CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX;
day one: candies between seats

As you settled into your seat, adjusting the curtains to take a peek at the line of students outside, someone tapped on your shoulder.

"Can I sit here?" Kaneshiro asked, pointing at the vacant seat next to you. 

You straightened your posture and nodded, "Sure! There's still space in the upper compartments if you want to put your bag away," you answered, looking up. 

"Nice," he grinned, shifting the weight of his bag before tucking it into the overhead storage. As he did, another classmate, Takeshi passed by, nudging Kaneshiro's shoulder lightly.

"Well, well, look at you," Takeshi's gaze flickered between you and Kaneshiro.

Kaneshiro laughed and shoved Takeshi away, saying something about his stupidity before plopping down next to you. 

Shoving his hands into the middle pocket of his sweater, he turned to look at you "Are you excited?" he asked.

You smile at him, "Yup! I can't wait to go snorkeling and stuff,"

His brows lifted, "You into swimming and free diving?" his head tilted.

"Not really," you admitted with a grin, "It'll actually be my first time trying it out!" 

"Seriously?" he leaned back, turning slightly toward you, "Ah, you're gonna love it. The first time I went snorkeling, I almost panicked when I saw a school of fish swim right at me. Thought I was being attacked or something."

You chuckled, picturing it, "Did you freak out?"

"A little," he shyly admitted, "But it was amazing," As Kaneshiro continued talking, your attention wavered when movement in the aisle caught your eye.

Rin walked down the narrow path, duffle bag slung over his shoulder, moving past other students who were either chatting or settling into their seats. As expected, his airpods were tucked in ears again.

For a brief moment, his gaze went to you, acknowledging you with a quick glance. His expression was still the same as ever, he stepped past your row and took the seat directly behind you.

"Hey, you good? Space out for a second there," Kaneshiro asked.

You blinked, "Yeah, just thinking about what you said. I hope I don't freak out when I see fish coming at me,"

"If you do, don't worry. I'll make sure to watch you panic from a safe distance."

"Wow, so helpful," you scoffed, earning a laugh from him again.

As more students boarded, the bus gradually filled with noise. And after a few more minutes, the bus finally pulled out of the parking lot. The view of the school shrinking behind you.

Some people were already dozing off, while others discussed among themselves.

Beside you was Kaneshiro, who had his hood up and arms crossed, his eyes closed. On the other hand, you rummaged through your bag and pulled out a small pouch filled with candies.

During long trips, you usually had to deal with motion sickness, and sweet treats always had their way of aiding you. You popped a/an (fav fruit) flavored one into your mouth, the fruity flavors danced on your taste buds.

You take one of each flavor and turned in your seat, peeking over the top of it.

Rin, who was sitting behind you, was quiet as ever, his gaze fixed outside the window, one elbow propped on the armrest. His eyes had somehow caught you from his peripheral vision, and he meets your gaze.

Without a word, you insert your fist through the small gap between the seats, which his brows furrow at. You spread your hand wide, revealing the variety of candies.

"Want one?" you asked.

He plucked a mint-flavored one from your hand, "Thanks," he muttered.

You retreat to your seat, sucking on the candy in your mouth with a small smile.

itoshi rin

7:32 AM

hey

??

are you hungry

no, i ate breakfast

i was about to share
some of my chips

that's unhealthy

guilty pleasure i say

blegh i feel like throwing
up actually

i feel dizzy and nauseous

maybe if you stopped
using your phone

you're using your phone
too

and puhlease how else am
i gonna keep myself from
getting bored

i don't get motion sickness

go to sleep

i can't

the scent of this bus
is making it hard for me

why are you texting me

i'm right behind you

okay and wake up the
people sleeping?

you expect me to pull
some horror shit and twist
my head

you're overreacting

just say you don't want
to talk to me

i don't want to talk to you

BRUH

😡😡😡
Seen, 7:37 AM

7:48 AM

all this saltiness is
making me thirsty

i forgot my water
bottle at home

ok

what am i supposed
to do

nothing😡 UGH forget
about it

😐

drama queen

turn around

A slight furrow appears between your brows as you stare at his message, the words making you pause for a moment longer than necessary.

Your fingers tighten around your phone before you let out a small breath, shifting in your seat. Without hesitation, you push yourself up, turning toward him.

His arm was extended towards you, offering his tumbler.

"You’re offering me your water?" you ask, blinking up at him.

His brow twitches slightly, and he clicks his tongue in annoyance, "Just take it. You piss me off when you ask the obvious."

You hesitate for only a second before grasping the tumbler, fingers brushing against his. It’s cold from the ice inside, condensation forming along the metal.

Bringing it closer, you tilt your head and glance at him with a teasing glint in your eyes, "You’re not saliva-conscious, are you?"

Rin exhales sharply through his nose, rolling his eyes. He doesn’t give a response, his attention is already back on whatever he was reading on his phone.

You retreat to your seat, biting the insides of your cheek to stop a smile from forming.

Instead of drinking from the lid itself, you twist it off before taking a sip. The cool water soothes the dryness in your throat, and you swallow.

You twist it back and turned around, returning his tumbler.

"Thanks a lot,"

He takes it from you and stays silent, despite his indifference, the gesture is oddly considerate.