The Birthday Gift
[Chapter VII]
By: Raiha-chan
Warnings: Shounen ai, may be a bit OOC in some areas.
Pairings: RanxYoji
Disclaimers: Weiß Kreuz and its character do not belong to me. Please do not sue me. My wallet is called "The Fly House" for a reason. ~.~;;
// denotes thoughts.
% denotes mental communication
"…Suki da…"
[July 7, night]
Yoji blinked numerous times. He opened his mouth for a remark before closing it and deciding that he had none.
"What?" Ran looked up at him, coolly.
"You…what did you just say?"
"Never mind," Ran stood and walked towards the door. "Forget I ever said anything."
"Wait, Ran!" Yoji stalked towards the door, before having it slammed in his face.
%You're that oblivious%
%Wonderful, you again. What do you want now?%
%Let me ask a question%
%What?%
%You like Red. Red likes you. Why don't you two just get together? Screw Sakura's infatuation with Red%
"If he could do that, it'd be nice, won't it?" a new and familiar voice spoke up. Yoji whirled around quickly.
"What…!"
"What?" Brad blinked at him, his head tilted to a side.
"Is my thoughts open to everyone?!"
"Only if Schuldich permits," Brad jerked his thumb behind him. The mentioned redhead came up.
"Yo," Schuldich held up a hand in greeting. Yoji didn't reply and the redhead turned to the other Schwarz member. "Just WHAT did you mean by 'if he could do that'?"
"And you don't know because…?"
"Well, then, clue ME in," Yoji spat out.
Brad turned to him, pushing his glasses up. "Ran doesn't know you like him, now does he?"
"Iie…"
"You acted like you regretted what happened last night."
"I don't…"
"You were only confused."
"Yes!"
"But Ran begs to differ. He likes you, yes, but he doesn't want to be with someone who doesn't like him back."
"I think he's going to go for Sakura soon…" Schuldich grinned.
"I fucked up bad, eh?" Yoji groaned, slumping down onto the bed.
"Not really…" Brad shot a look at the redhead beside him. "Since Schuldich was the one who messed up your relationship, he'll fix it up."
"WHAT?!"
"No arguments. You're helping and that's final."
+~+~+~+~+
"Oy."
"What are you doing here?" Ran didn't look up from the book he was so engrossed in.
"There's something I need to tell you."
"Shoot."
"Er…well, where should I start?"
"How about telling me why you did what you did last night?"
"Uh…" Schuldich rubbed the back of his head. He eyed the gleaming katana sitting by the wall right beside the bed. The German was fearless, yes, but God only knows what Ran might do if he goes insane on him.
//And he's only went berserk like a million times on me…//
The German shivered when the memory of the first day of the truce came back to haunt him. In short, Schuldich nearly ended up in the hospital had the others not interfered.
//Who knew he could fight so well? Huh, could've fooled me//
The redhead on the bed coughed, causing Schuldich to snap back to reality.
"What?"
"You were saying something."
"Oh, right. Yeah, well, about last night… I thought I did you a favor."
"What you did was to ruin a friendship between me and Yoji."
"Tch, I thought that between you and Yoji, you'd be the more observant one. Alright, here's the deal.
"Kudou likes you. He's been kinda screwed ever since that night of your party. Since he was so stupid as to not know what he should do, I thought I'd help. And well…you know the rest."
Ran became silent, before finally replying so softly that Schuldich had to ask him to repeat what he said.
"He doesn't like me."
"Why the hell would you think that? And don't give me that crap about someone like you shouldn't be loved."
"…"
"Ah, you're talking about his reaction to that night, aren't you?"
"…"
"Can't really blame the boy," the German flopped down beside the other redhead, on the bed. "He doesn't know you like him back and he was confused."
"He doesn't like me."
"You're still stuck on that? Gee, it's time to face reality, Red. The boy likes you."
The room fell into a deep silence following Schuldich's words. The German studied Ran. He could see gears running in the latter's head.
"What about Sakura?" Ran finally asked, in a soft whisper.
"What about her?"
"She's like a second sister to me. I don't want to hurt her."
