Disclaimer: Yugi-Oh GX does not belong to me nor its characters or rights over the story.
Warn: This story may have heavy and uncomfortable themes/situations like use of drugs, violence, suicide, abuse, sexual harassment, intimate relations, rape, depression, trauma and bad language. If you do not like such, Do not read this.
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Chapter 24: Rupture
Ryo is at the doorstep of Rie's apartment yet again, she quickly looks around to see if everything inside is in order and fully opens the door, he steps in quietly. It's been like this for the last couple weeks after they had their talk.
He has been coming to her apartment frequently, just to spend some moments in silence or watch her work. As usual, before she can think of the reason he came, he brings her in an embrace. His grip is firm, but caring. She can feel his breath near her neck and the woody fragrance of his perfume for a brief second before he presses her lips with his in a short kiss.
"Ryo, is there anything wrong?" She asks, still stunned with his sudden approach.
"No, I just wanted to see you again. Do you not like it when I come here?" A feeble smile sprouts on his lips.
"It's not that… But you don't need to always come here, I can still go to your apartment sometimes too. I'm mostly working, it's a bit embarrassing having you watch me, but I appreciate your company."
She smiles tenderly, leaving him in awe for a second, before he smiles back at her. Despite the problems and the scolding, he stopped to think about all that he has done, about himself and about her too. Long ago, it would be inconceivable to him she'd be able to smile like this and that she'd be the one helping him.
"Ryo, I never got to ask you this, but did you ever get a new manager after you fired Saruyama?"
"Hm? Why are you suddenly asking this now?"
"Talking about work reminded me of that…"
She scratches her face abashedly, stepping closer in some sort of expectation, he can feel her efforts in knowing more about his work, especially after what they've discussed.
"My main sponsor has people taking care of my schedules for now. What about your work? Did you have problems recently?"
"It's fine for now, my colleagues don't bother me as much as at the start, I guess they figure I don't care about what they say…"
"And your family?"
"They're as usual trying to meet up with me to talk about business, but I'm declining it. I don't want to get involved in their company. What about your family?"
"My mother often calls, but I don't enjoy spending hours with her idle talk, so I don't always answer it, as for my father, I don't think he minds much what I do as long as I'm doing well in my career, probably he would be the one minding the least this relationship too, unlike my mother."
"You're scaring me about meeting your mom."
"Don't worry, I wouldn't let them make you feel unwanted in the family." He ruffles her hair.
Her eyes close in enjoyment as a smile forms on her lips again. His eyes melt looking on her face, wavering so slightly, his hand moves on its own to caress her face, as if she is the most precious person he'd ever touched, and right now, to him, she is. He bends over, cutting off all distance keeping them apart, their lips meeting.
His kiss is not rushed, slowly introducing his tongue, gradually further into her mouth the intensity of their passion increasing and they both seem to enjoy it as much as possible, his hands sliding on her back and hers bringing his head feasibly closer, his hands almost clawing the lines on her back as if he was longing for that for the whole time they didn't meet each other, her mouth was exhilaratingly warm, her body started heating up too much for their own good too.
His lips dart away from hers going to her neck and shoulders trailing a consecutive line of kisses, his hands going everywhere, her limbs relishing his blazing touch.
"I love you, Rie." His breath fails in between the short kisses he plants on her lips.
For some reason for all those days he had come, they'd only talked, it seemed as if he was trying to compensate for all the times they barely talked at once, and especially after their latest problems, he displays uncertainty in approaching her besides the conversations.
Again, repressing his feelings like that didn't help, it just made him even more eager to meet her and touch her again, halting their contact just stirred impatience in him.
"I can't think about anything else besides you…"
His voice is shaky and almost feverish as he breaks the distance once more. Their contact grows exponentially without boundaries as the night flashes by.
The lamp on her work table is the only source of light in the room, in that half illuminated ambience, lying sideways, she can see his features. He's resting on her bed, on his back. His chest expands as he heaves tiredly, the back of his hands concealing his eyes, drops of sweat delineating even more the traits of his face.
His head plops to the side, feeling watched by her static gaze, she flinches when their eyes meet, some blood accumulating on her cheeks, perhaps it was improper to look at him for so long. But he's so handsome she couldn't help herself.
"Are you fine?" His brows arch subtly in worry.
This is the question she should be asking him with how long he seemed to be having trouble breathing, but she turns around, rummaging somewhere on the small shelf near her bed, taking her device and turning back to him.
"Do you not mind that I can't make any sound?"
