge pulled the door open and called the pair out, megumi stayed there holding the handle, before yuuta and you slipped out in the space between him—both in fits of laughter and hands intertwined. he almost considered it as a sour memory, given that it was the first time it actually clicked in his head what your relationship status with yuuta was.
but, along the way he found himself fine with it. he was young, and feelings were no big deal for him. he never really made a move, either; it was all just a little crush on someone who's company was as warm as the summer breeze.
back before your group of friends started hanging out, he actually spent time with you, and realized in between those moments that he— more or less —had feelings for you along the way.
it was the first day of sophomore year, and megumi met you for the first time when the two of you ran down the school grounds and into the main campus because you were both late for the first subject. he remembers hearing you muttering every curse under your breath, making him stifle a laugh in amusement.
then, upon reaching the hallways, you were greeted by principal yaga who immediately asked why the two of you were an hour late. you were apologizing and telling her you missed the first bus so you had to wait for the second. megumi, on the other hand, just stood there beside you with a little mischievous smile on his face—making the principal glower down at him.
“detention. both of you.” it was definitely not what you planned to do on your first day, but you were dragged along with the young boy in an empty classroom near the guidance counselor's office.
he recalls how pissed you were, and how he poked fun at you to lighten up the mood just for you to get more furious. he found it hilarious. you were adorable—the way your cheeks puffed slightly in annoyance, your glasses sliding a bit further down your nose while you tore your gaze away from him every time.
megumi didn't know what kind of luck he pulled along the way, because despite his teasing persona, you became friends with him. when you weren't too busy with momo and miwa, you'd hang around with him by the canteen or around the coffee shop just a few blocks away. while you ordered some drinks, he'd quietly take note of what you liked. iced latte, large. sometimes if you were stressed or nearing exams week, you'd take an iced americano.
it was the little things megumi liked to take note; how you enjoyed your coffee first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon, your mannerism of scrunching your nose up when you were too focused in the books you were reading, or even knowing which songs you'd play first the moment you tuck your earphones in as he listens with you on the ride home.
it comes together slowly, then all at once.
he started to eat sashimi because you recommended it to him, unbeknownst to you that he didn't actually like it before you told him it was his favorite. he figured he'd give it a shot. studio ghibli movies were now something he loved because you binge-watched them with him on one rainy saturday afternoon when you should've been studying.
it's mesmerizing to him that he's a mosaic of everyone he loved, with you contributing a bit part of it.
despite those days spending time with you alone were long gone, he still found your presence comforting even when you were around the rest of the group. every time he throws in a joke, he'd look at you first to see if you were laughing. on group dinners, he'd still reach to you first to hand you the fried noodles because that's what you like. force of habit , but you didn't mind. you'd have that same, goofy smile on your face as you take the bowl from his hands.
the small moments he's able to get with you was enough. it was hard to keep his emotions at bay the moment he knew yuuta took a liking on you, but acceptance was easy because yuuta was one of the kindest people on earth and if anyone deserved you, it was him.
so no, he's not bitter, and he never will be.
you and yuuta were each other's person, and someday he'd find his. megumi was perfectly content seeing you happy.
his train of reminiscent thoughts were interrupted when he felt a pair of hands hold on to his shoulder, making him turn his head around. to his surprise, it was you , smiling brightly at him before erupting into a fit of giggles.
“i kept calling you from the back, but you seemed lost in thought,” you tease, propping yourself beside him on the bench. “what are you thinking about? is little megumi finally thinking of someone?”
megumi scoffs, trying to ignore his accelerating heartbeat on his chest, while a playful smile crosses his face. “as if. i don't have the time to think about ‘someone’ ,” he counters, despite it being a lie. “i'm busy thinking about college.”
this time, your smile falters a bit, before you sigh, shoulders dropping. “ah, i get it. i'm worried about college too.”
“you'd get in, ____. it's their loss if they won't administer someone as amazing as you.”
a laugh leaves your lips, flustered by megumi's choice of words before slapping his arm gently. “ stop. ”
he grins, “you will! show them what kind of amazing nursing student you are. you'll do great.”
“thanks megumi,” you say, smiling softly before reaching for his hand. this startles him a bit, but he lets you hold his hand gently before giving it a comforting squeeze. “you've been one of my best friends for a long time, so you better promise to stay with me no matter what.”
megumi rolls his eyes and laughs. “as if i can do anything about it. whether you like it or not, you're stuck with me.”
the bright smile on your face never disappears, as your eyes sparkle with content. “i like it.”
a deep, flustered blush makes its way to the boy's cheeks, making him clear his throat and look away. his heart started to beat so fast once again that he felt it against his chest. you seemed to be oblivious from his current dilemma, as you just looked back staring at the buildings from a distance.
“yuuta’s not with you?” he asks, changing the subject.
“nope, he’s with toge and noritoshi. they're going to the art studio. i came here all alone to get my grades.”
megumi stifles a laugh, “they seem to be busy going to the studio lately. are they being offered a job offer already?”
you smile. “i wish. that'd be nice. yuuta would be over the moon if it happens,” you tell him, and he sees the way your eyes light up at the mention of the other boy. “but he did mention it's just something to pass the time for the summer. they're already taking care of their college admissions too.”
“that's nice.”
there was silence for a moment, although a comfortable kind. megumi wanted to say more, but he figured just sitting here with you was more than enough. over the years, he saw you grow into the mature young woman that you are now—he witnessed your achievements, and he's happy to say he was around when you got them.
this is enough , megumi thinks. being best friends with you was enough, and it always will be.
“oh! it's nearly 12,” you speak up, and he turns his head to see you glancing at your wrist watch. “megumi, wanna grab some lunch with me?”
his eyes widened a bit, “just us?”
“why not?” you grin. “does ramen sound fine to you?”
“anything's alright.”
“okay!” getting up from the bench, you stretch your arms as another warm summer breeze greets the both of you. “last one to get to the elevator treats the other lunch!”
“what? hey no fair!” megumi exclaims, bursting into loud laughter at your childish behavior, watching you run across the rooftop towards the door.
“____! wait!” he calls out.
you immediately stop in your tracks for a moment, a wide smile on your face, a hand on the side of the door. “what is it?” you reply.
as the two of you lock gazes, he pauses, then smiles softly. shaking his head, he chuckles. “nothing. nevermind.”
“you did that on purpose to slow me down, did you?” you raise an eyebrow, huffing slightly. megumi laughs again. “jokes on you, i'm going to win!”
“no you won't!”
you scream, tangled in laughter when you watch megumi start running to where you are. you immediately turn on your heel and dash down the stairs, but he was quick enough to catch up with you. both of your laughter and the sound of your rushed footsteps was echoing around the empty staircase, before the two of you reached the elevator together.
“awe, looks like we both win.” you say, panting as you lean back.
megumi couldn't contain the laughter from his lips and the loud pounding of his chest. then, he turns to you with a grin.
“let's just conclude that you won,” he proposes. “and i'll treat you for lunch.”
the wide smile on your face was telling as you excitedly thanked him. megumi once again realizes that being with you as a friend was better; and despite having these locked up feelings for you, he was okay with it.
he's alright.