𝗡𝗢𝗡 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗦𝗬
━ chapter eleven ━
❝𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠-𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝.❞
---
WITH THE MOONLIGHT standing as tonight's very own light, it also serves as the witness of a blooming love story that is slowly, but surely and carefully blooming into a proud standing flower. Shining down its soft and gentle light, bathing the whole Shibuya, two certain people are only two of the many whose love story has yet to be revealed and unraveled.
The same evening after (Y/N) witnessed Toman fighting for the very first time; her Toman friends, Takemichi, Baji, Kazutora, Mitsuya, Hakkai, and—Chifuyu, the female Sakisaka was now walking alongside Chifuyu on the way home. Matsuno Chifuyu, the very same male that had made her feel varieties of heart pounding moments in just one evening. And tonight, right after Toman's President Mikey had dismissed everyone after gathering them up for a short meeting to tell them what's going to happen to Toman from now on, the girls affiliated with the said gang had been accompanied way back home by the ones who were close to them, as ordered by Mikey.
And the one who was walking (Y/N) back to her home was none other than Chifuyu, Toman's 1st Division Vice-Captain.
Prior to this moment, (Y/N) had once again, rode behind Chifuyu on his motorcycle on their way back to the Musashi Shrine to where Mikey gathered the Toman members for a short meeting. After that, Chifuyu proposed to only walk (Y/N) home, considering that her home is just near to the Musashi Shrine.
As the two teens were now walking at the emptied streets of Shibuya, although a somewhat peaceful silence has been looming over them since earlier, both of them couldn't help but to feel so awkward, not even bothering to talk to each other unlike how they always do.
Unknown to (Y/N) herself, the male beside her, Chifuyu, has been stealing some secret glances at the said pinkette-haired female for a while now. Well, the Matsuno couldn't help it; after all the heart pounding moments that happened earlier, how could he just forget the stunts that he did to this girl walking beside him a while ago?
—Arriving back to Toman's usual meeting place, the Musashi Shrine, Mikey once again gathered everyone to have a quick and short meeting before dismissing them for the night. The young Matsuno only watched, as the girls; Hina, Emma, and Yuzuha whisked (Y/N) away from him as soon as they stepped on the grounds of the said shrine. He couldn't help but to only smile a little as he watched how (Y/N) was furiously blushing to whatever Emma was saying, with Yuzuha chuckling and Hina squealing while hugging her.
Even while Mikey was addressing the rest of the Toman members, Chifuyu's attention was solely directed on (Y/N) only; Mikey noticed this as he was standing before them and at the stairs of the shrine to which he can see everyone in that way, but decided to let that pass, since he kind of understand Chifuyu worrying about (Y/N). This is her first time overseeing this kind of thing, after all. And not to mention, (Y/N) is just so pure and innocent that Mikey thought, bringing the said female Sakisaka here is a bad idea, which it will stain her innocence and purity, forever.
Mikey wasn't the only one who noticed Chifuyu staring at a certain pinkette-haired female. Baji, Kazutora, and Takemichi as well as Hakkai, the said four males who are the main supporters of 'Chifuyu x (Y/N)' club, with Baji being its president, surprisingly, noticed this as well and shared one thought with each other of making a plan to make the said two soon-to-be couple to get together.
"—That's all for tonight! Dismiss!"
As Mikey finally ended his short speech, he finally dismissed the rest of the Toman members, each of them bidding goodbye to their captains and the leaders, before riding on their motorcycles to go home. And soon, as most Toman members already retired for the night, the only ones remaining were the two leaders themselves, the captains and vice-captains of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Divisions, along with the four girls.
Baji had pulled Mikey and Draken with him to have the two Toman leaders join them in making a plan to have their dear friend Chifuyu and (Y/N) to get together, also pulling Smiley and Angry as well. Of course, Draken was not in board with him, joining to have Chifuyu and (Y/N) get together, but he had no choice, since Mikey instantly agreed; and we all know that Mikey needs to be looked after by Draken, Toman's reliable big brother. Plus, sooner or later, Emma would've ask him, rather, force him to become a part of the club anyways.
Chifuyu already got the gist and could feel that Baji and the others are planning to do something, that's why he quickly made his way to (Y/N), not even bothering to take notice of how the boys behind him were probably looking at him teasingly while the girls who noticed Chifuyu approaching them, rather, (Y/N), started nudging the said pinkette-haired female teasingly, making her to blush furiously; it seems that she hasn't still forgotten what happened earlier when she treated Chifuyu.
At this point, Chifuyu threw away his doubts and has come to just go with the flow; whatever his actions made something to happen, it happens. Although he still felt a little bit conscious and not to mention, embarrassed.
"Excuse me." He cleared his throat, catching the girls' attention. They went from teasing their precious (Y/N) into looking at Chifuyu, who was wearing a serious facial expression, but they could see that there were pink hues tainting his cheeks. Hina, Emma, and Yuzuha only shared knowing smiles, knowing what is going to happen; a women's intuition should never be underestimated!
"I'm sorry, but, could I borrow (Y/N)-chan from you for a while?"
