Chapter Text
The smell of butter sizzling on the pan got Jean drooling. her eyes followed the bacon from the fridge to the countertop and then into the hot frying pan, the savoury sizzle of the meat against the metal surface got her stomach to grumble even more. She licked her tongue hungrily as she stared at the cooking meat, taking in the delicious smell of... burning?
Wait, no this smells awful. Like... the smell of a rotten egg stuffed inside an unwashed shoe for ages. For some reason, it smelled... familiar. no... this is the smell of...
Jean's eyes flew open to the sight of Diluc waving his socks at her face, a cheeky smile plastered across his face.
"Good morning, sweetie. Time for breakfast." He greeted with a smirk as Jean hit his stinky socks away from her, her face curling into disgust.
How could she dream of having a scrumptious breakfast when she was inhaling the scent of... that monstrous thing?
"I swear to god, I will tell my mum to ban you from stepping into our house for breakfast every morning." Jean grumbled before climbing out of bed.
"Hey, I personally think that my essence-filled socks from my soccer training yesterday is a great wake up call. It's better than hearing the loud alarm blaring into your ears, don't you think?" He said cheekily, trailing behind her as she made her way into the kitchen.
"I would love to have an alarm screaming into my ears than your socks." She rolled her eyes at him before sitting down at the dining table.
Jean noticed the playful glint in his eyes upon hearing her words and immediately frowned. She held her cereal spoon in her hands and pointed it at him as if she was holding a knife. "Don't think that I don't know what you are thinking, Diluc."
"Oh, what am I thinking, Jean?" He questioned playfully, cocking his eyebrow.
"I'm going to lock my doors tomorrow."
"I have the keys to your room."
"Are you serious?"
"Dead serious. It's for emergency purposes, like when you can't wake up for school every day."
"Oh wow, is that why I have you as my special alarm clock?"
"Precisely."
"Diluc?"
"Why? Do you have some appreciative words for me for being your alarm clock for the past 8 years?"
"Yea. Fuck you."
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Jean and Diluc first met when they were babies. Their mothers, who were the best of friends, were elated to have given birth to their first child in the same year. However, Diluc’s parents had to make the decision to migrate to another state after his father’s winery business ran into some problems.
It wasn’t until when they were both 10, when they met again as neighbours.
Jean didn’t exactly have the best impression of Diluc. She viewed him as an annoying prick: stealing her extra portion of bacon for breakfast that she would usually have and calling her up in the morning (because her mother gave up shouting at a sleeping log). It was not until when the both of them got detention together for fighting in class (because Jean forgot to do her homework and took swapped Diluc’s copy for submission) that they finally got closer – that is, of course, realising how stupid they were fighting in class over a piece of paper.
Since then, they have never left each other’s side.
In school, Jean was the social butterfly - knowing almost everyone in her cohort and having friends across the school levels. On the other hand, Diluc was more of the quiet type, but he’s well-known for his achievements in the school’s soccer team.
Oh, and he was famous for rejecting girls.
“My heart melts for you, Diluc. Please accept this box of chocolate from me! Here’s my number as well. I really, really like you!” Jean read out the letter attached to a box of chocolate in an abnormally higher pitch to the redhead.
“Oh,” She squinted her eyes and took a closer look at the name. “Isn’t she from my class?”
“I don’t know. Not interested.” He said, tossing the box of chocolate over to her. “Eat it or give it away. I don’t understand why they are confessing to me when I have never, ever seen them before.”
Jean scoffed. “I bet you don’t know what a crush is.”
“I know,” Diluc said proudly. “It’s what happens to me when your big ass sits on me. Crush.”
Shots were fired after what he said that day.
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Unfortunately, in their senior years, they were separated into different classes. Nonetheless, they would go to school together and wait for each other to end their class to go home together. At this point, rumours were flying around in school about the duo being an item. But Jean couldn’t care much about it.
Well, not until when she had a crush on Diluc’s friend – Kaeya.
