A Liquid Inspiration
Summary: (A re-telling of Classroom of the Elite sparked by a certain conversation between Masterpiece and Professor.)
One day, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka receives a surprising invitation from his father, Ayanokouji Atsuomi, to join him for a drink. It was unusual for Kiyotaka, who normally wouldn't be summoned by his father without a hidden agenda.
That's why even the emotionless Kiyotaka was surprised when his father began to open up about his own experiences with love and relationships.
For the emotionally distant "masterpiece," this conversation is a rare moment of connection with his father, and it sparked a curiosity within him to explore the world of human relationships, to be more specific: romance and intimacy.
It was that spark that pushed Kiyotaka to demand something from his father:
"Father, teach me everything about human relationships."
This then begins a ripple that changes how Ayanokouji Kiyotaka would approach the world in the foreseeable future.
Do check out this fic on Wattpad. It has the same title and content, but we do have illustrations there to increase immersion for the fic. Thanks, and here's the chapter!
Vol 2. Chapter 3.5 - Kiyotaka and Chiaki
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka
After my trip to the library, where I ended up borrowing four books thanks to a chance encounter with Shiina, I made my way back to my dorm room, fully intent on reading at least one or two chapters from the series that Shiina recommended. The cool afternoon breeze brushed against my skin, carrying with it the faint scent of freshly cut grass.
"But to think that someone who looked the way she does... is a pervert," I muttered, the words barely audible over the soft rustling of the leaves in the trees above. "Looks can be deceiving."
Upon searching for the first book Shiina had borrowed on the internet, I have to admit that I was caught a little off-guard by it. The dim light from my phone screen cast an eerie glow on my face as I read the summary.
"Openly saying you wanted to read a book where Sleeping Beauty was turned into a sex slave, and then saying you're not a pervert. Shiina has quite the interesting perspective," I thought to myself, shaking my head at the ridiculous thought. The sound of my footsteps echoed through the quiet hallway as I approached my dorm room.
It didn't take long, but I eventually found myself in front of my dorm room. The sound of the keycard sliding into the lock was followed by a soft beep, granting me access.
I made my way inside the room and moved to put my bag on top of the desk. The faint creak of the wooden floorboards beneath my feet accompanied my actions as I arranged the three other books on the bookshelf atop the desk, leaving only Sayer's 'Whose Body?' in my hands.
I took a seat at my desk, the wooden chair squeaking slightly under my weight. The room was quiet, save for the soft hum of the air conditioner and the occasional distant chatter from the dorm rooms around me.
As I opened Sayer's 'Whose Body?', the spine of the book gave a soft crack. The pages rustled as I turned them, the smell of ink and paper filling my senses. I scanned the first few lines, my eyes quickly adjusting to the printed words.
Despite the bustling life outside, the room on the fourth floor of the dormitory offered an isolated sanctuary. The world beyond the closed windows moved in a muted ballet of shifting sunlight and passing shadows. Sometimes, the faint echo of a bird's song would breach the glass barrier, its lively chirp a testament to the life outside.
But within the confines of my room, time seemed to fold onto itself. As I dived into the pages of Sayer's 'Whose Body?', each word, each sentence pulled me further into the labyrinth of the narrative. The world outside, with all its dynamism and noise, gradually faded into an indistinct backdrop.
My immersion was so deep that it felt like a jolt when the faint buzz of my phone pulled me back to reality. I glanced at the screen, the light illuminating a new message. I was momentarily torn between the fascinating world of the book and the immediate demands of reality. But the decision was quickly made as I read the text message. The world outside was about to make its way in.
[17:10:43 Chiaki] Kiyotaka-kun, I'm coming over in a while. I've got something, and you're gonna want to hear this.
[17:11:00] Is this about Class D?
[17:11:05 Chiaki] Yup!
[17:11:15] Alright. See you later.