"Mmm." He grumbles half annoyed and still enjoying the lingering sensation of their latest activity. "Which kind of question is that? Why would making any sound affect how good we fu-"
Before he finishes, she slams his chest, the sound echoes in the air and he reacts by gesturing with his hand shielding himself from more attacks and angling his brows slightly up.
"Too much for your ears…? Why are you even asking this? Is that Tonomiya guy or one of your colleagues spitting shit again?"
He grunts, moving his head to the original position and putting the back of his hand to his forehead, his gaze drifting onto the white colored ceiling.
"It's fine, I can make enough sound for us both. You don't need to worry about that."
"That's not..." She sweats nervously, patting his arm to request his attention. "How do you even… Can you really enjoy someone like that? I've heard people say it's less arousing."
Her gaze flickers looking at him waiting for an answer, then she sighs, turning around and avoiding looking into his face. His lips unseal for a moment, but he silences, rolling near her back, he embraces her from behind, her body curls even more feeling how heated up his skin still is.
"To be frank, I don't think arousal is a problem here." She jerks at his remark.
With a deep huff, he sits up, supporting his hand across her and turning her upwards, his torso hovering over hers as she jolts with his sudden action and the unreadable stare he has.
"You want to know so much?" A provocative smirk springs on his lips, he bends in close stopping just a few centimeters from her face "Every time I'm inside you, I can feel how much you've been wanting me by how wet you are, how much every single nerve and muscle in your body shivers just by my touch alone, your legs giving more space so I can come even deeper, begging for more of me…" He whispers seductively. "Your expression as you feel overwhelmed by all those sensations and how your hands pulls me in closer… Mmm." He slides his hand on her side and firmly grabs her ribs right under her chest, as if provoking her, she winces at the gesture. "Even if you don't say a single word, I can tell how much you're full of ecstasy by it all and we both know how good it feels, your whole body tells me you're happy even as I spurt joy inside you as we both finish together, filling you with my s-"
She swats his torso up in a complaint tone, her face becoming beet-red in embarrassment while she frantically gestures in signs.
"Stop."
"What? You asked for an honest answer. Too descriptive?" He sits up straight on the bed, a muffled laugh accompanied by a triumphant and rather proud smirk in teasing her. "Are you still worried and having doubts?"
"I get it! I won't ask things like this anymore! You didn't need to sound so lewd!"
"It's not 'lewd' to love and enjoy someone. Your body just reacts to those feelings and I'm an expert in those by now."
She sits up, hiding her face abashedly. His grin just enlarges a tad satisfied with the results of what he ensued on her expression. That smile diminishes with time as he travels among his own thoughts.
The words she said weeks before are still ringing inside his mind. For a long time it felt like something inside him had cracked open, a part that had been dormant since school, a furious, intense and completely wicked side of him he didn't know existed before his transformation into Hell Kaiser.
He gave it a chance and space to spread inside him, but now, after her words, he wavers. Should he have more control over it rather than let his emotions control himself? Wasn't the reason why he lost and kept losing because those so called emotions burned all his rationality? He was just doing the same from before, but being ruthless while at it.
His eyes inadvertently take a peek at Rie's face, she covers herself with the bed sheets in uneasiness under his penetrating and stern gaze. His mouth shut in a line, unwilling to say a word to her.
They've had enough suffering in school? True, admittedly he found himself bewitched by that suffering and the results it brought. It made him feel alive and more than that, it reminded him of what he must do to achieve victory, yet, while looking at this woman and thinking about how much he doesn't want her to suffer in any way anymore, especially not by his hands.
He saves those thoughts to himself and leaves in a happier note than when he entered her apartment, his expression dims as he takes a paper out of his pocket, his lips curving down after looking at numbers that seemed like a time for a meeting. He scoffs, a faint smile playing on his lips, he proceeds. She watches from the main door of the building as his figure enters a black car and disappears in the city.
Around two weeks later
Rie leaves the workplace at night, rain pours everywhere. Under her umbrella, she comes out of the stairway up from the train station near her apartment. On the sidewalk, in front of the building, there is an unexpected, but familiar figure standing. Her steps halt in shock, her eyes opening wider and trembling.
"Ryo…?"
Her feet make constant waves on the pools of water, she can hear the uninterrupted sound of the dripping umbrella. He's looking at the ground, his eyes petrified in a lack of emotions, but the air around him seems somewhat depressing. Absorbed into his thoughts.
A startle occurs in his expression when he sees the transparent cover hovering on top of him. A faint smile comes to his lips when he spots Rie, she's both bewildered and worried.
The scene changes to them entering her apartment, he's soaked in water with an uninterested expression, but why was he standing like that? She hands him a towel and offers a place for him to sit, near her working table in the room.