“Help me, please!” Jean begged as she hugged the taller one’s leg tightly. “Please help me tell Kaeya that we are not an item! Please!”
“Also, if you would kindly do the extra, do send him my number as well.” She added on calmly before returning back to her ‘wailing’ act.
She knows how much Diluc hates it when she starts to wail and whine loudly around him.
“Fine, fine, fine. Let go of me!” He yelped before he tried to shake her off his leg while walking back to his room.
The next thing the both of them knew, Diluc was falling forward, his eyes widened in surprise as Jean’s jaws dropped to the floor.
There was a loud ‘crack’ like something broke inside Diluc.
It was at this moment, Jean knew she fucked up.
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“Hey, do you want to go into my class and say hi to Kaeya?” Diluc asked as they stopped in front of his class.
His classroom was the first room they would pass by while Jean’s was 2 rooms down the corridor.
“What? Kaeya, who?” Jean feigned confusion as she scratched her head.
“The blue hair dude? My friend? The one you begged me for his number and ended up breaking my arm, causing me to miss the annual soccer tournament and-“
Jean quickly covered his mouth to shut him off and exposing her. Her face was flushed pink from those embarrassing days and how he has been using this incident to guilt-trip her. However, everyone in school, including Kaeya, thought Diluc broke his arm while he was practising soccer alone. It would be extremely embarrassing for Jean if they knew what had actually happened. Since then, the thought of Kaeya would remind her of this incident and she decided to not have a crush on him anymore.
Jean settled down in her class, waiting for the long day to begin. The last year of senior year was not easy, especially when they have an important exam to prepare for. Things were getting rather tough for her and she could not help but wonder how Diluc manage to juggle his studies and his sports commitment so well.
“Psst, psst, big news girls.” Amber hissed before sliding into the empty chair in front of Jean and Lisa.
Amber and Lisa were Jean’s best friends and thankfully, they were in the same class as her. She could not imagine being separated from any more of her friends while going through such a torturous year.
“Spill the bean, Bunny girl.” Lisa urged as she straightened up in her seat.
“I heard a new girl is coming into our school and she’s got some huge background.”
“What? Is she like some mafia’s daughter?” Jean snorted.
“No! It’s way bigger.”
“I’m dying at the suspense, tell me!” Lisa chided before giving Amber a flick on her head.
“She’s… the daughter of the principal.”
There was a moment of silence in the air as Jean and Lisa gave Amber a death stare.
“What? Isn’t this a huge thing?” Amber questioned as she glanced at her friends in front of her, wondering why her huge news gained no reaction.
“Now you know why Lisa and I are tablemates, Amber.” Jean said before crossing her arms. "You're so lame."
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The sound of the bell ringing at 12 pm sharp signified the start of the lunch break. Almost everyone in class scurried out of the classroom at the sound of the beginning of their short freedom, including Jean.
“So, what are you having for your daily lunch date with Diluc?” Amber teased as she looked at the takeaway lunchbox in Jean’s hands.
It was a promise Jean and Diluc made years ago – to always accompany each other for lunch no matter what. In reality, it was Jean who forced Diluc to make that promise.
After Diluc transferred into their elementary school when he first moved into their neighbourhood, he didn’t have friends. Even his parents were often away from home, leaving him under the care of Jean’s parents instead. Seeing how her new friend was alone during lunchtimes, she decided that the 2 of them would always have lunch together for the rest of their schooling years.
“Rabbit meat.” Jean answered playfully before bursting out into a fit of laughter after seeing how the bunny lover rolled her eyes.
She just loved to annoy Amber.
Just then, her phone vibrated and a notification popped out on the screen.
Diluc: Hey, sorry I can’t eat with you for lunch today. Class president duties.
“I guess I’m having lunch with you girls today.” Jean said as she flashed the text message to her friends.
“Yay! Some girls time for us today!” Amber cheered before squeezing her two friends in her arms for a hug.
A peculiar sigh caught Lisa’s attention and she quickly gave Jean a nudge, before pointing in a certain direction. “Look, it’s the new girl and Diluc.”
