Chapter Text
Rin moved from side to side hurriedly in the small space of the tent, checking utensils, preparing and side dishes. His task would be accomplished masterfully that night, he would not disappoint any of his classmates or his clients.
After all, if he couldn't go out with anyone that night at the festival Rin would take his mind off working as much as he could. He was even thinking about skipping the break, going around the stalls seeing sweet and happy couples would give him an ulcer sooner or later.
Then, something strange appeared in his line of vision: on top of the counter rested a strange little serpent, it resembled a small sea dragon, a demon without a doubt. The half-demon watched in confusion as the being lazily stuck its tongue out at him, as the team of exorcists was taking care of the security of the place, despite it appearing to be harmless, no demon should approach the place.
As Rin tediously pondered what to do with this little intruder, the large number of demons appearing around the tent suddenly scared him enough to make the boy stumble back, all of them staring at him with a kind of curiosity.
At that moment, a voice broke him out of his trance, making the boy let out a thin, frightened scream.
— Hey how's it going? I would like some onigiris, please.
Rin turned towards the new customer with wide eyes and a scared face, much to their annoyance, the person on the other side of the counter was giggling. If she saw what he saw, she would definitely be scared too!
He stared at the student in front of him, the dust demons in the stall had dispersed as quickly as they appeared seconds ago, leaving only the lazy snake on the counter that slowly crawled to the customer's feet before blending into the shadows, leaving Rin to I feel like he have seen something like this somewhere before…
Okumura then noticed the awkward girl, he didn't know what to say to her. The girl leaned over the rice ball stand, greeting the boy who had practically cooked everything. She had a lively smile on her face and warmth in her cheeks. Looking forward to talking to him.
— Serious? — Rin came close to her with satisfaction, pride and a bright look despite being embarrassed. If his tail hadn't been hidden under his uniform, he would be swaying from side to side right now. A compliment was always welcome.
— Yes I loved it!
Rin studied the girl up and down, giving her a quick glance as she handed her the already prepared dumplings. The pink skirt was long and knee-length, black tights, the tie neatly arranged around the neck and collar neatly pressed next to the black wool coat with its red details and not fully buttoned.
Rin recognized that face, he just didn't remember where. He had already seen her today in the tents, but his memories were not from the festival, he frowned, forcing the memory. Suddenly, Rin had a vague idea of who that girl was and let out an "ah!" whispered, half pleased to seem to remember.
— Yeah, you're not leaving here, senpai. — Rin replied simply and she laughed at the gratuitous rudeness without getting upset.
— What it was?
— You're stupid, Okumura-kun. You don't talk to a client like that. — she complained. Rin took another look and felt relieved, she really was his senpai from remedial classes.
— Sorry, senpai. — Okumura backed away a little, feeling stupid and relieved that the girl hadn't gotten upset. This way he would end up ruining the business in his room.
— It's okay, relax. — she shrugged. In fact, she wasn't bothered at all, she was very happy to finally be able to talk directly to Okumura, she hadn't said a word to him since the recovery classes.
— Give me one more. — she pointed to the bottom. Rin widened her eyes and opened her mouth a little. — Other? — she was a girl who ate a lot, he noticed. Deep down, he thought it was kind of cool.
— Am I paying you for this, or not? — She laughed at him and leaned fully into the tent, messing with her hair, looking with all her attention at the boy in front of her.
— Sorry. — Rin blushed, she was close and the smell of her perfume was delicious. The boy shrank once again, the bou was starting to get confused with the way she scolded him and then smiled warmly. It was the same thing in class, he remembered, always fighting and annoying, but then making that such cute face...
— Well, I agreed to come as a couple with a friend to enjoy the shows, but at the time he said he wouldn't come, now I just have to eat. — she explained without much need, looking away, it was really true. Her voice had a certain regret, but she wasn't at all upset about being blew, after all, if it weren't for that, she wouldn't be there now having this conversation, doing her best, so she wouldn't have to stay in her room later brooding. and thinking of better things to have said.
— You are very pretty, you also seem like nice. Nobody called you? — Rin wanted to know, curious. He wasn't exactly close to his senpai, but if it had occurred to him that no one would invite her, Rin would have definitely invited her to the festival too. He even considered inviting her for a moment, but even he, with all his optimism, didn't believe she was unaccompanied. He had never asked, but he was almost one hundred percent sure she was dating.
From what he remembered, she seemed very close to one of the boys who helped her class recover, the boy always seemed to look in their direction when Rin made the girl laugh at something silly. There was no way she, as beautiful, kind and fun as she was wouldn't have caught the attention of any of those smart, rich kids at school.