He takes his overcoat off, handing it to her. She's about to hang it somewhere, but a piece of paper sticks out of the pocket. It's completely wet, she checks it. It has some time and date as an appointment but it's so blurred by the rain she can barely see the numbers, it seems like some sort of doctor. She tucks it back into the coat.
He holds the towel for a moment before drying his hair, she casts a concerned glance over her shoulder. He didn't say a word since they met, not even a greeting, nor he acted as passionately as when she visited him. Something is wrong today.
His eyes are covered by his bangs, the towels hanging over his head. She comes back wearing dry clothes, with a cup of hot tea. Just like he did for her once, she puts it on the table, sliding it closer to him. It does not stir any reaction.
"Ryo, did something happen? How come you were waiting in front of the apartment building?"
In the darkness of the room, the light of the display on her screen contrasts, he still seems in a daze for some reason, not answering her question. She pouts at his apathy and lack of response. Then, she puts the communicator aside and rubs the towel on his head gently drying his hair.
He finally sketches a reaction, gaping at her and raising his head slightly, in some sort of awe, the towel on his head slides to the neck. She smiles faintly, pulling his head closer, embracing him. Even when he is sitting, his head reaches up to her chest.
He closes his eyes letting the warmth of her body slip in him, as she caresses his hair gently, sharing her warmth with his freezing skin. She pauses for a moment, his face feels cold even through her clothes, for how long was he under the rain? And why does he look so gloomy today? Resuming the petting, she saves those questions in her mind.
Her device makes a vibrating sound, she checks it, her eyes waver for a brief moment, he raises his head wondering what she is doing, but she immediately turns the device face down and smiles fondly at him. Pulling him closer in a hug again.
His hands wrap around her waist, accepting that embrace. A weak smile sprouts on his lips. Even though he didn't give much of an explanation, she was hugging him to comfort him. That calmed him down. How could she know exactly what to do in those situations even when he didn't pronounce a word?
Pulling her away kindly his smile becomes more defined on his face, his greenish orbs display a subtle tenderness.
"Rie, you are really the prettiest." He rests his forehead on her torso.
"Today. Ryo. Different. Why?" She smiles abashedly.
He finally gets up, there is no reminiscence of the emotions he had just a moment ago, it just puzzles her more. A drop of sweat rolling down her face.
"Why did you come here? If I knew you would come, I would have left work a bit earlier." She types this time, to make sure he's understanding her questions.
"That's right… We don't have any pictures together, do we?" He dismisses the topic.
"Why would I need a picture when I can cuddle you like this?"
She distances herself a bit to show the message. A low grunt comes out of his lips, his eyes avert to her working table. There is not a single portrait of her or of him there. A faint smile comes to his lips again, there is a hint of sadness on it, she can't understand why. Again it seems like he is concealing his true feelings.
"Ryo, did something happen? You're not being yourself today..."
"No, it's nothing." He avoids the subject walking past her towards the door. "I just wanted to see your face a bit."
"Are you not staying?"
He feels a tug on his sleeve. Her eyes are open in bemusement. He turns his head around casting a glance back, a feeble curve up on his lips, his semblance looks tired and rueful.
"Do you want me to?"
She blushes slightly with the question, lowering her gaze, her fingers unintentionally grasp his sleeve stronger. She hears a muffled laugh coming from him, he pulls her close in a kiss this time.
"That's right… If this is going to happen, then..." His thoughts are lost somewhere else as he kisses her passionately "I'm sorry, Rie… But I want to live to the fullest, without regrets. Even if it will be short..."
Those ominous thoughts were kept hidden from her until the end of that day. Unaware of the predicaments he's in and of his unheard feelings. He lets himself be warmed by her once again.
The next morning, the water of the shower pours down washing his hair, his hand grasping his chest. A sharp, acute pain running down his body. He groans, but the sound of the shower occults the sound.
A soft knock on the door, Rie enters and he straightens up, keeping his composure as if nothing had happened. She has something on her hands, but the steam of the hot water makes the glass panel foggy enough that he can't fully see.
With a hand, he wipes the vapor away just to see her face close to the glass, she displays a message:
"I washed and dried your clothes for you. They are near the bathroom sink."
A faint and slightly guilty smile crosses her lips as she types the next part of the message.
"I have to leave for work now, but you can stay as long as you want, the extra key of the apartment is in the pocket of your coat."
Amused by her declaration, he doesn't have time to gather words before she leaves the bathroom, his hand still lingers on the glass, his eyes closing, with a sigh. He takes a look at his chest, placing a hand on it with a brooding, dark expression.
