IN THEIR STEAD (tok.rev. × m!reader)

16 - Loose - 16

The next day, Toman assembled to have a final bike ride to greet Pah off. They rode around the city all day and hugged goodbye in front of the police station. They had to run away from the police officers when they tried to catch them, ending the day in a chortling ceremony.

You couldn't see them yourself, as you were in the hospital, but Takemichi conveyed it to you when he came back. He looked relieved, but blue whenever he glanced at your wrapped hand.

"Oh, and Hina invited me to the festival on August 3rd," Takemichi added. "She said she "needed some assistance" to appeal herself."

As you munched on a tangerine, you asked, "Appeal herself? To who?"

"To her crush, duh," he sang, sighing right after. "I told her I'm not into the "third-wheel business", but she completely ignored me."

You chuckled at the annoyance radiating off the blond. He always complains but helps her in the end.

Smirking mischievously, you bent towards his ear and whispered, "So, spill the beans. Who's the crush?"

But instead of answering, the boy flinched, freezing on spot.

Your gentle breath was right beside his ear. It sent shivers down his spine, his hands going clammy with sweat. Looking down, he had to force his eyes away from your exposed collar bone. God, why did the hospital gown have to be so loose?

"Takemichi?" you questioned, confused at the sudden silence.

Waking up from his daze, he roughly pushed your face away before yelling in panic, "It's Emma!!"

"Hm?" you asked, popping a small tangerine slice into your mouth.

"Hina's crush. It's Emma."

Cough, cough, cough!!

Takemichi rushed to your side to soothe your back as you choked on the tangerine. Hold on, what?

"Hina has a crush on Emma?!" you exclaimed with teary eyes.

Takemichi nodded as if it were the most obvious thing on the planet. Then, on second thought, he tilted his head and asked, "Y/n, you know Emma? I never saw you meet her."

Your eyes widened before promptly thinking up an excuse. You couldn't tell him you knew everything about his friends, including their family members, thanks to your "job", could you?

"No, I was just surprised. Emma sounded like a feminine name, and I didn't know Hina swung that way. Who's Emma?" you lied right through your teeth.

"Oh, I didn't tell you? Uh, Emma is this girl with a huge crush on Draken. They were childhood friends? Or something like that. She's pretty close with the Toman members, and hangs out with them often."

'Yeah, she's also Mikey and Shin's little sister,' you added in your head but completely played dumb outward.

"Ah, I see. Does Hina know about Emma's crush on Draken, though?" you asked, pealing another tangerine.

Takemichi nodded and spoke with a sad smile, "She knows, but she can't help her feelings. She told me she'd wait as long as it takes, and would respect Emma's feelings, too. Faithful, right?"

You nodded. It sounded just like the Hina you knew. Dedicated, strong, and considerate. But you could tell Takemichi felt bad for his friend's painful one-sided love - you just couldn't tell that he was in similar shoes in regards to you.

"And that's why I'm going to need your help!" Takemichi blurted, jumping up in over-enthusiasm.

You stared him down with an unamused face, making him sweatdrop in embarrassment.

Clearing his throat, he continued, "Hina needs help with her Yukata, okay? Her parents are away for the week, and we don't know how to wear them."

You sighed, combing through your hair. "So I just need to help with the get-up, right?"

"Mhmm," Takemichi hummed before latching onto your waist, giving you the puppy eyes. "But it wouldn't hurt for you to join us, would it?"

"It would hurt my stamina," you joked, but in truth thought to yourself, 'It'd hurt my business schedule.'

Scoffing, Takemichi pouted, "Says the one that ran while carrying Pa-chin."

You bonked his blond fluff, making him whine in pain. You sighed, knowing you couldn't beat Takemichi with words.

"Fine," you said, ruffling up his hair. "I'll be the fourth wheel for the night."

He lit up like the sun and hugged you with gratitude. To be honest, having you join him was his biggest goal. He'd make sure to help Hina, sure, but he'd also try his best to appeal himself to you.

...And maybe he really wanted to see you wear a Yukata.

As he imagined your figure wrapped in gorgeous fabric, his mind floated back to your collar bones. Growing flushed, he quickly stood up and pushed you down on the bed, pulling the sheets up to your chin to tuck you in.

"I-It's getting cold! You'll get sick like that!" he stuttered, turning around to hide his flustered face.

"...Ookay?" you said, lowering the blanket a tiny bit.

"I- um, o-oh! Look at the time! I, uh, better get going. It's getting real late!"

You nodded in reply, watching him gather his stuff.

"Then see you! I'll make sure to call when I get home!" he said, before dashing off like Sonic.

You chuckled, not really sure why he became so awkward, but still finding it cute. Turning over to your side, you gazed at the sunset sinking down into the earth.

August 3rd was in a few days. And something was telling you it was going to be hectic.

But only gods could've guessed just how hectic it would be.

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A/N

Sorry for the slow update! I'm really busy this month, so please understand.

Also, I don't really know how I feel about this chapter :/ I might change it later.

Do you guys like Hina and Emma together?