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The end of the month is arriving which means summer vacation is soon. Nanami wouldn't usually think much of this but the Second Years are more comfortable in their positions, more rebellious too, and they've taken this as a sign to slack off a bit – pushing deadlines to their extreme, returning minutes before curfew and generally lazing around as much as they can without ringing Yaga's alarm bells. Somehow, Nanami has been pulled into this behaviour too.
You should be glad you have such thoughtful senpais, Gojo said a few days ago, while they were all hiding in a supply closet from a teacher. We wouldnt want you to be alienated.
He got a jab in the ribs from that comment and they'd almost been caught but it was worth it.
Today is not nearly as bad, though. There were no afternoon classes so Shoko suggested chilling in the park, getting some sunlight while surrounded by parents with their kids. Nanami had agreed without complaint, waking up early just to pack a picnic basket with the necessary goods – sandwiches individualised for the five of them (Haibara is allergic to cheese and Gojo cannot tolerate tomatoes), rice balls, tamagoyaki, dried fruit and even dango because he just knows someone would have a hankering for dessert.
It sounds like a lot but Nanami likes the methodical nature of making food, the way his hands move without having to think through it, the sheer satisfaction of the finished result. He volunteered to pack for the picnic. Though it was a little embarrassing when Geto walked into the kitchen while he was struggling with the gelatinous flour, cursing quietly in Danish at his own creation.
You need any help? Geto asked, leaning against the door with his bed-hair hanging around his face and sleep still heavy in his eyes. It was enough to have Nanami turn red, just about managing to shake his head while Geto's lazy smile burned right through him.
There's a reason Nanami tries not to be alone with Geto and it's not because he doesn't like him since he does, a little too much actually. But Nanami has enough commonsense to never dwell on that thought for too long and had waited for Geto to leave the kitchen before allowing himself to melt into the counter with his repressed nerves. It took him a minute before he could continue with the dango.
Still, the picnic has been going well. As expected, Yu was the first to dig in before suggesting a game of basketball while everyone else is still in the midst of their food. Now he's trailed off to join some kids from another school, being accepted with the ease that only someone as happy-go-lucky as Yu could be.
"Social anxiety is scared of him," Shoko says, peering up at where Haibara has stepped onto the court, warming up on the asphalt like it's gym class. She tips back her can, draining the remainder of her soda. "You think they'd mind being thrashed by a girl?" Gojo snorts from beside her, looking over the rim of his sunglasses just to get his point across.
"Your height is a real point against you but I'd be willing to help." He leans forward a little to plant his gaze on Nanami, his smile pure saccharine. "Save some dango for me, Nanamin."
Gojo's already standing before Nanami can point out that he's already finished the damn dango, taking three skewers for himself by the time everyone else had gotten one. It's flattering in the sense that Nanami's skills feel validated but he can't help huffing while Gojo bounds over to the court, followed closely behind by Shoko.
"In his defense, it was really good dango," Geto says, making Nanami jump in surprise before twisting to look behind at where Geto's been lounging under the shade of the tree leaves. He's got his hands behind his head to serve as a makeshift pillow and all Nanami can seem to focus on is how it makes his biceps curl. It's unfair how good he manages to make a t-shirt and sweats look. "And you know I don't really like sweet things."
"I would have made more if I'd known." There's the curl of regret inside Nanami's stomach, as tangible as smoke. He twists his hand into the picnic blanket, stolen from Haibara's room and dotted all over with Pokemon characters. He doesn't want to be alone with Geto because he has the feeling that one day he'll say the wrong thing, be too honest, spill the truth on accident.
I'd make you more. You wouldn't even have to ask. And Nanami knows that Geto never would ask, too considerate of his time to impose on a kouhai like that. Always the one quietly giving instead of taking. It twists Nanami up, makes him feel close to undone when he spies Geto helping others without expecting anything in return.
Geto moves to sit up and shakes his head, his brows raised. "You've done more than enough. I wasn't trying to criticise the food."
"I know." Nanami hugs his knees to his chest, lamenting that words don't always come as easily to him as it seems to do to others. He thinks for a moment, surveying the basket before having a little light bulb moment. "I'm going to head to the juice vendor. Do you want anything?"