"It's infatuation she held for you. Dump her and she'll bounce back so there's nothing you really have to worry about. You COULD match her up with someone, if nothing else seems to work for you."
"Who?"
"Some random boy?"
"Would that help?"
"Can't guarantee it. But I'm sure there are other boys in her school that is as cute as you are. We could ask Aya-chan to help find her a match, too."
+~+~+~+~+
The young brunette stood outside the door, fidgeting uncomfortably. Fingers clenched together, the girl continued standing and staring at the door.
Suddenly the door opened.
"Aya-chan? What are you doing here?" Schuldich asked.
"I came to look for oniisan," Aya replied softly.
"He's in there," the German jerked his thumb backwards then walked away.
"Oniisan?" Aya continued standing in her place, not moving an inch.
"Come in here, imouto," the voice responded from inside. Aya obeyed and closed the door behind her as she went in.
"Oniisan, there's something I want to tell you."
"Nani?"
"Gomen."
"Doushite? You didn't do anything wrong."
"I…for what I made you do three days ago. I know it's wrong for me to force you take Sakura like that. For the past three days, I did nothing but regret about what I did. Honto ni, gomen nasai." Tears brimmed at the corners of the young girl's eyes.
Ran stared back at her, silent. The young girl squirmed uncomfortably under the cold gaze her brother held towards her.
"If you hate me, it's okay, 'niisan. I shouldn't have--"
"Iie. I don't hate you."
Aya brightened slightly. "Do you really mean it?"
"Aa."
"I'm glad." Aya remained silent as the redhead watched his sister quietly. The young brunette seemed to fighting an internal battle with herself, from what Ran can get by watching the other's eyes.
"Is there something wrong, imouto?" Ran finally asked, breaking the silence.
"A-a…" Aya looked down at her feet, a slight tint of pink creeping up on her cheeks. "Oniisan…d-do you…"
"What is it, Aya?"
"Are you…do you like…"
Ran blinked as the girl suddenly turned away so that he was facing her back. "Imouto?"
"Do you like Yoji-kun?"
The question was asked so quickly and softly that the redhead had trouble catching it but he heard it nonetheless.
"Doushite?"
"I-I was just wondering, is all…"
"Why were you wondering, then?"
"I…Sakura-chan had a hunch that Yoji-kun might like you…"
"So why are you asking me if I like him?"
"My own hunch."
"Aa."
"I'll leave you now. Oyasumi, oniisan." Aya turned the doorknob and was about to leave the room when her brother called out for her to stop.
"Yes, 'niisan?" Aya turned around and looked at the redhead quizzically.
"What if I DID like Yoji?" Ran asked.
"Then I'd be happy for you," Aya smiled warmly.
"You wouldn't be disgusted?"
"Iie. Why would I? Yoji-kun is a nice man." Aya clapped her hands together suddenly and beamed brightly at her brother. "Besides, you two make a cute couple together!"
Ran choked.
"But," Aya's face became serious. "There's still Sakura-chan. I know you don't like her the way she likes you, oniisan, and I'm perfectly fine with the way you feel. If you ever need anything, I'm always here to help you. I don't want to see you unhappy."
"Aya…" Ran held out his hands silently. Without another word, the young brunette ran towards her brother's embrace. "Arigato."
"Hmm?" Aya looked up at the redhead. "Why?"
"For being so understanding."
"You're welcome, then."
Ran hugged his sister tighter. He gave the bundle in his arms one last squeeze before letting go. "You should go to sleep now."
"Hai. Oyasumi nasai, oniisan." Aya leaned up and gave a light peck on her brother's pale cheek.
"Oyasumi." Ran smiled slightly as he ruffled the young girl's hair. The latter stood up and gave him another smile before retreating from the room. Once she was gone, Ran let out a soft sigh.
+~+~+~+~+
[July 7, midnight]
She stared at the gun, eyes dead. Her hand shook slightly; her entire body laid against the cold wall, trembling not of fear, but anticipation.
If possible, her eyes went even more dead as her hand rose and the cold steel rested against her temple.
Her eyes closed and her fingers moved on its own volition. A gunshot rang throughout the still night.
%Stupid girl%
[Ende]
