_Chapter 22~ Unique_

"Iwasaki!"

Thankfully, the male spun around. "What is it, Kikuchi?"

Issuing one last breath, I thrust the container of cake towards him. "I-I made it!"

Ryu honestly appeared caught off guard as he received it. "The chocolate cake?"

"Y-yeah." I forced a smile, scratching the back of my neck. "I actually made it yesterday but I got nervous since it was Valentine's Day and... Stupid, right? Anyway, I hope you like it."

The silence that met me piqued my curiosity. I glanced his way, expecting to see him stuffing his face. Instead, however, Ryu held it far from him, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"It really does stink like garbage."

My eyelids snapped open and I lurched upright in bed, doused in cold sweat. My heart pounded frantically in my chest.

Stink... Stink...

Reaching over and slapping my hand on the desk near my bed, nothing came to greet me. I extended my arm further but managed to miss the target of my slap this time, allowing me to tumble off my bed. I fell onto my face but quickly dragged myself over to my bag, rummaging for my cell. After catching it, I fumbled for the home button and turned it on.

'2:53 AM' stared back at me and I bobbed my head. That was more than enough time.

Clambering to my feet, I grabbed my recipe book off the bookshelf and raced out of my bedroom towards the kitchen. I chucked the whole cake I'd previously made for Ryu in the garbage, grabbing a large bowl and some eggs from the fridge. It was better to start from scratch.

Just in case.

*           *          *

"You're really weird you realize that, right?"

"Oh, shut up," I told Daichi with a large yawn.

He shook his head at me. "You stayed up making him another cake? Why?"

I waved my hand, unable to keep my eyes open as I walked. Daichi hovered around me, steering me clear of passing students and walls.

"What do you mean 'why?'" I whined with a frown. "I had it with me for community service and I smelt like garbage. How about if the cake reeked of it when I gave it to him? That'd be horrible!"

He sighed. "You're such a worrywart."

"Don't call me a wart. Ew."

"That's not what I meant..."

I was seconds from bumping into somebody when Daichi seized my arms and tugged me back. He then led me into another hallway.

"Seriously," he said, "you're lucky you have somebody like me by your side."

Promptly after saying that, I collided into something rock solid. Grumbling, I rubbed my throbbing nose and squinted at the wall I retreated from.

"Yeah," I spat, shaking his grip off me. "So lucky."

"See, uh, that was a miscalculation."

"Whatever."

Daichi fell into step with me. "You're giving it to him today, right?"

I nodded. "For sure." As soon as the words left my mouth, I halted in my tracks. "But how about if it still smells?" Reaching into my bag, I smacked the container to Daichi's face. "Does it? Tell me."

He inched backwards. I only thrust it closer. As a result, he kept staggering until he hit a wall, whipping his head left and right.

"Stop it," he demanded.

"I will if you tell me if it smells."

"I am not going to sniff the container!"

"Do it!"

"No!" He seized my wrists, stopping me. "Why the hell are you so paranoid?"

"Am not!"

"Then you sniff it!"

"My nose is whack! I've been smelling garbage almost every day I smell it everywhere I go." I halted for a gasp, pushing it towards his face yet again. "Stop talking and inhale the scent before I—"

"Wow, Sheep is such a bully."

My neck almost snapped due to how fast it rotated. Miyabi was situated behind a pillar, head poking into the hallway we were currently in. I backed off from Daichi and he expunged a loud breath of relief.

"Thank goodness. I think I saw my life flash before my eyes."

I nudged him in the abdomen. "Stop exaggerating."

Miyabi approached us. "Why was Sheep bullying you, Sugiyama?"

"I was not 'bullying' him," I interjected.

Daichi gestured frantically. "You literally pushed me up against a wall and was going to threaten me!"

"Key words: going to."

Daichi stared at me, almost disgusted.

"Hey, what's with that look?" I snapped. "You're the one who promised to help me with anything I ask and yet every single time you reply with "no way" or "no.""

He threw his hands into the air in exasperation. "'Cause you always ask for the weirdest things!"

"What's so weird about sniffing a container?" For emphasis, I performed the action myself. "See? Was that so hard?"

Daichi turned to Miyabi for help. "See what I have to deal with?"

But Miyabi was already dying with laughter, crouched down with hysteric tears streaming down his face. I rolled my eyes, folding my arms across my chest.

"Miyabi," Daichi spoke up after he'd calmed down. "Where's Iwasaki now?"

"Why?" he asked with one last laugh.

Daichi hooked his thumb my way. "Reina has something to give him."

I gasped, grabbing his arm. "Hey—"

"Reina?" Miyabi parroted blankly. "Who's that?"

Both Daichi and I gaped in disbelief.

"Uh, me!" I shouted.

"But you're Sheep."

"Reina is my real name," I clarified, enunciating my letters.

Miyabi pouted. "No, Sheep is Sheep."

Spite bubbled inside me. "For the last time my name is—"

"Okay, okay." Daichi jumped in, holding me back. He returned his focus to Miyabi. "Sheep—"

I elbowed him in the ribs.

