Sensei | Sasaki Haise ✓

➵ |18| Risk.

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Touka abruptly paused mid-stride, almost choking on her coffee as she listened to your incessant rambling. The events of last night had consumed your thoughts entirely, Haise's words echoing in your mind like an endless loop. As you and Touka walked to work, both clutching coffee cups, you couldn't help but pour out your confusion and hopes, dissecting every syllable Haise had uttered.

"It's just...I can't wrap my head around it," you groaned, frustration evident in your voice. The lack of sleep hadn't helped, making everything seem even more surreal and overwhelming. "What could this mean?"

Touka rolled her eyes, a mix of amusement and exasperation crossing her features. "Are you seriously asking me that?" Her tone was laced with incredulity, as if she couldn't believe you were still clueless.

You tilted your head in confusion, eyeing her sidelong as she gazed stoically at the path ahead. "What do you mean?" You asked, unsure of where she was going with this.

"Come on, it's obvious. He likes you, baka," Touka stated bluntly, watching your reaction intently.

Your mouth fell open, words failing to form as shock, confusion, and a flicker of excitement flickered across your face. The idea seemed too fantastical to grasp, like a plot twist from one of the manga you loved.

"N-No, that can't be..." you stammered, struggling to accept Touka's seemingly far-fetched conclusion. It felt too good to be true, and you feared building hopes only to have them crumble.

Touka facepalmed, her frustration palpable. "Are you seriously that oblivious?" She sighed heavily, tossing her empty coffee cup into the nearest trash can the two of you passed.

"Yes, I am!" You shot back defensively, your mind reeling with the implications of Touka's revelation. It was difficult to believe someone like Haise could harbour feelings for someone as ordinary as you. The thought both thrilled and terrified you in equal measure.

"How do you even know?" You pressed, eyebrows furrowing with a commingling of anticipation and skepticism. You needed more than just Touka's interpretation; you needed solid proof before allowing yourself to believe such a possibility.

Touka sighed again, shaking her head slightly as she spoke. "Besides the fact that it's painfully obvious? He's been asking about you and Ayato, wondering if there's anything between you two," she explained, her tone tinged with exasperation.

You frowned, trying to dismiss her argument. "But that doesn't mean anything. People have mistaken Ayato and me for a couple before. He was probably just curious," you reasoned, not ready to let yourself hope without concrete evidence.

"Seriously?" Touka scoffed, disbelief colouring her voice. "He gets flustered whenever your name comes up and blushes like crazy. It's like watching a shōjo manga," she insisted, her irritation with your skepticism growing evident.

You rolled your eyes, waving off her comparison. "This isn't a manga, Touka. Haise liking someone like me? I highly doubt it," you countered, the self-doubt and insecurity creeping back in. You were accustomed to being the unnoticed background character, not the protagonist of someone's affection.

"Why is this so hard for you to believe?" Touka asked, frustration evident in her tone. It was a question she couldn't quite comprehend, rooted in your own uncertainties and doubts that clouded your perception.

"I...I don't know," you admitted softly, gaze dropping to the ground. A heavy sigh escaped your lips, feeling the weight of your own insecurities pressing down on you. "I guess I've always been used to doubting...myself, others. Besides, what about Rize? I'm sure she has her sights set on him."