After responding to Chiaki's message, I placed my phone back on the desk and got up, making my way toward the kitchen in my room. Considering Chiaki's impending arrival, I decided to prepare some snacks.
Opening the cabinet, I took out a bag of rice crackers and a box of KitKats, placing them on a small plate. I then filled the electric kettle with water to prepare some green tea. As the water heated, the quiet whistle of the kettle added a comforting background noise to the otherwise silent room.
Returning to my desk, I found myself glancing at Sayer's 'Whose Body?' once again. While I wanted to continue reading, I had to put it aside for now. Class D's actions and whatever Chiaki had discovered were of greater importance. And so, I bookmarked my place in Sayer's 'Whose Body?' and closed the book, setting it gently on the bookshelf alongside the other books I had borrowed.
I was brought out of my thoughts when the kettle signaled that the water was ready. I poured the hot water into the teapot, letting the tea leaves steep while the aroma of the green tea slowly filled the room.
Just as I was setting two cups on a tray, a knock resounded from the door. Chiaki's voice could be heard from the other side, "Kiyotaka-kun, it's me!"
A small chuckle escaped from my lips, recalling the time when I scolded her and Yuki for buying keycards for my room and promptly confiscated them.
While I do like waking up next to a beautiful girl, I'd rather be informed of it beforehand. No one could really blame me for scolding them for it.
That said, I quickly placed the tray on the table before moving to open the door.
"Come in," I said, stepping aside to allow her entry. I gestured towards the table with the prepared snacks and tea. "I hope you're in the mood for some snacks."
Chiak moved with graceful ease, taking off her shoes at the entrance and placing them on the shoe rack in the corner. Her eyes then took in the organized chaos of the room before they landed on the snacks. "You sure do come in prepared, Kiyotaka-kun," she said, chuckling before she moved to sit at the table.
Ah, that's right. Chiaki loved KitKats, and even then, it might be an understatement.
"Well, I know how much you like them, Chiaki."
She blushed a little at the mention, quickly grabbing a KitKat and unwrapping it with a satisfied grin. "Guilty as charged."
As Chiaki munched on the KitKats, I poured the green tea into the cups, filling the air with the comforting scent of warm tea. The steam wafted up, swirling and disappearing into the air.
The warm tea was soothing, a perfect complement to the snacks. The atmosphere in the room was light and comfortable, starkly contrasting the seriousness of the information Chiaki had come to share... or at least I assumed they were serious.
"So," I began, setting my cup down on the table. "What did you find out about Class D?"
"Straight to business, already?" Chiaki chuckled, looking at me in amusement. "Apparently, Class D didn't receive any private points today, and Sakagami-sensei was pretty vague in explaining why that was the case." As she spoke, she casually took a bite of her KitKats, the chocolate wafer crunching softly under her teeth.
"And after their afternoon classes, Ishizaki, Kondo, and Komiya were called over by Sakagami-sensei to the faculty room. The person that I talked to, Tokito-kun, was suspicious about this and speculated that it had Ryūen written all over it," she continued.
Well, of course, it had Ryūen written all over it. It was his scheme, after all, that led to those three goons being called into the faculty room.
A scheme that normally would have worked if not for certain circumstances going in my favor.
"Tokito?" I quizzed, my eyebrow arched in curiosity.
"Tokito Hiroya-kun... a student from Class D who absolutely hates Ryūen's guts," Chiaki answered, a soft giggle escaping her lips that echoed pleasantly in my ears. "Quite convenient, isn't it?"
"I know who Tokito is from the profiling that you did a month ago. I'm just curious at how you managed to get into contact with him," I replied. "It's only been yesterday when we've begun planning against Class D, after all."
"I happened to run into Tokito-kun in the park," Chiaki explained, sipping her tea. "We started a conversation, and when the topic of Class D came up, he seemed eager to share his insights. It seems he has his own grievances with Ryūen and his goons."
A wry smile made its way onto my face.
'Ran into him,' huh? As if I'm going to believe that.
