Disclaimer: Still don't own UtaPri...
Anyway, this is the second chapter!
Warning: panicking!Masato
Enjoy~
Masato was ready. For one year, he kept this feeling bottled up inside him never to be discussed unless it was with Syo. Syo advices on forgetting his love cannot be implemented unless he do this.
Today, he will confess.
Just thinking about it gives him goosebump.
'Perhaps I will wai- NO!' Masato shakes his head furiously.
He has decided. He even wrote a letter and bake some cookies with Ren's preference in mind. He will end this feeling with this confession. He will break free of this chain of unrequited love once and for all!
Masato took a deep breath. Syo even cheered him on and said he will be there for him. He was truly a good friend.
Masato even came to school early to put his letter and spicy cookies into Ren's locker. He learned how to bake the cookies after he knew Ren's love for spicy food. Shinomiya's tips were very helpful. (Though he didn't know how squid's ink has anything to do with spicyness. He still has so much to learn.)
He didn't like it but perhaps Ren would appreciate it and he would...
'STOP!'
Masato shakes his head again. He can't be having hopeful thought here. He would about to get rejected. Ren only likes girls. Masato keep the mantra of 'I would be free' 'It will not hurt'...
'But it will...' Masato thought sadly.
He already fall so deep. He knew Ren's preference, his habit, his kindness, his irritation, his sense of fashion, his like and dislike...
The only thing he was clueless about is Ren's attitude at home... Does he have any siblings? Any pets? Was his parent strict? What color is his room...? His favourite spot to relax...?
Masato looked down.
'Though I will never know that... But, it's better this way,' Masato tried to convince himself.
He wasn't very successful.
Lunch time
"Masa, there are meetings today so I can't really accompany you home. I told them I can't come but they are very insistent! If only I'm not the vice captain..." Syo grumbled petulantly.
Syo have been nominated as the vice-captain of the soccer club starting this year. Since he was very talented, Masato wasn't that surprised. He was also convinced Syo would make captain next year. Syo tried denying it but he also seemed pleased by the praise.
"It's okay Syo, I wouldn't take very long too. When I'm finished, I'll be heading straight for home."
'Though what state I'll be in is questionable,' Masato grimaced.
Syo must have been thinking the exact same thing and frowned worriedly, "I don't want to leave you alone with him in the first place."
Masato smiled. Syo was always thinking of others. It was one of his charm and it was very sweet of him.
"Don't worry so much, Syo-kun. I'll be fine," it wasn't hard to smile at Syo. He always brings out a happy and cheerful aura that Masato can't help but be drawn in.
Syo looks a little pink when he said, "I'll be worried anyway, you *mumblemumble*" the rest of his words were unidentified babbling since he was stuffing his face with the bento.
Masato just smiled fondly at him.
When he came back to his classroom, he saw Ren munching on his cookies. The girls around him were trying to get his attention but failed when Ren just answered them with a 'Hmm', nods or head shakes.
"I didn't know you liked cookies, Ren-kun. I thought you hated sweet things," a girl said.
"Hmm, it's true that I didn't like sweet stuff but these cookies are special," Ren answered.
"Why so?" another girl asked.
Ren chuckles and put a finger to his mouth, "Himitsu(a secret)."
"Eeehhhh~" the girls complained.
'He liked it!' Masato thought gleefully. His heart soared and the hope he's been harboring flared brightly.
He knew how stupid it was to get his hopes up, but he just can't help himself.
School end
Masato sweatted. He told Ren to meet him at the rooftop. He was waiting...
...in the toilet.
He will go... he was going but...
'GAH! This is the worse!'
He's too nervous. His knees were shaking. He's sweating already.
Deep breath.
Masato inhaled.
'He will do this. He would no longer face uncertainty. He is brave!'
Exhale.
Masato went out with shaky confidence.
Rooftop
He was five minutes late. He cringed. He was never late...until now. Urgh...
He slowly opened the door and peek outside.
There was nobody there.
Masato felt his heart breaks a little.
He went out and looks around. He circled the roof two times before he was certain, Ren wasn't there. He sighed sadly.
Clearly, Ren ditched him because he's late. Masato mourned his fate.
'If only I came earlier...' Masato sighed sadly, 'But...'
But Ren would never ditched a girl. Masato didn't even signed his name on the letter as a precaution.
Masato watched the landscape from the wired fench. His expression sad and forlorn.
'Or...'
Did he somehow found out Masato was the one writing the letter and was too grossed out to come?
Masato felt tears pricked his eyes. His glasses was becoming foggy so he took it off to wipe at his teary eyes.
He would not cry.
Why would he cry.
He knew this would happen.
He imagine a crueller situation but he didn't think he could take it.
He was actually thankful Ren was kinder and refused to come rather than come and rejects him with his beautiful face and lean body and long lashes and perfect mouth...
Ugh...
Stupid mind...
Stupid heart...
sniff
creak
"Sorry that I'm late, the teacher holds me ba-"
Masato spun around and faced his crush/like/love. He was shocked. He didn't think he would come. And now he's here, watching him with a surprised expression. He's probably asking why was this person here and not a girl. And probably why was he crying on the roof...top...crying...
'Hurk! My face!'
Masato hastily scrubbed his tears. 'Uaahhh...so embarrasing...he saw my blotchy face! He probably thinks I'm hideous!'