Jean glanced over and saw a redhead and a blue head, chuckling while engaging in a conversation. At that moment, she felt something in her chest – like a tinge of anger mixed with some bitterness.
“Hm, class president duties or flirting duties?” Amber teased. “Careful Jean, your bestie is going to get taken away from you.”
“Whatever you say, Amber. Diluc is my best friend and no one can steal him away from me.” Jean said before turning on her heels to leave.
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It was after class and Jean rubbed her tummy gently, still feeling full from her lunch earlier. The noodles on today’s menu were too good and she didn’t know if she should feel regretful about having a second portion today. Amber, on the other hand, was still talking about the new girl, being nosy as usual.
“That new girl and Diluc. Kind of funny how close they look when it’s just her first day of school.” Amber said while rubbing her chin.
Lisa gave a shrug. “Maybe they know each other?”
“Aren’t you curious, Jean?” Amber asked as she propped her face in between her hands. “At this rate, your best friend might be dating the principal’s daughter in the future. Look at how they were all smiles just now, talking to each other, basking in each other’s company with joy.”
Jean clicked her tongue in annoyance. For some reason, Amber was right. Diluc seemed very happy talking to that new girl, smiling so brightly and laughing together with her. It does seem as if he has some interest in her.
Wait, is this what they call ‘love at first sight’?
“Oh, he’s here.” Lisa whispered as she looked over to the door where a tall figure stood with his school bag hung over his shoulder.
“Let’s go, Jean.” Diluc said before giving a small wave to Amber and Lisa.
Jean quickly bid goodbye to her friends before skipping towards the door. For whatever reason, she felt more relax and at ease seeing Diluc. Alone.
Diluc picked up her bag from her and held it over his shoulder along with his bag, tucking his free hand into his pocket as the duo strolled down the streets. He lets out a small whistle, a small smile hung on his lips as a cheery tune escaped his lips.
“Why are you so happy?” Jean questioned, feeling a tug in her chest.
She had a gut feeling why.
“Oh, we had a new classmate today. Her name’s Eula.”
“Is she pretty?”
“Hm, quite.”
Diluc side-eyed Jean and noticed how her face had turned gloomy at his words. He lets out a chuckle before throwing his arm over her shoulder and pulling her closer to him.
“Jealous?”
“That she’s pretty? Pft, I think I’m prettier.” Jean replied before giving her pony a flick in his face.
“You’re jealous.”
“No.”
“Jealous.”
“Stop it, Diluc.”
“Jeaaaaalous.”
“Fine, I’m jealous that you might be getting the principal’s daughter as your potential future girlfriend.” She snapped. “Damn, why didn’t the principal have a son instead? I would have unleashed my inner seductress and make myself the principal’s daughter-in-law!”
Diluc stared at her speechlessly, raising a brow at her questionable words.
“So, you’re jealous because I might be having a girlfriend soon or because Eula is not a boy?” He asked.
Jean’s heart was racing at his abrupt question. Was she feeling this really odd emotion because he’s spending time with the new girl or because of something else? Impossible. How could she like this ugly, tall, redhead with extremely stinky socks? She would still go for Kaeya over him any other day.
“Because she’s not a boy.” Jean replied confidently. “Imagine the exam answers I can get! I’ll be acing my exams and beating you in your grades!”
Diluc shook his head before giving her a pat on her head out of pity. “I think the senior year stress is getting to your head. Let’s go home, I’ll tuck you in bed, you poor thing.” He cooed while putting on a face of pity and concern for her.
“Wait, no, this is a serious proposal. If you ever date Eula, please, get me the answer keys for the exams.” Jean pleaded.
Diluc lets out a sigh and started walking faster and further away from his delusional friend, leaving her chasing after him with her short legs and poor stamina.
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It has been almost 4 days. 4 days since she ate lunch with Diluc and maybe a week since she has been travelling to school alone.
