Jun was waiting on the couch of his living room. The TV was on, playing some drama that would normally catch his attention.
But not tonight, Dad had taken Toga up to his office after a quick chat with Mom.
Dad's a professional. He'll know what to do.
But that didn't stop the nervous tick of his leg bouncing as he shot occasional glances up the stairs.
Still… an hour? That's a little long, right?
That's when he heard a door upstairs open and his dad's voice saying something mid-sentence. "—ga, if you feel like talking more, my office is open for you whenever you need it."
Jun stood up, looking up the stairs directly. Toga came around the corner first, eyes red and puffy as she came down the stairs and hugged him.
Jun gave a gentle hug back, but looked to his dad.
His dad just shook his head, mouthing 'She'll tell you if she wants.'
He looked back down at Toga, letting the girl cling to him. "Let's sit down, okay?"
She nodded weakly against his chest, but didn't let go.
Jun sighed, picking her up and walking over to the couch.
Toga stiffened in his hold, burying her face deeper into his chest, trying to hide the blush.
Jun noticed, but didn't comment, focusing on sitting her down and joining her on the couch.
At least she isn't thinking about the heavy stuff after that.
"Movie?"
She looked up from his chest like he was from another planet for a moment. "Yeah…"
"Good, want popcorn?"
She shook her head, turning to see the TV but letting her head rest on him still.
Jun looked away only to catch his dad and mom watching him with smiles. Suddenly he felt the embarrassment creep up his neck.
He shooed them away as he grabbed the remote. "It's a comedy movie, you won't judge if I laugh at bad jokes, will you?"
She shook her head, causing him to chuckle. "Cool, glad someone won't judge my sense of humor."
He started the movie. This isn't so bad.
As the movie started, Jun felt Toga relax further into him and before long, he heard soft snores. Her emotions ran high today. Let's get her to bed.
***
When the next morning rolled around, Jun was moving in a rush.
Waking up past his alarm, he rushed to the bathroom and splashed water on his face, before frantically brushing his teeth.
Phone died, no alarm. Must've forgotten after putting Toga to bed.
He spit into the sink, taking a swig of mouthwash afterwards.
Rookie move. Now I probably look unreliable. Not helping the image I was trying to build.
Another spit into the sink as he blehed at the taste of mouthwash.
He put on his uniform after applying deodorant, checking himself in the mirror before rushing out of the bathroom.
"Mom! I'm done!"
He hopped down the stairs two at a time, holding the corner of the wall to turn his direction on the last jump.
As he landed, Toga was at the kitchen table pushing her breakfast around with her chopsticks.
Looking up, her bored expression changed to a shy smile. "Good morning…"
Jun returned the smile as he went to make himself toast. "Morning, Bloodbug. Sleep okay?"
"I did, though I don't know how it got into a bed."
"Easy, I put you there."
The chopsticks slipped from her hand as she turned to him in a rush. "Huh?!"
Jun turned around, leaning on the counter. "Well I wasn't going to let you sleep on the couch. Not after I made the guest room for you."
"R-right... that makes sense." Toga picked up her chopsticks again, fidgeting with them as she turned red.
Jun chuckled when he noticed her continued fluster, turning back around just in time for his toast to pop out of the toaster.
"I got school to get to, but you'll see me first thing afterwards."
Toga's shoulders dropped as she stared at her food. "You still have school… I forgot about that."
Jun took a large bite of his toast, walking by her ruffling her hair, letting his voice take a dramatic tone. "Oh no… I have to spend time thinking about coming home to my best friend what shall I evvveeer do?"
Toga ducked her head, giggling. "You won't be the only one, Junfun!"
"There's my bloodbug. Tell my mom that I had toast again." Another bite of the toast, letting it hang from his mouth as he walked towards the entrance of the house, grabbing his schoolbag.
As he opened the door, he looked over his shoulder grabbing the toast from his mouth. "Do eat though, wouldn't want you wasting away."
Then he stepped out.
***
A few days had passed since that first night, Jun continued going to school but everywhere else he had a little shadow that he called 'Toga'.
She couldn't keep up on his daily runs, so he slowed down, treating them as walks with her through his neighborhood.
His training at the gym was seemingly her favorite time as she just stared at him with reddened cheeks as she jogged on the treadmill.
At home, she took over his bed whenever he wasn't using it.
He swiveled his chair away from his desk and looked at her. "Toga, let's go somewhere tomorrow."
Toga just nodded, turning over to look at him. "Okay, where are we going?"
"A café is probably best. I wanna introduce you to someone, a friend of mine."
Toga's face twisted for a split second before she nodded again. "Right… your friends."
Jun raised an eyebrow. "You know me, Bloodbug, I'm a talker. Of course I have friends."
Toga sighed, falling back onto the bed. "I know, I just like being this kinda friend."
Jun chuckled. "You mean my only friend?"
She rolled over to look at him. "Yeah, kinda…"
Jun pushed his chair closer to the bed. "Then you'll like my friends. Because I do."
The room remained silent as they had a small staring contest.
"I never said no. Just… was hesitant." Toga mumbled as she finally broke eye contact.
Jun smiled. "Good, you'll like her. She's fun."
Toga's face twisted again. "Her?"
Jun nodded. "Her. Like I said, you'll like her."
He swiveled his chair back to his desk, focusing back on homework.
"Fine. Then let's see how you like her." Toga huffed, rolling over again not facing Jun.
Jun glanced over before shaking his head, a smile on his lips.
Yanderes can be fun but I'd rather not have an emotional time bomb on me 24/7. Maybe this is why those MCs ran from their own?
He glanced at her again. She was still turned away.
And to be honest, it feels wrong to take advantage of her trauma. If she still is a yandere despite my best efforts? I'll take that.
***
When the lunch bell rang, Jun was already on the move.
He slid into the seat next to Mina before anyone else. "Yo, Dancer. You free to hang out after school?"
Mina cocked her head with a smirk, seemingly not bothered by Jun's fast approach. "Dancer?"
Jun rolled his eyes at the question. "You literally styled on those guys last week. Everyone was talking about it."
She giggled. "I guess I did, but dancer is the best you could do?"
Jun put a hand on his chin and struck a thinking pose before giving up in just a few seconds. "It is for now, but you haven't answered the question."
Mina laughed, shaking her head. "Sure I can, where did you want me to meet you and Ejiro?"
Jun pursed his lips. "No Ejiro today."
Mina slowly stopped laughing. "Eh? No Ejiro? Where were you planning to go?"
Jun tilted his head. "Was thinking a café."
Mina's eyes widened at that. "Eh? Eh???"
Seeing her fluster, Jun just kept going. "Cool, so meet at the place we usually walk past, 30 minutes after school?"
Mina stood up, slamming her hands on the desk. "Wait! 30 minutes isn't nearly enough time!"
Jun raised an eyebrow, tilting his head to the other side. "An hour then? It can't be too late, I still have the gym."
Mina's face flushed instantly. "Don't you try and distract me with muscle talk! I need at least an hour, no! An hour and a half!"
Jun waved his hand, as if conceding. "Fine fine, how about this? I go to the gym, then we meet up at the café afterwards? Win-win?"
Mina gulped before muttering.
"Post work-out glow…"
She shook her head, then looked directly at Jun with a smile. "Yep! That works!"
Jun got up. "Well, I'll leave you to lunch, Dancer~"
Mina's flush deepened and she giggled.
Alright, High energy super social girl acquired for mission 'No Yandere Ending'. Just a little café meet up to seal the deal.
Jun slid back into his seat, opening up his lunchbox. No biggie, right?