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Crush 6: You, Me, and The Monster Part 4- But Just Then!

We held each other's hands, and got close, but just then!

XXX

I woke up as usual, well rested and excited to see my two closest friends. I prepared for the day then ran the familiar route to Toushirou's. He welcomed me in and watched as I prepared breakfast for the two of us.

I glanced to the calendar on the wall. Toushirou had tacked it up a little while ago and marked down the days. Today was August 31st, and it was outlined in red.

Toushirou came up behind me and rested his chin on my shoulder.

"Something wrong?" I ask my friend and crush.

"No, not really." He answered. "Let's just have lots of fun today."

I raised an eyebrow. "You're acting bizarre today. Do you have a fever?" I placed my hand over his forehead. No fever...

"I'm fine, thank you. I just want us to enjoy ourselves today." He muttered, swatting my hand away.

I smiled gently. "Alright. We'll have the time of our lives today."

In the last few weeks, my crush on Toushirou had only grown in intensity, as well as my respect. Sharing the responsibility of caring for Hyourinmaru had definitely pushed us close together, if nothing more than best friends. He had even confessed to me once during one of our sleepovers with Hyourinmaru that I was one of the greatest friends he'd ever had.

I finished breakfast and dished up for us. The two of us ate at his table in companionable silence. Afterwards, we grabbed our bags and booked it for the hill. Haru-obaasan greeted us cheerfully as we walked into her shop.

"Morning you two." She said. I smiled breathlessly, having run here. Toushirou paid for Hyourinmaru's sea salt ice cream, then we said goodbye to Haru-obaasan and she wished us a good day. Hyourinmaru was waiting patiently for us at the top of the hill. We said hello to each other and fed him the popsicle. He begged for affection and we willingly obliged.

"Geez, you've gotten big." I cooed to the monster as I pet his snout. The beast purred noisily. "Say, Toushirou, how big has Hyourinmaru gotten?"

Toushirou looked over his pet. "I'd say at least the size of a house." He said.

I whined. "Our little boy is growing up so fast!"

"Karin, he's something like twenty times bigger than you are. He's not exactly little." My crush said flatly.

"Hey, I'm allowed to be a little sentimental!"

He merely rolled his eyes.

The three of us played a little bit of soccer together. Hyourinmaru still let me pass him most the time and score, something that still bugged Toushirou greatly. He'd complain that it wasn't fair to me or him, and I'd ruffle hair to tease him and he'd only mutter incoherently.

We stopped around lunch time to eat the lunch I packed; rice, frozen chicken for Hyourinmaru, salmon for us, and vegetables.

"Ittekimasu!" Toushirou cheered, clapping his hands together and diving into his part of the lunch. I laughed and fed Hyourinmaru.

"I'm going to get myself and Hyourinmaru some ice cream, do you want some?" He asked as he stood.

"I wouldn't mind any." I tossed him a few yen. I watched as he ran down the hill for Haru-obaasan's.

I hugged the dragon's snout, cooling my sweaty body. He purred noisily.

"You know, I think I'm going to tell Toushirou today that I've been crushing on him." I said to the dragon. "Do you think he reciprocates my feelings?" Hyourinmaru huffed grumpily. "Aw, don't worry silly. We'll still take care of you together, no matter the state of our relationship." I rubbed my cheek against him. "I'm anxious though. If I do tell him and he doesn't like me, will it ruin our friendship? He's the greatest friend I've ever had, and if I lose him because I can't keep my mouth shut, I'll honestly hate myself."

Hyourinmaru huffed again. Was he saying, if stupid-face Toushirou doesn't maintain your friendship despite knowing your feelings, I'll bite his kneecap off and eat it, or; IF YOU HATE YOURSELF BECAUSE SOME STUPID SHITHOLE DOESN'T LIKE YOU, I'LL EAT BOTH YOUR KNEECAPS.

"Geez, okay! No need to bite off my knee." I rolled my eyes. Toushirou returned and tossed me a popsicle.

"Thank you." I said, peeling open the packet and sticking it in my pocket. I popped the sea salt popsicle in my mouth as Toushirou fed the beast.

The two of us sat next to each other on the grass and leaned against Hyourinmaru. Our shoulders were just a few centimeters away from each other, and I could feel his heat. I smiled and tapped my shoe against his absently.

"Hey, Karin… this is an odd question I know…" Toushirou began. "But… do you have a crush on anyone?

Well, this came sooner than I thought.

My heart pounded erratically in my chest. How could I put it in a way that wasn't going to ruin our relationship?

You're a stupid face, Toushirou.

"Yes. I am." I answered indifferently.

"What's he like?"

"Respectable, respectful, responsible, smart, independent, gentlemanly, nurturing, cute…" I blushed and covered my face. "I don't think he likes me though."

"What?! How could he not?" He jumped up and crouched in front of me. "You're tough, a little terrifying, but sweet and empathetic and strong, and you're so pretty!" He went pale. "I mean, in a friend way! You're really pretty but I don't necessarily want to kiss you…" He went even paler. "Not that I wouldn't mind! I mean, you're kinda my type and I wouldn't mind going out with a girl like you and-"

"Would you quit with the mixed signals?! It's kind of pissing me off!" I snarled.

Toushirou turned a little red. "S-sorry…"

I grinded my teeth together as Hyourinmaru slithered out from behind me and made his way towards the river. Toushirou and I stood and we followed the dragon. I just needed to spit it out and follow my own advice!

"If it helps, I'm crushing on a girl too." Toushirou smiled wistfully. I wilted.

"Oh, really? What she like?" I asked indifferently.

"She's pretty- inside and out. She's responsible and respectful and compassionate, but doesn't put up with anything crap. She's so strong, inside and out. But she doesn't realize it. She doesn't see the things that I see in her, and it kind of pisses me off."

"Oh, so she's a goddess basically?" I said blandly.

"Yeah. She might as well be." He smiled tenderly.

"She's a lucky girl if she got your attention." I cleared my throat. "Do I know her?"

"Yeah…" Toushirou nodded.

"What does she look like?"

"Really pretty black hair, fit, gorgeous eyes."

Well, it sure wasn't me.

"What's her name?" I asked, attempting to keep my voice even.

"Kami, Karin!" Toushirou threw his hands into the air. He spun in front of me, grabbing my shoulders. "How dense are you?! The girl I'm crushing on is-"

There was a flash of blue. My eyes widened as Toushirou was tossed violently into the air like a ragdoll, and was-