The soccer team was preparing for the yearly inter-school tournament and Diluc had to attend their 2 weeks training camp. To help the team, the school allowed the boys to stay in the school hostel during the camp duration so that they would be well-rested for class the next day. This meant that Jean would not have an alarm clock for 2 weeks.
On top of all this, their daily lunch sessions were severely interrupted by the lovely new student, Eula. She had been struggling with school work and has been consulting Diluc during lunch, stealing the only time Jean could spend with him away.
4 days was enough for her to miss her best buddy.
“No lunch with Diluc today?” Amber asked as she slides her food tray on the table before taking a seat.
Jean shook her head as she shoved a mouthful of rice into her mouth.
“Poor you. It must be hard in a long-distance relationship.” Lisa teased as she gave Jean a pat on her head.
Jean shot her a death glare before stabbing her fork into a piece of meat. “He’s busy.”
“You mean, busy with Eula?” Amber stated as her gaze shifted behind Jean.
The blonde girl turned around and saw Diluc, once again, with the friend stealer, carrying a stack of books as they passed by the canteen.
“I heard she’s the Vice-Class President.” Lisa explained. “The original one, Benette, got injured again and has to be hospitalized for a month this time.”
“A month? Didn’t he just recover from a bad fall 2 weeks ago?” Amber exclaimed in disbelief.
Lisa gave a shrug. “He hurt his left leg the other time. This time, it’s the right one.”
Amber burst out laughing at Lisa’s witty answer, tears were rolling down her face as her cheeks grew red from the laughing. Lisa quickly nudged her to stop laughing after realising how quiet Jean was.
The blonde girl was trying to decipher her emotions these few days.
This feeling of anger and bitterness whenever she saw them together and the weird sense of longing when Diluc wasn’t around her as much was a whole new dimension of emotions she could not comprehend. These feelings lingered in her for so long, it was messing her up.
To her, it felt like she was abandoned by her friend for someone else. In this case, Diluc abandoned her for his potential soulmate. How could he do that to her?
Jean slammed down on the table with both hands and rose from her seat. “The next time I see them together, I’m going to cut off his ponytail and attach it on her head!” She snapped.
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It happened immediately the next day. Jean was face to face with her best friend and the friend stealer right outside her classroom while she was heading out to the toilet.
She gave him a piercing glare and shove her way through in between the duo and stormed off, leaving a flabbergasted Diluc who just wanted to wave hi to her.
“Thought you wanted to cut his hair off? I can let you borrow my scissors.” Lisa offered after Jean returned from her trip to the loo.
Jean waved off her offer, a grumpy look was practically implanted on her face at this point. “He took 2 years to grow it out.” She huffed.
The torturous day in school finally came to an end. It wasn’t clear which was more torturing for Jean though, the voice of her English teacher that made her want to sleep in class or the fact that Diluc has been hanging around with Eula more often than her.
Her phone screen lit up with a notification popping out on the screen.
A disloyal friend who left you for his future soulmate: Meet me at our usual place.
“Pft, why should I?” Jean scoffed and rolled her eyes before throwing her phone into her bag.
In the end, she did go up to the rooftop to meet him.
Their eyes met and Jean immediately crossed her arms in an attempt to assert that it was not her original intention to meet him. Her eyes were shooting daggers at him as he approached her slowly.
“Thought you forgot that you had a friend called Jean.” She said sarcastically.
She was elated, internally, that Diluc had asked to meet her but her pride got in the way and she had to maintain the ‘Jean-is-very-upset-with-you-but-she-is-not-gonna-tell-you’ façade in front of him.
“Are you upset?”
“No.”
“You clearly are. It’s written all over your face.”
“Then you should know why?”
“Why?”
With each question he asked her, he took a step forward. By the third question, he was standing right in front of her.
She had to tilt her head up her little to look at him.
She remained silent at his question, refusing to answer him. She’s angry and upset, indeed, but she couldn’t bring herself to say that it was because Diluc has been hanging out with Eula. It sounded… odd.
“You’re jealous of Eula, aren’t you?”
Her mouth was sealed tight.