His eyes are long lost in there, his mind drifting away from reality. For how long will he be able to hold that secret before it is obvious? A bitter smirk plays on his lips, this is but the amalgam of his choices, he deserved it.
He can't stop now, this marks the onset of a downfall in his life of which he will never come back from. This is why even more than before, he just can't stop and give up. He must make something else out of it. Something better, bigger, and then he will be satisfied enough to say he can go in peace.
Once again, his memory brings up images from long ago, when he was about ten. He sits on the couch of the living room, head plopped down, his gaze fixed on the ground, his hands on top of his knees.
"Ryo, did you just say you want to go to the duel academy for high school? Hm, I don't know…" His mother puts a hand to her chin. "Same-chan said you're doing well, but sweetie, are you aware that it will be an integral school time with dueling lessons? Besides, it's too early to settle for that, you're not even in middle school yet…"
"What is the problem?"
A familiar voice interrupts, it's his father entering the room, his eyes slightly lost on the conversation as he approaches the couch, ruffling young Ryo's hair.
"Ryuu, your son just said he wanted to enter the duel academy during his high school, you know? That one from Kaiba corp."
"And why is that bad?" He adjusts his glasses, a slight frown of confusion and a raised brow.
"Well, not only that will set up his career, he won't be able to go to a normal school, and if he suddenly decides it's not what he wants, then what?" Her voice is imbued with panic. "Also, I know he has been a diligent apprentice in the dojo, but they said it's not as simple."
"Are you saying he can't do it? Or that he will give up on it in the middle of the way?"
"I'm not…" His childish voice is muffled, his cheeks blushing slightly for voicing himself amidst the discussion of his parents. "I'm not giving up."
His father sits on the couch with a plop, a deep sigh exchanging glances between his son and wife before he calmly declares.
"I understand you both, but let's be realistic here. Ryo, your mother is just worried because you're young and she believes you still can change your mind when you grow up, but if you do it too late, you won't be able to fully prepare for the career you wish to pursue."
"It's not an excuse, but master Samejima said dueling is complicated! He said to be compatible with the Cyber Style you need respect and diligence, and I know I'm close to reaching this level of respect!"
He clenches his fists as if defending himself from the seemingly unfair judgement of his parents, then closes his mouth shut, lowering his gaze in a conflicted expression.
"I understand you like it and while you seem to have talent for dueling from what we heard, you still didn't fully develop your abilities. I'm not asking you to be a professional at ten, neither is your mother demanding that, but if you don't show any sort of improvement, she will keep worrying and bring it up like this. You can enroll in the duel academy if you manage to accomplish your goal in becoming the best at the dojo. That said, if you can't show you're really interested in pursuing this career as a duelist in the next few years, I will have to ask you to reconsider your aspirations for the future and you'll be learning how to manage a company instead."
He gasps at the proposal, Eri also jolts at the blunt declaration. Ryo is happy that he was given a chance at least, but worried that he might fail the tall order and end up not meeting those expectations.
"You'll need to give your best in whatever you do, do you understand?"
He nods, still slightly shocked and gulps, but that fear and pressure becomes a wheel of motivation for him. For the next weeks and months, he trained even harder, sweating aplenty, until his fingers got swollen and cuts opened on his hands, impressing even Samejima.
His endeavor was rewarded, after so long, he finally got to listen to the voice of the Cyber End Dragon. It resonated with him and accepted his resolve, tenacity and most of all, the respect for dueling and for others. After that, as promised, he was not asked to start courses or other strange schools for management, but was given freedom to keep up his training in dueling.
His father had a rather proud and confident smile, instead of being upset. Had that been a scheme of his father all along? Did he trust Ryo could do it from the start, but went through with it anyways?
Not long after that, Shou also got into dueling seeing the example of his brother and that just caused more troubles with Eri once again worrying for their future, but he shakes his head off those memories.
Morning time, someday later
Ryo's stoic, greenish eyes are transfixed on Rie's sleeping face. Her hair spreads on the gap in between them, he sits down on the bed, playing with a strand of the sleek pink hair. It slides down his fingers smoothly.
It's been a couple months since his last visit to her apartment, since then he has occupied himself with the pro league. Nonetheless, recently whenever he had time, he couldn't stop himself from meeting her. His time feels constrained. Limited.
His hand recoils in a hurry when her eyes slowly open, she pulls the bed sheets to cover herself while sitting, before she can fully wake up, a push throws her down again, her back hits the soft mattress, startling her. Her cheeks flush seeing him atop.
His assertiveness causes this sensation of embarrassment, no matter how many times this happens. She can see a faint smile on his face, almost conceited as if he is entertained while watching her reactions.
