The Delicacy of Kissing (3)

Chapter Three: Too Risky

Yuma didn't get much sleep, his eyes were droopy, his body still tired, but most importantly, his mind was worrying. He and Tori were both certain they were lovers, but only Yuma was thinking of the consequences, which was ironic since usually it would be Tori to be the smart one and think it through. She was too overwhelmed for that to be the case though. Yuma, on the other hand, was uncertain whether or not he and Tori should be together, despite the fact he loved her as much as she did.

"Yuma, something's wrong," Yuma and Tori were back in class, Tori breaking the silence they both had during it.

"I thought you'd be happy after yesterday, but you've been staring at your desk for 5 minutes straight, and I've known you long enough to know that something's bothering you,"

Yuma kept silent for a couple seconds,

"Well? Something you wanna tell me?"

"Now's not the time, I'll talk to you after class,"

The bell rang 3 seconds later

"Well, it's after class,"

Yuma sighed.

"Fine, but lets go somewhere private,"

Yuma took Tori to the school alleyway between the K and L blocks.

"So what is it that's on your mind?"

Tori asked, holding her hips and giving a sly smirk. Yuma hesitated, looked up and held Tori's shoulder.

"Tori, I don't think it's a good idea to be together,"

"Look, if you feel scared about it, don't worry, I am too,"

"It's not that,"

Tori raised her eyebrow in confusion.

"Tori, I'm worried that the Barians might try and hurt you knowing that we're together,"

"So? Wouldn't they try to anyways? Am I not your best friend?"

"That's exactly what Astral said, I didn't respond to him then, but now I know, I've made up my mind,"

The now worried Tori stepped closer to Yuma and held his face up for her to see. She could see his eyes start to water up, soon enveloping his whole face with tears.

"I'm sorry, but,"

"Yuma..."

"If I have you as a girlfriend, that just means that when I have to choose between the others and you, I'll have to choose you, and I don't wanna prioritise friends over other friends,"

Tori couldn't say anything, she just stood there, staring at Yuma. Yuma stepped forward and touched Tori's right cheek gently. Their foreheads were leaning on each others', both of their eyes closed.

"I need you to understand that I can't let anything happen to you. Relationship or not, if the Barians ever use you against me in some sort of way, I'll forever feel responsible for it."

"Yuma please, you don't have to worry about me, please, at least give it a chance,"

Yuma pulled away, his face now soaking wet with tears.

"I -- I CAN'T, it's too risky!"

Yuma started running away, filled with tears, heartbroken to know that being with Tori would bring too many risks.

"Yuma! Wait a minu--"

"Don't try and stop him"

Shark emerged from the shadows. Tori turned around to face him.

"Sh- Shark?"

Tori's face turned red as she stumbled back in both embarrassment and surprise.

"Wait, you're not gonna tell anyo--"

"Don't worry about it, what's the point of spreading the rumor if I don't benefit from it?"

Tori could see Shark's serious face turn into a smirk.

"Besides, you two look cute together, no point in ruining it now"

Tori blushed a little as she picked herself up. Shark continued,

"You've gotta give it to him though, he does have a point. It is very risky to be together considering how the Barians could benefit from it"

"I don't care if he worries about me, I can take care of myself"

"I think he's less concerned with you and more concerned on how it'll impact the others, think about it. If he were in a make or break situation to save either you or Bronk, He'd have to prioritise you over him, which seems a little too unfair on Bronk. Yuma may be a little dumb and undecided most of the time, but he knows exactly what he's doing right now."

Tori looked down uncheerfully realising how much of a point Yuma had.

"So I guess that means we can't be together then..."

She then burst into tears, dropping to her knees.

"I think this is my cue to leave you be,"

Shark started walking away, bag around his shoulder.

"I'm sure you guys'll think of something, or at least I hope so, for your sakes,".

Tori stayed in the little alleyway until the bell rang, and Yuma somehow convinced the office ladies to give him an early leave due to his 'Not feeling wellness'. As Yuma was walking home, Astral appeared,

"I sense something bad has happened, are you alright?"

"As a matter of fact, no, I'm not, I just had to dump Tori before we were even together,"

"Why on earth would you throw Tori in the bin? Especially considering the state that you are with her?"

"No Astral, dumping someone means that you detach yourself a little to that person,"

Yuma saw the look of surprise on Astral's face, but he didn't turn to face him,

"Wait, does that mean you do not have any more passionate emotions for her?"

"Look Astral if you haven't noticed I'm in a bad mood and I'm not in the mood to answer these questions, just go away to the key or something!"

After the words came out of Yuma's mouth he didn't realise how harsh he had sounded, it was almost as if he could sense that Astral was offended. He turned around and was about to apologise, but Astral

interrupted and said,

"Very well, I shall leave you be,"

Astral disappeared to the emperors key, Yuma was kicking himself for being so aggressive. He never thought that his feelings for Tori would affect Astral. If one thing was for sure it was that Yuma and Tori were both shattered from their encounter, and that hopefully they would be able to fix themselves soon, before their relationship would be permanently ended, even before it began.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Woah okay, I was not expecting this chapter to be so emotional. Originally it was gonna be them having a small confrontation then thinking about it at home, but I think I like this one better. Anyways hope you enjoyed this chapter, next chapters probs coming out in like a century or so cuz I'm bad at keeping things up to date, RIP.