Authorly preamble or something: I wrote this while halfway though the second volume. Literally – I stopped mid-chapter to write it because I was getting tired of yelling, "Just make out already!" I'm impatient, but I think it holds up to further manga reading. Probably set around the beginning of the series, or even pre-series.
Meet Me Halfway
It's not like Shige's slow on the pickup or anything, but he's a little unimpressed to learn firsthand that having your expectations met can be disappointing if you set them low as a precaution. But it was a nice kiss, he reflects as Mizuno's eyes narrow disapprovingly, still managing a fierce glint in the meager light the dim classroom offers, and he lets his mind linger on the surprising softness and warmth of Mizuno's lips to keep his nonchalant smile from fading.
"You're disgusting," Mizuno deadpans, the words obviously meant to be ones of pointed disapproval rather than actual disgust. He shrugs one shoulder as if in irritation and Shige yanks his hand back, having been so intent on masking his disappointment he'd forgotten he'd left it resting there.
He shrugs back, managing a chuckle he thinks sounds natural enough. "Jeez, go saying stuff like that and you might hurt my feelings!"
Rolling his eyes, Mizuno makes an indistinct noise in the back of his throat as he retrieves his backpack from a nearby desk. "Whatever," he replies in the same deadpan tone as before, and turns his back as if preparing to leave. "Anyway, I'm not into that."
Feeling a jolt of irritation, Shige can't help but press the issue in spite of himself. "What, because I'm a guy?" he snaps, and makes an effort to control his tone as soon as he realizes it's rising. "Or just because it's me?" Almost sarcastically he remarks," Or are you just not 'into that' in general?"
Mizuno's eyeroll is almost audible, and after a brief moment of hesitation he simply shrugs. It's frustratingly vague but it's enough to give Shige a potential flash of insight, and before Mizuno makes it any more than a step closer to the door Shige has a firm grip on his pleasantly rough hand.
"Look, I have stuff to get to," Mizuno remarks with a touch of impatience.
"Chill out, a second won't kill you," Shige drawls, mellow smile back. He pulls Mizuno with him as he steps backward until his legs hit a desk; sitting down on it, he has to lean his head back to look Mizuno in the eye. "At least tell me if this is any better." Hooking a finger in Mizuno's shirt collar, he tugs him closer, and when Mizuno plants one hand on the desk and leans in to close the distance himself he realizes that compromising isn't nearly as disappointing as it sounds. In fact, it's not half bad at all.