~

      As soon as Gundam and Souda entered the classroom, there was a loud squeal from Mahiru, which thankfully caught everyone's attention and meant they didn't notice the two boys holding hands for the first time in their lives - for now, at least.

     "W-What's wrong?" Mikan questioned, instantly speeding over to Mahiru's side - less than elegantly, having nearly tripped over two desks and three carelessly placed chairs on the way - laying one hand on her forehead to check her temperature.

     "You're such an idiot!" Hiyoko snapped, slapping Mikan's hand away from Mahiru's forehead. "She's fangirling, dumbass, look, her ship is sailing, or whatever."

      With a motion in the direction of the two boys, everyone's attention was drawn to them, and Souda felt himself blushing brighter than he ever had before, clenching Gundam's hand tightly in fear - this was so much worse than he had expected.

     "Damn, that was quick..." Fuyuhiko declared. "Guess you really couldn't keep away from each other anymore."

    "Wait, you knew about this before?!" Ibuki suddenly whirled on Fuyuhiko, eyes wide with surprise. "This is a total shock to Ibuki!"

     Fuyuhiko suddenly realized his mistake - he should've played dumb, why hadn't he? He forgot he wasn't supposed to know anything yet, the whole thing was supposed to stay covert, but if he blew that this was all a ruse, so soon, he had a feeling that Mahiru and Hiyoko would not be particularly impressed, and that the rumour of he and Souda would catch like wildfire. His mind was tripping over itself, trying to figure a way to worm out of this - as casually as possible. Luckily, Peko saved him the embarrassment.

     "Souda came to us earlier, asking for advice on confessing his love to Gundam," She lied with a completely straight face, and the growing shock Ibuki showed only acted as proof that she completely ate up the lies.

     "L-Love?!" Souda stuttered out in shock, pink eyes wide, though everyone seemed to be buying the lies, crowding around Peko and Fuyuhiko, expecting more.

     "That's right!" Hiyoko chimed in a deceptively innocent tone. She linked her arm through Mahiru's and gave a light tug. "We were there! He said he loved him!"

      "So, how did it happen then?" Nagito asked in his calm, carefree voice, leaning on one of the desks closer to Gundam and Souda.

    "H-H-how did what happen?!" Souda could barley keep his voice steady, the pressure was far more than he expected, his heart was galloping in his chest, and he didn't know if he was going to be able to keep this up all day, let alone all week, it was only Monday after all, and this had to go on all the way until Friday.

     "How you confessed, of course..." Chiaki said quietly, barley glancing up from the game she was playing. Souda had no idea how to reply to that since he hadn't actually confessed.

    "He got down on one knee..." Gundam's usually loud - but suddenly rather quiet - voice replied. He was a deep pink, and had his scarf half pulled up over his face, but he was calmer and more coherent than Souda, and he was thankful that at least one of them had enough wherewithal to make it seem somewhat believable.

     "I bet that's not the only time Gundam'll have him down on his knees!" Teruteru suddenly burst in, on the verge of having a nosebleed, but he received a swift smack across the face from Hiyoko, and he fell back on the floor, his comment thankfully ignored by most people.

    "Did Gundam say it back?!" Ibuki prodded, quite literally, sliding up beside the animal breeder.

    "I-I did..." He finally stuttered out after a moment, and there was loud chattering around the class, as people discussed this matter - not that it was really anything to do with them.

     "Say it again!" Akane boomed, startling everyone. "If you really do, then you'll have no problems saying it in front of everyone!" She declared, and a suddenly a chant of 'do it' rose around the room, growing in volume.

      Both Souda and Gundam were reluctant to do it - it wasn't part of the bet - but Fuyuhiko subtly waving his phone for Souda to see told him that he didn't really have much choice, so he begrudgingly turned to Gundam, clearing his throat to shut everyone up.

     "I-I... I love you..!" He rushed out, face practically flooded with blood, his whole face, ears and neck tinted a horrific red - he didn't know how this could get any worse.

     "I love you too..." Gundam grumbled back quietly, and there were cheers and laughter, both boys far more embarrassed than they ever thought possible - this attention was something they'd rather not get used to.

     "Well, that's all well and good, but it's lesson time~" Chisa's voice cut everyone of, and though she kept her tone light, a friendly smile on her face, the book slamming down rather loudly on her desk told everyone that she meant business - as she usually did.

       Everyone scurried back to their desks, and Souda propped his head up in his hand, face a shade of pink that didn't want to fade. What had he gotten into? The number of horrible things he could be forced into with Gundam this was ran through his mind at a rate of knots, turning his whole face a bright fuchsia all over again.

     However, something he had not realized jolted him out of his daze.

    "No Sonia today, is she unwell?" Chisa asked, half way through taking the register, when she had not received a reply from the Ultimate Princess. Sure enough, when Souda looked to her usual desk, the space was empty - he had been so caught up with Gundam he hadn't had time to even think of Sonia.

      Two thoughts sprung to Souda's mind.

     1. He still had a crush on the ultimate princess.

      2. Sonia was going to get the shock of her life when she returned to school tomorrow...

~