She noticed how the corners of his lips tugged up slightly.
“You like me, don’t you?”
Jean almost choked on her saliva at his words and stared at him wide-eyed. “Where did you get that idea from?”
“From what you are doing now and the way you would angrily stare at me and Eula whenever we passed by you. FYI, I noticed that.” He said proudly.
“It’s probably in your imagination.” She scoffed and quickly let out a forced chuckle. “How is that possible?”
“Then, let me try something.” Diluc requested as he removed his smartwatch from his wrist.
“What are you doing?” Jean questioned as he strapped the watch over hers instead.
He tapped on the small screen a few times until a red heart icon appeared and looked at her with a smile.
“Experiment. Ready?”
“Ready for what? Are you going to make me run laps-“
He spun her around and wrapped his arms around her waist, embracing her petite frame tightly. He rests his chin on her shoulder and closed his eyes, a smile hung on his lips gently.
Jean could feel the sensation of warmth rushing up to her cheeks and how her heart was pounding against her chest as if she had kept a beast locked up inside her. His grip tightened around her, pulling her closer to him. She could feel his warm breath tickling her cheeks gently as if teasing her.
The watch started beeping loudly after a while, indicating that her heart rate was going too fast. Diluc lets out a chuckle and grabbed her arm to show her the screen.
“See?”
“Th-this doesn’t prove anything!” She stuttered and tried to break free from his embrace.
“Wait,” He mumbled before nuzzling his forehead against her head. “Let me rest like this for a while. I’m tired.”
Jean could feel his burning forehead against her skin. Sensing that something wasn’t right, she broke free from him and quickly turned around. She was too engrossed with her own situation earlier that she failed to notice how his face was as white as sheets.
Jean placed her hand on his forehead and frowned at the heat against her palm.
“You’re burning!” She exclaimed.
“Am I?” Diluc touched his forehead and let out a small smile. “Must be from training in the rain yesterday.”
“Sickbay, now.” She instructed before grabbing his hand, only to get pulled back by Diluc.
“You know how much I hate going to the sickbay.”
“Then, do you want your brain to get fried?” Jean snapped out of frustration.
“I’ll go if you promise to answer my question earlier.”
“Fine, fine. Whatever.” Jean agreed in haste, forgetting about what he had asked earlier.
He was burning up and she was too worried for him to be concerned about whatever they were doing earlier.
The small girl quickly dragged him down to the sick bay and the school nurse gave him some medicine to take along with a cooling pad on his forehead. Diluc was instructed to rest in the sickbay until his fever subsided before he could leave.
“So, can you answer me now?” He turned over to face Jean who was sitting next to the bed. “My question earlier.”
“Which one?”
“Do you like me?”
Jean swallowed thickly. “You… asked that? I don’t really remember…”
“Hey, I’m the one with the burning brain here. Not you.”
“How am I supposed to answer that question?” She protested. “Oh, the watch said everything? Pfft.” She lets out a scoff, only to realise seconds later that was a fatal mistake.
She quickly took a glance at the redhead who was smiling brightly at her.
“So, you do like me!” He said, his voice sounded much more energetic than before.
Jean stood up from her seat immediately. She could feel her face turning red again.
“I did not say that.”
“Wanna guess who I like?” Diluc teased before grabbing her hand and swinging it.
Jean’s mood made a turn. The image of Eula and Diluc emerged in her mind, happily holding hands and skipping towards her.
“No thanks.” She said, sweeping his hands off hers. “I need to go home now. I’ve work to do.”
Diluc quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him, causing Jean to topple on top of his warm body. Jean gasped at his sudden movement and was taken aback by the sudden close proximity between them – her face was mere inches away from his.
Diluc smiled at her and leaned in to plant a small kiss on her forehead.
“Now you know who I like.” He mumbled softly to her, a teasing smile hung on his lips.
Jean quickly regained her composure and scrambled off him. She smoothens out the crease on her uniform and avoided all eye contact with him as she picked up her phone from the bedside table.