Masato bemoaned his fate. Why do every embarrassing things have to happen to him? And with Ren too!
"Hijirikawa?"
Masato stops and looks at Ren. He has a complicated expression on his face. Probably wondering what this weirdo is doing...
Masato panicked.
'I need a reason! Think Masato! Think!'
"T-this is not tears!"
Both of them paused.
"Oh?" Ren commented off handedly while crossing his arms and relaxing his posture. He leaned on the closed door and Masato cursed that his only escape was currently unavailable.
"It uhh... the DUST! Right! Some dust got into my eyes and I'm blinking it away you see," Masato said nervously.
"Oh-ho, really?" Ren said, "Not because you're crying?"
Masato nodded his head resolutely, "Of course not."
Ren took out a piece of paper, "Also not because you were waiting for a certain someone who didn't come at the stated time, right?"
Masato became nervous and blurted out, "Of course not, who do you take me for?"
'Urgh...'
He still wasn't very honest.
"You see, I am meeting with this person. They wanted to meet me here. Is it you?"
'Oh no! No no no! I can't be found out! I'm not ready!'
Masato decided to chickened out and lie, "Why would I want to meet you? I'm sure its one of your fan girls."
Ren looked a little disappointed, "Really? That's too bad."
'What's too bad?' Masato thought. A hopeful feeling rose but he crushed it.
'He probably think its too bad the girl is late. Not because he's disappointed its not me. Get a grip Masato.'
Ren opened the letter and skimmed through it. Then, he said, "This person is very good with words, they even gave a very detailed reason as to why they like me."
"R-really, g-good for you," Masato cursed his stutter. He fidgetted with his glasses. He have to remain calm. Calm.
Ren hmmed.
"I particularly like this sentence, 'Your kindness shows the pure heart hiding behind this beautiful visage of a man'"
Masato choked. 'Why? Why do you need to read it! God! So embarrassing! I shouldn't put that in there!' Masato blushed bright red but he covers it with, "Do-do you have to r-read it aloud, Jinguji!?"
"I thought you might be curious."
"I'm not curious!"
Ren ignored Masato furious reply and continue, "They even said my eyes are beautiful like the clear blue sea."
What?
"Isn't it like the clear blue sky?" Masato asked.
'Is it another love letter? Did I make a mistake?'
Ren smirks and straighten.
"So it is you."
He slowly stalks towards Masato. His grace predotary.
It took a while for Masato to catch on.
'Oh...'
And by then, Ren was already in front of him.
"Y-you tricked me!" Masato splutter. He took a step back. His back hits the fench.
"Who was the one who trick who first?" Ren asked cheekily.
"I-I you...urgh..." Masato was at a lost for word. He just gaped there unattractively.
A hand trapped Masato to the fench.
"You're not very honest are you?"
Time skip
Masato went home in a daze. He didn't remember coming home... and taking a bath... and changing his clothes... and taking out his sewing kit and started sewing.
Masato needed to snap out of it but his mind can't seems to focus on anything... while his body was on autopilot and did what it usually would do when his mind was stressed; sewing.
He made 3 different colored Piyo-chan... without noticing it.
'Shinomiya would like these,' Masato thought distractedly. But the thought come and go while his mind were still in a state of blankness.
Syo arrived just as he finished sewing the blue one. He have a plastic bag on him.
"Masa, are you okay?" Syo asked worriedly after he came inside Masato's room and sat down on the tatami floor beside him. He peered at the colorful Piyo-chan with apprehension. The amount of things that Masato sew while stressed were worrying. So Syo didn't know what to make of the 3 Piyo-chans that is the size of his head.
Masato snapped out of his dazed.
"Syo-kun..? When did you arrive?"
Syo stared at Masato worriedly, "Just now. Didn't you hear me?"
Masato flushed, "Ah, no... Sorry..."
"You don't have to apologize. I understand you must be upset. Look, I brought ice cream and Japanese sweets for you! They are called comfort food for a reason, I'm sure you'll feel better after you eat!" while Syo started talking and gesturing at the plastic bag he brought, Masato have a huge question mark on his head.
'Why would Syo-kun thinks I'm upset?' Masato thought before coming to a realization.
"And you should forget about that jerk Jinguji. He didn't know how wonderful, hardworking, smart, beau-"
"S-Syo-kun! Mou ii(that's enough)!" Masato blushed. He never was good at receiving praises and Syo was just so honest that Masato became flustered.
"I'm just stating the truth, Masa! And I'm trying to comfort you here so-" Syo said but was interrupted by Masato. He didn't want Syo spouting anymore embarrassing things, it's hot enough as it is!
"Y-you don't have to Syo-kun! I-I'm not upset!"
Syo stopped and stare. He narrowed his eyes, "Don't lie, Masa. I know you like Ren since first year. Don't tell me you're not upset after being rejected by him."
"T-that's it! He didn't reject me!" Masato stated in embarrassment. He flushed darker when he realize what he said.
"What?" Syo's voice are deadpanned.
"Ji-Jinguji accepted my co-confession," Masato confessed with a red face.
I wish to end it before he came home but thought it to be too cruel.
Flashback is on the next chapter.
Yes? No? You don't know? Tell me what you think.