Yuusaku stands in front of the class, dividing up responsibilities for the wrestling show. "We need some people to write a script, some to help build the stage, some to..." Ryuuji lets his voice tune out as he walks over to the stage building group. Taiga is there along with Minori and four other classmates. Glancing around the corner, Ryuuji finds cardboard, wire, and lots of wood planks.
"So, we're actually building a pro-wrestling ring," he says to nobody in particular. "I bet we're the only class to do something this crazy in years."
"I think a few years ago another class did a huge concert with guitars, drums, a keyboard, tons of dancers, and I heard pyrotechnics? Either way, everyone loved it, and I'm hoping we get the same reaction." Minori finishes, somehow finding a way to be passionate about building a wooden box.
"Something tells me we aren't going to beat pyro--" He is cut off by Yuusaku concluding his duties.
"Alright guys, final announcement, and this is really important! Every year the school holds a beauty contest! Now that we're upperclassmen, we can enter! There's a sign up sheet just outside on a bulletin board, and I encourage all of you ladies to enter! Last year there were only eight girls, and we try to aim for ten at least. So sign up! It'll be fun." He smiles confidently and steps down from the crate he was standing on. Yuusaku walks over to Ami, who's leading the effort of making decorations to put on the stage after it's built. "Hey Ami, are you going to enter the contest?" He asks.
"Of course! I'll go sign up now before I forget." Hearing this, Minori turns to Taiga with a grin so full of excitement that it almost feels like a threat.
"You should sign up too, Taiga! It'll be totally fun! I'll help you pick out a dress..." Minori told Yuusaku beforehand that she'd like to work the lights for the beauty contest. What a shame. Ryuuji wallowed when he found out. Minori would be so pretty in a dress, she'd win for sure. He nudges Taiga and gives her a small nod of encouragement. She furrows her brow, so he leans over and whispers in her ear "Yuusaku will be there too..."
That's all she needed to hear. Taiga stands up, saying that she would find some more hammers in another classroom while she's out. Minori offers to accompany her. "No, really, I can carry a few hammers all by myself." She gives a sly look to Ryuuji before walking out. He gets the hint.
"So.." he starts somewhat awkwardly. "Are you excited for your birthday? And to get your words?" Ryuuji surprises himself with his own braveness. A few months ago he never would have even mentioned the topic around her.
She thinks. "Mmm, I suppose I'm ready for my words. I think it'll open up more opportunities that I didn't have before. I'm not wanting a relationship right now, but it'll be good to know for the future either way." Ryuuji nods at her. This isn't horrible news for him, and he's glad she isn't nervous.
"But what I want to do now is build this stage!" She says, enthusiasm pouring out of her. They discuss the layout with the rest of the build team until Taiga returns with four extra hammers. The team quickly gets to work, snatching up their tools and planks and hammering away.
After a few minutes, Ryuuji looks around to see how everyone is doing on connecting their share of the build. Almost everyone is either looking around waiting for other people to finish or touching up what they made. Minori is even doing double work, connecting four planks together instead of everyone else's two. The only person without a hammer in their hand is Taiga, who is sitting crisscross applesauce on the floor and staring intently at her phone.
"What're you doing, Taiga?" Ryuuji says, getting her attention. She looks at him with such joy that he has to blink and pause for a moment before walking towards her. She holds out her phone when he gets close enough, showing that she's texted her dad about being in the beauty contest.
Hey remember when i told you about the culture festival at my school? Theres a beauty contest and my friend convinced me to sign up! Its on the same day, at 4 pm. Do you want to come?
Of course I'll be there! I'm so proud you signed up!
Thanks :)
Taiga takes the phone back when he finishes, rereading the conversation before slipping her phone into her pocket. "My dad is going to be there!" Taiga says softly. Ryuuji can understand why the prospect seems so wonderful. Yasuko rarely got the chance to come to his school events, and when she did, it was special. Though it must be even more exciting to Taiga because her father has chosen not to come see her for the past year and now he is. I just hope he really has changed.
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A few days later, Ryuuji turns from the pot of soup he's stirring to a knock on the door. He opens it and, after seeing it's Taiga who knocked, steps out and shuts it behind him. "How's your mom?" She says, eyebrows tilted downward in concern. Ryuuji had texted her that morning saying that Yasuko had a fever and that he would have to stay home for the day to take care of her.
"She's doing a lot better, sleeping right now, actually. Her fever isn't completely gone, but she's well enough to take care of herself tomorrow. I'm making her dinner right now. Do you want some?" It wasn't a serious question of course, and they both know it. "Come on. But be quiet." He grins and opens the door, holding it for her as she enters.
Taiga's nose immediately leads her to the kitchen. She puts a bag down on the counter before sticking her face above the steaming dinner. "Don't burn yourself," Ryuuji warns, shortly followed by her stumbling backwards holding her nose, which had turned bright pink. He chuckles while she glares at him. "Hey, what's that?" He says, looking to the package Taiga set on the counter.
"Oh yeah, today was Minorin's birthday, remember? She brought us cookies so I took one for you and Yasuko."
"That was today? I didn't know.. How is the one day I miss her birthday?" Ryuuji stands in disbelief. "How am I going to make it up to her? I didn't get to give her a gift!" He runs his hand into his hair and looks at Taiga with wide eyes.
"Settle down, mongrel. It's not the end of the world. I told her why you couldn't be there. Just give her your gift tomorrow. Speaking of--" She reaches into her bag and pulls a hair clip. It's gold with silver gems on top. Taiga hands it to him. "Here it is. It'll look perfect in her hair."
He moves it under the kitchen light. The gems sparkle. This will look perfect in her hair, he thinks, cheeks turning pink at the thought. He pockets the clip. "Thanks, Taiga." He gasps. "Oh yeah! Did she get her words? Has anyone said them?!" She looks at him and sighs.
"Of course she got her words. She didn't say what they were, though she did say that nobody's said them yet." Ryuuji lets out his breath.
"It's gonna be me." He tells her, forgetting in the moment that he already has his soulmate and that she's standing right in front of him.
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The next day, Yasuko is feeling better and Ryuuji goes to school with his fist clenched around the hair clip. When he first sees Minori, she's standing at her locker putting some books in. "Hey, Minori.. I'm really sorry I missed your birthday.." She holds out a hand, signaling for him to stop.
"It's okay, really! I think it's sweet that you would stay home to help your mom when she wasn't feeling well." She's sincere, and Ryuuji is caught off guard by the compliment.
"Uh, thanks! She's a lot better now. Anyway... I have a birthday present for you." He sticks out his hand, palm up with it sitting on top. She smiles and takes it.
"Oh, wow! This is really cute, thank you! I can wear it right now, actually. Would you mind putting it in since I don't have a mirror?" He nods and takes it back, hands shaking a little. He's used to doing hair, because he messed around with his mom's a lot when he was younger. This is a lot different though. Ryuuji grabs a piece of Minori's hair that usually falls on the side of her face and twists it. He moves the twist along the side of her head, securing it with the clip.
"Looks really nice," he says. She thanks him again and they walk to homeroom together. When they walk in, Taiga is already sitting down. Her eyes meet his after noting Minori's hair, and she gives him a knowing smile.
YOU ARE READING
Wouldn't It Be Nice (A Toradora Soulmate AU)
RomanceRyuuji's right arm is pressed against the blanket, and he stares at it before flipping it over to see if his fated words are there. His heart pounds and he notices the tips of his fingers shaking. This could determine his whole future, and waiting a...
