8 - Past

After the second dance, Daki already left. It hurt too much

Daki only wanted to be appreciated for a little bit, but not even that could happen without Giyu turning to Shinobu

Daki thought maybe it was her fault for thinking that she could even have a chance with Giyu

She was always content, but when she danced she wanted Giyu's full attention, and she didn't get it

It brought her back to that day

~

"Don't do that ever again"

Daki looked up from her desk. She sees the person she's liked since the beginning of the schoolyear

"Do what?"

Giyu is standing in front of her. His face is cold. Colder than usual. It sends chills down Daki's body

"What you did yesterday"

Daki realizes but before she could even open her mouth, Giyu starts talking again

"I have a girlfriend, Daki"

Daki's heart drops a bit after Giyu says that

She knew

Everyone did

"I know. They were just for appreciation"

"Even if," Giyu cuts her off. Giyu grew a noticeable frown. It looked like she felt guilty for confronting Daki

Giyu looked so different for Daki. This was a side she had never seen. Daki could always see through the cold exterior of Giyu, but it's different this time

"No matter the reason, it's not appropriate. I have a girlfriend" His words prick her heart like thorns

"I don't want others to get the wrong idea. God forbid, she gets the wrong idea"

Daki learned something new today, the one she likes is honest, brutally so

Giyu looks disappointed at Daki. He talks with no hesitation

"On that specific day too" He chuckles, the whole situation was so unreal and unlucky to Giyu that all he could do was chuckle

Like the gods were toying with him

"I hope it wasn't intentional"

"No, it wasn't, I promise" Daki responds in a snap

"Good" Giyu takes a step back, and turns his back to Daki

"I'm sorry, Giyu"

"Say that to Shinobu too"

"I'll talk to her later" Giyu nods and walks over to the sleeping girl close to the front of the classroom

Daki could see how Giyu's frown turns into a smile as he kneels down in front of his girlfriend

He holds Shinobu's exposed hand and kisses her wrist before squeezing it

He removes his varsity jacket before wrapping Shinobu's sleeping body around it

Giyu kisses her forehead before leaving the classroom

What a sight to see

~

The Hashiras are going home. With Daki messaging that she had to go home because of an emergency, there was no reason for them to stay after the recital ended

Everyone went on seperate groups to go home, and once again, Giyu had to take Shinobu home

"Why is he the only one close to my house?" Shinobu complained and Giyu just shrugged "Stop complaining, we know you like it anyway" Mitsuri wiggles her eyebrows as Shinobu scoffs

"Me? Like it? Hell no!" Shinobu received a serenade of dismissive sures and okays. Shinobu just rolled her eyes before grabbing Giyu's jacket and dragging him to his car

"Let's just go. I'm getting irritated with our friends" the aforementioned friends continued to tease them as they walked away

"You enjoyed tonight?" Giyu suddenly asked after five minutes of driving "Except for one dance" Giyu chuckled at the response. He expected the answer

"Well, that's majority of the night"

"I also didn't like sitting with you"

Giyu just smiled. It's not because Giyu likes being insulted, but because it means Shinobu is back to normal

"Those obnoxious looks at Daki. What is this? A K-drama? Love novel?" Shinobu rolled her eyes before crossing her arms

"She was the only one dancing at that point. Where else did you want me to look?" Giyu defended himself with a small smile, clearly amused at his ex

"Whatever"

Giyu opens her door, and she promptly enters. Giyu enters at the driving side. He sits down and helps the struggling Shinobu in buckling her seatbelt

They didn't even bat an eye at these gestures. It was like it was two years ago. It's clear now that their muscle memory of loving each other didn't go away

"I prefer you doing this than ignoring me, by the way" Giyu blurted out after turning the engine on

"Wow, Giyu. It's been 2 years and I'm still your source of joy. Am I really that special to you?" Shinobu teased with an obnoxious arrogant voice

"And if I say yes?"

Shinobu's eyes widen and her arrogant facade fades

"Wow, Shinobu. 2 years and I still make you flustered?" Giyu teases with a little laugh

"Shut up!"