What probably happened was that Chiaki had mapped out where this Tokito guy usually stays after classes, which led to their 'chance' encounter with the guy, who, conveniently enough, hated Ryūen.
"How convenient for you to 'coincidentally' run into the one guy who hated Ryūen," I replied, taking a slow sip of my tea, its warmth spreading through me.
Chiaki's eyes widened for a moment, and she let out a soft chuckle. "You caught me, Kiyotaka-kun. I may have orchestrated the 'chance' encounter to gather more information about Class D. It was a calculated move on my part."
I nodded, not surprised by her admission. "I thought as much. Your resourcefulness never ceases to amaze me, Chiaki."
She grinned, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Well, when it comes to gathering intel, sometimes you must be crafty."
"As expected of a master stalker," I teased.
Chiaki feigned offense, playfully swatting at my arm. "Hey now, it's not stalking. It's... intensive observation. And I'll have you know, it has served us well so far."
"Intensive observation? Wasn't it called detailed observation yesterday," I replied, glancing at the brown-haired girl, who was pouting.
Chiaki pouted even more dramatically, her mock annoyance evident. "Well, fine! Detailed observation, intensive observation, it's all the same. The point is, we're getting the information we need."
"Indeed. But there has to be more, right? The withholding of their private points distribution and the three idiots being called into the faculty room are just the consequences of my plan to have Ken file a formal complaint against them," I replied. "So, what else do you have?"
Chiaki nodded, her playful expression fading into a more serious demeanor. "Yes, there's more to it. Contrary to what Tokito-kun had expected, Ryūen did not look angry at what had transpired. In fact, Tokito-kun said that Ryūen looked like he was happy."
"And while Tokito-kun hadn't been able to realize this, that should be telling enough that Ryūen is still pretty much anticipating the battle between the two of you, Kiyotaka-kun. He's planning something," she continued.
I leaned back in my chair, considering Chiaki's words. The fact that Ryūen appeared pleased with the events unfolding in Class D was an intriguing development. It indicated that he had some sort of plan or strategy in motion, which he believed would work in his favor.
How amusing.
But a boy who operated using high-risk, high-reward strategies would never be a threat to me. The only way Ryūen Kakeru could ever be a dangerous threat was in a situation where I decided to hide from the spotlight and let him dictate the tempo of the battle.
However, that was something that I simply wouldn't allow.
"So he's that type of person, huh?" I muttered, swirling the green tea in my cup, watching as the liquid moved in a slow vortex. I brought the cup to my lips, took a sip, and let the warm, slightly bitter taste dance around in my mouth before taking it in.
As the flavor of the tea lingered on my tongue, I carefully considered my next move. The knowledge of Ryūen's anticipation of our battle was something that allowed me to get a glimpse into his character: that being a person who longed for the thrill of battle.
In fact, it wouldn't be outside the realm of possibility to assume that Ryūen Kakeru would be smarter and more cunning the next time he concocted a scheme against my class.
"Pretty much. Tokito-kun also mentioned that in one of the classroom discussions that Ryūen had led, he talked about wanting to crush all the other class leaders," Chiaki replied.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, and it seems like he sees this class competition as a personal challenge," Chiaki replied, her voice thoughtful. "He wants to prove himself as the dominant force and show his superiority over the rest of us. And with his reaction about what had just happened, he most likely thinks that he could win by playing the long game."
I allowed myself a small, dismissive smile. "Well, that's an interesting perspective," I mused, my tone light, almost mocking.
Taking another sip of tea, I contemplated the future ahead. Ryūen's machinations might seem complex, even brilliant, to some, but in the grand scheme of things, they were merely the desperate flailings of a boy out of his depth.
But perhaps it was precisely this recklessness that made Ryūen dangerous. He was willing to take risks and think outside the box, which meant that underestimating him could prove to be a fatal mistake.
As I set my teacup down, the silence in the room was broken only by the soft hum of the air conditioner. Chiaki was expectantly looking at me, wanting to hear my thoughts about our predicament.
