Chapter 15: Now let me see your sketch, Se~n~pai!

Senpai: "S-sup, Nagatoro."

Nagatoro: "Anything interesting happen while I was gone?"

Nagatoro waited with an expectant look on her face while Senpai debated in his mind whether or not it was worth telling her.

Senpai: I mean, she'd probably get a little discouraged if I told her about those 2 idiots…"

Senpai: "Nothing in particular."

They both sat there drinking their coffee while Nagatoro looked slightly annoyed. Unbeknownst to Senpai, Nagatoro had heard Senpai stand up for her and she was extremely happy that he didn't back down. Nagatoro didn't care what the 2 others thought about her art, but she did care what Senpai thought.

Nagatoro: "So looking at these 2 sketches next to each other… Mine's pretty bad, isn't it?"

Senpai got an almost annoyed expression on his face at these words but almost instantly softened.

Senpai: "That's not true. Your sketches have been steadily improving throughout the day. You're getting better and better really quickly. And… I like them."

Nagatoro: "Really?! Aw, thanks Senpai! Although, when I'm comparing it to yours… I almost can't describe it. Your sketch feels like… it's almost alive. Almost breathing."

Nagatoro leaned across the table, putting her face right in Senpai's.

Nagatoro: "Tell me, What's your secret?"

Nagatoro was smiling brightly as Senpai blushed and backed up a little, remembering what the president said a few weeks ago.

President: "It's love."

Senpai: *blushing* "Uh… It's… remembering to like what you draw."

Nagatoro thought back to the president's words and went slightly flush. Then, she thought back to all the times that Senpai drew her, causing a warm feeling of happiness to flow throughout her body as she cracked a genuine smile.

Nagatoro: "We should probably meet up with Takagi-chan and Nishikata-kun."

Senpai: "Speaking of…"

Senpai pointed at the door to the cafe where Nishikata and Takagi had walked in, holding hands.

Nishikata/Takagi: "Sup."

Nagatoro/Senpai: "Sup!"

Nagatoro: Alright, let's get back to sketching!"

The 4 of them went around, sketching all sorts of different animals. Whenever Nagatoro looked up from her sketchbook, she couldn't help but smile at the aura of determination and focus coming from Senpai. Before long, it was time to make the last sketch.

Senpai: "Ok, so what do you guys want to do for our last sketch?"

Nishikata: "I have an idea! Why don't we sketch each other, Takagi-san? Loser buys juice on the way to school tomorrow!"

Takagi: "Sure!"

Nagatoro: "Ooh! Let's sketch over there!"

Nagatoro was pointing at the sloth enclosure.

Senpai: "Alright. Let's go."

They set up, and began sketching. Once again, Nagatoro got distracted by the expression on Senpai's face but quickly refocused on her work. If she was going to do this, she was going to do this well. Suddenly, Nagatoro looked up and saw Senpai looking at her, causing her to blush.

Nagatoro: "What are you looking back for?! Look forward and draw properly!"

Senpai immediately snapped his head forward. Before long, everyone had finished drawing.

Nishikata: "Alright, Hachioji-san! Take a look at our sketches."

Takagi and Nishikata both handed Senpai their sketchbooks and what Senpai saw was jaw dropping. This time, they were both just as passionate as before but Nishikata had went above and beyond. He actually looked from the completed drawing to Takagi and back at the drawing. It was almost a 1 to 1 exact replica of Takagi. The amount of detail and perfection that Nishikata put into this sketch was unreal.

Senpai: "I think that the clear winner is Nishikata. No offense to you, Takagi, but Nishikata, your sketch has… so much detail. And you did it without losing any of your passion, without losing any of that extra little bit that you had last time."

Nishikata: "T-thanks, Hachioji-san."

Senpai: "Oh, and also, no need to call me that anymore. I'd say that you and Takagi both are close enough to call me by my given name or Nao-kun as some of my classmates say."

Takagi: "What's your given name again?"

Senpai: "Naoto."

