Raucous laughter it's heard through the whole yard. Unmistakable. It belongs to the Gojo Satoru (the loudest) and company.
You whip your head towards the noise, and he is indeed there with his friends, all of them scattered on the grass. Somebody must've said something hilarious because even the blonde one is smiling.
The sound is so comical and contagious that you have to look away before you start laughing too. You opt to busy yourself with your lunch as you wait for your friend to return from the restroom.
"Were you enjoying the view?"
That voice. Soothing and slightly teasing but not in a mean way. You got to hear it up close while working on a school project with its owner, and you still do on the occasional greetings.
"Geto?"
"Mhm." he eyes the spot next to you on the concrete. "Can I sit?"
You move your friend's belongings closer to you to leave more space for him, even though there's plenty. He takes this as a yes and sits with you comfortably.
"So, you were staring at Satoru again."
"No, I wasn't." The fruit in front of you suddenly becomes very interesting.
"You were, I saw you."
"Everybody was looking. You guys aren't exactly quiet."
"Fair enough. But you were looking harder."
You threaten to throw a grape at him before putting it in your mouth, which earns you a chuckle from him. "Did you just come here to bother me?"
"Partly," he is focused on his group of friends in the distance, "I was thinking of something. How about I set you up on a date with Satoru?"
You gasp like the idea is scandalous, and end up choking a little in the process. Geto rubs a gentle hand on your back until you recover from the coughing fit. "Please, stop thinking."
"I'm just saying. Satoru is my best friend, you are someone who I've come to appreciate. I figure I could do you both a favor."
Your head says no in a painfully slow motion.
"It occurred to me," he continues, "we could try a double date? Would your friend be interested? If not, it's fine, it'd be just you and Satoru."
You blink. "Wait, you like my friend?"
He shrugs. It's not a 'no'.
That's changes everything. A date with Gojo is unthinkable for a number of reasons, you'd never dare to agree to it. However, if there's something in game for Geto and your friend, you can't just selfishly decline.
"I could ask her."
He hums. "Are you sure? It was just a silly suggestion. I wouldn't like any of you being uncomfortable."
"No! I mean, it's a bit surreal but I guess it'll be fun."
There's the pleasant sound of his laugh. "Don't tell her it's a date. I won't tell Satoru either. It feels more natural that way."
"Got it."
He stands on his feet and brushes the dust off his uniform pants. "I'll text you to plan the details."
"Don't you need my number for that?"
"I already have it." He's leaving by now but turns his head just to give you a smile. "It's on our class group chat."
Your friend is back not much later and sits where Geto was a few moments ago.
"What did I miss?"
-
Geto and you decided to go to a place where you could chat and get something to eat. When you and your friend arrive, the boys are already there. Geto calls your name the second he spots you, acting like he is surprised to see you there.
"What a coincidence." He lies.
"You're here for the milkshakes too?" Gojo excitedly points behind him where his sweet treat is being prepared.
"Yes-"
"We should try a weird flavor this time." Your friend tugs at your arm.
"Hey, why don't you sit with us? The more the merrier." Gojo is the one to propose, to Geto's relief. "You think the others would like to come?"
-
Shoko, Nanami and Haibara join you in no time. You all seem to adjust well as the conversation gets interesting. It goes to show that you're not all that different from each other. Your friend takes a sip of her milkshake and lets out a low 'yuck' right after.
"What?" You poke her cheek.
"It's terrible."
You offer her your own milkshake and she gratefully accepts it to get rid of the foul taste. You venture to drink hers, despite her warning. And it's a mistake. Your face twists on your first and last try.
"Too bad?" Geto's question would've got lost in the background banter if he wasn't sitting right across from you.
You nod.
Just like you did with your friend, he pushes his drink towards you. "Wash it down."
On a different occasion you would hesitate but in this case you prefer to make the most of his kindness. One sip immediately makes it better.
"Thank you." You give his drink back, alleviated because the bitterness on your tongue is gone, and because he no longer has to keep his attentive gaze on you.
Geto brings the infamous milkshake close to his nose. His face doesn't contort like yours did, but his eyes narrow.
"I'm getting you a new one."
"Geto!" You slap your hand on top of his the moment you see he's about to stand up, but remove it right away like it burns.
"It's Suguru." He corrects with the faintest of smirks.
"Sorry... Suguru. I... no, thank you, I can buy it myself but I don't need another one, really."
"What if I want to treat you? It's either that or we share mine." He tilts his head. "I don't mind any."
It seems like he means it. You look to your side where your friend is and then back at him. And it clicks. He should've told that to her but he's most likely pretending to pay more attention to you to get her to notice and make her realize she wants that attention for herself or something like that. It makes a little bit of sense. You can help with that, although sharing drinks would be too intimate and that might complicate things for him. The other option it is.
"Cookies and cream." You wink at him now that you understand his plan.
He winks back. "I'll be right back."
