Stained
Glass
Prologue
Fairytale
Footsteps resound through the hallway. A melodic sound, mid-paced and in a constant rhythm. They draw closer for seconds, heading towards the young male who's walking towards his hideout on the roof, the bento attached securely under his right arm. He doesn't seem to acknowledge the one desperately trying to catch up with him and even if he noticed her, he doesn't let it show. Not until her breathless voice calls out to him, finally making him stop in his tracks and gaining his attention.
"Kei-kun!"
He turns around slowly to face the girl in front of him who now rests the hands on her knees in an effort to slow down both, her racing breath and heart. A single drop of sweat is rolling down the side of her face but wiped away once she caught herself and raises to her full height, looking at her chase directly. Her rich red hair is slightly messed up, a few strains flying wild around her head, something she doesn't notice. But he does. He's bound to notice anything strange when it comes to visual appearances, it's part of his job.
"Hime? What's wrong?"
"What's wrong? You are the one who is wrong."
Eyebrows lift in surprise as he looks at her. She seems somewhat furious, her blue eyes are glittering in a way which mean anything but happiness. After two years he has learned to understand any of her signs, as fleeting and small as they might be. It's a requirement for a long, steady relationship after all. At least, that's his belief. But, currently, he has the odd feeling that something is up. Something he cannot put his finger onto. And so he tries to understand. By asking.
"I'm sorry but I don't know what you mean."
This something he tries to understand is something that has been bothering her for hours already. Sure, she is a lucky girl. To have the most popular guy of her school as her boyfriend is luck beyond ones belief. It's a story right from a fairytale, too good to be true. But even fairytales have their dark moments and one of those is taking place right now.
"You mean, you don't remember?"
Somehow it's hard to believe. The prince from the fairytale is always a perfect lover. He reads every wish from his princess' eyes, treats her in the best possible way and remembers everything he promised her. And her real prince suddenly has a crack in his perfection. He forgot. Of all things he forgot the promise he gave just a few hours ago in the morning. Now he's giving her this look, completely oblivous to the turmoil he just caused in her fragile heart which is sobbing lightly at the betrayal. Her eyes narrow.
"You would wait for me at lunch break so that we can spend it together. You promised that earlier this morning."
"Oh."
If any word can describe his current mimic it would be embarrassement. He doesn't feel comfortable at all. For once, he forgot the promise and then... then he cannot even make it up to her by saying that he intends to fulfil it. He's not only heading up towards the roof to have some peace and quite, he also has to make some urgent phone calls regarding his job. But can he let her down? He is fighting with himself until he settles down with a simple conclusion. It's just this one time, it won't happen again. Only once. So it cannot hurt her.
"Hime, I'm sorry but I can't. I have some phone calls to make, urgent ones that is."
Her beautiful face is falling. From light anger to disappointment. She might have forgiven him if he had kept to his promise anyways but now she doesn't know what to think. Is is really true? That her fairytale prince is nothing but a dream which can never become reality? That he's all but perfect?
"Listen, why don't you enjoy the break with Natsumi or Konno? I'm sure they're better entertainment than listening to my calls."
He doesn't say it but it hurts him to see her in obvious pain. Even if it's no physical one. The pain of emotions is certainly worse than any bleeding wound. But he cannot change it, as much as he wants to he cannot. And so his heart lifts a bit when she tilts her head and grants him with one of her beautiful smiles.
"I will, Kei-kun."
He nods, feeling his guilt lighten at the same time. And then he turns, continuing his previous walk down the hallway towards the stairs which lead to the roof. She remains at the same spot until he completely disappeared. Only her lips start moving once or twice but not a word leaves them. It takes some moments for her mask to slip, the smile to leave her face and the realization to kick in. When it does, her legs give away. She falls down onto her knees, a blank look on her face. Her fairytale prince just disappeared without her. And he doesn't seem sorry for breaking a promise, leaving her all alone in process.
Authors Notes:
We need some TokiMemo Girl's Side fanfics so here is one! And a complete drama even. When developing the concept the main idea behind it was is Kei really the fairytale prince anyone expects him to be? And would the heroine, once having gained his heart, be happy with him? Throw in another guy who loves the heroine and you get this. Just take your guess who that guy will be.
