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Both Nikaidou Akira and Medaka Yuichi are members of the go-home club.
Other than the days when he has cleaning duties, Nikaidou just goes straight home once the bell rings. He might have had a few friends back in his old school that he could chit-chat with after school, but after what happened, it is best that he remains friendless for the rest of his high school life. Once he steps onto the bus, a part of the weight is lifted off his shoulder.
That is until Medaka Yuichi walked to the same bus stop as him after their cleaning duty one day. Nikaidou blinks at him, surprised, and Medaka returns a smile.
“I ride the bus too,” Medaka explained himself.
Nikaidou still stares at him, “... I didn’t even ask you anything but I’m glad you didn’t follow me?”
Their buses aren’t here yet, and other passengers had already left before Nikaidou was approached by his classmate. It’s just the two of them waiting in silence.
Medaka thinks a bit about the reply he got. He then decides to ask.
“Did you also have a stalker who followed you home?”
“... Hopefully not. Otherwise I’d have to either move away or move out…”
Nikaidou looks down at the ground where their shadows are as uneasiness creeps in from such a casual question. His attempt at a fresh start was already ruined by the guy sitting right in front of him in class, Medaka never even told him how he knew what happened, and yet he can’t be mad at that.
No matter what weird motive he might have, at least he’s straightforward about wanting to make Nikaidou smile. Even after what happened, Nikaidou knows deep down not everyone is a bad person, but he just couldn’t bring himself to find out which strangers he can trust yet.
But Medaka’s actions eased him up for the first time in a while.
Medaka-kun is a nice person, he thinks, and he didn’t mean anything when he asked that.
Medaka also looks down at his classmate’s seemingly gloomy shadow, “Sorry for even asking that. I just wanted to talk.”
“I don’t blame your curiosity. Medaka-kun probably never met someone like me,” Nikaidou finally looks up, “You even want to make me laugh. I guess in a way I have a friend now.”
“You only considered me your friend just now, huh?” Medaka can’t help but tease the other teen, “I guess I need to exercise my face muscles so I can make you laugh at least once a day.”
“Wouldn’t that be too strenuous?” Nikaidou asks, concerned.
“Worth it though. If you can smile without me having to contort my face, that would be nice as well.” Medaka grins, pointing at the arriving bus, “I’m leaving now. Can you at least smile at me when you say goodbye?”
Nikaidou forces out a shy awkward smile on demand. Medaka laughs at that.
“Maybe you’re sore from glooming all day. Maybe tomorrow.”
Medaka waves at him before rushing up the bus, leaving Nikaidou there by himself. He touches his face, wondering if what his friend said might be true. Didn’t they say frowning uses more muscles?
Despite that, Nikaidou is still always prepared to leave when the school bell rings. Medaka never asked Nikaidou to wait for him either. The only times they are at that same bus stop together are when they both have to stay back for cleaning duty.
But after that day, it has since turned into them walking there together instead.
“Nikaidou,” Medaka suddenly calls him.
Nikaidou turns to his classmate with a puzzled look.
“Did you hang out with your friends after school back then?”
It’s not that hard for Nikaidou to recall that part of his memory since it’s not that far away, “Sometimes.”
“That answer was too to the point,” Medaka pokes him, “Tell me a bit more? If you don’t mind, of course.”
“Master is demanding…” Nikaidou stays a few more steps away just in case he gets poked again, “I don’t know how much you know about me. They mostly asked me to hang out with them because the girls in the group wanted me to come along too…”
“I kinda meant something more casual?” Medaka quickly closes their distance again, “Like loitering at bookstores to read manga or going to a konbini for some snacks… But you were really popular huh?”
“I didn’t exactly enjoy that then. I’m just a normal high schooler,” Nikaidou looks out of the window where the orange sky glows, “I was not very outgoing even back then. I didn’t read manga but I did stop by the konbini near my school if I had time to spare. That’s it.”
“What did you usually get?”
“... Ice cream.”
“What about in winter?”
“... I can still eat ice cream in winter.”
“Then do you have time to get ice cream now?” Medaka finally asks.
Nikaidou turns to Medaka, “With you?”
“If only I could shapeshift into someone you like more like a celebrity but yeah, with me.”
The ridiculous reply makes Nikaidou let out a chuckle, his face brightens as a genuine smile blooms behind those glasses. Medaka stares, hoping the warm light of the setting sun doesn’t make his blush too obvious.
“I don’t mind, really. And I’d rather hang out with Medaka-kun than with a celebrity.”
Yet, even after that, waiting to leave with Medaka is still not a part of his habit unless Medaka asked him beforehand if he wants to hang out or not.
“You need to go to the bookstore with me at least once,” Medaka insists this time.
Nikaidou is lying on his desk when he hears that. He looks up, only showing his eyes.
“What do you want to introduce me to?”
“Ito Junji.”
“No thanks.” Nikaidou shivers, “... I checked out his works after you mentioned him. Couldn’t sleep at all that night.”
