𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗬 ━ MIYAMURA IZUMI ²

⋆ CHAPTER FOUR

it's only a tuesday, and (name) already can't wait for the week to end.

"(name), the president told me to give this to you," remi, one of his fellow members from the school council, hands a thick stack of papers to (name) as the two pass each other in the hallway during lunch break. (name) winces when he glances down at them, thumbing through the top few pages before pinching his nose and letting out a sigh.

"i knew the rest of the school was excited for the annual open house, but i didn't think they would be this excited..."

remi only lets out a puff of air, folding her arms across the chest of her school uniform in her usual stance. that expression might come off as cold or even angry to some, but after working with the young female since joining the student council, it only makes (name) smile.

"you're determined to see this through, aren't you?" (name) says lightly.

remi has dark shadows under her eyes, and the sight of them makes (name) slightly worried.

"you've been working so hard the past few days, it's admirable to see."

"huh?"

as expected, remi's cheeks flare bright red - her usual response to getting complimented about anything.

"no, no, i just, no." remi shakes her head vigorously.

as much as she tries to deny it, (name) knows that remi is weak for praise, needs it, even.

"well, anyways, the president needs you to look through and review the ideas from each class, before writing up safety drafts and looking through the budget allocations. i know you have a dance performance coming up soon and all," remi gives him a slightly sympathetic look as she hoists her school bag more securely on her shoulders, "it'll be a busy week for you. if you need help, feel free to contact me."

"i'm sure i'll be fine! i like being busy, after all," (name) waves off her concern with a smile. "i know you're already doing a lot for the open house as well. let's work hard together!"

remi cracks a rare smile at that. "got it."

the second she leaves, (name) slumps against the wall of the school corridor with a quiet groan. his arms are already starting to tire from the weight of the papers in his hand. sure, he does like being busy, but there's a fine line between 'being busy' and 'overworking oneself', and right now, (name) feels like he's walking the tightrope in the middle.

maybe about to fall over into the 'overworking himself' side of the two.

"hey, (name)! why aren't you at break?"

taken by surprise, (name) turns around to see taiki mizouchi descending the stairs, a gentle smile on his face and a packed sandwich in his hand.

"i was thinking about heading to break, but," he raises the stack of papers in his hands, and taiki immediately hurries over to help him take half of it. (name) thanks him as he does, grateful to have some of the weight off his hands.

"i might skip so that i can start on these first. by the way," he glances over his shoulder, confused as to why it's so quiet. usually wherever taiki goes, noise - or rather, two noisy people - follow. "where are miyamura and ishikawa?"

"miyamura is still running from yasuda after he got caught eating rice crackers in class," taiki lets out a sigh, shaking his head in exasperation. "and ishikawa is trying out a new shamisen piece with hori for the open house performance. he keeps complaining that his hands are going to fall off."

"oh, is that so? serves him right for stealing my study snacks last friday."

(name) turns up his nose, but there's a slightly mischievous smile on his face. "although, with how hard everyone is working, i'm sure the open house will turn out great!"

taiki glances over at the stack in his own hands, a slight frown on his face. "it looks like a lot for one person," he says honestly. "i'd offer to help, but i'm no good with paperwork at all..."

"it's okay," (name) reassured as the two of them begin making their way back to (name's) classroom, side by side. "i know you're busy with your part time job as well. to be honest, i have no idea how you have the discipline to go to school and stay up until three in the morning for work. i, on the other hand, am always waking up late."

he shakes his head at himself with a small laugh, slightly embarrassed. "although, well, i suppose it's because i need my beauty sleep..."

"you're already quite good looking, though," taiki says clearly, his eyes honest and earnest as he regards (name).

"taiki!" he scolds as the other teen slides open the classroom door so that (name) can walk through. "don't try to make fun of me."

"eh?" taiki looks genuinely confused, setting down the papers on his desk before he looks at (name). "i was telling the truth, though..."

"anyways, i should probably get started on these. the annual open house is coming up soon," he gives taiki a rueful smile, "and i don't want to leave these last minute."

for a moment, taiki only looks at him without a word, a slight smile on his face. then, all of a sudden, he reaches out to place a gentle hand on his head.

"let's work hard together in the next few days to come, then. i believe you can do it."

"ah, don't say things like that," (name) laughs as he pushes taiki's hand away. "it's just my job."

taiki smiles at him.

"anyway, you should be heading back to class. it's starting soon, isn't it?"

"oh, shoot." taiki glances at the clock hanging over the whiteboard, already turning on his heel to run back to his classroom. "i need to go before sensei makes me stay after school to write about being on time to class again."

he's three steps out of the classroom before he suddenly stops dead in his sprint, turns around and walks up to (name's) desk once again, much to his surprise.

before he can ask if there's something else he needs, taiki is already setting something on th desk, before proceeding to walk away again.

"don't skip your meals!" he calls as he jogs out of the classroom.

(name) blinks at the doorway from which he had entered and left, momentarily stunned for a moment before he looks down at his desk. lying on top of the stack of proposals to review is the sandwich taiki had been carrying earlier, a bright assortment of freshly cut fruits and whipped cream sandwiched between two slices of white bread. 'perfect for satiating his sweet tooth', he thinks to himself, with fond amusement.

unwrapping the sandwich, he takes a bite and the sweet taste of milk cream floods his mouth. before he knows it, the entire sandwich is finished.

"so sweet," (name) mumbles to himself.

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☆ note ☆

sorry for the late chapter!