The truth about the truth: it hurts, so we lie - Lying to Avoid Embarrassment
She never was much of a social person. She sat in the back of the class, slumped in her seat, avoiding the gaze of her teacher when a lesson was being taught. She never could be found giggling with a group of girls or engaging in class activities; she preferred standing off to the side and people watching or reading a good mystery book. She was invisible—in every sense of the word. So why did she find herself in the predicament she was currently facing?
"Tsu-Tsuna?" the petite, blonde squeaked. A burning sensation spread across her face as the usually quite girl took in her fellow classmate.
She didn't interact with her fellow classmates a lot but she knew of the brunette before her; her entire grade referred to him as "No Good Tsuna", a fitting albeit harsh term of endearment. Although he did seem to be gaining popularity recently with the new student called Hayato Gokudera and the popular baseball player, Yamamoto Takeshi she didn't seem to understand why he was standing before her, out of breath dressed the way he was. She didn't hang with either of the aforementioned classmates and hadn't spoken more than two or three words to him in her entire time knowing him.
"Tsuna….you're…in your boxers," the blonde said, still attempting to wrap her mind around the strange phenomena. She watched with wide, curious brown eyes as the boy scratched the back of his head nervously, the same shade of red spreading across his face that she was almost positive was spread across hers.
"E-Eriko!" the skinny boy yelped. "I-I did-didn't think anyone would be here!" He tried his best to hide his less than modest appearance while offering her a shaky smile.
"I always come to the riverside at this time, it has the best view of the sun set," the girl, Eriko, explained. "Why are you here, Tsuna, and dressed like that?" Eriko tried not to stare at the boy's chest but found it slightly difficult much to her surprise.
"I-I was running, you know, for exercise," he explained lamely. The girl arched an eyebrow at the boy's words.
"Do you always exercise in your boxers?" she asked curiously. She watched as her fellow classmate reddened under her gaze.
"Y-Yeah, Ryohei told me that it helps build endurance a-and since I'm a part of the boxing team now….." he trailed off as the girl seemed to accept his lie.
"Well, enjoy your run," Eriko said before turning her attention to the setting sun. Behind her, she heard the boy sigh in relief.
"Y-Yeah, en-enjoy your sunset…..watching?" Tsuna offered lamely. However, his words fell on deaf ears as the girl seemed to be focused on the setting sun.
The more than embarrassed teen dashed away unnoticed.
Eriko brought her knees to her chest and rested her chin upon them, wrapping her arms around her legs. A light smile spread across her lips as the brunette flashed across her mind's eye. "What an odd boy," she muttered to the setting sun.