Model Idol Combi

[jitensha]

[ as continued from here. ]

Huh? [ and from the look she passes along, it's fairly evident that if Kise says anything dumb about disregarding doctor's orders or not treating it seriously, she's going to Have Words. But she'll hear him out. ] What about it?

Comments

[ex_doubly406]

[Making girls blush is his specialty though.]

Hmm, then how about a one-on-one after the café? It won't be the same but I could try to make up for it.

[jitensha]

[ NOT THIS ONE. ]

I want to face you after your leg's all better!

[ex_doubly406]

[WELL EXCUSE ME.

But way to make it sound like he can't play at all.]

Y'know I can still dunk...

[jitensha]

But you'll strain it worse.

[ex_doubly406]

It's not that bad... I can still do them.

[jitensha]

After. The cafe sounds good, though.

[ex_doubly406]

I guess I can't say no to food... That went on for a while.

So what are you going to order? I heard crepes are their specialty; I really want to try that banana mango one a fan told me about.

[jitensha]

I wouldn't mind trying a crepe, too! Mango's really popular right now.

[ex_doubly406]

Really? I thought strawberry was always the popular one!

[Wow they are totally gossiping like normal girls.

Except one of them is not a girl.]

[jitensha]

[ she really is-- oh you meant Kise. ]

Mango just recently? I heard about it from Miki... but a strawberry mango crepe might be good too!

[ex_doubly406]

[... Makoto. Stop.]

How about we order one with strawberry and one with banana? [And they've probably reached the entrance at this point, so he'll hold the door open for her.] I don't think it'd be too much for us.

[jitensha]

[ oh... chivalry.

Well, she'll step on in, then. ]

If we share, doesn't that give you the feel of a date?

[ sometimes she needs a sincerity filter. ]

[ex_doubly406]

Huh?

[Yeah that filter would be nice.]

Ah then we don't need to share! I guess I could take one home...

[jitensha]

N-no, that's okay!

[ Kise don't crush her dreams ]

1/2

[ex_doubly406]

Eh?

[... Uh wait wait.

She's okay with that? She actually wants to? Then doesn't that mean she's okay with...

...

Oh.]

[ex_doubly406]

K-Kikuchi-san um... I'm not misunderstanding you, right? That is... you're okay with that and you want to...?

[jitensha]

A-ah, that's--!

[ well now he's just flustering her. ]

I'm okay with it-- I mean, if you don't want to, t-then that's fine, I just-- maybe that was too weird?

[ex_doubly406]

[They're just flustering each other!]

No, that's not it but... [HOW DOES HE SAY THIS] it's just sudden haha...

[He can't say it to her face sob.]

Uh... [He's not blushing or anything shh.] I'm flattered but is it okay if you date me?

[HE HASN'T DATED SOMEONE IN A WHILE OKAY. And it wasn't like an outright rejection...]

[jitensha]

[ she hadn't really thought he'd take her comment seriously, considering her only other experience was her producer, and he tended to shoot down all the idols who hit on him, however unintentionally.

Except now here they are, after a fun trip to the clinic, and she's turning darker and darker by the minute, until she has to lower her eyes.

MIGHT AS WELL GO WITH IT IF IT'S ALREADY THIS AWKWARD. ]

It... might be weird for you, since I know I'm nothing like your fans, or a lot of girls, so maybe it's easier not to think of me as a girl, but if you're asking...

[ex_doubly406]

[... Oh.

This is really happening. He's being confessed to again, except this time it's an idol and this time it's Kikuchi-san.

Yep, they're really standing there by the entrance talking about being girlfriend and boyfriend.

... And he's not sure how to tell her that he isn't interested in dating anyone right now.]

Kikuchi-san... It's not weird, and you're a great girl idol.

[It'd be a bad move to lead her on. She's a good person and a friend. Still, he doesn't want to hurt her either. This isn't just another fan. And it's not that he doesn't like her; he genuinely felt flattered and maybe his heart beat a little faster but...]

... I'm sorry...

[He still can't look her in the eye.]

1/2

[jitensha]

[ ... Oh.

Well, it had been an unplanned confession anyway, brought about without her noticing until the words had left her mouth. If anything, she should be the one apologizing, for putting such a great guy on the spot like that. He had a bunch of gorgeous fans, girls at his own school, and a basketball championship to focus on, on top of a modeling career. She...

... didn't need to make any of that harder for him, and she accepts as much, sucking in a shallow breath. And she's glad he's not looking at her, because as much as she does understand, there's a tight feeling in her chest and her face feels way too hot.

Idiotic. ]

Don't apologize.

[jitensha]

[ and then the next instant, she's nudging his chin up, and offering him a grin. ]

Anyway, the crepes will be all gone if we don't hurry up and find a table! I'm really in the mood for strawberry now!

[ and the nice thing about not being like the girls she wanted to be was that Makoto was a lot better at holding back tears when she needed to. ]

[ex_doubly406]

[This is the first time that he's rejected a girl and felt like a jerk for doing it.

He's too surprised when she nudges his chin to respond properly, and blinks through her brave act not quite sure if he understood any of it.]

Kikuchi-san...

[He doesn't want her to start crying there, of course not. But this wasn't a normal reaction, right?]

I... Are you okay? Um... [That definitely sounded lame.]

[jitensha]

I'm-- [ fine would be a lie, so she can't really say it. Not to him. ] ... I'm sorry for doing that to you, so I feel a little bad... but I'll be okay.

Honestly.

[ex_doubly406]

[At least she didn't start crying before running out of there dramatically.

Which is a relief but this situations has gotten awkward fast. She says she'll be okay but who would be after getting rejected?]

I think I should be the one apologizing here...

[The best thing to do now is to bow out. Leaning down a little, he looks her in the eye like he should have from the start.]

I really meant it when I said I was glad I got to know you.

[He pauses. That was actually embarrassing.]

... Sorry, you probably don't want me around right now. [And with that he starts heading for the doors.]