Curate, connect, and discover
Continuation of Part 4
Walking back to the table, you notice Hitoshi eyeing you suspiciously. Part of you felt guilty towards Hitoshi considering what the two of you did this morning, while the other part of you felt smug that you finally one-uped the most notorious player on campus.
Casually, you sit next to Hitoshi which was Touya's previous spot. Reaching across the table, you grab your bag and open it again to finish eating your donut. Tomura was now diagonal from you and was shooting you a questioning look.
"Where's Touya?"
"I saw him go into the restroom as I came out." The lie rolled off your tongue easily, not even batting an eye as you take a bite of your donut. It tasted even sweeter than before.
Hitoshi shifts next to you, moving slightly closer as you stared back at Tomura innocently. Yo and Keigo were on the other side of Hitoshi and Tomura respectively, lost in their own conversation. Tomura's gaze was calculating, which was starting to make you uncomfortable. You assumed he was the quiet stay-in-my-business type, but now you weren't so sure. Thankfully Keigo noticed you were back and spoke up.
"Hey, (Y/n), are youf doin' anyfin' tonight?" The question was muffled around a mouthful of donut.
"Nope. Just free-loading with this guy." Elbowing Hitoshi playfully, you spare him a glance seeing that he was already staring at you with a gaze you didn't quite understand.
Looking back to Keigo, your answer seemed to trigger his memory of what he walked into this morning. His chewing slowed and Hitoshi shifted next to you again also noticing Keigo's gaze.
"Riigghhttt..." Keigo swallowed, uncertain, "well I was wondering if you wanted to come to a party with us tonight? It's being held at the same place as before."
Memories from that night flooded your mind and you couldn't help but sigh. That's when this whole mess started.
"Why do I get the feeling all you do is party?" You teased Keigo instead, setting your donut down on the bag as you leaned back into your seat. Your hands found their way to your lap, accidentally brushing against Hitoshi's hand which was resting on his thigh. His other hand was visible on the table, playing with the lid of his coffee cup absently.
Hitoshi subtly moves his hand and brushes against yours again, the two of you having your hands next to each other under the table.
Holding back a shy smile, you bite your lower lip as Keigo rolls his eyes. "We're in college! Partying is part of the learning experience!"
Just then, a body slumps into the seat in front of you. Everyone turns and looks at Touya whose gaze was solely fixated on you.
You tilt your head slightly in question, innocent enough for everyone else at the table but the knowing glint in your eyes had Touya's eyes flashing.
Hitoshi's hand twitches against yours under the table.
A closer look at Touya and you could see the flushed glowing skin on his cheeks. Raising an eyebrow, you lift the hand not next to Hitoshi and break off a piece of your donut, biting into it slowly.
"Are you good?" Hitoshi asks, speaking up for everyone at the table. Touya never breaks his gaze from you.
"Never better."
His words were low and knowing, but you shrug nonchalantly and turn back to Keigo. "Sure, I'll go."
"Yessss!" Keigo pumps the air with his arm.
"Go where?" Touya asks, and you can see him still staring at you in your peripheral.
"Oh, I just invited (Y/n) to the party tonight!" Keigo explains before turning to scold Yo for sneaking two more donuts.
Touya hums from across the table, probably thinking the same thing you did. You couldn't help the blush that found its way to your cheek, but you busied yourself with the donut, not looking up at anyone.
"I'll go too," Hitoshi speaks up suddenly, removing his hand from under the table to lean back and stretch his hands above his head. Keigo gasps harshly and everyone else at the table turns to look at him in surprise.
"You? At a party?!" Yo gaps at Hitoshi, chewed-up donut visible in his mouth. Hitoshi grimaces in disgust and looks down at his coffee before looking to stare at Touya.
"Why not? It seems as though I missed out on these 'learning experiences.'"
Touya didn't say anything in return but met Hitoshi's gaze head-on, his stare cold and unwavering making an uneasy feeling settle in your stomach.
~*~*~*~*
Breakfast ended soon after that as classes were starting for a few people, including you.
You parted ways with Hitoshi after discussing class schedules and deciding on a place to meet so you two could both head back to his dorm before the party.
Class went by in a blur, a few people talking about the dorms that got shut down and the few scandalous roommate situations that had come up as a result.