Even knowing that Chifuyu wanted to talk to (Y/N), Hina and Emma still couldn't help but to squeal inwardly in delight, seeing as their Chifuyu x (Y/N) ship is starting to sail; and not far from them, Takemichi had yet again, became Baji's victim of his monstrous hit. But we all know that it's just Baji, expressing his happiness and his fanboying at the sight of his two favorite people. Back to the girls, with a delightful smile and a heartful giggle, Emma gently shoved (Y/N) towards Chifuyu, who was surprised as he immediately held onto (Y/N)'s shoulders when she came stumbling towards him as a result of Emma's shove. "Of course!~ Feel free to excuse our (Y/N)-chan for yourself!~ Take your time, Chifuyu~"
Poor (Y/N), she had been blushing since earlier and now, it seems the redness on her entire face wasn't even calming down a bit. Especially to how Chifuyu was gently gripping her shoulders to stabilize her balance and to how Chifuyu said his answer a little confidently: "Thanks." With that, even noticing how the others looked at him with excited smiles and teasing looks on their faces, Chifuyu still didn't bothered on noticing them as he began pulling (Y/N) with him by her wrist, his cheeks flushing at the warmth and softness of her hand.
Chifuyu had brought themselves near the top stairs of the shrine, allowing them to see the surroundings down below, illuminated with lights and the stars shining above their heads.
By this time, (Y/N) finally calmed the blush down from her face as she looked up at Chifuyu, staring at his back that was facing her. Also at the same time, Chifuyu was still holding her wrist quite tightly, but gently. The said female Sakisaka then took in how Chifuyu looked underneath the moonlight; his blond locks flowing, his smooth fair skin glistening underneath the light of the moon, and his teal-colored eyes that seemed to glow, which only made him more attractive.
(Y/N)'s breath hitched, realizing that she is beginning to view Chifuyu more differently than before.
Pursing her lips tightly, the pinkette female slightly shifted her wrist around Chifuyu's warm larger hand. "U-Um. . Chifuyu-kun? Is there something wrong?"
And as soon as (Y/N)'s soft and sweet, mellifluous voice reached his ears, Chifuyu realized what he have done—which was boldly holding her wrist and pulling her to a place where he thought no one could disturb them and with that, he quickly released his hand from her soft and warm wrist, a mad blush covering his cheeks.
"I-I'm sorry!!—I grabbed you—like that. ." Chifuyu meekly apologized, fully turning to her with his cheeks all pinkened up, that made (Y/N)'s cheeks to aflame once more. She didn't said anything and the two fell in silence, couldn't find the words to say to each other.
And just as (Y/N) thought that this silence is already killing her off, Chifuyu's words did her so.
". . I just wanted to be alone with you."
—"Chifuyu-kun?"
The Matsuno finally snapped out of his sea of thoughts when his crush's voice reached his ears. Chifuyu looked down before him, and saw that you were looking at him in worry and concern; although this warmed his heart, Chifuyu knew that once you misunderstand something, you would immediately make assumptions of it and, he didn't want you apologizing after that. So he only smiled in reassurance, scratching the back of his undercut, "Ah, it's nothing, (Y/N)-chan. . I'm just thinking about Peke J."
Lies. He's thinking about you.
However, with you, not knowing what he really thinks and feels, only returned his smile back, finding no reason for you to delve deeper to ask him more.
As the two of you continued on your way home, you didn't noticed that Chifuyu wasn't walking slightly behind you anymore. And when you heard no footsteps and noticed that he might've stopped, you turned around with a soft hum, seeing Chifuyu, who indeed, has stopped on his own tracks as he was facing the asphalt ground below you two, not allowing you to see what kind of expression his face is making right now.
Of course, you, being a big softie when it comes to him, walked closer to the taller blond male and spoke softly, your voice sending chills down to his spine; unbeknownst to you, Chifuyu really loved how your voice sounded so soft, sweet, and reassuring. He was hesitating whether to say something that has been in his mind for a while now, but seeing the soft look reflected from your baby blue hues let him spill out his words— and maybe his feelings to you.
"Chifuyu-kun—"
"Aren't you scared?"
Chifuyu's words that came out from his mouth stopped you from saying anything any further. It also made you to look at him with confusion swirling in your eyes; you didn't understand where is he coming from, and Chifuyu, who has this sharp eyes and perception, then continued on with his words. "Are you not scared. . of me? I mean— earlier, when you were there, watching the brawl. I know it must be hard for you to see. . violence. I am one of the delinquents who beat others. ." He thoroughly explained, his face contorting into a worried one, worrying that he might've scared you; really, he shouldn't have asked Hina to bring you along to see him fighting.
"I saw you, Chifuyu-kun."
Your words, along with your sweet smile stopped the Matsuno to overthink about what you think of him, now that he has shown you his delinquent side. Chifuyu had to directly looked down on you, staring at your baby blue eyes intently; turning your gaze away from him, seeing as Chifuyu's gaze staring into yours is too much for you—for your heart, your cheeks heated up into the shade of pink, the words you never expected yourself to say flying out of your mouth.
