Chapter 31: This feels really nice, Nishikata.

Takagi: "Hi Ni- I mean Mina."

Mina: "Hey Takagi! We're just having a little dessert together! Nishikata, are you ok with her joining?"

Nishikata: "Wha- of course."

Takagi: "Oh, are these… cookies? What are you baking for, Nishikata?"

Nishikata went red, but kept his composure. He wouldn't let a moment of weakness ruin the surprise.

Nishikata: "I was going to visit my grandma on Tuesday, so I was just preparing."

Takagi: "I see."

Nishikata quickly divided the cookie leftovers between them. When Kimura and Mina bit into Nishikata's recipe, their eyes went wide.

Mina: "NISHIKATA! You NEED to join the cooking club! You're amazing at this!"

Kimura: "Yeah! We've been needing a new member for a while now! You'd be perfect!"

Nishikata: "Look guys, I'd love to, but I'm kinda preoccupied with art club right now."

Mina: *disappointed* "I see. Still, we should do this more often, this was fun!"

Nishikata: "Yeah! Plus, we don't spend that much time together anyways and I've been wanting to spend some more time with Kimura… Honestly ever since I met Takagi, no offense."

Takagi: "None taken, although I'd definitely like to try to learn with you guys too."

Nishikata: "Alright then. I guess the 6 of us are making an extra club?"

Senpai: "Looks like it…"

Nagatoro: "Of course Senpai wants to spend more time with me! So gross~"

Nagatoro had gone back to noodling Senpai.

Takagi: "Maybe he's just trying to keep you away from any chocolates you shouldn't be having."

Kimura and Mina shot a confused look at Nagatoro who was completely red.

Nagatoro: "W-we don't talk about t-that."

Takagi giggled to herself.

Takagi: "Still, these are really good, Nishikata. I really love your baking!"

Nishikata: *blushing* "R-really Takagi? T-thanks for that. Your opinion… means a lot to me."

Now it was Takagi's turn to go pink. She wore a flustered expression which quickly turned into a genuine smile.

Takagi: "No problem, Nishikata! I'm just speaking my mind."

Nagatoro: "She's right, though. You're a great baker."

Senpai: "Agreed."

Nishikata felt a warm feeling bubbling inside of him. Genuine compliments do that to a guy.

Nishikata: "Thanks, everyone. Though Takagi, are you hungry? There's a bit of tamagoyaki left."

Takagi: "I could go for some, honestly. I had a bit to eat at Mano's, but not that much."

Takagi went into the kitchen, returning with a plate of tamagoyaki.

Takagi: "This is so good! You're really a great cook, Naoto!"

Senpai: "A-actually…"

Senpai pointed at Nagatoro who blushed and smiled. Takagi wore a slightly shocked expression for a moment before smiling again.

Takagi: "Wow! You're really good at this, Hayase-chan! You should cook more often, you're a natural!"

There it is again, that funny feeling that she got whenever she was complemented by someone close to her. Nagatoro blushed deeper while rubbing the back of her neck.

Nagatoro: "Thanks a bunch."

As she said this, Nagatoro got a text from Sakura.

Sakura: *in text* "Toro-chan, can we talk about tomorrow? Senpai-kun can join us, but I'd rather no one else be there."

Nagatoro replied that they should meet up at her house before announcing to Senpai:

Nagatoro: "Hey, Sakura wants to chat. Let's head to my house, Senpai. I know how much you love it there~"

Senpai: "Shut up. But yeah, let's go. See you guys later."

As they left, Takagi turned to Nishikata.

Takagi: "You excited for tomorrow?"

Nishikata: "I mean, I'm looking forward to helping out our friends."

Mina: "What's happening tomorrow?"

Takagi: "Oh, me and Nishikata are going on a triple date."

Kimura: "Damn, good for you!"

Nishikata: *turning red* "I-it's not a date! We're just helping Takagawa and Sakura get closer!"

Kimura shot him a doubtful look before Takagi interjected.

Takagi: "Does that mean you're not excited about hanging out with me?"

Nishikata: "No! Yes… I guess? I enjoy being around you, so yeah, I guess?"

Takagi: *smirking* "Oh, so does that mean you like me?"

Nishikata blushed and looked away. Takagi was surprised he didn't deny it instantly.

