Beneath Their Devotion (Yanderes x Reader)

1.26 Confessions

The cafeteria was buzzing in that usual, end-of-day, pre-event kind of way—low chatter, trays clinking, 'etc' (sorry it's 3 am). Someone had cranked up the overhead lights just a little too bright. It wasn't glamorous. The food wasn't all that great. And the crowd wasn't exactly friendly.

But Y/N didn't care.

She was humming to herself—softly, almost absently—as she walked along the line of half-filled tables with her tray in her hands. Her stomach fluttered, but not from nerves. The gala was tonight. And for once, she wasn't dreading it.

Because she had a date.

A real one. With Ren.

Her heart did a quiet little kick at the thought. She bit back a smile as she adjusted the grip on her tray and scanned the crowd. Ren, a member of the inner circle of the Obsidian Circle, one of the most admired people in their entire academic sphere, had asked her. But it wasn't even about the status. That part didn't really matter to her. She liked him. The way he listened and the softness in his voice when they were alone... and the way he looked at her like she wasn't something he'd just found, but something he'd been looking for.

She caught sight of Yuna across the room, laughing too loudly with a group near the vending machines. Their eyes met. Y/N didn't slow her step.

She passed.

No interest in that performance today.

She was looking for a seat, preferably away from anyone who might try to pull her into a conversation about anything artificial. And that's when she saw him.

Haru, hunched over a tray like he was trying to intimidate his food into submission, with earbuds halfway in, and his scarf falling from one shoulder like he'd rushed in and hadn't fully bothered with appearances. His silverware clinked aggressively against his bowl as he shoveled a forkful of something resembling pasta into his mouth.

Y/N sighed. She hadn't really spoken to him after the whole alleyway fiasco. And even then, he hadn't really spoken to her. Might as well get this over with.

She stepped closer and stood just at the edge of the table, shifting her tray awkwardly from one hand to the other. "Hey. Is it alright if I sit here?"

Haru choked. Actually choked.

Not dramatically or any flailing, just a sudden sharp intake of air and food that made his shoulders jolt and his hand jerk toward his drink in a panic. His eyes widened as he coughed once, then cleared his throat and stabbed his fork into his food like it had betrayed him.

"...Sure," he grunted, voice rougher than usual. "Whatever."

Y/N set her tray down across from him, trying not to smile. It was probably the nicest welcome she was going to get from him anyway.

For a few minutes, they ate in silence. Or rather, she ate, and he picked at his food like he was suddenly very aware of every movement. It wasn't unpleasant, exactly. Just a little bit... awkward.

Finally, she glanced up, resting her elbow on the table. "So.... That alleyway."

Haru paused his poking. His jaw tightened. "Still thinking about that?"

"I am," Y/N said, tilting her head. "You and Shiro... the whole crew you were with. I haven't forgotten."

He didn't answer at first.

"You're not going to tell me?"

Haru muttered something under his breath, and then scratched the back of his neck, avoiding her eyes. "It wasn't important."