Hiding The Pain || MonoShin [BOOK 1]

Chapter 6 - Help Me: The Sequel (ft. TetsuKendo)

Just as he turned back to the menu, Tetsutetsu and Kendo came through the door, and Tetsutetsu spotted Monoma. The silver - haired boy grinned and waved at him before dragging Kendo along with him to their booth. They sat down, Tetsutetsu beside Monoma and shoving him so Kendo could sit on his other side, and if he forgot proper manners, uninvited.

Monoma simply rolled away his anger through his eyes and shifted. Shinso raised an eyebrow.

"Hey Monoma-kun?" Tetsutetsu whispered. Monoma was shocked that the steel - user's voice could be so quiet, but then again, Tetsutetsu was only quiet when it was something serious.

Monoma subtly nodded his head, urging the boy beside him to continue. Tetsutetsu's face turned a little pink as he said:

"I need your help."

.........................................................................

Monoma turned to Tetsutetsu, a confused look covering his facial features. What could the boy need his help with? Monoma knew Tetsutetsu and Kendo had done a study session to finish the weekend assignments together since he had declined the invitation they gave to him to join them, so it couldn't be about school. Did he want to know about the food? No, Tetsutetsu wouldn't have been so quiet if that's what he wanted.

Tetsutetsu must have finally noticed his friend's confusion, because he grabbed Monoma's arm and pulled him up, startling a mildly annoyed Kendo. "Monoma! Let's go check out that coffee list! I bet they have some great flavours!" he announced loudly, no doubt nervous. Other tables looked at them, some annoyed and some confused, but none of the four at the table paid any attention. Tetsutetsu didn't even like coffee, and again, Monoma didn't know what he was nervous about, and neither did Kendo and Shinso, seeing as they just gave Tetsutetsu two looks of confusion, but they quickly morphed into indifference.

After a few awkward minutes of shuffling around, Tetsutetsu dragged Monoma to the boards displaying the different types of tea the cafe sold, which was conveniently the farthest area away from their table. Monoma turned to Tetsutetsu, face serious. 

"Okay, what exactly do you need help with?"

Tetsutetsu turned pink again, and ducked his head. "Well, you see... Kendo and I are on a date-"

"A what?!" Monoma almost screamed. His face turned from one of shock to one of happiness. "Finally! I've been waiting since the internships last year for you two to get over your obliviousness and start dating."

Tetsutetsu turned redder, his eyes widening, taken a bit aback by the sudden outburst. "She's liked me since then?" he mumbled, probably getting deep into his thoughts.

"Yes." Monoma assured, face turning serious again as his eyes narrowed. "So what exactly do you need my help with? Going on a date isn't something that seems like it needs help, unless you needed help with preparation. Since you're already here, I'm guessing that's not it." 

Tetsutetsu's face suddenly turned from a pink to an explosive red, almost instantly. He gave out a long sigh and avoided eye contact with Monoma. "Well, I'm really nervous.."

Monoma nodded. "That's to be expected. This is your first date, right?"

Tetsutetsu seemed to grow anxious, biting his bottom lip as he kept darting his eyes away from Monoma, looking everywhere but at him. "Yes, and since well, you're here with Shinso, you'd maybe help me by pretending to be here on a date with him so that I won't be alone?"

Monoma's eyes widened marginally. He did not expect that question, neither did he expect Tetsutetsu's voice to get higher with each word that came out. After being speechless for a full five seconds, he cleared his throat. "Look Tetsutetsu, I'd love to help you, but I can't exactly do that to Shinso."