Takagi: "So that was something, huh?"
Nishikata: "I suppose so…"
Takagi: "Do you think they think we're a couple?"
Nishikata: "I… I guess everyone's getting the wrong idea…"
Takagi: "I don't mind them getting the wrong idea."
Nishikata: *blushing* "Wha- don't you want them to know the truth?!"
Takagi: "Yeah, I do."
Nishikata: "Then what-"
Nishikata: Does she mean that…
Takagi: "You're so red, Nishikata!"
Nishikata: "Shut up!"
Takagi: "Actually, one of my favourite songs begins with that. I don't mind them getting the wrong idea as long as it's with you. I really like that song. I think that I showed it to you back in middle school, actually."
Nishikata went even redder.
Nishikata: Is… Is she trying to confess to me? Ok, think. Takagi's super popular, but does she hang out with any other boys? Not really, outside of the people I hang out with, although I've heard of people having crushes on people they've never talked to…
Nishikata shuddered with horror and laughter at his memory of a younger Kimura screaming at Takao to just talk to Sanae since they hadn't even said a word to each other at that point.
Takagi: "Are you ok, Nishikata?"
Takagi was still smiling, although her cheeks were a little pink and her smile a little forced.
Nishikata: She looks a little… Flustered? I guess it wouldn't be the first time today, but still.
Takagi: "Hello? Earth to Nishikata!"
Nishikata: "Wha- yeah, I'm fine."
Takagi: "You looked so nervous, Nishikata? What did you think I was saying?"
Nishikata: "I… Well…"
While Nishikata couldn't hear it, Takagi's heart had become a full-on drum set with noise.
Takagi: Of course he didn't get it. Or he got it and is too nervous to look into it further. I guess I'm not going to get him to find out just by hinting. Looks like I'll have to be more direct.
Takagi: "Want to play some truth or dare?"
Nishikata: "What? Weren't we doing that with Naoto and Hayase?"
Takagi: "Well, that doesn't stop us from playing with just the 2 of us."
Nishikata: "I… I guess."
Takagi: "So truth or dare?"
Nishikata: "Uh… I'm feeling adventurous. I pick dare!"
Takagi flashed Nishikata a smile.
Takagi: "Perfect! I dare you to study for all our tests together!"
Nishikata: "What?!"
Takagi: "What, do you have something against us being together?"
Nishikata: "It's not that…"
Nishikata thought back to another time when he and Takagi'd studied together and Nishikata failed a test.
Nishikata: I… Is she going to try to teach me the wrong material again? Sure, it came up in the test after, but still. You know what? I'll just say it.
Nishikata: *taking a deep breath* "I… just haven't had very good experiences studying with you."
Takagi: "Huh? I-"
The colour drained from Takagi's face and her eyes widened in horror as she remembered that time in the library.
Takagi: "I… I see…"
Nishikata: "I ended up failing that test too… And just by 2 points… If I'd just been able to study on my own that day, I might not've failed. On top of that, I was planning to have a hangout and gaming session with Nakai, Kimura, and Takao after but… My mom said I needed to study. I don't think I've touched a video game for a while…"
Takagi's jaw dropped as she heard this.
Takagi: So that's… what happens when one of my little jokes goes too far…
Takagi: "Wow… I'm… I'm sorry, Nishikata. I promise that if we study together I will teach you the right material."
Nishikata: "I mean… You could just be saying this to tease me."
Takagi: "What do you mean? I never lie to you."
Nishikata: "Remember when you told me that you liked me?"
Takagi 's smile remained, but all of the colour drained from her skin and clothes. She'd done that. Not to mention lording her honesty over Nishikata all the time.
Nishikata: "I figured that you only lie about big things and… Liking someone and grades are pretty big, huh."
Takagi: Ah…
Takagi: "I swear Nishikata, I will never lie to you again."
Nishikata: "That's nice to hear, Takagi, but couldn't you just lie about not lying? Plus, you've done other stuff without technically lying…"
Takagi: I "have" misled him quite a bit…
Nishikata: "But I guess if it's a dare, I guess I have to. Plus, I guess this'll keep me on my toes."
