It was the beginning of another semester. Like most starts of another semester, there aren't any proper classes and some teachers don't even show around. Then again, the students are more than happy to have more free time. It just delays the upcoming hell days. Marth and Ike differ in year levels and interact mostly in their free time. They also have to keep in touch with their fellow classmates to avoid being left out. Knowing that...
"Hey Marth, wanna go to the arcade later?" Ike asked with a big grin on his face.
"Oh, sorry Ike. My classmates have plans and they really don't want anyone missing." Marth replied. It was hard. There were plenty of fellow course-mates on their first year but had a huge drop in numbers as the semesters passed. Some transferred or failed to pass. Being no longer classmates with someone he was close to was sad. They can still communicate at least but it just doesn't feel the same.
"Next time then." Ike said with a less happy tone.
Marth could feel the disappointment in his voice. He wanted to somehow lighten him up. "Why don't you go with your classmates who are in the same year level as you?" He hoped he didn't sound demeaning. Rather, Ike looked at him like there was something on his face. "What?"
"I just thought you sounded like a caring senior for a moment there."
"What does that even mean?" The only word he was able to grip was senior and he wasn't even a senior yet.
Ike simply chuckled. "See 'ya then."
Ike left and Marth raised his brow confused.
It was a rule or a tradition taught by the school to treat the older or wiser ones with reverence. Ike didn't pay much attention to the difference of their year level and talked to Marth without bias. The same can be said for others even the seniors like Peach. So when Marth acted like an elder student wherein he is one, it was a surprise for Ike. Then again, it was hard to ignore. Marth's year has been incredibly busy. It is true that they are roommates and even on the same course but oftentimes, one is too occupied or tired to even interact with each other.
It turns out that one of Marth's classmates was having a birthday party and was treating anyone around free pizza. No wonder his classmates were so persistent to be together. Marth mused himself with the thought and might as well join. They were in an eatery just outside the school but near enough to be walked at.
"It looks fun at your side." Peach whispered to Marth so suddenly which startled him.
"Y-yeah. My classmate is having a birthday." Marth looked around to see if there was anyone with her. He saw Zelda, Corrin and a few members of the Sweets and Tea club. "I didn't know the club was gathering here." There were a few males on the club and even fewer males who can cook. It was like the reverse situation of the Swordwielders Club. Marth was a waiter in the club.
"Don't worry. We just came here to try the food here so we can add more to our menu. Also, you guys are so noisy that you're bothering others but since it's someone's birthday, I'll let this pass." Peach paused for a second. "Where's Ike?"
"He's with his classmates I think."
"Why didn't he come with you?"
"Uhm I... told him so?"
"What?!" Peach slammed her hands on Marth's table. Luckily, it wasn't that loud to attract any attention. "Did you guys have a fight?"
"Oh, no! We didn't! He even asked if I want to go to the arcade with him but I can't because of this." Marth gestured for Peach to calm down.
Peach opened her mouth to say something but closed it back again. She seems to be processing her thoughts. "So, what did you tell him exactly?"
Marth wondered why she's that curious about it. "I just thought he should hang out with someone on the same year level as him too." Now that Marth thought about, he wondered if there was something wrong with it.
"Oh. OH! I almost forgot that Ike is not in the same year level as you!" Peach took a deep breath and sat beside Marth. "But you know Marth, I just thought of something. Isn't it precisely that you two are in different year levels that you should have agreed to go with him? I know how busy our year is."
"I guess..." Marth chuckled. "That just makes me feel so special." It was meant to be a joke but Marth himself thought of it in another angle which made him flush a bit.
"Someone is blushing." Peach poked fun at the fact. "Maybe you are special to him." Peach hummed.
"Do you even know what you're saying?!" Marth retorted and didn't know how to react at Peach smiling at him in a blooming-like manner. "But I get it, I'll humor him later."
"Why don't you try asking him who he likes? He might bluntly state it knowing his personality."
Marth chuckled lightly. "I'll try."
"Tell me if it's me okay? I'll gladly accept his affections." Peach jokingly added before standing up and going back to her table.
"Such confidence!" Marth snarked to which Peach replied by swaying her hair. He snickered and and looked at the clear glass window. The outside was engulfed in a red-orange tint as the sun was setting. He bade goodbye to his classmates and thanked them for the food. He also secretly brought two slices of pizza with him.
Ike did spend some time with his classmates. However, there was nothing special going on and most of them wanted to go home early or sleep. There was still that what they call hungover. Going to the arcade alone would be boring so he decided to stop by his club room before going back to the dorm.
"Good afternoon Ike." Lucina greeted.
"Hey." Ike greeted back with his hand raised. It occurred to him that he didn't respond properly. Lucina was mostly polite and he wondered if that was because he was one year level above her or she is that courteous. It didn't bother him that much but now it was after Marth's suggestion. "I mean, good afternoon to you too, Lucina."
"That's unusual." Female Robin who was sitting beside Lucina said. The other one was hanging out with his classmates. "You don't usually reply that way." She smirked at Ike raising her eyebrows up and down as if hinting something.
"I just thought I'd greet back properly." Ike smiled and thought Robin's expression was kind of funny.
