#shin

You didn't even bother to glance into his direction. And it just took a tic of him to not lose his mind — he hates getting avoided. Around others like Shishiba or Osaragi? He doesn't care.

Actually he doesn't care at all.

But if it's you? You will notice subtle hints how it's tormenting him.

"What are you doing today hmm?" he hummed and made his way behind you, "let's go out!"

"Alexa, play shut up and drive by Rihanna." you said loudly and continued to mind your own business.

Leaving a message by using Alexa huh?

He planted his chin over your shoulder and let his arms delicately wrap themselves around your waist. "Alex, play sorry by Justin Bieber."

A sigh escaped your lips as you furrowed your brows, eye twitching slightly in annoyance.

"Pleaseeee!" he dragged out the word into its length and began whining, "I'm sorry! Please forgive me!"

No reaction. Instead the sound of your knife hitting the board grew in volume to overturn his own voice.

Just know it was driving him insane as he decided to drop his forehead on your shoulder and leave out a breathless chuckle. "You really know how to push my buttons..." he whispered.

"And you? You don't do that at all huh?" you finally replied.

This was just the start of it.

ASAKURA SHIN.

one word to describe him perfectly? desperate. clearly desperate for your attention and also affection — he may act nonchalant and as if it doesn't take a hit against his whole, don't be fooled. inwardly, he is dying. but he doesn't want to admit it since he still thinks you both were wrong in the argument. what makes it worse, you two worked together the day after.

"Can you pass me the packs?" you questioned loudly and extended your hand.

For Shin? It was a reflex. His hand immediately placed itself over the several packs as he stood in the same aisle, just a few steps away from you. He knew what you needed and was ready to pass it.

"Here!"

But Lu already did, seconds faster than him. Seriously — it was a hit to his face as he realised how he was about to pass you the packs despite knowing you weren't on the best terms.

And he also knows that you were talking to Lu instead of him!

"Thank you, Lu." your lips curled into a carefree smile, "in fact, can you stay here? I need someone to help me."

"Sure! What do you need?" she replied with a cherry smile and neared you impossible close.

Well it wasn't that close, but it was close enough to throw Shin off. His eyes stealing a few glances occasionally as he tried his best to do his own job and ignore you.

On second thought, it was too hard for him to ignore you.

"Can you help me sort this out?" you pointed at the various things and then to the corresponding shelves she should put it in.

Usually, you would've asked him to help you and he wouldn't hesitate to rush to help you. Why don't you ask him though? Even if you are on bad terms, you're still here to work.

Yes. You are work colleagues. You could have asked him and you didn't. It's not like he's disappointed or upset (which he totally is) — yet asking Lu out of all people? The lazy one who had no plan of sorting out the shelves?

Seriously?

He huffed out and immediately snapped his head back ahead, lips forming a straight line and a frown settling on his face.

"Sorry." is all he could mutter out, barely a whisper and too quiet to catch.

He is so desperate.

UZUKI KEI.

tries to brush off your attitude towards him, acting all nonchalant next to you and also doesn't lose many words about the argument. of course he notices that you started to ignore him after the last words shared between you and also — you always start the random conversation. now no one mutters a word. yet he tries to open up a conversation while apologising.

The silence was heavy to say at least. Almost suffocating — which is why Gaku to leave the room and hide in his own, not being able to play well in such heaviness.

Everyone in the group knew what's wrong. With everyone, I meant everyone happened to know about the little fight you and Kei had because of your worries over his safety.

Yet Kei is stubborn. Enough to let the urge grow to rip out all your hair and throw them at his handsome face. Hell you even forced him to eat more!

That man looked like some kind of corpse with those sunken cheeks and empty, dead eyes.

And man, he avoids everything when his own health is involved.

"Thanks, Kumanomi..." he trailed off as he received a meal from his sister.

"No need to thank me, Kei. [name] is right, you should eat more." she folded her arms and disappeared again, mission already accomplished.

What now? Yes, here he sits. On the couch. Next to you. Yet there was some space between you.

The man slowly lifted his head and glanced to you, watching how unbothered you were — watching some silly videos on your phone. His hand raised as he began to stir before taking one bite.

"...I'm sorry." he began slowly yet surely, trailing off since his mind couldn't form a coherent sentence. "Eh... I think uh— you were right."

You listened. Of course you did. But you  tried to play it off, eyes glued to your screen while waiting for his next words.

"I should take care of myself more. Thank you for worrying about me... I really appreciate it." he showed his gratitude with a faint smile ghosting over his lips. "I hope you aren't that mad anymore."

He waits. The seconds passing felt like hours. And it urges him to part his lips again.

"Please don't ignore me..."

"You're such an idiot." your eye twitched slightly and eventually looked up from your phone, "hell yes, you should be grateful for my worries. Don't brush it off anymore! And you have to finish this, alright?"

"Yes, ma'am."

That's right, he was miserable.

GAKU.

oh god — good luck with him and silent treatment since he simply does not care. he does enjoy your silence more than anything, moments where you two just sit together, your shoulders touching and embracing the warmth. yet the longer you keep this going, the more annoyed he is. and he also doesn't like the idea of you walking away whenever he enters the room. his patience is slowly wearing thin and at the end, you won.

It's not as if he feels bad — and he also knows you're right when you said you two should spend more time together and go out instead of staying in the hideout all the day.

But you have to accept that Gaku is a hella lazy man, his hands always having to grip onto his phone or gaming console when he isn't busy with the missions or anything.

Yet also you shouldn't also forget — he doesn't even try to put any effort into your dates. Or anything else around the  relationship.

No wonder why you are so mad, he understands. It's just, he doesn't understand how to better himself since he's always been like that.

"G'morning..." he muttered and yawned as he entered the room, bare muscles flexing.

"Wear a shirt." Kumanomi immediately narrowed her eyes and scrutinised him.

"Yeah..." he twitched at her glare and lifted his gaze from the screen, searching for your figure. "Where's [name]?"

"[name]-sama just left the moment you set a foot into the room." Kashima pointed at one door.

Surprise, surprise! It was your door to be specific.

"Oh." he let out and rubbed his neck.

"You two should make up." Kumanomi folded her arms, "or else you'll be left miserable."

"What a way to tell me..." Gaku grumbled and made his way to your room.

At the end it was just her way of caring and he's aware, so he doesn't take it in a mean way. She's right. You should make up.

But the moment he opened the door that lead to your room (without the decency to knock), you already rose from the seat and wanted to walk past him.

It irritated him. At first he didn't mind much but now? He doesn't like this petty fight at all.

"Wait a second." he grasped your wrist and dragged you into the room again. "I'm tired of this back and forth. Actually leave out the forth part..."

You stared at him, lips forming a straight line as you raised a brow. "You think I'm not annoyed?" you questioned, "this is how I feel. Sometimes I feel like an obsessive ex following you around."

Silence. He doesn't dare to say something yet, mind too puzzled.

"And now I want you to better yourself. Don't talk to me if you aren't ready yet."

His fingers are still wrapped around your wrist as he parted his lips, trying to form a normal sentence — to reply and not let you stand here alone, to make an effort you aren't the only one talking.

"I... am ready." he whispered under his breath, "I just don't know how to start."

Of course he is willing to try. It's not like he wants this relationship to end.

Because he is a sucker for his pretty girlfriend.