Before anyone starts complaining, I'm just giving Scara some character development, I'll use Kazuha POV soon enough~

*Scaramouche POV*

It was the middle of the night and I couldn't sleep.

Yesterday was a very, very weird day for sure. I learned that Ei had started going out with someone and received Valentine's Day chocolate from a guy I knew for about 2 days. But the most surprising part was that I actually understood what were the feelings I had.

Sadly, I am thinking that this will be a case of unrequited love, as Kazuha only seems to want to be a friend and nothing more.

I swear, high school love really is complicated.

I guess I could go to Ei about that, but she always was the kind of person that was a 'hopeless romantic'. And how would she react if I said it was a 'he', not a 'she'?

Actually, thinking about it, she is going out with a girl, so she's probably okay with that, but still... I don't actually trust her in terms of giving advice.

I looked at the time. It was an hour before I had to wake up. Well, I could try and waste some time browsing the Internet or something.

But first, I spotted the gift I received yesterday, lying on a shelf in my room. I could try to open it now.

When opening the box, I saw a long, indigo cloth. It almost looked like silk. It was soon enough that I figured it was a scarf, looking nearly identical to Kazuha's. I decided to try it and— yeah, it's really nice. It's not too warm, not too cold, it's perfect. It's also very comfortable and soft. I swear, why did he actually take the time to buy me this...?

I realized there was also another small box and a card. I read the card at first.

'Hi there, Scaramouche.
I hope you like the gift. I took some time to go at the kimono place to have the cloth for the scarf. The colour matches you well.
Oh, I also bought you some chocolate, as the tradition from Valentine's Day say. I don't know if you eat some, if you don't, I'm sorry.
I look forward to next year. You'd better buy me a gift or something.
Happy Valentine's Day, Scaramouche.'

And that was the message.

He really thought everything out. Gosh, Kazuha... why are you doing this for me?

I closed the box and left it on the shelf. I took my phone to browse the web. I could also thank Kazuha.

I opened the phone and I should've expected that.

Lots of messages from the group chat.

And Kazuha, too.

Signora and Childe can wait. I'll go answer to Kazuha first.

Kazuha
Hi Scaramouche, I'm guessing you didn't wake up yet.
When you're online, I have free time, so we can talk.
Only if you'd like to, though.

Angymouche
Sorry for replying so late. I can talk now, but only if you have time.

Maybe he was gone, but soon after sending the message, I saw him typing.

Kazuha
You've got good timing, I'm actually on my break.

Angymouche
You work at this time? That's really early.

Kazuha
Got to do all it takes to survive and all.
Anyway, how are you?
Sleep well?

Angymouche
Yeah, I did. Thanks.
What about you?
Work going well and stuff?

Kazuha
Yes, work and all is going well for me. Thank you for asking.

Angymouche
Oh yeah, I saw the gift.
I really love it.
Thank you for that. It's really nice to do that for me when you just met me.

Kazuha
I just gave a gift because I wanted you to have one.
I'm glad you seem to like it, though.

Angymouche
Yeah, I really do.

Kazuha didn't write anything, neither did I. I wondered if he went online, but it still said he was online.

A question to ask...

Angymouche
Oh yeah, where do you work?

Kazuha
I work at that boba place.
You know, for bubble tea.
But just not that, there's also some breakfasts and lunches sold there.
I'm just here for the bubble tea though.

Angymouche
There's a place with boba?
I'll come visit you one time.
When I figure out where it is.
It's weird that it opens so early.
I know that you said there is breakfast, but I can't imagine people coming at 7 in the morning for boba.

Kazuha
Well, we've got some... loyal... customers.
Okay, my break's almost over, so I'm going to prepare myself now.

Angymouche
Okay, I'll talk to you soon.
Have a good time at work.
See you.

Kazuha
Alright, thank you for talking with me.

The green dot that pointed out he was online turned gray. Seems he disconnected.

I still have the group chat that sent messages, so I went to check that out.

Tortilla
Little Fandango man, where are you~?

Icy Lady
Istg Childe, if I added you back, it isn't to annoy Scaramouche
He's just gonna leave again

Angymouche
What do you mean, Childe. He's a child, not Childe.

Tortilla
Why do you hurt me this way??😭😭

Icy Lady
I will kick you out again
It's written in the rules that we don't use emojis

Tortilla
But whyyy

Angymouche
Because they're cringe, like you.

