Disclaimer: I don't own Loveless, but some aspects mentioned are mine.
A/N: In this chapter, we learn a bit more about the new girl. I realize I've been focusing much on her, but it's so we see how and why she relates to Ritsuka so well. It bothered me when I realized (plus Ennu's comment about it) and I'm in the process of revising all the chapters I have in progress.
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Chap 4: "Truth to tell"
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"I don't remember much past two years ago". How familiar those words sounded to Ritsuka, what could it mean?
She looked up nervously. "I know we're not close since we just met, but can I tell you something?... You might think I'm weird though" she asked quietly.
Ritsuka typically disliked becoming involved in other people's business, but something in her manner made him curious to know the secret.
"You can tell me" he said, matching her gaze.
She breathed deeply.
Here goes…
"Two years ago… I was hit by a car" she paused studying his expression, then continued "Along with a whole bunch of injuries and surgeries, including a brain injury, I lost my memories".
His interest peaked with the feeling of empathy. He never met someone else who lost their memories.
"I don't remember most of my life" she finished, then caught herself and stepped back. She said too much, now he would be like all the rest. He would uncomfortably say "sorry to hear that", and then avoid her.
With a thoughtful expression he said "Annabelle I actually can understand, because two years ago I lost my memories as well".
She was unsure whether or not to believe him. She was not a stranger to people playing on her weaknesses. When his expression did not change to a grin, and he did not shove her laughing, her eyes opened wide. "Holy crap you're telling the truth."
To be sure, neither expected this.
As other students exited classrooms and filled the halls, he said "We'll talk more after school at Soubi's place, okay?" She nodded and they parted ways.
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Ritsuka looked forward to seeing Soubi. The man had a way of clearing his mind and helping him understand many matters, though he held back so many secrets.
He didn't see Annabelle at her locker, so he went ahead and met Soubi at the gate. His fighter pulled him out of sight of the other students, and pressed their lips together briefly.
"I missed you Ritsuka" he whispered, wrapping long arms around the boy.
Ritsuka didn't protest and hugged him. Soubi smiled feeling small arms reach to his back. "Hmm to what do I owe this pleasure?" Ritsuka silently shook his head, and Soubi smiled again "I love you".
Ritsuka held him tighter, he was so excited by the news he learned.
After a few minutes, he stepped back slowly and turned to the gates. "Annabelle is coming with us to your apartment again today". Soubi chuckled at the order, "Yes".
Said girl came through out after nearly every other student passed. She limped slowly to the fighter and sacrifice.
"Sorry I took so long, crowds aren't my thing."
"It's okay" Ritsuka said. Annabelle could sense that he had altered since they admitted their coincidence of Amnesia. She too changed since earlier that day, now she couldn't ignore the odd feeling in her stomach when she saw his smile.
Soubi perceived the changes as well. It was a school girl crush, nothing more. He would not worry himself with the affairs of any child but his sacrifice. He didn't presume Ritsuka was opening up to this girl for a reason more than friendship, he was curious though.
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In the blonde's apartment, Soubi backed his sacrifice into the master bedroom. Closing the door without a sound, sapphire eyes caught violet ones.
"What's going on Ritsuka? Who is that girl?" He asked walking toward the boy, and caused him to fall onto his bed.
"She she's just a new girl, like I told you yesterday" Ritsuka responded, trying to stand.
Soubi trapped his legs between his own, preventing escape. The artist caressed Ritsuka's bare cheek and ran fingers through raven hair.
"Soubi" he breathed "I'm not lying".
"Of course Ritsuka would never lie to me" Soubi responded then swung his left leg and turned around in a sort of dance move. Facing the boy again, he placed another kiss on peach lips. When they parted, Ritsuka breathed deeply several times.
"What is it about this girl Ritsuka?"
"At first I wasn't sure, but Soubi today she told me she has had Amnesia for two years." He was excited, but confused. What are the odds?
