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“Dude, you gotta quit staring.” Yoshida sighs.
In the cafeteria, Denji sits with his chin propped in the palm of his right hand as he gazes at the class president of their second-year class— Reze Sato.
She’s standing at the end of a wooden lunch table, conversing with other students. He watches as she hands each person a colorful piece of paper. Since Friday is the day to pick a class president for next year, she wants to make sure her votes are secured.
“I’m not staring,” Denji says, turning to look at his friend. “I’m occasionally looking.”
The blond-haired boy has been crushing on her since the first time he laid eyes on her; he remembers it like it was yesterday.
<3
It was the second week of Denji’s first year of high school. He was running late to math class and was sprinting down the halls, ignoring a teacher who had told him to slow down. As Denji turned the corner, he collided with a student, making the papers that they held scatter all over the tile floor.
“Shit, I’m so sorry.” He had said, squatting down to collect the papers.
“No worries.” He heard a soft, feminine voice tell him.
Denji paused his movements and looked up. It was a beautiful girl with dark purple hair and entrancing emerald-green eyes. She was the prettiest girl he’d ever laid eyes on.
“Are you alright?” He heard her ask and Denji realized that he’d been staring for too long.
He blinked a few times and stood up, clearing his throat. “You’re fine. I mean, I’m fine.”
The girl giggled with a nod. “Okay then.”
“I’m Denji.” He smiled, cheeks reddening as he handed the papers to her.
“Reze.” She responded, her pink lips curving into a smile.
What a pretty smile, Denji thought.
“I’ll see you around,” Reze then said as she walked past him.
“Yeah, see you.” He nodded as he watched her walk down the hall.
Denji couldn’t get her out of his head for the rest of the day.
<3
Yoshida smirks as he opens his milk carton. “If that’s what you want to call it, go ahead.”
“What? Is it a crime?” Denji asks in a defensive tone.
“No, but it should be with the way you're looking at her.”
The blond rolls his eyes. “Whatever man.”
As Denji continues to stare occasionally look at Reze, she turns her head in his direction and his heart drops.
“Fuck!” He quickly averts his eyes and stares at his lunch tray. “I think she saw me.”
“Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“Shut up, Yoshida.”
When the blond looks back at Reze, she smiles and starts to walk toward his table.
“Crap, she’s coming over here!” Denji whispers loudly as his heart pounds against his ribcage. “Act. Normal.”
“Hi, Yoshida,” Reze waves once she reaches their table.
“Hey, Reze.”
Reze and Yoshida have a few classes together; Denji wishes he was smart enough to also be in them.
When she turns to look at Denji, he knows his face is turning red like a tomato.
“You’re Dennis, right?” She asks, tilting her head.
Yoshida looks down, stifling a laugh and Denji’s heart instantly begins to ache.
She doesn’t remember his name?
“It’s… Denji.” He corrects, and his voice sounds crushed.
“Oh yes,” she giggles. “I was so close.”
Not at all, Denji thinks to himself.
“I came here to give you guys this,” Reze says as she hands Denji and Yoshida a blue piece of paper. “It’s a list of goals I will achieve if you choose me to be your Class President for the next school year.”
“More school trips,” Yoshida says as he reads her list. “You have my vote.”
Denji’s too bummed to read it.
“I’m so happy to hear!” Reze beams. “Be sure to vote on Friday.”
Yoshida nods. “Will do.”
“Great.” She turns her head. “I’ll see you around, Denji!” She waves with a smile before heading to another table.
Hearing the sound of his name come out of Reze’s mouth brings Denji back to life; a wave of excitement flows through him.
“Dude, I think she’s into me!”
Yoshida exhales deeply. “Here we go.”