"I don't need you here- Why don't you just leave?" His words stung as they exited his mouth and entered my ears.
"Wouldn't you want company though..?" I mumbled, asking him a question I already knew the answer to.
He turned towards me, pulling his gaze from his book just to stare into my eyes instead.
"When have I ever needed company? I've never wanted company, let alone you."
My heart sunk down deep into my stomach. I felt as if tears threatened to spill from my brown eyes.
I wasn't used to Togami's emotional abuse, even now.
I took a step towards him.
He had an ice cold stare that seemed to be focusing on me.
"B-But.."
The silence cut into my sentence.
"What are you doing staring at me? You act as if my success will rub off on you. I won't let you mooch off me." Togami spat.
I felt tears welling up in my eyes, and deep down inside of me, I wanted to scream.
"Fine." I wiped my eyes, to make sure I had control of myself.
"I'll leave. That's all I'm good for.. According to you.." I mumbled.
The heir turned to me.
"Maybe you'll finally be happy if I disappear.."
I heard him swallow hard.
I got up, and left. Later, I began to regret that I had said those things. There's probably no difference if I apologized, but I would be able to clear my conscience..
The next day, I went back to the library. There I knew he would be.
I entered through the front door, no one turned to see me except..
Togami.
He was sitting near the back, yet still with a clear view of the entrance. Did he expect me?
I walked towards him, a sense of guilt stressing me.
He didn't look up from his book. I reached out my hand. "Hey- Togami.." I muttered, trying to hide my shame.
He looked up. "Hello, Naegi." I practically jumped in my skin. This had to be the first time he had properly greeted me. "I- I just wanted to apologize for what I said yesterday.." I said.
"It's fine." He responded. The way Togami acted made me slightly uncomfortable, but It was nice.
"Okay then.. I guess I'll be going now.." I reluctantly went on.
"Wait."
That word barely registered in my mind, yet I turned to him.
"Why don't you sit down for a while? You don't have anything else to do, correct?"
I nodded, blushing a bit. I pulled up a chair next to him. I shifted nervously in my seat, as I had no occupation.
About 10 seconds passed until any word was spoken.
"Hey, Naegi.." Togami mumbled to me. "Ye-Yeah?"
"Don't you like.. Bears?" He said, looking at me with a stone cold serious face.
"Well- Y-Yeah..! They're my favourite animal..!" I sputtered, blushing.
"Right.. So you might like this, then.." He turned to show me the cover of the book he was reading. A book on...
..
Bears.
My face turned a deep red, and I laughed. He seemed to keep his solemn demeanor.
"Read with me."
I leaned over, blushing hard.
My eyes began to scan over the lines at Togami's pace.
We sat in silence, reading for the rest of the evening.
I guess letting out your feelings once in a while wasn't a bad thing after all.