Soubi's eyebrows arched "What are the odds?" "My thoughts exactly" Ritsuka replied, his smile slowly dissipating. "Do you think…?"
"I don't sense she is part of a team. Has she asked anything specific, about Semei, or I?" Ritsuka shook his head.
"I feel she is trustworthy" Soubi lied, it was unnecessary for Ritsuka to be on guard around his new friend. The fighter was proficient in reading people, and would watch her.
Their conversation was interrupted by Annabelle's shout "Do not call me that ever again!" Giggles followed, obviously from the Zero boys.
They walked back into the living room. Annabelle stood a few steps from the couch breathing heavily.
A single stream of tears shone on freckled cheeks.
"Boys" Soubi said, sternly glaring at the two. Smirking they both held out their hands palms up, feigning innocence.
"Annabelle, are you alright?" Ritsuka asked. She looked away then cleared her throat. "Yeah I'm okay, excuse me" she said quickly walking past him into the bathroom.
"What did you say to her?" Soubi questioned curiously. "She was stammering, and Natsuo said-" "What are you retarded?" The young fighter finished then rolled his eyes "Girls are so touchy."
Ritsuka felt bad for her. Knowing their connection, he understood that she likely felt ostracized.
Soubi looked at them and shook his head. Whatever his qualms about the girl, she was Ritsuka's friend, which meant she was off-limits for any such bullying. "You two should-" Natsuo cut him off "Don't even say it Soubi, we're not gonna apologize". The older fighter adjusted his glasses "I was going to say you should be punished" he stated.
"Don't worry about it Agatsuma-san. My dad just texted me saying I need to go home" she lied from the hallway.
"I'll-" Ritsuka began "Actually Ritsuka I'd like to walk back alone tonight. I'll see you at school tomorrow."
"I will take you home Annabelle-chan, a young lady should not walk the streets alone after dark."
You can say that again… She thought, reflecting on the fateful night she could not remember though vividly imagined.
"Please excuse these two for their lack of manners. They were raised by their mother." He shot an insult to Nagisa. Youji crossed his arms while Natsuo scoffed.
"Bye Annabelle, see you tomorrow" "Night Ritsuka, see you then" she replied with a half-smile and grabbed her jacket then followed Soubi outside.
A few houses down, Soubi posed a question "What are your intentions toward Ritsuka?" They stopped walking. "My intentions?" she raised her hand rapidly to slap him, but he immediately grabbed her wrist. "Really?" he asked, disbelieving that a little girl (who was not part of a team) tried to strike him.
Ripping her hand from his grip she growled. She was in a bad mood and didn't hold back, shouting "I could ask you the same thing. I saw you kiss him. The only reason I didn't mention it is since I know he cares about you, and you obviously care about him."
"I love him" Soubi responded, his easy sincerity calming her somewhat.
"If you really do, you can't be so damn overprotective. I'm just his friend. What did you think, that I somehow learned about his Amnesia before meeting him and made up a story? Soubi you're very intelligent, but that's just stupid." She regretted speaking to him this way, but the mixture of her emotions was boiling over, and she currently had no seclusion to take it out on herself.
Keeping his temper in check, Soubi regarded the girl silently for a moment. Her breathing was unsteady and he could sense her pulse raced. For the sake of his sacrifice, he caught her when she fainted.
After a few minutes unconscious, Annabelle woke lying on her jacket.
Turning, she was terrified seeing a road beside her in darkness. A car drove past and she held her right hand over her mouth to muffle a scream. As tears poured across her face, she looked up.
Face lit briefly by a cigarette, Soubi was leaning against the fence beside the sidewalk. "I'd appreciate if you don't mention this to Ritsuka" she said, weakly sitting up.
"Likewise" he smoothly replied, tossing the cigarette to the ground and crushing it beneath his shoe. He offered his hand, and she accepted it.
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End of chap 4
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Hope you liked it, please review.
A/N: Yes, that is what actually happened to me, the age isn't accurate though. I was a bit older and had even more to forget.