STRESS RELIEVER. . .

Stressed.

That's what Akane has been feeling since the week started. But he's not just stressed, no, he's super stressed. Stressed to the point where he would snap at everyone no matter who they are.

You don't mess with an Akane in a sour mood.

The stack of papers on the table only added more on his temper. Akane wished that he didn't have the power to stop time, but to move it faster. He wanted the day to be over already.

Annoyed.

That's what Akane felt when he heard the door open along with heavy footsteps. He recognized those footsteps anywhere!

Akane visibly tensed, his brows furrowing to further show his annoyance at the newcomer.

"Aoi," Teru said.

Akane ignored him and continued fixing the papers as if he didn't hear anything. Teru can call him deaf for all he cares — he is not in the mood for him right now.

"Aoi," Teru repeated.

The redhead grunted and harshly slammed the papers down. On the corner of his eyes, he saw Teru flinch. He felt guilty, so he turned around and quirked a brow, trying his best to maintain his pissed facade.

"You need to take a break," Teru told him, walking over so he could properly see Akane's face. "I noticed you've been tense lately."

"Wow, you need a trophy for that?" Akane sarcastically retorted in reply, his eyes burning with irritation.

Teru's jaw hardened, but when he stared at Akane's eyes again, his face softened. "Look, you're all riled up for no reason, okay?"

"Thanks to you," Akane hissed.

"Listen to me, please."

Akane shut his mouth, and blinked. He had never seen the president of the Student Council look so. . .helpless and fragile before. He wondered who made him like this. "Spit it out," Akane said, averting his eyes from Teru's face.

"I want you to just relax for once," Teru told him. "You've been forcing yourself with all these work — and most of them aren't even supposed to be yours! I've been trying to tell you to leave it to me but all you do is glare and ignore me. I've had enough."

Akane frowned and looked away, back at the papers he was fixing earlier. They were finished. "Why are you worried? It's none of your business. I mean, that's all there is, isn't it? This is my business. Everything between us is business." He shot Teru a cold stare. "Stop acting like you care."

Teru ran a hand through his blond hair: a habit Akane noticed he does everytime he feels angry. "Believe it or not, Aoi, I do care. I don't know what you're going through right now, but I'm here, alright?"

Akane didn't reply, and instead went back to fixing papers, even though it doesn't need it anymore; Akane just wants take his mind off of things. (Read: things = Teru).

"Aoi—" Teru paused and clutched the clipboard he was holding. He seemed to be contemplating over something, maybe with what to say? "Akane." He settled with that. "Akane," he tried again.

Akane stared at him in surprise, not even bothered to hide it. It's not everyday Teru calls him by that. No, in fact, he's only called him that once — and that was accidental. This one is intentional.

Teru blinked. Then he blinked again. Akane noticed that he was panicking. About what? Akane doesn't know. But Teru actually seemed more stressed than Akane is.

"I hope you don't think that after everything that happened that I don't consider you as my friend," Teru questioned.

Akane winced. He'd been thinking exactly that. "I don't see why we should even be friends, much less acquaintances. You're an exorcist, and I'm a school mystery."

"Not voluntary," Teru added. "But that's beside the point, Akane." The redhead recoiled again. Teru is just full of surprises today. "I'm worried about you. And it's not just me — literally everyone around you is concerned."

Akane's face morphed into a frown again. "Ah, so that's it. They asked you to talk to me, right? I knew it was weird when you suddenly started a—"

Teru was quick to shake his head. "No. You got it all wrong! I came here on my own will."

Akane won't let himself get tricked again. "You're just pretending to be worried because you're the president of the council and I'm the vice."

Teru sighed in defeat, causing Akane's stomach to drop down. "I won't deny that the president part is true, but I am most definitely not pretending. Do you think I would waste my time with someone I don't care about? I'm pretty sure you know me by now, Akane."

There he goes again: calling him Akane as if they're old friends. Are they? They've definitely hung out a lot, but it's not like it was a friendly bonding. Akane's just the Vice President, and Teru is just the President. Strict business.

Besides, Akane can't even count the moments Teru threatened him down and tricked him — even going as far as to bring Akane's childhood friend into it. And it was just for, what, protecting his younger brother.

"Oh, I get it now."

Teru perked up. "Really?"

"Yeah." Akane nodded. "You're just concerned because I'm the future guardian of Minamoto-kouhai."

"Akane," Teru growled. "I'm serious here. Leave the others out of this."

Akane merely shrugged as response.

"I'm going to leave. Take care of yourself, okay? I won't hesitate to kick you out if you're going to keep on acting like this."

Akane cursed.

- - -

Confused.

Akane's been confused since Teru's confrontation yesterday. He didn't even realize just how much rude he's been getting — he was barely eating! Luckily, with Teru's threat imprinted in his mind, he started prioritizing himself for once. Not his childhood friend: Aoi.

She looked rather happy. But Akane hardly noticed at all, his mind was full.

Akane pondered once again if Teru really did care for him or it was just bluff.

He noticed himself feel lighter, the weight that used to be a huge burden for him now gone. He was fine. He felt nice.

But he's still confused.

"Akane."

Akane turned around. Right — Teru's been calling him by his first name ever since the events yesterday. Teru seems fine with it, as if nothing new even happened, so Akane doesn't mind it too much.

"Uh, hey." Akane weakly waved.

Teru smiled. "Can you hand me over the reports for the festival project now?"

Akane instinctively placed the papers closer to his chest. "But I—"

Teru raised a brow, his eyes sharp, as if daring Akane to finish the sentence. "But what?"

Akane shook his head. "Ah, nothing." He reluctantly handed the papers to Teru. "Here."

Teru nodded approvingly and took the papers from him. "Good."

"Still, it's unfair how you're the one doing all the work now. At least give me half of it." Akane crossed his arms.

A smile graced Teru's lips, amused. "Alright then. How about we just work together?"

Happy.

Akane is very happy right now. He didn't care that people were staring at them weirdly. He grinned. "Yeah. I bet that I can finish everything faster than you, though."

"Oh, you're on."

- - -

Requested by: roseliaarts

Hiiii here's ur request 😳✌️💕

I love them very much hehe

Kinda getting IwaOi vibes from them lol 😔👌

1K VOTES WHAT?!!??  SJDHNSDBSJSDE THANK YOU 😭😭💕💕

Once again, thanks for reading!