Comfort
Satoshi Hiwatari wasn't sure why he was glancing at her every minute, but it was beginning to bother him greatly. For one thing, she hadn't sat down with him under the sakura, like she did every lunch. For another, she had been exceptionally quiet for all of school, ever since that morning. It was so unlike her.
Satoshi stole another glance. She was still sitting there, under a tree a few yards away, just as she had been a minute ago. He began reading the same paragraph he had began reading three times. He stopped at the end of it (finally managing to get through the text), but glanced once again at Risa Harada. She still sat, eating her lunch, her head bowed. He sighed, frustrated, but continued reading...
Another glance. She was still there.
Damnit, he thought to himself bitterly. He stood, saved the spot in his book, and walked briskly over to her. Even though he had stopped just two feet in front of her, she hadn't noticed. It was then that Satoshi saw the darkened streaks on her face that indicated that there had been tears shed.
"Harada-san."
Risa gasped and looked up, a few tears spilling over her eyelids. "Oh!" Surprised, she wiped her cheeks, and tried to look as if she hadn't just been crying. "H-hello, Hiwatari-kun. W-what are you-?"
"You're crying." She shut her mouth immediately. Satoshi was caught, for he thought this would provoke some kind of mean remark. It didn't. "What's wrong?"
Risa looked away, wiping her eyes once more. This time, she did it as if she were angry with herself. She let out a fake laugh. "Damn these tears... I've just had a yawning fest all day long..."
Satoshi squatted, balancing carefully on the balls of his feet. Gently, he took one of her wrists, for a moment afraid that he might crush it. It was unlike him to make such kind gestures, but he had to know what was wrong. It was odd, but he just had to know. "Harada-san... what's wrong?"
She bit her lower lip, fresh tears still coming. Satoshi didn't let her see his own emotion, for he didn't like it much when girls cried, but he didn't want her to know that. "Hiwatari-kun... you don't think I'm a horrid, boy pursuing, unintelligent whore that only cares about sex, do you?"
The question nearly made him stumble. He wondered who would say such a terrible things. About Risa Harada no less. Satoshi glanced over his shoulder to see two or three mean-looking girls glaring at them. Of course... fan-girls. He sighed, shaking his head. "No, Harada-san, I do not."
Silently, she nodded, only a few more drops falling before she inhaled and confidently nodded. He nodded as well and stood, pulling her up as he did so. He picked up her lunch, and they walked back to their bench. The two students spent the rest of their lunch period, quietly reading and eating, content with each other's company.