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“Woop, woop, another clean sweep. I managed to get those two girl’s MySpaces’.” Satoru proudly rested his hands on his hips, “I am on fire this week. Maybe I just got a knack with the ladies.”
Suguru scoffed, “Don’t be so full of yourself. One of these days, it’s gonna catch up to you, and you’ll get rejected with a broken heart.”
“Please. I haven’t met a single girl that can resist me.”
“Oh, you have.” He picked up his mug of coffee taking a sip. “Utahime, for one.”
“Okay, well, Utahime is just Utahime, and she doesn’t know what she’s missing out on.” Satoru sat down, arrogantly resting his legs on the table. “Besides, I am not interested in her being on my radar; such a headache.”
“And what about Shoko? She’s got you and me deep in the friend zone.”
“Huh. She’s just behind on the Satoru craze. She’ll warm up. That, or she’s a raging lesbian.”
“She went out with a new guy last weekend.”
Satoru immediately sat up straight at the sound of that, “No way. Who the hell could get her before I did? And why did she never tell me about this!?”
Suguru sighed, “Some guy from an international school. She didn’t tell you because the last time she told you about a guy she was considering, you kept crashing all their dates until you scared him off. But yeah, the point stands. Can’t win every girl’s heart.”
“Pfft. International school, my ass. I went to an international school, too, as a kid. Where’s my sugar? He’s probably not as good-looking as me. Shoko’s really behind. How serious are they?”
“He drives her everywhere kind-of-serious. I don’t know, man. He could give you a run for your money.”
“Well, challenge accepted. I’m going to make Shoko fall for me and forget about that international school scumbag.”
“Dude, did we not have a conversation a few months ago about Shoko being off-limits for both of us?”
The two guys had agreed not to compromise their friendship with Shoko, one, so it wouldn’t complicate things, and two so they didn’t end up hurting her. Both of them cared too much (one admits it better than the other) about her to do that.
“Why, ya scared? I thought I couldn’t bag every girl that I see.” He mocked. “If I can’t, then you have nothing to worry about.”
Suguru thought about it for a moment. He knew full well that Satoru needed to stop being so condescending and that Shoko would have a hard time falling for him. But the possibility was always there, and knowing his best friend’s tendencies—he was a heartbreaker. Makes a girl feel special for a week, then onto the next. He was the walking stereotype of a handsome teenage boy.
“Fine. Let’s make a deal. If you can get Shoko to kiss you within this week, I’ll do whatever you want. If not, you’re spotting my next three meals.”
“Bet. Let’s shake on it.” He held out his hand.
Suguru shaked his hand back, “Oh, and Satoru, don’t hurt her. I mean it.”
“Don’t worry about that. I’m a nice guy, remember?” Satoru grinned mischievously.
Attempt #1
Satoru got a bit creative for his first attempt. “Shokooo! I was wondering, how tall are you?”
“Um, I don’t know. Why?” Shoko didn’t really care for whatever he was trying to start now (granted, there was something new every day), so she just stared down at her flip phone as he talked. “I haven’t checked in a while.”
“Cause you’re pretty tiny. And I’m just flat-out curious.” He held up a sharpie and measuring tape, “Wanna compare?”
Satoru leaned his back against the side of the doorframe as Shoko tiptoed to mark the line above his head. For support (and the possible chance of making her nervous), he slid his hand onto her waist.
“Alright, now your turn.” Without warning, he grabbed her by the sides and flipped her over onto the doorframe, locking her in with his arm right by her head. He took the marker from her hand and marked her line, which was way below his. “Tiny. Not surprised.”
“Gojo,” She sighed, having a feeling that he was up to something. “What the hell are you doing?”
“What do you mean?” His voice became teasing, “I just wanted to compare heights with you.”
“Yeah, yeah. Come on, time to measure.”
“Why the rush? We can stand here and chat for a minute.”
She rolled her eyes, unimpressed. “Do you have your infinity on right now?”
“No, turned it off because you’re spec—” Shoko hit him in the head with the measuring tape before walking off for a smoke break.
Attempt #2
Okay, so his first plan was a bust. The following day after school, the beloved trio went out on a shopping spree. Satoru kept giving Suguru devious glances—he was starting to regret even coming up with this deal. As Shoko browsed through the racks of clothing in the sale section, the two boys waited behind her and followed her around. This was a common sight for them, which is probably why guys don’t ask for her number whenever she’s out.
Satoru nudged Suguru with his elbow and whispered, “Watch this.” To be completely honest, he didn't really know where he was going with this. He randomly selected a crop top from the rack and said, "Shoko, I think this would look really good on you." As he placed his arm on the rack, he hovered over her.
She took the top, “It’s cute. But that price tag is ridiculous.” She tossed it to the side and continued to search.
“Oh come on, it’ll bring out your figure. My treat.”
“You’re being weird again.” She ignored his antics.
He gave her a soft laugh, preparing to pull her in again. His lean on the clothing rack got a little harder—a little too hard.
The entire thing fell over, spilling all the merchandise. Suguru started to die of laughter, while Shoko just looked straight up done.
The three got kicked out of the mall.
Attempt #3
“ Okay, I’ve got it this time. I gotta lock her in with both arms, cheesy quote, and my handsome face.” Satoru hyped himself up in the mirror, throwing air punches to get energized.
It was training period, and Satoru did three hefty spars with Suguru to make sure he was all hot and sweaty. He slicked back his hair and chugged a water bottle, ensuring Shoko could glimpse all his good angles. He’s a pro at the art of seduction. It has to work. He marched himself over to the tree Shoko was standing at.