"I can't see Ryūen as anything more than a temporary nuisance," I declared, an indifferent look appearing on my face.
"You're probably the only person in our year who can say that and be able to back it up, Kiyotaka-kun," Chiaki giggled.
She leaned back in her chair, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "So, how are we going to deal with him?"
"We crush him," I said, my tone measured and indifferent. "But we'll do it in a way where he wouldn't get any satisfaction nor validation from gaining my attention."
"I want Ryūen to think that I see him as nothing more than an apparition that doesn't warrant my attention," I continued.
I wasn't being arrogant, as I was merely stating the reality of the situation. Ryūen might have been a worthy adversary in another life, but I couldn't afford to expend too much energy on a single opponent.
After all, I have bigger things to pay attention to than a fool's folly.
3.5.1
With our conversation about Class D and Ryūen wrapped up, Chiaki and I set about clearing the table. The crumbs from the KitKats and the remaining tea were quickly dealt with, and soon the table was as clean as it had been before our impromptu meeting.
The day had turned into evening, and the room had taken on a softer, warmer tone, thanks to the lamp I had turned on to replace the fading natural light. The earlier intensity of our discussion had given way to a more relaxed atmosphere, as if a weight had been lifted off our shoulders.
Having taken care of the dishes, I suggested, "How about we move to the couch? It's more comfortable."
Chiaki readily agreed, her eyes sparkling with unspoken anticipation. "Alright!"
We moved to the couch, settling into the soft cushions. The couch, a simple, comfortable piece of furniture, was big enough for the two of us, allowing us to sit comfortably while maintaining a respectable distance from each other.
As I sank into the soft cushions, I felt a sense of relaxation wash over me. The day had been eventful, to say the least. From borrowing books in the library to discussing strategies about Class D, a lot had transpired.
Meanwhile, Chiaki seemed equally contented as she nestled into the corner of the couch, her legs tucked under her. But despite the seemingly relaxed atmosphere, there's still something odd about this scene.
And... now that I've gotten the chance, I suppose now was the best time to address it.
"It's been a while, hasn't it?" I began, glancing over a Chiaki, who had just unwrapped another KitKat.
She must have taken a couple of them from the cabinet earlier.
"Hmm? What do you mean, Kiyotaka-kun?" Chiaki asked.
"It's been a while since we've hung out... just the two of us," I answered, glancing in her direction. "Lately, it seemed like we only really hung out if Yuki was around."
Chiaki seemed to have stiffened after hearing what I had just pointed out.
"I remember a couple of months ago that you would just barge in unannounced in my dorm room simply because you wanted to spend time with me. But the last time it happened was around April, wasn't it?"
"You're looking too much into it, Kiyotaka-kun," Chiaki replied, a clear deflection of my observations. "It's not like I've been avoiding you, you know? I mean... we just kissed a couple of days ago."
"That's true, but you and I both know that's not the point, Chiaki," I countered, fixing my gaze on the brown-haired girl. "Something has been bothering you, and I just know that I had something to do with it."
While my relationship with both Chiaki and Yuki remained close, if not closer, compared to before we came into this school, I couldn't help but notice that Chiaki had been 'holding back,' so to speak— holding back in the sense of her proactivity in our relationship.
Chiaki, just like Yuki, had her own streaks of jealousy, although she was more laid back about it. And so, it struck me odd that Chiaki was seemingly fine with Yuki doing what she had done and essentially relegating her to a secondary role if that made sense.
For a girl who was seemingly intent on winning me over, it would seem as if Chiaki was fine with just getting the scraps of my affections. Or at least, that was how it looked to me for the past two months.
Sure, Chiaki was still engaging in her usual banters with Yuki, but as they say, 'actions speak louder than words,' and the way I saw it, Chiaki seemed to have resigned to simply play the role of being Yuki's right hand.
