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Kunigami takes a deep breath trying to build up his confidence. For the past months, he had started to take a liking to his classmate Chigiri Hyoma. He had only been able to admire him from afar, too scared to approach him. That was until they were partnered together for a project that would lead to lots of time together which was perfect for him. It was awkward for him at first, but in that time of somewhat getting to know each other, the beautiful, cheeky man had fully made his way into Kungaimi’s heart.
The envelope in his hands only gets heavier the longer he stays frozen in his spot in front of the bathroom mirror. He looks like he’s in one of those cringe high school movies– well, this wouldn’t make him any different since he’s in fact about to live out one of those movies. He’s nervous, he has no clue what will happen. They haven’t talked much since their project ended which makes Kunigami want to bash his head into a cement wall for being such an idiot. He had two opportunities to ask for Chigiri’s number that he never took from being so nervous. Can you blame him? He’s so beautiful, it’s intimidating. So for the time being he’s been living off of fleeting interactions of small smiles and waves. He can’t complain though, Chigiri has a cute smile, so he’ll take what he can get.
Back at the situation at hand. He has no idea why he can’t at least leave the bathroom. He’s just dropping the letter in his locker– it’s not like he’ll be there when he opens it. Kunigami looks at the pink envelope that he totally didn’t choose because it reminded him of Chigiri’s eyes. It’s valentine's day, it wasn’t like there were many options in the first place, he’s not boring enough to mail a love letter in a basic white envelope. However he is sort of a loser for not even asking him in person… but that’s not the point, what matters is asking in the first place…right? He needs to stop procrastinating. The longer he does, the higher the chance someone else will swoop in and take him first. With one final breath he finally wills himself to leave the bathroom.
As he walks down the halls, he overhears other students talking about their valentine day plans. Thinking about it only has him turning clammy from nerves, he has to wipe his hands on his pants. He hopes and prays that cupid will be on his side and the gorgeous man that goes by the name Chigiri Hyoma accepts his invitation of being his valentine and goes on a date. He even has the date planned out– a picnic during sunset. Sure it’s simple, but that shouldn’t matter as long as he gets to spend time with him in general but if everything goes to shit…he’ll build a new life in Alaska or something, it’s secluded and far enough away to hide him from his embarrassment. When he turns down the hall where Chigiri’s locker is, he stops in place, his heart dropping down straight to his stomach.
Mikage Reo. The most popular and desired boy in all of school, leaning against the locker next to Chigiri, telling him something that has him turning into a blushing mess. Kunigami shouldn’t be so surprised. They’re both attractive men so it makes sense for them to be attracted to each other. If they could have kids together, their looks would rival that of the cutest animal on the planet. His shoulders slump forward, looking at the letter once again. He overestimated himself. He should’ve pre-planned for rejection.
Kunigami turns around, arms falling to his sides as he walks away. Thinking back to their conversations unrelated to their assignment, he doesn’t recall Chigiri mentioning having a partner so why or more like how did he hide the fact that he’s with a billionaire? Maybe they’re trying to hide their relationship? If so, it’s not much of a secret anymore if they’re flirting out in the open like that. It doesn’t matter since that means he doesn’t have a chance with Chigiri anymore. He’ll have to get over him– maybe he could switch classes for now? The class they have together is an elective so it’s not like he needs to take the class. His train of thought is interrupted by a tap on his shoulder. When he turns his head enough to look at the culprit his heart stops, heat rising in his face undoubtedly making him red in the face when marigold eyes meet fuschia.
“You dropped this.”
Kunigami looks at Chigiri’s hand. The bright paper of the envelope, glaring at him as if he offended it by accidentally dropping it. He turns fully, taking the letter and shoves into his pocket.
“Thanks…” when he looks at Chigiri, he immediately recognizes the what the fuck is your problem expression. Kunigami clears his throat, shaking his head trying to play it off, “It’s nothing.”