-
You mention your friend at any given chance. When somebody talks about sports you brag she was a cheerleader in middle school. When somebody talks about videogames, you brag she always wins first place in mario kart. When somebody talks about Suguru's hair, you brag she's so good with french braids.
"Aw, really? I love braids but mine is too short." Shoko laments, holding a strand of hair between her fingers.
"No, it's totally doable!" Your friend says. "Want me to try?"
"Sure."
"What about you?" Suguru asks you. "Can you do that too?"
"She's taught me a little, but I'm nowhere near her level."
"Sounds like you need practice. My hair is available for that, you just have to promise to be very careful."
"That's the problem," your friend complains, "her braids are too loose because she's too careful."
"Works for me." Suguru assures.
You feel like you're about to stutter out a reply, luckily, Gojo speaks next.
"You guys can be our stylists! For our rock band."
"You have a rock band?" Your friend is as surprised as you.
"No." Everybody answers slightly out of sync.
"It's in the making." Gojo defends.
"Does that mean you all play instruments and such?" Curiosity is evident in your tone.
"I'm going to be the manager," Shoko shrugs, "so I don't have to worry about that."
"Thought you were going to say vocalist for a moment there." Suguru breaths out like he's relieved, while the others struggle to stifle a laugh.
Unimpressed, Shoko sends a fry in Suguru's direction, but Gojo catches it with his mouth before it reaches its target.
"You guys are so mean." You shake your head. "Shoko has a nice speaking voice, I bet she can sing."
"Thank you!"
"Well, the problem isn't her voice..." Haibara rubs his nape.
"It's the lack of skill." Gojo is tactless as expected.
"She'd be skilled as a manager," Nanami advocates for her, "that's what matters."
"Unfortunately they're right, but my passion makes up for the 'lack of skill'" Shoko quotes in a mocking voice.
"You could be a rapper, then." Suguru suggests after being the one starting this mess.
"And you could be the lyricist!" Your friend points at you.
"Oh?" Suguru raises his eyebrows. "Is that your thing? Are you our generation's poet?"
"No at all, I'm just good with rhymes for some reason."
"Well, I am talented poet," Gojo butts in, "so you'll have to send your lyrics to me and see if they get my approval."
"Of course not. I'm sending them to the manager."
"Write the best lines for me, please." Shoko plays along.
The discussion continues. They're trying to decide who plays what. Gojo claims the guitar, Nanami is debating whether they should include a keyboard, Haibara is indecisive. But nobody is talking about an integral part of their imaginary band, so you have to do it yourself.
"What will Suguru do?"
Gojo puts an arm around his best friend's shoulder, "Suguru and I are the visuals."
"I can see it," your friend comments, still fixed on Shoko's hair, "but honestly everyone on this table is pretty good looking."
Disaster arises once more. Shoko is flattered, Haibara blushes, Gojo says they have the face but not the attitude, Nanami argues their personalities are good enough. Meanwhile, Suguru is staring at you, with his chin resting on his palm.
"So? Any instrument you want to play?" You ask him, ignoring whatever is happening with the others.
"Mhm, the recorder."
You snort.
-
The group is even more chaotic in the arcade. All of you show off your abilities in some games and make a fool of yourselves in others. It's all fun, regardless.
You press every button available in a desperate attempt to beat your friend's character on the screen. Sadly, she's faster and soon your character is knocked down on the ground. She celebrates while you sulk.
From your peripheral you see the person you were thinking about.
"Suguru!" You call as you wave your arm.
When he makes it to where you are, you give him your place.
"I believe my friend needs a worthy opponent and I'm not it. You should play together."
"Or I could help you." He offers. "I can tell you how to play."
"That's cheating!" Your friend whines.
He does some quick arm stretches for intimidation purposes, maybe. "Fine, I'll do it, but watch closely." That was directed at you.
The battle starts. At first you were convinced he was going to let your friend win, but he's not going easy on her. She curses here and there, he snickers and says something back. The game ends with Suguru's victory.
"Were you watching?"
"We're not done yet." Your friend gives him a piercing look. "Let's play another round."
He accepts.
You leave in the middle of the rematch. Now it's up to those two to make it work.
-
Suguru's first mission is to find Haibara and give him the two coins he's been saving for him, behind Nanami's back. The second one is to find you.
He's not surprised to see Haibara in the ufo catchers area. What he didn't expect, though, was seeing you there as well, practically hugging the machine his friend is using as you guide him.
"There."
Haibara listens to you and presses the button. The claw moves, it grabs the item he so much wants, it comes closer, you're feeling optimistic, and... it falls before making it to the prize chute.
He sighs disappointed. "So close."
"I'm sorry, that was my last coin. But at least you're getting better at this."
"Thanks-"
"I have two." Suguru is behind you. You didn't even notice when he got here. "Though Nanami won't be happy about it."