"Look, Kiyotaka-kun, it's not like..." she began to protest, her eyes avoiding mine, but her voice trailed off. She sighed, visibly deflating as she put down the KitKat she was holding. It was a rare sight, Chiaki being so serious and introspective.
I waited, giving her the silence and time she needed. There was no point in rushing her to speak, especially when it came to matters like these.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not avoiding you, Kiyotaka-kun. But..."
"I think... no, I know. I know that if it came down to it, you're going to pick Yuki-chan over me," Chiaki confessed, a bitter smile making its way onto her face.
"That's why..." Chiaki's voice trailed off again, and she looked down at her hands, her fingers fidgeting with the wrapper of her unfinished KitKat. Her next words were barely audible, almost swallowed by the soft hum of the air conditioner. "That's why I've been... holding back if that made sense. That... I'm just happy to take what I could take."
The confession hung in the air, heavy and awkward, the silence between us stretching out. I could feel the tension in the room, a stark contrast to the calm and peaceful atmosphere just a moment ago.
It was a moment before I could find the words to respond. When I did, my voice was calm, trying to defuse the situation. "Chiaki, you know that's not how it works, right?" I said.
"You and Yuki are different, sure, but I care about both of you," I continued.
"But it's not the same, is it?" she asked, finally lifting her gaze to meet mine. Her eyes were glistening, a rare vulnerability visible in them. "You care about us differently. You prefer Yuki-chan over me, and while you haven't explicitly said so... I know that's the case."
I opened my mouth to protest, to reassure her that wasn't the case. But I found myself unable to refute her words. It wasn't that Chiaki was less important to me, but there was a certain truth in her words. Yuki and I had been through a lot. Our bond was different, deeper in certain aspects.
After all, only Yuki would be able to understand why I was the way I was, why I thought the way that I did, and most importantly, she was the only one who'd be able to understand everything that I had gone through...
Because she experienced a glimpse of that herself.
And despite all that, Yuki had shown that her feelings for me were unconditional and unaffected by her knowledge of what I'd been through and what I was capable of.
But this didn't mean that I did not care for Chiaki as well.
Just like Tsubasa, Chiaki was important in helping me grow as a person. Sure, they were unaware of why I was the way that I was, but they had been patient with me and, despite the lack of assurances, stayed by my side.
That meant a lot to me, and while I was initially indifferent to both of them, I've come to see them as people that I genuinely cared about.
I inwardly chuckled at this line of thought.
My father, who had all but declared sentimentality as a fool's folly, would have had a field day should he know about these thoughts.
But then again, I wanted to defy him.
To defy him by feeling and being human.
"I won't deny the merit in the points you've raised," I started, pausing briefly to collect my thoughts. "But that doesn't mean I care for her more than I do for you."
Chiaki seemed to be holding her breath, her eyes fixed on me as I continued.
"Sure, Yuki knew more about me than either you or Tsubasa, but that's not to say what we have is any less significant. You've helped me out more than you could imagine, Chiaki."
After all, if it weren't for Chiaki's insistence for me to follow what I actually wanted to do... I wouldn't have bothered to go further in my reconnection with Yuki.
At that time, I had been constantly grappling between rationality and sentimentality, and Chiaki's words were a driving factor in leading me to realize... that both of them can co-exist.
"If you're going to pick the rational choice all the time... don't you think you're essentially robbing yourself of your autonomy, Kiyotaka-kun?"
Those were the words she said back then, and to this day, I still look back on those words with fondness. They served as a turning point in my understanding of my own feelings, and for that, I was grateful.
"You think so?" Chiaki's vulnerable voice broke through my reminiscence, pulling me back into the present.
"I know so," I affirmed her words, taking her hand in mine. Her hand was cold, her fingers trembling slightly.
"Chiaki, you're important to me," I told her sincerely, squeezing her hand. "You're a part of my life that I wouldn't want to lose."
