archives

chapter 12

Hajime's POV

It's been around 3 days since me and Nagito last texted. I've been so occupied with school and studying I haven't had the time to put effort into our conversations. So I decided to ask him to hang out after classes.

I usually get off early on Fridays however I'm not so sure about Nagito. Regardless, I text him anyway.

Hajime: Hey could we meet up around 5?

I instantly see him typing a response back.

Nagito: uhh yea sure, where though?

Hajime: What about my apartment? After all I do owe you my hospitality after last weekend.

Nagito: yea sure. send me the address and i'll see you at 5.

I send him my address and get a liked response in return. I can tell that he's not much of a texter from his casual responses and lack of emotion. He's definitely different in person though, which I like.

It's around 3:30 when I get out of my classes for the day. And I decide to hurry back to my apartment to clean up a few things as well as prepare some food. Although that "preparing" is more like ordering takeout 20 minutes before he arrives.

I clean up my living room and some other minor spaces. After about an hour of cleaning, I receive a text from him.

Nagito: i'm on my way now. just thought i should let you know.

Hajime: Got it, thanks.

I never realized that the distance between our places is a solid 30 minutes. That or he's just bad at directions. Either way, I lay on my couch and scroll through various social media apps as always. After 5 minutes I lose my focus and decide to search up a good takeout place. Although a majority of takeout places in manhattan are good as it is. As I finally decide on one, I hear the alarm for my apartment building ring.

I press down and hear his voice through the apartment intercom.

"Hey, it's Nagito" he says.

"Got it, I'm coming right down." I reply, throwing my phone on the couch and racing down the stairs. I live on the 4th floor and using an elevator isnt an issue, but I just felt like running down the stairs instead.

As I reach the ground floor, I instantly spot him. His hair is all messed up, most likely from the winter wind, and his fingers and nose are all red. It's kinda cute. I walk up to him and greet him, showing him the way towards the elevator.

"This place is so nice" he says as he rubs his hands together, most likely trying to warm himself up.

"I guess so, to me it's pretty average" I reply as we reach my floor. I lead the way down a corridor of rooms, stopping nearly at the end and opening my door.

"Welcome to my humble home" I say sarcastically, leading him inside. "Make yourself feel at home".

He steps in and I close the door behind him. He takes a second to glance at my apartment and in result his mouth parts a little in awe.

To be truly honest, my place is definitely much different and bigger than his. So I don't blame him for staring.

"It's not that grand, but I hope you'll feel welcomed" I say, trying to gain a response from him.

He closed his mouth and begins to take off his jacket and shoes. He hangs up his jacket on the coat rack and I motion him to sit down on the couch with me.

"This place is so nice. You gotta help me redecorate sometime" he says, gazing at the wall of books I have.

I laugh in response, "Your place isn't that bad in itself, for a dorm anyway".