CHAPTER TWELVE;
reunited again

The falling out with Watanabe Ryomei was nothing big or dramatic, the growing distance was gradual. It wasn't like the two of you were very close friends, but he still was someone whose company you enjoyed.

At first, he didn't notice the change. He thought you were getting busy with other stuff, something he understood because he was preoccupied with training too. However, when the distance became prominent, he couldn't bring himself to talk to you.

He'd be lying if he said he doesn't have even the slightest idea of why you stepped back and drew a line between the two of you.

Yet here he was, at an ice cream parlor, facing you, "How's it been, L/n?" he managed to tug the side of his lips into an awkward smile.

You purse your lips before sighing, "I'm doing great, what about you?"

Ryomei grumbled in his seat, feeling uneasy with the tension, "I'm okay."

Amari was at the counter, ordering the flavors the three of you picked. You were wishing she'd hurry up already. Ryomei cleared his throat and straightened his back, "L/n, I honestly don't like the wall between us. Can we talk about what happened?"

Your eyes slightly widen, "Sure."

"I think I know why you distanced yourself," he beats around the bush, massaging his nape.

"Your guess?"

"It's because of Rin... right?" he asks hesitantly, nervous that he might push the wrong buttons and make things worse.

"Yeah," you pause, "He said some pretty mean things about me, I was very offended."

"He isn't the type to be kind with his words," he nods, then he breaks into a sweat- "B-But I'm not trying to justify what he did! He was an asshole for that."

You laugh at him, "Yes, I know." You lean back to your chair and stare at your feet, "He told me I used you to get close with him, and that you probably liked me."

Ryomei closes his eyes and a crease forms between his forehead, he clicks his tongue, "I've told them many times they got the wrong idea."

"Them?"

"Yeah, the team thought we had something going on...uhh...going out, dating, all that stuff." he mumbles shyly, which you grin at.

"But he was right," you admit to him, partly to yourself, "Amari told me something similar too, something about what if you actually liked me and I was kind of using you to get close with my crush."

Whether or not Ryomei liked you, you technically still used him. But an unexpected friendship bloomed from it, and it became something that was more than a beneficial act.

Ryomei waves his hands frantically, "No way! Wait- what I mean is, yes, initially I found you attractive and I always felt happy when you were around," he explains, "But I realized it was purely platonic." he clarifies.

"Well, it's all in the past now. I'm sorry I withdrew myself, I was embarrassed because I didn't know whether or not you actually liked me." you pause, "I thought you would hate me."

You presumed Rin had already told them when it happened, and you couldn't face Ryomei.

"How could I?" his face softens, "I'm sorry too."

"For what?" you laugh.

"For not making it clear enough to them, and for not reaching out. I can't believe it took this long." he finally relaxes, and just right on time, Amari places the tray on the table.

"I assume you guys are okay now?" she smiles.

You pull her into a hug by wrapping your arms around her head, "Hey! Y/n! Stop, you're going to ruin my hair!"

After a few minutes of brawling with Amari, you finally let her go and she sits beside you.

"How did the two of you even start talking anyway?" you point your spoon at them.

"We're classmates, it was inevitable." Amari sighs.

"Hey, you act like it's a bad thing." Ryomei groaned.

"It is."

You entered the classroom, refreshed and excited to start the week. "Good morning, everyone!"

"Good morning, L/n!" a classmate of yours smiled. You passed by Kaneshiro's table and surprisingly, he initiates a conversation.

"How was your weekend?"

"Just the usual, what about you?"

"I just did some homework, it was hard. I like Chemistry but it took me a day to do."

Your eye twitches and your shoulders abruptly raise, "...Homework?"

"Mm-hmm," he nods, showing you his papers filled with solutions to word problems. "The one Mr. Itobe assigned last Friday."

"OH. MY. GOODNESS!" you yell which catches the attention of your other classmates, "I completely forgot about it!" you cry to Kaneshiro.

If it took him a day to finish, what would become of you? You were never a genius at the subject!

He laughs at you, "You can copy my answers," like a heaven sent angel, he pushes his papers to you.

You clap your hands together and bow your head, "I will forever remember this, I offer my sincerest gratitude." you seriously say.

"No problem."

With his answers at hand, you quickly make your way to your table and sit down. Suddenly remembering something, you rummaged through your bag and turned to your back.

Rin was busy reading something with his earphones tucked in his ears, you tapped on the page he was currently on to make him look at you.

"Here." you say, even though you were sure he wouldn't hear you. He takes the notebook and puts it away in the compartment beneath his desk.

With that out of the way, you copied all of Kaneshiro's answers like you were at a speedwriting contest. Then you hear someone scoff, "No way you're leeching off of someone else's hard work."

You gripped tightly on your mechanical pencil, it took every ounce of self-control in you to not give in to his attempt at provoking you.

"The answer on number three is wrong. It should be 18.6 milliliters." he points out and drops his paper on your desk.

"I don't need this, thank you." besides, you had more trust in Kaneshiro.

"Whatever, suit yourself."

The more you analyzed the equation, the more you realized that Kaneshiro did in fact make a slight error in his solution.

But you had your pride and dignity, there was no way in hell you'd ask Rin for help.

Then, a crumpled paper lands on your desk. Judging from the direction where it came from, Rin threw it.

You took the crumpled paper and unfolded its creases, it had the correct solution written on it along with a doodle of someone- of you, but with horns and an evil face.

You turned to look at him, but his eyes never left the book he was reading. "Thanks." you manage to mutter out. You were glad he had earphones in.

When you finally return to finishing your homework up, his eyes travel to the back of your head before shaking his head.