Chapter Text
Makoto Naegi can’t help but let out a stifled yawn. Only four more weeks of school before winter vacation and he can head back home to his family. As much as he wanted to see his little sister and parents again to tell the tales of class 78’s Ultimate Lucky Student, there would still be something missing. Someone, rather.
Kyoko Kirigiri diligently takes notes at the desk beside his – pencil scratching on paper, stopping only when Koichi Kizakura can’t seem to remember where he was in the lecture. Sitting in the first row put an exclusive pressure on the five assigned to those desks but Makoto has a suspicion that Kyoko would still be this attentive regardless of where she sat.
Their second year was almost at its end and they’d only have one more year before they graduate from Hope’s Peak Academy. Collecting his thoughts, he turns his head towards the window. The third floor has a nice view of the courtyard, the school’s other facilities, the surrounding trees, and the tall buildings in the distance. It’s a beautiful day, especially for December. Maybe he’d ask Kirigiri if she’d like to go to the café with him or to hang out in his room after class if she isn’t busy. Naegi shifts his eyes back into the room and steals a quick glance at the detective – still taking notes.
Over the past two years, the two have become close. Both would consider each other their best friend – secretly dating according to Aoi Asahina. No one would have guessed it since Kirigiri had introduced herself and promptly told everyone she would be leaving after finishing some business on their first day. Naegi took it as she wanted to be left alone but that didn’t stop him from striking up small talk with her during class breaks.
As winter vacation ended and they returned for the third trimester of their first year, Kirigiri mentioned she was going to stay in a passing conversation. Naegi couldn’t hide how ecstatic he was. Even if she had only stayed for two thirds of the year, he’d still miss the quiet girl who’d sat beside him for eight months. She was considered a good acquaintance to everyone in the class so if she was going to stay, he resolved to invite her to hang out with the others.
At first, she’d decline saying she had investigative commissions to fulfill. But as more time passed and the two grew closer, she began to accept – but only small gatherings. She’d come out to the café and the occasional movie but never shopping or a restaurant. They’d exchanged emails and talked over winter break. Their first year together ended on a good note.
Last trimester, the beginning of their second year, Kirigiri suggested his room for regular study sessions since he just barely passed last year’s exams. He agreed, maybe a little too fast, and now spends most of his time cleaning his room and trying to break his bad habit of being messy. He didn’t want to admit it but by this point, he knew he’d grown very, very fond of Kyoko Kirigiri. As they’d study every Friday night together, it eventually evolved to also talking, TV, dinner, and the occasional video game more often than once a week.
And on some nights, they’d confide to each other. Naegi was the only person in class who knew why she was originally leaving, why she wore those gloves, and that she did have emotions and her stoicism is simply an act. “I consider you family,” she said as he told her how worried he was he’d never find a sustainable job after graduation, “I’ll help you if you need it.” She said it months ago but his cheeks still turn a soft pink when he remembers it.
“Naegi-kun,” her voice interrupts him, “Is something wrong?” The rustling around him tells him class just went on break and he’d been staring at her for most of it.
“Ah, sorry, Kirigiri-san, I was just getting lost in my thoughts.” She nods and turns to the folder she pulled out on her desk, rifling through for papers she needs to turn in after class. “Hey, Kirigiri-san?” After separating her documents, she turns to him. Straightening up, he asks, “Would you like to watch a movie later in my room?”
But something’s off. She subtly chews her lip for a minute before saying, “Not today.” She promptly gets up and walks out with her folder, leaving in the direction he knows is towards her file drop off box. They don’t spend every day together nor does he need an explanation why but it couldn’t have been something he did… could it?
“Makoto-kun!” Asahina, who’d been watching from the back of the room, walks toward him rather aggressively, wagging her finger. “What did you say to her? If you hurt Kyoko-chan, you better take responsibility!” Unable to process any words to protect himself from her surprise attack, Naegi couldn’t help but just wave his hands defensively.
Two more periods and Naegi could relax in his room, away from Asahina’s death glare. He didn’t do anything particularly bad but now he’s worried. He wouldn’t dare look at Kirigiri in fear he’d make things worse – if they were even bad in the first place since he doesn’t actually know. But he’s known for worrying. He steals another glance.
She’s taking notes again but at that moment he’d looked over, she tucked some hair behind her ear. It’s nothing special – to anyone except Naegi. Feigning deep thought, he brings his fingers to his chin and turns away from her trying to look inconspicuous but he can feel Asahina’s eyes on him. She’s only a row and a column over and she just so happens to always catch him looking at Kirigiri. It didn’t help much his light skin doesn’t hide any coloration that well. “It’s just really cute… That’s all,” he keeps telling himself, trying to create a dismissive excuse to her later.
He picks up his pencil and looks at the blank lined paper in front of him. He really should be taking notes and he knows Kirigiri is going to mention it when he needs help understanding something he wasn’t paying attention to. Placing the pencil in the margins, he hesitates.
I don’t even know what day it is… or what subject we’re on…
Kizakura-sensei’s in front of the board, blocking whatever he’s written. Ironically, Naegi’s the only one who can’t see it from his angle. He’s at the front of the class in the left most desk. Kirigiri’s notes are the only ones he can look towards in this predicament.
Just look at the notes – JUST the notes.
Slowly, he turns his head back towards her, just so slightly, and tries to peak at her paper. But her head is turned a little towards him, lips slightly parted, and her left pointer finger resting against her cheek deep in thought – one of her trademark thinking habits. His eyes lock onto her and he can’t pull away. His face is a not so subtle pink.
Then she shifts to move her left arm to her chest and her right hand to her chin – the habit Naegi partially picked up. After a few seconds of tapping her chin, she begins to tap her lips.
Her lips look so soft.
He can see it in his mind. While writing in his notebook demonstrating an equation or sitting beside him watching another murder mystery on his bed, she’d turn to him and lean in really close. He’d smell the vanilla from her lotion mixed with her lavender shampoo and what seems to be… strawberry chapstick? Maybe it’s cherry. Their foreheads would touch and he’d slowly close the gap. All he’d have to do is just lean in and -
CLAP
Naegi brought his hand to his mouth so fast, he’d practically slapped himself. Lost in his fantasy, he really did start to purse his lips and lean into a Kirigiri that wasn’t there. Panicking at the handfuls of eyes he could feel on him, he’d began to rub his mouth way too exaggeratedly trying to play the deep in thought act again. Kizakura-sensei had stopped writing on the board but didn’t even bother turning to look at the commotion, brushing it off.
After what felt like an eternal minute, Naegi turned to look over his shoulder. Kirigiri was still taking notes but what really caught his eye was in his peripheral. Asahina had her mouth gaping open and her hand near her face. She’d been reaching to cover her mouth giggling at his blush but was shocked in place when Naegi licked his lips.
Unlike Asahina, Sayaka Maizono was covering her mouth hiding her snicker. Leon Kuwata, beside her, was uncontrollably but silently laughing, banging his fist against his thigh trying not to slip. Byakuya Togami, conversely, blankly stared at him. His facial affect wasn’t much but Naegi knew he was judging him at this very moment more so than he judges anybody on any given day. Arguably the worst look he was getting was from Junko Enoshima. Everyone, sans Kirigiri, was staring at him. But Junko’s eyes were wide with her signature model smile with her hands clasped to her chest. She may be a model but there’s something mischievous and eerie about her when she sees something interesting.
Is the whole class in on this?
For the next two periods, Makoto Naegi just stared at the blank piece of paper – mortified.