Fuck. She looks really good in this light.
"Smoking on school grounds? Yaga is going to be pissed," he said as he pushed his arm beside her head, a move that had become his signature. He took the cigarette from her hand and tried to take a puff but nearly choked at the sensation. "It's spicy, I love it," he said while biting his tongue.
“Why are you trying to look cool again?”
Satoru pinned her in with his second arm, locking both sides of her head. Her features were delicate, and the breeze helped her bob frame her face. She looks too good right now.
“Trying to? Shoko, you know I am cool.” Fuck this. He has to go all in now—
Satoru received a hard blow at the back of his head, making him stagger to the side. Yaga ruined the perfect moment, "Smoking again, Shoko?" So close.
Attempt #4
After three failed attempts, Satoru was determined to succeed this time. His pride was on the line, and he couldn't let himself lose it. He meticulously prepared for the occasion, putting on his tightest t-shirt that compressed his muscles, making him look even more muscular and confident. And to further boost his confidence, he sprayed his favorite cologne and made sure his clothes smelled like fresh linen sheets. He stepped out of the door feeling ready and determined to win that bet.
Though, maybe it wasn’t his pride anymore. He just really wants to fucking kiss her.
It was late at night, Satoru nervously took a deep breath before knocking on her dorm. He threw some air punches to get his jitters out, before leaning sideways against the doorframe.
“Hiya, tiny.”
“No.” She slammed the door in his face, in which he stopped with his foot.
“Come onnn, I’m bored, and it’s late—Are you crying?” His gaze shifted to her red, puffy eyes. She shook her head no, “...Then are you zooted?” No, again.
He walked inside her dorm, closing the door behind him. “Was it that international school guy? I can give him a knuckle if you’d like.”
“Wh—How’d you know about that?”
“Oops. Suguru told me about it. So it was him?”
“...Yeah.”
On the inside, Satoru was celebrating—not because it would make things easier for the bet, but because he just never liked the idea of another guy taking his ‘place.’ “Well, screw him. He doesn’t know how good he had it.” He placed his hands on her shoulders.
“I’m not upset because I’m heartbroken, Gojo.”
“Then why—? Did he put his hands on you? Oh my god, what’s his fucking address!?!”
“No, no. Nothing like that. Just my pride got shot. First guy that I had to chase, not the other way around.”
“Oh.” He relaxed, “Well, so what? That just means he’s stupid for not falling to your feet. I mean, look at ya. I’m saying this as a good friend for once: you’re….pretty. Like really, pretty.”
She smiled, “Thanks.” If only she knew how badly he was chasing her right now. That’s a former international school student, Shoko.
“And…you’ve got great energy. Like—you’re cool. You know what I’m trying to say?” Satoru tends to forget to compliment girls' personalities, so when he has to, it all turns out wrong. “So stop wasting tears on a mediocre guy.”
“You’re a great hypeman. I guess I just have shitty luck with guys.”
“I mean, you could always go for… never mind.”
~~~
In the midst of the spring rain, Shoko still made an effort to stand outside and smoke. She was wearing a black zip-up hoodie and some jean shorts. As she zoned out in the schoolyard under the same tree, the ember left from her cigarette. Meanwhile, Yaga was in his office and was unlikely to come out in this weather.
Satoru ran up to her with an umbrella, he hovered it above her head as he did his stupid lean again. The deal was over, so at this point, it just became a habit. “Hey."
“I heard about the bet. Suguru did you dirty on the one. You seriously thought that you could kiss me that easily?” She chuckled.
“Cut me some slack. I’ve never been rejected before, nor have some random idiotic guy chosen over me.” He murmured the last part.
“To be fair, I never really rejected you. You just have bad luck.”
“The measuring tape.”
Shoko scoffed, “Turned it off because you're special.” She said, mocking his deeper voice. “I do not talk like that. Did you know I was trying to kiss you?”
“Somewhat.”
The raindrops grew louder as they stood in silence. Shoko finished her cigarette and stomped it out. She grasped the handle of the umbrella, “You know, do you think Geto would take a late bet submission?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I mean this.”
Shoko elevated to her tippy-toes, pulling him in by the shirt collar for a long, undignified kiss. Satoru had no reaction except to kiss her back, his palm digging deeper into the tree bark. The roof of his head grazed against the plastic of the umbrella, which was soon dropped by Shoko, allowing the rain to drench them through the tree’s leaves. Satoru was on cloud nine.
Despite having a plethora of contacts on his phone, all of whom were either physically attractive or intriguing in some way, none of them quite measured up to Shoko. She was one of his closest friends, and at a distance, she could easily be mistaken for Waka Inoue. However, it wasn't just her striking appearance that set her apart - her passive demeanor, complemented by her quick wit and charming sense of humor, made her truly unforgettable.
From the beginning, Shoko recognized that Satoru was conventionally good-looking. However, she never had any intention of making a move on him. Satoru's egotistical personality was a big turn-off for her, and she relied on Suguru to keep him in check. Even so, Shoko couldn't help but steal glances at him whenever she got the opportunity. And she never disregarded Satoru's efforts to be a good friend to her.
When he agreed with Suguru that she should be off-limits for both of them, it stung, but he knew Suguru meant well with that.
But at this moment, their lips together felt so right, so sweet, so young and dumb.
It was more than a bet. It always has been.