Admitting

When you think you like someone...

Sasaki didn't mind at all when we arrived at her house.

Immediately, her mother took me to their clinic (why they have a clinic in their house, I do not know) and stitched the wound on my hand.

It hurt. A lot. Like hell.

After the stitching, Sasaki-sensei (as what she told me to call her) advised me, "You'd be able to go to school on Monday. But don't stress your hand too much, alright? Take a rest for tonight."

"Yes, sensei." I replied.

Sasaki-sensei smiled simply. She excused herself and walked out of the clinic.

In my mind, Nagumo was currently occupying it. I really felt guilty for having this wound alone... he told me that he wanted to make a hissastu technique and I kind of ruined that.

CREAK!

"Oi, you alright, princess?"

Speak of the devil, and he'll come. I sat up from the bed and looked at Nagumo with teary eyes.

"What? Why are you crying?" he growled as he walked up to me.

I put him in a tight hug and cried out, "I'm sorry! We didn't get to make the hissatsu technique you asked me to! I feel like a bad friend!"

"Wh-what?" Nagumo sputtered. Instead of trying to comfort me, he continued, "Friends? Is that what you see me?"

"Yeah..." I sniffled and broke the hug. I fidgeted and asked him, "Why? Do you not look at me as a friend?"

I could tell Nagumo wanted to say something, but he kept quiet. I could also tell that he looked uncomfortable when I was asking him such an unmanly question.

"You're wrong. You're kind of my special friend, alright?" Nagumo comforted. And then he patted my head. It kind of offended me (I wasn't a pet, damn it!) but I actually like his company.

"The doctor said we could go home now. And, you know, you'd be in better care with your mother around, right?" Nagumo stated. He smiled at me genuinely as he pulled back his hand.

I chuckled at him, "Since when do you know the right things to say?"

"Well, even I feel comforted when my mom is holding me." Nagumo admitted and he nervously laughed at the end.

My heart thumped. Did he just show me his soft side? For me? A blush crept up to my cheeks and I merely nodded as I replied to him, "You're absolutely right, Nagumo."

He smiled softly at me.

Once I walked in our house, I was pampered by mother and brother. They both led me upstairs and fixed me up... they were so worried about me that I couldn't bring myself to be annoyed with their antics.

"What did the doctor say? Is your arm going to be all right? What medicines should you take? Could you go to school?" my mom probed me with these questions.

I barely managed to reply to her but I answered, "The doctor says that I should rest for the night."

"Oh! Then we shouldn't be disturbing you like this. Just lay down on your bed and rest, okay? I'm sure tomorrow, you're arm would be healed," my mom indicated.

"O-okay."

"Come on, Fuusuke." I heard Fumio. He led me to my bed and he tucked me in. My mother kissed me on my forehead and she smiled.

I smiled back at them.

"Rest, Fuusuke." Fumio whispered and they both walked out.

I couldn't sleep, however. I tossed and tossed around, but I couldn't really sleep or settle down in one position. I didn't know why, really, but it's just...

"Can't sleep, princess?" a voice awoke me from my trance.

"Nagumo?" I called.

I felt someone beside me after. He whispered, "Yeah?"

"I can't sleep..." I muttered.

Nagumo touched my forehead and we just let it be for a few seconds... my eyes started to shut. Immediately, Nagumo's hand disappeared from my forehead and I heard rustling.

And then the usual sound of my laptop when it's turned on.

"Nagumo! What the hell? Don't touch my laptop!" I shot up from my bed and hollered.

Nagumo smiled sheepishly at me and closed my laptop. He spoke, "You should be sleeping, princess."

"I don't want to, if you're touching my stuff!" I huffed angrily.

He sighed and grabbed my shoulders. He conveyed, "Sleep, princess."

I pouted and lied down on my bed. I crossed my arms over my chest and turned to away from him. Nagumo sighed like a mother who's tired of her child's antics.

"Don't be so difficult," he moaned.

See what I mean? But I just simply ignored him.

"Silent treatment, eh?"

Nagumo was starting to become like a mad person who's talking to himself.

"If you're not gonna sleep, then I'll make ya." Nagumo supplied.

After a few seconds, I felt an arm wrap around my waist. I perked up instantly and turned around to face him. I screeched, "What the actual fuck, Nagumo-?!"

"Ssh!" Nagumo shushed me. He continued, "Let's sleep, okay?"

I quivered and sighed in defeat. I grumbled out, "Fine."

"Good."

Silence.

"Fuusuke." Nagumo growled, "You're not sleeping."

"Can you blame me? A person I barely know is hugging me on my bed!"

Nagumo tightened his grip on me and he nuzzled against my neck. I could feel his breath! And it was making me shiver until my knees, I bet they're shaking now.

"Just sleep." he whispered.

I gulped and tried to sleep, but...

My heart was crazily beating against my chest.

Finally, (I bet he had enough of it), Nagumo pecked my cheek. He muttered, "Princess..."

"Y-yeah?"

Nagumo went back to nuzzling my neck.

"Sleep."

"...okay..."

"Wake up, Fuusuke!"

I sat up from my bed and snarled, "What?!"

"Is your hand alright?"

I stared at the person in front of me. Fumio was sitting on my bed, looking as calm as ever. My hand went up to my side, and I realized there was no one else in my room except the two of us.

"Y-yeah."

Fumio beamed, "Nagumo walked down the stairs today. Mom squealed."

I flinched and frowned at Fumio. I inquired, "So?"

"So, what the fuck was he doing in your room?" Fumio threatened, his over-protective mode activated.

I sweat dropped and explained, "He just helped me sleep! Nothing happened?"

"Are you sure? What if you're pregnant?"

"FUMIO!"

"Just making sure."

My face was as red as a tomato... maybe even redder.

"You really like him, huh, Fuusuke?" Fumio asked me.

My shoulders slumped and I hugged my knees. I expressed my worries, "I guess, but I'm not sure. If I really like him... well, it's gonna be awkward around him and-"

Fumio cut me off and he comforted, "If he ever hurts you, I'll kill him."

"Thanks..."

After Fumio left, I read a random book to keep me company.

I heard noises downstairs, but I shrugged it off.

Until, the people who made the noises walked up to my room.

"Gazel!"

I was startled and looked up to the people who came.

Aki, Fuyuka and the duo.

Did... they come for me...?

"Are you better now, Gazel-san?" Aki asked me.

"We're here to make sure you're ready for school! Okay? We're gonna have a blast! And don't say no, 'cause we don't take that as an answer!" Kato exclaimed.

These were my friends? T-they were so nice...

Tears sprung out of my eyes and I nodded.

"Yeah!"

Hello!

I mistakenly deleted this chapter, so I tweaked it up a bit. So, yeah... I'm sorry!

Disclaimer: I do not own IE.