Tap... Tap... Tap...
Saga was waiting.
Tap... Tap... Tap...
More accurately, he was pacing. Back and forth, left and right, his sneakers making light noises as the soles hit against the old grey library tiles.
Ritsu still hasn't shown up, and the school library was close to closing.
It's the fourth day since I last saw him... Did something happen to him? ... What ?
Saga wondered anxiously to himself. It started slow - the doubts that crept up, invading his mind and feelings.
For three days straight, the high schooler had been waiting at the library, in his usual spot, waiting for his most beloved person to appear.
But for three days straight, he didn't turn up.
Saga Masamune run his hand through his dark hair roughly, sighing so loud, it was almost a shout.
This is so strange... and unlike him...
On the first day, right after the last lesson, Saga went straight to the library, dumped his bag on the floor, and waited.
The first day - he had thought it was a little weird he didn't see him the whole day but Saga brushed off the uneasiness.
Maybe he's not feeling well... after the last time we did it... I did get a little carried away.
Feeling the heat warming up his cheeks as he remembered last evening's events, Saga went to the shelves. He can read another book today and talk to Ritsu about it tomorrow.
There was this novel on a prince sent to outer space, maybe Ritsu would like it.
Yes, he would see him tomorrow.
But he didn't. And not the next day either. Or the day after.
Saga was getting worried.
Was he sick? Like really severely sick with stomach ache or something?
Why wasn't he showing up ?
Ritsu, did something happen to you?
"Young Man, this is the library, not the track field. Please stop walking up and down,'' the middle-aged school librarian chided, frowning. She was familiar with this black-haired student - he was always there after school, together with the younger, shy-looking one. The two of them were always at the library, and the elder would usually be in his seat the whole time. Yet today the young high schooler had been pacing for a good twenty minutes.
''Sorry...''' Saga apologized, reluctantly going back to his seat.
Silently, Saga sat down, glancing at the library door, as if he was expecting someone to come through.
''Where's your friend ? Is he not well ?'' the librarian, Mrs Suzuka asked. " I don't think I've seen you two apart lately.''
" I don't know,'' Saga answered truthfully, the sinking feeling in his stomach expanded. Though the two of them were intimate, it had just occurred to the high schooler when his junior didn't appear as he had expected.
I don't even have his number.
How did he miss out on that?
" Oda Ritsu ?'' a junior in the same cohort as his beloved repeated the name, giving a puzzled look. Yesterday, Saga went down to the floor below his homeroom class to ask a few students for the contact of the person in question. " Sorry, I don't have his number." The boyish junior shrugged. " You sure you got the right name ?"
His slender frame which was normally relaxed was now slumped forward.
What else did he miss on?
" Maybe."
" Well, I think he will be back soon,'' said Mrs. Suzuka, sensing his anxiety. " You two love coming here so much. He will definitely be back.''
"I guess so,'' Saga answered quietly. The strange feeling that had been festering the past few days was undeniable now.
Something's wrong.
Exhaling, the black-haired student opened his novel. He had grabbed it off he shelved on the second day, thinking he could read another book.
The dark abyss greeted him... not a single ray of light was in sight...
Exhaling heavily again, the student closed the book and shut his eyes, unable to concentrate.
Two days and Saga was still on the first few pages.
Ritsu, what happened to you?
Saga glanced out the window, looking at the baseball team practicing their rounds. He misses his junior - his love.
He can only hope Mrs Suzuka was correct.
Notes:
It's been a long long time. Even though I never left the fandom, I couldn't find the inspiration/power to continue writing.
I can't promise I can complete the story, or even write a good one; even this chapter is a little too bare. But I love this manga so much, and life got a bit harder lately.
So I'm trying writing again because I remembered how I really enjoyed it.