The next day, you wounded up in the library. Rifling through the variety of shelves, you picked out the ones you needed to deliver to a certain pink-haired upperclassman. He had specifically asked for your help, since you were available and he needed those books for a project he had poorly fell behind on.

You soon finished collecting your quota of books, and you quickly rushed back to the aforementioned male.

"Kirino-senpai, I have those books you asked for!" breathless, you eased a pile of books onto the table Kirino was sitting at, his own display of homework splayed in front of him. Pencils scattered everywhere, mixed materials framing his papers, and he already has at least three books pried open.

Kirino flashed you a warm smile, his own expression of gratitude before he quickly went back to his work, "Thanks. I should be able to get it done now," Kirino concluded, acknowledging your help greatly. But you aren't as focused on his comment as much as you are on his tone, he sounds like he's going to pass out at any given moment.

You almost wanted to scold him for overworking himself, tell him to take a break, because you can see the violet splotches underneath his puffy eyes, and you can tell he's using all his willpower to keep his eyes open along with his voice.

But you weren't in the position to do so.

He simply asked you to get some books since you happened to be in the library, you two weren't close, and how would he take you criticizing him on his habits?

Choked up on words, you trail away from his table and blatantly miss his gaze on your retreating form, and he wished he didn't have this stupid assignment to work on...because if it was his choice, he'd keep you company, allow you stay by his side(because that's all he honestly wants right now).

—Perhaps you should leave the library all together; you had no real reason to stay, anyway. Just as you were about to drift from the expansive library, you heard your name being called.

You glanced around, searching desperately for the source, but no one was really around aside from the occupied Kirino. "Hello..?" you questioned, tilting your head in confusion.

"[Last Name]-chan, over here!"

[E/c] orbs scanned the room again, finally discerning a shed of teal hair, and almond-shaped eyes peering out deviously from behind one of the shelves. What is he even doing? You decided to go check out what he wanted, and made your way over to him.

He gripped your wrist and sheltered you from the view of everyone (namely Kirino). "What are you doing?" you questioned, almost wanting to add onto your question with, more importantly, why he had dragged you back here.

Chuckling, he forced down the thought of either gritting his teeth or capturing your lips right there. "I wanted to know what you're doing here. You and Kirino-senpai look close," Kariya shrugged his shoulders as he nonchalantly adverting his gaze. Dammit, he was jealous. And there's no way he could show any of that to you.

You felt your face grow hot, "W-we're really not. He just asked me to get some books for him!" you exclaimed, and the rush of embarrassment jarred you slightly. Did it really look that way? You wished you were close to Kirino, but he's just too out of your league. (or at least, you assumed that)

"Hm, is that it?" he muttered in disbelief(did he overestimate the situation?), and he almost sounded relieved to hear that. Which, he was. Having you closer to Kirino than him was something he wouldn't stand. Honey optics lifted and met your gaze, "How come you do stuff like that for him but never for me when I ask you?!" he suddenly fumed, realization striking him from behind. He could vividly remember all the times he had tried to pursued you to aid him in fetching some things he needed for soccer practice - you had flat out refused him each time(copying your homework didn't count). Who was Kirino to suddenly have that advantage of you doing favors for him?

"I like Kirino-senpai more than you, that's why!" you huffed.

Although little did you know, your retort plunged a knife into Kariya's chest; sinking him further into the black abyss that had already claimed part of his mind "What...? Oh no —" was the initial thought that ran through his mind. It was pretty crushing, to find out that girl you're practically in love with, actually like your rival more.

Teeth chewing at his bottom lip, he closed his eyes to savor a second to collect himself, but fearing he couldn't in time for you to gain a glimpse at his pained weakness, he suddenly bolted off. Startled, you called out his name in vain; he wasn't going to listen to you, he just needed to get out of here - blow off some steam.

"K-Kariya-kun...?!"

a/n; another chapter! i actually had this written up before the last chapter, intending that this would appear as one of the earlier chapters, but voted against it...so here it is, and sorry at the end, i couldn't think of a new way you could've said "i like kirino-senpai more!" i just sort of swung it anyway, lol.

inazuma eleven go © level-5