#afortiicri

Naoto was probably feeling too giddy or not as old as some people assumed over this trip with the IT. They’d planned this months earlier and set up the timings so it'd be near the day Summer vacation would end and things were going well. Apart from Teddie's usual returning tendency to call her Nao-chan which she'd always stop him from doing and add how she only let people who she trusted deeply to use shortened nicknames she'd enjoyed hanging out with everyone and to see Rise before she'd start the distance studies in order to handle her idol career properly.

She was currently talking with her bestie and noticed how Kanji was complaining on how they only had food and no soft drinks with them - and how Yu was already rising from the towel he'd sat on to fill that quota. "...do you think if I'm too direct in helping him out now? I'm not sure what conclusions others would draw from my behavior but I want to talk with Yu-kun in a more calm setting. That, and - I Teddie claiming how I am 'scoring' is causing me a headache."

"Just go for it, Naoto-kun. He's only going to be happy over your presence and I can keep Teddie busy." She winked at her and Naoto muttered how she was really taking her job as her wingwoman seriously before rising from the stool and walking to the silver-haired male.

"Yu-kun. Do you mind if I helped you get the drinks from the beverage machine?" She sounded as casual and fluent as she could and got a bright smile back.

"Sure. You can remember the orders and help carry them." After she'd listed out the choices everyone else wanted she walked towards the vending machine behind a building with Yu, and when she was sure how others weren't able to see them properly she was glad she could get more out of this than a group situation.

She poked his left hand to hopefully deliver the message of ‘I’d like to hold hands for a bit’. "I hope that I'm not coming off as too assertive but - even though this might be the last times of this Summer when we can hang out together I wish that I didn't have to act less like... you know, without hiding the relationship status we have. The atmosphere in group situations and non-group situations is completely different." 

Yu looked flustered before smiling brightly at her and taking a light hold on her hand. He mused how it wasn't that odd or strange either. "Even though they most likely know how we're an item it doesn't feel the same. I'd rather spend time with you alone."

"Glad to see you agree on that bit with me." Her relief was showing through her voice and she mused almost casually how she saw the vending machine already and continued on her more personal talk topics. She was still overjoyed and glad over this and holding Yu's hand tightly. "Rise-san has been cheering me on to not be afraid of my actions and the only person who I've told on my relationship status change and it's a bit ridiculous. We need to come up with a moment good and calm enough to inform everyone of the changed situation before we both graduate from Yaso High and find a way to keep Teddie from making such a huge number out of it.” If I hear one more of the 'scoring' mention I'll just tell how it's not funny and call his whole attitude out.

The silver-haired male only commented how it would go well enough: after all they had succeeded in one attempt already. "Rise-san took that information well and was happy for both of us. Don't worry on it too much."

Naoto hummed softly and mused how she just needed to not worry on it too much and instead focus on this moment they had - in addition to getting the drinks. "Do you mind if we... It is probably silly that I'm still double-checking but I'm not sure if I step on your boundaries too much." She was still overcareful on this relationship to make sure it wouldn’t sink.