"—needs to give Iwasaki something," he finished, glaring at me. "Ow."

"You're welcome."

"Sheep does?" Miyabi asked, ignorant to the black look I shot his way.

"Yeah, cake," Daichi said. "And she's so scared that he wouldn't want it."

"But Iwasaki loves Sheep's baking!"

My shoulders tensed and I avoided looking at him. "It... isn't like I don't think he'd eat it..."

"Then what?" Daichi asked.

Miyabi and him raked me over, their gazes piercing me and replacing my shyness with discomfort. After a few seconds, I finally cracked.

"I don't know okay! Stop staring at me!"

Both boys shared a flat look.

"She always worries about the stupidest stuff," Daichi told him.

Miyabi rose his hands. "Girls."

I sent them a dirty look. Jeez. All this had gotten me too worked out for my own good. That was it. I wouldn't give it to him. Even though they wouldn't like that, it'd make my life a whole lot easier.

"When'd you two get so close anyway?" I inquired after a pause.

"Close?" Daichi repeated.

Miyabi grinned, swinging an arm around his shoulder. "Sheep, what are you talking about? We met the day of the fundraiser and helped sell your cupcakes together, remember?"

I arched a brow. "That's all it took?"

"Yup!"

"You had me convinced he was this annoying jerk by the way you talked about him, but I happen to like his enthusiasm," Daichi agreed with a grin.

Miyabi beamed as well. "I like you as well, Sugiyama. Glasses and all."

"Why, thank you."

My face contorted with repulsion. This was way too weird for my liking.

"Ah, Iwasaki!"

My heart nearly leapt to my throat from surprise. In a discreet manner, I peeked behind me and towards the direction both Miyabi and Daichi had turned their attention.

"That's Iwasaki?" Daichi whispered to me, stiff as a board.

"Gotta blast," I said, twirling around.

I was about to make a mad dash for the exit when I was grabbed by the shoulders.

"Hold on, you can't run," Daichi hissed.

"Just watch me." Before he could do anything, I rammed into his chest and ran.

I didn't make it far before I was caught yet again. This time Daichi fastened his hands over my arms, holding them tightly behind my back. His strong grip was harder to pull away from this time and I groaned as he jostled me back to where I started. Ryu had started to make his pursuit towards us, which only made me melt in a pool of awkwardness all over again.

"Why can't I run?" I asked Daichi.

"Because you have to give him the cake."

"Tomorrow's always an option."

"No," he finalized. "No tomorrow."

I clicked my tongue. "Cheapskate."

His hold on me loosened and as soon as it did, I attempted to escape. Daichi caught me in his arms, hugging me as I tried to charge.

"Let me go!" I cried.

"No!"

"Daichi!"

"I'm doing this for your own good!"

Without warning, he unhanded me. All at once, I felt a surge of relief.

"Finally! Thank you!"

Craning my neck, it was to my shock to find that Daichi hadn't let go of me himself. Instead, he was dangling from the arms of Ryu who held him in a headlock. Daichi squirmed vehemently, already turning blue in the face.

"Who the heck is this guy, Kikuchi?" Ryu demanded, strengthening his grip.

Daichi began clawing for freedom.

"Iwasaki, let him go!" I cried, latching onto and tugging at his arm.

"If he's bothering you, I'll do something about it."

"N-no! He wasn't bothering me!" I pulled and pulled, Daichi limply hanging by now. "Let him breathe!"

Ryu did as told and let go. Daichi crashed to the floor, coughing hysterically. I squatted, patting his back in hopes to help him. It only backfired because Daichi began gasping for more air. I retreated at once, hoisting myself to my feet.

"You're too strong," I said to Ryu. "You shouldn't have gotten involved."

"You were the one screaming for help," he accused.

I blushed terribly. "I... was not."

Ryu's glower grew more murderous. "Who the heck is this guy anyway?"

He gestured to Daichi who was in the midst of hauling himself onto his forearms.

"Someone who probably needs to go to the hospital," he said, voice hoarse and cracking.

Rolling my eyes, I took his arm and guided him to his feet.

"You okay?" I asked, trying my best to ignore Ryu who was glaring daggers into his back.

"Never been better," he croaked, hands gingerly rubbing his throat.

I sighed, giving him a stern look. "You should go see the nurse."

Daichi visibly blanched. "I-I'm f-fine."

"Like hell you are."

Daichi spoke to protest but no words came out. Not because he didn't have anything, but because he couldn't. With a big inhale of breath, he whispered, "Just in case then."

A small smile grew on my face but as soon as it did, I made it disappear. Although I found a solution to not hand Ryu his cake right now, I shouldn't do anything obvious to jinx it. By taking Daichi there myself, I had the perfect excuse to run off right after—

"Don't worry, I'll take him."

My heart dropped to my gut only to watch as Miyabi joined our side.

No. I had forgotten he was here.