Without giving much time for her to delve too much into his eyes, he approaches sealing her lips with a kiss, it evolves as they continue, she finds herself out of breath again when he lets her go.
"Ryo..."
He can read her lips protesting, pressing his shoulders upwards, her face completely reddened. He ignores her complaints and adjusts the bed sheets to cover them both. His warmth, making her skin simmer even more than before.
"I'm still not done with you."
She gasps faintly upon hearing this, he doesn't give her any break, how can he have so much vigor she wonders, but at this point he's already kissing her unstoppably. Sometimes it feels as if he is probing her limits, seeing how long she can last until she completely melts down in his arms. She accepts that contact.
His sweat drips from his face, she can't help but stare into his eyes as he rhythmically introduces himself into her, her own orbs flickering, they've been so infatuated with each other, it was hard to avert her eyes. She wanted to look fully into his face, appreciate it.
Wrapping her arms around his torso, she brings him even closer, her cheeks feel like they're burning, his face is bright red too. She can hear a low groan, his body shudders, but something is off, it looked like that was out of discomfort and pain.
"Ryo…?!"
She quickly grabs his shoulders, and her hands switch to touching his face, getting wet from the sweat, his skin is a tad too hot, not that it was strange given the situation. A pained smirk twists his face as he refuses to consent to her worries.
"It's nothing, let's continue."
Before she has time to think more about that, she's distracted by him again, with a kiss. There is no way he is letting her have time to think about anything else but him right now. They share yet another moment of enjoyment as their bodies connect together.
He rolls on the bed, lying on his own back, throwing one of his arms to the side and the other over his eyes that blink sluggishly, his face completely flushed. He seems out of breath, as if he just climbed a whole mountain, a sight she has only seen rarely.
She lies on her side, hiding under the blankets with a concerned expression, her mouth pouting. Moving closer, she rests her head on his open arm, startling him. He turns to the side, his eyes still in a daze as if he is recovering from an exhausting day, even though their day barely started.
His other arm lies on her, his hands gliding up her back, bringing her close in an embrace, he closes his eyes, relishing the sensation of that hug, enjoying the softness of her skin, his breath finally adjusts to a tranquil rhythm.
She puts a hand to his chest, lifting her eyes to look at his face while still enclosed on his arms. His eyes fully open, upon noticing her stare bordering the panic. His gaze is rocky, frozen even, but a second looking into her face is enough for it to falter a brief moment, he pulls her head close to his chest, blocking all other scenes from her sight.
"You don't need to look at me like this. I'm fine. I just enjoyed myself a bit too much..."
He feels her body harden under his touch with the last words, uptight at his remark. A low chuckle comes from his throat, he cannot help but take another look at her flustered face.
His brows curl upwards with certain guilt, he can't say teasing her like this is less than delightful, he just loves to see her reactions and expressions while he does it and finds the idea that despite knowing each other so intimately, she can express such emotions. A lovable side of hers he cherished.
His gaze becomes gloomier as his thoughts flow wildly. Why did he never have the courage to start a relationship back then? Why did he wait so long to just take her and love her like this? Had he started earlier, perhaps he would have more memories with her.
That is pointless now, mourning over lost chances will not change anything and he still has time to make even more precious memories with her. He should enjoy all those times and engrave them into his heart.
He hears muffled noises of the bedsheets crumpling as she scuffles on his arms, trying to get free, noticing her movements, and that he had been squeezing her too tight, he lets go of her body, she inspires a load of air after getting free, was he suffocating her this much?
After panting for a few seconds, her eyes land on his, he's immobile and the aloofness is back into his orbs. Her eyes flicker and she blushes, even when he's not smiling, his face is so charming.
"I will have a shower, if you don't mind..." He sits down and slides off the bed almost as if he is avoiding her intense stare in a bit of an implicit shyness. "You can join me if you want."
She sits straight up with the suggestion, nervous even but that feeling tranquilizes after seeing his back disappear into the bathroom, the door closing behind him. Her mind daydreams about him, in a haze, almost lovesick.
The vibration of her communicator on the side of the bed startles her, it slips a few times in between her hands before she can properly get a hold of it. The message makes her face wrinkle in annoyance and consternation.
"We need to meet, Rie. Your father and I have discussed and we think it's for the best if you come to talk to us about your future..."
Her lips open and hesitate, as if she wants to say something to that, with a reluctant finger, she presses the confirmation button to delete the message, throwing the device on the bed brashly. The sound of the shower starting catches her attention, she is fast to get out of bed, enveloping herself on the bed sheets.
