a/n: I tried to have this up earlier today, but my internet shut off, lol. Also, I'm at ch 70 of the manga, and I don't like where it's going. I'm not spoiling it, but we're going to pretend Shima didn't do what he did, in this collection. XD Thank you for reading. 💙
Konekomaru wasn't paying attention. It was as simple as that.
The stress of multiple long nights of studying was finally taking its toll on him. He was exhausted and every little thing seemed to pass by him. Professors had called on him in class, and he'd struggle to answer their questions. When the bell signaled that they were free to eat lunch, it'd taken a few minutes to realize that meant he should get out of his chair. He'd been so tired that he'd almost forgotten about cram school.
He'd pretty much stumbled into class, barely on time. Shrugged off Bon and Shima's concerns. A few minutes later Okumura-sensei and Kirigakure-sensei were telling the students that they were working outside today, a long distance away from the classroom.
Konekomaru had been outside for a grand total of five minutes when his fatigue got the best of him and he'd tried to cross the street without even bothering to look and see if it was safe.
He didn't see the car coming. He just heard somebody call out to him before the world went sideways.
Hands were closing around him, lifting him out of harm's way, and when he hit the pavement he heard a very distinct "oof!" and the squeak of tires. Various versions of Okumura Rin's name echoed around them as he rolled like a barrel on the asphalt, head smacking painfully on the ground when he finally stopped.
"O...Okumura-kun..." he whispered, wide-eyed, staring in shock. No other words would form.
Both of their professors were already kneeling in the street, examining him for injuries. The driver of the vehicle was coming to join them, looking concerned and remorseful, even asking if he should call for medical assistance.
"Nii-san," Okumura-sensei was saying, in a voice that was so frantic Konekomaru had a hard time believing it was his teacher talking. "Nii-san, can you hear me?"
For a moment, there was no response. And then Okumura-kun suddenly rolled over, one hand coming up to cradle his head. "Fucking ouch..." And then, as time caught up with him, he sat up with renewed energy. "Oh. Hey, is Konekomaru ok?"
Konekomaru made a strangled sound in the back of his throat. Okumura-kun had just been hit by a car and he was asking if Konekomaru was ok. The thought made his eyes water.
Distantly, he heard Kirigakure-sensei telling the driver everything was fine. Distantly, he heard the driver sputter in disbelief as Okumura-kun stood on wobbly legs. Distantly, he felt Bon's hand on his shoulder. Distantly, he heard Okumura-sensei scolding his brother about he should stop using himself as a shield and one of these days he wasn't going to just stand back up.
But all he could think about was Okumura-kun's radiant smile as he said, "Good! I'm glad you're ok. You look tired, you know. You should sleep so you don't space out and do that again."
It took almost every ounce of Konekomaru's willpower to keep his tears at bay.