Are We Really That Different? (Umeji Kizuguchi X OC Story)

Chapter 6 - Crushes

Umeji's POV
I suppose this shouldn't come as a surprise but I. Hate. Mondays. All they signified was the start of a new week of hell. It didn't help that for whatever reason the incinerator area was closed off to students today for maintenance meaning we had to hang out in one of the back hallways of the school where there was less traffic... it was either that or by the hedge maze... Yeah no. A few people gave us wary or annoyed looks as they passed by us in the hallway which was fine by me. Honestly some of the more scared ones made me snort a little.

"Why did they have to close the entire area anyway?"

"Probably just didn't want us hanging out there while people were working"

Osoro responded to Gaku's question. He just rolled his eyes at that and sighed. We all already knew that was the answer, the counsellor was always against us in one way or another... though it was strange how she only suspended Osoro before and not the rest of us. I looked at Osoro before she caught me staring and I looked away biting my lip before my face got hot.

That was when the bell rang, cutting off anything Osoro would've said. Thank god

"Umeji, I have something to attend to outside of school today so you're in charge for the rest of the day, got it?"

I nodded as we started to disperse. Though as I turned to go up the stairs I looked back at Osoro one more time as she was leaving out the back doors and kept looking after she was gone, biting my lip again.

"Well well well, it must be a miracle, is Umeji in loooooove?"

I took a deep breath in and out. I knew exactly who's voice that was.

Ryuku's POV
Umeji turned around to look at me, the scowl very clear on his face, I just continued to give a small cheeky grin as I crossed my arms.

"If you tell her I-"

"I won't but thanks for confirming it for me"

Umeji just let out an annoyed groan as I chuckled a bit before I got a bit more serious.

"If you really like her that much, don't wait too long to say something, you never know what could happen"

I started to make my way up the stairs before stopping about halfway up and turning my head back.

"I won't force you to do it but if you start struggling with it I'm helping you, no ifs ands or buts about it. I know I'm not the best at this stuff but seeing people struggle with the confidence to confess hits a few nerves the wrong way. See you in class Umeji."

I left Umeji behind with a bit of a lost look on his face. Honestly, I'm not even sure myself why I said that, or why I cared so much. Sure, seeing people struggle with that kind of thing annoys me and I have had my own experience with the matter... but I've never really offered to help before, so why now? I walked into class not really caring about the teacher giving me a look, I was too focused on my thoughts right now to give a damn.

And yes, I do have my own experience with crushes. I gave Gitika a quick but meaningful glance. There's not really any stories, we just liked each other when we first met but waited way too long to actually say something. By the time we tried being a thing our personalities were clashing way too hard. I know they say opposites attract but... not always. Gitika technically wasn't the first time I liked somebody but she was the first one I actually felt compelled to pursue something with... until I didn't anymore.

No matter, I quietly hummed to myself as Umeji entered the room, looking as if nothing had happened. But when our eyes met I could tell he was still thinking over what I said.

Time Skip
Umeji's POV
School was finally over and since the incinerator area was still closed, the five of us just decided to go ahead and leave. There was no way we were standing around in the hallways any longer. As we took what we needed from our lockers after the traffic jam left, I stopped for a moment.

"You okay Umeji?"

I flashed Dairoku a small smirk to show him I was fine.

"Yeah, just thinking, you guys go on ahead I'll catch up"

Dairoku opened his mouth, presumably to argue before shutting it and walking with the others. As soon as they were out of sight I leaned my back against the locker letting out a long breath. I kept trying to think of ways I could talk to Osoro about what I felt right now but... it wasn't easy, wasn't easy at all. Everytime, I could feel embarrassment course through me as I imagined confessing to her. I let out an exhausted sigh.

Maybe I'll need his help after all...