omoikiri // harumaki

six

Harua pouted slightly as he watched Maki sit with Fuma at lunch — again. The two seemed to become best friends already — but Maki said he shouldn't be making friends, right? So why did he allow Fuma to be his friend? Maybe Fuma was just doing his job as class captain and helping Maki feel more comfortable.

But Harua could do that as well...!

"What's got you so upset?"

Harua looked up at his best friend with a sigh. "I'm worried that I might have a crush on someone who doesn't even care about me."

"Oh, admitting it out loud today? Practically everyone knows that you like Hirota-kun," Jo chuckled, laughing as Harua's expression paled in horror. "I'm kidding! But you are rather obvious, so maybe he already knows that you like him."

"Don't say that! We haven't even had a proper conversation these past two days because he practically avoids me wherever I go," Harua huffed, crossing his arms. "I don't even know if what I feel are... feelings, you know? He's new here, maybe I just want to make another friend."

"Are you tired of me?"

"A little."

Jo laughed, lowering his chopsticks to fully focus on the conversation. "Haru-chan, I think it's safe to tell him how you feel. I feel like he'd reject you lightly and wouldn't slam your feelings down."

"I don't like him that much, Jo," the shorter rolled his eyes. "I just... I want to be his friend."

"We can swap seats in class, if you'd like."

"No, it's fine. It'll happen naturally, I suppose."

•

Maki couldn't help but think that the classmate standing a few metres ahead of him wasn't being very subtle about waiting for him. Yuma pretended to be on his phone, mindlessly pacing back and forth between the same two apps as he faked being busy. With a sigh, Maki continued walking forward.

"Ah, Hirota-kun — what a surprise to see you here!"

"Spit it out," Maki said immediately as he stopped in front of the volleyball player. "I have things to do, Nakakita-kun."

Yuma felt small under Maki's firm gaze for a moment as he let out a nervous laugh. "It's nothing major, I just wanted to ask what's going on between the two of you."

"Me and who?"

"Fuma-kun, who else?"

Maki fell silent for a moment as he raised an eyebrow. "Murata-kun is my friend. Who's asking?"

Yuma hummed in thought for a moment. "Well, it might make Harua-chan a little upset... wouldn't it?"

"... why?"

Yuma kept quiet for a moment before letting out a nervous laugh as he stepped backwards. "Oh, would you look at the time! Gee, I should head to volleyball practice, bye—!"

Maki grabbed Yuma'a wrist, glaring at him ever so slightly. "Why would Harua be upset?"

Yuma gulped down his nervousness as he straightened his back. "Well, he... he relies on you. He wants to be your closest friend, but you're going to give that spot to someone else."

"Oh, don't be childish — it's not some sort of privilege to be my friend," Maki sighed as he released the other's wrist. "Harua's a wimp that can't stand up for himself. If he can't fight on his own, then he'll keep getting bullied by that guy."

"But you still care about him... right?"

"... naturally." Maki glared when a cheeky smile formed on Yuma's lips, causing the other to clear his throat and stand up straight. "Whatever, none of this matters. I'll come watch your match on Saturday, if you'd like."

"H-huh...?!"

Maki stepped away from the other. "Just make sure Harua comes as well."

•

Harua spotted Maki sitting on the staircase, eyes glued to his phone as he played a video game. He was always on his own. Harua walked over to him, leaning over the railing while holding a piece of neatly folded paper between his fingers. "Here."

"Hm? Harua, I'm busy—"

Harua placed the piece of paper on Maki's head. "It's the recipe to the cupcakes Jo and I will be making. If you're going to assist, I want you to be familiar with what we're making."

Maki managed to pause his game, taking the paper off his head with a frown. "I didn't say I was going to—"

"I know, I know," Harua smiled, meeting the other's eyes, "but I'd like to hope a little." He got off his leaning position with a sigh. "See you around, Hirota-kun."

Harua turned around to leave, but stopped when Maki spoke up. "You're not going to call me Maki-chan anymore?"

Harua paused, pressing his lips together as he turned around again. "Well, you're being really distant. It's quite odd to call you so comfortably when you... you don't want to be my friend."

"Haru—"

"I'll stand up for myself, okay? I'll... I'll try better." Harua's smile seemed rather sad. "Maybe we can try being friends next time — when everything matches up. However, I hope you can still make the cupcakes with us."

"I'll make the cupcakes with you. And Jo-kun, I guess." Harua smiled a bit brighter as they met eyes. Maki played with the paper in his hand for a moment before standing up from the cold tiles of the staircase. "Don't guilt me like that. You already know that I can't help but be there."

"Do you like me that much, Maki-chan?"

"Less than you think," Maki scoffed as he looked away. "I'll look over the recipe. Don't be so sad."

"I'm not sad."

"Then stop looking at me like that."

Maki walked off quietly, leaving Harua alone with his thoughts for a moment. He smiled suddenly as he walked down the corridor. "I knew he wanted to be my friend."