A/N: And we're back with another chapter! :)
CHAPTER 6
I don't see any reason why I need to get close to you. It's just a waste of time.
I recalled those very words again as I looked at Shoto's mismatched eyes. I hope Shoto didn't get mad at me. I just revealed a piece of his childhood memory to his whole class. Maintain your distance, Yuri.
Not seeing any reason for me to hang around the U.A. students anymore, and scared that Shoto might react negatively to what I just said earlier, I decided that I should excuse myself and meet up with my schoolmates.
"It was nice to meet you everyone but I think I need to-"
"SORAHIKO YURIKO!" I heard a guy yell my name. I couldn't really distinguish who he was even he was already just a foot away from me.
"I'm sorry, but who-" The shaggy black-haired boy held both my hands and placed them on his chest. I suddenly shuddered at his unexpected move.
"YOU LOOK A LOT PRETTIER UP CLOSE, SORAHIKO-CHAN!"
"Huh?" I eyed this peculiar boy in front of me. I pulled back my hands from his, "Have I met you before?
"I'm Shindo Yo, 2nd year Class 2 from Ketsubutsu Academy! I believe we have met once."
Shindo Yo? Is he the guy who tried to get my number from the training I attended last year.
"Oh! You're that guy?"
"Do you remember now? I can't believe this! Fate has brought us together again!" His eyes twinkled.
Weird. On second thought… He actually doesn't look that bad.
Shoto coughed and cleared his throat. "Yuri, shouldn't you be with your class right now? They might be looking for you now." Shoto looked at me with a serious gaze.
"Oh right!" He is really acting weird today. "It's nice to meet you everyone! Also you Shindo! See you around later! Good luck!" I waved at them as I went inside the arena.
I took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. I felt much better now that I'm away from the U.A. crowd. Meeting them and the others was just a whirlwind of emotions. Plus the thing Inasa did a while ago. I sighed heavily. What a day. And it's just getting started.
I dusted my skirt and pulled my phone out of my pocket. I sent a quick message to Inasa asking where they were. He quickly responded saying that they were at the lobby mingling with students from other schools. Apparently, Shiketsu High School made a really good impression in other districts in Japan. People were curious to know all about the rigid training we undergo in school. Out of laziness, I just decided to opt out of what my schoolmates have been busy with. Instead, I took a quick tour around the arena. I spotted a place where there are a few people.
Less interaction, better.
The National Takoba Arena is a huge testing site. There are cafes, food stands, some souvenir shops and even a mini-garden where people can just sit and relax.
Peace, finally. I chose to let the time pass at the garden. I placed both hands at my back as I marvel at the rare and beautiful plants. Satisfied and finally freshened, I decided to head back to the lobby to meet Inasa and the others. As I turned on my heel ready to join my schoolmates, my eyes quickly met heterochromatic ones. His gaze fixed at me. Shoto? I could hear the rhythmic thumping of my heart. One beat a time. I'm pretty sure this was just anxiety reeling in me but something just tells me that it could be something more.
Hate? For all those things he said to me back then?
Guilt? If I wasn't too pushy maybe we could've remained close friends
Could it be that I...like him? What are you even thinking, Yuri?
"Thought you'd be here." I awoke from all the thoughts racing in my head as he started to talk. "Just a hunch, actually." He added.
Words aren't very minimal. Very un-Shoto like. I didn't get to see him for 6 months and here he was trying to act like a totally different person. Did he change?
I looked at him with a straight face. "Very good gut feeling then." Keep it short, Yuri. Distance, remember? I absentmindedly glanced at my watch and tried to walk past him. That's when I felt the warmth of his left hand on my wrist. "Wait."
My eyes widened as he grabbed me by my hand. I was surprised at how he acted. He let me go taken aback by his own actions. What has gotten into him?
"I haven't seen you for months and you'll just walk past me?" He tilted his head and his lips formed into a half-smile. Seriously, what is wrong with this guy?
"I figured you'd also want to stay here all by yourself. Just giving you some privacy." I said honestly. That's really all I could think of. Plus the fact that my anxiety is already killing me.
"I actually wanted to talk to you." He leaned on one of the trees. Why does he look so damn cool all the time?
"About?"
He looked away as if trying to get hold of the right words to tell me. He looked at me again, "I didn't know you got a recommendation from U.A."
"Yeah I did. Must have slipped my mind since I wasn't planning on going anyway."
"You should've told me. We could have attended UA together."
WITH YOU? Dude, you told me you didn't see the need of getting closer to each other, let alone attending the same school.
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I just looked sideways.
"You said you were going to Shiketsu with a friend. Is that friend the guy from earlier?" He continued.
"Yeah. It's kind of a mutual decision for us to attend Shiketsu." I replied.
"You haven't mentioned anything about him whenever we met. Are you friends for a long time now?" His tone was serious.
It's because you said that our friendship was a waste of time.
"Inasa-kun and I went to the same junior high. Yeah, we're close friends."
He nodded. "I see."
What is this guy going on about? It's as if he wanted me to feel guilty just because I don't mention stuff about my life.
"Sorry for the way he acted a while ago. He is really a nice guy." It was all I could ever think of telling him.
"Does he know?" His face was serious.
"Know about?"
"Quirk marriage. Us."
I blushed. Us. It has a really nice ring to it. Quirk marriage? Not so much.
"Yes." I stared at his eyes. His serious face slowly turning to a calmer mood.
"Would you have attended U.A?" He asked once more. I couldn't really make out what he was trying to tell me.
"I'm sorry. I didn't get-."
"Would you have gone with me to U.A. if I had asked you to?" he asked lowly cutting me off. His voice was gentle.
I took a long look at his mismatched eyes. All these years, I've been trying my hardest to keep my emotions intact. I wanted to be close to Shoto. But I have fought the urge knowing that he clearly didn't want anything to do with me anymore, despite the two of us being involved in a quirk marriage. And here he was, effortlessly making an effect on me. I'm just confused of what he is trying to pull off at this moment.
I kept a stern face. I need to say it as blunt as possible.
"No. I would've chosen Shiketsu. Even if you asked me either way."
I said it. Good job, Yuri. "I have to go. Inasa-kun and the others are waiting for me." I walked away quickly not letting him say anything further.
A drop of liquid fell on my cheeks. My eyes were filled with water. You are such a crybaby, Yuri. I immediately wiped the tears out of my face.
Idiot. Of course I'd choose to go to UA with you.
