Work Text:
He thought Momo Ayase looked really beautiful every day.
Did he always think that way? That, he didn't know. But Jin Enjoji liked to think that no matter how goofy she'd make her face out to be that could rival his, she was still so pretty in every possible way.
Whenever the gang gathered for dinner after a long and grueling fight against the supernatural, he often stole glances at her across the dining table whilst naturally entertaining their friends with his plethora of jokes, funny faces, and catchphrases that never seem to run out. Even during the battles, he would always make sure to check on her–sometimes admiring her in the midst of it.
Whenever Ken–Okarun, said or did something for her, she had a certain aura his heart couldn't quite understand until he realized—
She looked even more beautiful when she was with him.
Throughout the time they all spent together, she made expressions for the boy that Jiji wished he was the reason for: The sparkle in her eyes when Okarun made her laugh, the furrow of her brow for times he made her worry, the smile she made when she saw him first thing in the morning, and the blush on her cheeks when she stared at the boy without him even knowing.
It was all so beautiful.
But they weren't for him at all.
He observed her so closely that he noticed every detail, every change, and it made him keenly aware of how differently she treated him.
Jiji's chest would tighten at the thought, it wasn't anything he could control, no. It wasn't something he would ever want to sabotage. He loved his friends, he cherished them so much, and he would do anything for them.
Even if it means observing Momo and Okarun from a distance as they slowly, but surely, fall in love.
He slips every now and then. The carefully masked jealousy would crack sometimes, surfacing as yearning words and wistful actions—but for the most part, he managed to keep it at bay.
At present, he stood on the school's rooftop during their lunch break. He looked over the site, and his eyes wandered to them. The two were walking and talking in the courtyard, enveloped in their own little world.
He tried to not make a big deal out of his circumstance, and brushed off any negative thoughts because it just isn’t who he is. Everything was fine, they were all doing great as a team and as friends. They were–
“Aren't you tired of that charade Enjoji-kun?” An all too familiar voice suddenly asked, popping up from behind him.
He jumped in her presence but recovered back to his jovial composure, “Ooh! So scary Aira-chan~! Don't creep up like that!”
Aira scowled at her all-too-friendly nickname and gave him a pointed look, “Well? Answer the question?”
He only smiled, but it did not reach his eyes, “I don't know what you mean?”
She clicked her tongue and stepped beside him. Leaning on the railing, she easily caught sight of his subjects of interest, “Mhm, I'm sure you don't.“
Jiji gave up on the humorous retort he had planned and turned his head away. Was I that obvious? he wondered. He wasn’t sure what kind of expression he wore at that moment, but he was certain it wasn’t a good one.
He managed a chuckle along with his words, “It isn't a big deal.”
Though he didn't look at her, he could practically hear her raise a trimmed brow, “Uh huh. Well, we could work together you know,” she suggested cutely with a finger on her chin; the implications not lost on him, “We get what we both want if we do.”
A tiny, tiny, part of him actually liked the idea, but his heart reacted instantly. He snapped his head toward the pink-haired girl, his face clearly showing a mix of shock and disagreement.
Aira blinked in surprise but only laughed at him, causing him to be utterly confused, “I'm joking, geez! I thought you of all people could take a hint.”
The tall boy shrugged, “Well, it wasn't that funny.”
She hummed and looked back down at the couple on the courtyard, “As if we ever stood a chance…”
Jiji's tense body relaxed at this and slumped on the railing along with the girl. He let out a sigh and smiled.
“Yeah.”
The sky loomed a bit grey overhead, a sign of rain threatening to pour soon.
Aira gently bumped his arm, getting his attention back, “Let’s get in. We don't want to be late, and I don’t want you to go Evil Eye on me again this time–even if he was weirdly nice to me recently.”
Jiji cast one last glance at the pair below as they hurried back into the building, as lunch was nearly over.
“Thanks Aira-chan.”
“Huh? For what?” she asked, genuinely taken aback by the sincerity in his voice.
He grinned and gave her a double peace sign, “For worrying about me.”
She took a step back and crossed her arms, "Wha-? Who said I was worried? Ugh, I’m going in first—and you’d better follow right away," she huffed. With that, she spun on her heel and hurried back to the rooftop door.
He laughed. Already cheered up, he tried to catch up to her, “Hey! Aira-chan–wait for me~”
“Don’t get all comfy you weirdo!”
Jiji knew that even with his unrequited circumstance, he would be alright.
No matter what he or they may decide to do in the future, it would be okay.
He truly loved his friends, after all. And he honestly couldn't ask for anything better.