You tried eavesdropping on a few conversations wondering if your name would come up. Hitoshi was a low-key person, but since he was close friends with some notorious people on campus, you weren't sure what to expect.
"I tried asking Touya if I could stay with him, but he didn't even pay attention to me!" A girl whined to her friends in front of you as you flipped a page in your notebook, pretending to take notes.
A few of her friends 'awed' in pity, trying to console her. "Well, you know what they say about Touya...you should've known he wouldn't go back to you."
One of the friends spoke up truthfully and another shot her a 'shut-up' look. However, the girl whining only sniffed and nodded her head solemnly.
"Yeah...I know. If only I could relive that night again..." she sighs dreamily. This time all of her friends echo her dreamy sign.
"We all do," they say simultaneously.
Yikes.
Your lips curl up in disgust and tune them out, not bothering to listen to whatever details they were going to relive.
Absently, you start doodling on the paper. Little hearts and flowers scattered along the border. Your mind wonders to this morning, before the coffee shop. Sure, discovering you had somehow managed to one-up Touya was surprising, but Hitoshi's coy smirk was lodged in your brain.
The sound of his voice when he called you 'kitten' or just the simple fact he gave up his room for you to sleep in for however long you needed.
Not to mention the almost-kiss you had. Lately, it seemed like you've had a few of those close calls which didn't settle right in your stomach. First with Touya and then with Hitoshi, but out of the two, you felt more drawn to-
Your phone buzzed twice in succession, snapping you out of your daze.
brainwxshed: hey
bvrnt.eros: hey
Are you fucking kidding me?
You look at both messages, torn between who to answer first or if you should even answer them at all. Touya was the troubled one and the one you weren't too happy with at the moment no matter how downright sinful he was.
Hitoshi on the other hand has done nothing wrong to warrant your anger. Putting your pencil down, you slouch lower in your seat and open your phone, tapping on Hitoshi's message.
you: hii
You see him typing, but your fingers itch to tap on Touya's message too.
Should I? What does he have to say? Is he going to talk about this morning? Is he-
brainwxshed: sooo about this party later...what should i expect? fuck that sounds so lame...
You smile fondly.
you: you don't have to go if you're uncomfortable. im not to big on parties either. I just went to one that one time.
And look at my consequences.
brainwxshed: im going if you're going. gotta protect my little kitten.
brainwxshed: *the little kitten.
Your face heats and you drop your phone on your desk, holding in a squeal. Butterflies erupted in your stomach as it did backflips. Asshole. You knew that wasn't a typo and he was teasing you again but you couldn't find it in you to be mad.
Rubbing your face with your hands, you pick your phone up and switch to Touya's message to hopefully calm down.
you: what?
bvrnt.eros: hm...you're cold, (Y/n). i think i should be the one mad at you for what you did to me this morning.
Yep. There it is.
you: not my fault.
bvrnt.eros: oh dollface...but it was. walking off like that and leaving me alone to take care of myself after you made me so fucking hard...
Conflicting emotions shot through you.
you: again...not intentional so it's not my fault.
bvrnt.eros: i don't think you understand the concept of sexting, let me explain-
Gritting your teeth, you go back to Hitoshi's message.
you: protection from...?
brainwxshed: hey, you never know. i've heard stories and one thing i know for sure is that college parties are never goodโ๐ป...and they're crowded.
you: ahh...is that why you never went to one?
brainwxshed: ...partially. but also, why go when i can watch studio ghibli films in my dorm and draw?
Just then another message popped down from Touya.
bvrnt.eros: so sexting is basically like dirty talk over text. i said you made me hard this morning and i jerked off to the thought of you in the donut shop bathroom and you're supposed to respond with something sexy to keep the conversation going.
Oh my-
Angrily you tap on the message.
you: im not stupid and im not sexting you.
bvrnt.eros: boooo ๐
You tap back to Hitoshi's message.
you: that sounds nice actually. if you wanna stay in your dorm, i'll stay with you.
brainwxshed: stay with me? careful kitten~ we might end up like this morning~
Your face heats up again.
you: i have no idea what you're talking about.
brainwxshed: 'stay with me' and i can show you later~
Another message from Touya pops down
bvrnt.eros: soo...this party tonight is kinda like our anniversary hm? how should we celebrate ๐
With every message Touya sends, you feel more agitated. He's ruining the mood that keeps building between you and Hitoshi. You swipe his message away and return to Hitoshi's message.
you: are you gonna kiss me for real this time?
