Chapter Text
My heart is pounding in my ears as I run up those godforsaken steps. I can't seem to catch my breath, stumbling over my feet, holding on to the rails for dear life to not fall down. I approach The door and you'd think it flew off it's hinges the way I slam it open.
I see the similar figure and run up to it. I suddenly feel a stinging in my eyes. God damnit- Haven't I cried enough already? I stand before them and am unsure of what to do. Tears fall down my cheeks and the words seem to be stuck in my throat. I feel my hands start to shake and start fidgeting with my thumbs.
The figure doesn't seem surprised by my presence, but I can't meet their eyes so their expression is cast in mystery.
They open their arms, inviting me to steal their warmth and wet their shoulder.
I don't hesitate for a second and take quick steps to warp my arms around them, holding on for dear life. My silent tears turn to loud sobs but they weren't sad tears... they weren't happy either. I bite my lip, trying to choke down my sobs but they quickly catch my act.
"Let it out, It's okay" Ruis soft voice is barely audible over my breakdown. I let go and sob for at least five next minutes. The break is reaching it's end and I still haven't said a thing
Without pulling back I take a shaky breath, the lump in my throat not making this easier. "R-ui" I cringe and the hard crack of my voice. I clear my throat and groan at my failed attempt. This all seems so pathetic with my new found clarity of thoughts.
"I told them" I choke out the best I can. I only now realise that Rui is slowly stroking my back, while tightly holding me and and playing with my usual ponytail with his other hand.
"So you did..." He coos in a gentle tone. Of course he'd know it was a hard topic for me, he always showed understanding towards my issues. He takes a pause before speaking up again "I feel like asking for their reaction is pointless..." He pulls away, holding me by my shoulders and leaning down a little to meet my eyes "I trust you chose a lovely friend group"
I can't help but chuckle a little because he was, of course, right. I smile gently remembering the warm reaction of Kanade, the indifference of Mafuyu and the effort Ena put in to reconnect with me. It was scary telling them about something I've been scared of for so long but now I feel even closer to them.
I focus on the person before me again and give him a genuine and thankful smile "Ena... She told me you talked with her" I rest my hands on my chest where my heart would be to show my gratitude "Thank you, Rui... I wouldn't be here if you didn't talk to me back then... and now you saved me again" I say before I realise the weight of my words but they are true.
Rui looks a little surprised but chuckles and ruffles my hair with his signature smirk "Well we're even then"
I tilt my head to the side in confusion "Even?" I ask but Rui just laughs again and shrugs. That mysterious prick! I appreciate Rui lots but he Always stays so ambiguous.
The bell rings to quickly and we look at each other and sigh. Our time together always seemed to be cut short by the school bell.
"You'll be skipping I'm guessing..?" Rui laughs as he looks at my disheveled state
"Have you seen how smudged my mascara is? Of course I'm skipping!" I say as it were obvious and let out a chuckle, matching his laugh. "I think I'm gonna ditch completely, I only came here to thank you" I mutter quietly, ashamed to admit. My attendance is in shambles.
"Whatever suits you" Ruis voice is as careless as ever. He opens the door and holds it open for me as he knows I hate holding that stupidly heavy, massive, iron door. I smile because I can see him struggling a little with it too.
As I hop over to leave that surprisingly cold rooftop I feel my ankle suddenly give up and twist. My shoes are obviously with a pretty big platform, as I of course didn't bother changing my shoes at the entrance, so before I knew it I was in the process of falling straight to my death. I close my eyes, accepting my short but eventful life is coming to an end.
I wait for the impact of falling down the stairs but I don't... I slowly open my eyes and see myself hanging over the stairs. I feel an arm around my waist and glance back to a panicked Rui that is holding me by my waist with one arm and holding the damn door with the other. I can see he's just as startled as me... if not, somehow, more.
"Fancy meeting you here, sir" I try and joke but Rui just looks like he saw a ghost. He slowly steadies me on my feet, not letting go before making absolutely sure that I won't fall.
He finally lets the big door go and, as it closes behind him, he slides down while leaning against it. His hand travels up to his chest, clutching it like he just had a heart attack.
I tilt my head at him and can't help but let out a giggle. "Rui... Thank you for catching me but aren't you being a little- well- Dramatic?" I ask giggling again but he shoots me a glare that is very out of character for him and makes me shut up in an instant.
"You're thin as paper, if you fall down those stairs I can just go and collect the dust you'd turn to" He says with a loud sigh as he slowly stands up again.
"Like I said" I blink at him, unamused. "Dramatic" I give his shoulder a weak push and roll my eyes involuntary. My eyes shoot to him as I feel him grab my wrist and slowly walk down the stairs, pulling me behind him like a dog on a leash.
"I'm making sure you won't fall" He says, as if reading my mind. A sigh escapes my mouth and I let myself get dragged.
The purple mess of unnecessary worries drags me all the way to his classroom, earning a few weird looks from his classmates amd a few whispers in the corridor.
"Rui- Ah- wait- Should I call you Senpai in front of the other seniors?" As I utter the words Rui suddenly lets go of my wrist and looks at me with a... surprised look? A look I can't quite decipher.
"You- Eh-" He starts but can't seem to find the right words so he points to the door of his classroom with a troubled expression. "Class. I have to- Go there- yeah... Yeah! I'll see you... Sometime" And the yellow eyes disappear in a hurry behind the door before I can even tell him 'bye'.
What was that?