“Oh. Sorry then.” Medaka apologizes, “What do you like reading then?”
“Literature…” Nikaidou mumbles, “I’m kinda lame.”
“Not at all,” Medaka replies, “If you just want to be a normal high schooler I guess you’d be into slice of life?”
“... As long as it’s not horror.” Nikaidou furrows his eyebrows, “I think I might curse you for real if you give me another sleepless night.”
“Forgive me Nikaidou-sama. Let me buy you ice cream to atone for my sin?”
He lightly kicks Medaka’s chair, “No need to. It won’t secure your hairline either. I’m powerless.”
“Is that so? But I think my life got a bit better after I started my ritual so I’ll keep placing my faith in you.”
Nikaidou’s eyes widened a bit upon hearing that. It’s clear Medaka is just being playful but he has a feeling it means something more. What even is the ritual he mentioned? The weird faces Medaka makes when he catches him off guard? The brief waits for their buses after school? The occasion hangouts that make Nikaidou’s own mother ask if he’s finally found a friend he wants to spend time with?
Is this budding friendship something special to Medaka as well? Nikaidou buries his face in his arms, feeling strangely happy.
“... I’ll try my best to bless Medaka-kun,” He finally replies without looking up. It’s the only way to contain his happiness right now when they’re both surrounded by their classmates.
Medaka hums as he touches his hairline, “Don’t make me go bald, Nikaidou-sama.”
It is not until the trip to Okinawa ends that Nikaidou finally gives the bookstore some consideration. He lightly tugs at the hem of Medaka’s shirt when the bus is just a few streets away from their school.
“Medaka-kun, it’s still early.”
“Yeah.” Medaka looks down at the hand tugging his shirt, “Wanna hang out?”
Nikaidou nods, still hugging his backpack with his other arm, “Yes. If you don’t mind spending more time with me, that is.”
“You’re not unpleasant to be around at all,” Medaka lightly pokes the back of Nikaidou’s hand, “If anything, I’m happy you’re the one suggesting it this time.”
“Oh,” Nikaidou quickly gazes down at his phone screen, “Even if I made a list?”
“A list?”
Nikaidou quickly shows Medaka his note, “N-Not that long. Just three places.”
“I thought you came up with more stuff to do,” Medaka chuckles at his reaction, “Just so we can save up some places for another day.”
“You can make a list too.” Nikaidou blurts out.
Medaka stares at him with wide eyes and everything. Nikaidou blinks, quickly recalls what he just said before looking out at the buildings outside. After a few seconds, Medaka’s reply comes to his ear.
“What if my list is just ‘Whatever Nikaidou enjoys doing’?”
Nikaidou opens his mouth then immediately shuts it. His brain wouldn't be able to put out an answer anyway because it's too busy being overheated. He just wants to go straight home right now. How can he even face Medaka after this?
“Why did you go back to being gloomy again?” Medaka frowns.
“To deter people.” Nikaidou replies as they walk into the bookstore together, “It’s a strategy to save time.”
“So people would make way for you?”
“Pretty much it.” He’s blatantly lying but Medaka doesn’t need to know that.
The shop clerk didn’t give them more attention than a simple greeting. Nikaidou looks around before looking back at Medaka who’s leisurely following him.
“What do you usually read?”
“Hmm? Manga magazines. I’m not really that enthusiastic about it though,” Medaka replies.
Nikaidou nods, “Then how do you know Ito Junji’s manga?”
“... He’s actually really popular. That’s why I was surprised when you had no idea what I was talking about.”
“I also saw a search recommendation about cats…”
“Oh, I think you can read that actually. His style is a bit eerie but that manga is just about his cats.”
Nikaidou hesitates for a bit, “I’ll try to give it a read if we can find it here.”
“You can read it at a cafe after this. If it’s still somehow too much, at least you’re still in public.”
They walk deeper into the store. Nikaidou can feel his unexplainable anxiety easing a little bit. He pays attention to what Medaka checks out on the shelves or the piles of books on the low tables and asks what some of them are about.
“This one is cute and it’s comedy,” Medaka shows him some pages from a manga.
“Why is this kid’s hair styled like that?” Nikaidou points at a character.
Medaka closes the book to show him the title, “She’s named Yotsuba. Her hair is styled to look like a four-leaf clover.”
“Do you recommend this?” Nikaidou holds the manga in his hand.
Medaka leans against the bookshelf, “Do you trust my recommendation that much?”
“You’ve been nothing but considerate to me so it would be a bit rude if I didn’t have some trust in you?” Nikaidou replies, “Right?”
“I guess I’m happy enough with what you give me back.”
“You didn’t think I’d return anything?” Nikaidou quietly asks.
“Maybe… not. I’m happy enough as is.”
Medaka’s smiling but he’s in no way looking straight at the other teen. Nikaidou can sense what it is. He doesn’t know what to do or even to feel, but he doesn’t like whatever is going on.
