An orange scarf, slightly lighter than the wearer's hair, was wrapped loosely around his shoulders, leaving the neck—the area it was meant to conceal—completely untouched, like it was merely an accessory. Yukiko eyed the exposed flesh intently; her furrowed brow spoke of displeasure and concern.
"Aren't you cold?"
"No,"
"Hmm,"
Gakushuu glanced her way, unsurprised that his answer had brought no change whatsoever. Yukiko was still regarding him with worry, wondering how he can walk around in the merciless cold with such light clothing. Compared to her, he did seem under-dressed, but in all actuality, his attire provided enough warmth to endure today's weather.
"I really am not, Yukiko."
"Are you sure?"
He heaved an irritated sigh. "Yes, I'm sure."
"I just don't want you to catch a cold or anything else."
"Don't worry, I won't."
Her eyes returned to his bare necks. 'How exactly am I supposed to not worry?'
"It's not even that cold." Gakushuu spoke once he caught her staring again.
"Yes, but it's not exactly warm either."
"You really need to stop worrying."
He heard her sigh, and that was the end of their conversation. This did not at all mean Yukiko's worry had subsided—it was had probably doubled in size now. They've been dating for a year now; so he knew how big of a worrywart she could be towards her loved ones.
Indeed, she always eager to lend a helping hand, would go far and beyond to offer them the best care possible. Gakushuu had seen it firsthand every time he visited the retirement home she used to volunteer at during their schooldays. Yukiko was always by an elder's side, eyeing them keenly to ensure all their needs were met, and then asking if there was more she could do. That was how caring of a person Kanzaki Yukiko was.
But Yukiko was just as knowledgeable about him as he was about her. Yes, Gakushuu had quite a few bad habits he had yet to forsake, but that didn't mean he incapable of properly dressing himself up in accordance to the weather forecast. He wasn't a child after all.
"Alright," She said quietly, "I trust you,"
Translation: I trust you'll cover your neck once you feel the slightest bit of cold. Gakushuu just nodded; glad this little argument of theirs was over. Now, they can go back to enjoying his peaceful walk.
Yukiko glanced at him again for she was still very much concerned for his well-being. No one could blame her; Gakushuu wasn't particularly known for following a good self-care routine, and the pronounced eye-bags were the biggest testament of that, followed by the deathly pale skin, and the fact her boyfriend looked skinnier than his last visit.
Nevertheless, Yukiko refrained from saying anything for the sake of maintaining the peace. Instead, she leaned a little closer until her arm lightly brushed against his. Gakushuu briefly glanced her way; now wearing a pleasant smile much like her own. Soft giggles escaped her lips when she felt a large hand gently nudge hers, before Gakushuu let his fingers intertwine with hers'. The touch was momentary, but Yukiko savored it for as long as could. She greatly enjoyed these subtle displays of affection they occasionally did, and she especially loved it when he held her hands.
"It's snowing."
The girl looked up, watching as the first few snowflakes fell down. "It is."
"It's quite a lovely sight, no?" Gakushuu stopped walking. "Pure white dots descending from a crimson sky,"
"Nice," She hummed, "Though I feel like crimson isn't the right word to describe the afternoon sky."
"Perhaps not," Gakushuu shrugged. "But at the moment, I fail to find a better and much more suitable alternative."
"How about the burning sky?"
He shrugged again. "I suppose that can do."
"I should've brought my notebook."
The strawberry blond chuckled. "Pity,"
Yukiko let out a dramatic sigh. "Indeed,"
"Ah well, you can write as much as you'd like once I get you home." Gakushuu said, one hand sliding to her back to get her walking again. "It's getting late anyway."
"Can we stay a little bit?" Yukiko asked, halting their stroll. "It's a pretty sight; why not enjoy it for a little longer?"
"Hmm," Gakushuu followed her gaze. "I don't see any harm in doing so."
He then turned back to her. "Just a few minutes, though. We don't want your family to worry."
Because worrying runs in the Kanzaki family, apparently,
"I'm sure they won't since they know I'm with you." She told him with a warm smile.
"I'm not sure if that applies to your brother though."
Ah, yes, Yukiko's brother—the biggest worrywart of them all. Although, Gakushuu still felt that title suited their mother best, but then again, she wasn't the one greeting him with a scowl for even daring to breathe the same air as her youngest child.
Yukiko laughed softly, "You know, he's actually very fond of you."
Gakushuu gave her a disbelieving look. "Are we talking about the same, overprotective big brother who interrogates me at least twice whenever I visit?"
"Yes, but he's warmed up to you now."
"Mm, I can feel the warmth every time he glares at me."