The silence that followed was filled with tension, but it wasn't an uncomfortable one. It was a silence filled with anticipation, with the rustling of leaves outside the window and the soft hum of the air conditioner being the only sounds that filled the room.
Chiaki didn't respond immediately, but after what felt like an eternity, she squeezed my hand back. A small smile made its way onto her face, a stark contrast to the serious atmosphere that had filled the room just moments ago.
"I see...," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But even so... you'll eventually have to pick which of us you'll want to be with, Kiyotaka-kun. And even if you just told me how important I am to you... I can clearly see that you prefer Yuki-chan over me. I'm not blind, you know?"
"What if I don't want to choose?" I joked, although I doubted Chiaki could tell due to my monotone voice. "Kōenji might be onto something when he said a harem might be the solution where everyone ends up happy."
The moment the words left my mouth, I saw Chiaki's eyes widen, and a soft giggle escaped her lips. The tension in the room evaporated instantly, replaced by a light and warm atmosphere.
"Ara ara~! To think you'd be bold enough to say something like that, Kiyotaka-kun," she teased, her tone playful. "But are you sure you can handle two strong-willed girls like Yuki-chan and me?"
"I've been doing just that for the past three months, right?" I rhetorically asked.
Although I meant it as a joke, it was also, ironically, an accurate response.
While it was true that I hadn't spent that much time alone with Chiaki over the past two months due to reasons that I had just confirmed today, it wasn't like I had been fully neglecting her.
Chiaki was just seemingly resigning at the thought that if it came down to it, I would pick Yuki. And under conventional circumstances, it wasn't an unwarranted worry.
Chiaki's playful smile widened, and she leaned in closer, her voice lowering to a sultry tone. "Well, Kiyotaka-kun, if you can handle the two of us, maybe we can make that dream of yours come true."
My eyes widened in surprise at her response, caught off guard by her unexpected openness to the idea. It was a proposition I had made as a joke, but Chiaki seemed to be genuinely considering it.
"Good luck convincing Yuki about that," I replied. "She had been adamant about not sharing."
"It might probably just be a farce at this point," Chiaki replied, giggling. "You know that she's pretty much open in letting me kiss you."
"Is that so? If I remember correctly, she said, 'It's just Chiaki-chan. Even if she likes you too, she knows her place,' or something like that," I replied, glancing at the brown-haired girl, who giggled.
"You sure do like playing blind, Kiyotaka-kun," she said, glancing at me. "Haven't you noticed how Yuki-chan has changed over the past two months? Sure, she's been yapping about being your future wife or something like that, but her actions don't really match her words now, do they?"
I listened to Chiaki's words, her playful tone mixed with a hint of seriousness. She had a point, and I did pick up on it as well. Although I brushed off this openness as Yuki being cocky, it did feel odd how Yuki, who had been incredibly jealous when she found out that Chiaki and I had made out, became uncaring about it.
Sure, she did push forward the condition that if Chiaki got one kiss, she would have to get two, but that seemed more like an attempt to claim she was number one than anything else. And since then, she hadn't shown any signs of jealousy towards Chiaki beyond playful banter.
"Besides, the two of us talked about it before," Chiaki added. "While Yuki-chan called me a loser for trying for an alternative, she really didn't seem angry at all."
"And you know damn well how jealous that girl can get," she giggled.
That's true.
Three months ago, Yuki would have been extremely angry at Chiaki for suggesting something like that. It didn't matter that they were best friends— Yuki was just that possessive.
It would seem like my conversation with Yuki back in April had borne some fruit, huh?
While she wasn't there yet, Yuki's calmer reaction to things was a testament to her steady growth.
And I have to admit... that made me happy.
Chiaki's playful giggle brought me back to the present. "What's the matter, Kiyotaka-kun? Are you starting to believe that a harem might actually be possible?"
No, not really. But I do think it would be a peaceful solution if it were possible.
"I was just joking about it," I confessed, turning my head to the giggling girl. "Didn't expect a serious discussion to come out of it."
