The apocalypse had truly struck at Hope’s Peak Academy. This had never happened before in history: the worst, most tragic incident ever.
Kiyotaka was nowhere to be found in the cafe for their class study session.
“He’s ten minutes late, even Yasuhiro has shown up,” Byakuya clicked his tongue in a mix of confusion and disappointment. “Ah, no need to wait on him any longer,” he brought out his notes and began to discuss with Celestia over their study guide.
“Guys, I don’t think we should start without him. I mean, how many times is he actually late?” (Y/n) spoke up, covering Celestia’s notes with her hands. She pursed her lips with a slight tilt of her head to signal a nod.
“I suppose.” Byakuya closed his notes and furrowed his eyebrows as they waited about five minutes.
A rushed Taka walked into the cafe quickly, striding as wide as possible without technically running. He looked as all the seats appeared to be taken and pulled one up next to (Y/n) as she greeted him with a wave. He placed down his binder of notes as Leon groaned.
“Dude, I can’t pay attention that long,” he placed his hands over his head. Sayaka smiled and patted his head in humorous comfort.
“Did we cover this much information?” Celestia asked, resting her chin on her hands as Byakuya shook his head.
“It’s important that as students we study to the best of our abilities!”
“That’s the whole textbook. And the next!” Yasuhiro raised his voice in distress.
“I’ll study with Leon,” Byakuya began to make groups out of their English class, “Celesetia with (Y/n), and Taka with Yasuhiro.”
“Hold on!’ Taka stood up at the table. “Celestia should work with Yasuhiro.”
“What! Ah, uh,” Celestia’s hands covered her mouth quickly as she winced at her voice, “pardon me.
“And why’s that?” Byakuya asked.
“She would work with Yasuhiro much better. I-”
“What, you talk too smart for me?” Yasuhiro asked. “Well, so does Celestia,” he smirked.
“And (Y/n) would work with you, I assume?” Byakuya asked. Taka nodded promptly as Byakuya let out a smirk.
“Alright, alright. Celestia and Yasuhiro, Taka and (Y/n).” Byakuya nodded as Celestia bit her lip and rolled her eyes before turning to Yasuhiro. They split up in their groups to different tables, taking out their books and notes as they discussed The Scarlet Letter.
“Reverend Dimmesdale.” (Y/n) answered, staring into his eyes so he knew she wasn’t looking at the notes. “I don’t know how much I need help on this. I mean, I reread it at least three times.”
“Are you sure you don’t have any more questions?” (Y/n) swayed her head back and forth, biting her lower lip ever so slightly. Taka raised his eyebrow to show her to go on.
“So, I know it’s a more subjective question, but do you think Hester ever truly loved Chillingworth?”
“He stated that he felt no love.” Taka recited the line with a murmur, remembering the scene.
“Well, yes, but do you think he was lying? He thought no one could love him for his deformity but do you think he still felt love?”
“In chapter fourteen Hester reveals her hatred for him,” he skimmed his notes and bit his bottom lip slightly.
“That’s too broad, I. I’m not sure if ever, but we can conclude at the end that she does not.” He said, staring down at his notes without glancing up.
“I believe that she did. Once, at least. I know it’s not supposed to be a romance novel but…” (Y/n) tapped her fingers on the table with a slight edge of embarrassment in her voice, “I keep analyzing it as one. Is that bad? As a student, I mean.”
“Yes- no! No,” he changed his answer quickly, “it just shows that you can view it differently.”
“Ah, ok. I hope our teacher thinks that way as well.” (Y/n) clicked her tongue and laughed slightly as Taka smiled brightly and laughed loudly. Byakuya glanced back and smiled before shaking his head.
“I think I’m gonna ace this test,” Leon kicked his feet on the table, “so I’m done. ‘Hiro?”
“I’m good!” He called to his friend as Celestia shook her head. “(Y/n)?”
“Hopefully good!” She answered. “Are we ready to group up again?” Taka’s eyes widened as everyone went together again, gripping his pencil slightly. The group dismantled their study group, ready to go home.
