You were listening to music as you did your homework. You were so focused that you hardly noticed the library filled with students like yourself. So when a certain baseball lover came into the library you didn’t see him, but he saw you. Sugino felt a small blush cover his cheeks as he held his bag closer, glad he was able to find you. Sugino has always had a small crush on you since you both started university together. He only managed to talk to you occasionally since you both were so busy.
Your knowledge on baseball was what drew him in since so few females knew about baseball. He was too nervous to ask you out before but now he was determined to get you to go on a date with him. He slowly made his way to you and with each step that he took towards you, he began to get even more nervous. By the time he was at your side his heart was pounding in his chest as he gently tapped your shoulder. You jumped slightly before looking up at him before flashing him that bright smile.
“Hey~” You said removing your headphones and he smiled while relaxing.
“Hey... mind if I sit with you.”
“No of course not, go ahead.” He nodded and sat beside you he looked and saw you were doing homework and began to wonder if he should even ask. He didn’t want to be a bother to you.
“What’s wrong Sugino? You look troubled...”
“It’s nothing...”
“Are you sure?” You asked placing a hand on his shoulder and he met your eyes and a blush dusted his cheeks.
“I was just wondering... maybe you would go on a date with me. It’s completely cool if you don’t want too... I just like you a lot and yeah...” He said and you blinked surprised before smiling widely at your friend.
“When you say date... do you mean a friends date... or the other date...”
“The other date... as I said I really like you.”
“I would love too...”
“I understand, I figured you wouldn’t...wait what? You will?” He looked at you and you couldn’t help but laugh at his face and you kissed his cheek before writing your number down on a piece of paper and gathered your books.
“Text me the time so I can make sure to be ready.” You said.
“Are you free today?”
“Yepp.”
“Great, I will text you...” He said and you laughed softly before rushing out of the library to get ready for the date. Sugino fist bumped the air glad he was able to score a date with
“Okay Sugino... do not mess this up. You have to make a good impression in order for her to agree to go out with you.” Sugino mumbled to himself as he left the library to get ready for the date.
~timeskip~
You had already gotten ready by the time Sugino texted you the time and place to meet him. You were excited because you did have a crush on him especially with how excited he had gotten when he talked about baseball. You rushed out of the house so you wouldn’t be late and walked to the cafe that he told you to go to. It was your favorite cafe, and you wondered if he remembered it was your favorite. Either way you were really excited.
You walked inside and looked around to find Sugino, when you finally found him you made your way towards him. He looked up and saw you and he blushed slightly at the sight of you and he stood up pulling your chair out for you.
“You look beautiful...” Sugino said with a small smile and you giggled softly, you were wearing a (f/c) dress that went mid-thigh with a pair of heels that weren’t too fancy.
“Thank you Sugino... you look really handsome.” You replied sitting down and he pushed you in before sitting across from you. The waitress came over and you both ordered before turning to face each other.
“So how are your classes?” He asked and you leaned against your hand slightly.
“As the term continues its just getting harder and harder.” You puffed your cheeks and he laughed gently rubbing his neck awkwardly.
“Yeah, same. I almost let my grades slip, had to study even harder.”
“You can’t go doing that, the baseball team needs you.” You said and he perked up before nodding his head.
“Yeah, I know. I got them back up quickly. I don’t want to repeat what happened in middle school.” He said and you blinked slightly before tilting your head to the side slightly.
“What happened in middle school?” You asked genuinely curious and Sugino blinked realizing what he said.
“Oh my grades just got so bad, because of baseball that they sent me to the E-Class looking back at it, I don’t regret it. I loved my classmates, they were the best of friends I ever had. Especially this one girl name Kanazaki. She was my first love so beautiful...” Sugino began to talk about her, and you blinked before regretting asking what happened.
“Every guy wanted to date her she was so popular and beautiful...” Sugino looked up and realized what he was doing and began to mentally freak out.
‘Are you seriously talking about another woman that you liked back in middle school on your first date to the girl you like now. What the actual fuck Sugino?’
“I-I mean... I bet you were even more gorgeous in middle school. You are really cute too... I am sorry... I’ll shut up now.” He said hanging his head, and you couldn’t help but smile at his awkwardness. Even though he was going on and on about another girl you couldn’t help but giggle.
