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There's a loud thud that sounds from the corner of the classroom, sharp and harsh in the soft and quiet atmosphere. Shuichi hides in on himself when his classmates turn in their seats to stare at him, eyes judging… or concerned. He couldn't tell from under his hat.
The teacher glares at him for a moment, eyes carefully tracing down to the fallen textbook on the floor before giving him a warning nod. Shuichi is relieved that he wasn't called out, even if everyone already saw.
It would be worse to be more directly scolded, so the sort-of understating glare is appreciated.
Shuichi bends down to grab the textbook, hands shaky as he tries not to make much noise. It's quiet enough that he got used to it, so he almost lets out a shriek when someone whispers into his ear.
"Shu-!"
"Kokichi…!" He hisses, softly glaring at the mocking face too-close to his own. For a moment, Shuichi considers hitting him over the head with the very same textbook in his hands but decides against it.
Kokichi playfully pouts, slapping his hand on his arm. "Run out of here with me, please? This class is so boring and if I stay here for a second longer my brain is gonna turn into tempura…"
Shuichi lets Kokichi's request soak in his head for a bit, before quickly realizing that he's asking him to skip class. It's… 30 more minutes until the bell, and while they wouldn't be missing out on anything if they left, he's still a goody-two-shoes at heart and soul. The thought of skipping, getting caught, even, is too much.
"I'm not--" Shuichi glances back at the desk at the front of the classroom, the teacher is grading papers. Either that, or playing crossword puzzles. Whatever he's doing, he doesn't seem to notice Kokichi's antics. "I'm not skipping class with you, Kokichi."
Kokichi, all gummy smiles and teeth adorned with rainbow braces, purposely messy eyeliner and eyes full of mischief, just laughs and presses his head on Shuichi's arm.
"Wow, I thought this class was boring, but you're even worse!" He giggles, before biting him over his long-sleeve shirt and pulling away with a wet spot formed on the fabric.
Shuichi grimaces in slight disgust, trying to push it away from him before realizing that his arm is stuck to his body. He sighs, turning away from the too-prying eyes.
"Go bother someone else, like…" His eyes scan the classroom before finally settling on Kaede, hunched over on the desk, fingers drumming on the wood as if she were playing a song. Shuichi winces, apologizing in his head for making her the victim of Kokichi's plans instead. "Uh, Kaede!"
She spins around at the sound of her name at the same time that Kokichi turns around to look at her. Their eyes meet for a moment, and Kaede just narrows her eyes in suspicion, looking over at Shuichi for an answer.
Kokichi grins, slapping his arm again and ripping a page out of Shuichi's notebook, writing a message in… pen(?) And crumpling it into a ball.
"What are you doing…?" Shuichi grimaces again, tempted to look away when Kokichi looks up at him from under clumpy lashes.
"What am I doing, Shumai?" Kokichi scoffs, turning away from him and gripping the paper in his fist tighter. "I'm going to have a super secret conversation with my bestie! Of course, you can't know what it is. Because we're not besties."
Normally, Shuichi wouldn't pay much mind to Kokichi's words, he acts that way with everyone. Although… the way he acts with him in particular is way different, it's hard to ignore. But nonetheless, Shuichi shoves the incoming thoughts out of his head and focuses on the evidence of paper being ripped out still in his notebook. He can't remember if anything important was written there.
"You--" His words are cut off as Kokichi leans his arm back, as if preparing for a throw, and lunges the crumpled piece of paper in his hands towards Kaede. It lands on her head, catching her attention, then lands on the floor right on another students feet.
Shuichi watches Kaede fumble with the paper on the floor, apologizing under her breath when the student gives her an odd look. She glares over at them, particularly at Kokichi, yet he still feels guilty at the pointed stare.
He hesitates, biting his lip and staring down at Kokichi to see him already looking up at him. "Uhm," Shuichi blushes in embarrassment, covering his mouth. "What did you write there…?"
Kokichi clicks his tongue, almost offended at the question. He goes to hug Shuichi's arm, getting way too close in his comfort space, pushing him so he can half-sit on his chair.
"Didn't I tell you, it's a super secret conversation!" He sighs, pushing his hair away from his face. "Did you hit your head or something to not remember?"
Shuichi rolls his eyes, blinking and softly glaring at Kokichi. "Haha, very funny, Kokichi."
Kokichi feigns a hurt look, mouth opening before quickly closing when he notices Kaede flailing her arm in their direction. He pushes away from Shuichi, getting closer so he can hear what she's saying.
Instead, Kaede places the piece of paper back in Kokichi's hands-- folded, he notes-- gesturing for him to give it to Shuichi.
Kokichi raises an eyebrow and unfolds the paper, eyes skimming over the message and grinning. "Well, well, well, Shumai." He teases, winking at him, "looks like our designated piano freak here wants you to join our club!"
"Club?" Shuichi sweatdrops, hesitantly grabbing the piece of paper from Kokichi's hands and reading it.
hei hei hei
how wuld u rate shuihchi from one tru ten
***
He's always an 11 in my book! <3 :p
Shuichi blushes furiously, throwing the piece of paper in Kokichi's lap and instinctively going to pull his hat tighter over his head. He puffs out his cheeks once he realizes it's not there, and instead pulls his straight bangs over his eyes. Even with Kokichi's disastrous spelling and grammar he could still tell what the question was-- he's beyond embarrassed.
Kokichi laughs at his reaction, spit flying onto his arm at slapping him on the back. "It's our Shumai Loving Club! Trust me, there's a lot more than that lousy note."
Shuichi sputters, noticing Kaede laughing a little ways from them and sending a flying kiss towards him. Kokichi pouts, mockingly grabbing at the air and making ripping motions with his hands.
He's about to scold them both but gets stopped by the teachers glare pinning him in place. Shuichi wants to disappear at that very moment, and he barely notices Kokichi sliding away from him and quickly stuffing the crumpled piece of paper in his hoodie.
Shuichi wishes he could say that he regrets meeting either of them, but as he hears their muffled laughs while folds into himself in embarrassment… he realizes that yeah, they're a little annoying, but he wouldn't trade it for the world.