Chapter 2

"You're in a good mood." you looked over at Shinji. He walked into your room with a grin. "Did you finally own up?" he teased. "M-Mind your business!" you fired. He laughed. "So that's a no." you huffed, folding your arms. "I'll t-tell him today.." you mumbled. "Oh! Finally some progress." you let out a dry chuckle. As much as you wanted to believe Kensei probably felt the same way, an unsettling feeling was present in your stomach. If he did reject you, you weren't sure what you would do. Shinji noticed the sudden doubt in your eyes. "Quit being a punk, you'll be fine." he raised a hand, patting you on the head. You looked up and he smiled at you. "Just tell him how you feel." you smiled despite your fears.

"T-Thanks taicho." Shinji's grin turned wider. "So now you have respect." he joked. You giggled.

"W-Well I'm off!!" you spun on your heels, running out the door. "Don't eat all of my candy!!" you yelled at him. "No promises!!" came his reply.

~~

"I just need to say it. M-Muguruma-taicho, I-I like you!" you kept rehearsing the words in your head. This was it. You weren't going to back down. You were walking down the hall to his office. When you finally got to his door you were shaking. You raised your hand to knock.

"Ken-"

"I love you Mashiro." your body froze at the words you heard from the other side of the door.

"Uwah! I didn't hear you, say it louder Kensei~~" you heard Mashiro say. The male coughed, you could hear the embarrassment in his words. "I-I love you!!" he grumbled it out this time. All you heard was a small cheer from Mashiro. A drop hit the floor at your feet as you just stood there. You couldn't tell what was happening on the other side of the door after that. When you heard Kensei groan you turned your back, running off.

~~~

"Finally got all her candy, damn she's getting really good at hiding it." Shinji had rummaged through your cabinets in search of the snacks you often kept in your quarters. You were probably going to lecture him tomorrow, but he didn't care. He visibly jumped when he heard something crash into the side of your room. Shinji moved away from the kitchen, going towards your door. He looked over when he saw you picking yourself off the ground. 

"Hey! You scared the crap out of me!" You didn't respond. Shnji's eyes focused when he realized something wasn't right. When you finally lifted your eyes he was shocked to see the broken expression on your face. You were shaking, and tears were pouring out of your eyes. He dropped the contents in his hand rushing over to you. You stumbled again and he caught you before you could fall. You sank to your knees, taking Shinji with you as you clenched unto him. Your body shook as you cried, burying your face into his robes. "What happened.." he questioned trying to soothe you. "H-He...he loves Mashiro...I-I was stupid to think..." you continued to sob, gripping his robes tighter. Shinji's hand held you securely. He didn't say much, just kept you close. What could he say. "I should have never encouraged her.." he felt guilty. If what you said was true then no matter what you would get your heart broken, yet somehow he felt like it was his fault.

"I'm sorry (Y/N)." you didn't respond, just stayed there. Holding unto him.