AN: Aw man I'm lazy.
The next morning: Valentine's Day.
As the train comes to a halt at its stop, the doors slowly open, allowing a flood of students wearing matching uniforms out. They all wore a warm grey blazer and under it was a contrasting orange sweater vest with a white shirt. For males, they were wearing a red tie and navy pants. As for females, they wore a red ribbon instead of a tie and a navy skirt of course.
The crowd of students soon dissipates, allowing a tired Ryota Shujinkou to finally leave. With one hand in his pocket, he covers his mouth with the other to yawn. Immediately he stops and waits for someone else.
"Come on Sayori, let's go already."
And like so, out came a girl. She had almost tripped as she got out before catching herself.
The girl in question was named Sayori Akimoto, the clumsy childhood friend of Ryota and the Vice President of a certain Literature Club.
To describe her, she was like the sun. Always full of energy that never runs out. One could say it was the amounts of sweets that she enjoys eating. But it was a mystery how she kept that slim body of hers.
Unlike most other girls in the school, she had her blazer unbutton, while her red clip-on ribbon was attached to her messy coral pink hair.
"Woah, you okay there Sayori?" Ryota had asked.
With a bright smile, Sayori tidied herself up before shooting a soft smile. "Yup! No need to worry!"
"Alright then. Let's hurry up."
The duo had met when they were only seven-years-old, just a few days after she had moved into the neighborhood.
After being rescued from being lost by a younger Ryota in the park, she had quickly befriended him. The rest was history once she had transferred into his class in elementary school.
Sayori had been a clingy girl around him during that time. After all, he was her only friend back then before she came out her shy shell. It didn't help the fact that they live relatively close to each other.
But whether willingly or not, childhood friends would usually drift away from each other. But however, it would not be the case for that. They had gone through both elementary and middle school together. And somehow she had been accepted into Dokisai in her words, "by a miracle."
All in all, childhood friends are a good thing to have, and they were the definition of it.
But the downside is that they will remember everything. Even the darkest of histories...
With a mischievous smile, Sayori suppressed a giggle. "Sure thing, Baha-mhmp?!" [1]
She was cut off by her childhood friend's hand covering her lips. "Sayori!" With a blush on his face, he quickly took a look around his surroundings. "What did I say about calling me that name?!" He quietly scolded as he released his hand.
Sayori found herself furrowing her eyebrows as she puffed her red cheeks. "I was just joking meanie!"
He can only sigh as he rubbed the back of his head. "Still, please don't use that name at all or even mention it. I wouldn't hear the end of it by Natsuki if she ever found out you know."
"Boo~ You're no fun Ryota!"
He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Come on, let's go already."
As they quietly went on their way, Sayori had opted to stay close behind him. With a light pink blush, she stared at his open hand. Oh how much she wished to just hold it once like back then...
It was until a few years ago when she harbored feelings for the young man. When she questioned herself why she was so self-conscious around him during the start of middle school, that's when she realized after weeks of denial.
But despite this, she couldn't bring herself to say it. Not just yet. She had a certain feeling. A feeling of uncertainty if he truly did feel the same as her. And it really did pain her.
That's why she wanted to remain close to him until she was ready.
Quickly, she caught up by his side. With a grin on her face, Ryota couldn't help but notice.
"Hmm? What do you need Sayori?"
"Do you know what day is it Ryota?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Well, it's a Thursday I think."
"No silly, like you know, what day is it?"
"I'm not really following what you're saying…"
She sighs as she stops at the gate of the school. "How dense can he be?" She thought.
The young man lets out a nervous laugh under his breath. Just what's so important about today? He decided to take action by taking a peek at his smartphone. "Ah. So it's Valentine's Day, huh? I guess I forgot."
Her cheeks began to burn as the tempo of her heartbeat quickens. Now's my chance! Quickly she starts to unzip her bag. "Well, that's why I- Eh?!"
The sight of Ryota nonchalantly holding out his hand interrupted her. Suprise had appeared on the maiden's face. "Well? What are waiting for?"
"But- H-how did you know that I had some for you?!"
He scratches the back his head. "Well. It's not really anything new. I mean, you always give me an obligatory gift on Valentines."
"A-ah… Well, yeah you're right…" She trailed off.
"I mean last year you tried stuffing my gift into my mailbox. You know my mom got really mad at you that one day."
Sayori blushed at the thought of the embarrassing memory when his mother caught her. "Ehehe... Sorry again…" She apologized as she brings the tips of her fingers together. Never again did she want to go through that again.
"Oh and during our last year of middle school you- Wait." The young man's pauses for a minute as his face grimaces. An upsetting memory had invaded his mind. "N-never mind, that's dark territory. We don't talk about those days again…" He shivered as he remembered his middle school adventures.
The coral pink haired girl nodded in agreement. "Yeah… I really don't know what you were thinking back then…" She quickly was reminded of his foolish behavior in middle school, and the embarrassment he caused to himself unknowingly until it was too late. Yet, despite this, she stuck by him.
Was it because she felt somewhat pity for him for having no friends? Or was it because of the feelings that she developed? Or maybe a bit of both?
Sayori sighs as she takes out her gift; a small baby blue box wrapped by a white ribbon. "Well, you caught me." Not wanting to let her crush see her face, she looks at her shoes while presenting it. "H-here. Happy Valentines Day Ryota…"
A chuckle escaped his lips as he takes his gift. With a quick tap on the top of her head with the box, he caught her attention. "I'm not really popular with girls sadly. So I really do appreciate the gift." He pauses for a moment before looking away.
Sayori's eyes start to widen at the sight of her childhood friend faintly blushing in embarrassment as he scratches his cheek. "So thanks I guess…"
Her heart starts to beat rapidly. She wasn't sure if he had noticed her distinctive red face right now as she tried to hide it. But ultimately, a grin had formed on it. "Y-you're welcome!"
A sigh escapes his lips. "How embarrassing..." He muttered silently as he shook his head. "Anyways Sayori, let's go-"
"Ah!" His childhood friend interrupted him as she looked at her phone. "Sorry Ryota!" She loudly apologized before dashing away. "I forgot that I had to help out one of the teachers before classes! I'll see you at the club later!" She bids farewell with a wave of her hand.
"I'll pay you back during White Day! [2]" Ryota yelled loud enough for her to hear. In confusion, he scratches the back of his head. "Was it something I said?" He silently questioned before heading inside.
Unknowingly to him, she was lying of course. It was all just an excuse to get away from that situation that made her heart race. There was no way that she could face him now in this state. Only until her heart calmed down.
And as for the young energetic maiden, she caught her breath as she turns around the corner. She slid down against a nearby wall, sitting as she covered her blushing face with both hands. "He's so cute when he blushes!" She squealed as she shook her head.
The image of him blushing was etched inside of her head. It was the start of a good day for her already.
[1] Straight reference to my other fic, Doki Doki Chuunibyou Club. If you're familiar what a chuunibyou is or have watched the anime, you know where I'm going with this. Basically, chuunibyou (also known as middle school second-year syndrome) is when a teenager that wants to stand out so much believes in the delusion that they have some sort of special powers. It's the source of ones most embarrassing moments in life.
In this case, our protagonist was a victim in this, calling himself "Bahamut" when he was in middle school and Sayori was just teasing him about it. I thought it is nice to add it in because to me, it makes their friendship more meaningful. Well at least in my opinion.
Anyways, if you want to go read that fic, it's always appreciated. (Sorry for the shameless plug!)
[2] White Day is the day that's marked one month after Valentines Day (March 14th). In Asian countries, when men who received Valentines Day gifts by women are expected to return the favor back by giving gifts.