Sorry for the late update ;-;
She laid in her bed, breathing softly as she stared at the ceiling. Her feet hanged lifelessly down the bed, ice cold but it didn't worry her... It was usual. The sun was setting as a red hue spread over the sky... 'red...' She sighed as she brought up her arm and stared at it, only for it to fall back due to lack of strength. What was she doing to herself... *sigh*
Her mind was blank, her eyes were deathly. The look on her face was that of someone who was to be executed in the next hour. What had just happened, why would he say that... 'Depend on me' and saying stuff like genuinely caring for her... "I...just can't believe that-"
knock* *knock*
It took her a minute to register that sound. Another knock was heard at the door and it snapped her out of her thoughts. She sat up and held her head in her palm before walking barefoot to the door. She opened it slightly and peeked out from the side. He looked down at her with soft eyes and a look she couldn't register.
"Ayuzawa..." He looked down, maybe deciding over what to say, she assumed. Who in their right mind would come back after something like that. He looked back up again, locking her gaze in his. All thoughts left her as only his voice resonated in her head. "I have dinner ready, you should eat." He spoke with such affection that she couldn't say no, even though she wanted anything other than food right now.
She looked down, avoiding his gaze. He noticed her fidgeting and sighed loudly which caused her to look back up again. He had a genuine smile on his face and was that... Worry? Was he worried for her? He put his hand on her head and pat it gently. She blushed and turned her head sideways to avoid him from seeing her embarrassment.
'Just like a kitten~' he thought. He caressed her head, speaking ever so gently, "It's fine if you don't want to eat right now, I'll leave your portion in the fridge. Eat it anytime you want ok?" She just nodded and closed the door behind her. He let out another audible sigh and walked over to the couch. As if all the power had been drained out of his body, he slumped down on the couch, his arm over his eyes with another sigh escaping his lips.
He seriously has been sighing a lot lately, 'haaa, so exhausting' he murmured. On the other side, she slid down the door, bringing her knees up to her chest and letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding in. She timidly brought her hand up to her head, as if scared that someone would see her, and caressed her head lightly. An expression adorned her face, one that she had never made before and one she'll never know she made.
A few moments later~
The bright colors dimmed out and the darkness finally took over the sky. She peaked out and saw white light twinkling in the darkness. Not being able to hold herself back, she opened the door to the balcony and stepped out. The cold was unbearable, she was shivering uncontrollably yet she ignored it, like it wasn't even their in the first place. She placed her hand on the railing, leaning on it and looked up at the sky.
Somehow, it brought back memories she wished to never remember. Back when she was still nine years old... "Heh, twelve years ago, huh?" She whispered. Thinking about it now, it was around this time of the year that she found out how cruel and poisonous people can be. She was just walking down the corridor, on her way to the canteen, like usual, she heard rumors about her, like usual, she was tripped a couple of times by the bullies, like usual, however it didn't matter to her then. She had a friend now after all.
Someone she could share everything with, someone who she could rely on, someone she could share lunch with, a True Friend. She let out a sarcastic chuckle, how naive she was back then. It was that day, the same chilly day, when she overheard her 'True Friend' chuckling and laughing heartedly while telling everyone the problems that she had shared with her. She gripped the railing tighter as an attempt to calm herself.
Truly, such a bitch she was. And what was her luck that the same girl would stick to her till high-school, and even be in the same class. Despite the fact that she had done all that, she still acts as if nothing ever happened. Salt to the wound, she even started new, worse rumors about her. "I often forget her name, not that I'd like to remember." She looked down from the balcony and realized how high up she was. If she remembered correctly, this was the highest floor in the apartment complex. She could clearly see almost everything from up here.
"I wonder how mortified people down there will be if I were to jump right now. *chuckle* I bet it would be all over the news, 'girl jumps from the highest building in Tokyo' or even better, no one would even notice. Hahaaa. Though, I'm not in the mood to die... right now..." She mumbled the last part and leaned on the icy bars, hanging her arm limply. "Yeah... not in the mood..." She lazed around for a while thinking about nothing yet something at the same time.
She stood straight and stretched out, letting out a big sigh. For some reason she was craving hot chocolate. 'Must be the weather.' She scurried back into the room and opened her wardrobe. She wore a black shirt, certainly too big on her, and jeans. She tied her hair up, her fringe covering her eye as usual, and put her cap on to avoid anyone recognizing her. It really would be such a bother. Putting her wallet in the back pocket, she exited her room. Her eyes wandered around the living room and spotted some legs hanging limply down the arm of the sofa.