The girl stood there and quickly took a bite of the rice ball, just so she wouldn't have to respond immediately. Had he really said she was beautiful? Shit, Rin had said it so casually that he hadn't even noticed the compliment, it was an unfiltered and pure sentence, it was just what he really thought. She swallowed with difficulty, still not knowing how to react, her heart was pounding.
— Well, they called, but I was planning to invite the guy I like. — she admitted, embarrassed. — The problem is that when I went to look for him, I discovered that he was working in one of the stalls. My romantic dream kind of went down the drain... — the girl shrugged, once again speaking the purest truth. When she arrived at the first-year classroom and asked the representative about Okumura Rin, she discovered that he was with some classmates putting together plans for what they would do at the festival.
— Fuck. — he replied bitterly. — As for me, I invited several girls, none of them wanted to accept. — Rin told about his tragic attempts, upset. The memory was sad, even more so when he remembered Shiemi, who had broken all his expectations by asking him about inviting Yukio. Rin once again regretted not inviting his senpai, at least he wouldn't be alone and could go see the show. So, he left the reminder for next year on.
— Maybe you just didn't call the right person. — she made the indirect and disgusted comment with a bit of jealousy, thinking about how any girl could reject a boy like Rin. He was just adorable, a nice and kind idiot and on top of that he looked like a hot delinquent and he was also so cute. How did no one see this?
— I think I did, she was just wanting to invite someone else. — the young woman looked carefully at Rin, he seemed discouraged. Was there someone he liked? Well, it seemed, it seemed like... a lot. The student felt a slight despair arise and die as quickly as, after all, if she invited someone else, Okumura has nothing to do with this girl, so all was not lost.
— Holy shit. — still disgusted, was the only thing she could say
— Yes. — Rin agreed. The two remained silent, she was still leaning against the counter and Rin was on the other side. The other students working in the tent were also idle for a moment due to the low traffic, not even paying attention to the two there making small talk.
The girl looked a little uncomfortable at Rin distracted, she had to do something. But… why was reaching someone so difficult sometimes? It wasn't even her first time doing this, but it was so hard, she cursed herself for her nervous silence and gathered up her courage.
— Hey.. er... Okumura kun. — She tried to get the boy's attention once again. Rin's blue eyes turned to her with the same cheerful intensity as before and he nodded, awaiting what she had to say. — Have you had your break yet? — the girl asked, looking at her hands. She couldn't face Rin, but her will remained unbreakable, that wasn't going to happen today.
— Not yet, why?… — Rin replied a little cautiously. He might be an idiot, but it didn't take him long to assume something in his teenage head. The demon spawn got carried away by the moment and was surprised, forgetting his thoughts to cry because of a certain blonde with green eyes and opened an involuntary smile. Assumed by the quick thought that came to his mind after indifference and slight confusion, Rin couldn't believe it. His rather large canine teeth appeared from the side of his mouth as he smiled, waiting for the girl to finish her sentence. His senpai would really…
— I don't know... wouldn't you like to take a walk around? — The girl tried to appear as casual as possible by offering a gentle smile, she was completely enchanted by Rin's adorable mannerisms in response to her question.
Then, suddenly, he frowned and narrowed his eyes, leaning forward. He put his hand on his head and just looked at her without saying anything. The young woman became nervous and without realizing it she held her breath.
— Of course! But...Hu, what's your name again, senpai?... — Rin asked and the girl sighed, exhausted, she wanted to throw him off a bridge, she also wanted to throw herself.
— I was on your case for a whole month and you don't even remember my name? I gave a presentation, try again. — She turned her back to Rin, leaning on the counter and crossed her arms, looking at him in a cold and demanding way.
Rin flinched, regretful. — That's not fair! I bet you don't even know my name either. — Rin tried to defend himself, a little offended and desperate, a little irritated at the moment and pointing at her all accusatory. The young woman turned sideways, resting just one hand on the counter, looking at him seriously.
— How much do you bet? - she asked.
— 1000¥ Yen. — Rin smiled smugly, there was no way she could have known. Just to make sure he took a sideways look at her uniform, it wasn't written there.
— You are 1000¥ Yen poorer, Okumura Rin. — she was more presumptuous than him, pointing her finger at Rin with a satisfied smile on her face, contemplating the boy's silly face. She really thought it was funny that he was all surprised and indignant, his blue eyes wide open and his mouth speechless.
— Come on, senpai. — He shrank back with a frown, letting out a disgusted growl.
— I'll charge you later, relax. — She comforted him and also said her name. She didn't need 1000¥ yen, she had all the money she needed, but this could be a good excuse to talk to Rin one more time in the future. She looked at him apprehensively and anxiously, her restless eyes probed his and she returned to the main topic:
— Well... what about going for a walk? When we can go?... — she asked hopefully, her heart pounded and the student couldn't help but smile, but she hid it all while eating her rice cake.
