Work Text:
It was snowy out. It would have also been quiet too, if not for the blur of a girl's form in a rush, almost slipping on some frozen ground.
No, no, no, no! I can't afford to be late! Not this time! A frantic Yashiro Nene ran as fast as her chubby legs could take her. Not only did she oversleep on a school day, but she was absolutely aware of who was in charge of today's discipline committee duties.
Yugi Amane, from the class next to hers. A member of the school discipline committee, he sometimes stood in front of the gates inspecting incoming students and usually wouldn't let latecomers in. Nene had of course, seen him in action multiple times already, and he seemed to rule the school with an iron fist.
And she just so happened to be one of the unfortunate people who need to get through him, out of all days. As if he wasn't already annoying enough for her.
"Hold it. Do you know what time it is?" He didn't even need to look up at her from his clipboard, as she stopped in her tracks, a grimace on her face. She really didn't need to hear a lecture from him again.
"It's different this time, okay! I actually made it with three seconds to spare!"
He lifted his head at her, unamused. "Keep telling that to yourself, Yashiro-san. You're only saying that to excuse your tardiness. Then again, it has been going on since the start of the school year."
Can I just headbutt him already?!
"Well sorry. I'm trying my best here." Nene grumbled, trying to fix her scarf that had tangled up with her hair from her running. Amane rolled his eyes at her attitude in response.
"Then just get inside already before I say anything else and change my mind."
She huffed, but left for her class anyway. That was pretty much how their usual conversations went everyday.
Yet, strangely enough, she didn't fully despise him. It wasn't like he was constantly a stick in the mud for her, because she's seen how much worse he can get to other students.
In fact, she might have sort of been harboring feelings for him for a long while now.
Don't even try to ask her how in the blazes it happened, she doesn't know either. Maybe because of their frequent interactions with each other. Either way, the feelings were there, and they were growing.
She's began noticing the little details about him. How he narrowed his golden eyes at a book in deep concentration, how his usual poker face would slightly melt away at the sight of the stars at night. How she sometimes passed by him with a donut in his mouth, while he carried on with his school work. How he was actually quite a kind person, underneath his tough exterior.
She also knew just how stubborn he was, but she was just as, if not even more, stubborn.
Valentine's Day was close, and as she sat in the classroom, her eyes focused out the window, her mind wandered off elsewhere. Maybe... she couldn't really tell him right off the bat, but if she gave him some of the chocolate she was planning on making...
It was easier said than done.
"You're late again." Amane called her out, that seemingly permanent poker face of his not faltering in the slightest.
Nene rolled her eyes. "I overslept. Not that big of a deal."
"What could you possibly have stayed all night up for? I would get it if it was for exams next week, but it doesn't look like it."
"That's none of your business. Will you just let me in, donut boy?"
He sighed at the nickname. "Fine. But this is going in your record again."
Nene let out a small smile at him. "You know, I'm starting to think you might have a soft spot for me~"
She watched as his eyes widened, but he quickly recovered, scowling at her, although it wasn't as intense. "Shut up. Just go to your class already."
With that, Nene took her leave, her smile widening as she could hear from the distance the sound of him scolding another student behind her.
He looked rather cute when he got flustered.
"Nene-chan, you've been awfully close to Yugi-kun lately." Aoi said to her during lunch break.
"I... wouldn't say close. More like, I just kinda end up unintentionally pissing him off sometimes." Nene put on a crooked grin, trying to ignore the fact her face was gradually feeling warmer.
Aoi sighed, shaking her head. "That, or you're finding excuses to talk to him. It's been getting really obvious that even Yamabuki-kun can tell."
"Am I really that obvious?"
"Your face says it all. You know, why don't you just be honest and tell him how you feel?"
Nene grimaced at her words. "No way! Have you seen the way he looks at me? Pure and constant annoyance. He has a strict routine to maintain and I can't even get my sleep schedule right the way I want it to."
"Actually—" Before Aoi can continue, Nene cut her off.
"Also, we're not exactly friends. He's only been mildly not pissed off at me once, and that was when I found his favorite pen last week. Other than that, he completely hates me."
"No, he—"
"He's more interested in the elegant, quiet types like Nanamine-senpai, anyway! So even if I tried telling him how I feel he'll just reject m—"
"Nene-chan." Aoi's voice became firm, shutting Nene up from her rambling. Taking another deep breath, the blue haired girl then found her words.
"I've seen how he treats rule breakers before. And I know you have too. Care to think about how he treats you compared to the way he does to others?"
