Ultimate Hero (Chiaki Nanami) *COMPLETED*

Chapter 4

Pressing the buttons on the arcade machine rapidly, Oliver was focused on the screen, feeling beads of sweat drip down the side of his head as he moved around easily, almost as if he were a natural expert at this. Licking his lips, he could feel the dry texture, he took a deep breath before pushing himself away from the machine before breathing slowly, wiping his forehead with the end of his shirt. He had been waiting for his friend, so he decided to indulge into playing on an arcade machine. 

"Gala Omega?"

Lifting his head as his hands rested on the controls, his brown eyes turned over to see a familiar face.

"I'm surprised you've gotten attached to this game. It's a classic."

Oliver could have sworn he felt his heart drop all the way down to his feet, seeing what Chiaki had decided to wear to their meet up. The girl he had come to know- was hardly recognizable. If it weren't for her acknowledging this was Gala Omega, he wouldn't have known. She was wearing a t shirt of the same video game he was playing, blue skirt, and a pin that read 'Power!'. Her leggings were also Super Mario designed, this was...definitely something new. 

"So, what do you think?" Chiaki asked with a soft chuckle, "I know I'm not exactly a fashion master. But I tried my best."

Blinking a few times as his eyes slowly drifted to stare at the screen again, he shrugged. "Tch, it's alright. I guess." 

Chiaki's eyes wandered from the screen to Oliver's face, she could make out the red blush that was on his cheeks. While it was a hot day, she was trying to make out whether it was because the heat or because of something else. The glistening texture of the sweat was visible from the light of the screen. "Thanks." She said softly, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear. "Shall we get going?"

"Yeah, yeah. Just let me beat this game first-" And almost as if it were on cue, a game over noise began, making his eye twitch slightly. Especially after seeing who's high score was on the leaderboard.

"I probably should have told you about that." Chiaki said with a chuckle.

"Hmph." Oliver pushed himself off of the machine and stuffed his hands into his pockets, beginning to walk out of the arcade, quickly followed by Chiaki.

'Okay Hajime...you better not be wrong about this. This better work out just as you said it would.' Chiaki took a deep breath, seeing the pier come into view. "Oh! Ollie, can we play to get a prize?"

Oliver looked over at the girl, seeing that innocent smile of hers before sighing in defeat, nodding a bit, seeing her eyes practically shimmer with joy.

Walking with a pink colored rabbit in her arms, Chiaki was having one hell of a good time. She didn't think it was possible for her to have risen up to a challenge like this, her lack of confidence with romance almost made her second guess it. The sounds of their feet along the boardwalk, the sun that was beginning to set, cool breeze brushing against them both, everything felt right. It was a feeling Chiaki had never felt before.

"You know Ollie, I want to let you know that I'm glad you're in my class. And if it weren't for Ms. Yukizome dragging you to class, I wouldn't have met you." Chiaki said, smiling slightly.

Oliver raised an eyebrow, he was still adjusting to everyone calling him by this new nickname, but he wasn't going to say anything. What did she even have to say aside this? They were classmates, nothing to it.

"I'm just...glad I got to hang out with you too." Chiaki said, gazing at the ocean as the two leaned against the rail that kept them from falling into the blue sea, her eyes looking over at Oliver who was staring intensely out at the ocean. "Any way, you may not think it's much, but it means a lot to me." She took a deep breath and her body shifted, a hand being placed on his shoulder, leaning up for her lips to press a gentle kiss onto his cheek.

Oliver practically felt as if his breathing were just cut off, his cheeks going red before his hands gripped tightly onto the rail, his gaze still towards the ocean.

"You're special Ollie, even I can tell that." Chiaki said softly, her hand lowering to place it over his, gently caressing his knuckles. She could feel how tense he was and how nervous he must have felt after that small peck on the cheek. Her expression turned to a surprised one as she watched him turn to her, dainty arms going around her waist as she felt his head rest against her neck. A bit taken back, she wrapped her arms around him, the pink rabbit in between the space where they stood. She was standing on her toes to make sure her arms were around his neck securely, enjoying the warmth of his embrace.

Oliver, on the other hand, wasn't used to hugging others. Let alone being close to someone. But whenever the opportunity came by, he would always rest his head against the other person's neck, it was a comfortable tactic he had always chosen and his hugs were cautious but gentle, a bit stiff in the middle but it was okay. It felt as if time stayed still, his grip around her was tight, afraid that if he let go...she'd disappear.

Chiaki's hand gently pet his hair, the way it swooped down from his neck towards the end, it was soft. Much softer than she expected. A blush spread onto her own cheeks as she sighed contently, so much had happened in only a few days and she was already finding herself attached to this boy. This boy who was distant, cold, and often angry at everyone in the world.

Oliver had shut his eyes as he kept his thoughts in his head, but those were soon interrupted as he heard a loud cough near him. His eyes opened up almost instantly, seeing Mahiru and Hiyoko near them, making his face flush red once more before he stood up straight, looking away angrily.

"Oh, hey Saionji, Koizumi! What are you doing here?" Chiaki asked happily.

"Hiyoko and I were just hanging out and taking some pictures for my album!" Mahiru said cheerfully, holding up her camera. "Seems like you two are enjoying your day." 

"Tch." Oliver said quietly, "We're just staring at the sea." 

"Then why are your arms around Nanami?" Mahiru asked.

Oliver looked down to where the red head pointed, seeing his arms were still around the gamer, immediately releasing her and stuff his hands into his pockets, turning around to be facing the ocean instead of the girls.

"Hey, don't tell me you two are..." Hiyoko began, a small pout forming on her face.

"We're what?" Chiaki asked, head tilting to the side in confusion.

"You know...boyfriend and girlfriend." Hiyoko said.

It's as if a giant question mark were over Chiaki's head, she looked beyond confused and lost. "Well of course we are, he's a boy and my friend. So yes, he's my boyfriend." 

"T-That's not what she meant!" Mahiru said with a light chuckle, "She means if you two are together as in a relationship."

"Is that like a co-op thing?" Chiaki asked.

"Kind of, yes." Mahiru said.

"Hey! Well, let me just tell you here gamer girl, Oliver has high standards in girls he likes. I can tell that he's really picky with who he wants to be with, like the smelly boy he is." Hiyoko said, giggling before receiving a glare from Mahiru.

Oliver sighed without looking over at them, "All of you are exhausting." 

"Hey!!" Hiyoko whined, "What did I do?!"

Chiaki and Mahiru giggled happily as they watched Hiyoko tug on Oliver's arm, trying to get him to give her some attention.