Italic 。| jeunmiessi [Toji Fushiguro x Reader] COMPLETED

12

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"I'll wait for the 'kidding' part." I said. He chuckled and tightened his hug.

"You have no right to do so."

"Who said?" I said with a frown. "If the law said that, I won't resist."

"I am the law, then." He replied then slowly loosened the hug. I faced him but I couldn't look straight into his eyes. Ehh.

"You and the law are the perfect contradicting pair." I said with a sarcastic smile. He just laughed it off.

"You can't wait for something from me when I'm still waiting for an answer from you." He said. It took me a few seconds to realize what he said. Right... he IS waiting for an answer.

But why so sudden? "At least give me some time to think." I said and crossed my arms. He looked at me with a teasing smile but his eyes looked gleeful.

"That's reassuring enough to know that we have the same interests." He said. I raised my eyebrow.

"What made you say that?"

"Thinking about it and saying 'No' are completely different things." He said. "The perfect contradicting pair that defeats my pair with the law."

Tsk. Smartass. I won't deny it. I guess there's some kind of development between the two of us... but, I can't understand how. How did this happen? When did it begin? But I can't give in just like that. At this point, what we currently know about each other's personas and lives still fits into the 'strangers' category. Strangers that.. like each other? Is that even possible?

"Think of that poem as my comeback to yours." He said again, finishing his last bit of popsicle in a small bite.

I sighed. "Why did you keep that though?"

"Ha!", he said, feeling satisfied. "No denial. Okay."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm serious. Why did you keep it?"

He smiled. A genuine one. "'Cause you wrote it."

I blushed and looked away. I sighed.

"Anyway, why did you make me stay for a little longer?" I asked. He chuckled.

"Just wanted a hug. That's all." He said.

**************************

I buried my face on my pillow. Finally, my room's scent is back! I finally got home. Toji insisted that he'd prepare lunch for me and take me home himself before I leave. But, I refused. I had to put this to a stop... for now.

I don't want to have a deep connection yet with someone I barely know facts about... I'd prefer to take this slow. But no denial... this man captivated me already.

There's no use running away from this now, 'cause even I can't seem to convince myself that I do not like him. Well, I don't think I even need convincing. 'Cause I like him. Already.

He made me feel this way.

But still.

HOW AND WHY. Sigh.

Later that day (evening), I was preparing simple dinner with the small stock of vegetables I had in my fridge. I had to cook it before it goes rotten. A had, like, a thousand sighs throughout the day (exagerrated, of course). I looked at Toji's clothes that I wore in his place. I have to wash it within the day so that I can return it by tomorrow. I covered my face with my palms after remembering the phone call between me and my manager. It's so frustrating and embarrassing! I'm sure he told everybody already, and Toji doesn't seem to be bothered by it when I told him about it earlier.

As I turned off the stove, my phone rang. It was Toji's number. I answered the call. "What?"

[Red or blue?] He asked.

"YOU SERIOUSLY CALLED JUST TO ASK THAT?!" I said, losing my temper. This man appears out of nowhere, WHETHER PHYSICALLY OR BY AUDIO.

[I wanted your opinion.] He said nonchalantly.

I don't know what his question was for so it's hard to choose! What if it involved some life and death decision making?! No, stupid.

"Blue." I said.

He replied with a slight "Hm." and fell silent.

[Standard or italic?]

I fell silent for a few seconds. "Why?"

[Just curious.] He said. Did he notice yet? [Just noticed something.] I knew it.

[You rarely use that font for dialogues and such even when it's necessary for the plot of your works. Why so?]

I sighed. "It's my style."

He didn't answer. Yeah, he will want more. Some may say that it might be a common occurrence not liking the italic font, and that it isn't so much of a big deal at all. But it all differs with the reason of those who hates the font, like me.

"For me, the italic font symbolizes not a goodbye... but a farewell."

After a few seconds, he spoke.

[Alright. Goodnight, Yumiko.] Beep. Beep.

I put down the phone and smiled a little, with teary eyes. He noticed. And he was the first to notice such a small detail about me.

I'm touched.