"Nariko-chan, you really should be worried about your neck... You could have broken it!" Momo states worriedly. Nariko sighs heavily as she gently moves the ice pack around her slightly sore, but completely healed neck.
"Compared to when I fractured my neck, it really isn't that worrying to me... But yeah, I did get lucky didn't I?" Nariko states with a sheepish grin. She kicks her feet back and forth, ignoring the worried glare the class president was giving her.
"Hey Dumbass Pikachu, eat your fucking lunch before I force it down your shitty throat," Katsuki threatens before angrily tearing into his own lunch. Nariko pouts with an eye roll, picking up her fork.
She pokes the ramen noodles with it before averting her gaze. "'m not hungry."
"Nariko..." Hanta trails off sternly. Nariko huffs and gives him a glare, grin disappearing.
"I'm not used to eating so much fucking food in one week, let alone one fucking day, Hanta. If I eat any more, I'll just throw it back up. Get off my fucking back!" Nariko snaps, roughly shoving the ramen away from her. She flinches in realization before hiding half her face with her hair.
She worries her bottom lip, fidgeting with the gem skull ring attached to her necklace. Hanta bites the inside of his cheek before placing a hand on Nariko's knee. She flinches at the sudden contact, glancing at her cousin and quickly averts her gaze.
"Mamá doesn't understand why you never came to us for help," Hanta says softly in Spanish. Nariko messes with her ring with a frown.
"Nariko-chan?" She hesitantly looks up and sees Momo sitting in front of her. She averts her gaze, not able to bare looking at the worry.
"But you know why, Han. So does Uncle Junya." Nariko sighs heavily and rubs her face. "They can't know about you being my family. I–it's too dangerous."
"What about you? It's too dangerous for you too!" Hanta states in frustration. Nariko scowls before standing up abruptly.
"Nariko-chan! You need to re–"
"I'm going for a walk," Nariko interrupts Momo as she walks out of the infirmary. She shoves her way out of the infirmary, keeping her head low.
"Stupid Hanta! I know it's dangerous..." Nariko mutters under her breath with a small growl. She shoves her hands into her pockets and storms away from the infirmary.
A heavy sigh leaves her as she says her shoulders. "They'll kill me even if I didn't continue it. Might as well use my life for something. You know this Han..."
Nariko sighs again and leans against the wall. She slides down and buries her face into her knees, ignoring the ache in her neck. Might as well be a martyr for something important than to die a worthless death.
A set of footsteps echo in the empty hall. Nariko doesn't raise her head, already feeling the tears of frustration form. She doesn't want anyone to see them.
Someone stops in front of her. The yellow haired teenager still doesn't look up. Eventually, she hears a tired sigh before someone sits down next to her.
"Shouldn't you be in the infirmary?" The question makes Nariko snort, lifting her head so it's resting on top of her knees.
"Yes," Nariko answers, not looking at Hitoshi.
She moves her ice pack before leaning her head against the wall. "I needed to clear my head. Han brought up an old argument..."
"So, how is this signal going to work?" Hitoshi changes the subject. Nariko glances at him with a subdued grin before putting a finger against her lips.
"You'll here me shout a word!" Nariko exclaims mischievously. Hitoshi raises an eyebrow before rolling his eyes with a sigh.
"And what's this word?"
Nariko just shrugs, her subdued grin growing a bit brighter. "You'll know."
Hitoshi narrows his eyes before scratching behind his ear. He sighs heavily and gives the yellow haired teenager a small glare.
"I feel like I've been betrayed all along," Hitoshi states, making Nariko laugh softly.
"No you haven't." Nariko leans a bit closer. "Can't have anyone ready for the surprise! 'xcept Bitchy Pomeranian."
"How are you friends with him? He very... arrogant," The purple haired teenager asks curiously. Nariko laughs a bit and smiles, the corners of her eyes crinkling.
"He's incredibly arrogant–and cocky... but he's nice in his own violent way," Nariko answers with a soft smile.
"He reminds me of Mamá. Arrogant for a reason, aggressively competitive, and headstrong," Nariko adds with a laugh. Her smile disappears and she hugs her knees closer.
"I hope the nurses are letting her watch..." if she's coherent enough. Nariko didn't have the heart to finish the sentence out loud.
Nariko glances at Hitoshi and gives him a smile. "If we're gonna fight each other, you better try your best. I ain't afraid to play dirty either. Playing dirty might give ya' chance to win."
"Ah, I see why you're friends with the cocky blonde. You're cocky too," Hitoshi taunts, making Nariko gasp dramatically with a hand over her heart.
"I'm just confident in my abilities! And my abilities in playing dirty," Nariko exclaims before turning her head with her nose raised. Hitoshi snorts with an eye roll.
"Didn't know an aspiring hero was willing to cheat to win," The purple haired teenager teases with a smirk. Nariko rolls her eyes playfully, giving the taller boy a small look of disbelief.
"It ain't cheating if it doesn't break the rules, ya know." Nariko couldn't stop the smile from growing on her face anymore and bursts into giggles.
She leans her head back and smiles at Hitoshi. "Thanks. Outside of your introverted exterior, you're pretty nice."
Nariko lightly punches his arm before standing up. She shoves her hands back into her pockets and starts walking back towards the infirmary.
"Looking forward to tomorrow! I'll send my address by tonight," The yellow haired teenager states with a wave before turning the corner. She smiles slightly as she makes her way back to the infirmary.
"He's very kind," Nariko thinks offhandedly. She feels her cheeks warm and sighs quietly. Not many people were that kind anymore...
Nariko keeps her saddened gaze to the ground. "Much too kind for this world with them still in power... I need him in my class... I can't protect him if he isn't."
Hey! Hope you like the new chapter! Sometime soon, I'm going to go a bit dark and angsty... Please heed this warning! Sorry for the slightly shorter chapter.
I hope you all are enjoying the story so far! Bye.
WhovianWhoudini