Geto glances at the empty can beside Nanami and then considers him with a sort of focus which feels pointed, like he's seeing something that Nanami is unaware of. But then he shrugs, laying back down and closing his eyes. "I'm good. Probably going to have to join the game when Satoru starts losing, anyway."
It makes Nanami smile a little and he shuffles to his feet. "I won't be long," he murmurs, not wanting to disturb how peaceful Geto appears.
***
It was very much a lie. Nanami plans on spending enough time getting juice that by the time he gets back, Geto will have definitely joined the game. It may seem absurd now but in the grand scheme of it all, he knows that this is all actually very reasonable. After all, nothing good will ever come of his crush, so it's best not to do anything which encourages the feeling. Which, at this point, means generally even just talking to Geto since every conversation just makes his heart ache more.
Stupid heart. Nanami stomps his feet and kicks a stone down the path. It's not even that difficult to drag the time out since the juice vendor is outside the park, sat beside the entrance. Still, Nanami does an extra lap just to be certain. The sun is shining a little less but the warmth sticks to his nape, his hair curling from the heat. He swipes at it, a little irritated before finally giving in and exiting the park.
It's little relief that there's only a few people in the queue ahead and Nanami pulls out his wallet in anticipation, already familiar with the flavour options. He tries to pass by here on the way home from missions, Yu convincing whichever Window is on duty to cough up the cash.
"What would you like today?" The girl working the counter asks, the line having moved quicker than expected. Nanami tries for a smile.
"Tropical, please."
"That's going to be four hundred and fifty yen." The worker taps at the cashier machine. "Cash or card?"
Nanami used up all his change earlier since Yu had forgotten his bus pass at home. He waves his card a little. "Card."
The worker hums in response, pushing the card reader toward him and Nanami taps it but doesn't get to put the card away because the worker tilts her head, her lips twitching down. "Could you try again, please? It might just need another tap."
Nanami repeats the process, this time watching the screen for a confirmation. It blinks red. He freezes in place, quickly running through all the purchases he made yesterday for the picnic. He'd not been paying attention to the constraints of his stipend, nor the fact that it's the end of the month. He opens his mouth, unsure of what to say, when a shadow falls across him from behind.
"I can pay."
Nanami looks up at Geto. The Second Year has his card out and gently nudges him aside while he presses his card to the reader. It flashes green and Geto's smile is small, but not smug. He doesn't even blink, like this is simply second nature. Once he has the receipt they both step out of line to make way for other customers and through Nanami's embarrassment, he manages to make eye contact.
"I thought you would be playing basketball."
"You were taking a while. Thought I'd see what you were up to."
Nanami stands taller in spite of the fact that his ears must be a bright red now. He still has to look up though, his gaze catching on the cut of Geto's jaw, sharp even when held lax. "It's pretty far away."
Geto exhales, amused somehow. "Why were you pacing about over there?" He juts his chin toward the path leading back in.
The question causes instant mortification as Nanami realises Geto had seen him walk around aimlessly instead of doing what he'd said. He'd not noticed Geto was there, had been so in his own head that he'd not paid attention to energy signatures at all. "Exercise," Nanami blurts out, not thinking it through. Then he coughs once, hoping to dispell the tightness to his voice. It's almost like living through a nightmare in slow motion.
"Right," Geto drawls, offering a slow nod. He seems more amused than ever but must have the good sense to spare Nanami. "Your juice is ready."
Nanami moves in a daze, collecting his order and trudging back to Geto who waits with both hands in his pockets. He's the perfect picture of nonchalance. Nanami knows that some people think the same about him, except he feels so much sometimes that it's a wonder he manages to keep it all inside, his skin fraught from holding back emotion.
"Thank you. I mean for the juice. I must have run through my allowance."
"It's only a drink. Don't sweat it." Geto waves away his concern. "I always pay for the people I like, anyway."
Nanami nods while Geto starts to walk ahead, until he processes the words and blinks. "Huh?"
All Geto does is laugh. The sound meets Nanami in waves.