Takanobu Aone. Middle blocker on Date Tech High's volleyball team. A third-year. He's tall and broad with white hair, though lacks eyebrows. You find that he reminds you of a teddy bear. A giant teddy bear.
You, being a second year, stare at him in, the cafeteria. There's little to know about him, it seems. But, as the bubbly person you are, you have decided to talk to him and get to know him. After all, it seems like he doesn't really have as many friends. Smiling. you stand up and walk toward him. When you're standing in front of him, he looks up, face blank, "Hi!"
He grunts.
"I'm F/n L/n. If you're comfortable with it. You're more than welcome to call me Y/nn."
He grunt yet again.
You feel your eyebrow twitch a bit, but sit in the chair beside him, "You're Takanobu Aone, right? Middle blocker on the volleyball team?"
He nods.
"I've seen some of your matches. You guys are really, really good."
He grunts. Suddenly, you feel so self-conscious. Does he just not like you? Is it because you're ugly? You've always known you're not the best- looking, but you thought your friendly behavior would be enough. Maybe he's just prejudiced?
Face paling, you stand up, laughing awkwardly. "Ah." You scratch the back of your neck. "I'm gonna- I'm gonna go now."
You start walking away, out of the cafeteria entirely. When you're alone in a classroom, you look down at your desk sadly. It has to be because you're ugly. No doubt about it. He probably hates you and everything.
•O.0.o.0.O.
Since that fateful day, you've been completely avoiding Aone. If your paths somehow cross, you're sure to get away quickly.
This time, you have to drop some papers off to a specific room. One of your teachers asked you to since he's been on crutches, and you don't know how to refuse someone when they say 'Please'.
Inside the classroom, you find Aone. You try to pretend he's not there as you place the stack of papers on the desk, but Jump when Aone's speaks.
"Hello, Y/nn."
You turn your head, and he still has that blank stare. "H- h- hi."
He nods, then goes back to his textbooks. Is he... studying?
"Are you studying?" You look over at the books.
He nods awkwardly.
"Would you like some help? I'm really good at studying?"
Once again, he nods.
"Alrighty!"
You drag a chair over, then sit. For hours, you tutor him, and, he nods, looking a bit surprised. You're in the advanced courses, soyour curriculum is similar to the third years. You notice that sometimes he just starts staring for a few moments, then will snap back to reality suddenly. Something about it is cute, but you remind yourself that he doesn't like you.
Just as yours about to leave, he goes, "Can you keep tutoring me?"
You turn to look at him, suddenly feeling so warm inside. "Yeah, of course."
"Thank you," He stands up and gives a 90 degree bow. "I owe you."
"N- no! Not at all I'm more than happy to help!"
He looks back up, a glint in his eyes suggesting pure happiness. "If there's anything you ever want from me, I'll be glad to comply."
You wave your hands in front of yourself. "It's fine! Really! Just--just let me know when you have time, is all."
"After volleyball practice."
"Here", you pull out your phone and unlock it, opening your contacts app "Put your number in, We can arrange schedules like that."
He nods, then takes the phone from your hands. Quickly, he types away. When you take your phone back, you see that he texted himself from your phone. Just a simple, Hello. Subconsciously, you smile at it. He saved his number as Takanobu Aone. As if you really need his full name. It makes you want to giggle at it. He's such a dork.
"I'll head home now", you say, the repressed giggle evident in your tone, "Text me later, 'kay?" "Mh."
"Bye-bye!" You walk backwards and wave as you walk out, closing the door slowly.
The moment it's shut, you burst into giggles, pulling your phone out immediately. You chance his name to No Brows, then find a picture of him from the school website for his profile. It's an awkward close-up that you think is adorable. As you walk out the school, you stare at his profile. Something about him makes you feel all warm inside. You can't help but smile and giggle and your heart thumbs violently in your chest. So cute...
O . O .Q.o.o.
"UGHHHHH!!!" you yell, ripping up a piece of paper.
You have a major crush on Aone. You've been tutoring him for two months now, and you're whipped. He's an adorable, athletic, giant dork, And who doesn't love that? But, what can you do? You're ugly. He'd never want you the same way you want him. He'd be secretly disgusted. You know it. Who wouldn't be?
