égoïste [Akaashi Keiji]

raison #36

"Is this for me?" Shiori took the small paper bag from Akaashi's hands as he handed it to her.

The setter nodded, giving her a small smile, "Yes. I hope it's to your liking."

She stared at him momentarily in surprise, "Thanks for the gift! I'm not sure what brought this on, actually. Did you buy too many things?" She questioned, wondering why he was gifting her things all of a sudden.

Akaashi opened his mouth, then closed it, and opened it again with a final answer. "I thought you'd like it..." He fiddled with his fingers, an evident habit from when he was nervous or thinking.

He sounds more nervous. I wonder if he made something himself and wanted me to try? She thought, wondering what was in the bag.

Needless to say, she gave him a hug in thanks, and went her way to her next class, gift in hand. She would take a look at it during a little break in class and text him her thoughts.

-----

Akaashi breathed a sigh of relief he didn't know he was holding. His shoulders slumped slightly from the release, and he calmly headed towards his next class. He couldn't avoid the stares from other seniors that saw the initiation, but he paid them no mind.

He felt his phone buzz in his pocket, knowing exactly who it was. It was his manager, Yukie. She was currently in the same class as Shiori, and she had seen the little bag he had given to her.

You gave it to her!! Good on ya!!

Akaashi was glad he had Yukie on his side. She was someone who he had to consult on a daily basis because he didn't know what to do with his feelings for Shiori. Yukie, knowing both of them, would help to formulate plans that would help both sides, and possibly end in reconciliation of Akaashi's feelings. However, it was a tough task due to the context and other circumstances.

Akaashi wrote a quick reply and headed to class, hoping that his little gift would be appreciated.

-----

Before the class started, Shiori took out the little gift Akaashi had given her. There were 2 small gift boxes in there, each one with a different ribbon. Each were pastel colours of pink and blue, with a little tag that mentioned what the items were.

"Chocolate and...earrings?" Shiori opened them up slowly, admiring the detail that had gone into them. When she opened the chocolate, it didn't look like it was store bought, rather it looked handmade. Similar to store bought chocolates, it was partitioned into 4, and each had a small truffle in different colours, indicative of the amount of cocoa in each.

"Oh? What's this?" Yukie sauntered over, already aware of what Akaashi had gifted to her, but wanted to see it anyway.

"Akaashi gave this to me earlier. Chocolates and earrings, I think." She popped a chocolate in her mouth and offered Yukie one as she chewed. "Damn, these are delicious!"

The manager smiled and shook her head, "Since Akaashi gave them to you, I think he wants you to specifically have it all."

Shiori nodded a couple of times, "Probably. I think he might be using me as a taste tester for his creations." She summarised.

Yukie blinked a couple of times, wondering if she heard her right. "Taste tester? Why? Isn't it a gift though?"

Sometimes, Yukie had no idea what went on in her friend's head.

"Yeah!" Shiori hummed, took a look around and deeming it safe, beckoned for Yukie to come closer. As she did, Shiori whispered, "I think it's because he really likes Bokuto that he's making these, and since he's a bit shy, he wanted me to taste test these before he gives them to him!"