ᴄʀᴀᴠɪɴɢ ᴅᴇsɪʀᴇs, | ᴛᴏᴊɪ ғᴜsʜɪɢᴜʀᴏ x ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ ᴏɴᴇsʜᴏᴛs ||

Unrequited?

At the Charity Gala, with all its dazzling lights and the soft rustle of fancy dresses, two people from big-deal families couldn't help but be drawn to each other, even though they wouldn't say it out loud. Toji, with his buff body and impressive school records, was basically the poster child for the rich bad boy. Meanwhile, you? Every guy's eyes were on you because you just had that charm and a wit that could really sting.

Toji? Yeah, he had a rep. Everywhere he went, people were all over him. But tonight, he was all about you. Every time you two bumped into each other, Toji would throw a flirty comment or a loaded look your way. This was your usual back-and-forth. You'd come right back at him with a sassy retort, leaving people watching like it was some kind of performance.

The gala music filled the room, and in a dim corner, Toji sauntered over, looking smug.

"Want to dance, Y/n?" he asked, all cocky. "Or are you afraid you might fall for me, right in the middle of it?" You raised an eyebrow, ready with a reply. "I'd dance, but what if you can't keep up? I've heard your moves are just like your flirty lines: way too easy to guess."

Toji laughed and came closer, their faces nearly touching. "Ever think about how fun unpredictability can be?" You grinned, "All the time, Toji. And yet, here you are, being the same old you."

He whispered, almost a challenge, "What if I promised to mix things up?" You whispered right back, with a hint of tease, "Then maybe start by not hitting on me for once?" The two of you kept at it, like a verbal tennis match, each trying to one-up the other, all set to the gala's lively beat.

_____

But for all the banter, anyone could see there was some real chemistry between you two. Alone, you'd even admit that Toji and his charm had its moments. But him throwing himself at every girl he saw? That was a major turn-off. If only he could chill a bit, you thought, he'd be pretty much golden.

You were at the bar, playing with your champagne, as your bestie, Elise, joined you. The buzz of the gala was like a soundtrack to your chat.

"You know, Elise," you said, a touch of annoyance in your voice, "If Toji focused as much on doing good as he does trying to impress girls, he'd probably have made some real change in the world by now." Elise laughed, sipping her drink. "That bad, huh?"

At the bar, you sipped your drink, commenting, "Seriously, if Toji just calmed down a bit with his antics, the world would be calmer." You rolled your eyes for emphasis. Elise, snickering, responded, "But you've got to admit, the guy's got something going on. Especially those muscles..."

Letting out a big, exaggerated sigh, you said, "That's the worst bit. He knows he's hot, and he's all about showing it off. Drives me nuts." As you were talking, your eyes involuntarily landed on Toji, who was laughing about something. The way the light hit his face, that confidence just radiated from him... Yep, annoyingly good-looking.

Elise, seeing where you were looking, gave you a playful nudge. "For someone so 'infuriating', you're kinda caught up, aren't you?" Hastily looking away, you retorted, "I'm just watching out, okay?" But your flushed face gave you away.

_____

Even with Toji's confident act, he couldn't wrap his head around why you got to him so much. No one had ever given him a run for his money like you. Every debate, every sarcastic comment, just pulled him in.

The meeting room screamed 'big business'. Fancy chandeliers, shiny oak tables, plush leather chairs – the works. Big shots from various companies were all there, but let's be real, most eyes were on the two of you: heirs to massive family businesses and now major business partners.

As the meeting got underway, slides with loads of numbers and charts flashed by. You were all business, jotting down notes and asking the tough questions. Every time you said something, everyone could see just how sharp you were.

On the other side of the table, Toji seemed a bit distant. Sure, he was there in his official role, but he looked a bit distracted. Instead of his usual cheeky attitude, he looked thoughtful. And every now and then, he'd look over at you. He couldn't help but admire how focused you were, or how your hands moved quickly to write things down. And when you stood up for your points? Yeah, he found it hard to concentrate.

To you, it might've seemed like just another day at the office, but Toji was totally captivated. Not just by how you looked, but by how you held your own. He was genuinely fascinated by how someone could be this alluring, in and out of meetings.

After the meeting ended and people started to leave, you noticed Toji staring. You gave him a questioning look, to which he replied, cheekily, "Just admiring your work ethic." Smiling a little, you told him, "Keep your eyes on the prize, Toji. Business first."

But for Toji, watching you was the best part of his day.

____

The evening breeze rustled, and as you stood on the balcony, leaning on the railing, you were lost in thought. The soft sound of footsteps approached, and you glanced back, eyes meeting Toji and his hypnotizing green eyes. The night had been filled with playful teasing and electric tension, and it left your mind in a whirl.

Toji stopped by a pillar, watching you with that unreadable expression of his. The twinkling city lights gave his face a gentle glow. "Daydreaming about the city?" he asked. You replied with a small smile, "Just taking a break from all the gala noise."

The silence between you two felt thick. Hugging yourself, you felt the night's coolness creep in. Noticing your shiver, Toji instinctively stepped closer. "You're cold," he noted, his tone softer.

His genuine concern caught you off guard, but doubt gnawed at you. "Why are you really out here?" you asked, your voice edged with a hint of doubt. He looked genuinely confused. "What do you mean?" Turning away, you said, "You're always the center of attention, Toji. Makes me wonder if I'm just another name on your list."

He looked taken aback, a mix of hurt and surprise on his face. "That's not how it is, Y/n," he began, but you interrupted, "It's okay, Toji. I get it. You like pretty faces, and tonight, it's mine." His frustration was clear, "Listen, Y/n, it's not just—" but he seemed at a loss for words.

The two of you locked eyes, and what you saw in him made your heart skip a beat. There was something vulnerable there, something raw. Doubts clouded your mind even more. The distant sound of music wafted over, the song carrying a touch of sadness. Toji reached out, offering his hand. "Dance with me?"

You hesitated, torn between the confusion in your head and the honesty in his gaze. The music seemed to play just for the two of you. "I think we should go back," you finally murmured.

He looked deep into your eyes for a moment longer, then slowly lowered his hand. Together, you left the balcony, but the unsaid words and feelings stayed, both of you silently nursing what felt like unreturned emotions.