Hey everyone! Seyyan's back with the thirteenth vignette in the Borrow my Glasses series, featuring the Pillar Pair.
As you may have noticed, the updates have become very irregular. That is because my three-month hiatus from school is rapidly coming to a close. Much as I dislike the thought of letting go of my lazy days, I am also excited for the coming semester. Not because there's someone waiting for me (though I dearly hope there is such a person), but more because it's a change of pace. You know what they say, "I'm so bored, I actually wanna go to school!"
This vignette features a slightly OOC Ryoma, as well as many other sigh-worthy thoughts. For ordinary university students, this may be a normal scene to you, as it used to be for me.
Anyway, I won't delay you further. PoT series PLUS PoT characters EQUALS NOT MINE
0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Instant Noodles
By Seyyan
08-29-08
I sighed wearily before opening the door of our one-bed, one-bath apartment.
.
"Tadaima."
.
A soft "okaeri" floated to my ears as I removed my shoes in the doorway, briefcase in hand.
.
Ryoma walked out of the bedroom, his limp almost unnoticeable. There was a bright smile on his lips as he walked towards me.
.
"How was your day, Kuni-bu?"
.
My lips curved into a small smile, infected by Ryoma's beaming one. "It was good. But I like coming home best.
.
His cheeks colored prettily at the comment. "Would you like to have a bath or eat dinner first?"
.
I would've chosen bath first if my stomach hadn't made itself known. Ryoma giggled lightly. "I guess dinner first, then."
.
He padded across the room to the 'kitchen' area of our apartment and transferred a pot to the low table in the middle of the room. After placing it on the table, he pulled out two half baguettes from the rather ancient oven toaster and sliced them into serving sized pieces.
.
I sat down in front of the table and he sat down on the opposite side.
.
"Itadakimasu."
.
He removed the lid from the pot and proceeded to scoop noodles onto my bowl. Instant noodles, to be exact.
.
I felt my heart clench painfully at the sight of him cheerfully serving instant noodles to both of us. It took all my self-restraint to keep my positive expression.
.
"I experimented on it," he giggled lightly. "I added crab sticks, green onion, carrots, and egg. Don't you think it's so much more colorful now?"
.
"Yes," I took a bite and sip of the noodles and soup, the bitter taste in my mouth quickly overpowered by the food. "It's delicious, Ryo."
.
He picked up a slice of bread and gingerly dipped it in the soup before taking a bite.
.
The rest of the meal was spent in more or less comfortable silence. I entertained myself by watching Ryoma's colorful expressions as he eagerly ate his dinner, while eating mine in a more sedate manner.
.
Soon enough, we had finished eating and Ryoma poured steaming tea for us to enjoy.
.
Suddenly, he fumbled within his pockets and pulled out a still crisply folded white card. He flattened it out and handed it to me.
.
"What's this, Ryo?"
.
An expression of tamed excitement was his answer.
.
I unfolded the card and read the contents, my eyes widened in surprise.
.
"Ryo…"
.
He walked around our small table and sat down beside me. "Isn't this great, Kuni-bu?"
.
I nodded dumbly as I looked again at the card. Eligibility for full scholarship, it said.
.
"It really covers everything! My fees, the books—I even get a small allowance from them!"
.
I could feel tears beginning to form in the back of my eyes.
.
"And listen to this! The more units I take, the bigger the benefits!"
.
He turned my head to meet his eyes. "Kuni-bu, we don't have to spend almost all your salary on my education anymore." His hand reached out for the pot and he tapped the side lightly. "We can eat better."
.
My heart felt like it was splitting in two as I rejoiced and grieved at the same time. I quickly snatched him into a tight hug.
.
"Ryoma…" Uncontrolled tears fell from my eyes and his arms encircled around my waist.
.
"Ryoma, I'm so sorry I can't give you better things right now. If I didn't make you stay with me then, you could have had a much better life."
.
"Kuni-bu," his voice cracked because of tears. "This is the best life I could ever have. Just because I'm with you."
.
"But you could have better things than instant noodles."
.
He pulled away from the embrace and brushed his lips against mine.
.
"We're fighting for our love. That's a better thing."
.
I desperately crashed my lips against his, a solemn vow forming in my heart. I will not make him regret this choice, not as long as I can will my body to work to death.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Lately, I've had a craving for angst, but there weren't any really good ones. At least not the ones that I have already read before.
The other night, I had a dream about the Pillar Pair, but when I woke up, I forgot what it was about. The only thing I remembered was seeing Ryoma and Tezuka in my dream. I wish I knew what happened to them, though.
Talk to me.