“I-I-I’ll get going. Bye.” She quickly said before dashing out of the sickbay.
She thought her face was going to melt off her body today. All thanks to her stupid best friend.
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“Hi girls, I have a confession to make,” Jean said solemnly as she stared at her 2 friends on her screen.
“Go on, confess your sins and the great Amber will forgive you.” Amber urged as she shuffled in her seat, a face of curiosity was set on her face through the video call.
Lisa, on the other hand, looked worried. “What happened?”
“There’s this weird thing happening to me. I have no idea why whenever I see Diluc and Eula together, I would get this weird feeling inside me. Like I’m angry yet I’m upset about them being around each other. Especially after Diluc showed some interest in her! Like, it’s bothering me so much that my brain is constantly filled with their images and I would sometimes get sad, and later I would get angry and the cycle repeats. And now, he’s not even hanging with me and I feel like something is missing from me in my life sometimes. I’m even starting to miss his alarm calls in the morning and his stinky socks. Am I going insane over losing a friend?” Jean took a deep breath after saying out the whole chunk of words she had kept in her for so long. Honestly, it felt like a huge rock lifted off from her after sharing it with her friends.
The blonde girl looked back at her screen, only to see both of her best friends looking at her with an eyebrow raised. What in the world of coordination was this?
“Uh Jean?” Lisa started off by saying.
“Yeah?”
“You…”
“You have a big, fat crush on Diluc, stupid!” Amber yelled through the video call, causing her whole screen to shake violently.
Jean frowned and crossed her arms.
“Do I?” She questioned seriously. “Why doesn’t it felt like happiness and excitement whenever I see Kaeya in school?”
“Babe, that’s eye candy.” Amber corrected her. “Whatever emotions you have just described to us, that’s called jealousy.”
“And a sense of longing for someone.” Lisa added.
“Basically, you like Diluc.” The two of them said at the same time.
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It has been almost 2 weeks since Jean last saw Diluc.
This time, it wasn’t because of his soccer camp training or because he was hanging around Eula. It was because Jean had been avoiding him.
The first week was fine, almost perfect for her to avoid him without having to come up with any excuses since his training camp was still ongoing. The second week, however, was torture.
Torture because she had to wake up 2 hours earlier than usual to head out for school in order to avoid his wake-up calls and spend time alone with him on the way to school. After school, she would immediately dash off to somewhere secluded – like Lisa’s librarian clubroom, where she would spend about 2 hours there before leaving.
Whenever Diluc would text her to ask for her whereabouts, she would lie and say that she’s hanging out with Amber and Lisa or some other friends she knows around the school. At home, she’ll lock herself up in her room whenever Diluc comes over for dinner occasionally with the excuse that she’s having a mood swing because of her period.
But of course, the week’s about to end and so was her ‘period’.
She has to come up with some other excuses or ideas to not see Diluc.
It’s almost a routine for her, waking up at 5 in the morning and shuffling her feet to the toilet to wash up. She stared at the dark circles below her eyes in the mirror and sighed softly before splashing a puddle of water onto her face. She grabbed the towel hanging around her neck to wipe her face and took a glance into the mirror to check on her appearance one last time.
She froze.
Through the mirror, a familiar tall figure was staring at her while leaning against the door frame. His appearance sucked her sleepiness out of her body instantly and she swallowed thickly, wrapping her fingers around her towel tightly.
“You’re up early.” He spoke first before crossing his arms.
Why was he at her place so early? He must have figured out her plans and waited around to catch her.
Jean lets out a dry cough. “I… I’m going for a run. Right. Yes. A morning run.” She lied while her gaze was fixed on his figure through the mirror.
She has to get out of here immediately.
“Well, I guess you have your soccer training? I shall not bother you and be on my way.” She quickly added before forcing a smile at him.
Diluc immediately stuck his arm out to block her way. Jean, being very quick-witted, quickly ducked under his arm and made her way out calmly.
“Hah, sucks to be tall!” She snickered, elated at her small victory before running back to her room.