"I—I was watching you while Emma-chan and Yuzu-chan are talking to me. ." You started, voice growing softer as seconds passed. "You looked so cool. . just like that one male lead in the delinquent shojo manga I read." Then your face started to burn up in red as you continued more; any more further and you would collapse now. "H-Hina-chan and the girls are with me so I didn't feel scared. . and, I knew that you would protect me if I ever get into trouble." As you intended to just keep the last part of your sentence in your mind, you didn't noticed however, those words of yours reaching Chifuyu that made the blond-haired boy to feel the maximum level of warmth, sweetness, and happiness bubbling inside of him.
And now, you two are a blushing mess.
Don't even ask how you are right now; just by the words you boldly said with no hesitations, plus how Chifuyu looked so badass and cool earlier, especially with how he smirked when he was toying around those who tried to take him down, and how he grinned when he backed Takemichi up; not to mention, with the stunt of him pressing his body close to you as you treated his wounds earlier; you are not sure if you could survive to any of this hard heart pounding moments at this rate.
Oh my dear (Y/N), this is just the beginning.
As you were starting to scold yourself internally and were about to malfunction out of the maximum sweetness your body and your whole being has reached, Chifuyu's low, handsome voice muttered words that had caused your heart to beat its fastest.
"I see. . now that you have seen. . my strength, I can finally protect you—no, I guess I've been doing it since the very beginning, huh. ." Finally facing you, Chifuyu offered you the most gentlest and sweetest smile he could muster up, with his cheeks stained with pink; you were now starting to feel more hotter than you should supposed to be. "That's why—will you let me protect you from now on then? I—I want you to rely on me. . so you can see me more as a man that I would be. . for you."
SHDSJKFHEWURUH oh my god, oh my god, oh my god— t-this is too much more me!! Chifuyu-kun looked so cool. . his voice sounded so handsome. . he's just. . why. .
Right now, as Chifuyu gazes down at your currently blushing form, the young Matsuno couldn't help but to feel those butterflies swarming inside of his stomach once again; he might've gained some satisfaction and fondness as soon as he saw you blushing so hardly and couldn't contain your happiness before him. Especially when he's the cause of it all.
You're already on the verge of collapsing and malfunctioning, and yet, this male still have the audacity to chuckle softly at you, his low and ikemen voice chuckling made you to feel the highest level of warmth and sweetness and you really wanted to collapse and fall unconscious now.
But, amidst of your rampaging feelings of happiness, sweetness, and warmth dancing inside of your chest, you yourself knew that you needed to give a response to Chifuyu's earlier words to you.
"Okay."
And you know what? Right after those four letters and one word had flew out from your mouth to reach Chifuyu's ears, a pair of strong, warm, and reassuring arms enveloped you wholly into a very warm and loving embrace. At the midst of the empty streets of Shibuya, illuminated by the lampposts and the twinkling stars above, the atmosphere between you and Chifuyu was just like those in the shojo manga books you read.
And now, you started to internally question what's even going on with Chifuyu; he's not this so. . affectionate and clingy before. He always looked like he's holding himself back then, but now, it seems that he wasn't holding himself back anymore. Even when you tried to signaled him to make him know what he was doing by squirming a little bit in his hold, everything you were trying to do, trying to think, and whatever your body was trying to find a reaction at this, had all stopped when Chifuyu instead tightened his arms around your petite figure that just fit right into his arms; it's like you were meant for him to hug. This made you know that Chifuyu wouldn't let you anytime soon.
HAJAJWJWJSAGAAGHAHSDHHS—please god, please god, please god— With you being caged in like this, you instead screamed internally out of fluster and the greatest height of the sweetness you have ever felt from this situation you're in right now.
How Chifuyu's arms enveloped your tiny and petite body into a warm embrace, proceeding to press you closely into his warm body that had allowed you to inhale his cologne that makes your heart dance a beat as your face was buried itself on his shoulder; you felt so comfortable and safe as you remained nestled in his embrace.
Ba-dump.
Ba-dump.
You were surprised however, how your heart was beginning to calm down and slowly steady up its beat as you finally accepted Chifuyu's warm embrace by leaning your weight against his body, your tiny warm and soft hands gripping the sides of his Toman uniform top. This, however, made the Matsuno to realized what he had done and the very situation he has created to elicit this kind of sweet and heartwarming atmosphere in the midst of the seemingly cold evening.
Son of freakin' peyoung yakisoba— The blond, while still keeping you close to him, had his teal-colored eyes wide open, his lips tightly pursed together as you remained close to him. Holy shit—she's so warm and soft! ASIWOWKDN— and like you, Chifuyu was just malfunctioning himself, the moment he did this crazy bold stunt and especially to how you finally returned his sudden affectionate embrace.
But, at this point, Chifuyu knew that before he could want himself to let go and thought that he should do so because he's invading your privacy from the close contact, he already knew he couldn't. Because once he had begun pulling all those heart pounding stunts since earlier, he couldn't stop it anymore and just accepted the urge of making a move to you.
At this moment as well, Chifuyu erased all of his doubts and negativity about his feelings for you; screw that, he just couldn't take it anymore and he just couldn't contain this feelings that until now, he has yet to recognize.
