dropped!

"I only get it occasionally. It still startles me a bit, if I am honest with you." He put his hand under his chin and thought for a moment. "I guess I’m not really one to leave the art studios often. Perhaps it’s because I don’t want to dazzle people too much with my sparkles." He grinned, hoping it would make Nagisa laugh.

"Ah! Then it must be very thoughtful for you to hardly leave the art studios just for the sake of not dazzling people too much! You wouldn't want a number of girls helplessly falling for you then following you around." It was hard to tell if Nagisa was either being serious about this remark of his or he was just contributing to the taller male's joke. It was a genuine surprise, however, to find out that his companion seldom crosses paths with statements in regards to his 'sparkles'-- his charismatic aura, to be precise.

Nagisa is always one of those who would flatter people without a hitch the very second they gain control over his attention. Now he just hoped that he actually made his companion's day just by pointing out how much he was sparkling.

"Ohh. Well nice to meet you Kou-cha--" A pause was soon planked down on his words once the taller male indicated on referring to him as Yukina instead.

Unable to control himself any longer - it just looked so soft - Mitobe gave in to his urges and ran his fingers through Nagisa’s hair, giving it a gentle playful ruffle. The smaller male had laughed at him earlier upon seeing just how soaked by the rain he was, after all. Now it was his turn.

That amused expression soon turned into one of slight awe, however. Nagisa’s sister certainly had quite the tea collection. Mitobe was almost impressed. A soft thoughtful hum passed his lips as he listened to the other list off the names of the types of tea, glancing from packet to packet that was stored in the cupboard. Stepping a little closer, Mitobe reached out to pick up a packet of the chamomile tea before turning to glance at his friend with a curious expression.

Nagisa immediately found himself tensing up as soon as he felt his friend's digits delicately ruffling his hair, giving his heart the unwanted jolt. He was just thankful enough that he had managed not to jump in surprise or Mitobe would have really started picking up on the probability that something was up. And if he ever inquired about it (by giving him a questioning glance), Nagisa wouldn't precisely be confident on what to say. He's a bad liar. A terrible one.

The blond let out a deep breath in pursuit of simmering his nerves down before directing his focal point on the packet Mitobe had picked up.

"Chamomile tea it is then!" He successfully concealed his flustered front with a laugh as he reached up to get another packet of the same tea, having to stand on the tips of toes just to get it. "You can go ahead and make yourself comfortable, Mitobe-chan! I'll just heat some water up and we can have our greatly deserved beverage in no time!"

He then turned around to start working on their tea but then his action was far too swift that he had inadvertently dismissed from his mind the fact that his companion was still standing behind him, causing the shorter of the two to bump into him. Skin contact. Great. Not exactly what I need right now. 

His attempt to conceal his embarrassment might seem to be futile given how he was taking far too long to dry his hair but once he was sure that his friend already had the dried shirt on, Nagisa cautiously looked back over his own shoulder before finally turning around and beaming at the taller male. He carelessly tossed his towel on the couch where his backpack was.

Tooru laughed, as if he were completely oblivious to the other’s obvious discontent at his words. Except he wasn’t at all oblivious. While not entirely aware of the consequences of his words, Tooru knew exactly how to push someone’s buttons, even if that wasn’t his intention. 

"So then… Nagisa-senpai.” He elongates on the title, letting the words run smoothly off his tongue. It wasn’t a title spoken often by Tooru, for he was accustomed to being the older student amongst the crowd. However, a fleeting reminder that he wasn’t back home anymore quickly settled that matter. Sort of. That childish smile doesn’t reveal much…

But there was no turning back now. He had already put his pride into the market here and the least he could do was stick to his word.

"I always stand by my words, Tooru-chan~" He deliberately prolonged the pronunciation of his name in a friendly but mocking manner. "People have underestimated me before so feel free to be one of those people." Perhaps he was coming off too confident for a sport he hardly played these days. Even if he did keep his word, he knew that the competition will leave a bruise on his pride because he was just that certain that this guy was going to beat him.

A volleyball team captain, for pete's sake! What the hell was I thinking?!

Lifting a hand to brush some of the hair that had stuck to his face with the water out of the way, he followed the smaller blonde back to his home, the two leaving a trail of excess rain that dripped from their hair and clothing as they went. Hopefully he’d have dried out by the time the storm had passed, and he would be able to return home without looking like he’d spontaneously decided to jump into a swimming pool fully clothed. 

"Ah! Home sweet home!" Nagisa sighed in complacency as he nudged the door open and strode inside, not forgetting to kick his shoes off and set them aside. He flung his backpack nonchalantly on the couch and was just in the midst of making his way to the kitchen when he realized that Mitobe wasn't trailing after him. Perplexed, the blond turned to look at him only to take notice of the taller boy waiting around near the front door-- striking as a bit dubious.

