people pleaser | nishimura riki

12.butterflies

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

'Tomorrow' was now today as Aira found herself running late due to the time taken to choose an outfit. Although Riki had said they were just going to study at a cafe, she couldn't help but put an effort into her appearance. Maybe because this was the first time in a while that she has hung out with someone else other than Remi on a weekend.

Let alone Mister Popular.

As she walked through the busy park, into the city of life, her heart began racing as each moment passed by. She had tried convincing herself that there was nothing to be nervous about but those nervous butterflies did not budge one bit. Her eyes searched through the crowds of people until they landed on a tall figure who was as expected, well-dressed.

She hesitated for a moment as she stood still. If he looked up from his phone, he would definitely see her, but for someone with their hood above their head and AirPods in, they were always in their own world.

Why was it that Aira suddenly felt the urge to run away?

The nervous butterflies were only growing.

Is it too late to leave? Maybe she could...just make up an excuse...

As if she had jinxed herself, Riki looked away from his phone and locked eyes with the girl he was waiting for.

The girl that resembled her so much that his heart almost skipped a beat for the person he thought he saw.

Riki was faster in coming back to reality as he stared at the still figure who didn't seem like she was going to be the one that was going to approach him.

Aira on the other hand felt like a robber being caught by a cop. She could either come clean and expose her crimes or run away.

In such a public area, it would only embarrass her to run away as if she was being chased by a dog, thus she decided to suck up her nervous feelings and brush them aside. Watching as Riki approached her, she smiled and waved towards him.

There she is. The bubbly Aira everyone was starting to get use to.

"Hello Nishimura!" She spoke to him when he was distant enough to hear her.

"Hey." He smiled.

For a moment, both of them did not muster a word but of course, he ended up being the one leading the conversation. It was going to take a while for Aira to warm up on a Saturday morning with Riki.

---

The two of them stayed at the cafe for a solid 2 hours until they both figured it was time for them to leave. Especially when they noticed people were beginning to line up to dine in at the cafe. It was the first time Aira had visited such a prestigious cafe but nonetheless, the desserts she had tried were one of the best.

"Nishimura. I don't even understand why you called me out to 'tutor' you." She sighed trying to hide her embarrassment.

During their period of studying, not once at Riki asked Aira for help. In fact, the other way around had happened as Aira found herself stuck with a couple of questions. It wasn't that Aira had asked him for help for her dignity did not allow her to do so, but Riki noticed how she had been glaring at the same question for too long, he was sure laser beams were going to come out any second.

"To bother you?" He replied teasingly, loving the dramatic facial reactions she expressed.

It was amazing. Envious even. How is it possible that someone who always skips class or pays the least attention to class end up understanding all the content of all subjects? Seeing Riki actually pick up a pencil and answer the textbook questions was so fascinating as it was the first time Aira had actually seen him being studious. She had almost underestimated his potential.

"Menace." She muttered which caused him to chuckle. She was now clearly warmed up to him. "Do you need to go home now?" She asked.

"Depends."

Typical response.

"Do you . . . want to hang out for a little while? I mean you don't have to obviously! I just have nothing to do... besides studying ... but that is done and dusted for today. Just asking if you want to accompany me...actually never mind i sound so stupid-" She was interrupted by the sudden physical contact.

"Let's go~" He placed his arm on her shoulders and led the way. "Calm down miss. You know I would make time for you."

Flustered by his sudden 'affection' that Aira knew she was overreacting to, she tried to stay as casual as possible.

How could she when he spoke to her like this?

"Special treatment much?" She forced a laugh.

"Of course." He patted her head.

His tone was light and gentle.

Probably joking . . . right?

How could Aira convince herself she was not special when she was treated so gently by Riki who was the only one that stood up for her? The only one that cared enough to talk to her. The only one that paid the most attention to her.

But realistically, how brave of dear Aira to even hope for something more between him and her for he was like a treasure that was highly secured.

Maybe it was all in Aira's head.

Foolishness.