That's why he didn't, and never released his arms around you. Yet.
"—Let's. . let's just stay like this for a while." He spoke, rather, murmured to you as he continued on embracing you and has no plan on letting you go anytime soon. "I just couldn't hold it in anymore."
You were wondering and you are deeply blushing to why did he said those words that had yet again, made your heart to make several jumps in your chest; nonetheless though, you loved how the warmth of Chifuyu's embrace and the warmth and sweetness of his words coated you wholly, not even letting a piece of you uncovered.
". . Mm."
And the rest is history. A history one could only unveil if either Chifuyu Matsuno or (Y/N) Sakisaka themselves tell them.
***
You couldn't focus.
Even after many attempts of directing your focus to your final project instead, your pretty little mind just couldn't help but to make you remember what happened few nights ago.
Tonight is Sunday. And as always, you were staying with your brother and cousins at the Mankai Dorms. Since you were somewhat finished with the final project performance, you decided to visit your Mankai friends, seeing as it has been a week or so since you last saw them. You were busy doing your final performance project with Chifuyu, after all.
Ah, yes, Chifuyu—Matsuno Chifuyu, the very same male who kept on invading your mind every second of the day. And yes, until now.
Days passed by ever since you experience so many heart pounding moments with that boy in just one freaking evening. And ever since that evening, although you could still be able to do things that are trivial for an everyday living, you would just randomly squeal to yourself and your body recalling the warmth that you received not only from the experiences that evening, but the warmth that Matsuno Chifuyu enveloped you.
And once again, you're at your new phase of being like a squealing fangirl who is very happy and joyful to receive her crush's attention; you are again, madly blushing to yourself, your cheeks burning rather hot and you didn't knew that you would feel this warm.
Oh god, please. . this is too much for me. . You let out a sigh amidst of how you were inwardly squealing to yourself right now. Even as someone who can be considered as a love advisor for reading romance shojo manga daily, you yourself still haven't experienced what it means to fall in love; after all, you weren't never the heroine who has met his prince and falls in love with him. Everything is still new and fresh to you; although Chifuyu's actions and his words would always make you feel like you're inside of a shojo manga, with you being the protagonist and Chifuyu being your male love interest or the main lead.
But then again, there's always this part of you that would try to deny all of the feelings your heart has, when it's already obvious how you feel this warm and cozy.
T-That's right—Chifuyu-kun is just doing that because we're best friends— and then again, as you were convincing yourself that Chifuyu is nothing more than a friend to you, yet again, his warm embrace, his handsome voice calling your name out, and his overall sweet and warm character came back washing your mind; washing all the negative thoughts away. This, had once again, had your heart to beat its rhythm quite happily and more enthusiastically than ever before.
I—can't stop shaking. . my heart, won't stop beating so fast. . I'm about to suffocate. .
And just as you were about to drift farther away from the main thing that you're supposed to be focusing on, Mankai Company's general director, the ever-so kind and gentle Tachibana Izumi had saved you from your inner turmoiling feelings; she's just like an older sister figure that you'd love to have her as one.
"—(Y/N)-chan? You alright? You've been staring blankly at the notebook on the desk now. ." Izumi's brown-pink eyes gently narrowed themselves down worriedly, eyeing your petite figure worriedly. The sight of her caring upfront almost made you to immediately say what's been distracting you, when you suddenly thought if you were troubling Izumi, and smiling at you reassuringly and warmly as she always does, you knew you shouldn't hide anything from her.
"Izumi-nee-chan. . you see. ."
The older Tachibana listened to you as you started telling her about what has been distracting you the recent days; from the start when you first met Chifuyu and becoming his friend; Izumi could tell how you are so happy to have this Chifuyu boy as your friend. But then the expression on your face tells Izumi that it's just more than friends, when you started telling her about how the air and atmosphere between the two of you changed, right after when the two of you started to call each other by given names. And lastly, to how Chifuyu was acting so strange recently; acting so affectionately and doing things to you that would always make your heart pound harder and beat its rhythm faster.
"Izumi-nee-chan, I—I don't know how could I handle this. . it's very suffocating, but it's very sweet. . I really don't know. ." You trailed off in uncertainty; you yourself didn't want to believe it, since you have never fallen in love before; even someone who likes romance shojo manga as you, it doesn't mean that you can be an expert in romance in real life. Romance is different in books and anime series than in real life.
The female Tachibana herself didn't bothered to hide her shock as you finally finished your words and looked up at her with an expression that is as clear as daylight to the Mankai Company director; a face of someone who's in love. And Izumi never had expected that you, Muku's and Mankai Company's beloved little sister, had finally fallen in love with someone after yearning for a shojo romance like those characters in the anime and manga does. And Izumi could just imagine how sweet and heartwarming your own romance when you finally accept it wholeheartedly.
As you sat before Izumi, countless thoughts of your feelings for Chifuyu filled your entire mind, and you weren't sure how to confront your own feelings at this rate. But your oh-so kind and gentle Izumi-nee-chan flashed you a soft smile as she neared your form and began stroking your soft pink-colored hair; her smile gave you reassurance and allowed your turmoiling feelings to calm down.
