Mowatte Mabase
Chapter 8: Tatters
-Beautiful Morning With You-
.:. "Naoooo-kun!" Whipping his head back and freezing at the sound of his name, a girl in a middle school uniform rushed at him and grabbed his arm. Slightly twitching and recoiling, he said coolly "Ninamori-san, you're late." "Gomen," she said lightly, panting. Blushing and releasing his arm, Ninamori ran her hands over her skirt as the pair began to walk to their new school. She couldn't believe the words that just came out of her mouth… Addressing Naota so casually, clutching his arm… Naota was also flushed but for another reason. He put his hand into his pocket and felt ashamed, visualizing the partially healed scars underneath his long sleeved uniform shirt. They were faint now, but probably would remain in their visible state forever. Even now he could hardly believe what he had even considered, nonetheless what he had started to do. Fully embarrassed and feeling his face glow an even brighter shade, almost positive Ninamo-chan was watching him, he looked at his feet and began to walk faster.
.:. Ninamori picked up her pace and glanced at her watch. Naota seemed concerned about something, and it wasn't that they were going to be late. The opening ceremony didn't start for another hour. "Takku—umm, Nandaba-kun?" He looked back over his shoulder at her for a moment, as she was a few steps behind no matter how much she quickened. When he turned back to face his path Ninamori thought quickly Is it me? before exhaling slowly and blurting "Is something wrong?" Naota abruptly stopped walking and Ninamori bumped into him. Oh no, Ninamori blushed furiously and started to step back and stutter an apology when Naota finally looked into her eyes.He touched hershoulder andsaid quietly but firmly "Of course I'm alright. You're by my side, right?" Ninamori was too shocked to reply when Naota took her arm and started back towards their destination. Middle school already, Naota thought, releasing his friends arm and seeing Ninamo's weakly smiling face. God dammit I'm such a lucky bastard… From now on I'm going to be careful with my future. I'm never going to be locked within myself again. Naota finished his thought and smiled reassuringly at Ninamori-san, walking side by side into a new beginning.
Owari
Itsumo, Sumomo-san
Thanks for reading! If you're here it means you wanted the alternate ending. I know this probably wouldn't happen but I didn't want to leave my readers depressed since I have so few ;-; Leave a review if you want me to go on! Otherwise, this is the end.