A/N:

Hello everyone, it's me again.

Recently, for whatever reason, I started reminiscing about my OTP after a long time, which got me thinking of ways I could expand on my earlier stories. This one was an all-new story I thought of, written, and completed in the same day, which honestly surprised me!

Unlike my earlier stories, I wanted to write something devoid of angst, with very low stakes and just pure fluff for fun. So I hope you enjoy this little story of mine!

"Hey, Hajime?"

"Yeah?"

"Would you still love me if I were…"

"A worm? Of course."

It was the afternoon, and Chiaki felt quite bored in her dorm as she didn't have any plans for today besides beating the new game that came out on the Switch. And even though Hajime had to do homework for the reserve department, he still accepted her into his own, where they sat together in the same room.

The two appreciate each other's company even if they exchange only a few words. In this very moment, both of them sat in silence, one lying on the couch with her knees bent to her while one quietly solved equations.

"No! I don't wanna be a worm!" Chiaki cried, "They're small and slippery, and you might step on me by accident! And not to mention being easy food for other bugs and birds…" she shivered at her own imagination.

"Then what is it?" His eyes remained on his notebook.

"Anyway, Let's start from the top, okay?" She cleared her throat for no reason. "Hey, Hajime?"

"From this far?" He pointed his eyes at her for a moment before sighing. "Yeah?"

"Would you still love me if I were a… a bat from Minecraft?"

"A bat from….huh?" Hajime's pen stopped writing and he turned up to her with a bewildered face, one eyebrow raised. "...That's oddly specific."

"I mean, think about it! Bats in the game are pretty useless, aren't they?" Chiaki huffed, not looking at the game as she mercilessly commanded her army against the giant bugs. "They just spawn in caves and fly around, squeaking and serving as nothing but ambience. they don't attack you, and they don't drop loot or even experience if you kill them! They are pretty cute, though," she added.

"I'd never kill you, so that doesn't matter." He said as a matter of fact, "And I could always peacefully escort you out."

"And how would you do that?"

"A leash would be the easiest way, no?" He drew a wavy line passing by multiple dots on a diagram.

Chiaki pouted, "How inhumane. Would you really do that to your bat-girlfriend?"

An image passed through his brain for exactly 0.5496 seconds. "How's that inhumane if you're a bat?" He wrote a new equation, grunting when he realized he wasn't finished. "If you don't like it, then I'd slowly block off the cave and lead you out of your own free will."

"Sounds pretty long and tough and boring. What if I despawn all of a sudden and I'm gone for good?"

"I'd... Umm…" he looked at the question again "I'd give you a name tag, yes." Chiaki flinched. "Then you won't despawn."

"Ah- y-you thought about that?" She told herself softly. A blush formed around her cheeks and her play got sloppier. Not by much, though. "Then… Th-Then how would you even escort me out, when there isn't even a… a lure item, huh?" For some reason, she was starting to sound desperate.

"Then I'll... I-I'll…" His mind drew a blank, and his face flared up. His pen hung over his notebook, unable to cross the numbers that would lead him into the next phase of his homework. Why was he thinking about this so much?

The atmosphere went dark and heavy was created, as everything around them went dark until two spotlights dramatically shined on each of them as their minds raced, and their hearts beat. It felt like the relationship fell onto the weight of Hajime's words and Chiaki's reaction…though, this was all in their heads and nothing was on the line.

Sweat started to form on their face and hands as one haphazardly tapped some buttons while the other was stuck in a limbo. Actually the tension was getting to them so much, Chiaki's character got low on health and had to pause the game to catch her breath, and Hajime let go of his pen and curled his hands.

What was the correct phrase? Will Hajime say it? Will Chiaki feel disappointed by what he would say? Will they finally break their stalemate and move on with their lives?

"I… I will…!"

Chiaki gulped.

"…Learn how to code so I can add an item myself!"

!?

She gasped.

The lighting faded to normal.

Chiaki's entire body flinched, the wind knocked out of her as she squealed. And because of that, she accidentally resuming her game and earning her a big game over as the screen faded to darkness, reflecting her own baffled face.

"...A… A-A-a-an-a…a-!"

It was Hajime's turn to gulp.

"Wh-Wh-wh-WHAAAAAA?!"

Chiaki let go of the Switch and her hands hanging over her trembling, gaping mouth and blushing cheeks "A-an 'outside the box' answer?" She squeaked.

While Chiaki huffed and puffed profusely, Hajime was suffering a mental attack. His body was tense as stone, his cheeks flushed red, his green eyes sharp but wide, and sweat covered his face. Wait, was that the wrong answer? He thought before taking a deep breath while his mouth couldn't not curve a smile. W-Well, it's too late now. I can't take it back.

And then, feeling like he has nothing to lose for no discernable reason even to himself, he crossed his arms and nodded twice.

"Yes, that's definitely what I would do." He said with full gusto, "In fact, I would reprogram the entire world so that we'd always be together no matter what."

Although he spoke with confidence and an air of coolness, his mind felt something else entirely.

What the hell are you saying, you idiot?! Stop spewing these cheesy lines in front of her! And stop smirking like you said something smart or cool!

"U-Uwaah…!" While Chiaki covered her surprised face while she cooed to herself, trying to process his words intently, Hajime cleared his throat and picked his pen and hovered over his notebook, trying to pretend that he said nothing. The only problem was that his mind was too embarrassed with his words, that his hand was shaking the whole time and couldn't make a dent.

Suddenly, Chiaki felt completely lightheaded, dropping her Switch (on the couch) as she fluttered happily towards him with bubbles in her head, twirling around and giggling to herself until she was right behind him and then she…

"Squeeeee~!" She pushed her entire being into him from behind. Maybe because of her lack of a jacket, but her hug felt warmer and softer than usual, And almost Instinctively, his body relaxed and let go of his pen.

"Hehehe~ That's my boyfriend~! I'm so proud of you~~!" She raised one hand to his head and began stroking his rough and short hair, making him feel warm and fuzzy himself. She nuzzled him too as she told him, "I'm so glad you're my boyfriendddd~!"

Chiaki was shy, reserved, and cute when they're outside, but when it's just the two of them away from prying eyes, she becomes an almost different person: Energetic, outgoing, and infinitely more charming and cute. Hajime smiled, as that was something he really loved. The fact that there's a side to her that she reveals ro nobody else in the world…

…except to him, and him only.

Hajime patted her bare arm before giving it a light kiss.

"Yeah, I'm glad, too."

A/N:

There's not much to say that I haven't said at the top, so...

If you like it, I don't mind a short review!

Bonus!

Break time

"Say Aaahh~" Chiaki held a pocky stick in front of Hajime who did as she asked, taking a bite and happily munching the stick as flowers filled their heads. "Now it's your turn!"

"Say Aaahh~" Hajime held a pocky stick above her out of reach, using his height as an advantage. Chiaki pouted and called him out, but she still jumped and managed to bring it down with her teeth.

Hajime clapped in applause at her accomplishment while she posed with a double peace sign and a bright smile. Both of them felt lightheaded as they continued to act like was a scene that seemed to belong in a colorful picture book.