"You said that you couldn't help but to start see that Matsuno Chifuyu-kun in a different light, am I right?" You nodded at what she said; you don't know where she is coming from, until her next words rendered you speechless. "—With all what you said to me, I could only think of only one thing, and that is you're definitely in love with Chifuyu-kun."
It's as everything around you had slowed down—no, rather, it's like everything around you had stopped moving. Your once turmoiling feelings somehow had subside as Izumi's words had finally hit you like a truck. Your confusion, basically everything that makes you feel confused and misunderstanding to whatever things Chifuyu does to you had suddenly washed away by this calm, peaceful, and sweet gentle feeling. How you once perceived his actions as just something that is friendly and how you always deny this sweet addicting feeling. It all now made sense to you.
"I—I am. . in love with Chifuyu-kun. . ?"
Izumi could still see the disbelief and denial swirling in your baby blue orbs; although she she could now see that you are starting to accept such feelings towards the boy of your affection. Heaving out a sweet giggle (that will make everyone fall in love with her), Izumi brought her hands up to cup your face, stroking her thumb on your soft cheeks as she gazes at you like how an older sister gazes down at her beloved younger sister. "This is just the start, (Y/N)-chan; once you have come to accept your feelings towards him, you'll began to see why you have fallen and will fall in love with him more. Just take your time in understanding your own feelings and accept them as something so magical. I'm sure that one day, you'll experience the romance that you have ever yearned along with your brother, Muku-kun."
Love. . The image of a smiling Chifuyu extending his hand for you to reach appeared in your mind; Chifuyu is just everything that girls would want as their boyfriend; not only he's handsome, he's cool, he is the type who will treasure his lover, he treasures his bonds with the people around him, he protects and never uses his strength as a delinquent in hurting people, unless they have hurt him or done something so heinous.
Yet again, even if you had finally got the gist of what's going on with your feelings, you still couldn't help deep inside that someone who's as perfect as Chifuyu Matsuno couldn't just fit you. While he was everything, you are nothing compared to him. You're not that pretty or cute as those girls in your school or as beautiful as Hina, Emma, and Yuzuha. Your awkwardness and your tendency to misunderstand people, the situation around you, and not good at communication—makes it hard for someone to go out on a date with you. You are just that simple fangirl who loves reading shojo manga and watching romance shojo anime, the desire to feel such sweet, warmhearted, and addicting feeling of falling in love is just nothing but a wish for you.
Even if I do like him, there's no way Chifuyu-kun will ever like me. I'm not an ideal girlfriend that boys would love to have. I'm just. . a side character. I guess, as Chifuyu-kun's friend, I could only wish him happiness with someone else—
BA-DUMP!
BA-DUMP!
BA-DUMP!
Raising up a hand and forming it into a fist, you placed it to your chest, after you felt an aching pain in it. Just as you thought of wishing happiness to Chifuyu in finding a better someone for his heart, this aching and uncomfortable feeling suddenly made itself known inside of your heart. You didn't knew why it suddenly made your heart to ache when you just thought of that. But. . if you would imagine it, imagine him smiling around a random girl, showing his love and affection to her that isn't you— ". . I don't want that."
As your face contorted to a frowning one at that imagination of yours, you had come to know that you really don't want that. Your heart won't stop aching at that thought and you just didn't know anymore.
". . Do I really like him?"
Izumi has been watching you contemplate on your own thoughts and your feelings; even if she wanted to help you on your feelings and how to confront the new types of feelings that your heart had unlocked, she thought that you have to face it yourself. Otherwise, it wouldn't be called as your love story.
Don't worry, (Y/N)-chan, you may not have realized it yet right now, but I'm just sure. . I'm just sure that you will come to know the answer your heart has been finding for. Realize how you really love this boy Chifuyu-kun so much.
.
.
.
.
.
Tomorrow comes in suddenly before you knew it. And today is the day, that fateful day where Sakisaka (Y/N)'s and Matsuno Chifuyu's project performance is to be performed. After all, today is the last day of the normal classes before all the students will begin to proceed on the examinations next week. This week will just be for the final activities that each teacher of each subjects had given their students in order to finish the first semester.
"Sigh. . today is finally the final performance task. ." A long sigh flew past her lips, as Sakisaka (Y/N) walked down the streets that leads to her school; poor (Y/N) hadn't get herself much sleep last night. Aside from finishing her own part in today's project performance, someone has been the reason why as well.
Ever since her last night talk with Izumi, her words had been stuck in her mind since then, and (Y/N) couldn't help but to imagine the scenario that she would never wanted to think of it ever again; a scenario that whenever she would think of it, her heart would hurt so much. And (Y/N) herself didn't know if she could face Chifuyu properly today, especially that she is beginning to get the gist and realize what she feels towards the said male of her affections. Not to mention, their project performance is something about romance thing.
