On The Side Of The Pitch With You

Honest Affection

Hours passed and they weren't able to see one another until after lunch. While everyone else had disappeared to either play soccer or discuss adult matters, the two met up once again at the room she was bedridden in, sitting shoulder to shoulder on the bed as they recounted what happened after they parted in the early morning.

"Ah... So that means, you told Yuu-san everything..."

"Yeah... What about you? How'd things go on your end?"

"It went... better than expected..."

"But...?"

"It'll take time, but I think I can at least start trying to trust Masato-nii."

"I see."

"Not a strong statement, huh?"

"Not really..."

"Figures..." The blonde sighed, leaning her head on his shoulder. "I just can't bring myself to open up to Shuuya-nii and Yuuka-nee... Or mom and dad. I know they have their own ways of caring, but I just... I can't figure it out. And because of that, I can't feel it." After another sigh, she added, "At least living with Masato-nii will give me space from them all."

"Glad that I didn't have to be the one to say it."

She scoffed, pushing him lightly. "Shut up, Mister I-Have-A-Perfect-Family."

"You're welcome to it any time."

"I'll be looking forward to that ring, then."

As soon as the words left her lips, both their mouths clamped shut. Images of the previous night appeared in their heads.

(How their lips met, refused to part until they were both out of air, both getting headaches and deciding not to talk about it until 'tomorrow'...)

"Well... It's 'tomorrow'... So, should we..."

"Address the elephant in the room? Yeah..." He huffed, his cheeks already turning to a light shade of pink. "Thank fuck they made this room soundproof."

"With everyone out and about though, it doesn't matter all that much."

"Yeah, but still..."

"Mmhm..."

"..."

"..."

The awkward silence was annoyingly persistent.

"Okay, how do we do this?" In the end, the navy haired boy was the one to cave in first.

"I guess it's hard to just say it right out the bat..." She hummed in thought. "What about QNA? We can ask each other questions."

"That would make it easier..." He sighed. "Alright. You first."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. You've been oblivious up until last night, after all."

"... Can't argue there." She laughed sheepishly, turning her gaze down as she fiddled with the blanket covering their legs. "Then... How long have you... felt like this?"

"I first... realized it on my eleventh birthday... But I think I've actually liked you since long before then."

"Eleventh birthday...? Did something happen then, or...?"

"I'm not surprised you don't remember. It was just one of our usual conversations... But the stuff you said back then meant a lot... and helped me figure out a lot too."

"Figure out...?"

"Like why I did everything with you in mind..." A small chuckle slipped, and for once, he didn't let his embarrassment stop it. "I had my dreams, sure, but I remember I wanted to impress you a lot of the time too. Like the elementary club's entrance exam, and stuff."