#bakatouga
“If you’re going to fuss about it all week, just get it over with already.” Tokino peeked above the chemistry book he was reading and gave Konoe a half-hearted glare. “Really, it’s beginning to be depressing to watch at this point.”
Konoe gave out a whine in response and draped himself over the library’s table. The motion knocked half of their text books over. Asato gave a startled huff and pulled away, shifting to face the other table. Konoe gave off a quiet mumble of apology to Asato before turning to frown over at Tokino. “It’s not that easy Tokino! He’s going to say no, and you know it.”
“Let him say no. I’ll go with Konoe,” Asato peeked over.
“Asato!” Konoe turned his pout onto the other. “It’s not the same! Going to the winter festival with a friend…. That’s lame!”
“Gee, thanks Konoe.” Tokino gave Asato a pat on the shoulder before picking up his book once again. “Anyway, if you’re just going to whine about Rai all day, then go somewhere else. Leaks’ midterm is tomorrow!”
“Tokino, you studied all yesterday…”
“Leaks is scary. I’d hate to have to stay for extra help… Your father’s play was bad enough!”
“Ah, Leaks isn’t so bad.”
“You’ve been around your father too much.”“No, really. He’s only a little scary.”
Tokino let out a loud sigh and threw his hands up. “Either way, I have to study and you need to stop moping and go ask Rai to go with you.”
“Konoe doesn’t.”
“Quiet, Asato. I’m trying to encourage him.”“If Konoe doesn’t want to, Konoe doesn’t have to.”
At that, Konoe sighed loudly and sat back up. “Tokino’s right. If I’m going to be rejected, then it’s better to get it over with now.”
“That’s not exactly what I said, but sure.”
He stood in a rush and practically knocked the whole table over as he dashed towards the library’s exit.
“Ah, it’s no use.” Konoe sat back against the school’s outer wall with a loud sigh. He had been following Rai around as he ‘patrolled’ the grounds as the student president for a while, but he just couldn’t find a chance to speak with the older boy. Perhaps he should go back to the library and study with his friends. Leaks tests were hard, and even though he’d studied last night it wouldn’t hurt to look over the information once more.
At the sound of a throat clearing behind him, Konoe scrambled to his feet. Behind him stood Rai, a hard scowl on his face. Konoe tensed and turned to face him with a deep gulp. “Ah, R-Rai…! What are you doing here—?”
“Don’t follow me. It’s annoying.”
Konoe froze, his heart sinking. He knew this had been a bad idea. “Right, sorry.”
“If you have something you want, say it.” Rai looked away then, his frown softening ever so slightly.
“… Right.” Rai must have been able to tell what Konoe had been up to. He could back off and live his life in shame, or man up and get it over with. That way Rai would at least respect him a little. Maybe. Konoe took a deep breath and squared his shoulders before turning to meet Rai’s eyes. If he was to be rejected, then so be it. At least he could be proud of his efforts. “Um, Rai… will you, come with me to the winter festival?”
“Fine,” Rai replied without missing a beat.
“I mean, it’s okay if you don’t want to. Or, if you just want to as friends. Or, if you’re already going with someone else. I know you and Mana have been working together a lot lately.”
“Did you even listen?”
“I understand that you are busy. I should be going; Father wants me to help out with cleaning his classroom this evening.”
“Idiot!” Rai snapped, cutting Konoe’s sputtering off. “Listen when you ask someone something, stupid cat!”
“Ah, sorry?”
Rai sighed loudly and turned to scowl at him. “I said fine.”
“Fine?”
Rai’s scowl hardened. “To your request, idiot.”
“… you mean, the winter festival….?”
Rai turned away once more, his scowl tight. “That’s what I said, isn’t it?” Konoe stared with wide eyes as Rai briskly started back towards the main building of the school. “Meet me here. Make sure to not be late, idiot.”
A wide smile pulled at Konoe’s face before he quickly waved after him. “Okay!”
Maybe Tokino’s advice wasn’t so bad after all.
Hello@bakatouga! Sorry it’s a tiny bit late! Here’s your gift! It’s a little simple, but I hope you like it! If you haven’t gotten the chance to listen to the Gakuen drama cd this is based off of, please give it a listen! It’s very fun! Merry Christmas!
