AT THIS POINT IT was normal seeing Y/n in her classroom alone and writing in her notebook. She was sitting at her desk, as usual during her lunch break, holding her purple pen and writing down things that came to mind as she ate her lunch from her bento. Baji simply marched in her classroom, as usual during his lunch break, and sat on the chair in front of her desk, leaning his elbows on the back of the seat.

Y/n spared him a glance as she held her chopsticks with one hand and her pen with another. Baji stayed silent for a moment, causing her to crook an eyebrow. ''Why're you looking at me like that? It's weird.''

Baji chuckled. ''Nothing. Whatcha writing?''

Instead of answering, Y/n simply closed her notebook and let it fall in her bag that was next to the desk. ''Nothing. Why're you here?''

''One day I'll read what you wrote, Y/n,'' Baji promised and Y/n rolled her eyes at his words. ''But I just came to hang out, since you seemed to have so much fun yesterday.''

''Hm, yeah, sure.'' She was not going to admit he was possibly right. Nope. ''You without Matsuno again? You've been ditching him a lot lately.''

''And you've been mentioning him a lot. You have a crush on him or somethin'?'' Baji asked rather annoyed. Did she have to mention Chifuyu every time he wanted to hang out with her?

''Matsuno? Hell no.''

The scrunch of her eyebrows comforted Baji in a way. One less thing to worry about.

Baji couldn't help but laugh. He reached his hand out to grab a piece of the sushi Y/n had in her bento, only to get his hand swatted away by a pair of chopsticks. ''Ouch! Oi, what was that for!?''

''That's my food!''

''But I just want one piece!''

''No!''

''Dude! Just one!''

''Dude!'' Y/n sighed before looking down at her food, sliding it a bit closer to Baji. ''One bite.''

Baji cheered as he took a bite from her food, chewing contently as he rested his head on his hand again. Y/n watched him in confusion - why did he have that smile on his face? Why was he here in the first place?

''I wanna ask you something, Baji.'' The boy simply cocked an eyebrow, waiting for her question. ''Why do you keep hanging out with me?''

In a way, Baji should've expected that question. Him hanging out with people other than Chifuyu at school was unusual, since he doesn't like wimps like the majority of his schoolmates. And yet, he was obviously drawn to Y/n.

She seemed to enjoy herself with him yesterday. Maybe, just maybe, he should shoot his shot now.

''I guess I like you.''

In a way, Y/n should've expected that answer. It usually happened like this in books, didn't it? She would've maybe dismissed it if he hadn't been so adamant about her hanging out with him. Yes, maybe she admitted to herself that he wasn't that bad to hang out with, but . . .

She uncomfortably shifted in her seat. ''I'm sorry, Baji, but I don't know if I can return your feelings . . .'' Y/n said. ''Not yet, at least. I don't want to get your hopes up.''

Baji would've been lying if her words didn't sting even a bit. It was weird, the feeling of your heart aching. Still, he gave her a toothy grin, showing off his fangs. He didn't want her to see his feelings. ''Yeah, that's cool. I can wait.'' He stood up and straightened his school jacket. ''I have to go now, though. Class is about to start soon.''

Y/n nodded in understanding. ''Yeah, sure. See you, Baji.''

Class wasn't starting for another 20 minutes. 

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Did I make a mistake turnign Baji down? We barely know each other, how does he like me? Why does he like me? Maybe I should've given him a chance . . .

The thoughts ran through her mind. She was conflicted about her own feelings. On one hand, she barely knew Baji and he likes to annoy her. Why should she like him? On the other hand, he's funny and usually half-heartedly teases her. So was he really that bad?

''Y/n!''

She jumped at the call of her name, her thoughts interrupted. Quickly closing her notebook, she threw it in her desk drawer before her bedroom door opened, her mother standing on the other side.

''The dishes? The laundry?'' Y/n could tell her mother was not amused at her silence.

Oh shit. She'd forgotten her chores after her mother had specifically reminded her in the morning. Fuck.

For the most part, she tried to tune out and only nod her head at her mother's scolding how she was being lazy and unhelpful and about how no one ever helps her in this house. Y/n wondered what had happened at work to get her riled up again, since her mother usually let out her frustration at her.

If her mood wasn't ruined before, it sure was now.

''I'm sorry, I'll go fix everything now.'' Y/n said and her mother clicked her tongue before making her way to the bathroom so she can take a shower.

Great. That was exactly what she needed when her mind was being such a mess.

After quickly finishing up her chores, Y/n picked up a sweatshirt and her keys, put on her shoes and yelled so her mother would hear her. ''I'm going out for a bit!'' She didn't want to stay home when her mother could blow up at her at any second.

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''You told her?!''

Baji nodded weakly at Chifuyu and Mitsuya's surprise. He was still thinking about how he got rejected and even if he tried his best to ignore the pain, it just returned every time he remembered her words.

I don't know if I can return your feelings.

He shouldn't be so surprised. They haven't known each other for long. What did he expect, for her to be head over heels for him like he was for her? Yeah, she wasn't a fool like him, was she?

''Ah, man, I'm sorry.'' Chifuyu placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, unsure of exactly what to say.

''On another hand, she did say she can't return them yet,'' Mitsuya pointed out. ''So maybe there's still hope. Don't give up so easy, Baji.''

''I never said I gave up,'' Baji told him, letting out a sigh. ''Doesn't mean it doesn't hurt, though.''

''And I get that,'' Mitsuya tried to relate. ''So, make her like you, but don't be pushy.''

