Chapter 39: I like you too.

Takagi, on the other hand, had sat back down.

Houjou: "Takagi? Are you doing ok?"

Takagi: "Huh? Yeah, I'm fine."

Houjou: "That's good… I'm just worried about anything going wrong! Like, what if I trip and fall? What if I spill punch on us? What if-"

Takagi: "Stop. Look, do you think that Hamaguchi's gonna care if you embarrass yourself?"

Houjou: "I mean, yeah… What if he doesn't think I'm mature anymore?"

Takagi: "Everyone makes mistakes, and I'm sure that Hamaguchi knows that. Heck, he'd probably stop to help clean you up if that happened."

Houjou: "A-alright. Well then, I'm going to ask Nishikata where I'm asking him out!"

Houjou got up and left. A few minutes later, Nishikata returned.

Takagi: "Hey, Nishikata!"

Nishikata: "Hey, Takagi."

Takagi: "So how'd it go?"

Nishikata: "I told Hamaguchi that Houjou wanted to meet up at his cabin after dinner."

Takagi: "Sweet! I hope it goes well for them."

Nishikata: That's strange… I can't tell what, but something's not ri- "Takagi? Are you… did something happen?"

Takagi looked surprised for a moment.

Takagi: "Heh. I guess I can't hide anything from you."

Nishikata: "What are you even saying? I can't tell anything when it comes to you…"

Takagi: "Yeah, but you can always see when something's wrong. It's just that… I've never seen you that angry before. Like, you get annoyed when you lose, but it's never that intense."

Nishikata: "I guess you're right… I just don't really like it when people insult my friends when they don't deserve it."

Takagi: "Do you get mad at others often? You always seem so kind and lighthearted around me, but are you just doing it for me?"

Nishikata: "Huh? Of course not. I think that was the first time I've ever been that angry. It hasn't really happened before."

Takagi: "Well that's a relief. You're always so uncomposed, Nishikata! It's not natural for you to be calm and uptight. Yet you're so kind, you went out of your way to return the handkerchief of a random person even though it made you late! On top of that, you never fail to make me laugh."

Nishikata: "Y-yeah. Thanks. T-Takagi? I really like you too. You always manage to outsmart me, but you know when to stop. At least most of the time. You're also always there for your friends. Most of all, I have a lot of fun with you!"

They each took turns spooning each other ramen until they finished. It took Nishikata until then to realize what he'd said. Takagi had been blushing the entire time while Nishikata remained blissfully unaware until the end.

Nishikata: "Wait! I didn't mean it like that!"

Takagi: "I-it's ok. I…"

Takagi gulped and turned even more red.

Takagi: "I like you too."

Nishikata: "I… I win…"

Takagi: "What do you mean?"

Nishikata: "Hayase and I… we made a competition. I wasn't planning on winning, but… here we are. I said that the first person to confess wins."

Takagi: "I see… You don't seem happy about that."

Nishikata: "It's just that… I was trying to get her to confess to Naoto!"

Takagi: "You know, you didn't confess."

Nishikata: "Huh?"

Takagi: *turned away, blushing* "I did. Not you. Besides, I can wait. I-I know your response anyways. Just… you said you didn't mean anything by it, right? Well I…"

The words caught in Takagi's mouth. After a few moments of silence, She finally spoke.

Takagi: "I meant everything."

###

Nagatoro: "Ahhh- Mmmm! Thank you, Senpai! I would've thought you'd have dropped the rice, you're so clumsy!"

Senpai: "Shut up."

Nagatoro: "Playing the straight man, are we? Well, that's the last of it! Say…"

Nagatoro: Just say you want one more run. I need to beat Nishikata- no. I need to beat Yuki. "Hey, Senpai?"

Senpai: "What now?"

Nagatoro: "Why don't we go on one last run? I need to see if you've improved at all today!"

Senpai: "A-alright."

The 2 of them went off the lift to the height of the mountain. As they skied down, Senpai wasn't flawless. Nagatoro smiled as he flailed his arms around, but he didn't slip, he didn't lose focus, and he didn't fall.

Nagatoro: "Congratulations, Senpai! You've officially upgraded to human!"

Senpai: "T-thank… You…"

Nagatoro: "Wow, you're completely winded. I guess you need to head back down to-"

Senpai: "No! I'm fine!"

Nagatoro turned away.

Nagatoro: "Did you hear about the valentine's day dance?"

Senpai: "Y-yeah. I did."

Nagatoro: "Would you like to go there?"

Senpai: "I mean… If the right person asked me."

Nagatoro: "I see… I'd like a certain someone to ask me too."

Senpai: "Huh?"

Nagatoro: Enough! You need to confess, so if you can't do this, there's no way you can win! "Senpai! Do you…"

Nagatoro's voice trailed off. She took a deep breath and continued.

Nagatoro: "Do you want to go to the valentines day dance with me?"

Senpai: "Huh? A-are you sure?"

Nagatoro: "What, did you think that I would ask anyone else?"

Senpai: "No! Of course not! I just…"

Nagatoro: "Ew, Senpai thinks that I'll just ask him- Ah! I guess I need to ask you to the dance now, right?"

Senpai: "I- what?"

Nagatoro: "I mean, you think that I'll only ask you, right? So I need to! So Senpai, will you dance with me?"

Nagatoro: Why did I say that? Couldn't I have been more subtle, or better worded or-

Senpai: "S-sure."

Nagatoro: "S-Senpai wants to dance with me? G-gross."

Senpai couldn't help but smile at Nagatoro's attempt to save face.

Nagatoro: "N-now he can't stop himself from smiling at me! Pervert."

Yoshi: "Ouch!"

Both Nagatoro and Senpai whipped around to find Yoshi rubbing her knee and Gamo holding a camera.

Gamo: "Ah… Sup, Hayacchi?"

Nagatoro: "How much did you hear?"

Gamo: "Relax. I'll send it to you later. Seriously though, you looked like you were about to crap yourself! You really need to-"

Nagatoro: *crack knuckles* "Senpai. It's getting late, so you should go back to your cabins. I'm looking forward to the dance!"

Senpai nodded and headed straight back to the cabin. Before long, he got a text.

Senpai: "This is… us. Huh."

As he reached his cabin, he noticed 2 figures standing in the cabin next door.

Houjou: "I-I guess that settles it then."

Hamaguchi: "U-uh yeah. See you then!"

Houjou walked off. However, Hamaguchi noticed Senpai.

Hamaguchi: "H-Hachioji? How long have you been there?"

Senpai: "Huh?! I-I've just been here for a few moments! I didn't hear anything other than the last little bit, I swear!"

Hamaguchi: "A-alright. So… uh… wish me luck!"

Senpai: *cheerful* "Y-yeah. Good luck. With Houjou."

Hamaguchi: "Thanks a bunch, Hachioji!"

With that, Senpai went into his cabin. However, it was almost completely empty.

Teacher-sama: "Hachioji-kun! I'm afraid there's been an issue with the heating in this cabin. Grab your stuff and go into the cabin next door."

Senpai: "Huh? Alright…"

Senpai quickly gathered his equipment and headed into the cabin next door.

Nakai: "Sup, Hachioji!"

Senpai gave Nakai a blank stare as Nishikata, Kimura, and Takao popped out from behind him, giving Senpai a blank smile and wave.