Work Text:
It’s been one year and three months since I started Middle School. It keeps getting more exhausting to just wake up. I just want to find something that makes attending school worthy in the first place. Guess I’ll just quit when I feel like it.
Once again, it’s Monday and exams coming up isn’t the best motivation. The least that could cheer up the day is that Jirou gets his ass up this time. I can’t stand not having anyone to spend the break with because of that lazy jerk.
On my way to school I meet with Hirano to arrive at class at the same time.
Hirano : Hey
Sasaki : Hey
Hirano : Did you finish the algebra homework?
Sasaki : What now?
Hirano : Dude, you need to stop slacking off…
Sasaki : Whatever… (sighs)
Once they arrived, someone accidentally bumps into Sasaki at the entrance.
Sasaki : Hey, watch where you're going (yells)...
Miyano : I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention. Please forgive me. (scaredly)
Hirano : Don't worry about it, he was just being an idiot.
Miyano rushes and leaves both of them at the entrance.
Hirano : You didn't have to react like that…
Sasaki : I know… I may have overreacted
Hirano : Well, at least you realize you did wrong. Anyway, Ogasawara told me he would be late today, but he'll be here by the second period. Any idea why he'll be late?
I can't believe I treated that guy so awful. I should apologize whenever I see him again. Ugh… I should have said something else… Why do I have to mess up every time?
Hirano : Sasaki… Sasaki… Sasaki… You hear me?
Sasaki : Sorry, I was spacing out.
Hirano: Is there anything troubling you?
Sasaki : Well… (gets interrupted by the bell)
Hirano : We can talk about it later…
We both entered the classroom and waited for the teacher. A couple minutes later he arrived and explained during two whole hours some equation systems stuff I'll barely remember tomorrow. After that, a 20 minutes break started and Ogasawara arrived at the class.
Ogasawara : Hey! Anything important happened last class?
Hirano : Well, we saw how to solve equations…
Ogasawara : Jeez, Hirano. I meant some drama, not the boring stuff.
Hirano : Rude (punches Ogasawara's arm)
Sasaki : Don't worry, Jirou. As if anything exciting happened here anyways.
Hirano : btw, Sasaki. You didn't tell me what was bothering you this morning.
Ogasawara : Now that's something interesting. I'm all ears.
Sasaki : Well, I can't stop thinking about this guy I yelled at this morning. I acted like an idiot. I wish I could see him again and apologize properly.
Ogasawara : Auch… You're also having issues with first years too?
Hirano : What do you mean by 'too'?
Ogasawara : I met this guy 2 weeks ago and he has such a great taste in music. Plus his sparkling pink hair and serious attitude make him great.
Hirano : Looks like someone found his middle school love…
Sasaki : That's new from you… Glad you feel comfortable with this guy. (amused)
Ogasawara : Hey, isn't that guy you mention affecting you more than it should.
Hirano : I know right? Sasaki, are you sure that's it?
Sasaki : Maybe it's affecting me, but aside from the apology… ugh, nevermind
Thankfully, I was saved by the teacher from the next class. I don't believe I'm ready to be overwhelmed by questions of these two. God, I really want to see that guy again. I guess I should pay attention in case I want to be with him another year. I guess participating once wouldn't hurt.
Once the long break began, I decided to start looking for those brownish eyes I threatened this morning. It sure can't be that difficult, right?
Meanwhile…
Hirano : I'm worried about him, maybe he's like this because I scolded him for being rude with that kouhai.
Ogasawara : Hirano, don't get mad, but I'm pretty sure that's not the problem. Sasaki and I barely listen to your complaints.
Hirano : I don't know how to feel about that, so stand back for now.
Ogasawara : But, you're right. He's been a jerk before with other people, why feeling sad about it now?
Hirano : Agreed. Guess we'll just have to wait for him to open up.
Ogasawara : I'll be at his place after school for some music stuff we haven't discussed. I'll try to talk about it with him.
Hirano : Thanks. Oh… now that I remember, what's with this guy you were mentioning early?
Ogasawara : oh. He's called Niibashi. I met him because I decided to join the music club with the hope to improve my skills with playing the bass.
Hirano : Ok, but you were describing him as another Sasaki, but with more feeling.
Ogasawara : I'm still figuring things out.
