By the way, I'm in the process of writing an original work, but can't write it on since it doesn't allow original works. Anyways, links to my AO3 and Wattpad accounts are right below.
Wattpad: /user/HalfElfRouge
Archive of our own: /users/HalfElfRouge/works
Chapter 22: Wow… You really did that to him…Nagatoro explained everything. From how Nagatoro made fun of Senpai's manga to how she pinned him against a wall, to how she made him cry.
Nagatoro: "After that I kinda realized that I messed up and I tried to give him my handkerchief to wipe his eyes with and I sort of… ran off. I'm not sure how I left him…"
Takagi: "Damn. That was… something. Kinda shows how much you changed."
Nagatoro: "Wait, what?"
Takagi: "Well, this time, when Naoto told you to stop, you stopped."
Nagatoro: "I-I guess. Still, I'd be lying if I said I didn't regret making our first meeting like that…"
Takagi: "Yep. At least you've made progress."
Nagatoro: "I mean, yeah? The day after, though, I'm not even sure if it was any better for him… I went into his art room and got him to draw me and I promised him a reward if he did it well. It was pretty good, but he kinda smudged my thighs a little."
Nagatoro chuckled to herself a little at this memory.
Takagi: "Heh. Just like Nishikata's first sketch of you."
Nagatoro: "I-I suppose. After that, I told him to close his eyes and I… uh…"
Nagatoro went red and tears started welling in her eyes.
Nagatoro: "I gave him a forehead flick… He looked so… defeated. He was blushing, a-and… I could see tears in his eyes."
Takagi: "Wow… You really did that to him…"
Nagatoro: "I… yeah. I didn't really know how to react so I made another mistake. I… I laughed at him and t-teased him for crying. After he really began to cry I realized I'd messed up and went to wipe his eyes again."
Takagi: "Wait, didn't you say you gave him your handkerchief?"
Nagatoro: "It's… That was probably when I really knew I liked him. The next day, he gave me my handkerchief and said he[d laundered it. That's… probably the smallest, kindest thing anyone's done for me. And he did that after what happened to him the day before."
Takagi smiled as she thought back to the day that Nishikata brought her her own handkerchief during that seating arrangement change.
Takagi: "He really is something else, huh."
Nagatoro: "Yeah. Honestly, if Senpai was anyone else, then we probably wouldn't be as close as we are now."
Takagi: "I can definitely see that. Nishikata puts up with my teasing but I doubt that he'd like me if that was the first thing I did with him."
Nagatoro: "Y-yeah. We've both kinda just… shut it out. Forgot about it. Moved on. Anyways, after the club, I…"
Nagatoro gulped out of nervousness.
Nagatoro: "I asked him out. And when he took a few seconds to answer, I… I told him that it was a lie and that… no girl would ever go out with him."
Takagi: "Damn. That's just… wow."
Nagatoro: "I felt like I had to get that off my chest. I was keeping that from other people for a while. I don't even think that Gamo-chan or Yoshi even know about how we met."
Takagi: "Hm. Good thing that never happened again. I don't think today will affect you guys that much, seeing as you 2 managed to get past your first impression."
Nagatoro couldn't hold it in anymore. She broke down and cried like she'd never before.
Nagatoro: "I-I just feel like I don't deserve what I have! Anyone else and… they would've just cut me out after those 2 days! And I would've been left with nothing! Heck, I might've hurt even more guys like that! Why me, why did I get so lucky? Why is Senpai so god damn nice?!"
Takagi: "Look, Hayase, thinking about that won't help you. What will is thinking about tomorrow. I'd say just give Naoto a bit of room to breathe and lay off of him for a bit."
Nagatoro: "Y-yeah. I should."
Nagatoro was about to ask her what she should do about teasing Senpai in general but…
Nagatoro: That's something for me and Senpai to resolve on our own.
Takagi: "You thinking about what you should do about teasing Senpai?"
Nagatoro: "Wha- how'd you know?!"
