It was an unusual occurrence for Takagi and Nishikata to not run into Nagatoro or Senpai during their morning walks to school. In fact, it had been roughly a week since they'd walked to school alone together.
Takagi: "So how'd you sleep last night Nishikata?"
Nishikata: "Actually, I slept pretty well. I was really tired after the zoo trip so…"
Nishikata trailed off and Takagi saw an opportunity.
Takagi: "I bet that you were jealous of Naoto and Hayase-chan hugging yesterday. Am I right?"
Nishikata went completely red. Actually, he hadn't been thinking about those 2 in that way. He was simply happy that they were happy and at the same time happy that he got to spend some time alone with Takagi.
Nishikata: "I mean, I am happy for them but I'm also happy that we got to spend a little bit of time together, just us. Since we haven't really gotten much alone time recently, you know?"
Takagi: *smirking* "Now, why would you want to spend time alone with me?"
Nishikata: *blushing* "I-I just liked our little competitions. We don't seem to have as many anymore."
Takagi: "Well that's fair. Just to let you know, I was also really happy that we got to spend some time alone together."
Nishikata: "Huh?! W-well…"
Takagi: "You know, you should come over to my place after art club! We could spend some time, just you and me! Plus, I have some special things in my room I'd like to show you!"
Takagi said the final sentence in a suggestive tone causing Nishikata to immediately blush.
Takagi: "I just got a Lintendo switch! It has a lot of games like Smash sisters, Mark odyssey and Story of link, breath of the wild. I thought we could play some together."
Nishikata looked intensely relieved at the second statement.
Nishikata: "Sure Takagi-san but don't expect me to go easy on you! We'll have a best of 3 games and the loser does what the winner says!"
Takagi: "Deal."
After their plan was set, Takagi noticed Nagatoro running in circles around Senpai prodding him from all sides.
Takagi: "Hey Hayase-chan, Naoto!"
Senpai and Nagatoro spun to face Takagi and Nishikata.
Senpai/Nagatoro: "Sup."
Nishikata: "We're just headed to school. Say, Hayase, want to have a rematch?"
Nagatoro: "Yeah, sure."
Nagatoro wore her signature smirk as the 2 of them walked to the nearest park table. As they began to arm wrestle, Their arms lay in the centre, unmoving.
Senpai: "Uh… are either of you doing anything?"
Both Nagatoro and Nishikata were red and sweating, even in the slightly chilly weather. It was very clear that they were, indeed, trying. After 5 straight minutes, Takagi spoke up.
Takagi: "How about we call this one a draw and continue? I'd love to see who wins, but I don't want to be late for class.
Nagatoro: "Oh, ok. I'll beat you next time, Nishikata!"
Nishikata: "I don't think so. We'll see, Hayase."
The 2 of them exchanged friendly banter and trash talk with Senpai or Takagi infrequently bringing up the weather. Before any of them knew it, they were at school.
Nagatoro: "See you guys at art club!"
Senpai: "S-see ya, Nagatoro."
With that, everyone headed to their classes.
Takagi: "Oh, I just remembered, I have a bit of studying to catch up on. I'm pretty sure Naoto won't mind if I'm a few minutes late."
Nishikata: "You need to catch up on studying?"
Takagi: "Yep. I got distracted by something…"
Takagi: I was kinda hoping that Nishikata and I would take a big step yesterday, but I guess he's still not ready. Oh well.
Nishikata: "T-then I'll stay with you."
Takagi: "Hm?"
Nishikata: "C-can't have you struggling on questions. You need to maintain your grades."
A few weeks ago, Nishikata probably would've attempted to tease Takagi about not finishing her work, but seeing her now? After talking to Senpai? He wanted to make sure that she was ok first and foremost.
Takagi, on the other hand, didn't see this coming. Her lips trembled as she tried to suppress her blush.
Takagi: Oh Nishikata. L-looks like you have come a long way after all.
Takagi: "Thank you Nishikata!"
Takagi pulled him in for a quick hug but Nishikata quickly separated, red as a fire truck.
Nishikata: "C-class is starting soon. I guess we're doing some studying after school."
Shortly, the teacher began taking attendance and Nishikata and Takagi quieted at once. It wasn't long before it was lunch time.
Nakai: Hey! Sup, Nishikata!"
Nishikata: "S-sup, Nakai. How was your date with Mano?"
Nakai: "It went pretty well. We saw some cute animals and spent a lot of time together, with just us. It was nice. How about your date with Takagi?"
Nishikata: "I-it wasn't a date! I was just trying to get Naoto and Hayase closer together."
Nakai: "Ah. Yeah. Sure. Anyways, I was thinking, after clubs, do you want to go to the park with Takao, Kimura, and Hamaguchi?"
Nishikata: "A-actually I can't. I promised Takagi-san that I'd go over to her place after art club today. Maybe tomorrow."
Nakai: *smirking* "Damn, Nishikata, don't you think you're a bit young for that? Not shaming anything in particular, just saying-"
Nishikata *blushing* "I-I'm just hanging out with her! That's all!"
Nakai: "Man, you're so obvious, Nishikata! Wishing you luck in getting closer to Takagi!"
With that, Nakai went back to talking to the other people at the table while Nishikata was still in thought. Sure, he'd accepted how he felt about Takagi but he wasn't ready to open up to anyone other than Senpai, and that was only because Senpai seemed to be in the exact same situation as Nishikata himself. Plus, Senpai wouldn't tell a soul, he knew. Still, Nakai was still one of Nishikata's best friends and Nishikata knew that he would tell his friends soon.
Meanwhile, Takagi was sitting with Nagatoro's group along with her own friend group all at 2 tables right next to each other.
Houjou: "So Mano, how'd your date with Nakai go?"
Mano: "Oh, it was wonderful! We spent the whole day together, just the 2 of us. I honestly don't remember anything about the animals we saw while we were there, I just remember us being together. Still, what was that about Takagi-chan? You might've gotten Nakai to leave right then, when you suggested we join you!"
Mano added this last part as she got some confused stares from some of the girls around her.
Takagi: "I was just testing him. If he'd agreed to join us, I would've told you to have a serious talk with him about keeping your dates just that: your dates."
Mano: "I-I see. Still, don't do that. I'd hate to ever get a date ruined."
Takagi: "I see. Then again, Nakai doesn't look like he'd do that. He's different from when we were back in middle school."
Yukari: "Anyways, how was your double date with Nishikata?"
Nagatoro let out a small smile and blush at these words.
Gamo: "Yeah Hayacchi, how was your field trip with Paisen?"
Yoshi: "Tryst!"
Nagatoro instantly clammed up with a faint "shut up" but Takagi merely laughed.
Takagi: "Oh, it was nice. Nishikata let me keep this drawing he made of me and we had some fun. We also got a little bit of time to ourselves and I think that that trip or something that happened recently has brought us together."
Sanae: "Happy to hear that."
Sakura had been uncharacteristically silent all day and Gamo was beginning to catch on. Still, she wouldn't bring it up in front of all these people. She would probably corner Sakura later. Still, for now, she was focused on making Nagatoro spill the details.
Gamo: "Takagi! How were Hayacchi and Paisen? Hope they didn't give you too much of a hard time."
Takagi smiled to herself.
Takagi: "They treated me and Nishikata very well in case you were curious. As for what happened between them, That's for Hayase-chan to say herself."
Nagatoro froze once again at all the eyes being cast on her. She, however, was spared when the lunch bell rang.
Gamo: "Ah well. Guess I'll have to wring it outta you some other day, Hayacchi!"
Nagatoro merely sighed to herself before dragging herself to her next class.