“(Y/n)!” Taka stopped her from leaving by pulling her close, “Are you sure you don’t have any more questions?”
“I don’t think so. Actually,” she turned around back to the cafe, “do you wanna get coffee? I mean, we came here and didn’t get anything. So?”
“Absolutely! Coffee is a great stimulant and energizer!”
“And it tastes amazing,” (Y/n) murmured as she got in line, Taka excitedly next to her.
The next day, Taka went straight to his friends’ house, confused and, slightly, annoyed at the inconvenience he faced.
“What’s the problem?” Mondo brought his friend in quickly as they sat on his couch.
“(Y/n)!” Taka threw his hands on his knees in frustration.
“The hot girl in your literature class?” Mondo asked.
“Ye- Don’t say that! (Y/n) is a respectable woman who always-”
“You got a crush?” Mondo asked, watching his friend go blank and blushing.
“It’s not romantic, I swear,” he stood up, rigid as ever, and looked straight down, not wanting to face his friend.
“Bro, I'm pretty sure your head’s exploding.”
“No it’s not! I’m just not- I’m not ready for- I want her to be near but not to come here.”
“Breathe, bro.” He tried to relax him as Taka gasped for air, both metaphorically and literally. “Go flirt with her.”
“That’s completely inappropriate for our relationship as respectable classmates!”
“Then don’t be just classmates. Flirt with her.”
“I dunno, when you study get personal, tell her you like her hair.” Mondo leaned in, “her eyes. Actually, tell her you like ALL her parts.”
“I absolutely CANNOT say that!”
“Ok, ok, bro! Just tell her she’s pretty. She dances right?” Taka nodded in agreement, “ask her to teach you how.”
Taka smiled and gratefully thanked his bro, running out to find (Y/n) at the studio practicing. As he entered the doors, he was stopped by Byakuya.
“I know you’re secret.” He stared down Taka, smirking with satisfaction.
“I keep no secrets from my classmates.”
“Maybe you just haven’t come to terms. You like (Y/n).”
“Why are you here? You don’t dance- maybe you’re the one who likes (Y/n).” Taka accused the blonde.
“We have a duet. What, did you think I didn’t also possess the talent of dancing? Go on, ask her to teach you. Let’s hope she doesn’t ask why you came ALL this way just for a lesson you could find online.”
Taka froze rigid as Byakuya opened the door to reveal (Y/n) practicing her ballet routine. Byakuya chuckled quietly before pushing Taka into the room and closing the door. (Y/n) turned around slowly, smiling as she locked eyes with her friend.
“Taka, what are you doing here?”
“I- uh- came to learn how to dance. I was hoping you could teach me how, since you’re so good.” Taka tried to incorporate Mondo’s flirting advice into their conversation. “You’re dancing is absolutely beautiful and graceful.”
“Aha, thank you. You wanted to learn how to dance? How about the waltz?” She walked up and instructed his hands on her, closing the gap between them. She began with their footwork, feeling him stumble slightly as she caught him. She tightened her grip on his back and brought him up, closer than before. He could feel her breath on his neck as she closed in, slowing the waltz so it was more romantic than a lesson. He felt his face flush from the contact while her hands rubbed her fingers on his skin.
Was she flirting with him back?
“No! I- Don’t teach me how to dance!” Taka pushed her away suddenly, feeling her slip from his arms and onto the ground.
“Even though I think about you day and night, this ‘love’ thing isn’t right, I-”
“Taka,” she stood up and placed her hands on his shoulders, staring him down. “What are you talking about? I mean, who are you...”
“YOU!” The distressed fool placed his hand over his chest as his cheeks rose to a heavy blush.
“You,” she took a pause to take a deep breath filled with fluster, “like me?”
“I apologize, I should have done this more properly. I, Kiyotaka Ishimaru, have feelings for you. And I could not focus on my studies until I properly told you. Thank you,” he turned around and began to walk out of the gym as (Y/n) ran after him.
“Wait!” She reached out and grabbed his arm, pulling him back, “Taka, I like you too.”