In disgust, you get up and look in your mirror. How could anyone love you? You've too many flaws. Too many mistakes. Just not good enough. But you had the audacity to fall for someone you' never obtain. It's your own fault you're suffering. You did it to yourself. Why? Why did you do that?
Tears prick your eyes, and you're about to hit something, but your phone buzzes in your pocket. Hiccupping, you check it, finding it to be Aone.
No Brows: Hello
You: hey
No Brows: Can we please hang out?
You raise your eyebrows in surprise.
You: yah sure
You: what's the plan?
No Brows: We should get food. That is normal for a date.
You almost drop your phone.
You: hold up a date???
You: bruh u didn't specify!!!
No Brows: I apologize. I felt that it was obvious.
You: well it wasn't!!!!
No Brows: So you do not want to hang out?
You: I never said that! I wanna hang out!
No Brows: But not as a date?
You: TAKE ME OUT ON A DATE DANG IT
No Brows: Oh, you should have specified
You smack your forehead. He's so, so dumb. The only thing he knows is volleyball. But you have a date!!!
You: when and where?
No Brows: I will be at your house in fifteen minutes.
Panicking. you start to shake. Fifteen minutes? What about clothes? And your hair? You run to your closet and start pulling clothes out of your closet, throwing them on your bed in a hustle. "Sweater?" you mumble. "No. If I get cold, I can steal his jacket. That's way cuter. Ah! and this cute little skit with the suspenders! And the little Tee!"
You throw your clothes on quickly, then smooth your hair out. Faster than ever, you apply a bit of makeup. You really want to look pretty for him. Finally, you run towards the front door. There's a light tapping on it, so you fling it open, panting a bit. He stands there, dressed causally as he looks you over a bit.
He says, "You're wearing makeup."
It's not a question. Not a comment. Just a statement. You can't tell if he's happy or disappointed. It's that same monotone voice you've grown far too used to.
"Yeah...I- I wanted to look pretty for our date."
"It's ugly."
You flinch, He's right. Not even makeup can make you pretty.
"Can you wipe it off? I like you better without it."
"Er- do you- do you think so?"
He nods.
"G- give me a couple minutes."
You go to the bathroom, gently washing the makeup off your face. When it's bare, you dry it with a towel, then apply some moisturizer. How can you be prettier without it? When it's not, your acne isn't showing and it looks slimmer and more proportionate. Your lips are more kissable and eyes pop better. Your forehead looks smaller. That double- chin isn't as prominent. How is it prettier without all that? You walk back downstairs, finding him right outside the door, standing awkwardly. When he looks at you, he does something unexpected. He smiles.
"Better."' he says quietly.
You can't help but blush, and start walking with him. He takes you to a bus stop, so you get on together. He pays the driver, and you two sit right beside each other. Others eye him warily, seeming scared to get too close. He seems just the slightest bit sad. And when a child shies away from him, there's a twinge of hurt in his eyes. Feeling more hurt than he looks.
You grab his arm and rest your head on his shoulder. "Thank you." you say. "I'm so excited for this date."
"Mh."
"What type of food are we getting? I bet you picked something amazing."
"Dumplings," he says quietly.
"Ooh! I love dumplings!" You let go of him, leaning your head from his shoulder. Gently, you nudge him excitedly. "This is gonna be amazing! Can we get dessert, too? I'll pay for my own."
"We can. I'll pay."
"You're the best, No Brows! The sweetest person ever!"
The people case up a bit, though still keep a little distance. You can tell that he's feeling better too. Happy with your work, you rest your head on his shoulder again. Lunch he's quiet, but you love it. You fill in all the silent gaps with excited chatter, and he'll just smile from time- to- time. That's all you need to encourage yourself. If he smiles, he has to be really happy.
When he drops you off, he says, "Thank you."
"Huh? No! Thank you!"
He nods his head awkwardly. "Let's go out again sometime, okay?" He smiles a little.
"Thank you."
"No! No, no, no! You don't get to thank me. I'm more than happy to go out with you."
"Okay."
With one more awkward nod, he walks away, leaving you to smile on your porch. He's such a dork.