Robin hummed seemingly not convinced. "Why'd you only greet Lucina?"
"Uh... because she was the one greeted me?" He said pointing at himself.
There was a second of silence until Robin sighed. "You are too serious."
"That's Ike." Lucina giggled who understands what Robin was suggesting. "Plus, Ike probably has someone in his mind already. It could be you Robin." She joked.
"Hey! You don't just pair me up with anyone." Robin exclaimed.
"Doesn't seem to stop you from doing it to me."
The two exchanged laughters making Ike feel left out. He did caught on to what Lucina said about having someone in his mind. "Well, there is someone."
Lucina and Robin was startled for a moment before looking at Ike with enthusiastic faces. "Who?!" They said simultaneously.
Ike laughed. "You don't have to know."
"Then you shouldn't have said it!" Robin exclaimed whose voice is evident with displeasure.
"Got it. I won't say unnecessary things next time." Ike said bowing a little like a subject in front of his majesty. He did this to mock Robin.
Lucina was actually amused at them. It was like watching a comedic duo in a theater. Robin smiled it off playing along with it telling him to rise.
Ike looked at the window from the other side of the room. The glass windows were dyed in a red-orange color as the sun was setting. He excused himself and left the room. He thought about their conversation as he went on his way to the dorm. Unconsciously, he gasped "Someone... huh."
For some reason, almost every people that person is close to will suddenly show interest in his or her life when the prospect of love interest is mentioned. Ike found this trait funny. What is it about knowing someone's interest that drives others to be so curious about it? There was also something more to it...
"Hey Ike! I brought some..." Marth was greeted by an empty room. "pizzas?" He went in and took a seat near the drawer and placed the pizza kept in a cellophane on top of the drawer. He was used to seeing Ike lying on the bed waiting for him. Ike was usually the first to arrive since his schedule wasn't so choked unlike Marth. It kind of felt lonely like how it was when Ike wasn't still around. He wondered if Ike felt the same.
"You're early." A voice suddenly came from behind which tensed Marth. "You're startled easily."
Marth sighed. "At least knock first you know."
Ike simply chuckled and closed the door. He rested his hand on Marth's shoulder and noticed the cellophane on top of the drawer. "What's that?"
"It's pizza, want it?" Marth gave it to Ike.
"Thanks." Ike took a bite. "Where'd you buy them?" He asked while still chewing
"It's from my classmate's birthday." Marth replied.
The room was usually lively with the two talking about anything in general and Marth offering tips and stories on how he fared last year so this silent atmosphere was odd aside from the sound of Ike munching.
Marth wanted to ask Ike the question but feels conscious on how he should phrase it. He can't just blurt it out all of a sudden. But they're friends right? Isn't it normal to ask about their interests?
"Ike." Marth called without looking at him busying himself by rummaging the contents of the drawer searching for nothing. "Do you have someone in mind lately? I mean, have you liked someone?"
"Huh? Why ask that all of a sudden?"
Marth kind of expected that reaction. "Well, my friends we're talking about it earlier so I just felt like asking." He hoped it was convincing and he was unconsciously scratching the back of his head.
"Heh, it's funny. Someone else talked about it earlier too." Ike said noting the coincidence. "But yeah, I have and still have."
Now that, Marth did not expect and he got curious. He didn't think Ike was the type to actually feel attraction towards someone. "Oh, who could it be?"
Ike chuckled. "I'm not telling."
"Why not?"
"It'd be more fun if you try to figure it out." Ike smirked.
"Hmph. I'm not that curious anyway." Marth stood up not satisfied with the answer and then recalled what Ike said back then. "Could it be... that this is the thing you can't be blunt about?
"H-huh? What are you talking about?"
"Oh Ike. That's adorable." Marth teased poking Ike in the arm. This was his first time seeing Ike with that expression. Ike was getting flustered about it! This felt so right for Marth, teasing a friend who is a year level lower than him. For him, it was an accomplishment. "Even a brutally honest person can keep secrets once in a while huh?"
"Hey! That goes for anyone right?" Ike was giggling but not because of their conversation. Marth was now poking him at the side of his abdomen and it tickled. Marth's expression was not helping. He looked so mischievous yet silly at the same time. "You want to know huh?!"
Ike pulled Marth and embraced him from behind only to tickle Marth.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ike stop! Ha! Ha! I give!" Marth can't help laughing. He was fidgeting all over trying to push Ike's hands away only for them to come back. He struggled until they tumbled to the floor.
"What about you? Do you have any?" Ike turned his head to face Marth.
Marth was almost out of breath from laughing. He didn't answer and was only able to make a huge smile. To his surprise, Ike jolted and stood up quickly. Ike helped him stand up although he wasn't looking directly at Marth.
"I don't know." Marth answered.
"I see." Ike said in a monotonous tone.
Marth and Ike differ in year levels and interact mostly in their free time. They also have to keep in touch with their fellow classmates to avoid being left out. Knowing that, it was clear for them that they'd prefer to be with each other.
Author's Note:
Hey everyone! I hope you guys noticed the change in the cover image. That part happened in Chapter 2. I decided to draw that because it felt like it was a crucial part of their development.