That day Suguru didn’t attend classes. He had been intercepted at the hall by Yaga-sensei and sent off on an urgent mission. Out of the two strongest boys, he was definitely the one who would have the least issues catching up on school work, and would actually do so out of his own volition.
However, all this meant that the small box in his pocket suddenly weighted heavier. Hands in his pockets, he absentmindedly fiddled with one of the ends of the ribbon holding the lid in place.
Looking past his teacher, he caught sight of auburn strands disappearing into their classroom. The girl he was hoping to see. Suguru opened his mouth to call out to her, but hesitated and closed his lips instead, looking back at the taller man in front of him. He nodded, and set off to fulfill his new duty.
It took much, much longer than anticipated, and it wasn’t until later that night that he got back, sweaty, roughed up. His neat top knot lower in his nape with strands of silky dark sticking out unruly.
Walking back to his dorm with limbs heavy and aching, Suguru had nearly forgotten what he had meant to do in the morning. As he walked past the lit kitchen, he took a double take and a quick step back to look into it at the sight of Shoko by the counter.
« There she is, » he said as he approached, as thought it hadn’t been him the one that was away.
They exchanged a few words, and the taller boy accepted a cup of tea from her when offered.
« By the way, » he said after finishing his hot drink, feeling revitalised. He produced a small box from his pocket - sadly it didn’t look as pretty as it did before the day started. Dented, to say the least.
And he was bashful when he handed it over, because he had wished he could give her something pretty without any traces of their reality. That had been too much to hope for. At least the contents were unscathed, fine silver bracelet sitting inside it for her to discover later.
« Happy birthday, Shoko. »
@digenvez 💕