One step at a time

After being shooed out of the student council room by Hoga-senpai, Goda and Nakahara walked over to the third floor stairwell and began descending in relative silence. Although it didn't feel quite as awkward as the previous days trip back from the arcade. Could this minor improvement in atmosphere be the result of the newfound realization that they were kindred spirits? Two suspended first years, subjected to the scrutiny of the student council and searching for ways to fill their free time. 

But if Goda's memory was correct, Machida had said that Nakahara wasn't in any one club officially. So what exactly had she been suspended from doing? He made a subtle glance down in her direction in an effort to gauge how she might react if he asked about it, but no luck. Ever since he'd turned his phone over to her in the student council room she'd donned this unreadable mask. At least she didn't seemed as bothered by his presence as before. On that note it was probably best to avoid topics that might undo whatever progress he'd just made. 

"You gonna go back to gift shopping?"

Her eyes flicked his direction and held his gaze for a moment while the rest of her continued downwards. Goda struggled to pull off the same level of nonchalance as he was too conscious of going down the stairs without falling or missing a step. A product of his long stride...or so he told himself whenever the issue of stairs came up. In reality it probably had more to do with the time in his youth when he'd fallen down a long flight of temple stairs while visiting his grandparents. He didn't actually remember too much from the fall itself, but did recall images of his older sister sprinting down the stairs after him. A feat he would've been scared to attempt even before the incident. 

"I already told you it's not meant as a gift."

Hold up, she's talking. Need to respond after this next step, and...clear.

"You actually didn't tell me anything, rather you insinuated Bagemon make poor gifts for non-children—"

"What I'm looking for is something that can serve as a peace offering."

Peace offering? So she was trying to reconcile with someone? Woah! Almost missed that step.

"A gift would come across as too personal. I'm not looking to grow closer to this person, nor are they looking to get closer to me."

On that note they reached the first floor of the main school building. Nakahara making her way over to her shoe locker. Goda's own shoe locker actually wasn't far, in fact it was on the opposite side of the same locker unit. If he jumped he'd probably even be able to see her. Shoe locker placement aside, Goda sensed Nakahara had more she wanted to say on the current matter and picked up the conversation where they'd left off.

"By chance is the recipient of this peace offering younger than us?"

"...what makes you say that?"

"Well you lost interest in the plush after learning its target audience was children right? In other words you might've thought getting something age appropriate would come across as making an effort. Which can be interpreted as an attempt at growing closer to the person."

The sound of a locker slamming shut reverberated around the school's entryway.  

"Wouldn't have pegged you as the socially conscious type."

It was Goda's turn to slam his locker. If only that was case.

"Trust me, if I was the socially conscious type you're referring to, I wouldn't be in such a shit situation right now."

"I see." Nakahara stepped out from behind the locker unit and observed Goda as he pulled both shoes on.

"Look, I don't have great social awareness, and I definitely don't have book smarts. Common sense is about all I can manage right now." He raised his head and recoiled upon seeing that she was waiting right next to him. 

"Sounds to me like you've got more than enough to get through this 'shit situation' then." A smile of reassurance found its way onto her face. 

Goda felt it then, an unusual swirl of emotions in the pit of his chest. It was an unfamiliar sensation to be sure, but not an unpleasant one. What had stirred these emotions so suddenly? The words themselves, or the girl he'd met under such odd circumstances the day prior who'd delivered them? He'd settle for both.

"Thanks. I think I needed to hear something like that." He provided Nakahara with his own smile, one of appreciation, and motioned he was ready to go. She turned to the side and crossed her arms in response. 

"It's really not that big a deal..."    

The two exited the front doors and stopped when they reached the school gate. Goda throwing both arms behind his head in a relaxed posture, while Nakahara pulled her phone from her bag.

"Got plans? If not I can help you pick something out for your peace offering."

Nakahara responded with a noise of contemplation as she scrolled through something on her phone.  As she settled on a destination he watched the ekiden club jog by. Goda watched as a first year student in the back of the crowd of runners struggled to keep up and thought about his own conditioning. His senpais would be none to pleased if he returned from his suspension out of shape and slowed down practice. Then again he didn't exactly owe them anything more at this point, and no one from the club had reached out to him about it anyway. One could even argue he deserved a week off or two.

"Alright let's get going." And just like that Nakahara began walking rather expeditiously in the direction of the closest station.

"Easy there Nakagurumi! Just where are we off to exactly!?"

"Who the hell are you calling Nakagurumi!?" She gave him a stern warning glare.

"Would you prefer Nakanui? Or maybe Gurumihara?" he teased.

"What I would prefer, is you staying quiet until we reach our destination! And Nakahara will suffice, Aikawa."

"You're no fun. At least fill me in on where we're going."

"A temple, you'll know it when you see it."

Of all the possible places, she was dragging him to a temple. First an arcade and now a temple. What was next, a pachinko parlor? 

“I think your taking the phrase ‘peace offering’ a bit too literally.”

"Shush. Less talking and more walking. I'd like to arrive before it closes thank you."

"Just don't go trying to steal anything this time, don't really feel like being struck down by righteous fury."

Or falling down another set of temple stairs for that matter…