Chapter Text
Inumaki walks into his first English class of the new semester with Maki at his side, the green-haired girl talking and signing simultaneously about how horribly her most recent date went as they make their way to some open seats near the front of the lecture hall. Inumaki rolls his eyes in time with Maki’s complaints about the newest guy who’s managed to disappoint her, adding his own quips at the appropriate times.
“I swear I might just start dating girls.” Maki sighed, exasperated. Inumaki was unphased though, seeing as she makes this comment almost every time she regrets a date. To show his skepticism, Inumaki raises an eyebrow and fixes her with a look. “I’m serious this time, there’s this cute girl with brown hair in my engineering class. I might just ask her out.” Inumaki raised both eyebrows at this sudden development, though Maki quickly switched to complaining about the aforementioned engineering class without elaborating further.
Inumaki enjoys these conversations with his friend, the familiarity of their routine helping to calm his nerves from being in a new, unpredictable environment. His enjoyment stops, however, as soon as someone pulls out the chair next to him, opposite the side where Maki—who has stopped speaking and is just signing now for simplicity—is perched, setting their heavy, bulky bag down before taking a seat.
Normally Inumaki would be unphased and would continue signing with Maki uninterrupted, but the problem is that the guy is… rather attractive, if Inumaki’s being honest with himself. Slightly shaggy, dark hair frames his rather pale face, an almost perfect match for his equally dark eyes, which are accompanied by dark circles beneath them. Despite looking rather tired, there is a certain shine to his eyes that draws Inumaki in, though he turns away quickly before he can be caught staring—by the stranger or by Maki. He then tries to continue the conversation he was having with his aforementioned friend before he catches the look she’s begun to give him. She now leans in and signs conspiratorially.
Did something catch your eye? Or should I say someone? As her hands formed the words Inumaki could feel himself growing redder. Despite knowing the man next to him probably can’t understand her gestures, Inumaki frantically covers her hands, effectively shutting her up.
Yet she just continues to give him that same look, now accompanied by a smirk. Inumaki rolls his eyes and shakes his head at her, trying to get her to drop the subject before she embarrasses him any more. Luckily, he’s saved by the professor finally getting up from where she was scrolling lazily on her phone, deciding to start the lecture at last.
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Inumaki is packing up his stuff now, the lecture over and Maki having already left to work her shift at the nearby grocery store. He’s still feeling very self-conscious after her teasing comment from earlier and resists the urge to sneak a glance at the tall, silent guy packing up next to him. However, he can’t get himself to ignore just how close he is—close enough to brush elbows, his brain supplies helpfully—what with the lecture hall being so full and the chairs so close together. Inumaki jumps as he feels a gentle tap on his shoulder and, turning, realizes it’s the stranger, who is now looking directly at him. Inumaki rushedly hopes his cheeks didn’t turn pink at the eye contact, before remembering the mask on his face.
The man unexpectedly raises his hands. Could you help me find my next class? My friend was supposed to guide me but just ditched me. He signed flawlessly, though there was an air of uncertainty to his hand movements. Inumaki felt stunned for all but a moment before he realized he needed to respond.
Yeah, of course! Which class? Inumaki replied, hoping he looked more confident than he felt, resisting the urge to readjust his mask for the upteenth time since the class started.
Intro to anatomy, here’s the slip they gave me… The stranger handed a slip of paper to Inumaki, a list of class names and locations messily scribbled down. Reading the building and room number listed next to the mentioned class, Inumaki nodded, slinging his messenger bag over one shoulder and motioning the other man to follow suit. Inumaki watched as he lifted the big black bag onto both shoulders with ease, allowing Inumaki to start leading the way out of the lecture hall.
Thanks so much, I hope I won’t make you too late for your next class. My name is Okkotsu Yuta, but everyone just calls me Yuta. What’s your name? The man–Yuta–asked once they entered the hallway, finger spelling his name. Inumaki noted that he didn’t know someone’s hands could look that attractive before.
It’s no problem at all. My name’s Inumaki Toge, I mainly go by Inumaki. It’s nice to meet someone who knows JSL. Inumaki signs, finger-spelling his name the first time before using a slightly shortened version for simplicity. Unable to fight his curiosity, he signs next, Speaking of, how do you know JSL, if you don’t mind me asking?
