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It’s not like he meant to do it. It was like, day ten of him being in Tokyo and all he had to do was keep his head down, not get into any trouble, and then he’d be back home after a year. It should’ve been an easy task.
But Ren has visited a castle, acquired some kind of cognitive demon, made friends with a blonde loudmouth and a talking cat, gotten imprisoned by lolis, and had coffee and curry for breakfast for a week. Worst of all, he keeps flirting with the student council president!
I can’t help it! It’s not like it’s my fault she’s so easy to tease and cute when she blushes.
Ren didn’t really believe in the whole “soulmates” thing, but her existence made it harder and harder to deny. His day got a little better just seeing her around the school. Studying in the library was nearly impossible, not because of all the whispers flying about him, but because her concentration was infatuating.
He could list all the ways getting involved with the student council president was a bad idea. He already had a reputation at the school thanks to his record getting leaked. Trying to get tight with Miss Prez seemed like a great way to spread a new rumor about him doing it to get an “in” with the faculty or something.
Despite every logical bone in his body telling him to avoid Makoto Niijima at all costs, he just… couldn’t. She just seemed to fit in his life. Sure, he’d had romantic partners before in his hometown, but none of them made him feel quite like she did. And they weren’t even dating yet! How he wished he was a third-year just to be able to spend more time with her. Maybe I can get her to tutor me? She didn’t seem bothered at all by my reputation when I talked to her in the library that one time… I swear she glances at me while I’m studying, too.
His absent-minded stroll around the school is interrupted as he bumps into - who else - Makoto herself.
“Shit, I’m so sorry, Niijima-senpai! Here, let me help you,” he hurriedly apologizes, rushing to pick up her books and documents. Ren can feel the blood flooding his cheeks, painting his face a bright crimson. He finally looks over at the object of his crush. Makoto is also blushing intensely, stammering like a robot that’s malfunctioned.
“Oh, um, it’s ok, um, Amamiya-kun! I didn’t, um, expect to see anyone else here…” she trails off. Makoto’s bright red eyes are staring directly into Ren’s. She shakes her head and remembers the task she was doing before her collision. She reaches out for the things of hers that Ren has collected.
“Thank you for your help, I was just, um, on my way to the student council room…” Now that she’s looked away, she can’t seem to bring herself to look back at Ren directly. His curiosity is piqued. As she begins to walk away, he decides to follow.
“Let me help,” he calls out after her. “Two people will make whatever work you’ve got go by faster, right?” He has a small smile on his face, softly appealing to Makoto. After a moment of hesitation, she relents.
“I suppose I can’t argue with that. But surely you must have something better to do, Amamiya-kun.” Ren can tell what she’s doing. She’s trying to get him to back off, but Ren is feeling emboldened today. Must’ve been the successful Palace infiltration yesterday.
“I insist, Niijima-senpai. Surely I can take something off your plate?” Makoto sighs. At least she knows she’s not winning this battle.
So, the pair head towards the third floor, walking in sync. Silent, but not uncomfortably so. The time went by quickly. Makoto was given some more paperwork to fill out by the faculty so Ren was able to easily pick up the task and before long they had created an efficient system of Ren copying the data from the correct sheet, then passing it off to Makoto for a once-over and stamp of approval.
Despite the stack of forms that Makoto had been given, the two had completed their job for the day after only an hour. As Ren put everything together into a stack, Makoto stretched upward and Ren could swear he saw a hint of incredibly toned abs hiding behind her vest. He must’ve been staring, because Makoto’s face flushed once more.
There’s an awkward silence as the teens look away, both embarrassed and unsure of what to do next.
“Ah, Niijima-senp-” “Um, Amamiya-ku-” the two overlap. They both giggle, the mood lightened, the tension released. Makoto releases a deep breath. “Please, you first, Amamiya-kun.” Her tender smile sets Ren’s heart ablaze. He steels himself to make a move.
“Niijima-senpai, did you have any plans for this afternoon?” He never really thought he’d get to this point, but there was no time like the present, right? He could make a plan on the fly, no problem, he was Joker after all! Makoto looks to him, with curiosity in her eyes.
“Nothing specific, no. Why do you ask?” She unconsciously takes a step towards Ren. He steps towards her. They’re close enough to feel the body heat radiating off the other.
“I wanted… to spend time… with you…” Staring at her lips, Ren’s response trails off as he leans forward, compelled by the moment. It feels like the right thing to do. Makoto is of the same mind, tilting forward and standing up on her toes to reach his mouth.
They collide in a supernova of emotions. Ren has never felt so fulfilled in his life. Like this is what he was meant to do. Like this is what they were meant to do. It’s clumsy, it’s hesitant, it’s rudimentary, but it’s perfect.
“That was my first kiss,” Makoto whispers, their faces mere centimeters apart, their hot breath still tickling the other’s face.
“Mine too,” Ren replies, before leaning in again. Once more, Makoto meets him there, her soft lips caressing his in a beautiful dance.
Ren doesn’t know what comes next. What’ll happen in the future, or if this is even a good idea. He can hear the Morgana in his head yelling at him for putting their secret in jeopardy. But right now, he doesn’t care.
For once, everything feels right with the world.