crowspace | john/shuji/sakura psl

[...oh no, that's sweet. Sakura really is so cute.

Sakura and John... Shuji has crushes on both of them, but he's never expected that to go anywhere. If they're happy together, then he'd be happy by proxy.]

I don't know how good my advice is, but I'll do what I can.

Are you worried about not being able to say it, or...?

[She is having some difficulty even talking to Shuji, an unrelated third party.]

Yes, something like that.

[More precisely she's looking for the magic phrase that won't confuse John, or earn odd looks shot in her direction. She and John aren't always on the same wavelength of communication (she's long since made peace with the fact), but one thing's for certain -- he has the romantic intellect of a sack of rocks.

Sakura needs all the help she can get.]

I'll take any advice. [A pull of a smile] So thank you for helping. I know this is probably a strange thing to ask.

Not at all. You're both really good friends to me [that he's thought about just kissing on more than one occasion] so I'm happy to help you two be happy.

So... John's not good at picking up on subtle things, so you'll probably have to be pretty direct about it.

[He loves John, but Sakura's met John on multiple occasions. There's no point in trying to hide his flaws.]

[good friends

Her thoughts... linger on that for some reason, like Shuji phrased it strangely to her ear. But of course he hadn't, he's just stating fact, and it's her own problem that has her head tilted like there's something off about all of this.

... Well, no matter. Her smile turns devious for a second, then quickly morphs into dignified exasperation.]

No, he really isn't. [Fact is fact]

... But to be fair to him, I'm not very good at being direct, either.

[Match made in hell. She almost giggles, but eventually settles on a sigh]

I almost feel like you two could use an interpreter.

[Except obviously that would be super weird and can't happen.]

Have you tried rehearsing what you're going to say first? I know it's awkward to talk to your mirror, but it helps when it's time for the real thing.

... I did, actually.

[Which is no less embarrassing, even after Shuji suggests it. Her cheeks begin to heat a second time.]

-- But actually, would it be okay if I... practiced on you?

[This is absolutely the worst idea that anyone has ever had, ever.]

I-it's okay with me, if you think it'll help.

[He... he actually agreed to this terrible plan that Sakura is already regretting...

This is why she went to Shuji and why she owes him a million favors after this is all over.]

Right--! ... Okay.

[She tries to puff into the role now that it's been decided, reminding herself that she asked to practice for a reason. Practice makes perfect, and plan B is chunking a note scribbled "Please date me" at John's head... which she is certain would fail somehow.

Huff]

So... um -- [How to start this. Sakura fiddles with some of her long hair, uncertainly] H-how are you doing, Shuji-kun?

[Might as well go through all the motions!]

[Oh. He's not going to pretend to be John.

On one hand, that makes this less awkward. Shuji's not sure he could do an impression of John for longer than a couple of seconds, and this way he can attempt to act natural.

On the other hand, that means that she's going to ask Shuji-as-Shuji to go out with her.

This was a mistake.]

I'm alright, nothing to complain about. [Except that he's an idiot.] How are you?

[The honest truth? Shuji's name had just slipped out, more comfortable on her tongue since he's the one standing in front of her -- so comfortable that she doesn't recognize her blunder, and chances a smile to help with the illusion.

(illusion, yes, because it's not real, they're playing pretend, like school yard kids who still believe in cooties... right)]

I'm fine! I-- I actually had something to ask you, if you're not busy.

[Sakura is smiling. Shuji smiles back, because it's what he - and John - would do in this scenario. It's only a game, but he wants to help Sakura practice and feel comfortable, doesn't he?]

Not busy at all. What is it?

... If you'd...

[Mmm. And there it is, the hitch of silence, words stubbornly expanding in her throat and refusing to budge. She'd be more surprised if she hadn't known it'd happen, and after a tense moment, she blows out a stream of air, disrupting her bangs]

Shuji-kun, I'm no good at this. Maybe it's best I don't bother.

That's not true!

[Without thinking twice about his actions, Shuji reaches to grasp Sakura's hands in his.]

You deserve to be happy. If you're interested in someone then you should let them know, even if you're bad at saying it - I don't want you to suffer in silence because it's 'better that way'.

[It sucks. Sakura deserves better than that.]

[She looks up, startled when Shuji raises his voice, and that's to say nothing of how quickly her cheeks heat when he takes her hand into his. Like friends, is the fervent reminder. Just friends.

It's in poor taste to be blushing when pining after another man, Sakura]

... You think so? [A soft laugh. Her fingers flex against his, briefly holding them] I always thought being silent was the better option.

[It hurts more, but then the ache is only meant for her. That's what she believed, once. After a moment, her smile softens]

You're so sweet...

[Sakura's easily embarrassed. Shuji won't read into that blushing; he won't let himself read into it.]

Of course I am. I wouldn't be anything but sweet to you. You're too important to me for that.

[The most important, or in the top two. He gently squeezes her hands, as if somehow that motion would transfer his confidence in her into her body.]

... M-mmhmm.

[He means to give her confidence, but the gentle squeezing has the opposite effect, it seems; her face is a rosy red by this point, made painfully obvious on her pale complexion.

She hasn't pulled her hands away, either]

You're very important to me, too.

[Really, it's impossible to imagine John turning Sakura down. Even he's not dense enough to turn down someone as cute and wonderful as Sakura.

There's a pinch of pink on Shuji's cheeks too. As long as he doesn't acknowledge it, it's fine.]

That makes me really happy. So - um. Do you want to give it another try...?

-- Oh, right.

[She nearly forgot herself, and eyes finally snapping away from the floor, she glances at Shuji in embarrassment]

I have to ask you ou--

-- A-ask John-san out, I mean!

[H-hahaha... haha... haaaaaa....]

I mean, you'd never-- sorry, I didn't mean to imply...

[Can she die yet?]

Yes.

...I mean, um, ahaha, you weren't really... asking...

[They're both gonna die.]

[-- What.]

You--

[She stops, not sure if she trusts what she heard, staring at Shuji in wide-eyed nervousness. She picks her words slowly.]

... You'd say yes if I meant it...?

[Maybe it's not too late to deny everything. Maybe he can say it just slipped out for some reason. Maybe blame anxiety?]

...If you meant it, then... Yeah.

[He doesn't do any of that, because he can't lie to the girl he likes.]

[... So what she's hearing is dragged Shuji on her quest to court John without considering his feelings.

Sounds like par for the course. Gods, can she be that stupid? She looks immediately abashed, ashamed, and--

And then to her surprise, it's nerves that come out on top, crushing the rest of her emotions under toe. Sometimes she's slow on the uptake, but this is... a love confession in its own way, however surprising it is.

Eyes on the floor, voice still shy:]

... I never thought you'd like a girl like me, to be honest...

[She still hasn't let go of his hands.]

Like you? You mean a wonderful, amazing, talented, sweet and super cute girl?

[...He's still holding her hands. He should really let go of her hands. He does not let go of her hands.]

S-sorry, this isn't... really helping when I'm supposed to be helping you ask John out...

[He's a moron.]

[There's a flinch at the sound of John's name, like being dumped in ice water.

Things haven't changed, after all - she still needs help with that, knowing she'll only mess up on her own. Words aren't her strong suit when it matters.

... Very much like right now, still holding hands, unable to think through the wall of her emotions. After standing silently for a couple of moments, she stops trying to think of a verbal reply alltogether.

And leans up to kiss him on the cheek]

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