Tortilla
WHAT
SCARAMOUCHE

Angymouche
What?

Tortilla
YOU'RE USING MODERN TERMS
ARE YOU DONE WITH YOUR BOOMER PHASE??

Icy Lady
Istg Childe stfu

Angymouche
Alright, I'm leaving.

Icy Lady
I'm gonna ban him

Tortilla
OKAY OKAY IM SORRY SCARAMOUCHE
IT WAS A JOKE
EHE JK

Angymouche
Are you sure about that?

Tortilla
YES
NOW SPARE ME PLS

Icy Lady
You say one stupid thing you're banned istg

Tortilla
Oki ty m'lady

Icy Lady
...

Tortilla
/j /j!!
DW
I didn't mean it
:)

Icy Lady
Anyways
How's it going, Scaramouche?

Angymouche
I'm doing okay.

Icy Lady
Did you remember it was Valentine's Day yesterday?

Angymouche
Not at all.
But I received a gift though.

Icy Lady
W H A T
From who

Tortilla
OUR BOY SCARAMOUCHE HAS A GF YESSSS

Icy Lady
Pls stfu Childe

Angymouche
*child
But yeah, it was from Kazuha.

Icy Lady
What seriously

Angymouche
That's what I was telling you guys...
Anyways, I'm gonna get going now.
Talk to you all later.

Tortilla
COME ON BRO LEAVING SO SOON??

Icy Lady
See you, Scaramouche.

I felt tired all of a sudden, so I closed my eyes and slept until my alarm clock rang.

"Scaramouche, wake up!"

I opened my eyes slowly, blinded by the light in my room. Ei looked much more upbeat than usual.

"Okay, okay, I'm gonna get prepared."
"No, it's not that. I'm wondering where you got that box."

Shoot. I didn't tidy up.

I realized I also had the scarf laying on my bed. There's no way I can tell Ei it's nothing. There's clearly too much evidence.

"Wait, did you get a present?"
"...yeah, kinda."

Ei stayed calm, but a small smile appeared on her face. I think that if she could, she would jump and scream of happiness. I kinda understand her, though, because she knows how of a loner I really am.

"That's really great, Scaramouche. Would you mind telling me who's it from?"

I feel like if I didn't tell her, she would bug me with it a ton. No use hiding it.

"It's from a new friend I made. His name's Kazuha."

Ei didn't seem to judge or laugh at me. Maybe I could trust her a bit more.

"That's a real nice friend you've got. Say, you should give him something, too."
"But Valentine's Day ov—"
"Just because the holiday is over doesn't mean you can't give him something to express your feelings for him."
"Wha—"

I felt myself getting hot all of a sudden, Ei was looking at me with a weird face. So she didn't understand how I felt about him at first. She just meant express feelings of appreciation for him.
I swear I'm dead.

"Oh. So you like him."
"..."

I was too embarrassed to say anything. What, your parent knows you like someone, how can you react to that?

Ei took a side besides me on my bed. I fear this is a life-lesson speech.

"Were you actually afraid to tell me it was a guy, not a girl?"

I still didn't say anything. Ei sighed. Seems she didn't just have a childish side to her, but also a mature one.

"I'll support you in all you do, even if I'm against it. Now, I'm not against it, far from it. But you can trust me for stuff like that. If you ever want to talk about something, I'll be there."
"Thanks."

Ei smiled and closed her eyes slowly.

"I really hope it'll work out for him and you. He seems like a good person. Keep hope!"
"Thanks..."

I was hesitating to say something, but felt like it was the good time to call her like that.

"Thanks mom. I'll get him a gift for sure, and all of the support you give me is amazing, despite my attitude sometimes."

Ei looked like she wanted to cry, but she got up fast and shouted.

"Now, get ready or you'll be late!"
"Okay, okay!"

I got up, put on my uniform and brought my scarf with me. I ate a simple breakfast and headed out of my house, saying goodbye to Ei and Miko. I walked up to my bus station, the bus arrived soon enough and I hopped in. When it arrived to Kazuha's stop, I figured he wasn't there.

What happened with him?

When I arrived at school, I saw someone leaning on the locker right next to mine. Seems like it was Kazuha.

That's a relief, he's doing okay. He waved at me, I waved at him. Still, his smile seemed... I don't know, fake?

