AN: Hello again everyone! I hope you all had a good week, mine has been crazy busy so finding the time to work on this has been few and far between. While this chapter isn't quite a long as I wouldn't liked it to be, I felt it was better to release what I had so far rather than try and fluff it up with stuff. Hopefully you all enjoy though!
Naoto and Hayase speedily walked towards the school, Hayase had made sure they'd kept a steady pace. They arrived at the front of the school with just a few minutes to spare. Naoto was a little sweaty and out of breath and Hayase, of course, was fine. Hayase looked over at the slightly winded Naoto, tsking to herself.
"Geez Senpai, looks like we'll need to start doing our practice runs again." Hayase said, teasing her Senapi.
Naoto scrunched his lips at Hayase's words. He'd thought he'd done pretty good all things considered. A year ago, Naoto wouldn't have been able to keep up with Hayase's pace at all. Naoto was about to protest, but then remembered the last time she'd recommended them running together, more specifically the exercise clothes she'd worn. Naoto's face reddened with the thought, and he then said, "I'd… be okay with that."
Hayase squinted her eyes suspiciously at Naoto. Just as she was about to voice her suspicions with Naoto's uncharacteristic eagerness, she remembered the time. "Oop! We should get going, Senpai!" Hayase said. However, instead of leaving she looked at Naoto expectantly, waiting for something.
Naoto nodded, grateful that Hayase hadn't questioned his suspicious eagerness. Naoto quickly said, "O-Okay. I'll see you later then."
Naoto took a step to walk away when he remembered that Hayase expected a specific type of goodbye. Naoto stopped and said, "Oops, sorry." before turning to face a still expectantly waiting Hayase. Naoto leaned in and lightly kissed Hayase, who giggled a little bit after the kiss. Hayase then said. "You're so gross Senpai~."
Naoto smirked, his face still supporting a flush, and said, "I'm beginning to think that you don't mind."
Hayase gave the boy a light shove while smiling, and said, "Don't push your luck, gross Senpai~."
Naoto sat in his art class waiting for the art teacher to arrive. Thankfully the school day hadn't been as unbearable as earlier in the week. Naoto had done a relatively good job at staying focused throughout the day.
The art teacher walked into the classroom and began giving their opening lecture to the class. Once they'd finished the teacher once again released them to work on their art projects.
Naoto again opted to not work on the project within eyesight of his peers, thankfully the fascination the students of the school had with him seemed to have dissipated a bit. However, he still noticed a few odd glances here and there.
Just as Naoto began to work on some miscellaneous sketches, Naoto heard his name. Looking up from his work Naoto saw the art teacher approach his desk and ask, "Do you mind stepping out into the hallway with me? I'd like to discuss some things with you."
Naoto nodded his head, and nervously said, "Y-Yeah, that's fine."
After stepping out into the empty hallway, the art teacher, in a more quiet tone said, "How are you feeling? The school faculty got briefed on the fight and I wanted to make sure you're okay."
Quickly Naoto answered, "O-Oh that. I'm okay, I'm still a little sore but honestly I think the other guy came out worse than I did."
The art teacher nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer, then saying, "Good." chuckling a little they then said "I think you're right. That kid really didn't know what hit him."
Naoto smirked a little as he remembered the awesome kick Hayase had landed on the old ringleader's face. The art teacher continued, "That's not the only thing I wanted to bring up with you though. Because of the fight I wanted to make sure you had extra time to work on the goals project, if you needed it."
Naoto blushed a little as he thought of the project, Hayase coming to the forefront of his mind. Quickly he shook his head, both in dismissal of the art teacher's question and to clear his mind. "That's really kind, but I'm actually on track with the project. I'm working out what I want the final piece to be today actually." Naoto said.
The art teacher smirked and said, "Well I have to commend you then, Naoto. I always knew you were an excellent student."
Naoto reddened a little more from the compliment, and said, "Th-Thank you."
The art teacher continued, "Well since I've got you here, do you have a preference on how you'd like to present your project?"
After working out a good day to come in and present the project, Naoto and the art teacher returned to the classroom and Naoto took his seat. Anxious from thinking about the project, the rest of the class period passed by quickly for Naoto.
Naoto sat in the art club room and quietly ate his lunch. As Naoto waited he couldn't help but hope Hayase would show up at any second. Despite the fact it hadn't been very long since he'd last seen Hayase, he couldn't help but ache for every moment he wasn't with the girl.
Naoto looked towards the art room door, hoping that Hayase would barge through. To his disappointment, she didn't. Naoto checked his phone, wondering if his Kohai had sent a text. Again to his disappointment, she hadn't. Naoto couldn't help but wonder if Hayase was more upset about his doubt of her then she'd let on. Naoto shook his head to dismiss his wandering thoughts. He reaffirmed himself by thinking back to what Hayase had said to him that morning.
