3. confession

                                    

                                          

 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
Just as y/n lifted her chopsticks, a group of fans approached the table, their eyes wide with excitement. The soft chatter of the restaurant faded around them as the group hesitated, exchanging glances before one of them spoke up.
"Choso?" a girl with a bright smile and dyed pink hair asked. "Sorry to bother you, but we're huge fans!"
Choso sighed quietly, his shoulders stiffening just a bit. He gave them a nod, his dark purple eyes calm but distant. "Yeah. Thanks."
Another girl's gaze flicked toward y/n, her eyes narrowing slightly. The way Choso sat so close to y/n hadn't gone unnoticed. "Um... is she your girlfriend?" she asked, curiosity laced with suspicion.
Y/n's cheeks flushed a deep red. She shifted uncomfortably on the couch, suddenly hyper aware of the small space between her and Choso. She opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out.
Choso's jaw tightened, and he replied flatly, "No."
The fans didn't seem convinced, their eyes darting between the two of them. "Oh," one of them murmured. "You two seem pretty close, though."
Before y/n could shrink any further into the couch, another fan blurted out, "What about Yuki? Is it true you two used to have something?"
Her heart clenched painfully at the name, her fingers trembling slightly as she set down her chopsticks. She remembered the articles, the speculation, the photos she'd seen online the night before. That woman, the one who fit so effortlessly in Choso's world, seemed like everything Y/n wasn't. Confident. Charismatic. The center of attention.
Choso's eyes darkened. "That's none of your business," he said, his voice cold, a hint of his temper slipping through.
The girls fell silent, exchanging awkward glances, but one of them mumbled, "We were just curious..."
Yuji, sensing the tension, jumped in with a grin. "Hey, how about we let the guy eat his ramen? Everyone deserves a break!"
The fans hesitated before finally stepping back. "Sorry for interrupting," one said softly. "We'll let you guys be." They waved awkwardly and retreated, their whispers following them out of earshot.
Y/n stared down at her bowl, her appetite gone. The knot in her stomach grew tighter, and her thoughts spun in dizzying circles. Yuki. Girlfriend. They fit together. Of course people would think that.
Choso turned to her, his eyes softer now. "Ignore them," he muttered. "They don't know anything."
She forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "It's fine." But her voice was barely above a whisper.
Choso frowned, seeing right through her. He leaned in just a little closer, his voice low. "Y/n, look at me."
She hesitated before finally meeting his gaze. His eyes weren't bored or distant now; they were focused, searching.
"Whatever they think, whatever they say, it doesn't matter. You're here now," he said firmly. "That's what matters."
Her heart fluttered, a fragile warmth trying to push away the shadows of doubt. She nodded slowly. "Okay."
Yuji, ever the distraction, slurped his ramen loudly. "Man, this is so good! You two better eat before it gets cold!"
Choso smirked slightly, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer. "He's right."