I don’t mind! I figured you’d be at least a little curious to know. My little sister was born with hearing loss and became Deaf shortly after her 6th birthday. I wanted to be able to be there for her and understand her, so she and I learned JSL together once her hearing really took a turn for the worse. Yuta signed affectionately, a nostalgic look to his eyes whilst recounting the story. A realization seemed to dawn on him suddenly and he then signed a little more frantically, I’m so sorry it must’ve been so rude of me to assume you used sign language. I just happened to notice your friend signing to you though I didn’t mean to eavesdrop on your conversation at all–
Inumaki cut him off by reaching out to still his hands before signing, It’s fine, I didn’t think it was rude at all, I also get excited when I see someone I don’t know using sign language. I really do appreciate you using JSL at first, though I am able to understand spoken language as well. He clarified, chuckling a little as Yuta visibly relaxed with his reassurance. Cute.
The two would continue to chat, Inumaki slowly becoming more comfortable as he carefully throws in some of his usual jokes and teasing. He finds that making Yuta flustered is quite an easy and rewarding task, so he makes it his objective as they walk across the campus together, shoulders brushing every so often.
Soon enough, however, they reach Yuta’s destination, Inumaki abruptly reminded that all Yuta needed him for was a little guidance, nothing more. Yet, as Yuta turns the conversation towards his upcoming class, he once again does something Inumaki wasn’t expecting as he reaches out his phone.
“Add your contact info? I’d love to keep talking with you, if you don’t mind my company of course.” Yuta signs with one hand while speaking, and Inumaki notices that he’s suddenly unable to make eye contact. Inumaki pushes that observation aside in favor of accepting his outstretched phone and inputting his details, adding a rice ball emoji after his name on a whim. He then hands it back, digging for his own phone to receive Yuta’s information. When it’s handed back, there’s a katana emoji after Yuta’s name, which Inumaki smiles at beneath his mask.
“I’ll text you later. See you!” Yuta says before waving and entering the anatomy lab. Inumaki casually checks the time on his phone before remembering he has a class soon, speed-walking back across campus. He ends up sitting down the moment the professor begins to speak, yet he can’t be bothered to feel any of his usual anxiety over being late.
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Inumaki is starting to seriously reconsider giving his number out to a guy he just met. He thinks this once again as he’s interrupted from his notetaking by yet another text from Yuta, this time asking what he’s up to as if much would’ve changed from a few minutes ago. Yet Inumaki can’t bring himself to leave Yuta hanging so he instead responds in a teasing manner.
Yuta ⚔️: Whatcha doing
Inumaki 🍙: did you miss me already
Inumaki 🍙: its only been 10 minutes
Yuta ⚔️: Yeah, it’s pretty lonely here without you talking my ear off
Yuta ⚔️: Figuratively speaking of course
Inumaki wasn’t expecting that response, but he’s sure he can just laugh it off. His phone buzzes again.
Yuta ⚔️: And were you counting the minutes
Yuta ⚔️: That’s cute
Okay he wasn’t expecting that response at all either as his heart nearly jumps out of his chest. After all, Yuta didn’t seem this straightforward when they were signing back and forth in the halls. As Inumaki is wondering whether or not this is even the same person, another message pops up.
Yuta ⚔️: Staying silent are we
Yuta ⚔️: I think that’s an admission of guilt…
Fuck he needed to respond.
Inumaki 🍙: unlike someone im actually trying to get some work done
Inumaki 🍙: so no im not admitting to anything actually unless you have proof
Yuta ⚔️: Kinda sounds like an excuse to me
Inumaki 🍙: youre the one who keeps interrupting me when im trying to pay attention
Yuta ⚔️: Oh so I’m distracting
Yuta ⚔️: I see
Inumaki 🍙: youre insufferable is what you are
Inumaki 🍙: how can i get you to shut up for a moment
Yuta ⚔️: I have a couple ideas
Inumaki 🍙: *eyeroll*
Yuta ⚔️: Fine, fine
Yuta ⚔️: How about you meet me sometime this week when you don’t have class
Yuta ⚔️: And we go somewhere to hang out for a bit
Yuta ⚔️: Only if you want to of course
That’s the Yuta that Inumaki had met before he thinks to himself in order to distract from the way his face heats up at the suggestion. He’s still gotta play it cool, though.
Inumaki 🍙: intriguing offer
Inumaki 🍙: i shouldnt have any classes wednesday
Inumaki 🍙: what do you have in mind
Yuta ⚔️: Shhh it’s a surprise
Inumaki 🍙: im not gonna be kidnapped am i
Yuta ⚔️: Do you trust me
Inumaki 🍙: ok now i really feel like im getting murdered
Yuta ⚔️: Lol just meet me in the quad at noon I’ll take you from there
Inumaki 🍙: alright deal
Inumaki 🍙: now let me take my notes in peace
Inumaki sighed in both relief and unease, glad for the lack of distraction from the lecture but unsure whether or not he just accepted to dig himself a deeper hole. He figures he should just take what he can get and focus on finishing his notes. These feelings rising up at the idea of going out with Yuta can be unpacked later, he’s sure.