Work Text:
One, two, three, four.
Nakamura counted each step he took with his right foot first, then his left. He made sure to avoid the cracks between the tiles on the floor. It wasn't often this thought would preoccupy his mind, but when it did, it didn't leave him alone.
Everyday was something different. An endless cycle of various plaguing thoughts that took over his brain. Sometimes they were harmless little things, like counting his steps, but other times, things could get overwhelming.
Nakamura walked into the classroom, still looking at the floor as to insure his steps weren't interrupted. Consequently, he was met face first by another student standing in his way.
He looked up, ready to be fired up at whoever this person was blocking his way.
It was Hirose.
Nakamura immediately became awkward and tried to shrink away.
"Oh. Sorry Hirose, haha, I guess I need to watch where I'm going."
Hirose looked blankly at him before cracking a lighthearted smile and saying,
"Looks like you do," and laughing.
Nakamura only flushed more and muttered, "Yeah, you know me," and scooted towards his seat.
In the midst of his panic Nakamura realized that he had lost track of the feeling in his feet and each step he had taken to get to his seat. He looked back at where Hirose was standing and tried to calculate (poorly) how many steps that would be. Anywhere from seven to seventeen... an uneven number, he was sure.
As class began, Nakamura tried to shake off the feeling of uneasiness about having lost track, but there was energy running though his body down to his feet, almost as if his body was telling him to even out the steps.
He tried to focus.
He tried wiggling his foot inconspicuously.
He bumped his leg.
He tapped his foot.
Until suddenly the whole class was staring at him.
Hirose was staring at him.
Mr Otogiri too.
He wasn't the type to stop class when one student was goofing off, but when he spoke, Nakamura realized he had really done it this time.
"Nakamura. Do you need to go outside? Are you that restless?"
Nakamura turned red instantly, stumbling to grasp the right words in response.
"No- no sir I was just.. um thinking-"
"You're always deep in thought, kid. If you need to step out for a moment, go ahead, but I'm going to need you to stop disrupting the class."
Nakamura just nodded
"Okay, yeah."
Hirose was still looking at him. A couple of other kids were whispering. When Otogiri spoke again, Hirose turned back around, his attention back to the topic at hand.
Shit.
He had made a fool of himself again and everyone saw it.. Even Hirose.
He tried to focus on the math that was written on the board but the numbers kept floating around in front of him.
When the bell rang and he stood up, the energy ran down to his feet again.
One, two, three, four.
He only managed to take four of his steps before he heard his name in that cheerful voice.
"Nakamura!" It was Hirose again.
Nakamura stopped in his tracks, making a mental note of how many steps he had taken. He looked up and Hirose was right there.
"Do you want to walk home together today?"
Of course yes a million times yes Hirose, I'd walk you home everyday if it meant getting to see you everyday~~~ is what he thought immediately.
Instead he squeaked out, "Sure!!!!"
"Alright, lets go!" Hirose said as he grabbed his bag.
Nakamura went to follow after him but froze. Two, three. Three steps he had taken before switching to his left foot. An almost shiver-like feeling ran up his spine. He had to make it right, but Hirose was already waiting for him by the door. He found he couldnt take another step.
One
Two
Three
Four.
He tapped his foot four times- to make up for the missing step.
When he looked up, suddenly Hirose was in front of him again. Nakamura instinctively stepped back.
Shit.
"What are you doing?"
He tapped his right foot.
One, two, three, four. Four times
"That. With your feet. What is it?" Hirose prodded.
"Um, it's just... a thing...." Nakamura trailed off.
"What kind of thing?"
"Well its like-" Nakamura didnt know what to say.
How do you tell someone you have to move evenly with every part of your body to a four count or you'll get so anxious you start spiraling?
Hirose started, "Is it like... OCD?"
Nakamura was taken aback. OCD? Yeah, actually. But how did Hirose...
"My sister has OCD, I can kind of tell that your similar, right? He smiled with a kindness that made Nakamura's heart feel like it had just ran a marathon.
"Um," He tried not to stutter, "Yeah.. it is."
That was all he could manage.
"Well. I'm not sure what it's like, or why it bothers you so much, but if there is anything I can do, just let me know. We can take this walk slowly if the steps are bothering you."
Nakamura's heart fluttered.
"Yeah... okay.." He gave a shaky smile.
The two of them took the first steps together.
One, two, three, four.