"I hate it. When you put that stupid mask on and think I can't see you crying behind it. You can't hide anything from me, so don't even try! I'll destroy that mask again and again, until you only show me your true face."You'd thought you'd done a pretty good job hiding your feelings on the walk home with Hanamiya. You had put on a big smile, and made sure not to look directly at him for too long. You asked Hanamiya how his day had gone, and he'd told you about a new kid in the school who'd spoke down to him. Apparently, this kid was a bully who didn't like those with lower social status than himself.
"He's annoying…but it would be a waste of energy to deal with him. Not to mention beneath me." Hanamiya's expression darkened. "But I'll have to get involved if he starts running his mouth off about the wrong people," he mutters as his eyes flick to you.
"…I never thought I'd feel sorry for someone like that. But I wouldn't wish have you as an enemy on anyone," you laugh playfully. "You're pretty scary."
Hanamiya chuckles, ruffling your hair. "You always know what to say to improve my mood." he murmurs, as his hand returns to his pocket.
"So." he continues, as you walk along the road. You can feel your breath catch in your throat as you realise what is coming next. "Your exam. The results for your class were posted today, right? How'd you do?"
It took every fiber of discipline you had not to lose the carefully constructed happy expression on your face. Whatever happened, you couldn't allow any cracks in your mask. "Oh right! The results were posted…one of my classmates mentioned it, but I completely forgot to check." you laugh, rubbing the back of your head awkwardly.
It's an incredibly weak excuse, but Hanamiya doesn't pry any further. In fact, you walk the rest of the way to your home in silence. You feel somewhat odd, as if there's something you should be noticing, but you're honestly so glad you won't have to fake joyful words anymore that you let down your guard almost completely.
"Ah! And here we are!" You stop just in front of your house, turning to Hanamiya. "Thanks for walking me home, Hanamiya! I really—"
"I'll walk you inside." he interrupts, eyeing you coolly. The odd feeling in you intensifies, and your heart beat accelerates.
"Thank you, but that's really not-"
"I insist."
He put his hand on your back, between your shoulder blades, and pushed you towards the door. You didn't even bother trying to push back, since just one of his muscular arms had more strength than you did in your entire body.
Once you reached the doorway he dropped his hand, stepping back to give you some space as you fumbled with your key to open the door. You swung it open and stepped inside, pausing for a moment to let him in before you swung the door closed.
"…Do you think I'm stupid?" He asked you quietly, leaning against the wall. He wasn't looking at you, but by now you could clearly feel the aura of anger coming off Hanamiya. "Do you think I don't know when you're hiding something from me? When you're lying to my face?"
You don't know what's worse: his words, or the ice cold tone he's saying it in. "That's not what I—"
"Tell me the truth then." He steps directly in front of you. "You saw your grades didn't you. Talk."
Your hands twist into fists. Of course. He already knows the answer. Knows what you're going to say. But he just has to have you say it. His lips twist into a sneer as he pushes off the wall to look down at you.
"…You don't trust-"
"You don't understand anything!" you cried, for once being the one to cut him off. "How could you?! You'll never get what it's like not be a genius!" You spun around and ran up the stairs, slamming the door to your room.