Or so you thought.
bvrnt.eros: ...fuck.
bvrnt.eros: dollface i would kiss you all over if you let me.
Fuck.
Your body went ridged seeing Touya respond to the message meant for Hitoshi. Realizing you sent it to the wrong person and adding fuel to the fire that you were so desperately trying to put out.
Do I tell him that wasn't for him? Will he know I meant to send that to Hitoshi? How do I respond to Hitoshi now?
Your fingers twitch over your keypad, panic rising inside of you. Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck-
bvrnt.eros: im looking forward to tonight, (Y/n).
Your fingers frantically type out many different forms of 'no' and 'that wasn't for you' but couldn't find one to settle on and send. The fact that Hitoshi was also waiting on a response made you panic even more.
Calm down, (Y/n).
Locking your phone, you set it down and take a deep breath. Deciding not to say anything more and make it worse, you shakily put your phone down and tune back into the professor who was dismissing the class.
You had to meet up with Hitoshi soon anyways and you weren't sure you could even look him in the eyes. Guilt washes over you, not knowing what to do or how to fix this situation. Tonight was not going to be fun.
~*~*~*~*
You met with Hitoshi soon after.
He was smirking at you avoiding him, but you knew he probably thought you were embarrassed from the text conversation when in reality that wasn't the case at all. Maybe under different circumstances you might've been, but because you were so careless-
"I need to stop at my old dorm and get extra clothes," remembering the text from this morning about the repairs not being finished and since you only packed for today, you needed more clothes.
"Sure," Hitoshi nods as the two of you begin to walk to the South dorms. "So..." he starts, looking at you from the corner of his eye.
You gulp.
"So?"
Hitoshi smirks, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"So about earlier..."
"Earlier? What happened earlier?" Panic rose in your chest. Did he find out? Did Touya screenshot your message and send it to him? Oh God what if-
Hitoshi turns and cuts in front of you, a pierced eyebrow raised in concern. "The party. You never told me what to expect."
A heavy breath leaves you in a rush.
"Right. The party." Shouldering past Hitoshi, you try to calm down, opening the door to the South dorms, frigid air hitting you like a ton of bricks.
Cursing lightly, you walk faster to your room and fumble with the door, footsteps cautiously catching up.
"Um..." Throwing open the door, you let Hitoshi in as you go to rummage through your closet. "Well, there's going to be a lot of people and alcohol. Music can be expected too. Just typical college party stuff," you mouth off quickly, still rattled thinking that Hitoshi found out about earlier.
Hitoshi wasn't even paying attention, walking around your dorm room and observing the little trinkets and decorations you had. It's only been one night, but you did miss it here. You turn back to your closet and pack a week's worth of clothes just in case and shove them into a bag.
"I really hope they fix the heater soon. I don't want to overstay or anything," you comment absently, folding a pair of pants.
"I thought you liked staying with me?" Hitoshi's voice was low and closer than expected, making you jump. Well, that certainly didn't take long for him to bring that part of the conversation up.
It felt as though he was right by your ear and you couldn't find the courage to turn around. Shakily, you place the pants in your bag and sidestep before turning and walking to your dresser to pull out undergarments.
Out of the corner of your eye, you see Hitoshi still standing there, probably confused, before slowly turning towards you again.
"I do! I mean, thank you, but still. A week is a long time," you explain, counting off a checklist in your brain. Now...what to wear tonight...
You hastily pull open the bottom drawer, finding a short black dress you've only worn once before.
"Okay, I'm finished." Turning to Hitoshi, you shove the dress in the bag and walk back towards the door.
"Let's go, I'm freezing." Smiling innocently, Hitoshi regards you with a thoughtful look, not saying anything as you two leave the room. Locking the door and exiting the building was met with silence.
Hitoshi seemed lost in his thoughts and didn't say a word on the way back to his dorm for the two of you to get ready.
~*~*~*~*
The party was already packed by the time you and Hitoshi showed up. He stuck close to your side, looking uncomfortable at the number of people in such a small space. You didn't blame him, also wanting to get out of here as soon as possible and hopefully avoid Touya.
Of course, fate has other plans for you.