Yukiko laughed again before her eyes traveled upwards. Perhaps it was a good thing she didn't have her notebook this time, otherwise, she wouldn't have allowed herself to enjoy such beauty, and with her boyfriend by her side? Such a moment was to be treasured. It was unfortunate their reunion was excruciatingly short—only a week before Gakushuu had to fly back to the United States. Yukiko just hoped they'd get more opportunities like this in the near future.
"You know, Yukiko, this reminds me—"
He was cut off by a slurping noise. The couple gasped once they turned to the sound's origin, their eyes widening in shock— and horror in Gakushuu's case — when they saw a familiar redhead causally standing in between them and drinking coffee.
Gakushuu was the first to react. He jumped back in disgust, as though the newcomer was a filthy pest. Scratch that, he is a filthy pest!
"Akabane!"
"In the flesh," Karma grinned, while Yukiko kept gawking at him in disbelief. "Don't mind me, lovebirds, just having a drink,"
He took another audible sip of his beverage, further irritating the couple.
"What are you doing here, Akabane?" Gakushuu demanded
"Uh, Standing?"
His eye twitched. "I can see that."
"Then why're you asking?"
"You know what I meant!"
"I'm not a mind-reader, Asano-kun."
Steam was already coming out of Gakushuu's ears. "Alright; here's a question I'm sure you could understand: Why—"
Karma took another large sip.
"— are you—"
More slurping, which made Gakushuu's glare murderous, "—standing here? There, a simple, easy to understand question for a simpleton such as yourself."
"Why am I standing here, hmm?" Karma pretended to think. "Well, Asano-kun, it's because sitting in the snow doesn't sound so cool."
Gakushuu rolled his eyes. "Hilarious,"
"Is that sarcasm or have you actually learned to appreciate humor?"
"Sarcasm, obviously," Gakushuu crossed his arms. "You're about as humorous as a starving lion in the wild."
Karma tsk'd. "Someone's still a stick in the mud."
"And someone continues to be a nuisance."
"You got that right," Karma then turned to Yukiko. "What do you see in this nuisance, Kanzaki-san?"
"Nothing remarkable," Gakushuu answered instead, "As you always have been,"
The redhead raised an amused eyebrow. "Heh, when did you start referring to yourself in second person, Asano-kun?"
"Oh, you know full well whom I'm referring to."
"Of course I know; I'm looking at him."
"No, not here; try looking in the mirror instead."
Yukiko sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. 'Those two…'
It can't be helped; having Akabane Karma and Asano Gaushuu at such close proximity always resulted in a lengthy battle of wits. You'd think they'd outgrow this habit now that they were university students, but if only that were the case.
"Ah, the mirror," The other boy chuckled. "Where you spend almost five hours a day looking at the mirror to make sure you aren't balding."
Gakushuu scoffed. "Five hours? Where exactly did you pull out such a ridiculously exaggerated number from, hm? Probably somewhere unsanitary,"
"Aw, look at you being all kid-friendly." Karma snickered, "Such a good boy~"
Gakuhsuu ignored the last comment. ""Meanwhile, you can't be bothered to even pick up a brush and tame that amazon rain forest you decided to grow on your head."
"Hey, we gotta start caring about the ecosystem someday."
"Akabane-kun, why are you here?" Yukiko asked before Gakushuu had the chance to retort.
"Chaperoning," He answered simply.
A vain popped on Gakushuu's head. "Chaperoning?" He asked through gritted teeth.
"Yup," Karma said, popping the P along with Gakushuu's nervous. "We don't want any funny business, now do we?"
Yukiko blushed in embarrassment, while Gakushuu's glare intensified.
"Watch it, Akabane," He warned, "Not everyone is as careless and moronic as you are."
"Hey, I'm not the guy going out with my girlfriend every single day since he came back to Japan."
Gakushuu narrowed his eyes. "What, you were spying on us?"
"Nah," Karma said, "Kanzaki-senpai complained about it the other day, that's why he told me to chaperone."
Yukiko's light brown eyes widened with shock. Gakushuu's violet ones on the other hand, radiated with anger.
"Tsk, tsk, Asano-kun," Karma teased, "Worrying our old senpai like that. As his best friend and honorary little brother, I can't have that."
Gakushuu stared blankly at the redhead for a few seconds before directing his gaze onto Yukiko.
"What was it you said about your brother being fond of me?"
This one is inspired by Thorn's third and final piece of Gakushuu, Yukiko, and Karma; or as we dub them the "AKA Trio" (Asano-Kanzaki-Akabane)
And yes, that's our dear OTP: Gakuyuki/Asakanza; expect more of it in the future.
Well, that's it for this season, next part is in Spring. See you then!
