people pleaser | nishimura riki

8. kindness

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"Aira. I'm so sorry to ask you but can you please cover my cleaning duty shift?" A classmate of hers clasped her hands together.

Out of instinct, Aira almost agreed until she heard a muffled cough from her seat mate. Although he didn't show any sign of interest in the conversation, she knew that was a signal of her mission into becoming stronger.

As she tried to find the words that would not hurt her classmate whilst turning down the request lightly, it was like treasuring hunting.

She was never good at the game of treasure hunting, to begin with.

"Oh okay-"

It was too hard to say no.

How could she when she could be the one to help them and increase the chances of people liking her more?

"So you're going to make me wait for you?" Riki interrupted her just in time. They both turned to face the boy resting his arm on her shoulder as he looked like he was putting an innocent act to convince both parties. Aira almost doubted her schedule and felt guilty until she realised he was only saying to help her.

The student faced Riki with widened eyes. Not only was it because he was interfering, but the fact he was suddenly so close to Aira physically. Since when were they so close?

"Oh shit." The classmate swore silently before facing Aira. "Ahh, you didn't have to force yourself to agree. Don't change your plans for my own duty! I'll ask someone else."

"Wasn't so hard. Hm?"

For the first time in a while, Aira felt a sudden weight on her shoulders being lifted as such an eccentric feeling could not be described.

"Wouldn't that just pass the burden on to someone else?" Aira asked the boy who now stood in front of her with his bag on one shoulder. She didn't know if she was thinking too much but she could assume her words had lit something up in Riki's mind. He stayed still for a moment before biting his inner lip and explaining to her.

"There's a difference between being kind and being a push-over." Upon looking at her bewildered expression, he further elaborated on his statement. "Kindness can only be so limited when it comes to you and that person."

He saw too much of her in her.