Just a Bit of Comforting (Murasakibara x Riko)

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"....WHAT?!?! Stop joking, Murasakibara-kun! I was serious—"

"I'm serious too, Ri-chin."

The girl's cheeks burned in embarrassment.
He didn't seem like the type of person to have a hidden motive.

"Ri-chin, you keep crying over this guy you like right?"

A vein popped on Riko's forehead. He was speaking the truth, but did he really have to be so blunt with it?

"Y-yes." She answered in a whisper.

"Then like I said, I'll help you."

The coach's eyes—red from her tears—narrowed.
"But why?"

Murasakibara sighed, making Riko's frustration grow.
"Didn't I tell you, Ri-chin? I like you."

Again with the bluntness.

"Like...like love?" She spat out in a childlike tone.

"Mhm." He simply responded, nodding.

The more she pressed for an answer, the less confidence she had in his words. She couldn't understand why she felt that way in the first place.

"Well, It's okay, I don't mind! ...did you—" Riko froze at the sight of his sudden change in expression.

She swore it was the first time she saw the boy make an expression not affected by snacks or basketball.

"Really, Ri-chin?" He asked, more happily than usual.

The brunette gaped at his expression.
"Y-you seriously weren't joking...?"

Murasakibara tilted his head to the side.
"I said I wasn't joking."

Finally, Riko's doubt disappeared and it was like she could see his genuine feelings.

"So...we're a couple now, right?" Murasakibara asked, crashing her train of thought.

"W-wait I was joking earlier..."

An awkward silence filled the air as Murasakibara's expression darkened.

"Ri-chin..."

"I-I'm really sorry."

The purple haired boy let out a sigh.
"That's alright. But I'll still help you, Ri-chin."

Riko looked at him curiously as he pushed his hair out of his face.
"How?"

The two kept direct eye contact for a short while, then the younger boy closed in and lightly bit her ear.

Blushing furiously, Riko pushed the boy away.
"W-WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING, MURASAKIBAKA!?"

"Ri-chin, I'll help you forget about him. And you'll just keep thinking of me. That way you won't cry about him anymore." He replied after licking his lips.

Her face changed to a darker shade of red. Her forehead seemed to rain sweat from the waves of embarrassment and nervousness that he made her feel.

"I-I appreciate your feelings...but Murasakibara-kun, I don't think this will work..."

"Why not?"