''I know that. I just need a moment,'' Baji said. ''I don't wanna sufforicate her and all.''

''Can't believe you never even told us you have a crush,'' Mikey spoke suddenly. ''Thought we were friends.''

Of course, Mikey and Draken were with the three as well. The five were hanging out at a park, as they wanted to go have a ride but Baji seemed too down for it so they met up to see what was wrong with him.

''Ya would've made fun of me,'' Baji reasoned.

''Of course not!'' Mikey tried to defend himself, though everyone knew he would have most likely ended up teasing Baji.

Chifuyu, who had been silent for a few moments, had his eyes focused on something. Or rather, someone.

''Yo, Baji,'' Chifuyu finally spoke, causing Baji to turn to him. ''Isn't that L/n?''

His hair spun as he whipped his head in the direction Chifuyu was looking at. A girl was walking alone with her head looking down and even though she wasn't very close and it was getting dark outside, Baji could tell it was most likely Y/n.

This park is quite close to her house, but why's she alone outside so late? Baji took a step forward instinctively but then immediately stopped.

I don't know if I can return your feelings.

''Aren't you going to go to her?'' Mitsuya asked, his hands in his pockets and an eyebrow risen.

Baji looked back at him. ''I told you she rejected me, does she even want to see me right now?''

Do I want to see her right now?

''She seems like she needs the company,'' Chifuyu mentioned with a shrug.

Baji sighed. Ignoring his inner conflic, he walked away from his friends with his hands in the pocket of his hoodie, not minding the smirks each of the boys was sending him.

Y/n kicked a stray pebble as she walked through the park, trying to distract herself with the music playing from her MP3 player. The song was loud, blocking the outside noise and trying to drown her thoughts with it.

That meant that she didn't hear anyone approaching her, not until they placed their hand on her shoulder, causing her to jump and punch them in the stomach out of instinct.

''Ouch! Oi, what the hell?''

She blinked three times before she realized the person she had punched was none other than Baji, who was now clutching his stomach and had one eye closed from the pain.

''Oh, shit, sorry!'' She apologized as she took her earplugs off, not really moving to help him. ''Did I hit you that hard?''

''Yeah, the hell.'' Baji winced one last time before straightening up again, his hand still over his stomach. ''What're you doing alone out here so late?''

Y/n kicked another stone she found on the ground as she spoke. ''My mom yelled at me and I didn't feel like staying at home.''

''Oh. You wanna talk about it?'' Baji asked.

She shrugged in response. ''It's whatever, not like it's unusual. It'll have blown off by the time I'm home, hopefully.'''

Baji nodded, not pressing the matter further. If she didn't want to talk about it, he wasn't going to force her to.

He looked around and noticed a convenience store near the park; an idea clicked in his head. ''You want an ice-cream? My treat.''

''You don't have to, Baji. I'm fine.''

''You know, you're technically not saying no,'' Baji pointed out, causing her to chuckle.

''Well, who says no to free ice-cream?''

The group of four watched as Baji and Y/n made their way in the opposite direction of where they were standing, each of them having exasperated expressions.

''Did . . . Baji forget we were here?''

''Yeah, most likely.''

''I told you guys Baji-san was down bad.''

''Down enough to forget he was hanging out with his friends? God damn.''

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In a way, it felt wrong hanging out with Baji that night. He had just confessed and she had rejected him, yet here she was now, laughing as he was telling her about when he got forced to go fill Mikey's mopped back when Toman was first formed and eating the ice-cream he had bought for her.

She very much felt like she was leading him on, but at the same time, it felt nice hanging out with him. He made her forget about her worries as if she wasn't worried because of him earlier.

''That's shitty, I honestly wouldn't have gone,'' Y/n admitted. She wasn't as good of a person as Baji was. Not at all. He was admirable, really, but Y/n knew she probably would never be at his level of selflessness.

''I mean, I did loose so I had to. But Mikey's my friend, so.'' Baji shrugged as if it were no big deal - which to him, it probably wasn't.

Y/n hadn't realized how late it was by the time they arrived in front of her house. She looked up, seeing that the light in her living room window was still on. Was her mother worried about her? She usually never went out that late.

Turning back to Baji, Y/n stuffed her free hand in her jacket's pocket. ''Thanks for keeping me company and walking me back. I appreciate it.''

Baji grinned. ''Yeah, of course. I hope your mom isn't too mad anymore.''

Y/n nodded. ''Yeah, me too. I should probably go up now, though. She might be worried.''

''Yeah, go.'' Baji nodded. He didn't really want to part ways, but he didn't really have a choice. She had to go home. ''See you on Monday?''

What if she avoided him again? It's not like they both forgot his confession, maybe this was the last time they spoke. Maybe, but hopefully not.

Y/n nodded before turning around and speaking over her shoulder. ''Yeah, see you on Monday.''

Baji watched her as she walked up the stairs of her building, disappearing out of sight. Just as he was about to turn around to head home, he remembered that he wasn't alone when he spotted Y/n.

Fuck.

As if on cue, his phone rang and he took it out of his pocket, seeing that it was none other than Chifuyu calling him. Ah, shit.

''Hello, Baji.'' Surprisingly unsurprisingly, it was Mitsuya speaking from the other end of the line.

''Yes, hi,'' Baji spoke, quickly turning around to head back to the park. ''I'm coming back.''

''Can't believe you forgot about your own friends,'' Mikey commented. ''We're hurt, Baji. You owe us dorayaki.''

''Dude, I just spent my money!''

''Look at him spending all his money on his girlfriend.''

''Draken!''