The confession club

The room fell silent as Reina's gaze met the floor beneath her. If her crush found out she was handing out love letters, what would he think? That she had a crush on some other boy? That was a pill she wasn't ready to swallow; she had to clear up this misunderstanding.

A love letter? For who? From my understanding, Reina doesn't seem to have anyone like that. 

In that moment, Futoshi's cheeks flushed. He had never been great with love talk; now that it was coming from a girl, he was even more in doubt. What does one say at a time like this? Just hearing the word "love letter" made his chest feel tight.

Futoshi rubbed the back of neck. Was it right to ask her directly? After a moment, he felt a slight tug on the corners of his lip, just enough for it to seem genuine. 

"A-a love letter, huh? Didn't take you for someone to do something so bold." Futoshi said, still unsure if this was the right call to make.

He...bold, me? ...He thinks I'm bold. 

Those words, as half-hearted and doubtful as they were, brought Reina back to earth. In response to this, Reina locked her gaze onto Futoshi as her cheeks puffed out.

"Yeah, and it's bold of you to assume it's mine! And anyway, why are you on the floor? Practicing your pervy acts, are you?" Just then, Reina held her hands close to her chest.

"How lewd." 

Futoshi bit his lip as he clenched his fists. To anyone else, this would have been seen as a kind gesture - not to Reina. Whenever Futoshi did anything out of the kindness of his heart, he was always on the receiving end of her sharp tongue.

"Why is it your mind always associates me with doing something scandalous? If you really wanna know, I've been busting my ass trying to clean YOUR mess...I swear, how are you this damn klutzy?"

In that moment, Reina's hands drifted from her chest down by her sides. Where did he get off calling her a klutz? Just then, her brow furrowed as steam poured out of her ears.

"Well, for your information, Mr. Popular, that letter isn't even mine..." Reina pushed her fingers together before turning them in unison."T-There, uh, my friends! Yeah, let's go with that. my...friends." 

In response to that half-hearted declaration, Futoshi lifted his brow. It wasn't his place to stick his nose in further than he already had, so he bit his tongue and refused to pry any further than he already had done.

I think it's about time I go. If I'm honest, I don't want to be here with this klutz any longer than I have to... I swear she always orders me about. How is she even popular with an attitude like that? 

As his body regained its consciousness, Futoshi lifted himself upright before brushing himself off with his hands. He had spent more than enough time with Reina than he intended to already. With that, his legs carried him to the door. Pressing against his chest, blocking the way, was the very same girl he hoped to get away from.

The small girl's gaze met Futoshi's. What did she want now? Reina's brow furrowed as her lip curled slightly. What was this unusual combination? One thing was certain: the look in her eyes in that moment wasn't one of embarrassment or courage, no. It was by far something far more menacing. 

In that moment, Futoshi felt a lump well up in his throat.

Uh oh...I'm screw-

"And where do you think you're going....Akutami-kun?" Reina cracked her knuckles. She was pissed. Fearing the worst, Futoshi tensed all the muscles he could in his body.

"You know, now that you know my secret, we can't have you escaping, can we, Akutami-kun?" Reina cocked back her fist as Futoshi desperately held his hands in front of him. He closed his eyes. The suspense was too much to bear.

"Wait, Sakura-san, let's not act rashly, ok? I won't tell a soul what I found out here today!" Futoshi pleaded. He bowed as his hands were pushed together. Reina was getting a bit too heated, just over a "friend", huh?

Hearing those words and seeing how he pleaded so desperately, Reina lowered her guard before pointing her finger at Futoshi.

"Ok, but even if you are serious, I can't have you running around on your own, after all theres still a chance, you let the cat out of the bag even if you didn't mean to.  Reina pushed her hands into her sides. "So, Akutami-kun, join the confession club!"

Futoshi scratched his cheek with his finger before averting his gaze in a different direction. The aura radiating off Reina in that moment signalled that he had to watch what his next words would be. Reina, noticing Futoshi's wavering resolve, proudly puffed out her chest as she let a small giggle escape from her lips. 

"Oh, and if you don't...well lets just say your popularity, will, uh...how do I put this?..." Just then, Reina put a finger to her lips as she pretended not to know what her next sentence would be. "... cease to exist. I wonder what people would say if I misunderstood the situation? They probably wouldn't believe you, huh ." As she finished those harsh words, she clapped her hands together, as a half-hearted smile tugged at the corners of her cheeks, ultimately seeming proud of her cruel proposition.

In response to this, Futoshi's shoulders slumped to his sides. Reina had the upper hand; if this were a game of chess, it would've been over right there and then. Checkmate. It was clear that the odds weighed in Reina's favour. After all, who were they more likely to believe? The guy who everyone only sees as "hot and popular", or the school's honour student?

"Fine, I'll join the confession club." In this situation, it was clear he had to oblige.       

If that got out, I could kiss my high school life goodbye. And heck, probably my whole career life too.  

"wait..." Futoshi pushed his finger to his lip, seemingly coming to a revelation."Is the confession club even an official club?" Futoshi cocked his head as the words escaped from his lips.

Just then, Reina's head cowered into her palms. She had been caught. They both knew that.

"It's not official, is it?" Futoshi let out a sigh as the palm of his hand covered his face in disappointment. In that moment, Reina folded her arms and averted her gaze elsewhere in the room, seemingly to avoid the confrontation that she found herself in.

Reina's tone softened.

"...so what if it's not?... That's what your help is  for, to recruit new members." As those words left her lips, Reina's eyes quivered. Sure, it could be a sham to get him to pity her, but he didn't care. Futoshi hated seeing a girl's tears; it was in his nature to want to protect them.

Seeing her cry, Futoshi let out an angry sigh from his lips. As much as he hated the waterworks, it wasn't as if he could get out of this situation scot-free anyway. After all, Reina still had the upper hand and the key to ruining his whole life.

"Fine, I'll help, now wipe your tears. Girls like you don't suit being sad." As he said that, Futoshi clasped his hands behind his head as he let out a slight yawn. 

If she were here right now...I know she'd be proud of me for being so selfless.

Just then-

GURGLE

Reina held her hands over her stomach; it must have been embarrassing having her stomach growl in front of the one she wanted to impress. At the same time, her cheeks flushed.

ugh..so embarrassing.

Presumably to hide her embarrassment, Reina covered her face with her hands. Seeing her all flustered, Futoshi flashed a wry smile before making a thumbs-up with this hand.

"Someone hungry? We always cook too much...so - if you want, you can come round if you'd like." 

   Wha-wha-what! Dinner at Futoshi's? Why?

In response to that gesture of kindness,  Reina turned her head, and her cheeks puffed out.

"I guess as my helper, this is the least you could do, hmph!"