※𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐔 (𝐀𝐭𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢 𝐱 𝐀𝐤𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐰𝐚)※

Chapter 6

It was Atsushi's second official debate and to say that he was nervous would be an understatement. He was practically shaking where he stood, feet planted outside the minibus like a dog that knew full well if it gets in the car it's going to the vet. And exactly like a dog, he was lured into the van with promises of treats and takeout from the team.

In no time he was walking toward the double doors, trying his best to swallow his past traumatic experience with the room foreign debate room.

Just as he was about to follow the rest of his group in, he felt himself choking suddenly and before his brain could catch up to what was going on he was yanked backward by the collar of his blouse. "ugaH" He gagged out, giving no fight whatsoever which was a bit concerning from a psychological standpoint; the next thing he knew, his back collided with a sturdy, cool chest before he was roughly let go, tossed away as if he was a piece of gum that'd lost its taste. He stumbled forwards a couple of steps, putting distance between him and whatever ghost just tried to kill him, to heave over and catch as much breath as he possibly could, savoring the feeling of his lungs expanding. It was only when his eyes wandered that he noticed the familiar long black material stopping just at the ankles of big chunky boots.

His face was suddenly beaming red with embarrassment.

"What—" Atsushi spluttered, finding the strength to drag himself to stand straight and look the man in the eyes, "What is your problem?" He gasped, somehow still quite breathless. Although he knew the rough wakeup call wasn't the only reason for that, it was Akutagawa's piercing eyes and the fact Atsushi had been pressed against him. Even if it was just for a brief moment, he felt like his entire back was burning, like his clothes would catch alight ay any given moment.

God, this was so unhealthy. What type of person gets borderline assaulted in public and has their heartache to have it happen again?

Atsushi was convinced he needed therapy.

Akutagawa didn't say anything, instead, he simply thrust a bottle of—Atsushi's eyes shot comically wide, and as his mind and body just cleared any negative thought or feeling away as if he was some type of hard drive. Before he knew it, his smile began to grow, but as his smile grew so did Akutagawa's mortified scowl.

"Shut up," Akutagawa snapped before Atsushi could even say anything, he'd no doubt say something nice and sweet and that would only distract Akutagawa from what he needed to do. Which was win, "It was blocking the machine, you idiot." He grumbled, pushing past Atsushi as if he truly hated him. It wasn't as if he'd spent his own free time fishing out Atsushi's bottle of Vimto from a broken vending machine at 5 a.m. or anything.

"Thank you!" Atsushi yelled after him, only to be met with a long middle finger display.

And it was terrible, but the only thing Atsushi took from that gesture was how long and smooth and pretty his fingers were.

Atsushi's feet were planted outside the door for a couple of seconds as he tried to gauge how he felt. Despite the arguably bad start to the session Atsushi felt...giddy. Like maybe he'd managed to thaw some of Akutagawa's cold exterior down, maybe he wouldn't destroy him today. The cautious side of Atsushi that was ever-present was blaring, telling him to back off and avoid him. But Atsushi, for once in his life, ignored it. He ignored his worry to revel in the warm giddy feelings Akutagawa made him feel.

He made his way to his teams' bench with a subtle smile on his face, the tiger charm hanging loosely on his bracelet as a safety blanket just encase. But Atsushi was determined, he was determined this debate would go better. That he'd make good arguments even Akutagawa couldn't discredit. He'd go full force and do his best for his team.