“I hope you rant about me like that with other people when you talk about me...” You said in a teasing tone and he blushed a bright red.
“A-Actually I think I fanboy more over you then I did over her. I just....she was a child crush... I really like you... no I love you...uhm was it too soon to say that?” He said hitting his head against the table.
“Do you want to know a secret Sugino?”
“Sure. I hope it’s not bad...” Sugino said regretting everything he said, and he was quietly sulking even as the sweets arrived.
“I love you too... we have known each other for about three years now... and I always had feelings for you.” Sugino’s head snapped up to look at you and he had a big goofy grin on his face and you couldn’t help but laugh.
“Wait really!? You do?” You laughed as he quickly got up spinning you around and you clung to him so you wouldn’t fall.
“Sugino we are still inside of the cafe put me down...”
“Oops, sorry.” He said realizing people were staring and he was blushing a bright red. You pecked his cheek and sat down and he sat back down as well holding his cheek with a wide smile. You poked his nose and he snapped out of his daze and looked at you.
“Huh?”
“You are zoning out.”
“Sorry... does this mean we are dating?” He asked and you placed your fingers on your chin as if you had to think about it. He began to get nervous again before relaxing seeing that smile that he fell in love with.
“Only if you ask me the right way....”
“Will you please be my girlfriend (Y/N)?”
“Absolutely.”
“Yes.... today couldn’t get any better...” He said and you laughed at him and he began laughing with you. You definitely loved this dork, and you knew it would be fun dating him since he was so adorable.
“I agree it can’t.” You said and he held your hand as he began to eat his cake.
SHIP #3 (friendzone aside… they’d be an adorable couple)
It’s the most obvious fact that Sugino is head over heels to Kanzaki, but our girl here is either too oblivious or she actually knows about it and just simply sees him as a friend. Anyhow, there are reasons why I think that they’d be good for each other (besides the fact that Sugino is a jock and Kanzaki is the school beauty, which makes them a cliché but sensible match).
I think it’s a given why Kanzaki is ideal for Sugino. She’s perfect in every aspect - looks, intellect, personality, strength, and she’s even good in video games. Every boy will definitely yearn to be with her especially if they get to know how tough and genuinely humble she is.
Although Sugino is, at first, entranced by Kanzaki because of her beauty, he was the first one (if not amongst) in class to approach and befriend her as shown in the class field trip when he introduced her to Nagisa and co. to include her in their group. Usually, guys would come to woo her, but Sugino did so for a different and innocent intent - he wanted to be close to her because she’s her crush but that’s it - considering that he’s innately friendly and gets along with everyone.
It’s mainly for that reason why I think that if Kanzaki was to choose someone to go out with, it’d be our baseball lover boi.
Other than that, we can observe in the class field trip how Sugino has started to fall deeper for Kanzaki other than for her beauty and elegant demeanor. He also doesn’t act like a knight in shining armor with Kanzaki, which other guys will normally do if they crush on her. This goes to show that he knows that Kanzaki is capable enough and doesn’t need a prince on a white horse to sweep her off her feet. Moreover, he is honest about himself even when around his crush, he doesn’t necessarily try to impress her. A few times we’ve seen him simping over her even though he looks like a fool. Then when he received a chocolate from her on Valentines’, he went ballistic right in front of her.
About the possibility that Kanzaki likes Nagisa, that fact has no reasonable proof except for the Class 3-E relationship chart that I’m not sure if it’s official or reliable. We may have indications, which points us that Kanzaki has a crush on him but those are just speculations on our part.
Even if it was true, it doesn’t change my opinion that Sugino is a perfect fit for Kanzaki. Despite his undying and excessive adoration for her, they are still comfortable with each other as friends. Then, on Valentines’ Arc, Kanzaki went out of her way to give chocolates to Sugino privately (even if they are only obligatory). That means that she holds him as someone dear to her and who she truly appreciates.
LASTLY, they look good together aesthetically. The color scheme of their character designs match well. That’s just a minor reason but it’s a charm to their dynamic.
As to why they rank lower than Nakamura and Sugaya despite having more plausibility of their ship, it’s because Nakamura and Sugaya as a pair is less obvious and has more interesting aspects to explore about.
For my fourth-ranking ship, it’s Kataoka and Isogai, the class representatives. I’ll be discussing about them next!
