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XX Kobayashi Akihito xx#A3362F

Akihito finds himself distracted throughout the day, unable to concentrate on... anything, really.

Jasper is on his mind practically every second and he thinks it might genuinely drive him mad. There's absolutely no good reason for him to be so caught up in this- at least, he wants to believe there isn't. Realistically, he knows anyone else would be thrilled if they were in his position.

(Or, well, maybe not all of his position. Having a long-lost best friend back, sure, but Akihito is more or less certain no one would want the part of the situation that he's truly terrified of.)

But there's no way for me to get around this. Not if he's a member of the gardening club.

Despite Akihito's aversion to anything involving Jasper, he does enjoy watching him pummel Sunohara during gym. Jasper takes every opportunity to peg him in the head and it's satisfying.

If only Sunohara wasn't so fucking stubborn. Then maybe getting pummeled would be enough.

Akihito forces himself to steel his expressions and keep his enjoyment hidden. He doesn't want to taunt Sunohara, nor does he want Jasper to think he's done him any favors. He manages to avoid the both of them successfully- until school ends. He can't avoid Jasper in the tiny greenhouse.

Akihito takes the long route to the greenhouse, wanting to put off duties for as long as possible. For the first time in four years, he's tempted to just... not show up for club duties, today.

Then he rounds a corner and sees Jasper with his mom. He quickly backpedals out of sight.

Seeing Misaki-san after so many years is a shock to Akihito's system. He can't help the rush of anger and blame whenever he sees Jasper. But Misaki-san... none of what happened was her fault.

None of it was his fault, either. You know that.

And Akihito does. But even admitting that doesn't soothe the paranoia running through his veins.

He waits until Misaki-san has left, waits until he can't hear Jasper's footsteps, waits a little longer just so he can tell himself his time with Jasper won't be as prolonged, and then finally makes his way into the greenhouse. It feels like walking into a sunroom in the middle of July.

Jasper is already filling the new pots with soil. Akihito doesn't extend a greeting, simply sets his things to the side and grabs a pot himself, silently transplanting the new flowers Jasper bought.

It's only for a few months. As long as father doesn't find out, it'll be fine. It'll all be just fine.