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Sasana stared blankly at Maito, who didn’t seem to realize he was there. He was changed back into his uniform, shaking jitters through his arms and puffing his cheeks as he blew out. When he wasn’t doing that, he’d shake his legs while grabbing a towel to wipe his face. And when it wasn’t a towel, it was his own hands running across his face and through his hair. Sasana didn’t think it was possible for Maito to get this way, and yet here he was, standing corrected.
“Kurose-kun?” he decided to say, which caused Maito to jump.
“Gah! Jeez!” he yelled, immediately scowling at Sasana, “What?”
Sasana knitted his brows with a smile. “Are you okay?”
Maito’s face immediately softened, shoulders going slack. “Yeah,” he sighed, rubbing his eyes, “yeah, sorry.”
“It’s alright.” Sasana shook his head as he plopped himself down on the nearest bench. “Is your mom running late?”
He didn’t know why else he’d still be here. Gaku and Hayato went off into the city after practice and Kouga had to run an errand for his father. Maito stayed behind because his mother was going to take him to a dinner. But practice ended nearly half an hour ago.
“I guess? She’s about 10 minutes away.” He rubbed the back of his neck then held his arms out, presenting himself. “President, do I look okay?”
Sasana rested his chin in his hand. “No, you look really stressed out.”
Maito shot him a look. “The clothes, Senpai.”
“Oh, you look fine.”
His smile only grew at the way Maito relaxed, both his body and face. “Is that right?” he asked, turning back to his locker.
“It is.” Sasana poorly held back a laugh as Maito pulled out a comb. He shot another look, but Sasana shook his head. “Sorry. It’s just not like you to care about your appearance.” Especially considering he still chose to wear his hoodie instead of the button-up.
Maito’s face softened once more, cheeks tinging pink. Wordlessly, he looked away, using his phone as a mirror while he combed his bangs. He could feel Sasana’s eyes affixed on him; this friend that was acting as a stranger.
“This dinner is really important.” Maito decided to say, putting his comb down. “I don’t want to ruin it for her.”
Sasana put his arm down, leaning back but smile unwavering. When he realized he wasn’t going to say anything, Maito turned to him. “I mean, there’s only so much I can do after practice.” Sasana only nodded. Maito started fidgeting with his hoodie string. “Even if I wore something fancier I’d still be coming from a workout. I don’t have time to shower either…”
“Do you want to borrow my perfume?”
Maito blinked. “What?”
Sasana casually approached his own locker. “I also tend to worry about how I smell after a long day. And when you’ve been working as long as I have,” he winked at Maito, “you pick up on a few things.” Sasana reached into his top shelf, grabbing the round bottle in question. “I like to keep one on me just in case. What do you think?”
He sprayed some on his wrist, rubbed in the excess, then held out his arm. Maito’s eyes darted between his wrist and face. Eventually he cringed and leaned in to take a whiff. After a moment, he said “Yeah, alright,” and turned around. “Can you get my back?”
“Of course.” Sasana gave four spritz on his back then handed the bottle to Maito, the air beginning to smell of cedar.
Maito sprayed twice on his neck and twice on his arms. He finished, but instead of returning the bottle, he held it up to his face. It was fairly sized, at least compared to the ones his father owned. Though he doesn’t remember ever seeing this brand before. Of course, Sasana probably doesn’t shop in the same stores as his family, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t have the same products. Then again, glass bottles with contemporary logos don’t come cheap…
“Kurose-kun?” Sasana’s voice brought Maito out of his thoughts.
“Sorry.” He handed the bottle back to Sasana. “The bottle is pretty fancy. I didn’t take you for a fat cat.”
“Whoa! Okay, no.” Sasana held out his hand while laughing it off. He spoke clearly, “I got this at a department store for about a tenth of the price. I don’t just throw money around like that.”
Maito widened his eyes. “A department store?” Sasana nodded, capping the bottle. Maito looked away, fidgeting with his strings once more. “When’d you get it?”
Oh? “A few weeks ago.”
Maito nodded. “I see.” He looked back at Sasana, face falling at the sight of his smirk. “What?”
“Nothing~” he sang. “I didn’t think you’d enjoy the scent so much.”
“Well I put it on, didn’t I?” He rolled his eyes, looking away once more. “You have good taste.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
Maito grabbed his bag and closed his locker. “I should go. I wanna be at the gate when my mother arrives.” But he didn’t move. Instead, he furrowed his brows at his locker before looking at Sasana again. “Do I really look okay?”
Sasana’s smile turned genuine. “You look great. Enjoy your dinner, Kurose-kun.”
“Thank you.” Maito nodded him goodbye, and Sasana watched him leave, smile never ceasing.
The following week, Maito would find an unopened perfume bottle in his locker.