Haibara initially refuses, telling Suguru to spend the coins on something else, but eventually gives in and tries again.
Suguru stands on the other side of the machine. Now you're both guiding the youbger boy. This attempt is better than the last one, still, it's not enough. It goes the same way with the next one. However, there's not time to grieve.
"I knew you'd be here." You and Haibara get startled by Nanami's sudden presence. "Thought you wanted to quit your addiction."
"I'm not addicted! I just want to win once, I can't let it beat me."
Nanami frowns at that, but after some thought, he reaches his pocket and hands Haibara a coin. "It's not healthy to get obsessed over these things, they're up to not good, they steal from you. That's why you're getting just one coin from me. If it doesn't work, know that you tried your best and move on."
Haibara nods more determined than ever. He goes for it one last time. His eyes are focused as he maneuvers the claw, the tension is palpable. You notice Nanami clenching his jaw. He's more invested than he would admit.
"Why are you partying without us-"
Nanami turns around to shush Gojo who just arrived with Shoko and your friend.
Haibara blows out some air and presses the button, this is it. The claw descends at an almost flawless angle. It grips the prize like before, it moves, looks like it cannot hold it for much longer. Everybody waits with bated breath. The toy sways up there in the air and then it falls, right into the prize chute. You all erupt in claps and cheers and congratulate Haibara like this is a life changing event.
-
The whole crew heads to the subway station, ready to go home after spending a fun day with little worries.
"You barely talked to Satoru." At some point, Suguru and you end up walking side by side. Perfect opportunity for him to touch on the subject without the others listening.
"I talked to everybody. They're so cool by the way."
"Yes, but I imagined you'd be over the moon with Satoru around, stick by his side the entire day. Maybe you would bat your eyelashes at him..."
You puff out your cheeks to stop you from grinning. "You did not imagine all that. And I could tell you the same thing."
"It's not me who's always stealing glances his way, or getting flustered whenever he's near."
"I don't..."
"You really do. It's because of him, right?Because you like him. Or am I wrong?"
It's the way he phrases it, the way he emphasizes the last question, that finally makes you realize what's going on. He's known the truth all along. And you're so gullible for believing you could hide it from him of all people.
Suguru is just there watching you with that calm expression of his, patiently waiting for your answer.
"Yes." You admit.
"Yes what?"
"You're wrong."
"And why is that?"
"Because..." you waver, "I don't like him, I like you."
Silence settles between you two, but his eyes never leave you.
"I was hoping so."
A frown appears on your face. "That's not fair. You want to date my friend but also want me to like you?"
"You're pretty observant except when it comes to me. I'm a little wounded." It's a lighthearted comment, you can tell by the small curve of his lips.
"You're impossible to read, you know that, right?" You give him a timid push with your elbow. "Tell me, what am I not seeing?"
His gaze is even softer now, it traces every corner of your face, until he speaks again. "That I like you. And I want to date you."
Your chest tightens at that, you feel goosebumps, your body tenses, you get your hopes up against your will. Your brain is plagued with many questions, or none, or one: what was the meaning of today's 'date'? And apparently he knows what's on your mind, because he gives you an easy explanation.
"I thought it'd be easier for you to accept going out if other people were involved."
"...I see." Since the confession is out there, you might as well keep telling him how you feel. "I would've said yes... you know, if you had ask me out."
"Is that so?" He chuckles. It's a sound between contentment and regret. "I wasn't so sure about that. Guess I was nervous."
"Nervous? I'm sorry but that's hard to believe. You always look so composed and confident."
He stops walking and you do the same as soon as you notice.
"Suguru?"
"Would you lend me your hand?"
You don't leave him hanging. You put your hand on his inviting one. He holds it gently as he takes a step forward to close the distance between you. Then he places your hand over his chest and you can feel it: his racing heart.
Your other hand goes to your chest to compare your heartbeats, in the chance that counts as a reliable way of measuring feelings.
Suguru can't help but smile, being aware of your reasoning. "Are we on the same page?"
"Do you... really like me?"
"Very much." He lowers your hand without letting go. The city noise, the voices of your friends, become quiet in your ears. You're too busy staring at each other.
"Let me take out. What do you say? Just us two." His grip on your hand tightens for a brief moment, like he needed to do it to steady himself.
"Okay."
Suguru throws his head back and his shoulders vibrate with a silent laugh. He's thankful you haven't changed your mind about him but your simple 'okay' after all the tension is too humorous at the moment.
"Sorry, I'm nervous too." You confess not being able to hide your own enjoyment.
"No, no, it's perfect. I wanted to hear that."
"On one condition, though."
"Oh?" He can already sense the unseriousness of your request. "Let's hear it."
"Play the recorder for me."
"Would that make you fall helplessly in love with me?"
"Yes, I think so."
"Looks like I have no option. Be ready to listen to the same two songs on repeat."
You both resume your walking, hand in hand. Neither of you are in a rush to catch up with the others.
