Link to AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/31899745/chapters/78990139
@naekawa-week
Things had been pretty rough for Touko-chan these past few days. She had been pushing herself a lot harder than usual, working very late into the night trying to juggle her upcoming class assignments and her newest novel. It was deadline after deadline after deadline, she complained to Naegi, during one of the rare five-minute breaks she allowed herself. And it was plain to see the physical toll her recent labours had on her.
There were bags under her eyes, which themselves were red and puffy. Her braids were carelessly done on some mornings; lopsided and uneven. She was slow to respond to questions, conversation. Even when she was around Naegi, where Touko-chan’s mood never failed to brighten considerably, she was… listless. On the constant verge of nodding off.
Had it not been for all this, perhaps she might have responded a little faster when that volleyball came flying for her skull.
It happened during Gym class. Naegi had been preoccupied with his own activities when he heard a loud Bonk! somewhere close by, followed by several cries of shock. He was bolting over frantically when he saw who it was lying unconscious on the floor.
His mind was a whirlwind of panic the whole time he was carrying her to the Nurse’s office. It got worse when he saw the room was empty. He had hoped that their schoolmate Tsumiki-san would be here at least; she would have known what to do. The best he could think of was to lie Touko-chan down on one of the beds, and put an ice pack to the distressingly large bump on her head.
Please be okay, he pleaded silently. Please be okay…
Thankfully, it didn’t take long for her to stir. Touko-chan wasn’t there when she woke up, however.
“Ma-kun!” Syo chimed, grinning broadly. “It’s so good to see you! It’s been a while hasn’t it- Ow, what is up with my noggin??”
Releasing a huge sigh of relief, Naegi pulled her into a hug. “Oh, thank god,” he said, voice shaky. “I was so worried about you…”
There was a few seconds of quiet as Syo worked out what was going on. “Something happened to Miss Gloomy, I take it?”
“Yeah…” he nodded, placing the ice pack back on her bump, drawing a small wince from her. “Owari-san and Nekomaru-san were play-sparring during Gym and someone accidentally tossed a volleyball their way. Owari-san was doing a flying kick or something and ended up hitting it midair. Flew right into Touko-chan and knocked her out cold.”
“Oof,” she said. “No wonder I feel like hammered shit.”
“They helped me bring you here,” he continued. “I asked them to go get the Nurse. They should be back soon.”
With a smirk: “You mean you didn’t carry me here all by yourself? Boo! So unromantic!”
Both of them burst into giggles. As she had hoped, it made Ma-kun feel better.
“Lie back down,” he told her gently. “Don’t want to make your injury worse.”
Her expression became affectionate as she obeyed. “You’re such a sweetheart, Ma-kun. Getting so worried over Miss Gloomy and me.” Sliding a hand over his: “It really has been a while since I saw you, you know.”
“I know,” he gave her a little peck on the forehead. “I missed you too.”
Another few more seconds of quiet. Then: “Syo-chan, could you do me a favour?”
“Hmm?” She looked intrigued. “What sort of favour?”
“Touko-chan’s been overworking herself recently. I really think she could use a break, even if just for one day. I don’t know if the Nurse is gonna send her home, but if she doesn’t, could you cover over for Touko-chan just for today? At least until school ends?” Syo had gotten good at pretending to be Touko, a skill she picked up just in case Little Miss Gloomy happened to sneeze in front of someone other than her boyfriend.
She pouted. “Ugh, but Ma-kun! School is so boring! Why do you think I always ditch whenever I front?”
“Please?” Naegi clapped his hands together in an imploring gesture. “If you say yes, I’ll take you shopping for manga after school!” Almost immediately, she was tempted. He could tell from the look on her face.
“N-Nice try, Ma-kun, but you’re gonna need to offer a better deal if I have to stay in this dump!”
Crap. Desperate times called for desperate measures. He could hear his wallet scream as he made this next decision.
“I’ll buy you one of those adult BL visual novel games you like.”
That did it. The sparkle in her eye was blinding.
“Five visual novels.”
“Two visual novels.”
“Three!” She sat back up. “Take it or leave it!”
There goes my allowance for this month, he sighed. “Alright, deal.”
With that, she chirruped in delight, clapping happily like a child. It was almost worth saying yes just to see her like this. She put her arms around him.
“You big softie,” Syo said, nuzzling against him. “Always so good to Miss Gloomy and me.”
“Yeah, sure. Whatever…” He let out a chuckle. “Now put that tongue away, the Nurse is gonna be here any second.”
