9

[EDITED]

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The next day, before Eichi could even have eaten her breakfast, Baji is already in her house. Chilling like he's part of the family. Well, that's what he intended to.

He's playing with Toshiki while waiting for Eichi to came down from her room to eat breakfast. Yesterday, the reason why he wasn't able to drop by her house was because he have other things to do and forgot to tell her that he can't drop her off on school.

Thankfully, when he said that he's preparing for their oh-so-called date, Eichi didn't bother to asked more about it. I mean, yeah I'm actually preparing but not only for that date.

"Wow. You're early." he raised his head and saw Eichi, wearing her uniform and also her red armband. She's being sarcastic early in the morning, I wonder if she even sulk yesterday when I didn't show up to fetch her?

Well, truthfully speaking. It's obvious that she sulked, he just don't have any idea how long that is.

Baji wanted to laugh because of his thought and Eichi's action. 

"A good morning will do, senpai" he teased. She rolled her eyes before sitting in front of him.

Saiko-san, her mom, left early as well as her husband. They told Baji to take care of Eichi and don't let her skip breakfast. Meanwhile, Saito-san, her brother also left early and told him to tell Eichi to leave Toshi some cat foods before they left. And since he's already here, he's the one who fed Toshiki so Eichi wouldn't.

And now, it's just the two of them alone and having a breakfast. Their silence is deafening that all Baji could do is to stare at her.

He smiled. I'm definitely in love with this girl. He thought.

"What?" Eichi noticed that he's staring at her too much that it felt uncomfortable.

"Are you some kind of drug, senpai?" Eichi's brows furrowed. Here we go again.

"No. I'm not." she said and took another bite of her breakfast, not wanting to rid eon his jokes.

"For me you are. Because every time I see you, I hyperventilate." it's not a funny nor romantic joke since it got no connection from the words he asked so Eichi threw a tissue onto his face and continue eating.

But then again, Baji didn't stop staring at her.

" What? Is there something on my face? "she asked, irritated.

"Nothing beside gorgeousness. If only I could just stare at you the whole time and admire you..."

She can't stop herself from blushing. That was too sudden! What's up with him today? Is he flirting at me?!

"Say, senpai. What are you gonna do today? Are free at night?" he asked and put Toshiki down then leaned on the table, looking at her who's blushing. How cute.

"Uh... That... We have..." he chuckled by how Eichi talked like air is being snatched at her. She cleared her throat and kept herself together.

"As what I'm saying, we have an activity prepared for everyone by sunset and yes, I'm free tonight but I'm not allowed to go out." she answered. Thankful that she didn't stuttered.

"Then, by this morning? Are you free?"

Eichi eyes frowned, thinking why is he being stubborn again.

"Maybe? My presence is needed at the council." she said and took a sip of water, "Why are you asking? Is there something you want to do today?" that's the only thing she could think of as his reason.

"Nothing. Just like I said earlier, I wanted to stare at you all day. Only if you want me to, there's no pressure senpai!" he honestly said. It's like every day, every time they are together, going to school, lunch, after school, he keeps falling for her deeper.

Her nagging. He loves it. Her denialism, he loves it. Her attitude, he loves it. Her mood swings, he loves it. Anything about her, he loves it. If only it is not too soon, I would definitely marry her right now and spend the rest of my life with her.

He's never been in love with a girl like this. He never felt happiness just because of a girl like this. This is  totally a new feeling that he wanted to cherish for the rest of his life. That's why, no matter what it takes, he's going to make Eichi love him and make her his. Because if not, then he would rather die.

"You can come with me if you that's what you want."Eichi said that made him smile. He can't stop his joyousness that he even blushed. Baji lowered his head so that his hair would cover his face to hide its reddening.

-

After breakfast, they left Eichi's house and go to school together. He didn't brought his bike because he wanted to spend more time with her so they're going to ride the train.

"Are you sure it's okay? I could pay for my fine" She asked after Baji said that he would for the both of them.

"Nah ah! Don't! I told you, I'm gonna pay and that's final, understood senpai?" he insisted. She just nodded.

When the train arrived, there were a lot of people as it is rush hour. Inside of it is packed that they can barely move.

On their place, Eichi is at the corner and beside her is three guy students from the same school while Baji is in front of her. Standing tall holding the grip above.

"Hey, let's switch." Baji whispered to her. She nodded and switched place with him. It also uncomfortable for her. She turned around to face Baji since she feels more safe if she's facing this way.