Chigiri gives him a deadpanned look, crossing his arms, “It’s not nothing when you look like a kicked puppy and a kid that got caught with his hand in a cookie jar.”
Kunigami brings a hand to the back of his neck with an awkward chuckle, eyes trailing away from intense quizzical eyes, “I was just going to drop something off to…” he pauses as he thinks of any sort of excuse, “My chemistry teacher.”
Chigiri raises an eyebrow, tilting his head, “You do realize all of the science classes are on the opposite side of the building right?”
Shit, he’s right. What does he say now?
“Um, well…”
“Also, that looked more like a love letter–” he gasps quietly, eyebrows raising as he stands up straight, “Are you in love with the chemistry teacher?”
Kunigami’s expression mirrors his from the accusation, “Hell no! It’s-” he sputters as he tries to defend himself, only embarrassing himself further. He stops when Chigiri covers his mouth with his hand trying to hold back his laughter.
“Dude,” he tries to muffle another giggle, “You’re so easy to mess with.” Chigiri’s shoulders continue to shake as he laughs behind his hand. Kunigami’s brain had short circuited at this point. Chigiri takes a breath, regaining his composure, “So…” a smirk grows on his lips, “Who’s it for? Anyone I know?”
How does one tell their crush they were about to slip a love letter into their locker without sounding like a complete utter loser? The answer to that would really help Kunigami right now. Chigiri bats his eyelashes while still waiting for an answer, the action having Kunigami’s face feel like it’s on fire. This has been the longest conversation they’ve had since their project. Not to mention their first. The only option really is to be honest and tell him but that would also mean getting rejected straight in his face.
“If you don’t want to answer that’s fine too, y’know,” he shrugs, crossing his arms again appearing indifferent, “A few people have asked me but,” Chigiri averts his gaze his cheeks turning a soft shade of pink, “there’s one person I’m waiting for, but I don’t think he will.”
Kunigami can feel his stomach drop this time, “I thought you were with Reo?”
Chigiri gives him an incredulous look,” What, no? Everyone knows he’s with Nagi.”
Kunigami, apparently, isn't a part of the everyone category.
“Oh.”
Chigiri sighs in exasperation, Yeah, if you spend not even five minutes with him, it’ll be nothing but ’Nagi this’ or ’my treasure that’ ,” he throws his head back, running his hands down his face, “It’s so annoying, I’d rather listen to him talking about rich people things that I don’t understand.”
Kunigami chuckles, relieved. At least that takes away some of the competition, “That does sound annoying.”
Chigiri huffs, shaking his head, “It is.”
“What makes you think the guy you like won’t ask you?” Chigiri looks at him, curious, “Why don’t you ask him?”
Chigiri sighs, “He is dense…” he mumbles to himself. His expression quickly turns timid as he starts to fidget with his hair which could only mean one thing. He’s nervous.
“Are you alright?”
He soon then returns to his neutral expression, “Yeah,” he smiles, but it’s not very convincing. There’s still a nervous energy around him.
“You su–”
“Do you want to be my valentine?”
Kunigami feels like a bucket of water was dropped over his head. Is he dreaming right now? There’s no way that his crush just asked to be his valentine when he was just about to do that (even though he wasn’t asking directly). Chigiri has guts, but it’s just another trait to like about him.
Heat rises in his cheeks once again, “What– me?” He asks in disbelief, but Chigiri doesn’t falter. He nods.
“Yeah, did I not just ask?”
“You did, but…” he pulls the letter out of his pocket. The paper’s crumpled and slightly ripped from the roughhousing it suffered, “I was planning to ask you.”
Chigiri takes the letter, opening it. His eyes skim over the paper, before he holds back another laugh, “Were you seriously going to ask through a letter ? Are we in a high school romcom or something?”
“Shut up.”
Chigiri giggles, “It feels like it since my answer is, yes, I will be your valentine.”
So the letter wasn’t a complete fail after all.