You wondered how many trials God had decided to put you through before he would be satisfied. You could deal with the pain of abuse, the ache of your heart whenever a certain blonde male looked your way-

But mental torture was the worst possible thing you would have to endure.

Stuck in a small apartment with your crush, in close quarters, overnight? That was seriously bad for you.

A sigh escapes your parted lips as you recall the events that happened earlier that day. After your father was taken away, Kise had marched into your house, which he promptly declared 'uninhabitable and unsuitable for humans'. And then, he had the audacity to invite you to his house. After he had seen you slip that letter into his locker. Sometimes, you really couldn't fathom what ran through that boy's head.

It was approaching evening when Kise told you that you should go shower. Not knowing what else to do, you nod before heading into his bathroom. It was neat and simple- which you didn't expect of the blonde male. You had always believed that he would spend hours in the bathroom fussing over his hair and his face and whatever else he could fuss over. The thought of it almost made you smile.

Almost.

You quickly take off your clothes before stepping into the shower and turning on the water, which was ice cold. But still, you stayed still, letting the water hit your bloody skin. You sigh again.

You really didn't know what prompted you to follow Kise to his apartment. Most likely, you were in shock from everything that had happened. But now that it was all over, you felt dull and limp.

Empty.

What were you supposed to feel? Sad that your father, your flesh and blood, had been taken away? Nervous that you were spending the night with the one you loved? Or elated, that you wouldn't be subjected to physical torture anymore?

At this point, you honestly didn't know anymore.

You were nervous some, yes, but the hollow feeling was much stronger than that, overwhelming every other emotion.

Before you realized it, you had spent ten minutes standing under the flowing water. You quickly turn off the shower, before stepping out and finding that Kise had left clothes out for you. You were so distracted entering the bathroom that you hadn't noticed it. Slipping on the oversized clothes, you couldn't help but notice.

It smelled like him.

An immediate blush overtook your features, and you shook your head quickly, getting rid of the thought. You turn and see your face in the mirror.

You looked absolutely terrible.

You didn't cry, but your eyes were red. Your hair was tangled from the water, and your face was extremely pale. You ran your fingers through your hair, before washing your face quickly with water from the sink. There was no way you would let Kise see you like this. Knowing him, he would definitely worry.

You exit the bathroom and find Kise sitting on his bed, reading a magazine. He looks at you, and grins. But the grin fades quickly.

"Hey...are you really okay?"

You plaster on a smile, and hold up your hand in a peace sign.

"I'm perfectly fine!" You reply, in a voice that seemed happy enough.

Kise frowned.

"Liar."

Your face crumbles at that one word, and you look down at the floor. Tears threaten to fall, but you hold them back. You couldn't cry. You couldn't cry. You couldn't. You wouldn't let the tears fall it it was the last thing you did. An uncomfortable silence stretches out between the two of you before suddenly, you hear the creak of a bed mattress. You peer up slightly, and see Kise smiling at you.

"Hey, (First Name)-chan. Let's become actors~!"

You stare at him blankly, confused. Kise spreads open his arms.

"For ten minutes. You'll be the person who is upset, and I'll be the person who is comforting you."

You freeze, looking into his eyes. Was he being serious? There was no way. But then again, his eyes were extremely serious. At least, more serious than they have ever been.

"Well?"

You take a trembling step forward, before leaping into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Never had you cried so openly. Never had you relied so much on somebody before.

Never had you felt so weak.

But when Kise wrapped his arms around your trembling, crying frame, you felt safe, warm, protected.

After a couple of minutes pass, your tears begin to subside. Kise looks at you, confused.

"Huh? But it hasn't even been ten minutes yet!"

You smile shakily.

"Manga and real life are very different, Kise."

The blonde-haired basketball player grinned sheepishly.

"You knew I got that line from a manga?"

"Of course."

The basketball player ruffles your hair gently.

"Do you feel better now, (First Name)-chan?"

"A bit."

You push yourself out of Kise's arms, before rubbing your eyes a bit. Kise opens his mouth again.

"Hey, (First Name)-chan."

"Yes?"

"W-were you the person who has been sending those letters...?"

You freeze up at his question. You had completely forgotten about the letters that you had been sending. You look at his face.

"What if I was?"

The expression that crossed his face made your eyes widen. It was shock. And...

Pain?

Was it pain? Or was it simply uneasiness? You look away, efficiently hiding your face from him.

"Just kidding~!" You say in a singsong voice. "I deliver the letters for someone I know. She said it was strictly anonymous and that she wouldn't chase after my boyfriend directly though~!"

You get up, before turning to look at Kise again.

"I should go sleep in another room. I don't think that boys and girls should sleep in the same room, you get what I mean?" You wink teasingly at the blonde model, and he laughs.

"It's fine. I'll go to the living room, you can stay here." Kise gets up as well, ruffling your hair one more time before exiting.

"Good night, (First Name)-chan~!"

You smile softly, sadly.

"Good night, Ryouta."