The air produced by her movement makes a paper on the chest of drawers by the bedside float into the air and fall down. She squats and picks it, placing it on its original spot. Her eyes hover on that paper, it's so similar to the one from when Ryo visited her. It has a time and date and it looks like a card from some clinic.
A bad feeling pierces her chest, her heart skips a beat. What is this eerie sensation as if there is something terrible happening? Looking around as if to certify he's not there, she puts the paper on the pocket of her dress thrown somewhere on the ground. Setting those thoughts aside, she hurries to the bathroom.
He's mildly surprised seeing her there, the hand that was on his chest directs to close the water valve for a moment. He takes a look outside, with a half weary expression. She flushes under his analytical gaze, almost as if he is trying to scrutinize her intentions.
"Will you join me?" A faint smile comes to his lips.
She nods, dropping the makeshift clothes on the ground and entering the space of the shower where he is, he hugs her with fondness, even though he was dripping wet, she could feel a lingering warmth on his bare skin. His arms are the most comfortable place in the world for her now.
They enjoy each other's company for a short time before she has to rush to work, avoiding a scolding for arriving late by a minute difference. Her temper is much brighter lately, maybe it's because Ryo has been seeing her way more often, even when he just sits nearby without a word, watching her, throws in some small talk or checks his deck before a duel, she enjoys his company so much.
That reminds her of that paper, it was the second time she saw it. Her eyes squint in distrust. It's not like she'd think he was having an affair, if she can even call it that considering he never officialized their relationship to the public or even their families. Would he even be able to keep up with two girls like that?
She shakes off those thoughts, it is silly to entertain the idea, of course it must be something different. A sponsor, perhaps? But why did it look like some sort of clinic logo? With that in mind, she diverts her attention from work a bit, and searches about the nearby clinics and their names using the paper she stole as reference.
Her fingers go through a list of registered clinics and their names with logos on the side, her fingers dance on the paper until she finds it. The one that was on those papers she saw. A brow raises in puzzlement.
"A clinic that does full check ups? I guess he is a pro duelist after all… But still… Why would he need to go there twice in such a short time span? Perhaps, I'm overthinking it, of course he would go multiple days if he needs a pile of exams, right?"
She endeavors to disperse that uneasiness from her mind, going back to work, but catches her eyes averting to the side, where the list of clinics is. She sighs feeling troubled.
"Sometimes I wish Ryo would talk more about his routine with me… Would it be much to ask him to give me a brief daily report? That would be a bore to him, I suppose. Even so..."
At his apartment,
He clutches the coat around his chest, a pained, but controlled grunt of pain sends a shiver through his body. His heart feels like it's being torn apart in two pieces, its pulsation is heavy and hard.
His whole being shakes, his legs feel weak for a moment, he supports his hand on the table before he loses his full balance. The burning sensation that spreads through his veins brings blood back through them, the pain subsides with time and his breath becomes more stable.
It has been like this for the last past month at least, every time he duels, this pain assaults him, even when he's with Rie, he has been feeling it sometimes too. Drops of sweat formed on his face from the chaotic mess occurring inside his body.
His peace is disrupted when the doorbell rings. He answers the door, his eyes quiver feebly for a millisecond as he welcomes the guest, in a serious, somewhat bothered tone. It's Rie, he makes space for her to enter.
She casts a side glance, watching his inexpressive eyes observing her every movement. There is something preoccupying him. It's not the day they agreed to meet again yet, she tried to pay a visit anyways.
"Should I not have come by surprise?" She lowers her gaze, asking with the device in a saddened tone.
"It's not that… You know you're always welcome here."
Her eyes raise again with certain expectancy, she pulls his coat lightly, dragging him towards the table, sitting atop it, unlike the first time they were there and she was too overwhelmed to do it. His brows curl in a guilty angle, supporting both hands around her.
"I'm sorry, Rie… I'm not in the mood today..."
Both his tone and expression are pure dismay, his head lowered, she brings her hand closer to his head, almost attempting to hug him there, but stops herself and types a message instead.
"Can we talk for a bit?"
He peeks at the message and raises his head to look into her face, she's smiling gently at him. Her hand lands on his cheeks, caressing his face, her fingers are lukewarm. He covers her hand with his, closing his eyes, the sensation is candidly peaceful. Then, with a speedy movement, he wraps one of his arms under her, lifting her from the table again.
Just like the first time he did it, she loses her balance, supporting her hands on his shoulders, looking at his face from above, blushing profusely.
"Sure. But why don't we sit somewhere first?"
She's in awe how he can so easily pick her up as if it's no effort at all, her heart races a bit while looking at his face, beyond the coldness of his eyes, she can see tenderness while he looks at her. He kindly bends down, putting her back to the ground.