"(Y/n) and Hitoshi, over here!" Keigo calls out loudly over the music. Cursing, you trudge over and avoid looking at the piercing blue eyes already next to Keigo.
A warm flush finds its way to your face anyway and you manage a small smile at Keigo. Tomura and Yo were off to the side talking while drinking some beers. You try to recall if you saw them at the previous party but the only thing you remember is woodsy musk, sandalwood, and cigarette smoke.
I need to get out of here.
"Perfect timing! We were just about to play spin the bottle truth or dare!" Keigo motions to the large group of people surrounding the area and they cheer loudly.
Nope.
You take a large step back holding up your hands. "Have fun!"
"Awh c'mon, (Y/n)," Touya teases across from you. "It'll be fun. Just like last time." After stressing the last part, he glances at Hitoshi smugly and another wave of guilt washes over you.
You grit your teeth and shake your head, anxiety creeping up your spine. To your surprise, Hitoshi only steps forward.
"I'll play."
Keigo cheers excitedly, pumping his fist. "Oh, dude, this is the best day ever!"
Tomura had stopped talking to Yo, who was still talking regardless if Tomura was listening or not, observing the scene in front of him. Uncomfortable wasn't even a strong enough word you'd use to describe the situation.
Touya looked calm and collected as Hitoshi walked to stand next to him, the two of them now staring at you expectantly.
Purple and blue stared at you hotly, warmth spreading across your cheeks as they had looks of longing. Both held heat and memories of almost-kisses, but only one of them had a false knowing of what you said earlier.
"Uh..." Not knowing what to do, the whole group of college students now eagerly waited for you to answer.
"GUESS WHO'S BACK, FUCKERS!" The door slammed open suddenly, a loud voice ringing loud over the music.
Everyone turned to the door and loud cheers rang out, cutting the tension. Your shoulders sag in relief seeing Touya and Hitoshi finally look away from you. You follow their gaze seeing a blonde-haired man wearing black joggers and a black sweatshirt grinning manically at everyone welcoming him back.
"Kat!" Keigo calls out, running up to clap him on the back. "Man, this day really couldn't get any better!"
Well, at least someone is having a good time.
Kat claps Keigo on the back too and walks over to the group in front of you. Yo groans, making Kat roll his eyes and flick him on the forehead.
Yo scowls and rubs his head. Tomura greets Kat with a small smile and nod, offering to get him a beer. Touya grins and steps up, ruffling the spikey blonde hair making Kat snarl as he swats the hand away. Hitoshi was last, dapping up Kat fondly with a muted, "Hey, bro."
Hitoshi turns to you and motions you over.
"Katsuki, this is (Y/n). (Y/n), this is Katsuki." You awkwardly smile, not sure if this was the right time to be meeting Hitoshi's roommate. Brother?
"Hey," Katsuki smirks, giving Hitoshi a look you didn't miss. Or Touya. "Hitoshi told me the situation already. It's cool if you still need a place to stay, but I'll need my room back."
The realization hit you suddenly and you risk a glance at Hitoshi who also had a small blush on his face, avoiding your gaze.
Seeing him blush made you blush more, awkwardly shifting your stance. Katsuki cackles at the sight of you and Hitoshi, but lays off the teasing, turning to Tomura who hands him a beer.
"So what are we doing?" He asks, biting the lid off with his teeth. Your mouth drops open slightly in awe as Keigo happily fills Katsuki in.
"Heh, spin the bottle, 'Toshi? What the hell happened when I was away?" Katsuki asks, shooting you another quick glance.
Hitoshi grumbles something you can't hear, making Katsuki smirk, and the both of them walk back to the circle. You go to follow and notice Touya's seething face once Hitoshi leaves your field of vision.
You quickly move away and go back to your previous spot, Tomura now standing next to you. "Are you okay?"
He whispered the question low, and you let out a huge breath you didn't know you were holding.
"No."
Tomura reaches out a hand, concerned, and you grab it shakily. He squeezes your hand and you squeeze it back, thankful for the reassurance.
"Right! So who wants to start?" Keigo announces to the large group of college students. A lot of cheers and drunken words rang out.
Tomura keeps a hold of your hand, tucking into your side as you stare at the damned bottle on the table. Touya and Hitoshi were back to standing next to each other across from you and if they were staring at you and Tomura holding hands, you couldn't find it in you to care. Though you were sure Tomura was staring right back without a care in the world.
