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

4: It's Not For Me To Say

Taiga stares at the front of the class, her mouth hanging open in disbelief. She had just watched Yuusaku walk through the door... followed by Ami. "You've got to be kidding me," she mutters under her breath. Once everyone sits down-with Ami in the seat behind Yuusaku, Taiga notes-the teacher walks in and announces that Ami has just transferred and will be in the class permanently.

Ryuuji turns around to his friend. "I thought she was just flying in?"

"I wanted to see what you guys thought of her before letting you know," Yuusaku explains. "But you all seemed to get along well at the cafe, I thought you would be happy to see her more often." Ami is chatting happily with Taiga and Minori while the boys talk.

"Yeah, I think we'll end up being a great friend group."

The two are interrupted when the door opens and an older girl steps in. The teacher introduces her as this year's student council president, Sumire Kano. Sumire strides to the front of the class and gives Yuusaku a pointed look. He stands and takes his place next to her as the vice-president.

Sumire explains the rules the students should be following and different volunteer opportunities that will be available throughout the year while Yuusaku interjects with any important information that she misses. Sumire stands with her shoulders back and looks at each student assertively, holding their gaze as if she is speaking to them only before moving on to the next person. Yuusaku shows less authority, showing no restraint in allowing his eyes to bounce from person to person.

They're like good cop and bad cop, Ryuuji thinks school started, and they both had landslide victories. Ryuuji focuses on what Yuusaku is saying again. As he speaks, he's looking at Sumire through the corner of his eye. It's almost as if he's speaking to her instead of the class. She pays no attention to this, though Ryuuji can see it plain as day. He's known Yuusaku long enough to know when he's smitten with a girl. This might be a problem for Taiga. He looks back at her; she's doodling on a paper, not paying attention. Probably for the best.

When the lunch bell rings, the girls go off t. No wonder they were both elected again this year. Elections were held just beforeogether to save their table. Ryuuji grabs Yuusaku's sleeve as he walks past his desk to take his bag. "Can I talk to you before we go?" Yuusaku nods and they stand outside the classroom. Ryuuji doesn't waste any time getting to the point. "Do you.. like Sumire?" His friend grins and looks down at the floor.

"You got me. I've been in love with Sumire since last year's elections." Ryuuji squeezes his eyebrows together at Yuusaku's word.

"Love? Has she said your words?" People don't often let their crushes progress to any more than crushes without the affirmation of the sentences tattooed on their skin. Yuusaku would have told me if someone said them, Ryuuji ponders.

"She hasn't. Even if she doesn't, I think the whole soulmate thing we're forced into is bullcrap anyway. It doesn't make any sense to be pressured to fall in love with someone you may have never met before just because they said a sentence. It's a lot more likely to work out if you fall in love with them yourself." Yuusaku doesn't hesitate to get this all out. It's clear he's been thinking about it for a while. "Nobody's said my words yet. When somebody does though, I'm sure it will be her. It only makes sense."

Ami leans against the wall just around the corner from the boys, knees wobbling. When she, Minori, and Taiga had reached the cafeteria, she realized she forgot her phone in the classroom and turned back for it. The short walk back led her almost to the door, but she stopped when she heard Ryuuji ask Yuusaku if he likes Sumire. Ami isn't usually one to eavesdrop, but this was important to hear. She listens to them silently, and turns away when Yuusaku says just how sure he is that Sumire will say his words. Ami plods back through the hallway, returning to the cafeteria empty handed. She isn't going to say anything about what she overheard, and tries to paste on a smile before sitting down with the girls again.

Ryuuji doesn't know how Yuusaku can be so sure. "What are your words, anyway?"

" 'You and I both know what's going to happen with them.' We discuss punishments for other students all the time. I can picture her standing there, hands on her hips, or maybe holding a referral paper, or maybe.." Ryuuji stares at him expectantly. It's not often that he rambles on like this. Yuusaku picks up on his friend's stare and continues. "Anyway, I can imagine her looking at them and then glancing back at me and saying it." Yuusaku looks to Ryuuji for reassurance. Ryuuji obliges.

"I guess I can see her saying it. Let me know if the day comes." They both get up at the same time, making their way to lunch even though it's already halfway over.

"Alright."

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After school, Ryuuji goes over to Taiga's. I wonder how she feels about Ami transferring. He makes a snack out of what he finds in the cupboard while Taiga changes out of her uniform. "Chips, cookies, gummy bears, extra salted pretzels-- Taiga! Don't you have anything healthy in here?" He calls to her. Her reply is muffled through the door so he settles for the pretzels, gets them both some water, and sits down on the couch.

She leaves her room, wearing a t-shirt and some jeans. The pretzels catch her attention right away, and she snatches up the bag after hurrying to sit down. Ryuuji watches as she grabs a handful and starts chomping on them. "So.. Ami's here for good now," he remarks.

Taiga squishes her face up, not saying anything because her mouth is full. When she finishes, she says "I don't really care anymore. You're right, if something were going to happen between them then it would have already. Don't you go falling for her though. If you're so in love with Minorin, then you'd better stick with her or else." She says the last part with so much menace in her voice that Ryuuji's eyes widen. He would definitely not like Taiga on his bad side.

"Don't worry about that. I know Minori is my soulmate. I've liked her for so long that it would be impossible that she isn't." Taiga accepts this and reciprocates.

"I know Yuusaku is my soulmate too. Now that we're hanging out more, I know he'll say my words. On my birthday, I'll know. If only it weren't so far away..." She stares longingly at the wall before rolling up the pretzel bag and tossing it back on the table. Satisfied with her snack, she stretches her legs out and puts her feet on Ryuuji's lap to face him. "Speaking of Kitamura, what were you two talking about earlier? You sure took a while to get to lunch."

"We were just talking about his words," Ryuuji explains smoothly. "He was telling me that nobody's said them yet."

Taiga's face relaxes. "Oh, good. That means I still have a chance. As for you, Minori hasn't had her birthday yet, but she doesn't like anyone either. That means you have a chance too, mongrel. Don't mess it up."

He grins and looks to the side. "Trust me, I won't."