Linked Paths

Arc II - Many Firsts [Chapter 2: Dates]

Laha: "I'm sure it was mostly uncomfortable for her because so many people saw it, your friends and all.", *sips his Café Crema briefly*, "Did you apologize to her?"

Shin: "Yes, of course, right away when I was back in my room, via chat."

Laha: *shakes his head vigorously*, "Shin, you can't do it like that! You need to clarify it to her face to face."

Just thinking about it makes his shark teeth grin loom.

Shin: *shakes himself to calm down*, "When it comes to Tamaki, I'm just too nervous and get unspeakably clumsy. And always, really always, we end up in some weird, awkwardly perverse position.", *goes all red*, "But I've never landed this awkwardly before," *puts his forehead on the table in depression*

While I look at my friend and am lost in thought about him, I spoon up some of the delicious milk froth.

I feel sorry for Shin. Last weekend, during our karaoke party, things went a bit out of hand between them. I wasn't present at the time because I was on the toilet, but I heard that Shin accidentally tripped over his own feet during a joint song performance, dragged her along and then ended up with his face between her breasts. After that, things were even more tense between them and Kotatsu was uncomfortable around him. She generally went home relatively early afterwards. Late at night, when the party was over and my squad and I were on our way back to the U.A. together, our conversation also covered this incident, that's why I got to know.

Poor Shin. I can imagine how embarrassing that must have been for him. More so, because when it comes to sex and love stuff, Shin is probably even more shy than I am. And that's really saying something.

Laha: *pats his back consolingly*, "I'm sure she likes you, though. I mean, she's got that certain look in her eyes, if you know what I mean. And she has absolutely no problem with your grinning habit, although you do it a lot when she's around."

Shin really hates this habit, which is so deeply rooted in him that he often doesn't even notice it. I can understand him so well. If I were him, I would feel the same way. It's comparable with my mumbling habit. I just can't help it, and it often puts me in embarrassing situations. We both know all too well what it's like to be shunned, or worse, bullied for something like that. But Shin suffers even more because people often get scared and think negatively about him first.

For me, Shin is already a true hero. Despite everything, he is trying his best to not let this get him down and has already rescued more people during his work as a member of the volunteer fire brigade in Tokyo than anyone else in our class, probably even in our grade. Not to mention his work at the hero agency, which comes on top.

I love him just the way he is and think that habit makes him even more lovable. If Kotatsu is the right girl, she'll see it that way too.

Reki: "You mean the look Tama gives our Izzy?", *grins broadly at me*

My heart gallops a few beats.

Laha: *copy grins*, "Yeah, but not nearly as noticeable. You have to look closely with her.", *brings the fingertips of his two hands together like a mad scientist*, "And I keep a close eye on my two knuffis and their crushes.", *now even giggles, like a maniac, but clears his throat shortly after*, "Jokes aside. I really wish it to work out for you two! Then we can all have super cool couple events." Suddenly his eyes are all sparkly with anticipation.

Ah, so that's what it's all about. Though that sounds really nice and fun, I admit.

Laha: "Our new couple here," *buffs Kyō, who is sitting next to him, with his elbow*, "can be part of it too, of course."