The ombre haired girl put a hand under her chin, thinking deeply. "Well... I guess, he's been a little bit patient with me nowadays. And he doesn't yell at me as much anymore."
"Anything else?"
"He's not as annoyed at me when I see him now." Nene blinked confusingly. "But, that's probably because he's a busy guy and would rather get things over with quickly, you know?"
Nene-chan, for someone who likes the idea of romance, you sure don't know when to spot it when it happens to you. Aoi thought.
"Don't you think that means something?" She asked Nene.
Nene became shy, her eyes moving downwards to her hands. "Even so... what if he doesn't exactly feel the same?"
"You'll never know unless you try. You said you're making chocolate for him, right? Then make it so your feelings are loud and clear for him."
"Right... You're right!" Nene pumped her fist in the air with a determined smile. "I can do this! I'm not about to back down now! Thanks Aoi, I needed that."
"Clearly, you needed it a lot. But you're welcome."
As the bell rang, signifying another day done, Nene found herself sighing as she went to her shoe locker. How am I even gonna approach him tomorrow? Should I be forward? Or should I take the secret admirer approach? No, that's probably a little creepy.
She was so busy tinkering around her brain she didn't even notice Amane walking up next to her, going over his shoe locker.
"I'm surprised you haven't gone home yet."
"Ah—?" She whipped her head up at him, startled. "Oh, uh... yeah. I was taking care of some... things."
"Well, whatever it is, I hope it has something to do with being early next time." She couldn't exactly be sure, but she could have sworn Amane just let out a smile back there.
As he geared up to leave, he suddenly stopped, and turned his head at her, and Nene tried not to make it too obvious her heart beat fast at the sight of him behind the light of the setting sun.
His eyes seemed to look at her with an emotion she's sure she recognizes, but she didn't really want to get her hopes up for.
Curse her for being so poetic about her feelings.
"Hey... I know we don't always see eye to eye often, but... I just wanna let you know, I'm... looking out for you, Yashiro."
Eh? EHH ???! D-did he just... huh?! There's no way... he even dropped the honorific there...!!
Ignoring the fluttering feeling in her chest, she smiled softly at him. "Thanks. That means a lot, especially coming from you, Amane-kun."
He shrugged, reverting back to his poker face. "Don't get too used to it. Well, I'll see you tomorrow, Yashiro."
As he left (and rather unceremoniously at that), Nene couldn't help but put a hand on her chest, the smile on her face never leaving.
He was such a stuck up idiot.
Today was the apocalypse.
That was merely an exaggeration, but to Nene, it felt like she was walking towards the end of the world.
Today was now Valentine's Day.
She had stayed up late in the kitchen, going through trial and error until she perfected her chocolate. Not only was it chocolate, it was also donuts, put neatly in a pink rectangular box with a white ribbon.
I think I hit the jackpot here! Yashiro Nene, you're such a genius!
And by stroke of luck, she had actually gone to school early for once! The weather was as cold as it can be, snow continuing to fall outside gently around her as she stepped out of her apartment.
Today was going to be great!
With the box in her shoulder bag, she walked up to school that morning, feeling her cheeks warm up when she can see him come up her line of vision gradually the more steps she took.
He averted his eyes from a student, as he noticed her moving up to him, albeit, in a strange way. It was almost like she was inching forward, but stopping every one second before taking another step.
"Yashiro?"
"Oh, uh, good morning!" Nene nervously laughed, her bravery fluctuating a little. Might as well start some small talk before the big event, eh?
Amane was looking at her with a slight look of surprise. "Good morning. You're early today. That's new."
"Yeah, well, you know... Like I said, I'm just trying my best. Also, didn't expect to see you here today, haha..."
"Yashiro, I'm here pretty much every morning."
"Right! Right, I knew that!" Oh god, I sound so stupid right now. But I've done too much now to run away! I gotta do it!
"Hey, uh... Amane-kun?" She began, her shyness almost taking over.
"Yeah?" He replied, sounding surprisingly soft.
Nene hesitated, but she swallowed her nervousness back as she reached in her bag and took out the box, handing it to him. "H-here. Since it's Valentine's Day today, so um, I made something for you. I know how much you like donuts, so I tried my best to make some."
He blinked, clearly not expecting her move. In fact, he remained motionless for a few more seconds, and Nene felt herself getting even more nervous and red-faced the more time passed.
Amane seemed to snap from whatever trance he had been in, as to her relief, he finally took the box from her. "Thanks, Yashiro."