She sits down on a chair, in silence, still amused at him as he also takes a seat across from her. He supports his elbow on the surface of the furniture, accommodating his chin on his hand. She nervously thinks on a topic.
"Did I tell you my colleague that used to pick on me during work stopped? Not only him, but everyone else. They were saying strange rumors about a supposed boyfriend I have, but with how much they talk, I don't know what that could be about."
His eyes squint slightly in a thoughtful manner, he replies in tranquility, convincingly even, as if that had nothing to do with him.
"People who are cowards unable to achieve victory on their own without using others, will always be caught in their own schemes."
"Also, during the Genex, the principal called me and..." She hesitates looking at his placid semblance. "It's not important..." Her fingers fidget to type on the device, she gathers the courage to do so and shows the next text. "Ryo, are you bored when you are with me?"
He flinches at the question, hinting shock at her impression of him, his gaped mouth closes and she sees perplexity on his face.
"Why do you think that?"
"I know we improved in this too, but we still don't talk a lot… And lately you look so... distant."
She hears a low grunt in discomfort. It is true since they were younger he never had much tact for talks, as he reserved as he was, they still interacted a lot and have gone a long way together, but recently his old, vague and unapproachable self has been back.
Her eyes waver with the memory, it brings back recollections of the time they were in the cave and she felt bad for not being able to have a bigger presence or comfort him there.
"No, you don't bore me." His answer is short, but firm. "I certainly wouldn't define our nights together as boring. How could I?"
She jumps at the remark, her cheeks become slightly pink, her faltering eyes lands on his orbs for a moment, she sees no doubt in them. He stands up, approaching her slowly and pulling her up from the chair, then hugs her.
"I apologize if that is how it looked to you. I was never a great listener, much less of a speaker. I hope you do understand that. That doesn't mean I dislike the time I spend with you..." He pushes her away gently, his hand on her shoulders as he looks at her from above. "Even if we didn't exchange a word, I'd still appreciate it. If you want to say something, I'll listen to it. Is there anything I can do to ease your concerns?"
She grabs his coat, pulling him close and nuzzling her head onto his chest, he's at loss for a moment, but reciprocates that embrace. She's unusually worried. Is it because she has been noticing his condition or...
"Is there something on your mind, Rie?" He risks the question.
She is startled with the inquiry at first, but quickly grabs her device and types, he can also see her wiping some small tears from the corner of her eyes smiling with some sort of relief.
"I have been having some issues with my family, but nothing to worry about now."
"With your family?"
A frown naturally forms on his forehead, he recollects facts clearly, from what he heard from her in person and from Samejima, even after she had plenty of types of mental assortments, the only thing they cared for was keeping it low profile and asked the school to not send her back home as it would be shameful for them.
In other words, they were worried about the image their business would have if their daughter was sent back home after being abused and suffering from severe depression plus a suicide attempt. And how badly it could affect their image. He couldn't come to sympathize with them in the least, or after seeing in person how much she agonized and how long it took for her to stand up again on her own.
"I'll deal with it in no time. I just blurted it out without thinking." She nervously replies after sensing the tension swelling up in the air.
"If anyone is bothering you, just tell me." The severity of his expression softens, to attenuate her worries, gently caressing her face. "Though, I'm sure you are grown enough to take care of yourself by now. I'd still try and help if you want me to."
A genuine smile sprouts on her lips upon receiving his feelings for her, he's amazed for a moment, bewitched by her smile again, before he knows, her lips are touching his.
Differently from their passionate kisses, he takes his time tasting her as they enjoy the sensation. His hand leaves her shoulder, sliding down as much as they can stretch.
"She is really soft everywhere…"
He again grabs under her bottom and lifts her from the ground, startling her a bit, she stares at him in confusion, a provocative smirk plays on his lips.
"It seems I do feel in the mood after all…"
Saying that, he nonchalantly carries her to the bed, her arms closing in on him more and more. When she is dropped on the bed, she pulls him in more and more kisses as they both overheat from it and they spend yet another night together.
The next month is full of travels and appointments for Ryo, they barely squeezed in meeting in between their work to see each other and she made sure to see him off at the airport any time he traveled abroad.
At her apartment, Rie's fingers tap sequentially the days on the calendar hanging on the wall, she starts from the first day of the month, until the latest days and current time, her finger hovers over day 7 for a long minute as if she is dazed off. Shaking off her head, she quickly proceeds to a marked date showing a "family meeting" written.
A heavy, bothered sigh comes out of her lips, she checks her device, there is a message there that she has been postponing reading.