— Ah, well… in an hour! — Rin responds and smiles back, the somewhat unusual fangs pointing above her lower lips, really cute. He wasn't aware of what it was, but he was very happy because a girl was inviting him to have fun. Well, as much as Rin wanted so much to be there with Shiemi, being invited had injected more energy into him, besides it was the first time in his life that something like that had happened to him.
She emerged victorious and the demon waited anxiously while she cooked.
⚘
When Godaiin poked Rin, warning him about his break, the half-demon jumped up excitedly. He waited a few seconds, took off his apron and picked up his sword, already hanging it on his back, and walked away. He was ready to look for his senpai. But where to start? Should he wait there? If he had taken her phone number…
But then, to Rin's relief, they simply ran into each other as he walked around the tents. She, talking to some friends, heard Rin's voice shouting "Senpai!" and his very happy gaze glanced in the direction, coming face to face with the boy waving. The girl said goodbye to the girls she was talking to and went towards Okumura, she still couldn't believe it was all that easy. At that moment, she couldn't help but mentally ask herself why she had waited half a year to try and exchange a word with Rin.
— I finally found you. Where have you gone? — Rin asked, crossing his arms close to his body and speaking with a displeased frown.
— Sorry, I was just going to the tent. — She explained with a shrug. — I ended up a bit stuck with the girls there. Did I make you look too hard?
— A little. — the half-demon smiled at her widely and observed their height differences closely, curious. — But there's no problem!
— I have an idea. Give me your phone. — She extended a hand, asking. Rin didn't hesitate in handing over the device, without really understanding why. The young woman took it and, without unlocking it, went to the calls menu and entered her number. —Tomorrow it will be easier to find me if you need me. — She added.
— Tomorrow?
— Yes, that is if you enjoy the incredible experience of spending time with me. — the girl gave him a convincing wink and then continued, still wondering where all that courage came from. — I know you'll be working most of the night, but it might still be nice to go out for a bit and see the evening shows, what do you think? Let's go?
— Wow… Hey… are you asking me out tomorrow night too? — he asked with a curious and smug smile on his lips. Shima wouldn't believe that an older girl was asking him out like that, so easily, and Rin would make a point of rubbing it in his face today.
— No. — she simply denied. — We can't leave, you'll be working tomorrow. So technically it's not really a date. — Rin once again mortally regretted working. — I'm calling you to spend your break with me. That's all Okumura-kun.
— But senpai, isn't it the same thing? — He scratched his head, confused.
— Definitely not. — she shook her head vehemently. It didn't make sense to Rin, but he didn't ask. She didn't say anything else, just made fun of him with a comment to herself. The two were already walking around aimlessly.
— What do you want to do? — Rin was trying to be as natural as possible next to the girl, he didn't really know what to do now, he had never reached this level. However, he thought it wouldn't be cool to just take her to random places without knowing his opinion. — Just don’t say you want to eat one more time…
— That was exactly it… — she smiled. — I wanted to stop by the maid coffee room if you didn't mind.
— Did I really get it right?! — He frowned and then seemed really surprised. - Fine by me. — Rin shrugged as if to say "do what".
— Just kidding. — she nudged him lightly and held the boy's hand, taking it forward, back, and letting go on the way back. She took a faster step, not containing her excitement, and stood in front of Rin. — Right now I wanted to take a look at the haunted house and then stop by the planetarium room, my friend said that the lights inside are really beautiful! but then we could eat... — the young woman pointed in the direction of the attraction. Rin remembered that Shiemi would be there, helping to create the scares, and suddenly, something seemed strange. He didn't want the girl to see him walking around with his senpai and vice versa.
— And you Okumura-kun, what are you up to? — he looked at her, blinked with his mouth half open without knowing what to answer; Rin stretched slightly upwards and narrowed his eyes, he swore he saw Shura staring at him and smiling all suggestive. Her attitude made the girl turn back, curious.
— I also wanted to see how the maid café was doing. — Rin told his senpai to pay attention to him again, the boy really wanted to take a look at the girls in uniforms, but he wasn't going to say that to his senpai, however he ended up letting any words come out of his mouth in the absence of one. response. — And I wanted to watch the theater play. — He completed.
Rin watched her senpai take her own cell phone from the bag with the long, thin strap across her body and take a look at the time.
She debated a little about what to do now, she had been invited by a third-year classmate to watch him perform and then spend a little time in the dressing room, she agreed and he told her about the schedule and the script. The girl wasn't exactly in the mood to watch or go, but as it was now Rin's wish, she didn't even have time to remember all her discouragement to find her senpai.