Takagi: "You were quiet and I just thought that that was the most likely possibility. I'd say to just ask him."
Nagatoro: "I- thanks for everything, Rie."
Takagi: "No problem. See you tomorrow, Hayase-chan."
Nagatoro: "See you."
Nagatoro had a sleepless night. She simply couldn't get to sleep with everything on her mind. Before she could drift away, light began seeping through the windows.
Nagatoro: "Ugh. Today's going to be hard."
Before long, she was out the door and had met up with Takagi, Nishikata and Senpai.
Nagatoro: "Sup, Senpai."
Senpai: "Sup, Nagatoro. You look bad, are you ok?"
Nagatoro: "I didn't get much sleep last night."
Senpai: "I-I see."
Senpai shot Takagi a glance as she simply shrugged.
Senpai: "Look, if it's about the thing, I just want you to know that we're still… what we were before that happened. Again, as long as you ask in the future, you're… forgiven."
Nagatoro shot him a weak smile and continued walking. Senpai wasn't quite used to Nagatoro not being full of energy. Truth be told, Senpai actually slept quite well that night. While what Nagatoro did kind of crossed boundaries, it also assured him that she felt that way about him. All he had to do was ready himself for a relationship.
Nagatoro: "T-thank you, Senpai."
Senpai: "Nagatoro!"
Senpai barely managed to catch Nagatoro as she collapsed, her lack of sleep finally catching up with her.
Nishikata: "Uh, Naoto? Do you need some help with that?"
Senpai: *sweating* "Y-yeah. That w-would be good."
The 2 of them began hoisting Nagatoro's arms over their shoulders and began carrying her. Before long, the constant motion woke her up.
Nagatoro: "Wha-what just happened?"
Senpai: "Y-you fell. I managed to catch you and Nishikata helped me with carrying you."
Nagatoro turned completely red, not even bothering to hide her blush.
Nagatoro: "T-thank you, Senpai. I'll be fine with just… a bit of help. Can I get some sleep in the art room at lunch?"
Senpai: "O-of course."
Senpai cautiously hoisted Nagatoro partly onto his shoulder, helping her walk, causing her to blush.
Nagatoro: "! Thanks, Senpai."
Nagatoro closed her eyes while Senpai guided her along the route to school.
Takagi: "You're not going to challenge me, Nishikata?"
Nishikata: "I-Well, I feel like we should probably keep an eye out in case Hayase falls asleep again."
Takagi: "Fair."
Nishikata: "Uh, Hayase?"
Nagatoro: "Mmm?"
Nishikata: "Drink this."
Nishikata handed her a can of coffee, which she began to drink heartily.
Nagatoro: "Thanks, Nishikata."
Nishikata: "Wouldn't want you falling asleep in class."
Nagatoro got her arm around Senpai's neck once again and Nishikata returned to Takagi. Before long, they'd reached school and parted ways. After lunch started, Nagatoro stumbled her way up to the art room.
Senpai: "Sup, Nagatoro."
Nagatoro: "Sup."
Nagatoro flopped onto the couch, giving Senpai an idea.
Senpai: "Hey Nagatoro? Can I sketch you while you're asleep?"
Nagatoro: "Sure, Senpai…"
Nagatoro's voice trailed off as she fell asleep. This wasn't like the first time Senpai drew her asleep. This time, her arms were spread, one of them hanging off the side of the couch, her hair was slightly messy, and her legs were bent. With that in mind, Senpai started drawing.
Nishikata: "Sup, Naoto."
Senpai: "Sup."
After greeting them, Senpai quickly returned to his drawing. Nishikata, seeing this and not wanting to interrupt, started sketching some fruit. After a bit of time, the bell rang. Senpai, just having finished, shook Nagatoro awake.
Senpai: "Nagatoro? Lunch is over."
Nagatoro: "Hm? Ok."
Nagatoro slowly got up and dragged herself out the door.
Nagatoro: "Thanks, Senpai."
Senpai: "N-no problem."
With that, everyone headed off to their classes.
