More than just school partners

Imagine (You) getting assigned with Noir Vesper as study partners and a class prez/co-prez duo. Since he'd be the very introverted type, you try to get to know him better but he doesn't budge, although he still commits to his duties as a fellow partner in both roles.
You try talk to your classmates Axel, Altare and Magni (who are also close to him) to understand Vesper better. They inform you that he's just a very reserved and shy guy with a good heart, so you decide not to force him out of his comfort zone.

Though, whenever you struggle, he immediately helps you out. Be it with studying after school ends, or doing the logistics for the class. All while he eases up with you. You're happy that he seems to be opening up, slowly learning this side of Vesper that he doesn't show to the other classmates. You do feel special...but you don't want to dwell on those since he's just your fellow partner.

As the days pass, more time is spent with him. You start to learn the little things that's unrelated to your duties - like how he borrows fictional books about zombie apocalypses and sci-fi fantasy space battles, or how he keeps his bike spotless. You two would pass by a poster or a billboard of an anime series and he would point out how great the show is going, subtly recommending you to check it out too.

Soon, your days after school are almost filled with just spending time with Vesper. There are days where you don't meet up (since he spends a day of every week with the boys); and those moments made you feel strangely lonely. You're just so used to being around Vesper that not having him around makes you feel incomplete. You do hang out with your own friends. They're not bad, but it doesn't feel the same.

Axel jokingly mentions if you two are dating behind the boys' backs, with Vesper wildly rejecting that statement as he stutters. You could kinda feel your heart skip a beat the moment when you looked at Vesper all embarrassed. Maybe...it's just the atmosphere.

Do I *actually* like him? You ask yourself as you put on your walking shoes at the school shoe lockers.

You begin to think of him as your partner - what do couples do? Closing up the gap between you and the other? Holding hands? Going on dates?

The moment you vision yourself with Vesper as a couple, your heart started to race. Just the thought of doing all those things with him- Nononononono, you shake your head, wringing those thoughts out of your ridiculous pea of a brain.

"Hey, umm- Do you need an umbrella?"

You got startled by the familiar voice. Vesper stands beside you, a light grey umbrella in his hand. He was definitely studying in the library, you assume.

The existence of your surroundings coming back to you. You didn't realize it started raining - quite heavy even. That's where you remember not bringing an umbrella despite the weather forecast hinting of a heavy downpour in the evening.

You sigh. Not even your coat can save you from the inevitable awkwardness of sharing an umbrella...with someone you have unknown feelings for.

You nod, agreeing to his selfless offer. He opens the umbrella and makes some space for you to shelter next to him. His umbrella is a little smaller, definitely not meant to be for two, you thought while your shoulders are constantly brushing against each other.

The trip is quiet, the heavy rain filling the dead air between them. For some reason, you two aren't talking much. You aren't sure if you should initiate a conversation especially when you're already indebted to him.

"Where do you live?" he suddenly asks.

You mention that you live a few blocks away after the station nearby. He went quiet for a while more, seemingly thinking of something.

"...I'll send you home. I don't think there's any shelters around your area."

You almost wanted to refuse the offer in order not to trouble him, but he's right - there's no way you could return home without getting drenched. Your socks and shoes are already making you feel irritated by how soaked they are.

You shyly accept it, although countering back with asking about the location of his house.

"It's actually before the station...but don't worry though - I'm fine with going a little bit further for you. I don't want you to get caught in the rain."

Vesper says that so calmly, yet you could feel your face reddening so much. You lowered your head, hoping that he doesn't see you being an embarrassed mess.

At this point, you thought you would be asking for the time to move quicker so that you can get out of the situation. But walking home beside him feels so serene. He never really distances away from you whenever you brush shoulders from time to time too.

"Ah, are we here?" Vesper confirms as you stand by the gate entrance. You nod, leading you into the patio for shelter.

You bow profusely, apologizing for troubling him. Despite him downplaying his efforts. you ask him if there's anything you can do to repay the favour for today.

Vesper goes quiet for a while, standing right outside the patio under his umbrella without you next to him this time. His gaze shifts slightly and he clears his throat. Is he nervous? Maybe he's actually mad?

"Do-... Umm, if you'd like to...Do you want to go to a cafe this weekend morning? We can have lunch and study together since our Mid Terms are around the corner."

You stand there in disbelief. Without much hesitation, you agreed to his invitation.

"Great. I'll pick you up at um... tomorrow morning then? At 10am? Is it fine for you?"

You nod again, your expression visibly showing excitement.

"Alright. We can cycle to town on my bike too...See you tomorrow."

With that, he flashed a warm smile at you before leaving the gate.

You touch your cheeks. Oh, how red your face is. It's cold yet your face is all hot from being embarrassed. You could feel how your heart rate as increased even more, yet you wonder what outfit you should wear.

There's no hiding it now that you definitely, DEFINITELY like Vesper Noir.