She froze for a second thinking that she had just seen a dead body, but moving closer, it was just usui. Was he sleeping? She went to his side and reached her arm out wanting to wake him up. She stopped halfway through. Why would she wanna wake him up anyway? It wasn't like he was anything to her but her roommate... She retreated her arm and turned around. As she was about to walk away she felt a tug at her arm.
She turned around to see half lidded emerald eyes staring right back at her. He was still laying down in the same position, his arm still on his eyes, or rather, eye. He pulled her down hard which resulted in her almost falling on top of him. Her heart seemed to have gone in a frenzy as she could clearly hear the thumping loud and clear. Good thing she had gotten a hold of the the sofa or she would've fallen right on top of him.
He stared at her get up for a second and asked if she was going out somewhere. "Huh? Uh- yeah, I was just going out to get something to drink." She said monotonously. "What? Alcohol? Aren't you too young for it" He accused. It certainly wasn't his business, but that stare caused her to answer despite her unwillingness. "...hot chocolate."
He suddenly sat up on the couch, legs crossed, still not releasing her arm. "I can make it at home you know." "But I want to go out...it's been a while." She murmured to herself. He still heard her due to his abnormal hearing ability. "Then sit here and wait for a while, I'll come with you" he left her after ordering her and for some reason she obeyed. She flopped down on the couch, staring blankly at the carpet. Not soon after he came back.
"Alright, let's go" he announced. She looked over at him and saw him dressed casually... What was wrong with what he was wearing before? "The previous shirt got crinkled up, that's why. I think we should go now, I know a good place" wait-wha, how did he-
He walked over to the door and she followed him hastily, not wanting to be left behind. They both walked at a considerable distance from each other. As per usual, for usui, the ladies around the street were murmuring about how handsome he was. Some were even bold enough to invite him out to 'have some fun', but he rejected them all. 'Weird guy', she thought.
Staring at him wasn't the best idea, as she being the klutz of the school, tripped. Over nothing. At all. She was quick to pick herself up, thinking that no one noticed. He, however, did. He sighed inaudibly. 'She should rely on me more...'
"Um, where are we going?" She asked curious to know. He turned around and grinned at her boyishly, "you'll know when we reach there." She once again wasn't able to argue. He slowed his pace so he could walk side by side her. He noticed her scraped knee but didn't say anything as they walked together in a comfortable silence.
They finally reached the shop. She had a confused look on her face, probably wondering, 'what's so special about this place?' He smirked and walked in, she just followed behind. He talked over with the the receptionist and then they were guided to their seats. It was a seat in the third floors' balcony. There was just something so, so... Calming about this place. The dim lights, the fresh air, the beautiful flowers around them (in pots of course) and the soft artificial grass underneath.
The waitress arrived with our orders... Wait. When did he even order. He glanced over to see her puzzled look on her face. "Hmm? Oh, I ordered at the reception. This place is my dads. He likes to cook." That explains it. The waitress left the tray with the Hot Chocolates and.. A bandage? He picked bandage and suddenly walked over to her.
She was obviously confused. He kneeled down in front of her and gently touched her leg. She jolted at the sudden contact and tried to stand up but he held her arm making her unable to do so. "You got your knee hurt, didn't you." It was a statement rather than a question. "Y-yeah, but it doesn't hurt anywa- ouch!" She hissed in pain as he pressed on her wound.
"Doesn't hurt huh?" He glared at her causing her to sit still. He can really be scary sometimes. She closed her eyes as to not feel anything. A moment later she felt a hand on her head, or rather her cap. "All done" he smiled at her and walked back to his seat. "Drink it or it'll turn cold" he said.
It had such a rich aroma, such a sweet flavor. It was certainly the tastiest cup of Hot Chocolate she had ever had. He chuckled slightly at seeing her expression. She didn't hear it though. After having their drink, they walked home together, maintaining distance of course. He slowed his pace so she didn't have to push herself too much.
On the way she spotted the same 'Friend' from back then. She clicked her tongue and pulled her cap lower, so she couldn't recognize her. It seemed to have worked for she didn't notice. She did notice the great 'Usui Takumi' though. She and the group of her friends flocked around him like flies on a dessert. She walked past them and when she was far enough, she took of her cap, declaring it as an annoyance.