"We found a good business partner candidate, you will meet him at our next appointment, I'm sure you will get along well… You should start thinking about the future of our family, dear. Me and your father are really worried about you. Don't forget to dress prettily."
She skims through the list of other unread messages, guessing the content, her lips curve down in displeasure.
"Rie, please, answer the messages, your father and I want to confirm you'll come this time."
"I'm done with your childish behavior! You need to think of your future! After all that happened, this is your chance to have a good life with your family!"
"Rie, you'd better come in time or I and your father will not take it lightly! No one else accepted our proposal because you can't speak! It was so hard to arrange this meeting between you two, he's a busy man! Be considerate of your family!"
She selects all those messages and deletes them, with a deep, troubled sigh. For how long has she been ignoring it? Unsure of what to do, she lowers her afflicted gaze.
Her eyes trace back to the calendar, there's yet another date marked there, a visit to the clinic he has been investigating, the one Ryo has frequented a lot in the last months. Perhaps, that will shed some light into the mystery of whatever has been troubling him lately.
She visits the place, walking into the conspicuously white corridors with an eerie feeling, stopping by the door of the doctor's office, she knocks and enters, unaware of what to expect. The sign on the table says "cardiologist", her brows coiling up.
"I'm James Marsh. Your name?"
"Rie Kinomoto."
He is surprised looking at a screen instead of hearing her voice, but takes a new paper to write down her profile.
"I'm not here for myself…"
The sentence makes the doctor stunned, perplexed at her true intentions as he lets go of the pen, looking at her as if waiting for the mystery to be unraveled.
"I came here to ask about…"
Late night,
Ryo gets off the black car, unfazed by the rain soaking his whole figure. He walks a few steps towards the entrance of the building before halting after he sees someone standing on the sidewalk.
Her pink hair is drenched in rain, much like her full clothing, the sight makes her look gloomy. His brows curl naturally in confusion, walking more and standing right in front of her.
"Rie? What are you doing he..."
Before he completes the sentence, she hugs him tightly. The amount of strength she uses alarms him, did something happen? His hands come around her torso as he stares in a subtle puzzlement, caressing her back gently to soothe her.
Without getting another word from her, he invites her over concerned about the reason she would make a surprise visit again. The scenery changes: she's sitting on a chair inside his apartment, her hands resting on her knees that are covered in a soaked opaque dark pantyhose.
He offers a towel, but she doesn't take it, her gaze is lowered to the ground, her hair over her eyes, some drops of water fall. He kindly plops the towel over her head and rubs it slowly on her hair with one hand.
"Will you tell me why you came today? I thought you'd wait at the airport, but you were not there…"
The answer he gets is her hand pushing away his, rejecting his care, she pulls the towel down, silently standing there.
"Did you have a bad day?"
His tone sounds a bit sarcastic, she ignores it. He snorts, his intolerance growing higher, why is she not typing anything or even looking into his eyes? This is not the Rie he knows.
The first reaction from her occurs, finally lifting her orbs to look at him, her face is still wet, but he has the impression it's not just rain, the corner of her eyes are red as she types, her lips curving down.
"Do you not have anything to tell me, Ryo?"
"No. Why do you ask that?"
His cold demeanor and inexpressive gaze lands on her figure, looking down, she sees some restraint in his eyes, as if he is hiding something. Her lips open unwittingly in astonishment, her eyes waver unbridled waiting for the next words.
"Is there something wrong? Did someone hurt you?"
"Yes…"
Her hands grip the borders of her dress, her head lowers, he can hear her tears falling down, his fists make a clenching movement, but he stops it purposefully upon seeing how many wrinkles form on her face.
"You did!"
She stands up furious, the chair scratches the ground and he hears her stomping towards him, listening callously, despite his outside appearance, his interior is tempestuous.
A slap hits his chest, he is startled at first, she closes her fists and hits his chest repeatedly, he tries to put his hands to block it, but she slams him a couple times, pushing him back, lashing out.
His brows subtly curl upwards, perplexed. She steps back, her head still cast down, her fists close even harder, her shoulders quiver. She suddenly advances and grabs the brim of his coat, trying to shake him, but it's useless.
Her hands slide down, she covers her eyes, letting tears drip, wiping them, then lifts her orbs, they waver letting more drops fall down, as she looks deep into his eyes, stunning him when he can read her lips on the next words.
"Why are you doing this…? Why…? You are such a terrible liar…"
"Rie…?"
Concerned with the meaning of her words, his eyes open slightly, trembling upon the sight of her tears, he can also see sadness and compassion. What exactly does she mean and what is wrong with her today? He feels there is more to it than just a bad day, but why is she acting like this?