Hirano : If you want to talk about it, I'm here, alright?
Ogasawara : Ok mommy Hirano.
Hirano : idiot…
In the end I spent the whole hour searching around the school and found nothing. Why does finding someone have to be so difficult? Anyway, I hope I get a chance to talk to him tomorrow.
After the three classes left I had, Jirou and I went to my place to listen to an album which was recently released. Although he brought someone I had never seen before.
Ogasawara : Sorry for not telling you in advance, but I thought of bringing a friend from the music club. Sasaki, he's Niibashi.
Sasaki : Hey, so you like rock?
Niibashi : Sure, I even know how to play the drums. I apologize for arriving at your home without even introducing myself properly.
Sasaki : Don't worry, I hate the formality between school grades, so no need.
Niibashi : Alright, Ogasawara told me you have a diverse collection of CDs, mind if I give some a try?
Sasaki : Ok, just be extremely careful with them.
Ogasawara : Dude, you're speaking as if everyone treated CDs as bad as Hirano.
Sasaki : (chuckles) Yeah, I guess you're right. Feel free to choose anything you like, Niibashi.
We finally arrived at my home, and went to my room to look for the new album on the internet. We spent nearly 2 hours between listening and discussing which ones we liked or not. Unluckily for me, Jirou started opening his mouth more than he should.
Ogasawara : Sasaki, you should invite this guy you yelled at this morning. Maybe he’ll forgive you if he sees you as a cool upperclassman.
Sasaki : Jirou, shut up. That’s none of your business.
Niibashi : Ummm… should I give you some space?
Sasaki : I think you… (gets interrupted)
Ogasawara : No! It’s okay, actually you might know him. Sasaki, give it a try. How was the guy?
Sasaki : Ugh fine. He was black haired with short bangs, and brownish eyes.
Niibashi : Let me guess, a girly appearance?
Sasaki : Uhm… yes.
Niibashi : His name is Miyano, he’s a classmate.
Ogasawara : See! I knew this was a great idea. Want to plan how to approach him?
Sasaki : I guess so, but I don’t want to be a pain in the ass for you two.
Niibashi : Don’t worry, I’ll be more than glad to help you. Miyano is such a nice guy. I’m sure he’ll understand.
Sasaki : Ok! Then I’m not as hopeless as I thought I was. Thank you so much, Niibashi. You too, Jirou I guess…
Ogasawara : Finally! You smiled and stopped with that grumpy face of yours.
Sasaki : Whatever, Niibashi, could you help me out telling him to be at the entrance tomorrow?
Niibashi : Sure, leave it to me.
After that, both Niibashi and Jirou decided they had to go home. That was my signal to start planning how I’m going to approach Miyano. I could invite him to eat somewhere to make up for what I did.
While Sasaki was preparing his plan, Niibashi and Ogasawara talked on their way home.
Niibashi : I liked this friend of yours. At first, I thought he would be mean towards everybody, but I guess it’s only Hirano-senpai and you.
Ogasawara : Well, we’ve known each other for quite some time. Maybe it’s the way he shows his trust on us.
Niibashi : I can totally understand, though I’m the other way around.
Ogasawara : Then, you trust me?
Niibashi : Well… you could say that.
Ogasawara : Niibashi, would you like to go to a concert with me next month? It'd be a great experience to spend time with. I know this is unexpected, but since you liked the music Sasaki and I listen to, I thought you’d like it. But I don’t know if you like public events. Oh, maybe you’re busy on that date… Did I tell you the date? I think I didn’t. Let me look for it, I’m sure… (gets interrupted)
Niibashi : Ogasawara, calm down. Why are you rushing to talk like that?
Ogasawara : It’s just… I really want you to go…
Niibashi : Sounds fun, just update me on the place and exact date. Relax, there’s still plenty of time left, no need to panic.
Ogasawara : You’re right… I’m sorry for reacting like that. I was overreacting because you’re my first friend in years aside from Hirano and Sasaki. I guess I wanted things to go smoothly.
Niibashi : Aw, Ogasawara-senpai. That’s cute of you. I’ve also been enjoying your company. (small pause) Look, I want to be honest with you. These two weeks have been amazing with you, you even introduced me to your friends. I want to ask you if you’d like to go out?
Ogasawara : (confused) Wait, going out? Like the concert?