I don't know if I could do the performance with Chifuyu-kun properly. . Letting out another sigh, (Y/N) only muttered to herself out of exhaustion, even if it's just early in the morning. "I hope things go smoothly today—"
"—(Y/N)-chan!~ Good morning!" Accompanied by a tight but gentle hug, Tachibana Hinata had glomped the surprised pink-haired female in her arms, a delightful smile gracing her lips. Hina's sweet and enthusiastic morning greeting thankfully, had brightened (Y/N)'s mood up even just a bit.
"G-Good morning, Hina-chan. ." Albeit a little bit surprised at Hina's greeting, (Y/N) managed to greet her back with her own smile as well.
Untangling her arms around (Y/N)'s petite frame, Hina proceeded on to wrap her arms around (Y/N)'s left arm instead and hummed a tune as the two girls walked together to their school. It was at this moment, when the said pink-haired female noticed the lack of someone's presence that is usually with Hina. "Hina-chan. . um, you're not with Takemichi-san today?" She pointed out, expecting Hina to get a little bummed out that her boyfriend wasn't walking with her today, only for (Y/N) to be met with Hina's angelic smile on her face instead, "Takemichi-kun got whisked away by Chifuyu-kun; he said something about boys' talk with Chifuyu-kun."
At the instant that Hina mentioned Chifuyu's name, the ever-so timid female Sakisaka flinched, with her cheeks beginning to grow pink hues. She couldn't help it, after all, with all the words and the things Chifuyu does and says to her; how could (Y/N) just act normally around him?
Thankfully, before Hina could take notice of (Y/N)'s strange behavior today, the latter's cheeks were finally back to its natural fair color as Hina again chuckled sweetly, "—But it's okay!~ Because, I got to walk with my best friend, (Y/N)-chan!~" She chirped, causing a smile to fully bloomed on (Y/N)'s visage; she was really happy to have a Hina by her side, who had brightened up her gloomy mood prior to Hina's arrival.
All the while the two cute and pretty girls are walking on the way to their school, random chats and conversation were initiated to each other. Topics ranging from Emma's love life with Draken, Yuzuha's exasperation at Hakkai's fanboying over Mitsuya, until they have come to talk about their final project performance today with Horie-sensei. The ever-so bubbly peach-haired girl was just expressing her own happiness and joy to (Y/N) about how she and Takemichi would get all blushy around each other when they recite lines out from their mini role play that they will act out later on and (Y/N) would only nod at her every words absentmindedly, his mind inclining its focus more on her own project performance with Chifuyu. And at some point, Hina finally noticed how (Y/N) seem to looked distracted; her baby blue eyes bleary and cheeks lightly stained with pink hues.
Puffing her cheeks out, Hina then reached her fingers and then pinched (Y/N)'s soft, mochi-like cheeks; this definitely had snapped the pinkette out of her daze as she had her eyes wide while looking at the pouting Hina, "H-Hina-chan? W-what are u dwoing?" Her words ended up a little muffled, due to how Hina was stretching her cheek while pinching it. And after a while of Hina enjoying herself on pinching (Y/N)'s mochi-like cheeks, she finally let go and huffed cutely, still looking all pouty, "Mou (Y/N)-chan, you're not paying attention to what I was saying at all!"
Realizing that she's not indeed paying attention to Hina, (Y/N) let out a small sheepish smile, while massaging her lightly aching cheek that was pinkish in color, after Hina had pinched it. "I'm so sorry, Hina-chan. . I was just thinking about mine and—Chifuyu-kun's project performance. ." She muttered softly, but loud enough for Hina to hear it, as she finally let go of her pout and replaced it with her usual approaching smile. "Oh! So that's it! Then, Hina forgives you!" She giggled, and (Y/N) only returned her a smile, thinking how it'll be bad if Hina would ever get angry with her; according to Takemichi, Hina's quite scary when she gets angered, so, it's best not to make her annoyed or angry. .
"Now that you brought it up (Y/N)-chan, how's your project performance with Chifuyu-kun? All I ever knew was the two of you being partners together. ." Hina trailed off, glancing over to (Y/N)'s soft features, the said female looking nervous, judging from how her brow formed a crease and how her pinkish lips tightened together.
". . It was alright, everything had gone smoothly. . Chifuyu-kun always listens to my suggestions and he would put his own suggestions as well. We managed to finish it on time, but. ." (Y/N) slowly trailed off, her voice shaking as she once again, entered her "nervous-mushroom" phase. "I—I'm just so nervous that what if we would fail? Then Chifuyu-kun will get angry with me and that we wouldn't be friends anymore. . and, and—"
Before she could delve deeper and think of the things which will never happen (as (Y/N)'s too kind for her to be disliked), Hina rushed to stand before her best friend, reached out her arms and cupped (Y/N)'s cheeks into her soft, warm hands, effectively stopping the said female from overthinking again. "Huh. . ?"
Hina was smiling at her in reassurance, keeping her hands cupping (Y/N)'s cheeks, "Hehe, don't worry, (Y/N)-chan! Everything's going to be alright; you said it yourself that you and Chifuyu-kun finished everything together? So no doubt that the two of you will pass this project together as well! After all, Chifuyu-kun's with you!" She finished off her words of reassurance with a smile that made (Y/N)'s face to heat up once again, her mind going haywire at the thought of Chifuyu alone.
