Disclaimer: I own no characters except the OC. Also based off Sora wo Daite, Oyasumi
Warning: Suicide-related, loss, sorrow, grieve, etc.
The Blue Left Behind is Not Enough to Paint the Sky
'Hey, hey, did you hear? About that first year student…' whispered the girl, standing with her friends to the side of the school's corridor.
'I heard he's a transfer student? And he had the guts to skip the entrance ceremony…' replied her friend.
From the rumours spread around by the girls, the first year student had apparently missed the entrance ceremony on his first day and moreover, he dared to step into the classroom only when the bell for the last period had sounded.
How impudent, he thought to himself. Skipping lessons only to attend the last one on his first day… who did he think he is?
Hijikata had the vague idea that the subject of the gossip was the delinquent he encountered on the rooftop yesterday. He was slightly impressed at how quickly that man had become famous throughout the school, although it was all most likely due to the unusual grey eyes that he possessed, -and for the girls, apparently for his looks too-. But overall, he was secretly grateful to him that the unsavoury gossip to the beginning of the year was about someone else and did not involve him.
Even so, any thoughts of gratefulness fled the moment he remembered yesterday's unpleasant exchange.
He was startled to see someone else on the rooftop after he sent the two guys packing. He thought that he had the space on the forbidden rooftop all to his self, and he lowered his guard for a little bit.
The grey eyes stared at him in scrutiny. He felt those eyes examined every movement that he made and observed every expression that escaped him. He could not tell what he was thinking and it made him feel strangely self-conscious.
It must have shown on his face after all, -the fear and the hurt; the scars that he hid-, because he saw the shadow of someone who was not there as he tiptoed on the ledge. Gripping the wire fence that separated him from the ground, he was straining and reaching, yearning for something that he cannot have. White and silver swayed like petals across his vision and something inside him flinched.
That delinquent must have seen the fear etched on his face.
He was sure of it.
That is why he tried to blackmail him despite the fact that Hijikata is older. But then again, I'm not one to be easily blackmailed. I must've lowered my guard too much.
He came to the end of the corridor and stopped in front of the plaque with the "Student Council Room" inscribed on it. He knocked twice, and a voice from inside called out in answer, heading towards the door to open it.
'Ah, Tosshi! You're just in time.'
The door opened to reveal a tanned rough face with coarse brown hair. His appearance was casual –or slack, Hijikata thought- and the goatee he paraded made him look older than he actually is.
'How can I help, Student Council President?' Hijikata formally replied.
'No way,… why are you using polite speech?' the Student Council President thumped his back with familiarity. 'Aren't we friends? Hahaha'
Hijikata intentionally cleared his throat and start again, 'How can I help, Kondou-san?'
'That's more like it,' the enthusiastic man gave a jovial laugh. Settling down, he remembered once again as to what it was that he wanted to ask. He slung his arm across Hijikata's shoulder and casually asked, 'Can you help out again this year?'
'…Again?' he asked with a hint of exasperation. He had an idea that he was called for this, but betraying none of his thoughts away, he settled for an expression between a frown and an annoyance.
'Please! There's no one else who'd do the job as well as you.'
There was a sigh of resignation, and reluctantly, he agreed to once again do the accounting books for the Student Council.
The President was happy that he agreed, and thinking that he might have a chance this year, he had to continue. 'Tosshi, won't you become the Treasurer for the Student Council again? I know a lot of things had happ-…'
'…-I'm sorry, Kondou-san, but I can't go back in there.'
A hint of sadness was reflected on the clear blue eyes and the President fell silent. He did not elaborate as to what it was that prevented him to cross the doorway of the Student Council room but Kondou figured that everyone has their own demon to deal with.
Especially after all that he had to go through. Koundou sympathetically thought.
At last, he nodded. 'Well, if you change your mind, tell me. The spot is always open.'
Kondou stepped back, releasing Hijikata from the familiar arm hold. In return, Hijikata bowed slightly, before whispering 'Thank you' and 'Excuse Me', within the same breath.
He returned the way he came from, heading towards the classroom with a difficult expression on his face.
A/N: *Kouhai= Younger classmen (opposite of Senpai)
Ahahaha, I said I'm on hiatus but I ended up writing as a form of procrastination