ficlet. fandom: hyouka | verse: canon | pairing: oreki/chitanda | words: 561
enjoy!
succumbing.
Chitanda is an enigma and she's got an awfully eager mind. She's got the curiousity of a cat and a steel determination. She's troublesome and persuasive and knows how to magically drain all of his energy. She's a major source of his headaches and, also the main cause of the gradually decreasing amount of time allocated for his daily precious afternoon nap time after school. She's impossible to avoid and her requests are much too energy-consuming to elude, as Houtarou sighs melodramatically.
Satoshi had teased him of his 'weakness' against Chitanda's pleads a number of times while Ibara's thrown him pointed looks and rants on how much of a sloth he actually was. Houtarou merely responds with a (not-so) intimidating scowl.
That's when Chitanda comes in, with her exaggerated gestures, rebutting all their claims by highlighting all of Houtarou's good points (what good point, he wants to challenge her). He really thinks that she's only making a big deal out of nothing.
He doesn't refute any of her over-the-top claims because that was when Satoshi and Ibara usually stop. Chitanda may spew out ludicrous things but she's incognizant to the fact that she's the natural peacemaker, unaware of her ability to put a halt to any kind of fuss (and Houtarou is truly thankful for that). Following the cease of Satoshi and Ibara's chaff, Houtarou's peace of mind briefly returns. Good, he thinks. Now he can finally read a book in peace or... better yet, sleep.
Ah. Sleep, he hums blissfully at the thought of his favourite (in)activity ever. Trains of tranquil thoughts entered his mind, and a dazed expression is indiscreetly displayed on his countenance. Ibara tuts in disapproval simply because she's Ibara and she has always kind-of hated his guts. She audaciously shoots him a glower. Really now, his wry response lingers in his mind.
Meanwhile Chitanda begins talking right there and then, but he doesn't really pay heed to what she says. She would go on and on without a pause about something that's piqued her interest (that he doesn't want to know ever). Just by watching her talk is enough to sap the remains of his energy and a yawn escapes his mouth, his eyelids heavy.
Time to sleep, the monotonous voice in his mind chimed in.
Houtarou merrily obliges, ready to doze off when a rumpus unceremoniously interrupted him.
Grumbling, he rubbed his groggy eyes and felt an insurmountable frustration boiling inside of him. He begins to scan around the room for the culprit. Who the hell-
It is Chitanda's bright purple orbs that meet his eyes and the latter frowns because of course it's her. Houtarou proceeds to open his mouth to retort but instead finds that his breath is hitched, rendering him momentarily speechless.
Their proximity is on a dangerous level; her shoulders are leaning in a little too close to him, greater details of her hopeful face are coming into his view and he's in an obvious discomfort (just as much as he's secretly enthralled).
Then she says it, her hands clasped and her eyes sparkled, a phrase he knew all too well;
"Oreki-san, I'm curious!"
He feels his resolves crumbling almost instantly, pulse speeding up, gulping helplessly as he is drawn into her enticing eyes and-
-it's always a unsolvable mystery to him as to why he can't ever refuse her.
/end.
author's note: first attempt at writing for hyouka. everything's a little jumbled up and my grammar's off in this. but i hope it's enjoyable, at the very least. anyways, do review and let me know what you think okay. constructive criticisms are highly appreciated :)