"I love you Naoto, no matter how much I tease, or make fun of you, I love you." The memory bringing a smile to Naoto's face.
"I'm sure whatever is holding her up is a good reason." Naoto said silently to himself.
Almost in response to his statement Naoto heard the door of the art room slide open. Quickly glancing over he saw who had opened the door. It was Hayase, accompanied by her friends. Naoto couldn't fight the smile that came to his face with Hayase's appearance.
"Paisen!" Gamo called out, "Sorry we held up your girlfriend, but we all wanted to see how you were doing!"
Naoto saw Yoshi and Sakura nod in agreement, both of them seemingly fighting a bit of laughter. Naoto as well couldn't help but notice the fact Hayase looked a bit irritated.
The four girls came and sat down at the art room table and began chatting away with each other. Except Hayase was rather silent, seeming a bit off. Naoto wanted to ask what was bothering her but also knew she'd likely say little in front of the friend group.
"So Paisen! What have you and Hayacchi been up to here in the love nest?" Asked Gamo. Sakura and Yoshi both looked like they were suppressing giggles. Naoto, a little wary of where this was going, said, "N-Nothing really. She's just been helping with my art project."
"Aww c'mon Senpai-kun, tell us all the juicy details~." Sakura chimed in.
Naoto flushed at her suggestive tone and said, "I'm not sure what you mean..." However the girls, excluding Hayase, all giggled at his response.
"See I told you he wouldn't admit to it!" said Gamo.
Naoto, confused by the statement, said, "What do you mean?"
The three girls giggled again and Sakura said, "We saw you with Hayacchi this morning, Senpai-kun~."
Naoto was still confused. "What could they be talking about?" He wondered to himself. Naoto's face flushed a bright red as he realized what they meant.
"We saw you and Hayacchi kiss!" Yoshi yelled excitedly, confirming Naoto's suspicions, and causing all three girls to burst out laughing. Naoto looked over at Hayase and saw she was a bright red, clearly embarrassed. Naoto scratched the back of his head anxiously and said, "O-Oh that's what you meant…"
"Of course that's what we meant Paisen! What else is there to talk about! The love birds finally got together!" said Gamo. The three girls burst out into another fit of giggling, but quickly quieted.
"How long have you and Hayacchi been official Senpai-kun~?" Asked Sakura.
Naoto looked over at Hayase, hoping to get a little back up. However she was staring at Naoto intently, as if she was just as intrigued with his answer as the rest of them.
Naoto, rather flustered, started slowly, "W-Well, T-Technically… we're not… official."
The room remained silent for a moment after Naoto's words. Then almost like a grenade going off, the three girls yelled, "WHAT!?"
"Paisen you haven't asked her out yet!?" Gamo yelled exasperatedly.
Naoto raised his hands defensively and said, "W-Well-!" but was interrupted by Sakura who said, "Senpai-Kun how could you!" Followed by Yoshi saying "You have to!"
As Naoto defended himself from the friend's verbal onslaught he caught a glimpse of Hayase, like before she seemed irritated with her friends, but despite this she stayed her words.
Naoto continued to be berated by the girls for a couple of minutes before suddenly, an alarm on Gamo's phone began going off. The girls all recognized the alarm and Gamo quickly looked at Hayase and said, "Don't worry Hayacchi! We promised! We'll get out of your hair now."
The three girls quickly began to shuffle out and just before they left, Gamo said, "Later lovebirds!"
Hayase, who'd been uncharacteristically quiet up to this point, said, "Hey! Don't break the deal! Get out of here!"
The three girls giggled again but didn't dare contest with Hayase. Once the room was empty, besides Naoto and Hayase, Naoto said, "What was that all about? What deal?"
Hayase shook her head irritatedly and sighed, "It's a long story. To simplify, I promised I'd let them stay in here for a bit and not get after them."
Naoto, flummoxed by the idea, said, "Why would you do that?"
Hayase, still slightly irritated, said, "Like I said, long story. It's really not worth getting into."
Naoto, while still confused by the idea, decided to drop it. After a few moments of silence he said, "Well… That does explain a lot. I was wondering why you hadn't said anything."
Hayase, still looking irritated, said, "What's that supposed to mean Senpai?"
Naoto, realizing his Kohai was not in a good mood, quickly clarified, "N-Nothing bad! I just meant you usually don't let them have that much free reign with teasing me."
Hayase calmed a little and said, "Oh…"
The couple remained silent for a few minutes, Naoto could tell something was bothering Hayase, but wasn't sure how to broach the subject. Finally after the silence between them had been too much for Naoto, he stood and walked towards Hayase, taking the seat right beside her. Naoto then asked, "Is… Is everything okay Hayase?"