He watched her walk past them, this wasn't like her. She usually ignored and waited for a bit but this time she just walked away. He saw her disappear into the crowd, her pace was quite fast. "Ne, usui-kun, let's go have a drink. There's this reaaally good coffee shop" she spoke with a high-pitched voice. "I already had somethin-" "then we can go to a karaoke" "yea, that'd be fun, let's go usui-kun"
He really just wanted to catch up to her, who knew how far she would've gone already. How to get rid of them...! "Ladies, it's really late right now. I think you should all go and sleep. I wouldn't want any eye bags on your beautiful faces, would i?" And there it was, his ladykiller side that had saved him from whi knows how many situations. All he heard after that were kyaas and I love yous' and then the mob left.
He sighed in relief and ran as fast as he could towards the apartment building. 'She must be about to reach' he thought as he rushed through the crowd.
She let the cool winter breeze hit her face. It really was refreshing. What sour luck to see the one person she despised. She sighed and quickened her pace, wanting to just lay in her room without any disturbance.
Not soon her walk ended as she arrived in front of the building... Alone. It didn't use to bother her. She had gotten used to being alone all the time, but somehow she felt lonely walking alone this night. She heard some heavy footsteps approaching her and suddenly two hands grasped her from behind, shaking her whole frame. She almost choked on air.
"Haa- haa- haaaaa. Ayuzawa, wait for me will you?" He said trying to catch his breath. He put all his weight on her shoulders, finding it quite comfortable. "I thought you were busy." She stated trying to shrug him off but he just wouldn't budge. 'How stubborn can he be?'
"Don't ever do this again, geez. And I was Not busy." He put his arm around her, still putting the weight on her and they both walked together to the elevator. (Arm around her like guys do it, uno... like... You get me?)
In the elevator- "when are you gonna take your arm off of me. You're heavy" "eh, but I like leaning on Misa-kun." "Wait, did you just call me a man-" "but Misa-chan is the hottest" "huh- what- You Perver-" "our floor's here, let's go" he announced and dragged her along him with merrily. She tried to protest but then just sighed and went along with it.
At the apartment- They were both sitting at each end of the couch, watching TV quietly when he decided to break off the silence. "Ne, Ayuzawa." He spoke casually. Honestly when did they get so close to be watching TV together. When? "Hmm" she answered casually as well while nibbling on a chip. "It's about time to change the dressing" "huh? I'll change out of these in a while, is it bothering you?" She asked not paying any mind to him. "No, not that, you look quite hot in those actually. But I was talking about the one on your arms."
It took her second to register what he said. First she fumed and then she blew a fuse. "Stop calling me that!" She screamed at him as he chuckled, "but it really is time to change the dressing on your wounds." Not wanting to ruin this 'mood' she decided to feign ignorance. "Ayuzawa", he said seriously, he knew what she was trying to do but what was important, was important. "Ayuzawa.", he warned yet she continued to nibble on another chip, still ignoring him. She really didn't want to show him, it was...ugly. And whenever he changed the dressing, it was always when she was unconscious or sleeping. Why act so bold now?
He switched off the TV and pushed her down on the couch, hovering over her. "Misaki", he called her by her name this time. Her heart started beating faster as she tried to push him away. He held her hand in his and pushed her sleeve down, revealing her bandaged arm. He sighed, it was about his tenth sigh today. "It's about time I change these." She couldn't say anything and just looked down. "Don't look at these... They're ugly" she murmured to herself.
He pulled her up and hugged her for a short while. Too short that she barely had any time to register what was happening. He pulled back from her and went to get the first-aid kit. He came back and asked her for her arm. She coolly brought it up to him and he gently unwrapped the bandages. They looked better than before and it didn't seem like she had done it again. He applied some ointment as she was holding back her voice. "It okay to say it hurts when it does you know." He said not looking up at her directly.
She just looked away. Wether it was on purpose or not, he applied the ointment on a quite deep spot causing her to hiss in pain and yank her hand back. "It hurts." She said following what he had just stated. He smiled at her and caressed her face. "I'll be gentle, I promise" he stated. She didn't pay mind to the double meaning, wether intended or not. He kept smiling softly and as promised, gently applied the ointment. After it was done, he offered her to watch a movie.
"Eh, when did we get so close?" He chuckled at her question and replied, "we're gonna be living together anyways, so isn't it better this way?" She said nothing in return and taking the silence as a yes he played a movie. "Are you ok with horror?"
"Yea, pretty much" she replied nonchalantly. "It's actually my favorite genre."
