Whiskers ✓｜TsukkiYama

16

"Anyways," yelled Aneko, putting her hand up as she looked at everyone excitedly. "Who wants to bake cakes?!"

-

"Me! Me!" exclaimed both Akari and Ichika, the two of them running beside Aneko, who seemed very much radiant.

"Alright," answered the young woman, giggling a bit. "Let's go, soldiers."

As the three of them walked away, leaving both Tsukishima and Yamaguchi together, alone, Ichika looked back, pouting a bit before pulling Aneko's shirt's hem. He then asked, "Will they go with us, too?"

"Only if they want to, that is," muttered Aneko, glancing back at the two as she winked. "They seem quite busy, after all."

"No!" yelled Yamaguchi, cupping his hand on top of his mouth as he murmured a small 'Sorry'. "I mean, we both aren't busy, right, Tsukki?"

"Of course," answered Tsukishima, nodding vigorously.

"Well then," murmured Aneko, pursing her lower lip as she smiled softly. "Let's go?"

"Mhm!" hummed the children, jumping up and down as they laughed.

As the five of them walked towards the kitchen, both Aneko and the children in front, while the other two stayed behind, Tsukishima grabbed Yamaguchi's arm, murmuring a small, "Talk to me a bit."

Yamaguchi then stopped, walking away from the group as he walked closer towards the blonde human-cat. He raised both of his shoulders, huffing as he tilted his head.

"What is it, Tsukki?" asked the freckled boy, humming.

"Um," murmured Tsukishima, scratching the back of his neck. He looked around, desperately looking for a statement he could speak to the young human-cat in front of him. "Is it quite alright that, you know, Aneko would be with us baking in the kitchen? I mean - isn't she supposed to be in here, in the shop, that is?"

"Oh," beamed Yamaguchi, nodding softly. "Her presence is quite necessary, I suppose. But it's alright, Tsukki. The shop's closed as of the moment."

"Ah," chimed Tsukishima, pursing his lower lip as he looked around after. "Well then, let's get baking?"

Yamaguchi then nodded, giggling a bit. At first, when he met the blonde human-cat, it seemed as if he did not like him, for he only showed the coldest expression the freckled boy had ever seen. Truly, if Tsukkishima had never talked to him, Yamaguchi could have considered and thought of him as a very good statue, for he did not move very much.

In the past few days, Yamaguchi had learned so much about the blonde human-cat - his favorite food, hobby, sport, and the such. He was very much surprised, though, to learn that Tsukishima actually likes things other than to roast Aimi.

"Are the two of you coming?!" yelled Aneko from across the room, her head peeking out of the kitchen door. "I'd be closing this door if you don't come in in five seconds!"

The two then laughed, sprinting hurriedly towards the young woman. They huffed, both of their tails swaying back and forth mid-air.

"Talk to your tails and tell them to relax, alright?" chimed Aneko, chuckling softly. "You'd be slapping me if you don't."

As Aneko assembled all the necessary ingredients and tools - eggs, flour, and the such - the children, on the other hand, watched as she did so, captivated. Tsukishima and Yamaguchi, otherwise, flipped through the thick recipe book of Aneko, pointing at every dish they found delicious and delightful.

"This," murmured Yamaguchi, his forefinger pointing towards a picture of a well-decorated cupcake in the book, glancing to see Tsukishima nod in agreement. "Doesn't it seem very much delectable?"

"Mhm," hummed Tsukishima in compliance, licking his lower lip. "Very much appetizing, don't you think?"

"Hm," murmured Yamaguchi, squinting his eyes a bit before closing the book shut. "By the way, Tsukki - what flavor of sweets do you like the most?"

"I like strawberries," answered Tsukishima, smiling softly. "Do you want to know why, Yams?"

"Well, do you mind if I ask, that is?" asked Yamaguchi, a small pout appearing within his mouth. He watched as Tsukishima nodded in accordance, then murmuring, "Why?"

"Because," started Tsukishima, coughing a bit. "Strawberries look like you, a-and, well, I like strawberries, so - I like you."

Suddenly, a cough was heard, both Tsukishima and Yamaguchi looking back surprisedly and worriedly.

'Sh*t,' thought Tsukishima, frowning. 'I messed that up, didn't I? Why'd I even try to do that thing - flirting, is it?'

"Are you alright, Aneko-san?" asked Yamaguchi, walking closer towards the young woman. "Why'd you suddenly choke?"

"It's nothing," Aneko managed to spit out, patting her chest quite vigorously as she huffed. "Really, Tadashi - it's nothing."

As Aneko tried to grab Yamaguchi's hand, push it away, and say that she was fine, what she saw next had entangled and grabbed her very attention. It truly made her laugh - cackle, even. Right in front of her - was no other than Yamaguchi's version of a veerryy red tomato.

'I could have heard it wrong, right?' asked Yamaguchi to himself, his heart pounding, his hand making its way towards his chest. 'He couldn't have said that he likes me, right? He likes strawberries, strawberries like him. That's it. There's no way that he likes me, and I like him. That fact isn't true, nor is it near possible, right, Yamaguchi Tadashi?'

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a loud slap was heard. All the other four turned, surprised to see Yamaguchi's even redder cheeks, which were - well, caused by that particular statement by that particular human-cat, and the appalling slap.

Why did he hurt and slap himself, may you ask? Well, that is quite an easy question, and Yamaguchi himself has the perfect answer for you.

It was because he now knows for a fact that it was true - the idea of him liking Tsukishima, that is.