Whisking Daichi away from me, Miyabi flashed me a thumbs up before they could go. "You're welcome."

I kicked his calf, allowing him to stagger forward. He swerved backwards, slack-jawed.

I sent him my most sweetest smile. "You're welcome."

Miyabi pointed at his chest then ran his finger down his cheek implying he was crying inside. I pointed to my heart, grabbed onto my stomach and silently laughed. Miyabi puffed up his cheeks like a chipmunk and rotated quickly. He and Daichi were gone soon after.

Dreadfully, I faced Ryu who was still scowling after Daichi.

"He's someone from my class," I explained.

I didn't want Daichi to be blacklisted by Ryu. Something in my gut told me it wouldn't end well for him if he was.

Reluctantly, Ryu's expression relaxed and his attention flitted back to me. "Why was he grabbing you?"

There was no way I could tell him it was because I was trying to run away from him...

"Why?" I asked instead. "Were you jealous?"

"You wish."

I flinched. I didn't know what I was expecting, but somehow it still hurt.

Ryu and I stood in silence for a while, and I fought with my inner turmoil.

"Well, I'm going home," Ryu said curtly, turning to leave.

My heart jumped. Wait. Wait. Should I just... No, whatever. Calm down. Tomorrow you could leave it his shoe box— ah, but then it would stink. His desk? Yeah, his desk was a better choice. I'd ask somebody to show me where it was and—

"Wait!" My eyes bulged at the yell that had left my mouth. What was I doing?!

Ryu, sadly, had heard me and halted in his tracks. "What?" he asked.

Ignoring my heart's rapid beat, I scurried up to him and outstretched the container.

He blinked at the sight.

There! I'd give it to him. This entire thing was driving me crazy.

Honestly, I never really understood myself. One second I'd say one thing and the next I'd say the exact opposite. I was extremely horrible at making decisions, and I deemed that was why.

"Is this..." Ryu began, eyes twinkling.

"Sorry," I squeaked. "I wanted to give it to you yesterday but it was kind of hard."

Ryu didn't look like he cared about why it was difficult. The corners of his lips had quirked upwards slightly, leaving me stunned.

It was odd. For somebody that could be so scary, his smile gave off the exact opposite effect. It suited him a lot—no, more than a lot actually.

"Thanks, Kikuchi." Ryu tried to bring the container towards himself. His entire look shifted to confusion as he continued to tug. "Aren't you going to let go?"

For some reason, I couldn't. "Uh, y-yeah," I said, trying to pry my fingers away.

Ryu continued to yank, and I was using all that I could to hold onto it. Soon, we were in a position where Ryu was wiggling to jerked it free, me head-butting him in the stomach to keep it in my hands.

With a groan, Ryu finally spoke, "Kikuchi, is this a joke?"

"N-no, I swear!"

Using the last of his strength, Ryu finally pried me away from the container. I breathed heavily, holding up my hands.

"There you go. All yours."

Ryu furrowed his brows, staring down at the container. "Are you pranking me or something?"

He quickly popped open the container to confirm and stared down at the cake. His countenance instantly twinkled at the sight.

In that moment, it was as if all my troubles had left me, replacing with relief. I smiled from ear to ear. He wasn't acting out about it. So it didn't smell? I panicked way too much.

"Don't worry, I haven't done anything to the cake," I assured him. "Besides making it double chocolate."

Ryu head shot to me, amazed. "Double chocolate?"

I held back a laugh. Seriously, he was so easy to impress.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" I prodded. "Eat it."

"Right now?" he asked.

I shrugged. "Why not?"

I fiddled with my bag, slinging it across my shoulders as I beckoned for him to walk.

"Let's go home while we're at it," I said.

I started towards the exit and he followed in suit. Our arms brushed due to how close we were.

"Kikuchi, I've been thinking this for a while, but, you really are weird."

I elbowed him in the side. "Is that something you should be saying to the girl who baked for you?" Casting my head, I sighed, "But, I realize that too. Though I prefer unique."

He craned his neck, staring at me in a deadpanned manner. "Psychotic?"

I returned a similar expression, unimpressed. "I said unique."

"What? Crazy?"

"U-N-I-Q-U-E," I spelled for him. "Unique."

"Yeah, don't worry, I already know you're wack."

I glared at him. He chuckled, grey eyes flickering with amusement. My shoulders slumped.

This was the guy who had me reeling these last few days? Shaking my head at my idiocy, I jabbed him once more.

"Just be grateful and eat your cake, Iwasaki."

______________________

Is it confusing how I refer to Ryu in this story as Ryu despite Reina calling him Iwasaki? I mean, this is in Reina's POV so should it be Iwasaki said this, Iwasaki said that(?) Lol. Not that I can really change it now but still.

Oh, and I hope you guys don't mind, but this story seems like it'll be lengthy. Typically my stories end in the early chapters so it's odd that this one even lasted this long... Really odd. But I kind of like it.

Oh, and if you want to, tell me: who's your favourite character(s) in the story so far?

—Misty