Chapter Text
“Paws off Gonzales or I’m breaking that." I said the moment a pair of hands covered my eyes.
“Topnotch retorts.” A different voice responded from behind to my surprise. “As expected.”
"Oh. Sorry." I looked over to my back to check who that was, but surely, there is no need for that. She sounds very distinct. “You've a pretty smart mouth yourself.” It wasn't flattery, but she wasn't crowned as our smart queen for nothing.
“Eh?” A widespread smile crossed her face. “I'm glad if you think that.” She chuckled of delight.
I carried on with packing my stuff, and she went with doing hers as well. A strange tingling at the back of neck made me shudder. From the corner of my eye, I catch her glimpse. I did not return the gaze. I cannot return her gaze.
“Something the matter?” I said when I can no longer hold the silence. Okay a small talk won’t hurt. I convinced myself.
I turned to her only to find her perk up. What was that?
I rarely engage with anyone, but there is always something mysterious with the way she holds her smile especially that one that reaches the eyes. I can’t help but get drawn. It scares me.
Her expressiveness, genuine. Her thoughts, brilliant. Her quirks, interesting. Her worries, worth protecting. The accent slips, cute. Yeah, I get to catch a bit of that when we talk. Okay, I was wrong. small talks hurt. I don't understand.
"I don't understand either."
"What?" I blurted when I heard her say that. Did I say something out loud again?
“I'm happy about us talking.” She said not looking. “But I still get unintelligible around you. It’s silly." She said peeking briefly through her neatly trimmed bangs.
"What?" I know I sounded stupid.
"Can I - " she paused shaking her head. "If you don’t mind, will you let me - " she trailed off giving up on talking any further. Instead, reached for my hand and held it firmly, her eyes closed. I couldn't protest. I wouldn't protest.
A few moments passed and she started nodding.
“And it seems odd but calling you ‘onee-chan’ starts to hurt. This is why.”
Her hand slipped from mine along with her deep sigh; I anchored our pinkies briefly before completely letting go, but the distance is unbearable, I had to stop her from leaving. It Is odd, but I do know what she means. Because between the two of us, I was the one who keeps running. Such honesty made me lose. I give up.
"Well, I have to confirm some things myself too."
The rush that felt when I held her near was incomprehensible.
“Figure this out with me." I muttered not intending it as a question.
A soft chuckle emerged. The feeling of relief washed over as she relaxed. “Can I be honest with you?” She said in her most quiet tone.
I nodded not letting go.
“I’m so messed up right now. How do you do this.”
The hesitation I held for the longest time faded. I could have asked her the same, but the warmth of the moment was overwhelming. She was right. I was no longer lost. it was perfect.
This is what I want.