Hey, sorry for the reupload if you already read this one at some point. I am rearranging some of the chapters, and moving some of the shorter chapters from A better Yuigahama in Red Strings.

Hachiman was warier of Sayaka's honest observations. Her remarks sliced through him like he wasn't wearing armor. Whenever she opened her mouth, she would either ask something silly like his favorite color, or she would say something like, 'I like the real Hachiman underneath. Don't you?' Whatever the hell that meant.

She seemed to know which buttons of his to push and where and when. And exactly how much she could get away with.

Hachiman stepped on a small purple flower. He lifted his foot. There was a whole field of them. Were these lilacs? He didn't know lilacs from lavender from wisteria (wisteria was a flower, right?)

Sayaka knelt beside a patch of the lilacs. Hachiman halted, and he turned to wait on her

"Lilacs symbolize first love." Sayaka's gaze flicked to his. Hachiman fought the urge to break the eye-contact. There was no telling what she would do next. She was one step ahead of him, always.

Sayaka plucked a stem of lilacs. The flowers were the lightest shade of purple. "Who was your first?"

"My first?" She probably didn't mean it that way, but Hachiman's thoughts went there. He flushed. Could anyone show up and end this conversation? Saika? Zaimokuza?

Sayaka snickered at his changing expressions. "First love, silly." She twirled the flower between her fingers.

Hachiman turned away from her and folded his arms. He didn't want to fall in love. He didn't want to offer so much of himself to anyone. He could barely function as he was. "Doesn't matter."

"It so matters." Sayaka marched up to Hachiman until they were front to front. She studied his face intently. This time Hachiman did glance away. He was not prepared to handle pretty girls who asked too many questions.

"Never kissed anyone?"Sayaka asked. "Ever?"

So, they were having this conversation. Hachiman sighed. "Never."

"Do you want to?"

Of all the questions she could ask. Hachiman felt himself change color. He pinched the bridge of his nose and took one steadying breath. "It's not like I'm fighting off offers." The idea that anyone could know him, the real him, and still want him was too much to ask.

Sayaka poked him hard in the chest. It probably hurt her finger more than him. He dragged his gaze back to her. "Are you kidding? There would be rioting in the streets for you."

Yeah, right. Hachiman scoffed. "Rioting in the streets? Sure, to send me to prison."

Sayaka's eyes glinted, and she bit her lip. Hachiman avoided staring at her mouth. "Maybe," Sayaka said, "maybe, I'm offering."

Did she just—did Hachiman hear that right? He hesitated too long. Sayaka bolted. She made it a few steps from him. He seized her by the wrist and pulled her back. "Don't I get to say anything?" Hachiman asked.

Sayaka nodded. "Say anything."

But Hachiman didn't want to talk. He glided his fingers across the curve of her face. Her eyes were so, so bright. Her glossy pink lips spread into a smile. There was no not looking at her mouth now. And she was staring at his too.

Sayaka explored the plane of his chest, slowly sliding her fingers across the bumpy material of his shirt. "Are you going to kiss me or what?" She tilted her head.

"If you shut up." Hachiman smiled, and he couldn't kiss her if she made him smile like this. He leaned in and brushed his mouth against hers. He felt her breath hitch. The awkwardness melted away after a few seconds. It was a gentle, slow kiss. He didn't want to let go of her; she was warm and soft and beautiful. Wasn't it strange they called it 'falling' for someone? Rather than losing his footing, Hachiman felt like he found it.

Eventually, they broke apart to breathe and look at each other.

Sayaka grinned at him. "Was that really your first one?"

Hachiman huffed.

"Did you like it?"

"Maybe," Hachiman said. "But I should probably do it again, to see."

Sayaka tapped her chin as if pretending to think. Then smiled. "We got another 20 minutes before we have to head back to college."