Chapter Text
Nanami walked through the cold, empty halls of the academy, his shoes making quiet clicking sounds against the sand colored tiled floor. He adjusted the strap on his brown messenger bag and turned a corner, making his way towards the library in the main building. Winter was approaching, the trees were left bare from the previous season, and the grass was starting to turn white, and Nanami was already starting to be affected by the change in weather, he wiped his nose instinctively and almost constantly. However, in 2 weeks, exams were going to fill his calendar and there was nothing he hated more than being unprepared.
He pushed open the slick, wooden door and entered the library. Slow jazz played on speakers at low volume and other students could be seen looking through books, using computers, or whispering to each other in corners with cups in their palms. That was one thing he loved about the academy, the cafe in the library. The lighting was an orangish shade that gave the environment a comfy and warm feeling to it. Nanami immediately made his way to the line at the cafe counter and ordered himself a chocolate mousse croissant and coffee with sugar.
He took a seat near the window next to the historical shelves and took a sip of his coffee, burning his tongue, but he acted like it was nothing. He plugged his ears with earphones, and took out his books he planned to use to study. Then suddenly a PING sound erupted from his phone.
HAIBARA: Whatcha doin :D
Nanami chuckled at the text, not expecting his dear friend to text him after school while he was at work.
NANAMI: I was about to study, I just got to
the library. Aren't you at work?
HAIBARA: I am, but I'm on break and I was
thinking about you :)
NANAMI: I don't want you to get in trouble
HAIBARA: Don't worry!! I'm in the break
room. You studying for the
exams coming up, right?
NANAMI: Mhm, you can join me if you want
anytime
HAIBARA: I probably should (˘･_･˘) but I'll
be fine, I'll do it sometime soon
NANAMI: Alright then. Im gonna get on to it
HAIBARA: Make sure to let yourself have a
break (◔‿◔)!!
Text message was liked by Nanami
Nanami put his phone down, turned his music up and began to study. He jotted down notes, bobbed his head slightly to the tune playing in his earphones and eating his croissant while waiting for his coffee to cool down. His mind wandered to Haibara every once in a while, knowing he was also thinking about him made him feel happy though he may not always outright show it. Time passed by, the sun was starting to go down leaving a cloudy red shade of light to pass through the windows onto his books. He was determined to get through at least 20 pages and he had completed only 13 because of a few struggles he had with certain parts.
Nanami wiped his dripping nose with a napkin and rubbed his left arm with his right, wishing he'd brought a heavier coat. Before he knew it, he'd finished his coffee and the library was on timing to close up soon, most of the students had already left other than the student staff cleaning up. “Now how do you do this…” He muttered to himself with a huff, he wiped his eyes with slight frustration and looked back at his book. An older student walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned off his music and looked up, she seemed to work at the cafe with her green apron and name tag pinned to her chest.
“We're about to close up now, you should probably head back to your dorm.” She told him with a tired tone, he nodded, packing up his things and went on his way. It was already dark by the time he reached the other building to go to his dorm. He paused before taking out his key to sneeze, it echoed loudly in the halls and he quickly opened his door and shut it.
“Crap…can't be allergies.” Nanam muttered as he slipped his coat off and hung it up in his small closet. He stripped his school clothes off and replaced them with sleep attire, hoping that'll warm him up a bit. He flops onto his bed with a huff ready to close his eyes when a notification sound erupts from his phone again. He reaches to his bedside table and checks it, once again, it's Haibara checking on him.
HAIBARA: Hiiii!! I'm on my way back to the
school now, I'm riding the bus :D
NANAMI: That's good, was work good overall?
HAIBARA: Yeah but it's so cold with y'know
the weather and the ice cream
NANAMI: It is cold…I've been sniffing more
often
HAIBARA: Oh no! Have you been outside?
NANAMI: I was studying all evening in the
library, remember?
HAIBARA: Oh yeahh, how was that?
NANAMI: Not bad, I didn't get as much as I
I wanted done. The library was
closing and I had to stop early
HAIBARA: Well I think you've worked real
hard already! Don't stress yourself
out 😔
NANAMI: Alright, I'll try not to, I'm gonna
go ahead and go to sleep now
HAIBARA: That's good! I'll probably do that
when I get back, goodnight!!!<3
NANAMI: Goodnight
Nanami put his phone down on the bedside table carefully and got comfortable under his covers trying to wrap them as tight as he could around him to avoid the cold air that invaded his room. He felt a sneeze coming on and held his mouth shut to stop it, his chest hurting slightly afterwards. He sighed and closed his eyes, an image of Haibara riding the train in his Dairy Queen uniform with scarf wrapped around his neck as he rode on a bus. He hoped Haibara wouldn't come down with anything, but he had to focus on himself, as the sneezing wasn't getting any better throughout the night.