Chiaki's giggle subsided, and she looked at me, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "It's your fault for bringing it up, you know?"
"I suppose it is," I replied.
"Kiyotaka-kun?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
I looked at Chiaki, curious about her expression of gratitude. "For what, Chiaki?"
"For confronting me about my feelings... and well... reassuring me that you cared for me," she replied, a warm smile on her lips. "It's been hard... coming to terms with the fact that the boy I love would rather pick another girl. And I can't find it in me to hate Yuki-chan for it. She's my best friend, you know?"
I listened attentively as Chiaki poured out her feelings, her voice filled with a mix of vulnerability and strength. It was clear that she had been wrestling with her emotions, trying to navigate the complexities of love, friendship, and acceptance.
"I understand, Chiaki," I said softly, squeezing her hand gently. "But like I said before, it's not as if I was rushing to be in a relationship. Honestly, I'm just enjoying what the three of us have."
I inwardly sighed. It seemed like as the days passed by, the more I considered Kōenji's audacious philosophies.
"But I suppose I'm being greedy," I continued, leaning my back against the couch.
"What do you mean, Kiyotaka-kun?" Chiaki asked.
"You're not wrong. Under normal circumstances, I'd probably pick Yuki," I replied, glancing at the girl who now sported a bitter smile on her face.
While I did not want to be blunt, there was also no incentive to lead Chiaki on purposely.
I did genuinely care for her.
"But... the thought of you being with someone else... it irritates me," I admitted, my voice tinged with an unexpected hint of possessiveness.
Upon hearing my words, Chiaki's eyes widened, surprise evident on her face. She seemed taken aback by my confession, her expression shifting from bitterness to a mixture of confusion and curiosity.
She then looked at me intently, searching for any sign that I was being insincere. When she found none, a small smile crept onto her lips, a mix of relief and amusement.
"I never thought I'd see you being possessive, Kiyotaka-kun," she said, her voice filled with genuine amusement. "It's really... out of character for you, Robotkōji Kiyobaka-kun."
I shook my head in amusement. "I haven't been a Robotkōji, as you put it, for about a couple of months now," I countered.
"But you're still a Kiyotaka."
"This again? But why?"
"You blatantly admitted that you'd pick Yuki-chan, but you're also admitting that you want me as well. You're such an insensitive robot, Kiyotaka-kun," she replied, giggling.
"I suppose I can't deny that," I replied, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "But maybe, just maybe, I'm learning to embrace my more human side."
Chiaki's smile widened, and she leaned closer, her shoulder brushing against mine. "I'm glad to hear that, Kiyotaka-kun," she said softly. "Because I like this side of you. The side that shows emotions, that cares about others, and that's willing to challenge the boundaries of what's considered 'normal.'"
"You do, huh?"
I leaned in on Chiaki, my hand gently brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. Her cheeks flushed a lovely shade of pink under my gaze. Although she was surprised at my sudden advance, she didn't look away.
I closed the distance between us, brushing my lips lightly against hers. It was a soft, lingering kiss, a silent promise of more to come. As I pulled back, Chiaki's eyes fluttered open, her cheeks glowing, and her lips curved into a shy smile.
"Would that make you forgive me for acting like an insensitive robot?"
Chiaki's smile grew wider, and she leaned in even closer, her breath warm against my lips. "Well, it's a start," she whispered playfully, her voice barely above a whisper. "But you're not the only greedy person here, you know?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"I won't be satisfied by just one kiss. And I'll be taking it myself."
Chiaki's playful declaration made me chuckle, a soft sound that echoed through the room. Her eyes sparkled with determination and anticipation, her lips curving into a teasing smile.
Before I could respond, she leaned in, her fingers tracing the contours of my face as she closed the gap between us. Her lips met mine in a passionate kiss, a clear demonstration of her intent.
My hands found their way to her waist, pulling her closer as we lost ourselves in the moment. The world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of us.