He chuckled yet again, "And yet you're bad with thunder." Her face became expressionless as he regretted saying what he did. "It's just... Some bad memories, that's all- how do you even know about this?" She asked quite curious to know. "You're actually a stalker aren't you?" She pointed an accusing finger at him.
And that cracked him up, "you've been giving me some really unique nicknames you know, first an idiot, than a perverted freak and now a stalker. I guess I'm an idiotic perverted stalker huh?" And he kept laughing after than. "You still didn't answer my question" she spoke unamused. "haha, fuuu. I actually saw you in detention one time. You had your head down and it was stormy. I saw you jolt every time there was thunder or lightning, so I just guessed."
"So you really are a stalker..." She mumbled incoherently. He laughed again, "who knows, maybe I am." She glanced at him. Seeing how he was enjoying himself, she unconsciously wore a smile. He looked at her, that genuine smile. Ba-dump. Ba-dump. Ba-dump. His heart beat painfully in his chest as he swallowed a lump that had formed in his throat. "This is the first time I've seen you smile."
She looked shocked and started touching her face unconsciously, "I didn't smile!" He looked at her honest expression and let out a hearty chuckle, "you did" "no I didn't!" She fumed. A scream broke off the moment.
They both turned around to look at the TV and realized that the movie was still playing. The two looked back at each other and saw the expression on each other's face. They both turned around at the same time, she trying to control her laughter due to the weird look he gave and him trying to control his heartbeat due to the shock.
"So even you can be scared huh?" "I wasn't-" "watch the movie." She said feeling a sense of victory wash over her.
A little late in the movie "Won't you eat?" He asked concerned about her. She looked at him, "I'm not exactly 'used' to eating much. The one in the afternoon was enough for me." He didn't argue with her reason but it still didn't settle with him. He looked over at her frail body. She looked so vulnerable and her complexion didn't look that good either... 'You really like to make me worry, don't you"
He stretched back on the couch and looked at the movie. His mind was elsewhere yet his gaze was fixed on screen. A certain scene was going on, with the woman in the movie being in a bathroom, alone at home. She's washing her face with the bathroom door open and it creaks a bit. She looks back but three nothing. She looks in the mirror and she's the door slowly closing. And then it slams close with a loud thud.
Then the light starts to flicker and she looked back at door. When she looked at the mirror again she sees a frail old girl with ebony hair and skin as white as snow. He sighed. Such a typical horror movie scene. He looked over at her, tracing her for any signs of fear. She looked unbothered. "Normally girls would be scared" he said wanting to start a conversation.
"I've been watching horror movies since I was twelve. It was a common pass time since neither mom or dad would be home." Her eyes were looking at a distance as she spoke. "I see. They said it'll rain a lot this weekend" he tried yet again to converse. "hmm, I heard. Do you like it?" She questioned getting the hint. "I like looking at it but not so much when I get wet." He shared his honest opinion. "Nobody likes to get wet in the rain. I don't really like it either way, it clouds the sky."
"Hmm.." That's all he said in return and they both turned their attention back at the movie. Apparently the ghost had almost killed everyone but the protagonist and they were exorcising the ghost. He heard a faint chuckle and looked at the source, "it's such a typical movie." She said with a lopsided smile. "I agree" he said standing up. "Where're you going?" She asked him out of pure curiosity. His heart clenched as he coughed and then replied, "the kitchen, wanna come?" "Hmm, sure."
Wasn't like she had anything better to do. They both went in the kitchen as she sat down on the table and just watched him do his thing. She laid her head in her arms and kept staring at him, mesmerized by his moves. He knew his way around the kitchen a bit too well. She found herself dozing off when he stood in front of her with a cup. "Have some camomile tea, it'll help get a better sleep."
"You're having coffee?" She asked as she smelled the strong aroma of it. "Yeah, I have some work I need to finish." She just hummed and wrapped her hands around the cup, basking in its warmth. He patted her head and told her that he'll be going back in his room and that she should sleep. She just agreed and took the cup to her room. After watching her disappear behind the door, he too went inside his room, opened the laptop and started working.
Her head would be filled up with useless thoughts by now but there was nothing as such. She changed back into her pj's and laid in bed. She leaned back on the pillow and slowly took sips of the drink. She felt so drowsy, maybe because of the warmth that spread through her body every time she took a sip or maybe because she was just too exhausted due to everything that had been happening.
She went in a deep slumber, and certainly she hadn't had a sleep this nice in a really long time.
~boredotaku6
Chapter 7: Serenity