The "Lovable" Type| OHSHC x OC

But Still She Stands

A/n: Hope you all like the new writing style experimentation :) Anyway bye bye.

Takashi's so silly. He doesn't even realize he likes her... but, he has for a long time now.

He watches her as she serves Tama-chan's table. He never notices it at first, though.

... I can see it, but he can't. He's always so oblivious, even when she's right in front of him.

Since we don't have any guests right now, I can really watch my little cousin.

We've known Mei-chan for such a long time, too.

Her family makes weapons, and since our family does martial arts, we buy from them occasionally.

It's funny... even before our families became one, Haninozuka's have been buying from the Hinode family for generations. Less and less over time, but it's still a strong relationship.

I remember one of those visits clearly. We tagged along with my father. It was all so exciting!

It was then that we first met Mei-chan. We were just first-years at the time.

I couldn't help but smile at the memory.

Takashi, on the other hand, couldn't look away.

She was training. Kobudo, you know? A black belt when we met her.

Her hair was all shaggy back then, covering her face.

So cute, like her own little secret.

From the very beginning, she reminded me of Takashi.

Both of them keep to themselves, not the biggest talkers.

Her mom told my father she'd be transferring to our school soon.

But even when she was in our class, we didn't really connect all that much. She was so quiet, dainty, gentle... It was funny. Such a contrast from the Mei-chan we saw in the training room.

But then, oh, she became the unintentional star of our class! On our first exam, she ranked second—just right behind me.

I was only ahead by two points. So close!

Takashi always watches her with this fond look whenever she studies, even in class. She always ate her lunch in there, working hard while the rest of us goofed off.

She was so determined to beat me, I could tell.

And she did tie with me once, during the first exam of our second year.

That's when I thought it would be nice to be friends.

Takashi couldn't stop looking at her, either. That was cute. He didn't even realize it.

She'd always avoid getting too close to us, though, especially after we joined the Host Club. That was different, you know? Usually, girls try to get closer to us, but not Mei-chan.

She was different, and I think that caught Takashi's attention even more.

Now, Takashi's in this little mess. He's caught feelings, but he still doesn't get it. I can't say I blame him... he's always been like that, really.

But... now that I think about it, he may not be the only one.

The way he watches her, the way she stands out to him, it's... it's pretty obvious.

I guess that makes two of us, huh?

But he sacrifices enough already, so... well, I'll save him the trouble of being another player in this.