Nene felt relief wash over her. His response was kinda lackluster, but it was better than getting her gift rejected, right?
An awkward silence.
"Well! Will you look at the time! I better go now, see you, Amane-kun!" Before Amane could reply to her, Nene had already sped off towards the school building.
She was NOT going to stay there and hear him reject her feelings outright! She's not brave enough for that!
She doesn't notice the way he watched her retreat into the building, his gaze on her lingering longer than necessary.
And flash forward to now.
Class began, and Nene tried to keep herself occupied with it, but she couldn't help but think about Amane. Did he like her gift? Would he somehow figure out her not so subtle hints?
She sighed. It seemed the woes of her maiden's heart won't be resolved so easily.
As the bell rang, signalling lunch time, she exited her classroom. Maybe if she got herself something to eat, she'll forget all about it.
"Ah, Yashiro."
Curses. Nene froze in place when she heard Amane call out to her from behind.
And without thinking, she suddenly sprinted away, as fast as she could away from him.
I'm not gonna hear it! I don't wanna hear it!
"Yashiro!" She could sense Amane right behind her. She turned her head around, seeing him chase after her.
What the hell was he doing?!
It became a full blown chase through the school, and Nene had to avoid other students and turn hard corners around constantly. For someone with radish legs, she sure could run incredibly fast.
"Yashiro, for the love of God, stop running!"
"No! Go away!" She shouted, turning another corner.
I refuse to be subjected to heartbreak!
Unfortunately, she underestimated just how fast he can run, if not faster than her.
She felt him grab her by the back of her hoodie, pulling her backwards into his chest. They were both breathing heavily from all the running they did, but Nene refused to turn her head to look at him.
I should have known not to run away from someone who literally plays soccer a lot! Damn you and your athleticism!
"I... I got you now, Yashiro."
Nene's face turned red at their close proximity. She was both embarrassed and exhilarated by it, as he backed away from her, his expression becoming stern once more.
"Now... care to explain why you keep trying to avoid me?"
"Uh... well..." She tried to find an exit, but it was no use. Even if she tried to run away again, he'd eventually catch up to her.
Again, damn him and his athleticism.
Amane sensed her discomfort, and sighed. "Look, if I did something wrong, then let me apologize."
"Huh? Oh, n-no! That's not it!" Nene flailed her hands about.
"Then what is?"
She quivered, weighing her options. Tell him, and at least get some closure, or just try to pretend nothing happened?
"Those donuts I made you... They're... not just a formality, you know..." She felt her face grow hotter by the second.
He raised an eyebrow. "They're not?"
"Yeah. I mean... there is something else involved... like..."
"Your feelings for me?"
Nene's eyes widened at his words, and she shot her head back up to look at him giving her a playful smile. It was a rare look on him, and she certainly didn't expect it.
"H...huh?" She could just respond, unable to form any coherent words.
"It was pretty obvious from the start." Amane shrugged, as if it were the most nonchalant thing to him. "I know you, Yashiro. You're not really great with hiding your feelings that much."
Well, at least I tried!
"But..." He trailed off, and Nene held her breath, waiting for the impending rejection.
"To be perfectly honest, I feel happy... cuz it was you."
Huh?
Now her heart was racing, as she stared back at him, trying to process his words. What did he mean? Was he saying that he...?
Amane seemed to feel a little shy himself, as he tried to maintain his composure, but the red color forming in his cheeks was unmistakable.
"I... actually like you too, Yashiro. Have been since forever. To be honest I was a little scared of saying this to you, cuz I can be kind of a jerk around you sometimes. But seeing you give me your homemade donuts... I realized I can't just throw this chance away."
Her hands were trembling. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
He liked her back.
He liked her back!
"I..." She began, feeling her tears roll down her cheeks.
Why was she crying? She had no idea.
She felt him wipe her tears away with his thumb, his hand lingering longer on her cheek as he looked at her tenderly. "Hey, hey, don't cry. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable."
"No... no, it's just... I'm so happy right now, I..." The relief and happiness was a little overwhelming, to say the least.
He pulled her into a hug. She couldn't resist burying her face into his chest, feeling his heartbeat. It was going fast, just like hers was.
"You have no idea how happy you make me, Yashiro."
Nene giggled through her tears. "I always knew you had a soft spot for me, Amane-kun."
He moved away from her slightly, that rare smile back on his face. "Well, I say you better get used to it." He chuckled, leaning forward to press a kiss on her cheek.