His familiar fresh scent gives her comfort. Smells like mint. She's busy on secretly sniffing his scent when suddenly someone pushed her, making her to crashed herself to Baji.

He immediately hold her waist to keep her balance and glance at the other guys who accidentally pushed Eichi. "Hey, careful" he seriously said.

The guys apologize to them. It can't be helped since the train is packed. I should've brought my bike. I didn't expect that we'll arrive here with packed people.

"Are you alright?" he softly whispered to her who's keeping her head resting to his chest.

"Yeah." she answered, almost whispering. "Let me stay like this." she added.

He smiled, wanting to blush but he's out in public and he know himself well. He might act like an idiot if he allow himself to blush in a place like this. Instead, He felt butterflies on his stomach while thinking that Eichi actually did this kind of thing to him.

They arrived at the their school and just like what Eichi said, he and sticked around with her. Wherever she goes, he's there. She sometimes talks with other student council members about their said activity and sometimes she's just hanging around with him, walking circles around the school ground. Which he actually really enjoys.

"You're kinda bulky, are you always on the gym?"

They're just talking randomly, mostly she's asking about him and she happens to asked him that. Actually, she's long curious how built Baji is. Like puberty hit him pretty early.

"Not always in the gym though. I have some equipment in my room and do some exercise as a hobby." he answered, even flexing his biceps that made Eichi rolled her eyes.

"Wait. You're asking too many questions about me, senpai. Are you finally being curious about me?" he asked and lean towards her face leaving an inch in between them.

She avoided his gaze and said, "No... Just wanted to talk about some things... You know"

Baji chuckled because of how flustered she is. "Senpai, you've changed."

Eichi blinked when he said that. I've changed? By what means? Is it positively or negatively? Wait.... Am I being nervous?

"Huh?" that's all her mouth can say.

"You've changed. You finally became softer than usual, senpai. I guess it's an achievement for me, eh?" he's smiling.

"What?" she cannot believe what she just heard. Come again? I? Became more softer than usual? Does that mean she's softer when Baji's around? Or she became softer because of Baji? That's two different things and she's clueless which one is what he meant.

"Sheesh senpai! You're making me blush, oh my gosh!" he acted like an idiot, running around holding both of his cheeks while smiling and then suddenly, he tripped himself and crashes his face first on the ground. What a dumbass.

After that happened, she contain herself from laughing before she could even helped him stand up. He's actually laughing after he tripped! What a total idiot!

"Hey!" she called him, laughing. "Are all right? Get up, dumbass" she finally helped him get up but instead of getting up, he pulled Eichi that made her landed onto his top.

She stopped laughing because of surprise. Baji looked into her eyes, holding both of her cheeks and caress them softly.

"You're beautiful," he said.

Because of shyness, Eichi immediately buried her face on his stomach to hide. Thankful, there's no one around that can see them.

"Hurry and get up." she ordered him before walking away leaving him behind, laughing by her reaction.

-

Late afternoon, the activity that the student council members and officers prepared was about to begin. All students are gathered on the school's yard.

There's a couple of pre-activities before the main activity, which is the lighting of lanterns. It is actually, Eichi's personal suggestion for their activity and didn't expect that majority of the council agreed to her to make it the main activity.

And this time, Baji is not around. He left earlier saying that he had some things to do but he's still going to send her home. So she assumed that he's still inside the school.

"For our last activity before the main one! This is actually a quite good game with a good prize!" Aya, their secretary announced. She was assigned to be the host for today. As much as possible, she does not want to stand in front the crowd so she requested that and luckily they all agreed.

" Everyone listen up! "she exclaimed, full of energy." For the last game! We need two representatives each year level, it should be boys, okay? Again, boys! BOYS ONLY! "

Yeah. She should run next year for the President title.

" The game is called 'Catch the flag'. Anyone familiar with it?" Aya asked the crowd that made a lot of noise." Seems like you guys already know it. Yet, I should still explain since it's my job"

"Around the school ground, there are 16 blue flags that's hidden in the deepest part of the school. All you need to do is find 4 of the flags within 60 minutes with your partner. The fastest duo that could bring us the four flag will be announced as the winner. Simple as that. Then the prize will be.... A SUNDAY DATE WITH OUR BELOVED PRESIDENT YAMADA-SAN! "

What in the world...

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