This time, Hina noticed the cute pink blush staining (Y/N)'s cheeks, and the Tachibana herself was getting a little concerned over (Y/N)'s heated up face; she was starting to think if (Y/N) feel sick today. "(Y/N)-chan, are you okay? I mean—you're overheating!" She gasped softly when her hand traveled to (Y/N)'s forehead to feel her temperature, which is so warm to touch. But that was just the warmth cause by her own heart's feelings. "I—I-I'm fine. . !! Really, I'm alright Hina-chan! Please don't worry about me!" (Y/N) almost shouted, trying to divert Hina's attention from her to different else.
And just right in moment, when Hina's about to say something more, her peach-colored eyes saw two familiar male figures at the distance, walking towards the same direction to their school as well; both having blond-colored hair, one was natural and the other was dyed. Hina's eyes brightened as she quickly let go of (Y/N)'s cheeks (thankfully for her) to wave her hand meanwhile at the two boys who are slowly approaching them.
"Takemichi-kun! Chifuyu-kun!"
Although (Y/N) felt relief when Hina finally stopped worrying about her current condition, she now on the other hand, began to panic when Hina exclaimed the name of her boyfriend and the name which (Y/N)'s heart wouldn't stop beating itself for.
C-C-Chifuyu-kun!?!
On the side with the two males who noticed the girls from the distance, Takemichi brightened up at the sight of his pretty girlfriend Hina, while Chifuyu was also the same with (Y/N), as soon as he caught sight of that familiar soft pink locks and downturned baby blue eyes, (Y/N) is the only girl who could sport such cute and pretty look.
"Good morning, Hina!"
"Good morning, Takemichi-kun~"
As Takemichi went to Hina and immediately complain about how Chifuyu was ranting to him nonstop with Hina trying to comfort her boyfriend, Chifuyu had went to (Y/N)'s side, immediately smiling down at her as he greeted her good morning. "Good morning, (Y/N)-chan." He greeted a little bit too enthusiastically, his enthusiasm making (Y/N)'s heart to skip a beat, after knowing and realizing it clearly how Chifuyu was happy to see her, first thing in the morning.
"G-Good morning, Chifuyu-kun. ."
And yet again, there was this soft and sweet atmosphere around (Y/N) and Chifuyu; as the said blond-haired male was smiling down at (Y/N) while they're walking and him, initiating the conversation, with (Y/N) who would respond to him with a small smile and that cute blush that seemed to have permanently painted her cheeks.
This time, the witnesses to this kind of heartwarming sight were their best friends, Hina and Takemichi, the couple of the group. While Takemichi was smiling at the sight before him (and had already forgiven Chifuyu, for chatting his ear off and ranted his whole feelings for (Y/N) to him), Hina had this soft blush covering her cheeks, as she watched how Chifuyu would smile so tenderly at her and how he would playfully poke (Y/N)'s cheek and pat her head. In her vision, they appear like a cute couple who wouldn't stop admiring each other, judging from the looks in their eyes.
"T-Takemichi-kun, does Chifuyu-kun always. . do that to (Y/N)-chan?" As Hina asked her boyfriend about what she was seeing, it was clear that she also noticed the things Chifuyu would do to (Y/N); his actions that not a friend would do. Her suspicions had started ever since Chifuyu did such a bold stunt of laying his head on (Y/N)'s shoulder when she treated his wounds last time.
Of course, being Chifuyu's wingman, best friend, and partner, Takemichi knew everything that his partner had ranted out to him. Smiling a little bit mischievously while looking at Chifuyu's back, Takemichi began telling Hina everything that Chifuyu had ranted out to him; on the other side, Takemichi's complaint about Chifuyu ranting out to him and taking away his time from being with Hina had melted away.
As Hina heard everything from Takemichi, a big smile accompanied by that delightful blush took over her face as she gasped softly to herself. "Really!?" Receiving Takemichi's confirmation, Hina then turned away to gaze at (Y/N)'s back, a mischievous smile taking over her face as she thought to herself.
I'll tell this to Emma-chan and Yuzuha-chan!
~
It's time.
It's now the fateful moment when you have to perform in front of your classmates once again. The moment for you to perform your final project performance with Matsuno Chifuyu, your partner.
Here you are, seated on your seat with Chifuyu seated on the seat beside yours; prior to this, Horie-sensei had made everyone to sit with their partners, so while some other groups were performing in front, the rest could have their short practice and final chance to talk about the flow of her performance.
In your case, even if you are already finished with the planning and how to execute the project through performance, nervousness and anxiety over speaking in front of other people is overwhelming your whole being right now.
Oh gosh, oh gosh, oh gosh—I'm getting nervous. . !! Not to mention. . Chifuyu-kun is my partner. . AHHHHH how could I manage to pass this. . !? And you were focused on trying to make yourself calm down; from your nervousness and also from how your heart will once again, beat out its rhythm once you performed the role play in front of your classmates with Chifuyu, that you didn't noticed how Chifuyu was looking at you worriedly; he could hear you muttering to yourself and it's just worrying him that you might not be able to perform in front very well. Especially, to how Horie-sensei is very strict.