“Do you want to check out novels too?” Medaka asks, still sounding nonchalant like usual.
“Maybe not,” Nikaidou checks the time on his phone, “We should head out or we won’t be able to visit the other two places.”
Their plan is ruined when it starts raining as they walk out to the cashier. It’s already October, the chance of rain is fairly small. Maybe it was their fault for not checking the weather forecast before returning to Tokyo.
“Do you have an umbrella?” Nikaidou asks.
“Nope. I’m gonna go buy one, the konbini is right over there.”
Before Nikaidou can tell him to wait, Medaka already rushes to the convenience store. It doesn’t take him that long to return either, but he only comes back with one umbrella.
“We can share it. Let’s go, hopefully it won’t rain for that long…”
“Why didn’t you get a towel? You already got wet,” Nikaidou scolds him, “I don’t mind sharing an umbrella with you, but maybe we should just go home…”
“Oh. Did I ruin it?” Medaka quietly mumbles.
“You didn’t ruin anything. We can head to the arcade some other day.”
Nikaidou walks out of the bookstore to join him under the umbrella. He suddenly remembers having a dry towel in his backpack so he struggles a bit trying to find it as they walk to the bus stop, but Medaka is already holding up the umbrella so does he have to be the one drying his hair for him now?
“Medaka-kun, can you bow down a bit?”
Medaka looks at the towel in his friend’s hand, “You really don’t have to.”
“You paid for the manga I bought today,” Nikaidou frowns, “Come on?”
Medaka gives in. The fluffy towel gets draped on his damp hair before Nikaidou’s hands clumsily and awkwardly move above his head. They’re so close, and the towel smells clean and comforting just like Nikaidou Akira himself.
“Medaka-kun is so tall,” Nikaidou light-heartedly complains.
“Am I?” Medaka asks.
“Yes. Or else I’ll have to consider myself shorter than average.”
The towel finally leaves his head, but Nikaidou then uses his delicate hand to help him style his hair back into something less resembling his bedhead.
“There.”
“I don’t even know how far we walked.” Medaka finally tells his friend.
“... Yeah, the bus stop is behind us. We walked past it.”
Medaka closes the umbrella once they get under the bus stop shelter. By the time Nikaidou’s bus arrives, the rain still hasn’t yet stopped. Medaka hands him the umbrella without thinking, but Nikaidou declines.
“I think it will stop raining by the time I get off the bus.”
“Nope. I’m already wet. Can’t risk you getting caught in the rain though,” Medaka points up at the gray sky, “It’s not stopping anytime soon.”
“I’ll just wait at the bus stop when I get down then.”
“Take it.”
“No.”
“Are you coming up or not?” The bus driver asks impatiently.
“Yes, sorry. Bye Medaka-kun—”
What he doesn’t expect is Medaka Yuichi being especially stubborn this time as he gets onto the bus as well. But it seems like Medaka also didn’t expect himself to move so quickly. The door has already closed behind him. The few passengers on the bus don’t pay them any attention as they slowly walk to the back of the bus and sit down next to each other.
“... I can get down at the next stop,” Medaka quietly says.
“Master is an idiot.”
“I’m sorry. I messed up.”
His voice drops to a barely audible volume as he hunches forward as if trying to hide himself from the other teen. Nikaidou can’t stand it anymore. He lightly hits Medaka on the back, Medaka is not the only frustrated one here, before giving him a hug from the side. The rain slaps against the window as they stay there in white noise-filled silence.
“Nikaidou…”
“I like you, too,” Nikaidou mumbles, “At least… I don’t want to see Medaka-kun like this at all. And I love visiting places with you, no matter how exciting or mundane it might be. Or maybe I might have got the wrong idea and it’s just platonic friendship—”
“I like you, romantically.”
Medaka finally gets his confession out properly. He never once thought it would happen, let alone this way.
“I didn’t expect anything back, but I’m also willing to wait for you to be more certain about your own feelings,” He adds, then follows a chuckle, “I feel like I used up all of my luck for you to say that.”
“You were so steady with your moves I really think it’s hard to change my mind.”
Medaka looks up upon hearing that to see Nikaidou smiling at him, warm and genuine as the sun.
If this isn’t a blessing then he doesn’t know what is.
“You really chose to get off at the same stop as me,” Nikaidou looks up at the brightened sky.
Medaka shrugs, “I know the rain stopped but just to be sure.”
“Are you going to carry this umbrella with you now?”
“Nah,” Medaka lightly nudges him, “If you worry about me that much, how about we go to the konbini to get another one before my bus comes?”
“I guess I can get an ice cream there before going home, too.”
Medaka’s widens his eyes when Nikaidou hold his hand. They then look at each other, equally flustered.
“... Too soon?” Nikaidou hesitantly asks.
“I wanted to save it for our first date,” Medaka grins, teasing the other teen, “But this is perfect.”
The warm orange tint slowly gets more visible. The sun is once again about to set.
“Master, I want to win a fish plushie from the arcade next time.”