𝚋𝚊𝚓𝚒 𝚔.

chapter 11

･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

"Absolutely not"

He deadpanned at your straightforward answer. For the love of god, it took you a second to tell him.

"You don't get it, I'll fail otherwise", he threw his hands on the counter from frustration.

"I don't have time for tutoring you Baji, seriously", you stated , "I mean look, I'm doing my homework and working at the same time"
You gestured on the school material sprawled on the surface in front of you.

"Fucking fine", pushing his weight off the counter his cold gaze piercing through your soul before he adjusted his schoolbag he threw over his shoulder and turned towards the exit door.

Maybe it wasn't just because he needed a tutor, but because he had a feeling you tried to avoid him, or at least bring the time you two spent together to a minimum.
Then again, he wasn't totally oblivious as to why this all happened. You changed.

"By the way...", he turned his head slightly while holding the door open, "Ma told me to invite you for dinner tonight"
Not waiting for your answer, you watched him disappear.

You weren't so emotionless. The guilt crawled up your spine after the door on the convenience store shut close.
It's not like you were busy 24/7, but the thought about studying with him made you for some reason uneasy. There are a ton of people who do tutoring in their spare time anyways, so why does it have to be you?

You banged your head around the thought for a while until you decided to let the thing go. He was the type of person to get what he wanted, so some poor soul who'll help him will probably end up showing up... or at least forced to show up, knowing Baji.

That fool didn't even tell you at what time you should come to the his apartment so after you were finished with your shift, you headed to your place to change out of your clothes.
Slipping out of your school uniform, you then threw on something comfortable, but decent to wear for the dinner.
Once fixing your hair and glancing one more time at your reflection in the mirror, you exhaled heavily and turned towards the door.

After making sure it's locked, you took a stroll towards the familiar apartment of Baji household and once in front of the door, you rang the doorbell.
It was an appropriate time of evening for dinner, so you didn't worry that much about it.

The door finally cracked open, revealing beautiful woman inside. Her raven hair was neatly tied into a low bun putting an accent on her face features, her kind smile welcoming you to come inside.
"Oh, come in sweetheart"

"Baji didn't tell me the time when I was supposed to come", you said while walking inside, starting to carefully slip out of your outdoor shoes into slippers that stood by the door, "I hope I'm not late"

"No, you're actually just right on time", she said over her shoulder while walking towards the kitchen. You took a second to look around you. It didn't change much, just like you used to remember.
"Everything will be ready in just few minutes"

"Do you need any help?"

"Don't worry about it", she smiled once again, assuring you.
"Oh that's right, Keisuke is in his room", she began stirring something in the pot that rested on the stove.
"He's been stuck in there ever since he came back from school today, can you call him up and I'll set the dinner table"

*ੈ✩‧₊˚

You knocked lightly and when hearing an angered 'what', you figured it was your cue to go inside.

"Your mom called"
He turned around once he heard his door being opened, hanging his elbow over the edge of the back of his chair. Once his eyes landed on you, his gaze traveled up and down your figure unintentionally. It made you giddy on the inside and you felt weird.

"I'll be there in five"
He turned to the bunch of messily arranged papers
in front of him again, expecting you to leave once he confirmed that he'll be coming once he's finished. The lamp beside him illuminated his face in warm orange hue, and you couldn't but notice how hard he tried with his focused expression.
You stepped closer, now standing behind the male and focused on what he was writing down.
"You forgot to put 6 right there", you brought your hand and pointed with your index finger at the accidental slip-up.

He stood still for a moment, staring at the delicate hand of his friend.
He thought about asking why you are helping him, but he didn't want for whatever this was to stop. He didn't want to chase you away.

Without a word, he corrected the mistake.
"Thanks"

Only humming in response, you retracted your hand away.
"I only have time after work on weekdays, and my weekends are completely free"
His eyes widened when hearing what you just said. Turning around immediately to look at you and make sure he wasn't jumping to conclusions, there you stood, finally a smile on your face. Barely noticeable, but you smiled at Baji Keisuke. Maybe you haven't realized it at that moment, but a huge stone fell from his heart and he felt lighter.
As of right now, he was absolutely willing to take every step needed for the friendship between you two to be like it used to be.

"Come on, the food will get cold", she turned to walk towards the door, turning her head ever so slightly, "or I'll tell Mrs Baji you badmouthed her cooking skills"

Smirking he threw the pen on the table and got up rather harshly.
"Just try it"

Only laughter ended up echoing through the small household, as If the kids never grew up.

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