Wouldn't It Be Nice (A Toradora Soulmate AU)

2: Pretend

About a week into the school year, when all of the students are on lunch break, Taiga leaves the cafeteria under the guise of using the bathroom. Instead, she goes up the stairs to find her classroom entrance. She stands facing the open doorway, considering her plan. She pulls on the end of her hair while looking right, and left, and right again as if she's crossing a road. There is no road, of course, but she faces the same hesitation one would when making a difficult decision.

She walks inside and sits down at her desk. Pulls out a piece of paper and searches through her bag for her pen. She finds it, the cool metal standing out to her warm fingers. She pulls the pen out and sighs. It's not the best for her intentions. It makes her handwriting too thin, and that plus her hands shaking as much as they are creates nearly illegible chicken scratch. She tries her best though, and has her note finished in only a few minutes.

She folds it into a neat square, and looks over at the seating arrangement she's thought about for the past week. Taiga takes a deep breath, steps forward a few rows, and slides the note into the large pocket of the backpack. A slight grin appears on her face as she looks at the bag and then turns away, returning to the cafeteria to finish her lunch.

The lunch bell rings, and the students walk back to class. The recipient of Taiga's note doesn't make any sort of move towards his bag that would allow him to find it. She watches him carefully, relieved that she won't be around when he reads it. As soon as the bell rings at the end of the day, she shoots out of her chair and runs for the West entrance.

When putting his books back into his backpack, Ryuuji feels a loose paper brush against his hand. He freezes for a moment, enclosing the page between two of his fingers and pulling it out. It's a small post-it note, pink instead of the standard yellow color which he owns. He unfolds it and reads the writing inside. It says: Meet me outside the west entrance after school. ~Taiga

He glances at Yuusaku, who is packing up his own bag and not paying attention. Ryuuji slips the note in his pocket and taps Yuusaku on the shoulder.

"Hey, I can't walk with you today, I have to do something." Yuusaku raises an eyebrow, and is met with a shrug.

"Alright, then I'll see you tomorrow." Yuusaku replies. Ryuuji gives a standard farewell and starts walking to the West entrance. He doesn't know why Aisaka would want to meet with him. He hasn't had any conversation or other interaction with her since the first day, and even then he thought her punch had settled the score. Getting past why she wants to meet up, why did she have to suggest the West entrance? The West entrance is off the side of the building, and though there's a pathway leading right past it, the only reason someone would be walking back there is to get to the softball pitch. Softball tryouts haven't started yet, so unless Taiga brings someone with her, the two of them will likely be alone. What if she does bring someone? Ryuuji hopes that if she does, that it's Kushieda. Seeing her outside of school hours might make any pain Aisaka brings upon me worth it.

With a million different scenarios racing through his head, Ryuuji hardly notices when he reaches the exit. He looks out the glass pane in the door before opening it, scoping out the area. No Kushieda, but he can see Aisaka's bag sitting on the floor. Upon further inspection, he can also make out the side of her figure leaning against a tree a little bit ahead.

Ryuuji opens the door, keeping his eyes on Taiga. When she hears the hinges creak--These are so rusty; they need to be oiled. Ryuuji notes--Taiga looks over at him. Her eyebrows immediately pinch together and the corners of her mouth turn down slightly.

"W-where's Kitamura?" she stammers. Ryuuji looks at her curiously, setting down his bag as he does. Her eyes flick towards the movement, and linger on the backpack as she processes what she's seeing. "Do you and him.. have the same bag?" Ryuuji notices an angry undertone in her speech. He still isn't sure what's going on here, but whatever it is, it's sure a lot different than anything he was imagining might happen.

"I got your note, and I assumed you wanted me to come alone?" It isn't a question, but the uncertainty of the whole situation is making Ryuuji want to use a softer tone of voice.

Taiga scoffs. "Idiot!" Ryuuji isn't sure if she's referring to him or herself, or maybe both of them. She looks at him and he notices her cheeks and ears flaring up to a very rosy pink. "I-I meant to give that to Kitamura, I wanted to talk to him..." Realization dawns on the boy.

"Oh! I get it, you were going to confe--"She runs at him and presses her hand on his face viciously. She obviously doesn't want him to say it, even though there is little chance anyone will overhear.

"Shut up, stupid!" Taiga whisper-yells at Ryuuji. She pulls back quickly, but pairs it with a lingering expression that makes it clear that if he says any more on the topic, she will kick his butt. She then leans against the wall, sliding all the way down until she's sitting on the concrete. The side of her head naturally leans into the palm of her hand, and her fingers lace through her hair. "Does Kitamura..." Despite her violent tendencies, she looks rather fragile at this moment. Ryuuji has no idea whether Yuusaku likes anyone or not. They don't talk about that kind of thing often.

"I'm not sure," Ryuuji fills in for her. "I could, you know, help you out a little bit if you'd like though."

Taiga's face lifts for a few seconds. She's thinking that this could be the perfect way to Kitamura. But... why would he offer? What is he getting out of it? The more she considers the idea, the more her countenance falls to one of suspicion. Her eyes narrow at Ryuuji, but he makes no move to take back what he said. "Why would you want to help me?"

Ryuuji figured she might say this, and has a favor to ask of her in return for his help. "Well, you need some help getting together with my best friend." Taiga gives him a warning face after looking around them. "You could help me get together with Kushieda." He has to force the last bit out, as he's never said out loud before that he likes her. His hand reaches up to tug on his hair as he waits for her response.

She looks away for a moment, thinking over the deal. "So, neither of us would mention it to our friends, and we would just try to set each other up?" She clarifies before agreeing for sure. He nods, grinning. "Yeah... okay."

"I suppose that makes us friends. Considering the circumstances, I think we should skip the formalities. Call me Ryuuji." He sticks out his hand.

The girl shakes it. "Shaking hands is formal, dummy. But sure. You can call me Taiga."