Jean quickly entered her room but before she could slam her door shut and lock it, a foot stuck out and blocked her door.
“Sucks to have short legs.” He said and pushed open the door, only to have her on the other side pushing it back.
“What do you want?” She questioned, peeking from behind the door. “I’m busy.”
“Busy avoiding me? Jean, I know you well enough.” He said with a small smirk.
“I wasn’t avoiding you.”
“Then why are you waking up 2 hours before school and staying in Lisa’s clubroom for a few hours after school?”
“Damn it, that girl betrayed my location.” She hissed. “I was busy studying. Being a good student.” She quickly came up with an excuse.
“As if I would believe that, Jean.” Diluc said and rolled his eyes. “It’s because of what happened that day isn’t it?”
“What happened? What day? I don’t remember.”
“Do you want me to refresh your memory?” He said before showing her his smartwatch.
Jean lets out a string of colourful profanities in her brain and her cheeks grew warm at the thought of what happened.
“F-f-fine, I remember!”
“Then?” He questioned, cocking an eyebrow. “Why are you avoiding me?”
“Do you have to get the answer from me today?” Jean asked, her voice sounding almost like she’s begging him to save her from the torment of his interrogation.
He nodded, his eyes were burning with determination.
She knew that he won’t back down until he has gotten what he wants.
Jean suck in a deep breath while her mind was sorting out what she wanted to tell him, but the first few words that came out from her was not in her script.
“I’m confused.” She said before letting out a sigh.
Diluc’s expression softens at her words, yet he too, looked confused.
“I… I like you? It’s a whole new world for me… I have never liked my best friend romantically and it just felt strange. I was so confused the whole time with this weird sensation going inside me and I thought I was just upset because Eula was taking you away from me. But I think that was me developing feelings for you unknowingly and I didn’t want to acknowledge it because… because I wasn’t sure about you… towards me. You know? And then, you gave me that confusing kiss on the head while I was so sure that you have a huge crush on Eula. And now, I don’t know how to stay around you without my heart running so fast.” She blurted out and stole a glance at him.
His expression was rather questionable. She couldn’t decipher what he was feeling at that point.
“So,” Diluc suddenly spoke and pushed the door open, causing Jean to take a step back. “You’re saying, you still think I like Eula?”
“I don’t know? Do you?” She retorted, taking a step back as he took another step towards her.
“Even when I gave you a kiss on your head?”
He took another step forward again.
“D-do you have a problem with my opinion?”
She took a step back.
“Jean.”
Her back hit the edge of her desk and she gulped as he placed both his hands beside her, trapping her between him and the desk. Her mind was screaming for help and her heart was pounding so quickly at the sudden closeness between them. Was it a bad thing that she realised that she liked him?
“What do I need to do for you to believe that I really, really like you?” He continued, his gaze turning serious yet still having a glint of softness in them.
“I mean, well, you can let me out first?” She suggested before letting out a forced chuckle. She wasn’t sure where this tension between them was going.
Diluc started humming a small tune, a smile crept up his face as he looked directly into her eyes.
“I see, maybe that forehead kiss wasn’t enough.”
“Wait, what?”
Before she could process his words, she felt something soft against her lips. That feeling sent a pleasant wave of electrifying sensation throughout her body, eliciting a wave of butterflies in her stomach.
He kissed her.
That short few seconds of the intimate moment was enough to leave a lingering sensation on her lips as he pulled away with a smile on his face.
“There, happy with my confession?” He asked before giving her a tap on her rosy cheek as she stared at him wide-eyed.
She gave a nod subconsciously as her eyes followed him out of her room.
“By the way,” He stopped in his tracks at the door and turned towards her. “Today’s Saturday, dummy.”
Jean’s eyes fluttered at his words. She could have slept in today after a week of waking up at such an ungodly hour?!
“I’ll… see you on a date later?” Diluc said before letting out a soft chuckle.
“O…okay…” Her voice trailed off as her fingers touched her lips and a small smile emerged on her face.
Jean’s very much in love with her best friend.