— So you like this kind of story? Well, come on, it's started. — she took the hand of her latest passion, her heart almost jumped out of her chest when she felt his fingers tighten around hers and, with energetic steps, she deftly slipped through the crowd of people.
The half-demon, at first, protested without understanding, she had been very quick then afterwards, all he tried was not to run into anyone. Before long, the two, hand in hand, were running around the school laughing loudly and openly, in response to the nervousness coming from the insults of a boy they accidentally fell into.
They both arrived at the place full of occupied chairs and slipped together through the rows, sitting at the back. Rin was enchanted and attentive to the stage ahead, and when he realized that their hands were still joined together under her lap so casually he began to feel uncomfortable.
It wasn't that it was bad, it was just that he couldn't pay attention to anything anymore, just his clasped hands and how embarrassingly hot and wet his hand was. Rin, blushing, swore a frustrated curse while his senpai was extremely happy. How could she not be, when she had his hands full with his fall of the year? It wasn't her first time on a date, but she couldn't hold back her good feelings.
She noticed Rin staring at they hands and gave a light, understanding sigh, casually letting go and picking up his phone, just unlocking it and scrolling through the apps until he noticed him distracted by the piece once again. She didn't want to make the boy uncomfortable, she had feelings for him, but she should go little by little, especially after finding out that he had feelings for someone else.
The teenager felt out of place for a second and shrank in her chair, she took off her shoes and placed her feet covered in black tights on the chair. With her knees bent, she was sitting in the fetal position, holding her pink skirt with one hand and watching Rin let herself go, concentrating on the piece. She swore that at any moment he could cry at the plot twists and watched him passively and satisfied, he was more interesting.
The demon suddenly turned around and looked at her too, instead of looking away or perhaps saying something, the student just continued to stare with her passionate eyes, keeping a somewhat idiotic smile on her face. She didn't want to talk, if she did she could lose it. Rin just returned the silent look, observing her face closely and closely in the dark, counting the occasional small spot that he could see in the dim light.
Seeing deep into her bright eyes and her smile, he blushed, thinking she was really beautiful, he didn't even remember Shiemi for a second, trapped in his senpai, looking at her lips, her smile... had any girl ever had a smile like that for him? he? He definitely wouldn't forget that anytime soon, his nose, his adorable eyes, his hair a little out of place... everything, until a certain moment when Rin, even if there was any real resemblance, remembered Shiemi.
A shadow covered the boy's blue gaze just as the older girl thought about approaching, she mumbled and curled her lips, somewhat upset. With her index finger she poked Rin's soft cheek and turned her head towards the stage once more and, somewhat abruptly, took her warm hand again, soon, the two were hanging loosely between the gaps of the two folding chairs. Then, he was back to the self-conscious nervous mess while his senpai was quite happy and pleased about it, casually swinging her hands back and forth.
⚘
On the second day of the festival, the second-year student was anxious when she left her dormitory without her uniform, perfumed and well-groomed, in ordinary clothes, nothing extremely neat but still very well chosen. Satisfied with herself and with expectations of Rin, she remained very happy and almost unshakable with a well-written letter in neat handwriting kept in her bag. She was going to give it to him today, she was more than determined.
The day had been long and kind of quiet, her roommates hadn't been there since last night. She came out humming happily and hurriedly went down to where the festival was being held, right below the dormitory buildings.
She first passed by Rin's class tent, went to one of the boys in blue aprons who was serving and asked for him. She was informed that the boy had gone out for his break and cursed herself for being so late, however she didn't let that get her down.
Imagining that Rin might have already gone to the entrance of the part closed to couples, he headed towards the place. Having the pleasant surprise of being able to meet him halfway, seeming to be looking for someone. But more lost than a dizzy cockroach.
The older girl immediately opened a huge smile and raised her hand to wave, about to shout for Rin in the crowd. However, something makes her swallow the call midway. Okumura seems to come across something and then he himself shouts:
"Shiemi!"
There is a brief pause and then he runs in another direction, from where he was, she watched for a few seconds. There was a very beautiful blonde girl, she wore a traditional kimono that was very striking among the other students' clothes and carried a basket full of flowers. After a brief conversation that she can't hear, Rin takes the girl in the kimono's hand and they leave. He looks so happy.
How could he have forgotten a detail like that? There was someone he liked from the beginning. Could it be that girl? That was the impression given. Definitely frustrating.
However... There was another detail that could not be taken out of consideration. Rin said something the day before that implied that the person he likes likes someone else. So, she wouldn't give up so easily on winning that heart, not without even trying! But any plans would wait until later, right now she was really upset about everything that had happened and would let Rin know about it later.