Really Need a Nap

“I don’t want these two weirdos around my sister, they’re just going to make her weirder.”

“If you’re going to insult Ena you might as well insult me as well, there’s not much of a difference.” Oh?

Rui liked how straightforward you were with your words. He found himself chuckling at the conversation much to Akito’s annoyance.

“Face it Akito, you are what you hang out with! So that means you’re just as weird as the rest of us here. Sorry, Toya.”

Ena started laughing like a maniac when Akito stormed off with Toya, thanking you for putting her little brother in his place before heading to her night classes. Rui found your antics entertaining, you were so straightforward with your words and didn’t hold back, it felt refreshing.

“I don’t believe we’ve met before… who might you be?”

“F/N, F/N L/N. And I believe you’re Rui Kamishiro? I’ve heard about you from Akito and Mizuki. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

And that’s how it all started.

Tsukasa teases Rui about his crush often. He’ll call you over mid conversation with Rui just to see how he reacts. But he’s actually very smooth about it, carrying on a conversation with Tsukasa now including you very well and asking for your input.

When you tell Rui you do a lot of art, he starts asking for tips that can make his sketches of future projects look better. You’re slightly caught off guard that he immediately assumes you know so much, but appreciate it none the less.

Rui is always complimenting your art, even if it’s just a little doodle in class, he’s still telling you it looks perfect. You try to hide your embarrassment which barely works. His praise feels more important than other’s praise to you, so you try your best to make him notice any doodles you do in school or completed artwork.

You two also bond over how easily you can get absorbed in your work. Rui, who absorbs himself in all his robotic projects and you who absorbs yourself in your art. Both of you laugh at how much time passes without realizing once it’s finished. But in that same conversation, you remind each other it’s still important to take care of yourselves.

“As lovely as your art is, you’re needs should come first. Maybe next time you can set a timer to take a break?”

This is also how he finds out about your crave for attention and praise. You tell him that “breaks aren’t needed, but perfection is or else no one will notice.” He grows concerned by this, and promises that no matter how it looks he’ll be there to support your work.

That day you go home with a warm fuzzy feeling in your chest. ‘Even if it’s not perfect, he’ll still like it?’

After that conversation, you both came to realize how you really feel about each other. Rui wouldn’t simply always praise his other friends all the time for no reason, but he does with you. So why? Oh

You wouldn’t seek everyone’s opinion immediately after anything you do, Rui is always the first one you go to before anyone else. You weren’t like this before to anyone else, why now? Oh.

It took awhile, but you both realized!

You try to be subtle in your hints, lightly brushing your hand against his when you’re walking to the next class or slightly leaning towards him in a group setting. Rui however, is not subtle at all.

The hand brushes? He’s just going to take your hand in his. The leaning? He’s already putting his arm around you. And this guy keeps a straight face the whole time while you’re trying your hardest not to go red. It’s like a competition, who can make the other burst first?

On one of the days you’re both feeling bold, you’re practically glued to his side as he keeps an arm around your shoulder. Akito, Tsukasa, Mizuki, and An are all in the group as well while this is happening. And..

“So Rui, F/N, how long have you two been dating now?”

Mizuki’s question is what makes you both burst into red. Do you really look like you’re dating?

“Oh yeah, I’ve been wondering as well! You two just one day started holding hands and I kept forgetting to ask.”

Both you and Rui look at each other trying to think of what to say. Does this count as dating even if neither of you made it official?

“We’ve been together for a few weeks.” / “We aren’t dating.”

“…”

Did he really just say that? To everyone? You did not agree to this answer! Now what do you say? No matter what it’s going to make this a lot more awkward. You felt Rui staring at you as Akito cackled, getting the wrong idea that Rui just got rejected. Which of course, Rui knew this wasn’t true.

Rui swiftly leaned down to kiss you- right on the lips- which made everyone shocked, even Rui.

“Well it’s a mutual agreement now, yes? Akito, is it still laughing worthy?”