Nishikata: "I mean, I really enjoy your company and you've helped me get better and more mature, so yeah, I guess I like you a lot. You're a really good friend."

Takagi went red for a second, which both Kimura and Mina took notice of, but she quickly regained her composure.

Takagi: "T-thanks, Nishikata."

Nishikata turned around, seeing Takagi's lightly pink cheeks, and immediately started blushing.

Nishikata: "Uh. yeah. You're probably my best friend right now, seeing as I spend a lot of my time with you."

Takagi smiled and stretched out her arms for a hug, which Nishikata accepted after a few moments of deliberating and glancing at Kimura and Mina.

Takagi: "You know, they probably think we're a couple right now, Nishikata."

Nishikata blushed.

Nishikata: "I-I guess that's what it looks like, huh."

Strike 3. That was the third time that day she'd been caught off guard by Nishikata. She was so happy that she tightened her grip on him even more.

Takagi: "So you don't care? Who are you and what have you done with Nishikata?"

Nishikata: "I-I mean, I trust Kimura and Mina not to blab. Don't tell anyone about this, especially not Yukari. Ok?"

Mina nodded vigorously and Kimura shot him a smile and a thumbs up. Nishikata went back to focusing all of his attention on Takagi. After a few minutes, they seperated.

Nishikata: "I… That was nice."

Takagi: "Y-yeah. It was. We should do that more often."

Nishikata said nothing but gave a quick nod.

Nishikata: "Well, see you guys later."

Mina and Kimura waved at him before leaving the house.

Mina: "This is going to be hard…"

Kimura: "Hey, don't sweat it. As long as you act normal, everything should be fine."

Mina: "You know how bad I am at keeping secrets."

Kimura: "Just don't bring it up and you'll be fine. Still, Nishikata's a pretty understanding guy."

Mina: "Still, he said that he trusts us and I'd hate to change that."

Kimura: "Fair, but still. We should be a-ok."

Back in Nishikata's house, Nishikata and Takagi had put 100% unrequited love on the TV and were cuddling on the couch in front of this.

Takagi: "This feels really nice, Nishikata. I'm watching a good anime with my best friend."

Nishikata: "Y-yeah. It does feel nice."

Nishikata instinctively pulled Takagi closer as she nuzzled into his shoulder, causing him to blush.

###

Sakura: "Thanks for having me, Toro-chan."

Nagatoro: "No problem. So what are you nervous about?"

Sakura: "Well… This is kinda my first real impression for her. Sure, we were in the sewing club together before this, but we never really talked."

Nagatoro: "Hm. Interesting."

Senpai began looking away and scratching his cheek, causing everyone else to stare at him.

Senpai: "Well, I noticed that when you said 'see you later, Takagawa-chan!' she kinda blushed. It looks like she already has a bit of a crush on you."

Sakura: "I guess. I kinda had the same reaction when I so much as looked at her. God, I'm gonna be so flustered tomorrow! This is gonna be so embarrassing…"

Nagatoro: "Hey, for the record, everyone else is gonna be just as embarrassed as you."

Sakura: "Hey, you 2 and Takagi and Nishikata are way closer than me and Takagawa. This is just us getting to know each other a bit better."

Nagatoro: *smirking* "Well… I'm not sure if virgin Senpai here is the best person to ask for advice about not getting flustered."

Senpai: "You're not much better!"

Nagatoro: *blushing slightly* "But, I know that Rie-chan, I mean Takagi, is really good at giving advice on this kind of stuff. Maybe you could try to find her and Nishikata before you run into Takagawa?"

Sakura: "I guess I will. I would ask how you and Senpai-kun got so close but… I'm not sure that's the relationship I'd want with Takagawa, no offense."

Nagatoro and Senpai were both glancing at each other and blushing.

Senpai: "N-none taken."

Nagatoro: "I mean, Takagi and Nishikata's relationship is kinda like ours. Just a little more tame and a bit less pervy, Senpai!"

Senpai: "S-shut up."

Nagatoro: "Still, Rie-chan told me about how her friends go to her for relationship advice, so you might want to try your luck with her."

Sakura: "Thanks for your help guys!"

Nagatoro: "Wha- No problem, I guess."

With that, Sakura and Senpai left and headed home, getting ready for the day ahead of them.