17.

                                    

                                          
Atsushi was lying on his futon, the tiger plushie on the floor next to him as he stared at it. The whole situation with Akutagawa was confusing him. Just more than a week ago the dark-haired boy couldn't even stand the sight of him but now he gave him a gift? 
                          
It was all so confusing. 
                          
He pulled out his phone and quickly went to his texts, clicking on Higuchi's name. Atsushi hesitated a bit before typing out a message. 
                          
A-sushi 🍣
hey, Higuchi 
                          
Ichiyō-chan 🌼
hey, Atsushi
did you get home, okay?
                          
A-sushi 🍣
yeah, I did thanks
I just needed to ask you something...
                          
Ichiyō-chan 🌼
sure, what is it?
                          
A-sushi 🍣
how...do you know when someone likes you? 
                          
Ichiyō-chan 🌼
...
are the girls at school flirting with you again?!
                          
A-sushi 🍣
what? no!
it's just...
                          
The white-haired boy blushed silently, deciding that it would be best for him to not beat around the bush. 
                          
A-sushi 🍣
akutagawa bought me something and i don't know what that means
my older brother says that he probably likes me but it seems unlikely, right? 
Higuchi?
seen: 17:42
                          
Atsushi was confused as to why Higuchi suddenly stopped replying and a frown formed between his brows. He sighed and began to put his phone away, only for it to start ringing against his palm. 
                          
“Hello-”
                          
“WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN AKUTAGAWA GAVE YOU A GIFT?! OH MY GOD!!” She shouted into the receiver, Atsushi quickly wincing as he pulled the phone away from his ear. “Oh, sorry~.” 
                          
“It's okay,” Atsushi reassured shyly, fiddling with the string of his hoodie. “I'm surprised by this whole thing as well. I mean, I just don't know how to feel about it...”
                          
Higuchi frowned in concern and hummed to herself. “Well, just know that Akutagawa doesn't get people gifts-apart from Gin, of course. He only ever buys me-his best friend-gifts on my birthday. So, this should be evidence enough.”
                          
Nakajima realised that Higuchi had a point that seemed to reassure him but something that Akutagawa said picked at his mind. 
                          
...I guess that I kind of felt bad? 
                          
Did he give him the plushie because he liked him or was it out of pity? Atsushi frowned as he thought about it, almost forgetting that he was on a phone call with Higuchi. 
                          
“I guess you could be right,” Nakajima mumbled under his breath. 
                          
Ichiyō furrowed her brows in concern, noticing his sudden change in tone. “Atsushi, are you okay?” She asked in concern. 
                          
The white-haired boy pursed his lips, exhaling sharply through his nose. “Yeah, I'm okay, just thinking.” A knock at the door made him look up. “I have to go, I'm being called for dinner. Bye, Higuchi.” 
                          
He hung up after she replied and went to slide the bedroom open, not surprised to see Fukuzawa standing there. “Dinner's ready, Atsushi.”
                          
“Oh, I'll be there in a minute,” he hummed in response, hoping that the older man would turn around and leave.