"Hi there, Scaramouche!"
"Hey, Kazuha. How are you?"
"Yeah, I'm okay."

He wasn't normal. Something happened for sure.

"You? How are you?"

Yeah, there was something wrong. I swear, I may have known him for just a few days, he didn't look like this.

"Scaramouche...?"
"Are you really okay? You seem... down."
"..."

Kazuha closed his eyes calmly. He sighed.

"I'm really tired, these last few days. Work and all is tough. Maybe I look like this because I don't rest enough or something."
"...if you say so. But if you ever need to talk to me about something, you can tell me."

Kazuha opened his eyes and smiled. He wasn't completely honest.

Why?

"Alright, I will. Thank you, Scaramouche. Wait, actually..."
"Yeah?"
"Can I call you Scara?"

A...nickname?

I've never had anyone call me a nickname. I'm usually just called 'you' and 'Scaramouche'.

"Yeah, sure."
"Alright then!"

I'm sure I smiled, I don't know how I couldn't. Kazuha's the kindest person I've met in my life and I certainly hope that our relationship won't end.

That's why I couldn't tell him about my feelings.

Eventually, my phone rang. Some notifications from the group chat.

"Who's it from?", Kazuha asked me.
"People from my old school. We're only three."
"Oh..."

The white-haired boy looked at the ground. Wait, did he want me to add him to the group chat?

"Do you want to join it?"
"What? Can I?"
"Yeah, sure."

Kazuha's eyes shined. Seems he was happy.

"Yes, sure! Add me, please!"

I smiled on the outside but died on the inside. What would happen when he meets Signora and Childe?

"Alright, how much time until class?", I asked Kazuha.
"We've got about 10 minutes."
"I'll add you now, then."

[This group is as active as ever!]

Icy Lady
Pls what's with the name, Childe?

Tortilla
It's true tho 😒

Icy Lady
I said stop with the emojis

Tortilla
Okay mom 😒

Icy Lady
Istg I'm gonna kick you out

Angymouche
Guys, I'm adding someone now.

Tortilla
Scaramouche new friend?!?!

Icy Lady
Pls stfu Childe

Angymouche added Kazuha to [This group is as active as ever!]

Angymouche
Welcome Kazuha.

Tortilla
OH THATS THE NEW GUY

Icy Lady
Welcome, Kazuha.

Kazuha
Hello.

Tortilla
OMG HE WRITES LIKE SCARAMOUCHE
LIKE SUPER FORMAL

Icy Lady
Pls Childe

Kazuha
Childe's your name?
I thought it was written child.

I snorted, Kazuha looked at me.

"That's amazing."
"I know, hehe~"

Tortilla
Istg Scaramouche
Why you gotta choose the most mean ppl out there

Angymouche
What do you mean, mean?
Kazuha's an amazing person.
Much better than you at least.

Tortilla
OOOH PROTECTING YOUR BF LIKE THAT
AIGHT, I GET WHAT YOU'RE DOING

Angymouche
Please, Childe, he's not my boyfriend.

Tortilla
No, he's your boyfriend.
Haha, get it, because he's a boy and he's your friend

Icy Lady
This is getting ridiculous, pls stop arguing or I'm kicking both of you out

Angymouche
What else do you want me to do then?

Kazuha
Don't worry Scara.

Tortilla
...

Kazuha
What?

Angymouche
What?

Tortilla
Since when do you have ppl call you nicknames, Scaramouche

Angymouche
No one asked me before.
Of course it's easy to feel jealous or whatever.
Until you learn you didn't look out for that friend.

Tortilla
BUT

Angymouche
Goodbye people.
Not you Kazuha though, since you're right besides me.
Lol.

Kazuha
True lol.

Tortilla
What

Icy Lady
Goodbye, you two
Also, it's nice to meet you, Kazuha

Kazuha
Thank you, it's nice to know you, too.

I put my phone in my pocket and looked over to Kazuha. His dull look came back.

I'm gonna find out what's going on with him.

Hello!!
Very... basic chapter. Sorry for the wait and hope it's good!

Btw I finished this chapter at like midnight so it might be worse at the end lol

AND PLS WHAT IS THAT

LIKE THIS DOESNT EVEN HAVE 100 VIEWS HOW

Okayyyy, until next chapter~

-Author-chan

18th of February, 2022
(2328 words)