Persona x Reader

Akihiko Sanada x Male!Reader (P3)

The clock ticked, pages flipped, and the scrawling of pens were the only sounds in the school library. It was a peaceful haven for you, even during exam season where most students came to dread coming. 

It may have been a hell for most, but it was a heaven for you. And thus when given the chance, you quickly signed up for the library committee. It gave you some extra work to do, but you didn't mind it at all! And plus, it led you here; tutoring one of the most looked up to upperclassman. 

Akihiko was massaging his temple with one hand, frowning deeply at the paper. You peeked at the page. 

"Oh, that one is tough at first." You agreed, and smiled. "Here, you do this..."

You leaned over, gently taking his pen in his stead. A couple minutes later, Akihiko nodded.

"Huh, alright... Thanks." He turned to you. "Easier to focus when it's quiet." 

Knowing he was referring to his scorers, you chuckled a bit. "I can imagine. Some people would be jealous of you though!"

He groaned. "They're welcome to take my place anytime..."

You laughed again, and the sound made him crack a smile as well. It reminded you of how you first met- Akihiko hiding in the library while he waited for his fangirls to go home first. You weren't used to talking to classmates much, but Akihiko made it easy. After chatting a bit, you learned he was struggling in some classes due to not having time to study, so you offered to help. Since then, you'd tutor him a couple times each week. 

You wondered if he knew you were as thankful as him that he decided on the library to hide. If not, the days would be just as lonely as before... 

Thinking this, you ended up absentmindedly speaking your thoughts. "I can see why they look up to you so much, honestly, I do too." 

"Huh?" Akihiko turned to you, puzzled. "Where's this coming from?"

"S-Sorry, came out of nowhere, huh. Hahah..." You scratched your cheek sheepishly. "I'm just glad we got to be friends. If anything happened differently, we wouldn't even know each other."

Akihiko nodded slowly. "I... see. What makes you think that, though?"

"There's no way I'd get to talk to you otherwise!" You laughed with a wave of your hand. "I know how much of a background character I am. It's self-explanatory." 

Akihito's gaze stayed on you, then flickered to the desk. "I don't know about that. I think you're pretty noticeable... I-In a good way, of course."

Not expecting the statement, you froze and stared in Akihito's direction, only to see him avoiding your eyes. His ears were tinged pink.

The clock ticked, pages flipped. 

"O-Oh, uh, thanks!" You turned your attention to your book, but the words looked like gibberish now. "I appreciate it."

"Anyway, uh, thanks again for this. Mitsuru won't be on my case anymore." Akihiko said after a beat of silence, and you nodded. 

"It's no problem." You replied, resting your cheek on your palm. It was warm. 

                                                                                               ***

Eventually Akihiko left, and you breathed a sigh of relief. Usually things were so lighthearted during these sessions, but you had this restless feeling. Why though, you weren't sure. The thought keep circling in your mind as you packed up your things. 

Akihiko was the closest friend you had- it was probably normal to feel like this! All friends did, didn't they?

By the time you locked up and left yourself, most students who didn't have club activties had gone home. So you were puzzled when you saw a group of girls in black uniforms at the gate.