[Gabriel's pov]
"H-hey what the heck-"
"Out, out, out, out, out!"I got shoved out the door of my best friend's room by Okane, the two of them where plotting something in there, though i'm confused as to what- anyway atleast their getting along now. I sighed and sat on the floor outside waiting for them to be done, wearing the usual costume.
"I wonder if their still mad at me for taking their stuff–" I muttered, groaning to myself in annoyance. "I really shouldn't have done that–"
I can still feel the pain from her brutal swing on that day, for someone of her size her core strength is unbelievable… The last time i got hit that hard by a girl was… my mom.
I stared blankly at the wall for a few minutes, the sound of second guest room opening snapping me out of my trance.
I looked up to see who it was, only to see a new face, a girl with short light purple hair and large blue eyes.
She stopped by the door and stared at me for a solid moment, her filled with fear, her voice hitched as she held back a scream, her breathing growing faster and her arms trembling close to her chest.
"Huh-" I murmured, looking down to see I still got the costume on, sitting on the floor, in the gaze of a complete stranger.
My face turned beet red, before hiding it in the hood of the costume, the two of us letting out a bloodcurdling scream at the same time.
"Right–" Haru sighed, as he stood in the middle of us, the girl hiding behind his back as she peaked out to me. "Gabriel this is Hiryori, Hiyori this is Gabriel, and no he isn't a pervert, or a robber, or a m*th addict, or a dr*g dealer, or a alcoholic– he just have a weird taste of fashion."
Harsh words but fair-
Okane sat on the arm of the couch, watching us as Haru introduced.
"W-what's his last name?" She asked quietly, looking up to Haru for an answer.
"Doesn't matter," We all said in unison, the girl looking even more confused but nodding regardless.
"O-ok, Gabriel…" She repeated so she wouldn't forget, I gave her a hesitant nod and both Haru and Okane looked at eachother.
"Ok, we're going back upstairs now so- you two get to know eachother, or something," Haru waved off making his way up the steps and dragging Okane by the collar.
"H-hey! What are you–" She struggled against his grip.
"Just come on!" Their bickering even now- their words grew fainter and fainter as they walked up the stairs.
We just stood there at a fair distance from eachother, our eyes everywhere but ahead.
"S-so, when did you move in?" I pondered, trying to start some sort of conversation.
"Yesterday," She responded, a muttering a response to me, I can hardly hear her but I didn't want to make her repeat.
"Do you live here?" She asked, her voice a bit more clearer than usual.
"Ah, no i just visit my friend from time to time since we go to the same college–" I responded, giving an awkward laugh.
"Haru?" She pondered, her head tilted to the side in confusion.
"Yeah him!"
"Ah, so you don't live here," She lets out a sigh of relief her hand on her chest as her tension relaxes.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" She flinched at my sudden outburst, genuine fear still in her eyes.
"S-sorry…" I murmured, feeling bad now– I gotta salvage this somehow i mean, she's gonna live here right? I can't have her tiptoeing around me all the time, i need to let her know im not a weirdo– besides that first impression was just foul i wasn't ready!
[Haru's pov]
"He's bombing!" I groaned, watching from up the stairs in secret, Okane right besides me with a salty scowl to her as she watched the same thing.
"This is the guy you said is popular in your college?" She retorted, a bit of disbelief to her voice, looking up to me as she saw me lean back against the wall.
"His looks does all the work for him-" I replied, half-serious and half-teasing. Gabriel had a way of charming people with his appearance, but his social skills were hit or miss.
Downstairs, Gabriel seemed to be struggling to keep the conversation afloat with Hiyori. I couldn't hear their words clearly, but their body language spoke volumes. Hiyori appeared nervous and reserved, while Gabriel, usually more confident, seemed awkward and unsure of himself.
"You think he'll recover from this?" Okane asked, crossing her arms.
"He better, I am not going to be a mediator for them for as long as she lives here-" I muttered, hoping Gabriel would find his footing soon. He could be surprisingly good at connecting with people when he relaxed. But first impressions were crucial, and his current performance wasn't doing him any favors.
"This is painful to watch-" Okane commented, I wanted to defend him in some way but I can't deny that she's right– I pulled out my phone from my pocket and started to text a storm.
[Gabriel's pov]
We just sat their in silence, my phone humming in my pockets. I pulled it out and looked at it, seeing a text from Haru and my eyes widened in relization.
You hungry?" I blurted out, trying to break the awkward silence. Upstairs, I could almost hear Haru facepalming.
Hiyori raised her head and nodded, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Y-yeah..."
I took that as a cue to act. "Great! Let's go grab something to eat then." I stood up, feeling a bit more confident now that I had a plan.
As we walked towards the kitchen, I tried to keep the conversation going. "So, Hiyori, what kind of food do you like?"
She hesitated for a moment, as if considering her answer carefully. "I was planning– on having ramen when I got out–"
"Ramen it is!" I announced, pulling out a packet and placing it in the pan. "Wait, how do i do this…"
I heard a second face palm echoing from upstairs.
"I-it's ok, let me," She announced, grabbing the packet and doing it herself, turning on the fire, creating the broth, the aroma flew through the room. My mouth couldn't help but water at the sight of it. Eyes staring at her hands as she grabbed two bowls and looked at me.
"You want any?"
Haru and Okane leaning against the stair walls emotionally and mentally spent.
Results for today confrentation, Gabriel wins… just barely…