Nagatoro realized then and there that she never actually directly told Senpai her name and decided to do it right then.

Nagatoro: "Oh yeah. Same goes for me. You guys can all call me Hayase."

Senpai went red, realizing the same thing that Nagatoro had realized.

Senpai: "T-thanks, Nagatoro."

Nagatoro: "Did you not hear what I just said?"

Senpai: "I-I just don't really feel comfortable calling you that right now… I… When I'm ready. Ok?"

Nagatoro: "Well… I guess. One day, right?"

They both shot each other a smile as Nagatoro remembered her and Senpai's sketches.

Nagatoro: "Now let me see your sketch, Se~n~pai!"

Nagatoro bounded forward and was once again flabbergasted at his artwork. It was again as if the sloth was staring back at her, breathing, and living. She turned to face Senpai.

Nagatoro: "And this…"

Nagatoro whipped out a drawing of Senpai.

Nagatoro: "Is the 5 toed sloth! It's so slothful and weak that there's only one of it left in the world! Ack! There's one now!"

Senpai took the sketchbook and smiled.

Senpai: Sure, she "did" just do it to tease me… But I can see the passion coming from it. It's not perfect but hey, what did I expect from someone who just started? Most importantly, there's…

Senpai blushed as he finished that thought.

Senpai: Love.

Nagatoro got right up in Senpai's face with a smirk, bringing him back to his senses.

Nagatoro: "Uwah! Senpai ogled me! You're such a pervert, Senpai!"

Senpai: "No… I wasn't ogling you…"

Nagatoro: "Then why were you staring at me? You're so gross, Se~n~pai!"

And with that, they all headed home. Of course, the second Nagatoro walked inside her house, she was greeted by Big sis Toro.

Big sis Toro: "So how was your double date?"

Nagatoro: "Shut up Onee-chan."

Big sis Toro: "Come on, sis. Onee-chan's gotta know the details."

Nagatoro: "Well, it was fun. I learned how to draw."

Big sis Toro: "That's all? I thought that with how pervy you call him, he might make more of a move!"

Nagatoro: "Wha- gross! Well… I did… uh…"

Big sis Toro: "Yes?!"

Nagatoro: "We hugged…"

Big sis Toro: "Ahh! My little sis is finally getting some action! You know, I remember my first time-"

Nagatoro: "Shut up Onee-chan!"

Nagatoro stormed up to her room, slamming the door behind her. When she checked her phone, she had a text from Takagi.

Takagi: *in text* "Call me when u feel like it."

Nagatoro: How did she know…

Nagatoro pressed the call button and Takagi almost immediately picked up.

Nagatoro: "Sup Takagi-chan!"

Takagi: "Sup Hayase-chan! Did you have fun today?"

Nagatoro: "No! I… Yeah. I did. You aren't going to tease me for it, are you?"

Takagi: "Of course not! That's just for Nishikata and Nishikata alone."

Nagatoro: "Thank god… My sister was already giving me a hard time earlier. I'm not sure I could take much more…"

Takagi: "Fair. You know, you and Senpai are really cute together!"

Nagatoro: "Shut up."

Nagatoro was smiling and blushing when she said this.

Nagatoro: "You're probably the only person I'm really honest with."

Takagi: "That's probably just because I got you to confess. Then, I didn't tell anyone and I helped you get closer to him."

Nagatoro: "I guess you kinda forced me to trust you."

Takagi: "Yep!"

Nagatoro: "I've got to do some work that I was struggling with yesterday."

Takagi: "Oh, I can help you with that."

After Takagi explained the problems to Nagatoro, she seemed much more relieved.

Nagatoro: "Thanks, Takagi-chan. I-I think that I get it now."

Takagi: "No problem! By the way, since we're all going by first names, you can call me by my first name. Anyways, see you tomorrow, Hayase-chan!"

Nagatoro: "See you tomorrow, Rie-chan."

They both went to sleep, anticipating the day ahead of them.