When we finally broke apart, both of us were breathless, our eyes locked on each other. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes sparkled with delight.
"That... should even the score," she said, her voice breathy.
I chuckled, pulling her closer. "That's more like it," I replied, smiling at her. "I missed that kind of confidence from you, Chiaki."
Chiaki chuckled softly, her gaze turning affectionate. "Well, you can thank yourself for that, Kiyotaka-kun. You've always been good at making me feel... important. Should I be upset that it took you two months before this conversation happened?"
"Since you're asking me, I guess I would be happier if you won't be upset," I replied cheekily.
Chiaki laughed, her eyes crinkling with amusement. "I suppose I can forgive you this time, Kiyotaka-kun. But you better not make me wait that long again, alright?"
"I won't. I promise."
We settled back into the couch, a comfortable silence enveloping us. The tension that had filled the room earlier had dissipated, replaced by lightness and ease.
And even though I still hadn't figured out my feelings for both her and Yuki, one thing was clear...
I wouldn't let either of them go.
It was then I realized... that being human entailed a tiny bit of selfishness.
End of Chapter
A/N: The point of this chapter was to advance the Class D plot a little bit before we took a deeper dive into Kiyotaka's relationship.
The goal here was to explain why Chiaki had been 'passive' and somehow accepting of simply getting whatever it was that she could get. Kiyotaka had noticed this, but in usual Kiyotaka fashion, he decided to observe the situation for a while before finally choosing to address it when the opportunity presented itself.
And... Chiaki had really been neglected once the canon timeline rolled in, so I hoped this would be a satisfying way of doing so.
(Also... Kiyotaka is seemingly more open in considering the philosophy of his mentor, Rokusuke-sama. I wonder when he'd finally pull the trigger *wink wink*)
Also, for those who might have forgotten the scene I was referring to about Kiyo and Yuki's conversation, it was in Vol. 1 Chapter 8, and this was how it went:
"You're so much cuter when you're not being passive-aggressive, Yuki. You can just be honest about your feelings, you know?"
Yuki's cheeks flushed as she looked away from my gaze. "What do you mean? I'm always honest," she replied, flustered.
I let go of her and shrugged my shoulders. "Well, yes. But you're typically passive-aggressive when dealing with Chiaki and the others," I pointed out.
Yuki pouted at my observation. "I'm not passive-aggressive. I'm just... expressing my displeasure in a more subtle way," she defended.
As much as she disliked Horikita, they really do seem to have a lot of things in common.
"That's literally the definition of passive-aggressive, Yuki," I replied in a dry tone.
Yuki rolled her eyes at my comment, but a small smile was playing on her lips. "Okay, fine. Maybe I'm a little passive-aggressive," she admitted.
Just like how you're a "little obsessed" and a "little possessive," right?
"It's fine. I know you're working on it," I said, patting her head.
Yuki leaned into my touch, her eyes closing for a brief moment. "Yeah, I am. Anything for you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"But sometimes, you have to do things for yourself, Yuki. Your world really shouldn't revolve around me," I replied.
In fact, that's the only reason why I'm not taking her feelings seriously at the moment. As valuable as Yuki was in terms of ability and intangibles, her dependence on me would prove to be a liability in the future.
If I do end up settling with someone, I'd rather have it be with a woman who can stand on her own, and Yuki... Yuki's not there yet.
Yuki opened her eyes and looked at me, a small frown on her face. "I know that, Kiyotaka. But right now, I don't mind doing things for you. It's what makes me happy," she said.
I sighed inwardly. This girl really was a handful.
"You better start working on it, Yuki. I don't think I'd ever consider being in a relationship with you if you're unable to stand on your own," I replied.
Yuki's face fell at my words, but those were words that needed to be said simply because I cared about her.
I don't need to bother playing the same game as I had done with Horikita simply because I genuinely cared for Yuki.
And this was the only way to get the message across—a blunt warning.