She (TakashiMorinozukaxOC)

Chapter 17: Naive

"I don't think I understand," Jenni pondered, "I think you need to explain the hierarchy again." 

Haruhi leaned into Jenni's side, "See here? You have the Emperor and the Shogun in the right place, but the Samuri are above the Ronin, not under." 

"Oh," Jenni erased her writing in the worksheet, "Are my characters right, though? I kind of struggle with them." 

"They're fine," Haruhi assured her. Above them, the bell rang, signaling the end of the lunch period. Haruhi got up from the library table and put her books into her bag. Jenni did the same. 

"Thanks for the help, Haru-chan. Let me know if you need anything." 

"It's no problem," Haruhi assured her, "Will I see you after clubs let out?" 

Jenni shrugged, "Maybe if karate lets out early." 

They started towards the door of the library, "Don't you ride home with Mori-senpai and Honey-senpai?" 

"Well, yeah, but we've been meeting in the parking lot lately." 

Haruhi hesitated, "Still kind of rough there, huh?" 

Jenni tried to play dumb, "What do you mean?" 

Haruhi gave her a look, "You're smart, Jenni-senpai. I just can't understand how you can be so oblivious." 

With that, the younger girl turned and left towards her afternoon classes. Jenni was left with a stark look on her face-- a stern expression which made people around her uncomfortable. With a tight grip on her backpack strap, she walked down the hall to her own afternoon classes. 

The day went on how the first part of that week had been going. She would politely nod to Takashi before doing her classwork silently. They wouldn't interact much other than that, although she'd catch him glancing at her between worksheets and class discussions. That semester was coming to a close-- she'd have to pick new classes soon, and she wasn't so sure she wanted to pick any that Takashi were in. 

Than again, he wasn't exactly an enemy, and they were in the same class. She'd be stuck with him anyways other than during electives. The question was would she choose electives that got her away from him or suck it up? 

It wasn't so much that she was angry with him-- just sour, and uncomfortable. Ever since Honey had that cavity incident and he had snapped on her, she had kept her distance. 

It weighed heavily on Takashi's mind. He didn't know whether to engage or to let her have her space. He knew he had hurt her, but he wasn't sure how to apologize. Other than that, he felt it was too late. 

Her bedroom window had been rather dim those past few nights. And while it seemed to him that she had been sleeping just fine, he couldn't sleep a wink. Laying awake, his own voice rang in his head. 

"No one did ask you." 

How could he have said such a thing to her? He had regretted it instantly-- it had been an accumulation of frustration and anger towards himself. Takashi regretted taking it all out on her. And after all that progress he made, he was hoping that maybe he was gaining some traction in her mind. Her heart. After the roof, and the little gestures, and for what? For him to turn around and insult her? 

He had thought--

Takashi stalled in the hallway. The laugh filled the air like a song; it made his chest feel heavy and somehow light all at once. His face, though downcast for the majority of the day, somewhat lifted at the sound of it. Jenni hadn't talked to him, let alone giggle in his presence, that entire week. He turned in the direction and was almost hopeful.