Roommate Romance

Chapter 6

"I'm Noru, a friend of Toma."

"Oh…" so this was the guy who helped Toma with Cami. "I believe we met before. I always saw you with him when we were freshmen."

"Ah yeah, I'm a friend of Toma and as well as a childhood friend." I told him.

He smirks as he pass by, "It doesn't seem like it anymore."

…jerk.

After that, I left the restro0m and continued my day without a hassle. Though it quite bothered my mind about the guy from the restroom and Xia confessing to me. I'm getting mixed emotions by thinking about it.

The next day wasn't so easy, when I saw Xia. It was awkward like I expected. "Uhm, hey." I kind of… greeted.

"Y-Yeah." She couldn't even make eye-contact with me.

I attempted to find another seat but everything in the room was taken, so I had no other choice but to sit next to her. When I take a glance at her, I noticed how stiff she is.

She's definitely uncomfortable with me because I know she likes me now.

This will be a problem if it keeps up, interaction with her isn't necessary that much but she's my research partner. And we haven't even done half of the research yet. So I devised a plan for Xia that I can execute when lunch time comes.

"Xia, do you have a moment?" I was the first to approach, I hope she doesn't avoid me like those romantic clichès.

"S-Sure."

"Cool, can we have lunch together? I think we should talk about the matter yesterday… and about our research papers."

She nods while looking flustered and focused her eyes on the ground, "Okay."

"Let's meet up later then, see ya."

As I was done with ordering my food, I found Xia waiting for me at my usual spot in the cafeteria. "Hey." She smiles sweetly.

"…thanks for sparing time for me."

"It's no biggie. So… what do you want to talk about?" It was written all over her face of how anxious she was, and I admire her for being so brave to face things like this on her own.

"Firstly, I'm done with my part of the research so here's the data." I handed her the flash drive, and as soon as she got it, I got straight to the point with my second objective in this conversation. "So, about yesterday… your confession."

Despite knowing this might happened, she's still quite shaken about me confronting her about it. "Yeah. It was a ridiculous confession! I suggest we both just forget about it." Her eyes says otherwise. I could see a little hope glittering in her eyes.

"But Xia--"

"Aaaah please! I know I'm gonna get rejected, but please spare my feelings and just forget about it. It's also very embarassing for me." Ah, so she have got to a conclusion that I'll reject her.

"Xia."

"I know, I know. Though you don't have to worry about the research papers, I'll do my part until the very end and after that I won't bother y--"

"Xia!"

"I promise not to ever bother you again, ever!"

"Xia, I'm not rejecting you!" I yelled out loud.

"--Really, I won't ever bother you, huh? What did you just say now?" She asked, looking unsure about what she just heard.

"I said, I'm not rejecting you, rather…" Looking at her face that looked at me with curiosity made me feel a bit awkward. "Would you go out with me?"

Her curious face evolved into a shade of red with her mouth gaping.

***

"EHH!?" It looked like she can't believe what I've just said. "What did you just say to me?!"

"I asked if you want to go out with-"

"Are you for real!?" She still doubts if I'm serious about this.

"Well, yeah! So are you going to say 'yes' or-"

"Don't play with other people's feelings. I like you but I won't allow you to ever do what you're trying to do."

"No, I'm really serious about this-"

"And don't ever think I'll let you get away with this-"

"Can't you quit cutting me off!? Seriously, I'm serious about this. So do you want to date me or not?" I planned to be nice and kind as possible, but with Xia, it's just impossible to do so.

She stood frozen, observing me to see if I'm lying or not. "Really?"

"Yes, so what's your answer?" I demanded.

She pouts and glares at, though she smiles and reached out her hand to me. "…then sure, I'll go out with you."

Holding on to her hand, I replied with a smile to her response.

After that, we agreed going on our first date this weekend. While talking to her, I noticed how happier she is. She kept smiling ear to ear and her face was really red.

I wish I could feel the same way… must be nice to be so happy like that.

"So… see ya!" She waved goodbye when the day was over. I waved back at her and stared until she's out of sight.

Then out of nowhere, someone talked to me. "Who's that?"

"?.." Looking behind me, I saw Noru.

"You?" I mumbled.

"Was that your girlfriend?" He asked with an annoying grin on his face.

"Yeah." I answered shortly. I just don't feel like talking to this guy... or more like that I don't like him at all.

"Cool, good for you." He then walk pass me. "It's cute how you try to imitate Toma. Though whatever you do doesn't matter anyway." He added.

It pissed me off. The nerve of that guy!

"Whatever." I left the place as well.

I guess he's a jerk just like I suspected. It's better not to get involved with that person if I intend to have a peaceful life in this campus. It's sort of a wonder for me, how did Toma got along with such a guy?

When I got back to the dorm, I found Toma sleeping on his bed while holding some books and notes on his stomach. "That must be uncomfortable." Then I put away all the things that was on his bed so he can sleep comfortably.

It's nice to see him sleep peacefully, but I think I should've woke him up because he had to do a bunch of work… nah, I think he needs some sleep.

Looking at all the pile, I thought it must be hard on Toma doing all of it on his own. So even without his permission, I helped him get some of the work done. "I swear, this will be the last time I'll help!" I really can't have Toma depending on me like this forever.

I was already having second thoughts about distancing myself from Toma, but it was really what we needed right now. This careless i***t might fail his third year if he slacks of everytime.