shake that pom-pom with a smile

disclaimer: bakuman is not mine.

There's something about him that sets her completely at ease. And hey, Takagi's easy on the eyes, so that's a little bit of a bonus. She notices him, even when she doesn't; and lets it go, because whatever. This is school. There are cute guys, but she's a bit more preoccupied with karate and boxing, than being crazy about them like Izaya Himiko is.

Still.

She didn't think he was the kind of guy to notice her. He was cute, he was smart, and when she finds him walking towards her, she can't quite believe it until he's talking to her, face to face. And, well, actually talking. To her.

He had a question, which she had the answer to, even if it was meant to be secret, and Miho had make her promise not to tell anybody, and Kaya makes Takagi swear the same.

In the end, she tells him because she figures that he won't tell anyone, and that goofy smile he gives her afterwards kind of makes it worth it.

She just… never thought that the reason he asked was because he liked her. Like that.

And isn't he going out with Iwase anyway?

Maybe. Maybe not.

But… the fact that he wanted to talk to her, the fact that he thinks she's cute… that's something, right?

In a kinda happy heartbeat kinda way?

When she looks back, she doesn't expect him to be there.

And yet, in that kinda happy heartbeat kinda way, she likes it.

He likes to tap his fingers against a surface a lot, and wore headphones in his spare time. His favourite colour is blue. His eyes sparkle whenever he's thinking up a wicked scheme. There's always a feeling of intensity whenever he's around Mashiro. He hangs out in the bookshop, especially near the manga section. She likes the way his blondish mop of hair is always tousled, finding it scruffily adorable. She likes the way his eyes are the colour of the sun. It creeps up on her, the way she notices him more and more. But she likes the way most how he's got his eye on her.

Not Iwase.

Turns out it's Iwase too.

Two-timer.

Except Iwase dumps him. Or something. Kaya finds the whole thing weird of Iwase's part. Doesn't stop her from being mad at Takagi all the same.

Takagi would rather be a dreamer – and smart Iwase thinks he's being stupid.

But Kaya? She's likes his spark, and would rather see him follow that dream – and for that, he'll be her personal cheerleader.

Every second of the way – she wants to be there.

Kaya still gets to punch him as she wanted. Three times 'cause that's the way she works thanks to being a black belt.

Then, it's a blank slate, and finally they can date.

Cheerleading Rule One: be happy, enjoy what you're doing.

Check.

She makes her mind up pretty easily that she wants to stand by him.

Cheerleading Rule Two: cover the basics.

She needs to look out for him, and make sure she's done her job in making sure that the conditions are okay. Coffee? Pen? Paper? Easy smile and pep-talk?

She's sure she can do that.

Cheerleading Rule Three: acrobatics.

Punch him when he needs to get off his high horse, kick him when he needs his head back in the game, head butt him back into progression.

Check, with a kiss for luck.

So.

She may be his cheerleader.

But he's definitely her inspiration.