Niibashi : Not like that….
Ogasawara : (shocked) AH, going out? Are you sure? I don’t want to force anything, you can think about it…
Niibashi : What do you mean by think about it? (giggles) I was the one who asked you out, you should be the one processing your answer.
Ogasawara : I don’t think there’s anything to think about. Hell yes, I want to go out with you. But, for now, let’s not tell Sasaki nor Hirano, please.
Niibashi : It’s okay, you take your time to tell them. Although, I have the feeling Hirano-senpai already suspects something about this.
Ogasawara : You may be right… but I won’t confirm it until I feel confident about it.
Niibashi : I really hope Sasaki-senpai’s meeting with Miyano goes well.
Ogasawara : Yeah… I hate to see his hopeless face almost every day. Hopefully, he’ll be more excited tomorrow.
Niibashi : Yeah… this is where I take the bus, see you tomorrow… Jirou-san.
Ogasawara : (blushes) Jirou-san?
Niibashi : What? Can’t I call you by your name?
Ogasawara : Absolutely! You just startled me.
Niibashi : Well, better get used to it. See you!
Ogasawara : See you… Juuya-chan.
Niibashi : (laughs) You’re adorable. Bye!
The next day, Sasaki woke up early for the first time. Finished his breakfast, and even stopped by his family’s bakery to get some desserts for Miyano as an apology. Finally, he got to school 20 minutes before classes, and waited for Miyano there. 5 more minutes passed until he got to the entrance, and got scared again when he saw Sasaki.
Sasaki : Wait… I want to talk with you…
Miyano : Hi… I’m sorry for yesterday, I didn’t mean to push you, it was an accident…
Sasaki : It’s okay, I want to apologize to you. I acted like a jerk yesterday and didn’t think about you.
Miyano : (relieved) It’s okay… I actually thought you were going to beat me up because of yesterday.
Sasaki : No, no, I’m not like that. Look here, I brought you some chocolates as a gift. We only had bitter ones in the bakery, but hope you like them.
Miyano : Are you kidding me?! These are some of my favorites.
Sasaki : Really?
Miyano : Yes, I’m not really into sweet stuff, so these ones were the right call. Thanks, senpai.
Sasaki : Sasaki.
Miyano : What?
Sasaki : I’m Sasaki Shuumei, would you like to eat somewhere after school?
Miyano : Sure, that bakery you mention is yours?
Sasaki : Yes, I work part-time sometimes with my mother.
Miyano : I’d love to try some stuff. Do you have lemon desserts?
Sasaki : Yes, want to try a lemon pie later?
Miyano : I’d love to!
We got interrupted by the first bell of classes, and had to get inside.
Sasaki : Well, guess I'll see you later.
Miyano : Sure, senpai. Oh, I’m Miyano Yoshikazu, sorry I didn’t present properly early.
Sasaki : Nice to meet you, Miyano-chan. Oh, let’s exchange numbers, for planning some other stuff (giggles).
Miyano : Sounds good, let me type it on your phone.
Sasaki : Here you go (hands his cellphone to Miyano).
Miyano : Ready, see you later, Sasaki-senpai
Sasaki : Bye bye!
I entered the class and luckily, the teacher hadn’t arrived yet. I sat down, and chatted a bit with Hirano and Jirou.
Sasaki : Hey…
Hirano : What’s up? You look happier than usual.
Ogasawara : Did everything go great with Miyano-chan?
Sasaki : Shut it, Jirou. But yes, everything went great.
Hirano : Who’s Miyano?
Ogasawara : The guy you told me bumped into Sasaki yesterday.
Hirano : Oh! You had a chance to apologize then?
Sasaki : (excited) Yes! I even had a chance to tell him about the bakery, and he’s dropping by later.
Ogasawara : Wow, you did make some progress, huh?
Sasaki : Yeah, thank you. I couldn’t have done it without Niibashi-kun’s help.
Ogasawara : I’ll get your message to him.
Sasaki : Tomorrow, I’m telling you both how the plan went.
The teacher arrived and started the class. I tried my best to keep myself focused to get through the whole day and get to the bakery with Miyano-chan. I guess I finally have a reason to get up in the first place. To see that cute face of his, everyday, and making sure that nothing nor nobody changes that.