"You're going to have to make a decision sometime." Tomura lays his head on your shoulder, murmuring solemnly. The question doesn't surprise you since you noticed his observation skills, so you were sure he had caught on long ago.
"...I know," you mutter back, still staring at the bottle unblinkingly. It was nice to have someone to talk to. You haven't told anyone of the situation going on and the drama that followed, so finding comfort in Tomura was reassuring and needed. Although unexpected.
"Do you have any clue which one?" Tomura asks, the both of you locked in your own world, watching Katsuki be the first one to spin.
Do I?
Honestly, it felt like you've been debating this question constantly for the past few days. Both made your heart race with excitement. Touya kept you on your toes but had a bad reputation and a cocky attitude to match. Hitoshi was unexpected in the way he welcomed you with open arms, but loved to tease you endlessly.
As of right now, there were no cons with Hitoshi but yet something still prevented you from committing fully.
"Not a clue," you finally admit, leaning your cheek on Tomura's head.
Tomura hums and the two of you watch Katsuki dare Yo to do a keg stand. Yo blanches as the crowd starts chanting his name in encouragement.
"Great. Now I'll have to deal with that later," Tomura sighs, annoyed.
Yo glares at a smirking Katsuki before flipping himself into a handstand, his shirt falling down making the crowd whistle and catcall him jokingly.
"Hm?"
"Yo. He's my roommate and cannot handle anything more than 2 beers," Tomura explains. "Which, Katsuki knows that."
You hum again and watch Yo stumble back down on his feet, looking green. Katsuki throws his arm around Yo's neck, saying something which only had Yo hiccuping in response.
"Your turn to spin, Yo!" Keigo exclaims excitedly.
Yo sways to the table and half-heartedly spins the bottle. It didn't spin very much and slowly made its way to you. You grip Tomura's hand tighter, watching the bottle stop.
Keigo cheers loudly.
"Truth or dare, (Y/n)?" Yo slurs, trying to focus his gaze on you.
"Uh...truth?" You whisper almost shyly, hearing the crowd boo.
Yo holds a hand to his chin to think. "Hm...who do you like more-"
"Dare!" You cut him off, not wanting him to finish that sentence. You were not going to risk that. People cheer at your change of heart.
"Okayyyy," Yo hiccups, "I dare you to do a 7 minutes in heaven with someone."
Yeah, no, that's completely better.
Keigo all but squeals, looking like he just won the lottery with how this night is going and Tomura squeezes your hand again tightly.
"Spin," Yo motions to the bottle, waiting for you.
The air seemed to crackle with electricity as you reached for the bottle, spinning it as hard as you could, praying it'd land on anyone but those two.
Touya and Hitoshi's gaze intensely watched the bottle, as the rest of the group cheered unknowingly at the tension. Your palms felt sweaty as anxiety loomed over you seeing the damned bottle slow as it towards Touya and Hitoshi.
It came to stop and the crowd 'ooh-ed' trying to figure out who it was pointing at.
"Is it...both of them?" Tomura murmured in awe, as Keigo whistled.
"Alright, I'll be the judge!" Keigo walked over to you and squatted down to see who the bottle was lined up with. "Oh wow...I've never seen this before. Ladies and gentlemen, it's split down the middle...we have a tie!" Keigo announces, hopping up.
The crowd gets hyped, all the girls shooting you a dirty look, but you really couldn't care because you were seconds away from passing out.
"Well, (Y/n)? Which one are you going to choose?"
~*~*~*~*
Touya's hitlist taglist:
@spaceisout @deputy-videogamer @magpiesworld @blahblahblahhhhhhhhhhhhhh @mod-hadagile @whokillednyx @ittybittywallflower @bubblewordsofsodapop @poopiepoopie123 @frontier-renegade @windex-princess-ami @yourfavoriteloover @ashash @shamefulwitch @allthingsleviackerman @97britt
I hope you all had Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! ^^ I totally forget to post art for another chapter of It never hurts to keep looking for sunshine, so sorry! As readers probably know, our bois couldn't keep their hands off each other for 5 minutes at a time, but nobody wasnโt surprised (me neither). What dorks they are and thanks God the kids donโt resemble their fathers/uncles and are much more smarter then them.