Both heads whipped around in your direction, your petite form half-way concealed as you stay lingered between the extra room and the main part. A hand was tightly clutching your sweater near your heart, and such an upset expression marred your features. The two defenders were both exasperated, how long had you been in that room? Obviously the entire time.
"Masaki, is it true? Did you rewrite the note from Ranmaru?" you probed; stony, and unsmiling. Your eyes reflected the determination you held to get to the truth.
Kariya gulped, his head bowing in shame. He pursed his lips together, "Yeah, I did."
You were in sudden disbelief, resolve wavering at that reaction. Kariya sounded almost remorseful when he spoke those words out, and the sight of him tugged at your heart. You bit your own bottom lip, the courage to find words had long vanished; and Kirino could sense that in both of you; "I knew it," was all he could murmur though.
"What...did you hope to accomplish by doing that?" you inquired, finding your ground again for a second.
Kariya looked up again, locking eyes with you. He did his best to mask that layer of water gathering over his almond eyes. "I wanted to get you to stop liking Kirino-senpai," then an uneasy grin curled on his lips. "I guess it didn't work? You can't get him off your mind, but whatever~! I understand."
Although he really didn't.
What was so great about Kirino compared to him? They were both star defenders, they both had their appeals, and they both held the same overflowing amount of adoration for you. Why was Kirino so lucky? Kariya balled his hands, sharp nails carved from Hunter's Net digging into his palms, but not enough to draw blood. He just wanted a different sense of pain then the one dwelling in his chest.
"I love you, [First Name]!" he let out an outburst, clamping his eyes shut in the process as pain rippled through his chest. He hated this feeling. What Kirino had said was true, he was scared of getting hurt; it was so much easier to hurt others, to manipulate them in order to prevent yourself from getting harmed.
But now he was trapped in the crossfire.
Kariya grounded his teeth together, this wasn't suppose to happen. It wasn't suppose to end like this, why couldn't things have of been simpler? You disband your affection for Kirino and direct it towards him, and Kirino leaves the two of you alone. Opening his eyes again, a new flare burning within his orbs, he leapt forward up the stairs. He came closer to you, "I don't want to be alone!" he whispered before he pressed his lips desperately against yours whilst forcibly grabbing hold of your arms to prevent you from running.
He figured this was his last chance to relish anything from you, because surely you wouldn't forgive him for coming between you and Kirino like he did.
Both you and Kirino were awestruck at Kariya's unabashed course of action, the two of you stood stunned for a moment before it registered clearly in Kirino's head. He himself took action as well as he hauled himself up the stairs at breakneck speed, pulling on Kariya's collar and removing him from you.
"L-Let me go, Kirino!"
Kirino glared at Kariya, inviting him to try that again. He let go of Kariya's collar, and gazed back at you, still paralyzed from what Kariya said, and did. You brought your fingers up to your lips, an exasperated look still caught on your features. "Why did you do that?" Kirino demanded, an underline of hurt below his words, almost like Kariya had broken something that was his, when that wasn't the entire case.
Kariya's cheeks were reddened, flushed, and he was staring at the floor again.
Your mouth opened as if you were going to say something, but it wasn't there. No words could be conveyed for you right now, no way to describe what you were feeling, whether or not it would further dampen the situation. "Masaki...I..."
"You don't have to say anything! I told you, didn't I? I understand; you still like Kirino-senpai. So just...leave me alone!"
No. No, he doesn't want to be alone—
You couldn't really process what happened next, Kariya pushed by Kirino, and immediately fled from the soccer building.
"W-Wait, Masa—" "Leave him be." "But, Ranmaru—" "I think we all just need a moment to think."
He was right.
Your mouth shut closed, and you wrung your hands together, uneasiness welling inside you again.
Taking a deep breath, Kirino decided to break the silence, "...Are you upset that Kariya did it?" Kirino questioned, his words being spoken a lot softer since they were directed at you. He understood if you were anything but joyful, with all that happened—it would be hard for anyone to maintain a composure that doesn't expose negativity.
"Yeah...He hurt you, and me. But...I'll make sure he apologizes to the both of us!"
Kirino forced a smile the best he could, "I'll help. This sort of conflict going on will only ruin our defense." He knew there was more to everything than just the defense for Raimon hanging on his chest. His feelings for you...they were returned, right? Having you worry over Kariya, same with him, only burdened him more than necessary.
As you returned his smile, Kirino felt a sharp prick jot him in the sides. What was this feeling?
You mumbled out something along the lines of 'the others will be here soon', and made your way past him, descending down a single step before Kirino's fingers encircled around your hand. With curiosity filled orbs, you craned your head to see what was the matter, when suddenly you felt another pair of warm lips capture yours.
It completely jarred you, making the hairs on the back of your neck raise from the contact. It was everything you imagined your kiss with Kirino to be like; soft, pleasant, and gentle. Yet, why did that sense of discontent still wash over you?
"I-I'm sorry, [First Name]!" Kirino sputtered out, his cheeks suffusing the color of a cherry. It matched his hair and skin color really well; and you thought back onto the time when Kirino gave you a suggestion to solve your little fuse with Kariya, which turned out to be nothing according to him, but at that time you felt happy; now it was different.
Even at that time, the only real person on your mind was Kariya. Just like right now.
"It's...okay, really," you dismissed him. You faced forward again, steadily going down the steps. Before you reached the last one, you crouched down and brought your hands to your face. You didn't want this anymore, why couldn't things return to the way they used to be! Kariya relentlessly teasing you, and Kirino as you idly chatter away in peace.
Now you had the feelings of Kirino and Kariya sitting on your shoulders, Kariya messed up as an attempt to win you over, and worst of all...you couldn't choose which one you liked best, and it was frustrating. They both deserved the answers you couldn't produce.
You tried your best to stifle your sobs, but the order was in vain, and you lifted your hands away from your face, just...letting it all out. Same as before, only with the absence of Kariya, tears cascaded down your cheeks and a wail escaped your lips. Before Kirino could make an attempt to soothe, or comfort you, the building's doors were pried open and in came an unsuspecting Matsukaze, and Nishizono.
"Kirino-senpai! Did you make [First Name]-chan cry?!" they distressingly cried in unison.
"N-No, it's not what it looks like!"
a/n; This chapter is very long! Annnd, I mentioned before that this series would end at 12 chapters, but obviously I'm gonna push it a little longer. I hope you enjoyed!
inazuma eleven go © level-5