"Mitobe-chan, what are you doing over there? Come on in!" He gestured him forward. "I'll make some tea for us! And I can lend you a shirt! A lot of my aunts and uncles buy me shirts that are too big for me. They always tell me that it will bring good luck or something in regards to my height. What a load of bull, hehe!"

He then stirred his direction towards his bedroom instead of the kitchen with the motive of grabbing a shirt. He was actually glad that he kept those shirts even though he hardly believed that he really will grow into them-- but that didn't mean he wasn't hoping. He later returned and handed a plain white shirt along with a towel to his friend.

{ ❊ } Seeing as the other didn’t shudder, looked annoyed, or respond violently to the nickname, it must have meant the blond was actually pleased with it.  Observing him for a few more seconds, he seemed to be right.  The albino didn’t voice it out though, since he figured he had teased the other enough.

A small laugh escaped him as he watched the other’s stiff, and awkward movements while he took a seat.  He honestly may have enjoyed the other’s reaction, but of course that was another thing that he wouldn’t admit…Well, not that he ever admitted something like that.  It would clash with his happy-go-lucky attitude.

"Ah! That’s right, I know your name, but you don’t know mine~"  Byakuran said, offering a small apologetic smile.  "Sorry about that, Nagi-chan~ Byakuran Gesso, nice to meet you!"  The albino continued, as another smile was offered to the man across him.  

And just when he was thinking about that, Byakuran's inquiry planked down a halt to his pondering.

"Oh... M-Me?" Of course you! Who else is he talking to?! "I-I mean... I was born in Japan! Yeah. I uh, just moved here a few weeks ago with my sister. She got a job here and wanted me to live with her." By then, he was slowly feeling at ease, even inwardly applauding himself for carrying out a smooth end for his answer. Still, Byakuran's gaze on him was getting him a bit light-headed and he had to rule his stare down on the table to cut himself short from dwelling far too deep into his imagination.

Disgusted? Was that what the blonde really assumed? Obviously the smaller male wasn’t as good at deciphering his emotions as he had first thought. Mitobe was far from feeling any kind of disgust towards the idea. It was mostly just the sheer abruptness of it that had caught him off guard, coupled with his own crippling shyness whenever the idea of himself being in a romantic relationship was involved.

Unable to let Nagisa continue with such negative thoughts, Mitobe dropped one side of the jacket to place a reassuring hand on his friend’s shoulder, cheeks still glowing as he offered a small smile that the other probably wouldn’t even turn around to see. There wasn’t much more he could do without the use of words, but hopefully it but the other at ease.

As soon as they passed the gates of the building, the blond plucked his keys out of his pocket in haste before carefully yanking the jacket down once they were finally inside the security of the building. He turned to beam at his friend but when he caught on how drenched Mitobe looked, he couldn't help but let a laugh pass between his lips.

"It’s just that…" The taller boy turned to his bag, searching for something. "Y-you see this!?" He said holding out his test. "I barely past the test" he huffed. A defeated look in his face, hoping it was enough for Nagisa to get what kind of advice he was looking for. His grade was regular. It wasn’t good nor bad. Maybe he was just worrying to much. Besides it wasn’t as if he got so many friends he could ask advice in school, at least not like Nagisa.

"Laid back and carefree...?" He played back with puzzled blinking eyes. He didn't reckon that would be the kind of advice Nitori was seeking for. If anything, he had hoped that it had something to do with his love life because those things are always entertaining. But instead, he just received a request of help in regards to one's personality.

Yuuma glanced at the now jumpy kid. How did Yuuma get himself into this? Back in Japan, with a little glare here and there people would actually throw their wallet to Yuuma. Had he lost his intimidating looks? Or maybe it was his hair? Guys don’t have long hair; chicks does.

"Ha?! No way, dude. It’s mine!" He retorted.

Yep, he was losing his look. Yuuma wondered where could he find a barbershop around here… But he had styled his hair like that since forever, so it wasn’t something Yuuma can change so suddenly…

Nagisa felt one corner of his lips twitch in meager indignation. Does everyone really view him as a 'kid' even though he's already nineteen? Up until now, nobody takes him seriously for one would easily assume that he's younger than them. His opinions are always left unheard. But perhaps it could be his fault too for behaving so childish more often than not.

"Oh, fine." He pouted in defeat. "Stranger-chan can have his precious creme brulee. I'm lucky enough to have you treating me anyway." With a jubilant smile, the blonde stepped aside so that he was standing beside the taller male before aiming his attention down at the glass case that presented different kinds of cakes.