"Hideki?" Tokiya asked.
"Mhm?" He replied, not looking away from his computer screen.
"Are you ok? You seem kind of out of it these days." Tokiya patted his shoulder. For a moment, Hideki didn't react. But, with a short sigh and a slump of his shoulders, he turned to face the dark-haired boy in front of him.
"I've just… Not been able to focus on anything. No big deal."
No big deal? Hideki was the smartest and most ambitious boy at the university! If he couldn't focus, something was definitely wrong.
"What's wrong?"
"Uh…" He side glanced before replying with a short "I don't know."
"There's got to be a reason, Hide!" Touya butted in, walking towards his friends. He had a similar worried expression on his face and a coffee in one hand.
"Are you stressed out? Is something going on at home?" Touya placed the coffee down and held Hideki's face in his hands, studying him. Hideki jerked his head away.
"Nothing like that, Touya! I guess I'm distracted because…" Another pause. He didn't have any reason to lie to them.
"There's this girl I like."
Touya gasped. Tokiya's eyes widened.
"Hideki has a crush? Oh, this is brilliant! Who's the lucky girl then?" Touya smiled, expressing his excitement through a tight hug. Hideki gently pushed Touya away. Though he appreciated the sentiment, he wasn't fond of hugging.
"It's… Embarrassing." Hideki fiddled with his hair.
"Oooooooo. Don't worry, our lips are sealed!" Tokiya smiled. He did a zipping gesture across his lips. Touya nodded, copying him.
"Oh, I know. It's just…" He looked at the floor. "I don't even have the confidence to talk to her."
"Maybe get her a present?" Touya suggested before sipping his drink. Tokiya nodded, giving a thumb up.
"I've tried with presents before, but I don't think she realises they're from me. I don't write my name on them."
"Hideki. You're the smartest guy in this university. A teacher's assistant and you don't write your name on the presents for your princess?"
Hideki grimaced, shrugging.
"Tokiya could always give you a makeover?" Touya suggested.
"That's a great idea! Maybe I could go up to her all suave, like in one of my video games, and ask her out?"
The boys nodded.
"It's settled then. I will gladly help you, Hideki! First off, let's get rid of those silly glasses."
Hideki blinked slowly, raising an eyebrow.
"Huh?"
"Take off your glasses."
"Come on, buddy!" Touya said, getting closer to him. Hideki put his hands up in defence. From behind, Kei pulled off his glasses in one swift movement.
For a moment, everyone was quiet. All eyes turned to Hideki. Until Touya exclaimed.
"Hideki! YOU'RE SO CUTE!"
Tokiya and Touya both pounced on Hideki, hugging him. Baffled, Hideki shoved his glasses back on.
"I am not removing my glasses again." He muttered.