Was it just him or were there some thorns in her words there? …Just a bit? Nevertheless…
"Well, it’s your own fault, you know?" Sitting lightly in his seat, ready to carry on with his usual daily minimum of sharp insults, Shintaro glances at Ayano who had fallen silent. Noticing the way she had her head turned, harsh words become stuck dead in his throat unable to flow from his mouth.
"Er…"
Shintaro couldn’t see her face but something told him the girl was feeling sad about something. It couldn’t have been that comment about not getting his hopes up too much around her, could it? Compared to Shintaro’s usual rude comments, he felt that one rather lacked punch. And then again, this person wasn’t exactly normal. Not to mention that as of recent their friendship, er- relationship(?) had changed drastically. Not on the surface, of course. At least to him, though he didn’t show it.
"Umm…"
Unsure of what to do or say next, the boy immediately started trying to reason it all his head. When even the most reliable and logical side of his brilliant mind failed to yield satisfactory explanations, he had all but completely given up. At the very least he could try to cheer her up, even without completely understanding the reason for Ayano’s melancholy. He certainly wasn’t as good at her when it came to cheering someone up though. However, if there was one thing Shintaro knew that Ayano would at the very least appreciate any effort he made no matter how small.
Gathering his courage the young male slid across the couch, inching closer to the girl stealthily. Repeating the phrase ‘It’s not an issue, it’s not an issue, it’s not an issue,’ repeatedly in his mind like some sort of survival mantra he slowly wraps his arms around Ayano’s frame and pulls her into a tight embrace from behind.
"S, Sorry… I’ll eat whatever you make for me so cheer up a little, alright?"
She immediately went still at the hug.
Brown eyes widened as the pale cheeks began flushing into a deep red, her lips half parting in surprise. She hadn’t expected her plan to turn a different way than what she had thought. Not moving a single inch from her seat, she tried to take quiet breaths to stop her racing heart and shaky breaths. But what only got out of her lips was a quiet whisper of the boy’s name.
“Shin-Shintaro…?”
Too close. Too close. Too close. Too close. He was too close!
Ayano bite her lower lip as she tried to stay still since he was almost touching her neck and her scarf for once wasn't helping the situation. Since... since when the room had gotten this hot?! She could feel how her legs were trembling and she had to be careful to not move her neck or his lips would brush against her skin. She was ticklish! She was sure he knew that! Oh, wait, he didn't. Ayano wanted to hide herself in her scarf.
And though it was nice and all that, they weren't... well, dating. It had been only one kiss and a quiet confession but Shintaro didn't seem to acknowledge it. He was still the same person as before she had even got the courage to tell him how she felt. In the end, that kiss was the only thing she would have, right? The girl almost smiled sadly to herself until she remembered her current position. Taking a deep breath, she hesitated for a few seconds before she turned around and gave a kind, gentle —fake, fake, fake— smile to Shintaro.
“You can let go of me, I'm not mad.”
Lying was becoming difficult. Specially since her cheeks were burning and her entire body was shaking all because he was pressing his body against her back. And this time, she was sure he saw through her lie because nothing changed and she felt how her chest continued racing, almost trying to cause her pain. Being this close reminded her of the kiss, and while she didn't want to remember that...
Brown eyes disappeared behind her eyelids as she took his lips on hers, her entire body turned around in the hug, letting her delicate hands to rest on his chest to support her gesture.