Hayase stiffened a little and remained silent for a few moments. Hayase then finally said, "What… What are we?"
Naoto was a little taken aback by the words. "What do you mean?" Naoto asked, hoping for clarification.
"What are we?" Hayase repeated, the usually confident girl seemed sheepish, as if she was worried what his answer would be.
Naoto, while still confused by the words, did his best to interpret what she was asking, "You mean… relationship-wise?"
Hayase smirked a little at Naoto's density, of course that's what she meant. "Duh, silly Senpai."
"Oh…" Naoto said, then following up with, "I… I thought with all the kissing and stuff… that it was pretty obvious." There was an uncomfortable silence between the couple for a few minutes, both unsure what else to say.
Naoto, again growing anxious from the silence, asked softly, "If… If it makes you happy, I can… ask you out?"
Hayase blushed wildly, unable to fight the smile that came to her face with Naoto's words. Naoto noticed the change in expression on his Kohai, and concluded that was exactly what she wanted. Naoto took in a shaky breath and then said, "Hayase… will you-"
Hayase quickly interrupted. "Naoto stop!"
Naoto, a little startled by Hayase's sudden interruption, said, "What?"
Hayase's blush had grown to cover her whole face, and with said blush, Hayase sheepishly continued, "I've… I've been saving something for this moment."
Naoto watched as Hayase grabbed her backpack and began rummaging through it, looking for something. Hayase pulled out a slightly worn piece of paper and handed it towards Naoto. Naoto cautiously accepted the paper and looked at it. Quickly Naoto recognized what it was.
"Is… Is this-?" Naoto was interrupted by Hayase, who said, "It's the do anything I say ticket. I'm redeeming it."
Naoto was stunned, he definitely hadn't expected her to use the ticket now of all times. "W-Wait… have you been keeping this in your backpack this whole time?"
Hayase nodded once, and quickly said, "That's not important right now, Senpai! You have to do anything I say now!"
Naoto, still surprised, took a moment to gather himself. Once he'd focused a little he said, "W-What do you want me to do then?"
Hayase was silent at first, like before the girl was uncharacteristically shy, clearly the interaction had taken its effect on her. Hayase then said, "Ask me… to be your girlfriend."
Now Naoto had imagined a few ways that Hayase would end up using the ticket. Some were what he considered realistic, such as making him do something humiliating or some other way to tease him. The other ways were things he'd never dare admit to. Those ones usually occured on nights where his imagination got the better of him and we're along the lines of something erotic. All that being said, Naoto would've never guessed that this was how she'd use the ticket. Confused, Naoto asked, "B-But I was about to-?"
Hayase shook her head in dismissal, and said, "Shut it Senpai! It's my ticket and I get to choose how I use it!"
Naoto was still thoroughly perplexed. He had no idea what Hayase's motivations were for her decision. The couple remained silent for a few moments, the tension in the air was palpable. Despite Hayase's command, Naoto struggled to comply. Now that Hayase had explicitly told him what to say, Naoto began to overthink the situation. Naoto doubted that he had the courage, or the strength to do what Hayase asked.
Naoto, who hadn't been able to hold eye contact with his kohai after her demand, now looked Hayase in the eyes, and couldn't help but soften a little. In Hayase's radiant cinnamon brown eyes, Naoto again found his courage. Nothing, not even his own insecurity, would keep him from doing everything in his power to make the girl he loved happy.
Naoto breathed in, and said, "Hayase…"
Hayase straightened, enthralled by every word her Naoto said. "Will you be my girlfriend?"
The explosion of butterflies in Hayase's stomach was incalculable, second only to when the boy told her he loved her. Naoto, the boy Hayase had loved for longer than she'd known, had finally asked her the greatest desire of her heart, to be his. Hayase grinned from ear to ear, ecstatic from Naoto's words. Hayase then leaped from her chair, jumping onto Naoto's lap and wrapping her arms happily around Naoto. "Yes!" said Hayase.
The couple held the embrace, Naoto having quickly reciprocated the hug after Hayase landed on his lap. Both were overjoyed by the other's words.
Once Hayase and Naoto had held the embrace for a while, Hayase lifted her head from Naoto's shoulder. Naoto and Hayase's faces were close enough that their noses touched softly. Hayase looked the boy she loved in the eyes, and with all her heart said, "I love you, Naoto."
Naoto, despite his shyness and insecurities, said back with all of his own heart, "I love you too, Hayase."
And that's chapter 14! They're official now! I hope you guys all enjoyed the chapter and that I'll see you for chapter 15! Oh also, while writing this author note I found out Season 2 of Don't Toy With Me Miss Nagatoro was announced. So for those of you who didn't know, now you do!
LETS FUCKING GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!