"(Y/N)-chan—"
"Next, Matsuno-kun and Sakisaka-san."
You almost froze and turned yourself into a stone when Horie-sensei called you and Chifuyu, as it was now your turn to perform your final project. But just a single tap on your shoulder from Chifuyu brought you back to reality. "Let's go, (Y/N)-chan." He smiles, carrying a guitar with its red strap hanging around his shoulder as he smiled at you reassuringly.
Once again, you almost malfunctioned yourself from his smile, if not to the fact that you're going to perform now. Throwing away those feelings for a while, you nodded stiffly, standing up from your seat and followed Chifuyu from behind, the said blond-haired male who was making his way in front of the class, his grip on the guitar tightening so as the beating of his heart fastening its pace. Chifuyu thought it was just nervousness, but it was more to what he's about to do right now.
Ah, right, the guitar? Well you see, Chifuyu thought of singing, yes, singing, as a form of asking someone out to be his girlfriend. Since his topic alongside yours is contemporary romance, all kinds of techniques in order to confess one's love to another. And singing a song is only one of the many techniques to make a girl fall in love in a heartbeat.
"—Just tell us what kind of romance you two are about to discuss and you can start performing." Horie-sensei clarified, her posture and her gaze stern and serious as ever that it will make one to feel nervous down to the core of their soul.
Once you two reached in front of the class with your classmates awaiting with anticipation to what you are going to show them, Chifuyu smoothly leaned down near your ear, just as you were about to state your opening remarks of your performance; this, however, not only caused you to feel shocked at his once again bold move, but your classmates as well— they couldn't believe their eyes that Matsuno Chifuyu, that guy who is Toman's 1st Division Vice-Captain who has no interest in dating and love, is making a move with the oh-so cute classmate of theirs, you, Sakisaka (Y/N).
"Just follow my lead."
You were confused to what is he planning now; you looked at him and the guitar on his possession. From what you know, you two decided to perform the usual and cliché type of confession one's love to another—which is through giving a love letter and then confessing their love for them. And now, he's carrying a guitar which makes you think if Chifuyu instead had added something to your performance.
At Chifuyu's side, the said male himself was looking at the guitar on his possession, the guitar that was hanging across his shoulders, with a somewhat nervous look on his face; it was just supposed to be a very simple and heartfelt confession with the use of love letter and confrontational confession, but when he told Takemichi about your project performance, Takemichi apparently thought that it'd be a good idea for him to sing a love song to (Y/N) to make things better. The Matsuno himself didn't understand what Takemichi meant by that, but Chifuyu thought it is a good idea, considering that singing a love song is another way of confessing one's love someone.
And what Chifuyu himself didn't know is that it was Baji, who thought of this as a very good idea to make you and Chifuyu closer; he just had Takemichi deliver the idea to his partner, as Takemichi acts as the informant of the Chifuyu x (Y/N) Fanclub. And it's his job to gather information from Chifuyu himself without him knowing.
Anyways, pushing the unnecessary thoughts at the back of his mind, Chifuyu proceed to snap back to reality and cleared his throat to start, when his teal orbs slid to where you are standing, and his eyebrows furrowed together at the sight of you, looking all nervous and anxious. And so, he decided to do something.
You were starting to be calm few moments ago, until countless negative and pessimistic thoughts began overwhelming you once again; thinking of the what ifs about this performance and what will Chifuyu and a lot more thoughts that has been flooding your mind for the entire time. And now, you were starting to feel your nerves acting up and the greatest height of nervousness and anxiousness combined into one.
I'm going to screw up. . then Chifuyu-kun's going to get mad with me. . and we wouldn't be friends anymore. . and. . and— I wouldn't have the chance to be with him anymore—
BA-DUMP!!
BA-DUMP!!
And everything seemed to stopped as soon as you realized the very situation you're in.
Your baby blue eyes widening at the sight of Chifuyu's face leaning dangerously close to your face that is starting to heat up; he had both of his hands cupping the sides of your face while his forehead was leaning against your forehead. This very intimate position allowed you to caught whiff of his scent of vanilla and mint that made you feel butterflies swarming inside your stomach and to yet again, feel the greatest height and level of warmth you have ever felt.
!!? AHSAHWEUEUH—he's doing it again, he's doing it again!!
Just as you were again, about to malfunction at Chifuyu's another bold move, Chifuyu still had the audacity to smile gently at you as he whispered to you with an equally gentle and soft tone, words of reassurance that had immediately calmed your fast beating heart down; it supposed to beat harder and faster at this situation, but it seems your heart had finally come to accept Chifuyu's affectionate actions.
"It's alright, okay? I'm here."
And today, for the very first time, the class of 1B had witnessed a gradually blooming love story that will for sure, bloom beautifully as the circle of seasons pass by.
♡
Happy Holidays!
I present to you, this
fluff-filled and so sweet
chapter that will satisfy
everyone's desire for a
very happy ending!
Advance Happy New Year as well!
This is my present to you all!
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