Takagi almost cried at seeing the bleak expression on Nishikata's face, as if he'd accepted defeat.
Takagi: "I'm so, so sorry, Nishikata."
Takagi tentatively lifted her arms to indicate asking for a hug. Nishikata went slightly pink, but nodded, prompting Takagi to swiftly wrap her arms around Nishikata and begin sobbing into his chest.
Takagi: "I-I'm so sorry, Nishikata! I just… I shouldn't have done those things and I'm not going to try to excuse them. What I-I c-can say is t-that I'll never lie to you again or teach you the wrong material. I-I-I'll n-never stop teasing you until t-the end of time b-but I swear I won't interfere in your a-academics!"
Takagi completely broke down.
Nishikata: "I… Takagi… You swear?"
Takagi: "Y-yes. I swear. I-if I ever lie to you, or intentionally make you waste time while studying, you win."
Nishikata widened his eyes in shock. That seemed to convince him.
Nishikata: "Alright…"
The 2 just sat there, embracing each other. Soon, Takagi's tears had dried and they'd separated. Takagi took a moment to compose herself and broke the silence.
Takagi: "We may as well start studying for the test later this week."
Nishikata: "Y-yeah. I suppose so."
The 2 of them began studying and before long, with Takagi's help, Nishikata easily memorized everything.
Nishikata: "Wow, you're really good at this, Takagi."
Takagi: "Thanks, Nishikata! Don't take away all your credit, though, you're picking this up quickly too! Besides, I was able to teach you well last time, so shouldn't this be expected?"
Nishikata blushed at her compliment.
Nishikata: "Thank you, Takagi."
Takagi: "Well, since we finished that, do you want to invite Naoto?"
Nishikata: "What? That was kinda… Unexpected."
Takagi: "Well, I thought that since he didn't have much to do since he did his work with Hayase-chan yesterday and she's probably asleep right now."
Nishikata: "Fair enough. Sure. Let's invite him!"
Takagi: *smirking* "Plus, we both want to know the details on what's going on between him and Nagatoro."
Nishikata: *blushing* "What? I mean, I guess we can…"
Takagi sent Senpai a quick text and after a few seconds, got a response.
Takagi: "He says that he's on his way."
Nishikata: "Nice."
Before long, Senpai had showed up.
Senpai: "Sup Takagi, Nishikata."
Takagi/Nishikata: "Sup Naoto."
Takagi: "So how's Hayase-chan doing? Did she get to bed safely?"
Senpai: "Y-yeah. She did."
Nishikata: "That's good. Hey, Naoto! Let's have another workout session!"
Senpai let out a sigh and permitted Nishikata to drag him into a more open area as they began doing push ups, Nishikata shouting encouragement at Senpai the whole way through.
Senpai: "I can't… Anymore…"
Nishikata: "Hey, you did amazing! 20 push ups is way more than what you could do before! Say, have you been training on your own?"
Senpai: "Y-yeah. A bit."
Nishikata: "That's good!"
Takagi smiled as she watched Nishikata giving Senpai pointers on improving his form and increasing the efficiency of his exercise.
Takagi: So this is your comfort zone, Nishikata? "Hey Naoto! How has your's and Hayase-chan's relationship been?"
Senpai shot her an uneasy look but composed himself.
Senpai: "Well, something… uh… happened last night, but I think I've moved past it."
Takagi: "That's good."
Senpai: "What about you 2?"
Nishikata: "W-what do you mean?"
Nishikata wasn't waving his arms around and stammering, rather, blushing, mumbling, and looking away.
Senpai: "Well… If you don't want to talk about it, then…"
Takagi: "So is anyone up to head to the park or something? We're all done with our homework, so why not?"
Nishikata: "Sure. Wait a second, I think I can get the others to come too."
Takagi: "Sure. I'll see if my friends are down."
Senpai: "I'll… invite Nagatoro's friends."
Takagi: "Perfect! Let's go!"
Before long, everyone had shown up at the park.
