Disclaimer: Hungry Heart is not mine.
Author's Notes: I really like how Miki's the only girl that Kyousuke (subconsciously) allows to invade his personal space.
Round 4: Allergies
"I'm supposed to feel repulsive."
"Place your hand here." she placed his hand over her waist.
"Seriously, I should be backing out any minute now."
"And this one goes here. Like this." she wished he didn't notice how her hand shook as he clasped it in his.
Practicing for a stupid dance was a waste of time from the beginning. Yes, it was a semi-formal event for his brother, Seisuke and his teammates. Of course, Kyosuke wanted to be there to show his support. The only problem was, formal gatherings were never among the things that the orange-haired jock fancied.
As part of the tribute, some of the guests were asked to participate in a short dance number of sorts. Kyousuke was among those tapped by the organizer to join, much to his reluctance. The organizer knew he was Seisuke's little brother. At the same time, Jyoyo Soccer Team's infamous orange-head didn't want to disappoint his aniki. As such, declining the request was something he found difficult to do.
Knowing how much he lacked any fragment of familiarity about lavish assemblies and general social etiquette, he sought help from the most knowledgeable person he knew in the planet—Miki.
"Hey, you're shaking! Are you sick?" he pressed his forehead to hers lightly.
Miki almost jolted at the sudden contact. As emerald met tangerine, he realized that the proximity enabled him to invade her personal space.
Instead of retaliating, he wanted to move forward.
His skin didn't break out in hives like it always did whenever he got too close with girls. With Miki, it was quite the opposite. His body felt…oddly in place.
He awkwardly and unsurely swayed at her soft hands' gentle tug and guidance. He didn't mind that his bones felt a bit funny at his clumsy, uncoordinated movements. Kyosuke was so lost in the gaze of the beautiful girl before him that he unintentionally stepped on her toes a few times.
"Ow! Hey, watch it!" Miki flinched and jumped back.
"Sorry!" and his hands immediately released Miki's soft, delicate fingers. He instantly missed the mini charges of electricity that every physical contact with her left on his rough skin.
"No, these aren't goosebumps. They're…sparks.", were the words that would sprout in his thoughts, had he been the type to be more articulate and honest with his feelings.
As Miki glanced at him to check if he was still paying attention to her mini dance lesson, Kyosuke took her by surprise by resuming their earlier position: her hand and her waist clasped firmly yet tenderly in his huge hands. "Let's do it one more time."
It took her a few seconds before she realized she had been gaping at the tall orange head of Jyoyo's Soccer Team. She closed her mouth curtly and shook her head, fighting off the nerves pricking her heart with such electric sweetness.
Smirking at how adorable she was, he jokingly noted, "What? Are you fascinated by how handsome I am?"
"Don't be so cocky!" she punched him in the gut. Kyousuke inhaled sharply, annoyed that she couldn't at least acknowledge how good-looking he was.
But, really, he secretly wished to bask a little longer in the sweet and lighthearted atmosphere they both shared. He wanted to explore and gain a better understanding of the first and (probably) only close proximity he's ever had with a girl.
"My allergies…are gone?"
Kyousuke thought, the realization only hitting him now. Little by little, his grip on her hand became firmer, and he could feel himself getting more and more used to the diminishing distance between them.