Students spilled into the courtyards in noisy groups, chatting about homework and club activities.
Yuu was halfway through saying goodbye to Ace and Deuce when someone approached.
"Um... Yuu?"
Yuu turned.
"Oh? Hi."
It was a second-year from another dorm. They shifted nervously, clutching a neatly wrapped box of chocolates. "I... could we talk? Somewhere private?"
Ace's grin appeared instantly.
"Oho?"
Deuce elbowed him. "Don't make it weird."
"I'm not making it weird!"
"You literally said 'oho.'"
---
Unfortunately...Someone else had heard.
Sebek.
He had merely been walking past.
He told himself that was all.
Then he heard:
"...I'd like to talk somewhere private."
His footsteps stopped.
Private?
Why private?
His mind immediately began producing increasingly absurd possibilities.
Perhaps they need help with homework.
...No, then why the chocolates?
Perhaps...
His eyes drifted to the gift box.
"..."
"..."
Oh.
---
Yuu smiled politely.
"Sure."
The two walked toward one of the quieter gardens.
Sebek remained rooted to the spot.
Ace looked at him.
"...You okay?"
"..."
"...I..."
He swallowed.
"...No."
---
Five minutes later.
Ace, Deuce, Epel, Grim...
...and Sebek...
...were absolutely not hiding behind a hedge.
"We're spying," Grim whispered.
"We are not spying," Deuce whispered back.
"We're...making sure Yuu's safe."
Ace raised an eyebrow "...Behind a bush?"
"...Strategically."
---
In the garden...The second-year took a deep breath.
"I've liked you for a while."
Yuu's eyes widened. "Oh..."
"I know this is sudden."
"I just... wanted to tell you."
They held out the chocolates. "I really like you."
---
Behind the hedge—Ace slowly looked at Sebek. Deuce, Jack, and Epel followed.
Sebek looked...
Like someone had just informed him the sun had exploded.
His face had gone completely blank.
His hands were clenched so tightly his gloves creaked.
"...Sebek," Deuce whispered.
No response. "...Sebek?"
Still nothing.
---
Back in the garden...
Yuu accepted the chocolates carefully.
"...Thank you."
The second-year smiled hopefully.
"But..."
Yuu's expression became apologetic.
"I'm really flattered.,"
"...But I don't feel the same way."
The smile faltered.
"I... figured that might be the case."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay."
There was an awkward silence before the second-year laughed softly.
"I hope we can still be friends."
"I'd like that."
They exchanged one last smile before the second-year walked away.
---
The bush erupted.
"I TOLD YOU THEY'D SAY NO!" Grim whispered far too loudly.
"Shh!" Deuce hissed.
Ace let out a long breath.
"...Well."
Epel looked toward Sebek.
"...Sebek?"
Nothing.
He was still staring at the place where Yuu had been standing.
"..."
"...They..."
His voice was barely audible.
"...turned them down."
---
Yuu noticed the very suspicious hedge.
"...Guys?"
Five heads slowly emerged.
"...Hi," Ace said.
"Were you all hiding behind a bush?"
"No."
"We absolutely were," Grim admitted.
Deuce buried his face in his hands.
---
Yuu sighed, trying not to laugh.
"You all heard?"
Ace rubbed the back of his neck.
"Yeah."
"I'm sorry." Yuu chuckled sadly.
"What're you apologizing for?" Epel asked.
"It must've been awkward."
"It looked awkward," Ace agreed.
---
Yuu's gaze drifted to Sebek. "...Sebek?"
He finally looked up. "...Are you..."
He hesitated. "...Well?"
Sebek answered honestly. "I was afraid."
Yuu blinked.
"Afraid?"
"That you would accept..."
Silence.
Ace's eyes slowly widened.
Deuce's mouth fell open.
Grim looked between them.
"DUDE."
Sebek realized what he'd admitted.
His ears turned scarlet.
"I..."
He immediately turned on his heel.
"I MUST GO."
He marched away at incredible speed.
"Sebek!" Yuu called.
He walked faster.
"He is running," Ace observed.
"He insists he's marching," Epel corrected.
---
That evening, there was a knock on Ramshackle's door.
Yuu opened it.
Sebek stood outside.
Holding a small paper bag.
"...Hello."
"Hi."
"...I behaved...poorly today."
"I don't think you did."
"I allowed my emotions to cloud my judgment."
Yuu waited patiently.
Sebek held out the bag. "...Honey buns."
Yuu smiled. "You bought these for me?"
"...Yes."
"...Why?"
Sebek looked down for a long moment.
"..."
"...Because..."
His voice became very quiet.
"...I was relieved."
Yuu understood immediately.
They accepted the bag.
"...Would you like to come inside and share them?"
Sebek looked up.
"...With you?"
"With me."
A smile—small, genuine, and unmistakably happy—appeared on his face."...I would like that very much."
As the two disappeared into Ramshackle together, Grim watched from the sofa as they entered. "...He's got absolutely no chance of hiding that crush anymore."
Yuu only smiled to themself as Sebek carefully split one honey bun exactly in half, insisting they should have the larger piece. Neither of them mentioned the confession again that night—but the quiet relief lingering in Sebek's eyes said more than words ever could.
A/N: guys....7/8...SO SPOOKYYYY AAAHHHHHH OMG OMG OMG, THANK YOU ALL FOR TUNING IN SEBEK ZIGVOLT X READER OPERATION L-O-V-E!!!!
