04: So, what if you started liking the person you hate? Are you going to risk that chance to figure out where to stand in them?

Disclaimed. AU.

To Figure Where to Stand

by: you are my math

- If both of us don't know where to stand, then why don't we just walk together -

. . .

He closes the door, thinking that she'd do the same. It's a metaphorical phrase of wanting no one other than her.

/-o-/

He refuses to think that he lost the battle before it even started. His brows furrows, when he catches a glimpse of the woman—who frustrates him that even the word itself couldn't describe what he feels about her presence—from a far.

He pockets his hands, somehow avoiding her, but still ends up looking at her. He doesn't know why she is so annoying—no, not annoying in a way Sasuke would romantically says to his pink haired girlfriend. Not that kind of annoying.

He is annoyed to the fact that she won't look at him, as he does to her.

It's frustrating to think that she constantly ignores him, or tells him to just shut it before he could even say a word. She doesn't even have any idea of what he's going to say. So why is she so overbearing, and rude only to him?

Screw this. Does he have to gain a special ill treatment from her?

"You're a li'l gloomy, ain't cha, girl?" He tries. Regardless of those things he had done to her in the past, he still has to earn that right to be equally treated as them.

She narrows her eyes to him, as she walks pass him. "I'm not in the mood of your pestering, Suigetsu." Granted, he still teases her though, but that's beyond it. Why won't she see him in a way that'd be deserving for him. Or, for both of them, whatever the cost is, it's still a win-win game for both of them anyway.

Just think about it, no arguments, childish fights or whatsoever.

No, it's not like he's admitting to a defeat. All he is just pointing out is, he is in that edge of falling in an abyss of what he calls battle of pride.

Yes, he may not done anything significant to her yet, but he tries to be good to her—a gentleman, she wants. But whatever he does, she always ends up thinking that he has ulterior motives behind those.

He opens doors for her; gives the last piece of that watermelon she craves; asks her about her day or whatever these lame guys always do for their girls. It's stupid to even think about it, yet he's down to do every single thing for her.

He even compliments her look, and although he cringes to every word he says, he assures those are true. Now that he thinks about it, she looks exclusively dressed up every single day, ever since that day he compliments her about her looks.

He even wonders, if she purposely does that for him. He doubts that, but he somehow wishes that is the case.

The only reason why he holds onto that wish is because of the fact that she's not dating anyone.

.

.

.

She wishes it's true, that he really cares for her.

He always do that to her though, ever since... she doesn't know, all she ever knows is that he started doing it. Although, it is just one of his usual pestering to her—that she should've now gotten used to—she can't help but to wish, that deep inside of that facade of his, he cares just as much as she is for him.

But that's just a wishful thought.

She is upset to think that everything is just the same. Their friendship—if it is even right to call what they have as friendship—doesn't go anywhere else far than its own lane only.

He's dense, and stupid, and rude to her. He, sure, won't stop trying to provoke her. He always gives her derisive comments. So, he won't as hell will try to make a move on her.

Or, at least, sees her like that, as she does to him.

It pains her to think, that as a woman, she can't do anything about her feelings than to keep quiet about it. It's not like, she didn't do anything when she was still head over heels with Sasuke, but that was before.

This is now, and it just feels completely different.

She tries to do everything though. She wears more stylish, and revealing clothes, thinking he'd at least notice it. But the first time, she attempted to do so, a drenched jersey shirt full of dirt was slid down to her by Suigetsu, scolding her to at least wear decent clothes, because he wouldn't want to see a walking hag.

That is the second time, she sees him half naked in front of her, after his football game. So when she knows that words are vain at that time, she decides to avoid him. She thinks that's the best action that'd compensate her embarrassed look.

She almost had a hopeful sign at that time, but she doubted it. How can't she? When he chooses to tease her about her looks. He doesn't even look sincere about her. All he ever does is to pique her vital points to any provocations.

He even slides down his jersey shirt, drenched of sweat, to her. How dare him not to even notice her effort?

So, starting that time, she starts to wear more stylish and decent clothes. It only takes her aback, when he suddenly compliments her.

She wouldn't know if it is meant to pursue her—oh, how she wishes—or to provoke her. Either that, he doesn't seem to be the kind of guy who will pursue her, at least, not her though. So, even though how badly she wants to considers his compliment, she settles on what she believes.

Every day, he always ends up doing that to her, it almost seems as though a habit for him now. Why won't he just gets serious to her for once?

He does her good things though, but he's still stupid. He won't read between the lines.

They never argue much nowadays, compared to the last time. She, somehow, thinks that maybe he gets tired of their senseless arguments, maybe he doesn't like to talk to her anymore. But every time she thinks about that, he ends up pestering her, just like now.

"I hate you, go away." She hisses when she sees him walking besides her.

"Awe c'mon, you don't really hate me that much. Do you?" He swings his arm over her shoulders, slightly pulling her close.

Her heart rattles, she glares at him, but she didn't push him away. "I do."

"I like you though—" her breath hitches. "—But I like Ino more than you, hag." He teases.

"I swear, Suigetsu, I'll kick you if you don't leave me alone."

She's so stupid. But so is he.

His actions won't let her figured out where to stand.

/-o-/

fin.

A/N: I enjoyed writing them. They really complement each other. So, can anyone of you make a manga of them already?

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