5/14

Tall and handsome are the only words that comes to mind as you and the others stare at the lanky, blue-haired teen before you. A few minutes ago, Ann had sensed that someone was watching her. You had sensed it too, but paid it no mind since you've been used to it ever since your father gained the CEO spot at his company.

"Hey, uh... are you sure it's him? Or are you just that self-conscious."

"Rgh, I'm not that-"

"Is there something you want?"

'Oh lord, the teen is as soft spoken as he looks.
' You think as Ann shoulders past Ryuji and Akira and points a finger at the blue-haired teen.

"That's my line! You were the one stalking me!"

The teen looks from you and the others, to Ann's finger, then back at your group. He gently moves a stray hair out of his face and says:

"Stalking you...? That's outrageous."

You're half inclined to ask if the tall teen is joking.

"I know you've been following me! Ever since the train!"

"That's because..."

He stops as a honk is heard and a car pulls up to the curb. The back window rolls down, revealing a man with gray haired tied back in a pony tail. You stare at the man while he addresses the teen. You've seen his face before, you just, for the the life of you, can't remember his name. Ryuji's "What?" causes your mind to snap back into the conversation at hand.

"You're the pair I've been searching for all this time! Please, won't you-"

"Pair?" You mutter.

"W-Wait a minute, I-" Ann stammers out.

The teen claps both you and Ann's hands, "-Be the model for my next art piece!?"

"...Model?" You both say say in disbelief.

You stare down the hand holding and your face heats up. You tune out everything else that transpires until Ryuji abruptly pries the blue-haired teen's hand away from yours. You blink back to the present and look at the blond who stands between you, Ann, and the artist. You notice Ryuji standing closer to you than Ann.

"Hold your horses! Who're you anyways?"

"My name is Yusuke Kitagawa." He shoves Ryuji aside, causing you to glare at the teen, and moves closer to you and Ann, which makes you both back up.

You block out the rest of the conversation, too focused on keeping a wary eye on Kitagawa. No stranger has been this close to you and you're starting to freak out a bit. Ryuji notices and gently pulls you closer to him, you follow him with no resistance. The man from the car calls Kitagawa's name which the teen answers.

"That old guy's Madarame...?" Ryuji asks.

You look at the old man and a sense of uneasiness washes over you. Despite all the praise the news and the internet gives him, you feel that there's a dark secret hidden within the old artist. Your attention snaps back to Kitagawa as he steps a bit closer.

"It'd be great if you both could give me your answer in regard to being a model then..." He pulls out some tickets and hands them to you and Ann, "I bet you have no interest in the fine arts, but I'll give you tickets too." Kitagawa says, pointedly looking at Ryuji.

You take the extra set as he bides farewell. You stuff the tickets in your pocket as the car drives off.

Ryuji kicks his left foot at the ground and says, "That guy's as easy to read as a book..." He looks at you and Ann, "You're not plann' on goin', are you?"

You shrug, "It sounds interesting, but..."

"...I think I will."

Your aren't as shocked as Akira or Ryuji at her answer, Ann pulls out her phone and exclaims at how late it's gotten. She runs off, leaving you and the boys. You wait for a few moments before walking ahead, glancing back at the teens and cat.

"Shall we get going?"

Akira and Ryuji look at each other and catch up to you. You walk besides the blond, taking into account how close he is to you. You smile softly and hum a small tune to yourself, it's not long until Ryuji hums along with you. You almost miss the soft chuckle from Akira as you and Ryuji try to out hum one another. You gently hip bump the blond to throw him off key and he retaliates with his own. By the time you make it to the school gates, Ryuji has you in a headlock and is giving you a light noogie. Akira looks on with a smile on his face as you and Ryuji laugh.

"You know how painful it is to fix my hair, Ryu-kun!"

"Keep your voice down. People can't know about that nickname."

"Ryu-kun."

"No."

"Ryu-kun."

"Stop."

"Ryu-kun."

"Why are you like this?" Ryuji whines and lets you go.

"Ryu-kun." You and Ryuji look at Akira. His glasses gleam with a look of mischief.

"Akira, you ass! Not you too!" Ryuji complains as you laugh.

"Alright, alright. Enough tormenting Ryuji." You lay your arm across the blond's shoulders, "We've got exams to finish. Come on."

You walk up the steps, arm still slung over Ryuji's shoulders. The teen quickly falls into step, never missing a beat, as you both along with Akira ascend into the school. Most of the students look your way as you and Ryuji walk into the classrom, their eyes lock onto your arm before turning away upon seeing Ryuji's glare. You calm him down with a gentle pat on the shoulder before retracting your arm.

He gently grabs your wrist, "(Y/N)." He softly says.

A small shiver runs up your spine as you turn to face him. "Yeah?"

Ryuji rubs the back of his neck, "C-Can we talk about what happened on the third? In the train?"

Heat rushes up into your face as you flashback to that day. "U-um-"

The bell cuts you off before you can say anymore.

Ryuji seems frustrated with the noise before looking at you. "Tell me later?"

"Y-yeah."

As you and Ryuji sit down, you reflect on every small gesture of affection up until now.

'Shit.' You think, 'A-am I falling for Ryuji?'